LETTERS

Letters to the Editor

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July 30, 2025

PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLOSED

Maybe I’m missing something? Why the decision was made to close Santa Cruz (City) Planned Parenthood? Federal cuts to Medicaid (CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte). Truth is, Medicaid has only been cut from illegal aliens and US citizens who don’t have jobs but should. So that reason is BS. Have “Mar Monte” and the powers that be asked the County (HPHP) for assistance? Have they asked the City of “Endless Enabling” to divert some or all of their Measure L funding away from the transient criminals? That’s about $10M annually. How about seeking private donations? Google dumped $50 million toward homeless ventures in Santa Cruz. Have they or others been asked to help? Obviously they haven’t. The Watsonville facility will remain open, so why can’t PP provide disenfranchised county residents (Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, SL Valley) with round-trip Metro tickets? There are options for continued service. What there hasn’t been is any real effort to continue providing services to patients.

Big Joe 77 | Santa Cruz

BRAINS WASHED

A message to my Trump-supporting friends: Since 2016, I have tried hard to listen to many of you, hoping to find some middle ground, and you have made some good points.

Immigration needs to be regulated, post-adolescent boys should not compete against girls in sports, drug use and crime are out of control—especially in liberal cities—and federal government regulations can be onerous.

But here’s the problem: President Trump and his appointees do not seem to believe in 1. Science: i.e. Global Warming, vaccines and defunding research universities. 2. Law and Order: i.e. insisting that the 2020 election was stolen after 60+ judges confirmed that Trump lost, as well as firing 17 federal agency Inspectors General, whose purpose is to prevent fraud in those agencies. 3. Facts: i.e. over 30,000 fact-checked lies during President Trump’s first term, and recent lies about grocery prices going down and keeping the US out of war with Iran. 4. The Constitution: i.e. 39 judges have ruled against President Trump’s violations of the Constitution, and in a recent interview, the president said, “I don’t know if I have to obey the Constitution.”

I cannot allow my beloved country to continue to be run by people who do not believe in science, law and order, facts, or the Constitution, and I’m not alone.

Don Eggleston | Aptos

ONLINE COMMENTS

RE: FOODIE REVIEWS

Thank you for this review and interview. We’ve been going to the Farm House since we moved to Watsonville five years ago. It is our GO-TO breakfast place and we are now considered regulars. Hats off to Richard, Andrea, Angela, Naomi, Antonio and all the wonderful front-of-house staff who help make every visit outstanding!

Luisa Cardoza and Meera Collier | goodtimes.sc

Benajawan [BAYNARD, co-owner of Star of Siam], your food is FABULOUS. Thanks so much to you and your staff’s efforts to create such a great place. You are the STAR of Siamese food!

Steve Trujillo | goodtimes.sc

RE: First to Surf

What a wonderful article! So much history and really interesting. Kook or not, thank you.

Monica Alvarez | goodtimes.sc

RE: “Into the Woods”

Great review—spot on! Wonderful descriptions! So glad I got to see this show last night!!

Erinne Morse | goodtimes.sc

Seeing Red? Highway 1 Bus Lanes Explained

Looking at those red bus-only boxes it is clear that they are meant to allow a bus to occupy the exit lane, which is thought to be less congested than the through lanes, and then force-merge back into a continuing lane. Thus causing more congestion and crowding. I do not think this has been well thought out. In fact, it reminds me of the ridiculous zig-zag mess on Portola Drive last year.

Carl | goodtimes.sc

Free Will Astrology

Astrology

Rob Brezsny

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July 30, 2025

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ARIES March 21-April 19

For many bamboo species, nothing visible happens for years after the seeds are sowed. Beneath the surface, though, the plants are developing an extensive underground root system. This is referred to as the “sleep” or “creep” phase. Once the preparatory work is finished, the above-ground growth explodes, adding as much as three feet of stalk per day. Dear Aries, I sense you have been following a similar pattern. Soon you will launch a phase of vigorous evolution and expansion. It might feel unsettling at first, but I predict you will come to adore it.

TAURUS April 20-May 20

You are very close to uncovering interesting information about yourself—some new, some forgotten. But you will have to be brave and strategic to actually find it. If you manage to pull off this demanding-but-not-impossible trick, a series of breakthroughs may stream your way. Like what? Here are the possibilities. 1. A distorted self-image will fade. 2. An adversary’s hex will dissolve. 3. An inhibition will subside, freeing you to unite with a fun asset. 4. You will knock down a barrier that has been so insidious you didn’t know how strong it was.

GEMINI May 21-June 20

In medieval music, “organum” refers to passages that feature two voices. One is sung in long, sustained notes, and the other performs intricate, faster-moving melodic lines above it. This is an apt metaphor for the roles I invite you to take on in the coming weeks, Gemini: both the drone and the melody. One way to do it is to hold steady in one realm as you improvise in another. Another is to offer your allies doses of stability and inspirational dreams. Welcome the duality! You are capable of both deep-rooted rhythm and visionary risk; both fortifying truth and playful fun.

