THURSDAY 9/18
BLUES
RUTHIE FOSTER
The music of Texas-born singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster combines Americana, blues, folk, gospel and soul. Earning comparisons to Mavis Staples, Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin, Foster makes effective and creative use of her vocal and instrumental skills, as vehicles for her inspiring lyrical work. She’s as prolific as she is talented, with more than a dozen albums to her credit. In recognition of her artistry, Foster’s list of nominations and awards is lengthy, including three Grammy nominations and one win (in 2025 for Mileage, Best Contemporary Blues album), and a staggering ten Blues Music Awards between 2010 and present. BILL KOPP
INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $38/adv, $45/door. 479-1854.
FRIDAY 9/19
AMBIENT
LUKE WYLAND
Luke Wyland sits at the keys and coaxes out beautiful spatial soundscapes, electronic ambient music with a plot that takes listeners on a journey. Hailing from Portland (where a large percentage of music of every conceivable genre seems to come from these days), Wyland is also a disability activist. Collaborating with the nonprofit SPACE, he curates The Library of Dysfluent Voices—a completely unique archive that explores stuttering as a generative, expressive mode of communication. Sharing the bill is Peruvian American composer, vocalist and performing artist Briana Marela. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
INFO: 8:30pm, Indexical, 1050 River St., #119, Santa Cruz. $16. (509) 627-9491.
ALT-COUNTRY
WILL SPROTT
With his slightly psychedelic, alt country adjacent sound featuring a healthy dose of reverb-soaked guitar and rich imaginative lyrics, San Jose native Will Sprott first made his mark (and earned strong reviews) with The Mumlers. Under the Mumlers name (and now on his own), he’s proven to be quite prolific, cranking out recordings, including his latest, Natural Internet, which received a second pressing last year. This Friday sees him returning home to share the night with labelmate Joe Kaplow. It is presented by Redwood Records. KLJ
INFO: 8pm, Crepe Place 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6994.
THEATER
ADDAMS FAMILY
Though perhaps a bit more morbid, The Addams Family navigates the struggles of every family. Their children are growing up. Chaos ensues when Gomez and Morticia Addams’ beloved, macabre daughter, Wednesday, falls for a regular old boy from Ohio. Peppered with witty songs and ghoulish charm, this musical comedy delights in the absurdity of teenage romance, the eccentricities that run in families, and the certainty of change. Mountain Community Theatre presents this show under the direction of Daria E. Troxell and will feature a few special “Dress As Your Favorite Character” performances for some added fun. Performances go until Oct 19. SHELLY NOVO
INFO: 8pm, Park Hall, 9400 Mill St., Ben Lomond. $30-$35. 336-4777.
SATURDAY 9/20
ELECTRONIC
GARY NUMAN
Recognized as one of the fathers of synth pop and known for hits like “Cars” and “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?,” Gary Numan’s evolving electric rock sound has been instrumental across eras. His influence spans timelines and genres, shaping legends like Prince, Nine Inch Nails and Kanye West. With 22 albums under his belt, his gritty, gothic sound has outlasted naysayers and transcended the fickle music industry. With robotic vocals and guitar-pedal-processed synth hooks, Numan mixes pleasure with just a touch of pain to create an innovative and altogether addictive soundscape. SN
INFO: 8pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $41. 713-5492.
CABARET
ICONS: BLACK WOMEN ILLUMINATED
Dress to the nines and step through the speakeasy to experience a dynamic cabaret-style tribute to 20th-century Black women artists. Grab a drink and enjoy the jazz until the curtain rises. The evening will be filled with aerial artists, spoken word, song, burlesque and dance. All the acts come together for a one-night ritual that explores “lineage, liberation, and unapologetic creative power.” The night will feature an all-Black women and gender-expansive cast. Through remembering the great artists of the past, the artists and audience have a chance to form deeper connections with themselves, those who came before, and those who will come after. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 7pm, 418 Project, 155 S. River St, Santa Cruz. $45. 466-9770.
BLUES-ROCK
NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS
Now in their 29th year, North Mississippi Allstars was founded by brothers Cody and Luther Dickinson to pay homage to blues musicians like their father, Jim Dickinson, along with friends like Mississippi Fred McDowell, Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside. Armed with a rotating cast of guest musicians, the North Mississippi Allstars have boasted members such as Duwayne Burnside (son of R.L.) Alvin Youngblood Hart and Lucinda Williams. Earlier this year they released their new album, Still Shakin’ as a 25th celebration for their debut album, Shake Hands With Shorty. MAT WEIR
INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $40. 704-7113.
SUNDAY 9/21
CELTIC
CELTIC AT THE BREWERY
Get ready to be transported back to the Cliffs o’ Dover this weekend with Celtic at the Brewery. This afternoon will feature the Irish sounds of the Weeds Duo, consisting of fiddler John Weed (from the locally infamous Molly’s Revenge) and son Evan (who plays Celtic harp, melodica and piano). This Carmel duo celebrates the Celtic tradition with jigs, reels and slower, emotional selections. On top of that, they play tracks showcasing how Celtic music influenced American genres like bluegrass, Appalachian music and jazz, connecting the past with the present. This Sunday, raise those spirits (and some pints) with some uplifting music outdoors. MW
INFO: 2pm, Steel Bonnet Brewery, 20 Victor Sq., Scotts Valley. $30/adv, $35/door. 454-8429.
TUESDAY 9/23
LITERARY
ND STEVENSON
ND Stevenson’s acclaimed 2012 science fiction graphic novel, Nimona, was first published as a webcomic. Its organic success led to a 2015 deal with HarperCollins, eventually making Stevenson a National Book Award finalist. Nimona was adapted for animated film in 2023 and subsequently nominated for an Academy Award. Stevenson has worked on projects for Marvel, Disney+, and was showrunner for Netflix’s She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. A nonbinary artist, Stevenson explores LGBTQ+ themes in a myriad of ways. Stevenson’s latest work is Scarlet Morning, the first part of a planned duology featuring pirates, magic, and themes of friendship and found family. BK
INFO: 5pm, Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 423-0900.
