Easter falls on April 20 this year—and, as always, it is calculated by the moon and Gregorian calendar. For Orthodox Christians (mainly in Greece, Russia and the Balkans), Easter is calculated by the Julian calendar, so it can fall on a different date. This year, Easter for both Christian and Orthodox Christian falls on the same date—a fine day for celebrating with a bottle of bubbly, especially with a made-in-Greece sparkling wine.
For the 13 years I lived in Greece, I loved every minute of observing “Greek Easter.” Dyed red eggs and a special bread called tsoureki can be found all over, and Greeks far and wide are busy roasting lambs on a spit, along with a special meat blend called kokoretsi. Easter is a huge celebratory event in Greece—and drinking wine is a good part of it.
Aphrodise’s Greek Charmat Rosé Sparkling Wine ($40) is made from indigenous Xinomavro (dry/red) grapes, which are sourced from vineyards in northwestern Greece. Not too sweet and bursting with flavor, this is an absolutely gorgeous bottle of festive fizz for any occasion.
Tech titan Frank Schilling, who discovered the Xinomavro grape on a trip to Greece, partnered with Gabi Petrylaite to make something that wasn’t just a Champagne alternative, but a drink that people could enjoy almost any time—and without the typical hangover feeling.
Buy it in Greece, or buy it right here at drinkaphrodise.com.
Kitchen Ease
My new piece of kitchen equipment is a Kalorik Vivid Touch air fryer. It is cooking made easy with its customizable settings based on food type, weight, fresh or frozen. And you can see how your food’s cooking through a viewing window. Made of stainless steel, it’s easy to clean too.
Watsonville High graduate Sedrick Cabrera never planned on being an actor.
He describes himself in high school as a “three-sport athlete” who was considered by his teachers to be “a little too social at times.” He constantly brushed aside stage teacher David Scott’s entreaties to join a theater production after he took an acting class.
“[My teachers] would always tell my parents at open houses, ‘you should really get him involved in some drama classes or something like that,’” he says.
Now, 14 years later, Cabrera has several stage productions on his résumé, and a handful of film roles, including a small part in Gone in the Night, a 2022 thriller starring Winona Ryder.
But his latest role is significantly bigger.
In Freaky Tales, which hits theaters on April 4, he is cast alongside actor Pedro Pascal, who is known for several films and shows, including The Mandalorian and The Last of Us.
Cabrera attended Hall District Elementary School, Pajaro Middle School and Watsonville High School (class of 2011).
He then moved on to San Jose State University to study communications—“I liked to talk”—but when he tried to play sports there, he realized he was out of his league.
“I got to college and I very quickly realized there was no way I could hang with those athletes,” he recalls.
And knowing that he had to take an elective, he once again signed up for an acting class, where his professor recognized his talent.
When he missed a critical assignment, the professor offered a deal: try out for the spring play. If he got a callback, he’d get an A.
He decided on a dramatic reading from Zoot Suit, and tried it first for his classmates and professor, all of whom were astounded.
“I’ll never forget it,” he says. “When I finished the room was super silent.”
That moment, he says, sent his life down an unexpected road.
“I felt like I had unlocked a super power,” he explains.
Then he went for the audition, where he was asked to provide the requisite headshot and résumé that actors give during auditions. He had none of these things.
He also had no experience.
But when he went onstage and auditioned for the play Emma, he got a similar reaction.
The director told Cabrera, “Wow, I’m looking at your résumé—you’ve never done theater?” Cabrera recalls. “You are like a real raw talent.”
He got the role, and realized the director created a role just for him so he could join the cast.
“My first play, I was on stage moving tables and chairs,” he says. “I was basically a stage hand in a costume. But I loved it. It was one of the coolest things ever.”
Still, Cabrera had a steep learning curve.
“I was super out of my element,” he says. “Just like a fish out of water. We were playing with movement and tempo and viewpoints, all of these terms I’ve never heard of before.”
He went on to do several more plays at SJSU, including To Kill a Mockingbird, Macbeth and The Swimmer.
Then, in his senior year he played the lead role in Zoot Suit, a full-circle moment in his still-burgeoning career.
