For current events, see the complete listings at The Week, The Weekend and Everything Else.

For the Weekend of February 12-14, 2010.

Friday /// Saturday /// Sunday

Friday

What is Erotic? at The 418 Project. It starts with a pre-show erotic bazaar. Then the fun really begins. Aerialists defy gravity, dancers writhe in delight, singers breathe life into songs of desire. Naughty theater indeed. 7:30 p.m. February 12-14 and 19-20. The 418 Project, 418 Front Street, Santa Cruz. $18 – $25. Ages 18+. (408) 602-2490.

Guitars and Friends at UC Santa Cruz. Artists Mesut Özgen and William Coulter, both UC Santa Cruz guitar instructors, will be joined by guest artists to present music from various traditions, including Latin American, Turkish and Celtic, as well as compositions by Özgen himself. 8 p.m. Music Recital Hall, UCSC Campus, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz. $8-11. Advance tickets at www.santacruztickets.com (831) 459-2159.

White Album Ensemble Unplugged at Kuumbwa. Local octet White Album Ensemble plays a weekend of acoustic Beatles tunes with selections included from the group’s last seven albums: Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt Pepper’s, Magical Mystery Tour, The “White” Album, Let it Be and Abbey Road. 8 p.m. February 12 & 13. Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz. $25. Advance tickets at Streetlight Records or online at Tix.com. Dinner available one hour before the show. First come, first served. (831) 421-9200.

Huun Huur Tu with Carmen Rizzo at The Rio. Electronic musician/producer Carmen Rizzo mixes with the Mongolian steppe sounds of Huun Huur Tu for a sonic meeting of minds between musicians. 8 p.m. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz. $21 in advance. Advance tickets at www.ticketweb.com or Streetlight Records. (831) 423-8209.

Rose’s Dilemma opens at Broadway Playhouse. A ghost tries to convince his author widow to finish the novel he was writing before he died in Neil Simon’s 2003 play Rose’s Dilemma. This production at the Broadway Playhouse marks the play’s Northern California premiere. 8 p.m. Thursdays – Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays through February 28. Broadway Playhouse, 526 Broadway Street, Santa Cruz. $12 – $16. Advance tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com. (831) 426-5787

Joint Chiefs at Seabright Brewery. Joint Chiefs play Seabright Brewery. 8 – 11 p.m. Stephen Stills is best known as one-third of Crosby, Stills & Nash. 8 p.m. The Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $29 in advance, $33 at the door. Ages 21+. (831) 423-1338.

Neverland at Don Quixote’s. 14-piece tribute band Neverland pays homage to Michael Jackson with four lead vocalists, four horns and a six-piece rhythm section. The San Francisco band celebrates the larger than life performances, imagination and spirit of Jackson. 8 p.m. Don Quixote’s International Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $10. Cash only. Ages 21+. (831) 603-2294.

8 Tens @ Eight at Actors’ Theatre. Returning to Actors’ Theatre for its 15th annual season, the hugely popular 8 Tens @ Eight festival of 10 minute plays highlights the work of eight different playwrights. The works represent a range of styles and subjects from stark realism to existential; from edgy comedy to deep drama. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Sundays through February 14. Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center Street, Santa Cruz. $15 – $18. (831) 425-7529.

The Fantasticks. Try to remember and if you remember then follow your heart to Ben Lomond, where Mountain Community Theater performs the off-Broadway hit The Fantasticks. Love, laughter and family await. 8 p.m. February 4-6, 12 & 13. 2 p.m. February 14 at Park Hall. Performances at Louden Nelson Community Center from February 19-27. Park Hall, 9370 Mill Street, Ben Lomond. $20 (831) 366-4777.

Triston Palma at Moe’s Alley. Jamaica’s reggae heavyweight Triston Palma, backed by Cualli, makes an exclusive Northern California appearance. 9 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. (831) 479-1854.

Justin Townes Earle & Joe Pug at The Crepe Place. Nashville’s Justin Townes Earle joins Joe Pug for a show in the front room. 9 p.m. The Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz. $15. (831) 429-6994.

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Saturday

Art from the Heart at the Museum of Art and History. Red is the color of the day during this workshop dedicated to the legend of St. Valentine. The entire family will create lovable cards using stencils, collage, stamps, recycled materials and much more. 10 a.m. to noon. Museum of Art and History at The McPherson Center,705 Front Street, Santa Cruz. $5. Register at (831) 429-1964.

