The Weekend Past: August 7-9
For current events, see the complete listings at The Week, The Weekend and Everything Else.
For the Weekend of August 7-9.
Friday /// Saturday /// Sunday
PICK OF THE WEEKEND
Cabrillo Festival of Music composes itself for creativity
Conductor Marin Alsop leads the 2009 Cabrillo Festival of Music, which celebrates new orchestral works, for her 18th year. (Photo by rr jones)
Seventy musicians. Ten composers in residence. One world premiere. Five United States premieres. Three West Coast premieres. Add all of these together and you have the 2009 Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, taking residence in Santa Cruz from August 2 through 16.
“Cabrillo is more of a state of mind than a place,” Maestra Marin Alsop, festival director, wrote recently in a commentary for National Public Radio’s website. “The Cabrillo experience is all about people and relationships: how we use art to express ourselves; how we communicate with and without words; how we learn and assimilate; how we form opinions and tastes; and, importantly, how we are bound together by creativity and the thrill of discovery.”
Some of this year’s highlights include the world premiere of British composer David Heath’s Rise from the Dark on Friday, August 7, the festival’s opening night; the West Coast premiere of Enrico Chapela’s soccer-themed ínguesu on Saturday, August 8; and a Sunday, August 9, orchestral tribute to the Grateful Dead, Sugar Magnolia, featuring composer Lee Johnson’s Dead Symphony no. 6. A question and answer session with Johnson, longtime Dead publicist Dennis McNally and Grateful Dead hour host David Gans follows the concert.
Percussionists are featured prominently in several of this year’s compositions, including Osvaldo Golijov’s Azul and Avner Dorman’s Spices, Perfumes, Toxins!, which was originally written for the Israeli percussion group PercaDu. In fact, four of the 10 guest artists for the festival are percussionists.
A free family concert will be held Sunday, August 9. And, of course, the free Cabrillo Music, Art, Wine and Food Festival — the “festival within a festival” — gets going on Church Street outside the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9.
For more information and the whole concert schedule, visit www.cabrillomusic.org.
Friday
EDITOR’S PICK: Azul: Opening Night of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. Maestro Marin Alsop leads the Festival Orchestra. The opening night program includes the U.S. Premiere of Amphitheatre by Australian composer Brett Dean, the World Premiere of British composer David Heath’s Rise from the Dark and 26-year-old cellist Alisa Weilerstein performing the solo in Osvaldo Golijov’s Azul, originally written for Yo-Yo Ma. 6:30 p.m. pre-concert dinner and talk (reservations required), 8 p.m. concert. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz. $30 – $45. (831) 420-5260
Opening Day of International Society of Acrylic Painters Exhibit. The International Society of Acrylic Painters holds an open juried show, which runs through September 6. Opening reception August 8 from 3 – 5 p.m. Gallery hours Wed. – Sat. noon – 5 p.m., Sun. noon – 4 p.m. Santa Cruz Art League Gallery, 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 426-5787.
Greg Kihn Band at the Boardwalk. Greg Kihn may be staring at the bodies, but they won’t be dancing slow when he plays the Beach Bandstand. Top 40 hits by Kihn, a popular Bay Area radio host, include “Jeopardy” and “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em).” 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. Beach Bandstand, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 423-5590.
Twilight Evening Cookout & Hike. Have an old-fashioned meal by campfire at Roaring Camp before embarking on a 45-minute walking tour of the redwoods lead by an Eco-Ranger. 7 p.m-9:30p.m. Aug. 7 & 14. Roaring Camp, Graham Hill Road, Felton. $25. Parking $7. Reservations required. (831) 335-4484.
The Wizard of Oz at Cabrillo. Join Dorothy, Tinman, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion somewhere over the rainbow in this timeless musical tale of finding your way in the world. Produced by Cabrillo Stage, Santa Cruz’s only professional musical theatre company. 7:30 p.m. Closes August 16. See www.cabrillostage.com for other date/time details. Cabrillo Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. $15 – $31. (831) 479-6154.
Unauthorized Rolling Stones at Don Quixote’s. You may have to keep telling yourself “they’re not the Stones” when Bay area tribute band Unauthorized Rolling Stones exiles itself to Don Quixote’s main stage. 8 p.m. Don Quixote’s International Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $12. Ages 21+. (831) 603-2294.
Six Wheel Drive at the Santa Cruz Improv Festival. Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey gets taken for a spin when Six Wheel Drive takes its turn onstage at the Santa Cruz Improv Festival. 8 p.m. The Festival runs through August 8. Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center Street, Santa Cruz. $10. (800) 838-3006.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Magic, music, humor, romance, and spectacle…what more can you ask from a play about fairies, fools and the madness of love. Shakespeare Santa Cruz brings its latest production of this Bard favorite to the outdoor Festival Glen. 8 p.m. Closes August 30. See ShakespeareSantaCruz.org for more dates/times. Festival Glen, 1156 High St., UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz. $13-$48. (831) 459-2159.
