Mat Weir

From Pacific Avenue busking to the Catalyst stage, Empire Grade has been building momentum. The Santa Cruz quartet celebrates a debut EP blending hard rock, funk and blues at Moe’s Alley.

Santa Cruz comedian DNA becomes an unlikely messiah in Messiah Ink, a DIY satire made with longtime collaborators Julia Reodica and Dylan Hillerman.

Kari Assad and Toni Nagy talk comedy, collaboration and finding laughter in bleak times ahead of the 13th Santa Cruz Comedy Festival.

UCSC’s Festival of Monsters returns Oct. 14–18 with horror scholarship, authors, comics and free public events exploring the language of monstrosity.

A Romero Institute town hall brings Santa Cruz leaders and activists together to discuss voting rights, civic courage and the power of community participation.

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.

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 recounts a journey from violence and addiction to decades of service, compassion and cross-country relief work in his new autobiography, Madness to Surrender.