CANCER June 21-July 22

Cancerian author Ernest Hemingway had a reputation for bravado, but he was adept at wielding the protective, self-nourishing skills your sign is renowned for. He was sensitive about his works-in-progress, refusing to discuss unfinished stories. He understood that raw creative energy needed to be sheltered from kibitzing until it could stand on its own. “The first draft of anything is shit,” he said, but he also knew that defending the right to write that mediocre first draft was essential for him to thrive. Hemingway’s ability to channel his emotional vulnerability into moving prose came from establishing firm boundaries around his generative process. I recommend you do all that good stuff in the coming weeks, dear Cancerian.

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

In ancient China and ancient Greece, the lion was not the king of beasts, but the guardian of gates. The threshold keeper. The one who asked, “Are you ready?” Now is a good time to bring this aspect of Leonine symbolism to your attention. You may soon feel a surge of leadership radiance, but not necessarily the stage-commanding kind. It will be more like priest and priestess energy. Gatekeeper presence. People and situations in your orbit are on the verge of transformation, and you can be a midwife to their transitions—not by fixing or moralizing, but by witnessing. So I invite you to hold space. Ask potent questions. Be the steady presence ready to serve as a catalyst.

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22

The love-fakers and promise-breakers and delusion-makers are no fun, but I think you will ultimately be grateful they helped you clarify your goals. The reverse healers and idea-stealers and greedy feelers are perilous to your peace of mind in the short run, but eventually they will motivate you to create more rigorous protections for your heart, health and stability. In conclusion, Virgo, it’s one of those odd times when people with less than pure intentions and high integrity can be valuable teachers.

LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is built into a Norwegian mountain near the Arctic. It’s humanity’s backup garden. It stores over a million seed varieties from all over the world, serving as a safeguard for biodiversity. In accordance with astrological omens, Libra, I invite you to imagine yourself as resembling a seed vault. What valuable capacities are you saving up for the future? Are there treasures you contain that will ensure your long-term stability and security? Which of your potentials need to get extra nurturing? Bonus: Now is a good time to consider whether you should activate any of these promises.

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

There’s a myth in Gnostic traditions that Sophia, the Goddess of Divine Wisdom, split herself apart and dispersed into the material world. She became embedded in every stone, plant and drop of blood. And she’s still here, murmuring truth from within every part of the material world. In Sophia’s spirit, Scorpio, here is your message: Wisdom isn’t elsewhere. It’s embedded in your body; in your grief; in the wood grain of your table and the ache behind your eyes. More than ever, you have a mandate to celebrate this gift. So for now, refrain from thinking that spirituality is about transcendence and ascendance. Instead, greet the sacred in the dust and mud. Listen for Sophia in the ordinary. She speaks in sighs and sparks, not sermons.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21

When I do tours to promote the books I write, the range of encounters can be wide. On one trip, over 300 people came to see me at a bookstore in New York City. They listened raptly, posed interesting questions, and bought 71 books. In Atlanta three days later, I was greeted by nine semi-interested people at a small store in a strip mall. They purchased three books. But I gave equal amounts of energy at both gigs. The crowd in Atlanta got my best, as did the audience in New York. I invite you to regard me as a role model, Sagittarius. Proceed as if every experience deserves your brightest offerings. Express yourself with panache no matter what the surroundings are.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

In ancient Egyptian cosmology, ka is the vital essence and the double of a person that lives on after death. But it also walks beside you while you live. It drinks, eats and dreams. It is both you and more than you. Dear Capricorn, I invite you to tune in to your ka in the coming days, and any other spiritual presences that serve you and nourish you. Be alert for visitations from past selves, forgotten longings and future visions that feel eerily familiar.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18

“Dear Rob Brezsny: I wonder what you are like in person. Sometimes I get a Gen X vibe, like you wear vintage T-shirts from obscure bands, are skeptical but not cynical, and remember life before the internet, but are tech savvy. Other times, you seem like a weird time-traveler visiting us from 2088. It’s confusing! Are you trying to be a mystery? When’s your next public appearance? I want to meet you. —Aquarian Explorer.” Dear Aquarian: I’m glad I’m a riddle to you. As long as I avoid being enmeshed in people’s expectations and projections, I maintain my freedom to be my authentic self, even as I continually reinvent my authentic self. By the way, I recommend you adopt my attitude in the coming weeks.