Shipwrecked! An Entertainment. Donald Marguiles’ fantastical romp comes to life as an old man, Louis de Rougemont, tells of his life shipwrecked on an island. Is it true or just a yarn well spun? See this Shakespeare Santa Cruz production and decide for yourself. 8 p.m. Talk-back with the actors after the show. Closes August 30. See ShakespeareSantaCruz.org for more dates/times. Mainstage Theater, 1156 High St., UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz. $13-$46. (831) 459-2159.
Frankie Ramos Band at Seabright Brewery. Drink beer and listen to the band. Frankie Ramos Band plays Seabright Brewery. 8 – 11 p.m. Seabright Brewery, 519 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz. No cover. Age 21+. (831) 426-2739.
Johnny Winter at The Catalyst. He’s a bluesman. Singer/guitarist Johnny Winter brings his signature sounds to The Catalyst. 8:30 p.m. The Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $21 in advance, $24 at the door. Ages 21+. (831) 423-1338.
SambaDá at Moe’s Alley. Get ready for an Afro-Brazilian samba funk dance weekend when SambaDá appears Friday with special guest Trip Delight Fantastic and Saturday with Nation Beat. 9 p.m. August 7 & 8. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $15. (831) 479-1854.
James Intveld in The Catalyst’s Atrium. Rock out to rockabilly. Americana rocker James Intveld is joined by the San Francisco-based 5-piece group 77 El Deora in The Catalyst’s Atrium. 9 p.m. The Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Ages 21+. (831) 423-1338.
Fish Out of Water at The Crepe Place. Funksters Fish Out of Water return to Santa Cruz. They’re joined on the bill by Moss Landing reggae rockers The Hallway Ballers. 9 p.m. The Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz. $10 in advance, $13 at the door. (831) 429-6994.
The Thing at Midnight at the Del Mar. Prepare to scream. John Carpenter’s classic horror film spawned imitators galore. The original stars Kurt Russell. Midnight. The Del Mar, 1124 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz. $6.50. (831) 469-3220.
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Saturday
EDITOR’S PICK: Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival. Relax and enjoy the artwork of more than 100 local artists accompanied by food, wine, music and children’s activities with the 10th Annual Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. August 8 & 9. SkyPark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley. Free. (831) 438-1010.
EDITOR’S PICK: 18th Annual Cabrillo Music Food Art & Wine Festival. Summertime fun lines Church Street outside the Civic Auditorium when fine artists, craft vendors, food artisans and Santa Cruz wineries take to the street for the 18th Annual Cabrillo Music Food Art & Wine Festival. . Performing artists entertain on Church Street Stage with non-stop world music and dance. There will also be hands-on music and visual arts workshops for kids. 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. August 8 & 9. Church Street, outside the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 420-5260.
Mountain Men Weekend. Wander through wilderness encampments of trappers and traders as an 1830s summer rendezvous of wild and woolly mountain men is re-created. 10 a.m. Aug. 8 & 9. Roaring Camp, Graham Hill Road, Felton. Free. Parking $7. (831) 335-4484.
Behind the scenes at the Boardwalk. Tour under the Boardwalk and learn the unique history, fun facts and little known tidbits about one of California’s premier tourist attractions. Hosted by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the tour benefits the Museum of Art and History. 10 a.m. – noon. $10 MAH members, $15 non-members. Registration required. (831) 429-1964 ext. 20 or email education@santacruzmah.org.
Backstage tour of Shakespeare Santa Cruz. Go behind the scenes at Shakespeare Santa Cruz with a peek into the costume shop, prop department, dressing rooms and more. 11 a.m. UC Santa Cruz Theater Arts Center, east of Heller Drive on the UCSC campus, Santa Cruz. Free, but reservations required. (831) 459-5810.
The Wizard of Oz at Cabrillo. Join Dorothy, Tinman, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion somewhere over the rainbow in this timeless musical tale of finding your way in the world. Produced by Cabrillo Stage, Santa Cruz’s only professional musical theatre company. 2 & 7:30 p.m. Closes August 16. See www.cabrillostage.com for other date/time details. Cabrillo Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. $15 – $31. (831) 479-6154.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Magic, music, humor, romance, and spectacle…what more can you ask from a play about fairies, fools and the madness of love. Shakespeare Santa Cruz brings its latest production of this Bard favorite to the outdoor Festival Glen. 2 p.m. Talk back with actors after the show. Closes August 30. See ShakespeareSantaCruz.org for more dates/times. Festival Glen, 1156 High St., UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz. $13-$48. (831) 459-2159.