He went on to do a post-grad residency with Teátro Campesino, the San Juan Bautista-based company founded by Luis Valdez (the creator of Zoot Suit).
Cabrera now lives in San Francisco and is part of San Francisco Bay Area Theater Company (SFBATCO).
“I love the Bay Area, I love the vibe of it,” he says. “For me, I love how the Bay Area respects the heart of the hustler. It really is an independent artists’ playground. It’s a place where you go to not to be a part of something, but to create a whole new movement.”
He describes Freaky Tales, which was filmed in Oakland, as “a beautiful mosaic that’s really a love letter to culture and film as a whole in the Bay Area.”
For a hot minute, Hollywood was making movies with multiple characters whose storylines overlapped or intertwined. Films like Crash, Traffic, 21 Grams and Mother and Child come to mind. Last year, Yorgos Lanthimos attempted to reinvent this episodic genre in Kinds of Kindness, deploying his usual arsenal of cruel souls hellbent on harming others, self-destruction or both.
But Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction is the template upon which Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Half Nelson) pattern Freaky Tales. In their four-part film, the ultra violence is stylized as if it was torn out of a graphic novel. They shoot slow motion close-ups of spurting wounds, dripping blood and fists connecting with jawbones. Only one of the three tales is violence-free but even that section contains a corrupt cop and R- to X-rated language that would have made my grandmother blush.
Set in Oakland and Berkeley, Freaky Tales is an ode to the grittier aspects of urban life in the East Bay. Part 1 is centered at 924 Gilman Street, an early stomping ground for the band Green Day. Part 2 follows two best friends who are aspiring rappers. Part 3 starts at a video store where Tom Hanks makes a cameo. But it’s really a spotlight for Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us). We get to watch him brood and smolder for a solid half hour.
In Part 4, Freaky Tales amps up the violence to Kill Bill levels. A star basketball player also has a secret identity as a kind of samurai warrior with super psychic powers. He’s on a quest to exact vengeance upon a gang of neo-nazis. While Metallica plays their joyful rollicking tune “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” boy oh boy does he get his revenge.
Ostensibly, all of the protagonists are underdogs linked by a desire to preserve their dignity in the face of some oppressive force. Boden and Fleck add a supernatural element to all of the storylines to link them, at least superficially. Like a magic serum, it temporarily empowers the main characters. It’s a reverse kryptonite that shows up on screen as a bolt of green lightning that’s meant to account for the strange energies that permeate the atmosphere in Oakland. After the bolt strikes its target, it disappears in a mysterious puff of smoke.
This town is filled with struggling musicians. Throw a quarter and they pop out of the woodwork like pigeons chasing bread. (I’m not being mean—I am one.)
But one band has found a way to make it big, playing great music here for 40 years.
How did the Banana Slugs do it? Our writer, DNA, talked to them to find out the how, why and wherefore. There’s a lesson here for all of us trying to live on the arts.
One thing they did right was playing educational music for kids. There’s virtually no one who has been in school for the past 40 years who hasn’t seen them play entertaining and educational music. They were so smart to fill that niche. But they also have the real chops to play other music.
“The Banana Slug String Band integrates as much kinetic movement—craft theatre, glimmering costumes, endearing puppets, interactive sing-along—as possible into their performance,” our writer DNA says in his cover story. “Truly flooding the zone. At every show, it’s no time at all before the audience is spontaneously adding their own flourish and dance.”
One of their side projects, featuring Larry Graf, is called Painted Mandolin, which is one of the best Grateful Dead and Phish cover bands anywhere. They also play great originals.
Meanwhile, they have a 40-year legacy in this town, where so many musicians have to work day jobs to get by. We congratulate them. Also, the Grateful Dead and Dead and Co’s photographer, Jay Blakesberg, took the photos for this issue. That would make it a keepsake for everyone!
In other news, the Crêpe Place is getting a new face and body. We have a great story by Richard Stockton on one of Santa Cruz’s finest food and music emporiums.
In the not so great news department, we are watching as federal cuts start hitting closer to home. The CEO of the Second Harvest Food Bank seems optimistic about the county’s efforts to keep the food flowing despite massive cuts. Isabella Blevins covers it in our news section.
On the fun side, our Street Talk column asks what words you dislike or like. We could do a whole issue on that one.