Migration Festival at Natural Bridges, Seacliff, New Brighton & Henry Cowell State Parks. Monarchs aren’t the only creatures that migrate through Santa Cruz County. Find out about animal migration, plus do crafts, games and more. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. santacruzstateparks.org Free. (831) 423-4609.

What is Erotic? at The 418 Project. It starts with a pre-show erotic bazaar. Then the fun really begins. Aerialists defy gravity, dancers writhe in delight, singers breathe life into songs of desire. Naughty theater indeed. 7:30 p.m. February 12-14 and 19-20. The 418 Project, 418 Front Street, Santa Cruz. $18 – $25. Ages 18+. (408) 602-2490.

Santa Cruz Chamber Players’ Tales of Love and Exotic Places. The sensual and evocative “Songs of Madagascar” by Ravel and the lyrical, late-romantic style love songs by America’s Amy Beach center this show by the Santa Cruz Chamber Players. 8 p.m. February 13 & 3 p.m. February 14. Christ Lutheran Church, 10707 Soquel Drive, Aptos. $20 adults, $15 senior, $10 youth. Advance tickets at : santacruztickets.com or (813) 420-5260.

ScripTease’s Love is in the Bare at Pacific Cultural Center. ScripTease, the world’s only stripping improv comedy troupe, presents Love is in the Bare, a night of romance and laughter. 8 p.m. Pacific Cultural Center, 1307 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz. $10. (831) 435-6080.

White Album Ensemble Unplugged at Kuumbwa. Local octet White Album Ensemble plays a weekend of acoustic Beatles tunes with selections included from the group’s last seven albums: Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt Pepper’s, Magical Mystery Tour, The “White” Album, Let it Be and Abbey Road. 8 p.m. February 12 & 13. Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz. $25. Advance tickets at Streetlight Records or online at Tix.com. Dinner available one hour before the show. First come, first served. (831) 421-9200.

Rose’s Dilemma at Broadway Playhouse. A ghost tries to convince his author widow to finish the novel he was writing before he died in Neil Simon’s 2003 play Rose’s Dilemma. This production at the Broadway Playhouse marks the play’s Northern California premiere. 8 p.m. Thursdays – Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays through February 28. Broadway Playhouse, 526 Broadway Street, Santa Cruz. $12 – $16. Advance tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com. (831) 426-5787

James McMurtry and the Heartless Bastards at Don Quixote’s. Get set for two nights of rollicking musicianship when James McMurtry and the Heartless Bastards visit Felton. Stephen King called McMurtry “the truest, fiercest songwriter of his generation.” 8 p.m. February 13 & 7 p.m. February 14. Don Quixote’s International Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $20. Cash only. Ages 21+. (831) 603-2294.

8 Tens @ Eight at Actors’ Theatre. Returning to Actors’ Theatre for its 15th annual season, the hugely popular 8 Tens @ Eight festival of 10 minute plays highlights the work of eight different playwrights. The works represent a range of styles and subjects from stark realism to existential; from edgy comedy to deep drama. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Sundays through February 14. Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center Street, Santa Cruz. $15 – $18. (831) 425-7529.

The Fantasticks. Try to remember and if you remember then follow your heart to Ben Lomond, where Mountain Community Theater performs the off-Broadway hit The Fantasticks. Love, laughter and family await. 8 p.m. February 4-6, 12 & 13. 2 p.m. February 14 at Park Hall. Performances at Louden Nelson Community Center from February 19-27. Park Hall, 9370 Mill Street, Ben Lomond. $20 (831) 366-4777.

The Mermen at Moe’s Alley. Cult Bay Area surf band The Mermen celebrate their brand new release “In God We Trust” with a show at the Alley. 9 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. (831) 479-1854.

Dead Prez at The Catalyst. Underground political hip-hop duo Dead Prez invades the Cat, joined by Pep Love, Umi, Nima Fadavi and Vibrant Eyeris. 9 p.m. The Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $16 in advance, $20 at the door. Ages 16+. (831) 423-1338.