Opening Reception for International Society of Acrylic Painters Exhibit. The International Society of Acrylic Painters holds an open juried show, which runs through September 6. Reception August 8 from 3 – 5 p.m. Gallery hours Wed. – Sat. noon – 5 p.m., Sun. noon – 4 p.m. Santa Cruz Art League Gallery, 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 426-5787.
Moonlight Dinner Train. Enjoy a barbecue dinner before boarding a nighttime train and riding through a redwood forest to Bear Mountain, where a bonfire and sing-along await. Complete the evening with live country music and dancing. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8 & 15, Sept. 26, Oct. 3 Roaring Camp, Graham Hill Road, Felton. $35 child, $45 adult. Parking $7. (831) 335-4484.
Western Sing-a-long at New Brighton State Park. Be sure you’re in tune. Michele Kiba leads a Western sing-a-long at the Campfire Center. 7:30 p.m. New Brighton State Park, 1500 Park Avenue, Capitola. Free. Parking $8. (831) 464-5620.
Christopher Morrongiello at Lick Observatory. Honor Galileo. Virtuoso lutenist Christopher Morrongiello presents a recital featuring works by the Galileo family and their distinguished musical contemporaries as part of the Music of the Spheres series. An astronomy talk and a look through a Lick telescope follow. 8 p.m. Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton Road, 19 miles east of San Jose. $35 – $155. santacruztickets.com
Spices, Perfumes, Toxins! at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. Maestro Marin Alsop leads the Festival Orchestra in a program that includes the West Coast premiere of Mexican composer Enrico Chapela’s ínguesu, Israeli composer Avner Dorman’s Spices, Perfumes, Toxins! and the U.S. premiere of Australian Brett Dean’s Moments of Bliss. A talk back session with Alsop, guest artists and composers follows the concert. 8 p.m. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz. $30 – $45. (831) 420-5260
B.A.D. KIDZ at The 418 Project. Ba donk a donk the techno mashup. The 418 Project, 418 Front Street, Santa Cruz. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. (831) 466-9770.
You Had to Be There closes the Santa Cruz Improv Festival. Mixing games and long-form sketches, You Had To Be There is sure to put a stitch in your side. The troupe closes the Santa Cruz Improv Festival. 8 p.m. Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center Street, Santa Cruz. $10. (800) 838-3006.
Julius Caesar. Beware the Ides of March. Shakespeare Santa Cruz brings the political dynamics of ancient Rome to life with its production of Julius Caesar. 8 p.m. Closes August 30. See ShakespeareSantaCruz.org for more dates/times. Festival Glen, 1156 High St., UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz. $13-$48. (831) 459-2159.
Shipwrecked! An Entertainment. Donald Marguiles’ fantastical romp comes to life as an old man, Louis de Rougemont, tells of his life shipwrecked on an island. Is it true or just a yarn well spun? See this Shakespeare Santa Cruz production and decide for yourself. 8 p.m. Closes August 30. See ShakespeareSantaCruz.org for more dates/times. Mainstage Theater, 1156 High St., UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz. $13-$46. (831) 459-2159.
The Concaves at Don Quixote’s. Surf’s up when The Concaves come to Don Quixote’s. Once known for their instrumental surf rock, The Concaves have added vocal tunes and new instruments to their repertoire. 8 p.m. Don Quixote’s International Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $7. Under 21 allowed with parent. (831) 603-2294.
Six bands, one show at The Catalyst. Too much beat-driven goodness. The Pack, The Cataracs, Dizzy Balloon, Pep Love of Hieroglyphics, The Holdup and The Skaflaws play The Catalyst. 9 p.m. The Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. (831) 423-1338.
SambaDá at Moe’s Alley. Get ready for an Afro-Brazilian samba funk dance weekend when SambaDá appears with special guest Nation Beat. 9 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $15. (831) 479-1854.
The Shitkickers at The Crepe Place. San Jose bluegrass-punk band The Shitkickers join Santa Cruz’s Fire Whiskey in The Crepe Place’s front room. 9 p.m. The Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz. $10. (831) 429-6994.
Lukas Nelson & The Promise of The Real in The Catalyst’s Atrium. From Venice, California with love. Guitar-driven rockers Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real play The Catalyst’s Atrium. 9 p.m. The Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Ages 16+. (831) 423-1338.
The Thing at Midnight at the Del Mar. Prepare to scream. John Carpenter’s classic horror film spawned imitators galore. The original stars Kurt Russell. Midnight. The Del Mar, 1124 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz. $6.50. (831) 469-3220.