And for a spiritual refresh, check out our article on SoulCare studios. You’ve worked on everything else, now there’s a place to check in on the big one—your soul.
Thanks for reading.
Brad Kava | Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
PARK AT DARK This is the covered bridge in Paradise Park. Photograph by Larry Campbell
GOOD IDEA
The Central Coast is poised to become a hub for advanced aviation and aerospace innovation, driving economic growth and high-wage job creation. The roadmap to fully realize that vision will be the focus of a panel discussion at the upcoming Lift Summit, March 26–28 at the Monterey Conference Center. In an exploration of how regional collaboration, policy initiatives and infrastructure development are shaping California’s aerospace future, their discussion will delve into strategies to expand industry opportunities, attract investment, and develop a skilled workforce to meet the needs of this evolving sector. Info: mbdart.org
GOOD WORK
After a 60-year career, the Grateful Dead is now the topic of a Stanford University course, available live online and taught by noted Dead expert David Gans from April 8 to May 13. The course has special guests who have played with and studied the band. “My approach to teaching—which, by the way, is very new to this college dropout—is to focus on the experience of making and consuming the music. We listen to music in the class and we talk about how it’s made. I often share bits of interviews from my archive,” says Gans. For more information, check an interview in Goodtimes.sc. To register, search Stanford and Gans.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Art is a lie that makes us realize truth.” —Pablo Picasso
The universe loves balance, and in dark times, the light shines brightly, but only here and there. In Santa Cruz, for 40 years, our constant spark has been carried forth by the Banana Slug String Band. They are both a beloved kids’ quartet—with catchy songs, sing-alongs and goofy humor— as well as four dyed-in-the-wool environmentalist troubadours who exhibit a subversive Deadhead sense of humor.
From Pete Seeger to Woody Guthrie, who raised their voices about social issues and land ownership, to Bob Geldof, the ultimate anti-rock star whose Live Aid campaign put eyes on the Ethiopian famine in the ’80s, musicians sometimes have had an activist bent. Sure, Sting sang about rainforests and Alanis Morissette rallied for eco-friendly CD covers, but those high-caliber legacy acts are dabblers in social change, at best.
Meanwhile, in the trenches of environmental work—constantly pushing a giant spotted owl up a steep hill, every day, inch by inch—resides the Banana Slug String Band.
Four Banana, Three Banana, Two Banana, One
They are no different than any other band, except for their sheer endurance: 40 years, four men, four distinct characters. Doug “Dirt” Greenfield, “Airy” Larry Graff, “Solar” Steve Van Zandt and “Marine” Mark Nolan each inhabit a precise image—like Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper and Snork, but more elemental than the Banana Splits.
Inhabiting the space of Earth, Air, Sun and Water, they become archetypes, the Major Arcana of forgotten Tarot, and personifications of everything that surrounds us. The trick is mixing everything into a stew of humor, good intentions and musical hooks that only human brains get stuck on.
They have toured the world, and been heard by millions, but how does a local troupe of good-doers endure for 40 years?
“How do we sustain this?” Doug Dirt asks. “All the children and families who have supported us. For 40 years we have seen positive changes in our fans. We hear about teachers that use the music in their classrooms. It’s just amazing. The impact that we’ve had, and the breadth and depth of that impact on children and families, for decades. For generations.
“It’s the people that keep us going through the darkness,” Doug Dirt sums up.
MUSIC WITH A MESSAGE Doug Dirt and Airy Larry back in 1988. Photo: Jay Blakesberg
On the Eve of Destruction
Back in the 1980s, environmentalism was a dirty word. The Reagan administration made much over-the-top posturing about being environmentally conscious while selling our gas, coal and oil, on protected lands, to the highest bidder. And let’s not forget President Reagan’s quotes: “Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do,” and “You’ve seen one tree, you’ve seen them all.”
Slithering, very slowly, into the fray that Rachel Carson warned us about in 1962 came the Banana Slug String Band.
Saving trees, clean water and air might not be a top priority these days, but that’s nothing new. “Back when we first started, there were a lot of gloom-and-doom songs about the planet. We even wrote a few ourselves,” Airy Larry says. “But we made a conscious decision that we weren’t going to go that route. I remember us even discussing it—that we wanted to keep our message upbeat and positive, and focused not on the problems, but more on the appreciation of the natural world.”