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

In Norse mythology, the god Odin plucked out one of his eyes and hung himself upside down from the World Tree for nine days. Why would he do such a thing? The ancient stories tell us this act of self-sacrifice earned him the right to learn the secret of the runes, which held the key to magic, fate and wisdom. You don’t need to make a sacrifice anywhere near that dramatic, Pisces. But I do suspect you are primed for a comparable process. What discomfort are you willing to endure for the sake of revelation? What illusions must you give up to see more clearly? I dare you to engage in an inner realignment that brings metamorphosis, but not martyrdom.

Homework: Something dear that you left behind can now be retrieved. What? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

Story of Pie

Foodie File

Andrew Steingrube

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July 30, 2025

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In the traditionally transitory restaurant industry, David Bohigian’s career has seen him ascend to owner of the only place at which he has ever worked. Born and raised in Santa Cruz, as a young adult he initially did manual labor before deciding to get into the restaurant game. Starting at Mangiamo Pizza in 2011 as a dishwasher, he got moved up to delivery driver and then became a cook.

When the previous owner wanted to pass the reins, Bohigian—with his thorough understanding of the business—was offered ownership. Seizing the opportunity, he purchased Mangiamo’s and has now been operating it for almost a decade.

The vibe is casual counter-service with minimalist all-about-the-product décor, that product being primarily thin-crust pizza. The original owner’s New York–born recipe for dough is made in-house daily along with the housemade sauce is—a thick marinara with robust flavor, very savory and slightly spicy.

Favorite pies are the barbecue chicken and the classic meat lover’s combo. Bohigian’s personal favorite hits every note on the palate with red sauce base, mozzarella and ricotta cheeses, jalapeño, pineapple, pepperoni and bacon. Other classic offerings include calzones and stromboli, described by Bohigian as a sort of meat, cheese and pepperoncini turnover. There are also salads, like Caesar, BLT and Greek. Beer, wine and soda make for perfect pizza-paired beverages.

Why were you selected to carry on Mangiamo’s legacy?

DAVID BOHIGIAN: Honestly, I don’t really know for sure, but I think it was probably mostly because of my work ethic. The previous owner mentored me for a couple years, but never said anything about me taking over the business. It wasn’t until I quit and came back that his wife told him he better tell me about his plan, and that’s when he offered me the business.

What has becoming owner/operator meant to you?

What it’s all about for me is taking an opportunity to do better for myself. I didn’t finish high school and had no real prospects in life at the age of 28 with a wife and kids. Owning Mangiamo’s has allowed us to keep living in the Aptos community that I love and it was the best professional business decision that I’ve made in my life.

783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Suite 45, Aptos; 831-688-1477. mangiamopizza.com

A Different White

Vine & Dine

Josie Cowden

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July 30, 2025

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Marty Mathis grew up surrounded by vines. As the son of late winemaker Kathryn Kennedy, he watched his mother turn succulent grapes into delectable wines. His fate was sealed: He would follow in her footsteps.

Now making wine under his own label, M. Mathis Winegrower, his fresh-tasting 2023 Godello ($55) is a delicious mouthful of white wine.

Primarily grown in Spain and Portugal, godello is very aromatic with bright flavors of peach, pear and apple. As much as we all love chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, it’s nice to imbibe something different, such as godello, viognier, riesling, gewurztraminer or a chilled chenin blanc. At a recent party, a friend brought a superb 1988 sauterne to share. It was simply marvelous.

Mathis says that he works almost nonstop—eating lunch in 15 minutes because “there’s too much work to be done in the vineyard.” I think the fruits of his labor show in this lovely Godello.

Marty Mathis, winegrower and president of Kathryn Kennedy Winery, can be reached at ca******@******************ry.com or his mobile: 408-230-0392. Visit kathrynkennedy.com.

Community Events

CASA is celebrating our community’s youth by holding “Imagine … the possibilities,” a delicious meal prepared by the student chefs at Cabrillo College Culinary Arts Program on Saturday, Sept. 20, 3-7pm, at the Sesnon House. Info: Magi Diego, ma**@*************uz.org.

Friends of Hospice is hosting An Evening with Friends as a fundraiser for Hospice of Santa Cruz County. Brad Briske of Home restaurant in Soquel will prepare a splendid feast at Lester Estate Wines in Aptos, and Lester’s exceptional wines will be served. Silent and live auctions are highlights. The event is 3-7pm on Sunday, Sept. 21. hospicesantacruz.org/ewf

Swinging Moods

Wellness

John Koenig

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July 30, 2025

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Clients tell me this all the time: They wake up feeling energized, hopeful and ready to take on the world. That first cup of coffee tastes like a fresh start. Maybe even squeeze in a morning walk, planning to ride that fresh wave of optimism all day long.

And then…life happens: the work deadlines, the traffic on Mission, the calls and emails and mental clutter that seem to accumulate as fast as the marine layer rolling back in.

A recent study from BMJ Mental Health sheds some light: Our moods really do follow a predictable daily cycle. Researchers tracked more than 50,000 people using real-time mood apps and found that most of us ride a wave of highs and lows that repeats every 24 hours, almost like clockwork.

