Mat Weir

280 POSTS0 COMMENTS
A skater goes inverted above a wooden ramp as spectators watch at a Grind the Cause benefit.

Grinding for a Great Cause

Santa Cruz punks and skateboarders unite for Grind the Cause, a benefit raising $150,000 for a new bowl at Sergeant Derby Skate Park in memory of local skater James DeBarrios.
FreakFest 2026 poster

Freak Flag Flying

Red 40 gathers local bands, artisans, food vendors and gloriously costumed misfits for the third annual FreakFest at Hwy 17 Studios.
Santa Cruz humanitarian Curtis Reliford rides a bicycle while carrying a sign promoting peace, love, empathy and kindness.

Driving Hope

Santa Cruz humanitarian Curtis Reliford recounts a journey from violence and addiction to decades of service, compassion and cross-country relief work in his new autobiography, Madness to Surrender.
Oliver Tree Nickell’s flower-covered grave at Evergreen Cemetery

Seedlings of Inspiration

Thousands gathered at the UCSC Quarry to remember Santa Cruz musician Oliver Tree with stories, jokes, videos and music celebrating his wildly inventive life.
Alabama Annie performs with an acoustic guitar at the Catalyst Atrium in Santa Cruz

Catalyzing Effect

The Catalyst Atrium is reopening its stage to Santa Cruz musicians with a summer series of affordable weekly showcases curated by longtime local promoter Chas Crowder.
Oliver Tree performs before a large crowd at Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco.

A Great Artist Lost

Santa Cruz native Oliver Tree Nickell, the musician, performance artist and internet star known for his fearless weirdness, global reach and deep local roots, is remembered by the community after his death in a Brazilian helicopter crash.
Hands hold small vegan sliders at Santa Cruz VegFest.

Green Beings: VegFest ’26

Santa Cruz VegFest returns with vegan food, music, comedy, family activities, vendors and a message of compassion for animals, people and the planet.
A musician from the band Perch plays guitar in a recording studio.

Making a Scene

A new compilation, Santa Cruz Scene Celebration Vol. 1, spotlights 12 local bands and celebrates its physical CD release May 31 at Streetlight Records with a performance by Perch.
19,108FansLike
8,845FollowersFollow