Airy Larry might be the most recognizable (sorry, Doug) of the foursome, with his work in Santa Cruz bands like Painted Mandolin, but Airy Larry isn’t just a Santa Cruz Sufi spinner’s best friend: He, and the rest of the band, are beloved around the world.
Are You Ready for a Brand New Beat?
Watching a show, you might be fooled into thinking that the sugary exterior is all there is, and you would be wrong. The Banana Slug String Band integrates as much kinetic movement—craft theatre, glimmering costumes, endearing puppets, interactive sing-along—as possible into their performance. Truly flooding the zone. At every show, it’s no time at all before the audience is spontaneously adding their own flourish and dance.
“The kids,” Airy Larry says, “are the fire that keep us going. You can see it in their eyes. Children naturally love the earth. It brings them such joy. It’s a natural, beautiful thing about being a human, that given the right amount of love and attention, people can move out of feeling fear all the time. That’s the space we try to create.”
“Granted, we act very silly and present it to them in the way that we do,” Airy Larry admits, adding, “Kids get it, they get it all. And they respond in such a way that is fueling me. Fuels me! This makes my heart soar and it just recharges me.”
Nobody’s Right if Everybody’s Wrong
There have been highly manipulated lines drawn in our society on climate change, despite the fact that up to 99.9% of scientists agree that “something” is happening in our climate, and humans—us—most likely have something to do with it. And in public discourse, even talking about clean water and air can be incredibly divisive.
The Banana Slug String Band, performing in all states, of all colors, circumvents the politicization of our environment with this slogan: One Team, One Planet.
We are all on the same team. Everyone. Including crabs. They sing about crabs. Yes, they are pro-crab.
Marine Mark, like all of the members, has been involved in teaching about environmentalism to children and parents since the early days.
“Looking at tide pools, watching sunsets, going whale watching and going bird watching. We talk to kids about things like that. We like to sing about things that are inspiring. The most radical thing we do is encourage young people to go outside and discover the beauty of our planet. Then, they can decide what they want to do with it,” Marine Mark says.
Anyone who watches the Banana Slug String Band gets caught up in their engaging lyrics, melodies and costumes. Solar Steve understands that the best way to get a message across is to not be afraid to be silly.
“We always sing with humor, and it’s evident that we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We will dress in crab costumes, the kids will dress like crabs, and we make fun of everything,” Solar Steve says.
Can You See the Real Me?
If there is one quality about the Banana Slug String Band that shines brighter than the others, it’s their authenticity.
“Authenticity is a great word and I’m glad you used that word, because I try to,” Marine Mark says. “I use that word when I’m doing workshops with naturalists. It works best if you’re authentic. Then the spark of creativity can come through our music. We try to create unity through the messages in our songs.”
The messages in the music are clear from some of the Banana Slug String Band’s more than a dozen past album titles: Food Chain, Only One Ocean, We All Live Downstream and—most recently—Pollinator Nation. The latter will be available on CD at the group’s 40th anniversary show at the Rio Theatre this Saturday.
The CD’s underlying theme is that we are all connected. “All” meaning the planet and all of its inhabitants. Divisions are human made. And while social media tries its hardest to make us feel isolated, there is a truth. And the truth is, we are one.
Doug Dirt, the big Kahuna of the band, spouts his philosophy on keeping it together in difficult times. “You have to try and look at the world and feel hope. Aim for love, humor and happiness.”
The Banana Slug String Band will celebrate their 40th anniversary with a performance at 4pm on Saturday, March 29 at the Rio Theatre 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. Advance tickets are $30 ($15 under 12), plus $5 service charge. Visit snazzyproductions.com.
The Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz is facing major problems serving its clientele after getting hit with cuts by the Trump Administration, according to CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez.
“We actually got four cancellations in one week that amounted to over $250,000 of food that didn’t come in,” she said. “It was milk, it was pork chops, it was cheese. It’s basic, essential nutrients that our community needs.” The food bank was not prepared for these cancellations and its budget didn’t account for such a profound loss of food.