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Sunday
EDITOR’S PICK: Sugar Magnolia: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. On the anniversary of Jerry Garcia’s death, Maestro Marin Alsop leads the Festival Orchestra in a program tributing the Grateful Dead. The music includes composer Lee Johnson’s acclaimed Dead Symphony No. 6. Bring a contribution of canned food or a monetary donation for Second Harvest Food Bank and receive a special commemorative poster. 8 p.m. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz. $30 – $45. (831) 420-5260.
Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival. Relax and enjoy the artwork of more than 100 local artists accompanied by food, wine, music and children’s activities with the 10th Annual Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. SkyPark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley. Free. (831) 438-1010.
18th Annual Day on the Monterey Bay Regatta. Watch boats race. Music, raffles and a barbecue raise money for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Santa Cruz Yacht Club, Dry Storage Area, 244 Fourth Avenue, Santa Cruz. (831) 464-8691.
Musical Saw Festival. Listen to Blue Grass, Classical and Country music at workshops and jam sessions as musicians perform on Musical Saws and Folk instruments from around the world. Part of the Summer Gathering of Mountain Men. 10 a.m. Roaring Camp, Graham Hill Road, Felton. Free. Parking $7. (831) 335-4484.
18th Annual Cabrillo Music Food Art & Wine Festival. Summertime fun lines Church Street outside the Civic Auditorium when fine artists, craft vendors, food artisans and Santa Cruz wineries take to the street for the 18th Annual Cabrillo Music Food Art & Wine Festival. . Performing artists entertain on Church Street Stage with non-stop world music and dance. There will also be hands-on music and visual arts workshops for kids. 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. August 8 & 9. Church Street, outside the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 420-5260.
Cirque Magnifique at the Boardwalk. Cycle stunts, gravity-defying balance and more grace the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when Cirque Magnifique rolls into town. Performances will be held Monday-Thursday noon & 3 p.m. and Sunday noon & 6 p.m. Through August 20. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 423-5590.
Jazz Sunday at MAH. Join vocalist Jeannine Bonstelle and her accompanists as she performs selections related to the exhibition Musical Notes. Noon – 2 p.m.. Abbott Square, Museum of Art and History at The McPherson Center,705 Front Street, Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 429-1964.
Free Family Concert at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. It’s orchestra as petting zoo. Maestro Marin Alsop and conductor Carolyn Kuan lead the Festival Orchestra during this free family concert and orchestra tour. The orchestra will perform two rollicking works bringing principal percussionists, Galen Lemmon and Steve Hearn into the spotlight. 1 p.m. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz. Free, but tickets required. (831) 420-5260
The Wizard of Oz at Cabrillo. Join Dorothy, Tinman, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion somewhere over the rainbow in this timeless musical tale of finding your way in the world. Produced by Cabrillo Stage, Santa Cruz’s only professional musical theatre company. 2 p.m. Closes August 16. See www.cabrillostage.com for other date/time details. Cabrillo Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. $15 – $31. (831) 479-6154.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Magic, music, humor, romance, and spectacle…what more can you ask from a play about fairies, fools and the madness of love. Shakespeare Santa Cruz brings its latest production of this Bard favorite to the outdoor Festival Glen. 2 p.m. Closes August 30. See ShakespeareSantaCruz.org for more dates/times. Festival Glen, 1156 High St., UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz. $13-$48. (831) 459-2159.
Ventana Vineyards at Capitola Book Cafe. Taste and learn. Lindsey Caldwell of Monterey’s Ventana Vineyard shares 30 years stories and several wines at this combination lecture/tasting at Capitola Book Cafe. 3 p.m. Capitola Book Cafe, 1475 41st Avenue, Capitola. $8. Advance ticket purchase recommended. Ages 21+. (831) 462-4415.
The Gillette Brothers at Don Quixote’s. They’re cattlemen and cowboy singers. The Gillette Brothers, real-life Texan ranchers, bring their love of cowboy song and poetry to Don Quixote’s. 7 p.m. Don Quixote’s International Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $15. Under 21 allowed with parent. (831) 603-2294.
Julius Caesar. Beware the Ides of March. Shakespeare Santa Cruz brings the political dynamics of ancient Rome to life with its production of Julius Caesar. 7:30 p.m. Closes August 30. See ShakespeareSantaCruz.org for more dates/times. Festival Glen, 1156 High St., UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz. $13-$48. (831) 459-2159.
Shipwrecked! An Entertainment. Donald Marguiles’ fantastical romp comes to life as an old man, Louis de Rougemont, tells of his life shipwrecked on an island. Is it true or just a yarn well spun? See this Shakespeare Santa Cruz production and decide for yourself. 7:30 p.m. Closes August 30. See ShakespeareSantaCruz.org for more dates/times. Mainstage Theater, 1156 High St., UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz. $13-$46. (831) 459-2159.