Understanding this rhythm can make a big difference in how we take care of ourselves—and how we stay even keeled, even when the waves get choppy.

The Natural Rise and Fall

Maybe you can relate to that morning groove, when you’re feeling clear, focused, and ready to roll.

But as the hours pass, the small stressors start stacking up—emails that need answering, unexpected problems, traffic on Highway 1, the thousand micro-decisions that chip away at your focus.

By midday, that good mood begins to slide. By mid-afternoon, many of us experience a familiar drop in energy and patience. This is the infamous “afternoon slump,” a natural downshift that makes it harder to stay upbeat or fully engaged.

By nighttime, mood often steadies—or even lifts a little—as we finally exhale. But watch out for midnight, which is when most people hit their lowest point. It’s prime time for overthinking, doomscrolling and second-guessing the day’s little decisions, but totally avoidable if you’re already asleep.

Morning Habits That Set the Tone

While we can’t avoid nature’s ups and downs altogether, small changes can help smooth the ride.

One of the strongest patterns the study found was that people with structured, nurturing morning routines reported steadier moods all day.

Exercise was the single biggest predictor of mood stability. Whether it’s a hike up Pogonip, a bike ride along Arana Gulch, or ten minutes of yoga in the living room, morning movement helps wake up the brain and body.

Mindfulness practices made a noticeable difference too. People who started their day with meditation, breathwork or journaling felt more emotionally grounded. Even a few minutes of stillness seemed to build a buffer against the inevitable stressors ahead.

This lines up with what other research has shown: a recent Nature Aging study found that short bursts of activity can reduce depression and anxiety, while Scientific Reports confirmed mindfulness meditation as a reliable tool for easing stress.

And what about breakfast? Studies show a high-protein, high-fiber meal (enjoyed in a dish, while seated at a table) is a healthy way to stave off hunger and sustainably enhance energy, even if it’s not eaten first thing in the morning.

Navigating the Afternoon Slump

But as life goes, sometimes even the most intentional morning can’t erase the mid-afternoon dip. Instead of fighting it, consider planning around it.

Try scheduling your top-tier to-do’s early in the day, when focus and energy are naturally high. Save lighter tasks for later. And if you need an extra shot of afternoon energy, a short walk outside, even just around the block, is a better bet than anything caffeinated.

I also remind people to notice seasonal patterns. Here in Santa Cruz, we get spoiled with long summer evenings, but in winter months, shorter days and gray skies can intensify the lows. Awareness is powerful—when you expect these shifts, you can prepare for them.

Permission to Be Human

More than anything, I want to normalize this simple truth: your mood isn’t supposed to be static.

You’re a living being, not a productivity machine. The highs and lows are part of being fully human.

Instead of seeing a dip in mood as a sign that you’re failing or falling behind, consider it an invitation to check in. Take a breath. Ask yourself what you need. Maybe it’s movement, or rest, or simply a little more self-compassion.

So the next time you find yourself awake at midnight replaying the day’s worries, remember: you’re not alone, and you’re not broken.

Your mind and body are following a natural rhythm—one that has been shaped over thousands of years.

With a little awareness and a lot of self-kindness, you can learn to ride the wave instead of being knocked over by it.

And in a place as beautiful as Santa Cruz, you have plenty of chances to practice.

Elizabeth Borelli is a certified nutrition and wellness coach based in Santa Cruz. She helps clients reconnect to their natural rhythms and build sustainable self-care practices. Learn more at elizabethborelli.com.

There In Spirit

Opinion

June Smith

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July 30, 2025

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On the night of the day my husband Jim died, I went through the motions of preparing myself for bed, certain I would not sleep a wink. I approached the empty bed, but for some reason, I was drawn to sleep on his side.

To my surprise, I sensed his presence, and a blanket of unmistakable calm came over me. I did sleep that night, and after that, it became a comfort to go to bed, as if Jim was waiting there for me. And why wouldn’t he be? He had been there for 46 years.

This is not to say that I did not go through the normal emotions of grief. In a church support group, our facilitator reminded us often that we had to experience our grief before we could begin to heal. She suggested setting aside quiet time in a peaceful place to allow these feelings to flow freely.

I was doing just that one Sunday afternoon, taking in the healing expanse of the ocean through my living room window. As I gave in to some quiet tears, our little terrier Bella, who had been asleep at the other end of the house, bounded into the room, jumped onto my lap, and began licking my face. I don’t know how she could have heard me, but I took it as a sign that Jim had sent her to cheer me.

I began to notice other signs of his presence. I saw his likeness in the profile of my precious two-and-a-half-year-old grandson Phoenix, and I felt him there, too. Once, as I read my daughter an old love letter from Jim, my voice began to crack. Phoenix, busy with a toy on the far side of the room, suddenly called out “I love you, Grandma!”