Our Satori and Bryn Loosely & The Back Pages at The Crepe Place. Music for the moment, jam band Our Satori joins Bryn Loosely & The Back Pages in the front room. 9 p.m. The Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz. $7 in advance, $10 at the door. (831) 429-6994.

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Sunday

Many Moons at UC Santa Cruz. In this one-act fantasy opera for children, the young Princess Leonore has become ill from eating too many raspberry tarts and believes that she must have the moon to make her well. Many Moons will be directed by graduate student Jesse Avshalomov and conducted by recent UCSC graduate Thomas Purtill under the guidance of UC Santa Cruz opera program artistic director Brian Staufenbiel. Pianist Irene Herrmann will provide musical accompaniment. 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Music Recital Hall, UCSC Campus, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz. Free (831) 459-2159.

The Fantasticks. Try to remember and if you remember then follow your heart to Ben Lomond, where Mountain Community Theater performs the off-Broadway hit The Fantasticks. Love, laughter and family await. 8 p.m. February 4-6, 12 & 13. 2 p.m. February 14 at Park Hall. Performances at Louden Nelson Community Center from February 19-27. Park Hall, 9370 Mill Street, Ben Lomond. $20 (831) 366-4777.

Santa Cruz Chamber Players’ Tales of Love and Exotic Places. The sensual and evocative “Songs of Madagascar” by Ravel and the lyrical, late-romantic style love songs by America’s Amy Beach center this show by the Santa Cruz Chamber Players. 8 p.m. February 13 & 3 p.m. February 14. Christ Lutheran Church, 10707 Soquel Drive, Aptos. $20 adults, $15 senior, $10 youth. Advance tickets at : santacruztickets.com or (813) 420-5260.

8 Tens @ Eight at Actors’ Theatre. Returning to Actors’ Theatre for its 15th annual season, the hugely popular 8 Tens @ Eight festival of 10 minute plays highlights the work of eight different playwrights. The works represent a range of styles and subjects from stark realism to existential; from edgy comedy to deep drama. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Sundays through February 14. Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center Street, Santa Cruz. $15 – $18. (831) 425-7529.

Rose’s Dilemma opens at Broadway Playhouse. A ghost tries to convince his author widow to finish the novel he was writing before he died in Neil Simon’s 2003 play Rose’s Dilemma. This production at the Broadway Playhouse marks the play’s Northern California premiere. 8 p.m. Thursdays – Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays through February 28. Broadway Playhouse, 526 Broadway Street, Santa Cruz. $12 – $16. Advance tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com. (831) 426-5787

James McMurtry and the Heartless Bastards at Don Quixote’s. Get set for two nights of rollicking musicianship when James McMurtry and the Heartless Bastards visit Felton. Stephen King called McMurtry “the truest, fiercest songwriter of his generation.” Cache Valley Drifters open. 8 p.m. February 13 & 7 p.m. February 14. Don Quixote’s International Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $20. Cash only. Ages 21+. (831) 603-2294.

What is Erotic? at The 418 Project. It starts with a pre-show erotic bazaar. Then the fun really begins. Aerialists defy gravity, dancers writhe in delight, singers breathe life into songs of desire. Naughty theater indeed. 7:30 p.m. February 12-14 and 19-20. The 418 Project, 418 Front Street, Santa Cruz. $18 – $25. Ages 18+. (408) 602-2490.

Rickie Lee Jones at The Rio. Neither punk nor pop, Rickie Lee Jones makes her own way in the musical world. 8 p.m. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz. $28 in advance, $32 at the door. Advance tickets at www.pulseproductions.net. (831) 423-8209.

An Altared Valentine’s Day at Kuumbwa. A evening of love songs twisted and morphed into minor keys, An Altared Valentine’s Day stars the ROMP band plus guest stars Richard Stockton, Celina Gutierrez, Tammi Brown and more. 8 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz. $25. SOLD OUT. (831) 427-2227 for information.

Bassnectar at The Catalyst. Freeform electronic music experimentation. San Francisco’s Bassnectar plays the Cat. 8:45 p.m. The Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $20 in advance, $24 at the door. Ages 16+. (831) 423-1338.

Shady Groove at Moe’s Alley. Shady Groove returns to the Alley for their fourth annual Shady Valentine Bash. The Santa Cruz jam band delivers an invigorating dose of funky blues and jazz-infused rock and R&B. 9 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. (831) 479-1854.

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