Earlier this month, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team slashed the budget of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). On DOGE’s Agency Efficiency Leaderboard, the USDA is ranked as one of the top agencies from which DOGE has recovered the most savings. However, much of this money is being recovered at the expense of the food banks.
Second Harvest helps feed 65,000 people each month, according to its website, including children, seniors, veterans, homeless and working poor people, whose jobs don’t pay enough to support their families.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) had allocated $500 million in 2025 for food banks nationwide, with $50 million for California. Padilla-Chavez said TEFAP “was essentially canceled” and immediately affected the delivery of food to Second Harvest.
Second Harvest has also experienced a reduction in food distribution under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, or the LFPA, which was established by the Biden Administration in 2021. The program enabled food banks to buy food from local farmers.
Lack of funding has stalled 177,000 pounds of TEFAP-funded food orders for Second Harvest, which accounts for $348,728 worth of expected food deliveries, with no clarity on when or if supplies will resume.
As of July 1, all funding and food flow allowed by the LFPA will end, causing a blow of about $700,000 for Second Harvest.
The USDA also recently cut the Local Food for School Cooperation Agreement Program (LFS), which allocated funds for schools across the nation to buy food from local farmers. The Agriculture Department had initially pledged over $1 billion for the LFS and LFPA for the year 2025 but all of that funding was canceled this month, creating tremendous difficulty for communities across the U.S. to feed their residents.
“When you see a shutting down of other food programs, your food banks become the hub for the food and meals that are now not available through those other channels,” she said. She anticipated an overwhelming demand on food banks if food support programs continue to be axed.
Padilla-Chavez said she had just returned from a meeting in Los Angeles with other CEOs of food banks across California. “We’re all in the same boat,” she said.
To combat the loss of funding, she said Second Harvest is launching a “Bridging the Gap” campaign, which calls for increased community support. “We’re going to ask our community members—all community members—to help us bridge the gap by giving us $1, by giving us $100, by giving us $1,000—whatever people can give to ensure that we have the resources.”
Although money is important, she said that people can also help by volunteering at the food bank. Second Harvest is working to evaluate and maximize its efficiencies and ensure that it’s using resources to buy “as much food as possible.”
At the moment, Padilla-Chavez is unsure what other funding sources might be available. She said that Second Harvest has an immediate challenge to keep its shelves stocked and currently needs community support to do that. Pointing to the roots of Second Harvest, she said, “Historically, food banking has been entirely a community effort. It was 100% a community endeavor in the beginning.”
Despite the losses, Padilla-Chavez said she’s confident the food bank will overcome the challenges.
“Your food bank is still committed to serving our community,” she said. “Just help us out, just like you have been for so long.”
What sets the newly opened SoulCare Studios apart isn’t just the eclectic mix of offerings—or even the psychedelics. It’s the people behind it. The founders didn’t step out of another yoga studio; they came from careers in psychotherapy, chiropractic care and Chinese medicine.
Inside the rustic Aptos Station building next to the Forest of Nisene Marks, I meet Cindy Hill-Ford, MA, founder of SoulCare Studios.
The lobby, surprisingly spacious compared to the low-key exterior, opened into a brightly arranged space divided by a curtain—treatment rooms on one side, a movement studio on the other. A cozy seating area, flanked by walls adorned with vibrant artwork from one of the teachers, added warmth and personality.
After becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist in 2001, Hill-Ford spent the next two decades in Oakland. During that time, as an affiliate with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, she played a role in developing trauma-informed interventions for youth and families.
Recently retired, Hill-Ford turned to acupuncture, chiropractic care, nutrition, movement and therapy to restore balance in her life. This transformative period led her to Aptos where she completed a yoga teacher training at Pleasure Point Yoga Studio. Her discovery of psychedelic-assisted therapy reignited her passion for mental health work, inspiring her to complete Naropa University’s Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Certificate.
Hill-Ford says from the depths of these experiences, SoulCare Studios was born—a space dedicated to nurturing mind, body, and soul under one roof. Alongside Chinese medicine expert Dr. LeTa Jussila and chiropractor Dr. Michelle Bean, the team developed the SoulCare approach; to help, heal, strengthen, and to provide an opportunity to gather together and be in relationship with others.