Now, years later, my grandson is still showing me this special affection. When he stays overnight, he strokes my face while I read him a bedtime story. If I close my eyes, I can almost feel the touch of my husband.

I believe that one needs only to trust one’s intuition to take in these experiences. Sue D. of Santa Cruz says her house seemed so empty after her husband died. She was thankful that they had previously put two living room lights on a timer, so she never had to come home to a dark house.

On the night of his service, she slept very soundly. In the morning, she discovered the living room lamps were still lit but found nothing wrong with the timer. She says, “Then I got it. It had been overridden by my husband, who was remembering and honoring me by letting me know he was OK…a perfect gift from the beyond.”

Betty W, a widow from Rhode Island, says that even after her husband died, she felt his presence in making household decisions, a chore they had shared as partners. “I needed to sell our house because of some impending law regarding older homes, which would have adversely affected me if I remained. This had been an ongoing problem, and now it was mine alone,” she recounts.

“One night, I awakened from sleep, and standing at the bottom of my bed was my husband…for only a second or so. When I blinked, he was gone,” she continues. “Shortly after this, the house sold without a problem. After I saw him, I knew it would. The bonds of love do not break with death; they continue but in a different dimension.”

Not long ago, my husband’s sister Beth called from Wisconsin to tell me that she had a comforting dream about him. She had been praying about a family crisis, and Jim appeared in her dreams. He hugged her for such a long time that she could still feel his warmth when she woke up.

Could it be that we not only remember our departed loved ones, but they, too, remember us? Although I will always miss my husband’s physical presence, I now believe the spirit of those you love can stay with you forever.

Post Hoffington

Music

Mat Weir

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July 30, 2025

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John Hoffman might just be the luckiest man in music right now.

That’s because at the beginning of the year he was a professional, steady-gigging local drummer in his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana. But all that changed a month later when it was announced he was the new drummer for Primus—the legendary Bay Area surreal funk-metal trio featuring bassist Les Claypool and guitar player Larry “Ler” LaLonde.

After embarking on their first tour with Hoffman in July, the new lineup makes their Santa Cruz debut on Sunday at the outdoor Quarry Amphitheater at UC Santa Cruz.

“The entire experience was just out of this world,” Hoffman says when asked about being chosen. “Especially looking back on it now, in the moment I was just holding on for dear life. But as I reflect on it now, it was quite a crazy series of events that led up to this whole thing.”

Crazy is an understatement.

“Unexpected,” “improbable” and “serendipitous” all come to mind when taking into consideration that less than a year ago nobody in Primus had any inclination they would need to audition new drummers. The then current drummer, Tim “Herb” Alexander, originally joined in 1989 as Primus’ second drummer, shortly before they recorded their debut, Suck On This. True, Alexander would quit and rejoin two more times, but he had been going strong since 2013.

However, on Oct. 17, 2024, he shocked the music world, fans and—more importantly—his band by abruptly quitting via email.

The band released a statement 12 days later saying “it came as a complete shock to all of us,” and that it “has been a bit bewildering for us that Herb would so abruptly opt out.”

Then on Nov. 18, the band posted another social media announcement, this time a call to arms and auditions for a drummer “taking submissions from all points in the universe.”

Recently, Hoffman released a video describing the step-by-step process of how he submitted his video and what happened after, in vivid detail along with clips of his submission mixed in. Primus has also released a series of videos online documenting the “Interstellar Drum Derby,” as they call it.

But the Cliff Notes version is that Hoffman submitted a video playing not only Primus songs but also a cornucopia of other tracks such as the Ren & Stimpy theme song along with video of himself playing live.

After Hoffman submitted, he received an email from Primus’ management saying he had made it through the rounds and the band wanted to see him audition in person in Los Angeles. However, his doubts were raised shortly after when it was discovered the band had been hacked and several contestants were catfished with fake emails.

“When they made that post, I was in denial at first,” he says. “‘That was everyone else, no way I got catfished.’ But then I started thinking about how my story was playing out and I thought, ‘Oh man, I’m probably the exact type of person they are talking about.’”

Luckily for him, and the fans—also known as “Primates”—the audition was very real and Hoffman (whom Claypool has nicknamed “Hoffington”) was announced as the official new drummer on Feb. 7 of this year.

In the past (almost) six months Hoffman says his life has gone from “zero to 1,000 miles per hour.” His first gig with the band was in March in the Dominican Republic when Primus played Tool’s Live in the Sand festival. That night was extra special as Tool drummer Danny Carey—one of Hoffman’s influences—played a bonus Primus.

“That was the cherry on top,” Hoffman says.

“It was an incredible moment. I didn’t really know what to expect and he turned out to be the kindest, happiest person I’ve met in a long time. As soon as we started playing the first note of the first song we just synched up like we were playing from the same brain. I’d think, ‘Oh man! I’m on stage with Danny!’ and then look over and he would be looking at me with a huge smile on his face.”

