The music bookers in this town love to keep Santa Cruz weird, and this week was no exception. Two Grammy-winning performers, a pornographically-inclined punk band from the UK, a huge festival in the redwoods, and a hilarious but undeniably creepy musical ventriloquist are all in town. Get out and embrace it.
Thursday, September 15
Adult Books, DZR, and Cigarette Burns at The Crepe Place
While at first glance this lineup looks like something that might be scrawled in Sharpie by an angsty middle schooler on the bathroom wall, this is actually a pop-y punk rock musical showcase. It’s a bit of a geographic smorgasbord as well, with Adult Books arriving from the UK, Cigarette Burns making the barge from SoCal, and DZR representing all the local hooligans. If you like mosh pits, fast guitars, or French desserts, this is the spot to be on Thursday.
Show at 9pm. Tickets $8 at the door
Friday, September 16
Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings at The Catalyst Main Stage
Although the Dap Kings and singer Sharon Jones didn’t release their first album until 2000, their music perfectly captures the essence of the funk and soulof the 1960s revival movement. In the last sixteen years, they’ve vaulted to the top of the funk, soul, and R&B charts, earning a Grammy nod for their 2014 album Give The People What They Want. This will be their first tour since Jone’s triumphant battle with cancer, which may add another layer of vivaciousness to an already passionate live show.
Show at 9pm. Tickets $35 in advance/$38 at the door.
Saturday, September 17
David Liebe-Hart in The Catalyst Atrium
David Liebe-Hart is a big name in the world of Los Angeles and Hollywood puppeteering, and has most recently gained national fame from a recurring appearance on the notoriously weird and hilarious Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. Combining ventriloquism with cleverly worded and catchy songs about things like the benefits of using email to communicate, and the different ways the aliens with whom we share the planet say “Hello.” His performance is unique, to say the least. Come see something new.
Show at 8:30pm. Tickets $10 in advance/$14 at the door
Saturday 9/17 and Sunday 9/18
The Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival at Roaring Camp
Mountain Sol Festival founder Michael Horne is rightfully excited about the two days of musical acts performing at the festival at Roaring Camp this weekend. The concept of the two-day event, which takes place in the open air amongst the redwoods of Henry Cowell, is to feature one day of “mountain music” followed by a day of soul. This year, they’ve got two different but equally killer line ups with Edward Sharpe, Third World, G Love, Steve Kimock and Mike Love rocking Saturday. Sunday will be super funky with the Pimps of Joytime, Katdelic, Sheila E., Ozomatli and George Clinton Parliament/Funkadelic.
Read our interview with Sheila E. and our previous of Mountain Sol before you go.
Tickets One Day $65/Two Day $115/Youth(11-17) $25. Children younger than 10 free.
Sunday September 18
Joe Louis Walker at Moe’s Alley
Bay Area born and bred Joe Louis Walker, aka JLW, is one of the most prolific electric blues guitarists to ever plug into an amp. A known entity in the San Francisco music scene since the age of 16, he is considered one of greatest bluesman of his generation. Over the course of his career, the 2013 Blues Hall of Fame inductee has released more than 20 studio albums, performed for presidents and at the most prestigious venues and festivals around the world, and been present on countless Grammy and award-winning tracks. A chance to see this musical legend and trailblazer at an intimate setting like Moe’s Alley is one blues fans won’t want to miss.
Show at 4pm. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door
