One of my favorite votes in an electoral race was the one I cast for Jerry Brown during his reelection bid for Oakland mayor in the early 2000s. I did not know much about the veteran politician at the time except that he was governor of California in the 1970s and he had once dated Linda Rondstandt. As a young voter who grew up with songs like “Blue Bayou” and “You’re No Good” often playing on my mother’s record player that was enough of an endorsement for me! A celebration of the rock and roll star’s musical legacy is on Sunday at Kuumbwa, featuring a host of local artists playing some of her most popular tunes. The following are a list of the top events happening in Santa Cruz this week.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13
Cabrillo Winter Festival of Bands
Three days of instrumental and vocal jazz concerts with local school talent and professional ensembles come to Cabrillo this weekend with special guest Allen Vizzutti. Vizzutti has become a legend within trumpeting circles, and at this year’s Cabrillo College “Symphonic Winds: A Winter Celebration for Bands,” he’ll be bringing with him his years of experience as a classical and jazz artist. Vizzutti has performed with a rainbow of artists and ensembles including the NBC Tonight Show Band, Chick Corea, and performed in more than forty countries. Vizzutti has recorded with everyone from Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand to Neil Diamond and Prince.
Info: 7:30 p.m., Cabrillo College Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. cabrillovapa.com. $4-$25.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12
Greywater Installation Class
Last week the New York Times published an article titled “What You Can Do About Climate Change,” which included very simple guidelines like waste less food and take the bus. But what else can we do? That’s where TimeBank Santa Cruz comes in: this Saturday, Dec. 12, they’ll host a greywater laundry-to-landscape installation to show anyone who wants to make their home the optimum eco-friendly machine how to install a system. They’ll cover just how much water can be saved with this method, how to route it to gardens, what tools and materials are needed and what rebates are available for this green DIY endeavor. Registration required.
Info: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 12, timebanksantacruz.org/events. $10.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13
Look Sale at Swanton Berry Farm
Step away from the computer, close Amazon and all those other online shopping websites, and get your one-of-a-kind holiday gifts from the hands of renowned local artists and makers this Sunday, Dec. 13. It’s an exciting one-day art event offering handmade prints, patches, coats, cut paper cards, furniture, photographs, salves, ceramics, tin types, tote bags, and snacks—all perusable while conversing with the artists behind the art. It’s going to be a festive affair with marshmallows roasting on the fire pit and the Battle Mountain Serenaders keeping the old time Americana feeling alive. Pure Heart Chocolates, the Medicine Shack and Honeybee Ceramics will be among those offering their wares. Info: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, Swanton Berry Farm, 25 Swanton Road, Davenport.
‘To Linda, With Love’ at Kuumbwa
Winner of 11 Grammys and one of the most popular singers in history, Linda Ronstadt has appeared on more than 120 albums and sold over 100 million records. To celebrate her extensive repertoire and stunning career, local musicians will perform her biggest hits and some favorite Christmas carols. Nashville Song Writer’s Hall of Famer, Gary Burr, will open the show with John Tindel, Randy Tupper, Dean Newberry, Annie Steinhart, and Patti Maxine breathing life into Ronstadt’s beloved tunes.
Info: 7 p.m., 320 Cedar St. # 2, Santa Cruz. kuumbwajazz.org. $20.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15
‘Can We Talk?’ Spotlight on the Church
In 2001 the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team exposed a cover-up so widely webbed into the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston that it reached to the very top tiers of the power structure. It wasn’t just a story about child molestation, it was a story about known secrets, promotions, and blatant abuse of position. The news that came out of Spotlight’s investigations brought down generations of “hear no evil, see no evil” within the church, which is why local Father Rodolfo Contreras of the Holy Cross Catholic community in Santa Cruz invites locals to see the film and break the silence—in order to create a trusting and honest space local ministers and spiritual leaders will partake in breaking down the barriers with any who wish to partake.
Info: 7 p.m., Lulu Carpenters, 1545 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. holycrosssantacruz.com. Free.
TO LINDA WITH LOVE A celebration of Linda Ronstadt’s music is on Sunday at Kuumbwa Jazz Center.