While Primus doesn’t have any immediate plans to go into the studio, Hoffman says there are murmurs about a new album in the not-so-distant future.

“We haven’t quite discussed a time frame, but the likelihood is very, very high,” he hints. “Nobody should be surprised if we had something going on sooner rather than later.”

Primus plays at 8pm on Aug. 3 at the Quarry Amphitheater, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. $79.03-$393.97. quarryamphitheater.com

Raw Power

Music

John Koenig

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July 30, 2025

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Explaining the inspiration behind her song “Jump Out,” Ezra Furman uncovers a recurring theme present in her work over nearly two decades. “My whole life as a songwriter I’ve always been writing about trying to get out of a small space, from a narrow place to a wide-open space, usually with no small desperation,” Furman says by phone from a Pennsylvania theater, where she will be performing in a few hours.

It is a profound statement that could easily be applied to a wide-ranging career that includes recording 10 studio albums, compiling two soundtracks for the Netflix series Sex Education and writing about Lou Reed’s pivotal Transformer record. Or it could also reference Furman’s life as a trans woman.

In the press release for Goodbye Small Head, released in May, Furman wrote that the new album is “twelve songs, twelve variations of completely losing control.”

“Some of our most beautiful experiences come at moments of some kind of weakness,” Furman says. “Either we are overwhelmed by the beauty itself or it is beautiful to behold how big the other is and how small the self is.”

That sense of overwhelm is most potent on the previously mentioned “Jump Out,” an insistent song propelled by cello and Furman’s passionate vocals. “That primal ‘my body is in danger’ instinct triggers me very often, sometimes even just by reading the news,” she says. “Going through ordinary life in a terrifying world, you just feel that way sometimes.”

Another highlight on Goodbye Small Head takes a different tack and deals with utter defeat. The Nine Inch Nails–sounding “Submission” is an electronic ballad with an insistent beeping sound that finds Furman singing: “We’re fucked, it’s a relief to say/We’ll see no victory day.”

“I had a really hard time writing that because I was like, ‘No, no, no, I can’t be saying this,’” Furman says. “This is not what I want to say.”

The new album includes tracks that evoke the stripped-down, passionate rock songs of Furman’s early days alongside works fleshed out with a small string section, samples and electronic elements.

“My bandmates, who arranged these songs with me, they are a lot better at that stuff than I am,” Furman says. “They made some of those samples and some of those beats and some parts that I don’t really know how to do, but somehow they figured it out.”

Goodbye Small Head ends with a raucous rock song titled “I Need the Angel,” a cover of a number by Alex Walton. “We just did it in one day, and I got pretty drunk to sing it,” Furman says. “It is to give people a way into the work of Alex Walton. She’s just brilliant. That’s actually far from her best song. It’s just the one that I took. I think I also took it because it is sort of a return to the sound of rock and roll as I played it when I was young.”

Another artist that has inspired Furman is Reed, whose 1972 album Transformer she explored in 2018 for the book series 33 1/3. “Honestly, the reason that I wrote that book and was so interested in that record was because I was confronting some of those same problems that Lou Reed was in 1972,” Furman says. “Just to be queer in public and present yourself to a big audience of people who do not know what the hell your deal is and look on you with some suspicion in a lot of cases or even disgust. … What sparks go off when a queer artist meets the ears of some straight people. I guess writing that was some sort of radicalization or something that was going on with me.”

Ezra Furman and The Ophelias perform at 8pm on Aug. 6 at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $20-$31.80. moesalley.com or folkyeah.com

Close Shave!

Performance

Christina Waters

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July 30, 2025

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Once you meet the “demon barber of Fleet Street,” Stephen Sondheim’s most chilling creation, you’ll never be quite the same. Thanks to a razor-sharp ensemble and a charismatic leading actor, the Cabrillo Stage production of Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street delivers a wealth of cutting-edge moments.

The rambling set thrusts us into the jagged industrial edges of 19th-century London, with the crisp opening number, “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” setting the tone for the entire production. Kudos to choreographer Melissa C. Wiley for brilliant movement design throughout. Constructed to show us the ugly underbelly of London’s squalid districts, the set envelops the entire stage, with plenty of darkened doorways for secret surveillance.

We quickly meet Sweeney (the magnetic Adam J. Saucedo), newly returned from unjust exile in Australia thanks to a corrupt judge, and accompanied by a young seaman, Anthony (Conor Warshawsky). Sweeney soon meets up with devil-may-care baker Mrs. Lovett (Angela Jeffries), maker of the “Worst Pies in London,” who helps set him up in the barbering biz once again. From his lodgings upstairs above Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop, Sweeney begins plotting bloody revenge on the man who stole his life.

But in the meantime director Andrea L. Hart has a few juicy treats in store for us, executed by the adroit ensemble who create some of the play’s best moments, from the opening “Ballad of Sweeney Todd” to the outrageous “Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir,” led by the stunning Michael Navarro as Tobias and an oleaginous rival barber played by Louis Santia. Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett invent new ways to fill her meat pies with a steady supply of fresh flesh and business begins to boom. And Sweeney begins setting a trap for his longtime enemy, Judge Turpin (David Murphy).

The second act opens with an exuberant street crowd all praising the new culinary trend, “God, That’s Good!” And with young Tobias as their new employee, Sweeney and Lovett are poised to reel in the corrupt judge. (A caveat: the musical thriller created by Sondheim is justly famous, but it contains a hugely ambitious suite of subplots. More than it can comfortably contain.)

Special praise for Skip Epperson’s ingenious set that offers up the gruesome execution of Sweeney’s victims in believable style. Pure dazzling stagecraft.

Ah our Sweeney! The electrifying eyes, face and physical mastery of Adam Saucedo commanded the stage throughout the show. He creates an enthralling character, with a compelling voice and chilling gestures. The scenes in which he dispatches his barbershop victims—we all know what’s coming!—are expertly finessed with endless bravado. In a word, he slays! We never actually see the brutal deeds, but the elegance of Saucedo’s violent gestures convinces us we’re watching the demon barber making mincemeat of his patrons. The point is made with electrifying realism, yet without being gruesomely graphic.

Special praise for shooting star Michael Navarro, a standout in last year’s production of In the Heights. As Tobias, he coordinates a skillful singing voice with quick, nimble stage movements. His duet with Mrs. Lovett, “Not While I’m Around,” deepens the story’s bittersweet tensions. Angela Jeffries is a saucy stage presence and a fine, if tame, Mrs. Lovett. I would have loved to see what she might do with more expansive use of the stage and an edgier characterization of one of Sondheim’s great creations.

Played against the pathological satire of Sweeney and his razor-sharp vendetta is a love story between young seaman Anthony and new love Johanna (Haley Clarke), who is actually Sweeney’s long lost daughter. As kinks are ironed out during the opening week, these scenes are sure to tighten up. The music written for the two lovers is both complex and fast, so fast that the lyrics often become incomprehensible and dampen the emotional impact of these scenes. As the music speeds up, and the lyrics go ballistic, Daniel Goldsmith’s orchestra lapses out of sync with the singers. The orchestral volume erases a lot of the solo singing. Again, easily remedied in future performances.

A big shout out for the irrepressible Melissa Martinez, who brings focus and zest to every scene she’s in. Jorge Torrez made a memorable Beadle—such a voice! Kudos to Louis Santia for his hilarious creation of Adolfo Pirelli. And let me say it again, Adam Saucedo should patent his vocal brilliance. He is a riveting Sweeney Todd.

The two-and-a-half-hour production delivers plenty of entertainment, spectacular ensemble work and a terrific leading actor, all amidst the manic genius of Stephen Sondheim.

Cabrillo Stage’s production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, directed by Andrea L. Hart. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; book by Hugh Wheeler. Through Aug. 10 at Cabrillo College Crocker Theater. cabrillostage.universitytickets.com

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GT Staff

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July 30, 2025

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THURSDAY 7/31

ALT COUNTRY

RAYLAND BAXTER

It doesn’t get more country than Rayland Baxter singing to a bartender to serve him a drink to ease his trembling hand. Hailing from Nashville, Baxter is part of the newer wave of alt-country artists to emerge out of the mid-aughts with a dusty swagger. His fourth album, 2022’s If I Were a Butterfly, captures the artist emerging from his chrysalis stage, transforming his sound with a tinge of psychedelia. Last month, he dropped a fuzzy country-esque jam called “Albatross,” and possibly a tease for fans that new music is around the bend. Joining him at Moe’s is beloved outlaw country artist Langhorne Slim for a night about damning The Man and speaking up for the little guy. MAT WEIR

INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $37. 423-8209.

THEATRE

PERICLES

Shakespeare’s Pericles may be an epic romance, but it begins in a trial by storm. Prince Pericles navigates multiple kingdoms before narrowly escaping a shipwreck, leaving him separated from his beloved daughter Marina. Fourteen years later, Marina must face her own trials. From assassination attempts and pirate abduction to escapes from brothel violence, Marina navigates each new challenge with tact and virtue. In yet another miracle, father and daughter are reunited, a moment considered to be one of the most beautiful scenes Shakespeare ever wrote. The Santa Cruz Shakespeare Theatre Company brings this mystical story to life in a production running through Aug. 30. SHELLY NOVO

INFO: 8pm, Audrey Stanley Grove, 501 Upper Park Rd., Santa Cruz. $46-$86. 460-6399.

FRIDAY 8/1

INDIE ROCK

SURF TRASH

Hanging on the other side of the equator, Australia’s seasons are opposite the US, and so it makes perfect sense that June bugs are known as the Christmas Beetle, and the ultimate Aussie summer band would choose these months to visit the US. It is even more perfectly appropriate to see them taking the stage in Santa Cruz, the beachiest of American beach towns. Their music is a melodic pop-rock style with power chords, driving rhythms, and even a touch of harmonizing. San Diego indie rockers The Happy Return open the show. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN

INFO: 7:30pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $25. 713-5492.

AMERICANA

CAS HALEY

Texas-born singer-songwriter Cas Haley seamlessly blends blues, roots rock, reggae, soul and folk into a distinctive signature sound. Coming to prominence in 2007 as a finalist on the second season of America’s Got Talent, his reggae-flavored take on the Police’s “Walking on the Moon” introduced him to a national audience. His 2008 self-titled debut album climbed to the Top Ten on Billboard’s reggae chart; 2010’s Connection soared to the second spot. In subsequent releases, Haley expanded his style to incorporate other musical textures. His latest release, 2021’s All the Right People, won praise from American Songwriter, noting the record’s positive vibes. BILL KOPP

INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $18. 705-7113.

SATURDAY 8/2

FESTIVAL

SCM BREWGRASS FESTIVAL

Bluegrass tunes and local brews share center stage at the Santa Cruz Mountains’ 5th annual Brewgrass Festival. Backdropped by lofty redwoods, the festival features homegrown bluegrass artists, including the Brothers Comatose, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Wolf Jett, Sweet Sally and Bad Maps, as well as Tennessee’s own Antsy McClain. A variety of local breweries will serve up brews to sip, and a VIP tasting train offers unique redwood views, a live performance from Wild Iris and exclusive craft beer tastings. This beloved annual gathering celebrates Santa Cruz’s brewing community, traditional bluegrass sound and the natural beauty of the coastal mountains. SN

INFO: Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Rd., Felton. $65/adv, $75/door. 335-4484.

SUNDAY 8/3

AUTHOR EVENT

WHERE’S WALDO GRAND FINALE PARTY

Where’s Waldo? It’s the question everyone’s asking. Waldo is hiding in twenty-seven businesses in downtown Santa Cruz (hint: one is in Bookshop Santa Cruz) throughout July. To celebrate the closing days of this fun adventure, a Grand Finale Party will commence, including a costume contest, games, raffles and even a visit from the Waldo. To enter the raffle, participants must give a passport showing that they found Waldo in at least twenty different businesses. There are still a few days left to fill up those passports for a raffle entry. Three winners and runners-up will win special prizes. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE

INFO: 2pm, Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 423-0900.

MONDAY 8/4

JAZZ

KARRIN ALLYSON

Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, pianist and composer Karrin Allyson is known for her expressive phrasing, multilingual fluency and wide-ranging repertoire. Allyson studied classical piano and began her career in Kansas City, releasing her recorded debut, I Didn’t Know About You, in 1992. She’s released more than a dozen albums, exploring everything from jazz standards to bossa nova, French chanson and vocalese, as well as original material. Allyson has tackled the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein and others, including a tribute to Coltrane (2001’s Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane). Her latest release, A Kiss for Brazil, was released in 2024. BK

INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $41. 427-2227.

TUESDAY 8/5

PSYCH ROCK

DERYA YILDIRIM & GRUP Şimşek

Music transcends all borders, languages, and boundaries of time and space, touching something deeper, something more primal within humans (at least for those who still have souls). It’s something the people behind Moe’s Alley and (((folk yeah!))) understand considerably because that’s precisely what the music of Derya Yildirim & Grup Şimşek does. Hungarian-born Yildirim sings in Turkish, while the band, Grup Şimşek, plays a blend of traditional Anatolian folk mixed with a fuzzed-out psychedelic sound that can open the third eye and transport the listener to far-off lands—if only they pause and listen. MW

INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $20/adv, $25/door. 479-1854.

WEDNESDAY 8/6

INDIE

SAUVAGEONESS

The indie rock, lo-fi, alt folk, industrial-tinged shoegaze and all-around genre-defying Sauvageoness are touring in support of their latest album, What the fucked do we all do now? | Lights, which came out on Broken Clover Records last month. It’s a fitting soundtrack for the apocalypse already in progress, the crashing sound of things struggling to maintain form and function as everything falls apart. Local art/alt-folk band Hod and the Helpers open the show. (PS: not being able to pronounce the band’s name won’t prevent access.) KLJ

INFO: 8pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6994.

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LETTERS

Free Will Astrology

Story of Pie

A Different White

Swinging Moods

There In Spirit

Post Hoffington

Raw Power

Close Shave!

Things to do in Santa Cruz