“We’re often isolated, and relationships are healing. We do best when we’re together in a supportive environment with others we feel safe and comfortable with. Having acupuncture, chiropractic care, mental health services, and movement support under one roof offers holistic health,” Hill-Ford says.
“Our events are geared toward developing community,” she explains. “Our open houses, which we call Wellness Social Clubs, allow people to move from one activity to the next in small groups or individually. People got to know each other while using the biocharger, biomats, or participating in classes”
The SoulCare Studio grand opening is March 27-29. On Friday, Dr. LeTa will lead an embodied dance class. Saturday will feature a Qigong class and a land blessing ceremony led by Austen Tate on behalf of the Red Earth Movement, followed by a wellness happy hour for exploring studio offering. The day will end with a block party featuring music, kombucha, wine, and healthy snacks. Sunday includes more Qigong, a traditional tea ceremony, and a Q&A session with Dr. Bean about navigating psilocybin support. Festivities end with a somatic yoga class.
Hill-Ford says the first two open houses were well-received, with attendees ranging from young families to people in their 70s. The variety of classes and services ensures there’s something for everyone, whether they seek acupuncture, chiropractic care, yoga, or mental health support.
“Regarding our psychedelic offerings, ketamine can provide a bird’s eye view of stress or trauma, offering therapeutic benefits when used with a therapist. We support people in preparation, integration, and processing their unique experience,” Hill-Ford says.
Though Hill-Ford doesn’t provide psilocybin (which is decriminalized in Santa Cruz but not in the county), she says “we provide education on safe practices and offer integration support. Our aim is to ensure people have resources to process their experiences safely and effectively.”
For those hesitant about exploring holistic wellness, the SoulCare team recommends starting with yoga. “We provide a full schedule of yoga classes, including Yoga Nidra with a sound bath, Vinyasa flows, warm flow, slow flow, and express classes,” Hill-Ford says.
“Meet us, experience the space, and have a conversation,” Hill-Ford invites. “Holistic health simply means supporting your body, mind and soul, which can look different for everyone.”
Elizabeth Borelli is the author of the new book Tastes Like La Dolce Vita. Download a free 50-page Mediterranean Recipe guide at ElizabethBorelli.com.
Spelling of Austen Tate’s name corrected on April 12, 2025.
Ancient Rome’s emperor Julius Caesar undertook a radical move to fix the calendar, which had become increasingly inaccurate as the centuries passed. He added three months to the year 46 BCE, which as a result was 445 days long. I’m thinking that 2025 might seem equally long for you, Aries. Your destiny may feel like it’s taking forever to unfold. APRIL FOOL! I totally lied. In fact, I think 2025 will be one of your briskest, crispest years ever. Your adventures will be spiced with alacrity. Your efforts will be efficient and expeditious. You may sometimes be amazed at how swiftly progress unfolds.
TAURUS April 20-May 20
Guilt and fear are always useless distractions from what’s really happening. Right? APRIL FOOL! The fact is that on rare occasions, being anxious can motivate you to escape from situations that your logical mind says are tolerable. And guilt may compel you to take the right action when nothing else will. This is one time when your guilt and fear can be valuable assets.
GEMINI May 21-June 20
The German word Flüsterwitze means “whisper jokes.” These jests make taboo references and need to be delivered with utmost discretion. They may include the mockery of authority figures. Dear Gemini, I recommend that you suppress your wicked satire and uproarious sarcasm for a while and stick to whisper jokes. APRIL FOOL! I lied. The truth is that the world needs your outspokenness. Your ability to call out hypocrisies and expose corruption—especially with humor and wit—will keep everyone as honest as they need to be.
CANCER June 21-July 22
In the lead-up to the Paris-hosted 2024 Summer Olympics, the iconic Eiffel Tower was repainted gold. This was a departure from tradition, as the usual colors had been brown on the bottom and red on the top. The $60-million job took 25 painters 18 months. I recommend that you undertake an equally monumental task in the coming months, Cancerian. APRIL FOOL! I lied. In fact, I do hope you undertake a monumental task—but one that’s more substantive than changing the surfaces of things. Like revisioning your life story, for example—reinterpreting your past and changing the way it informs your future. I think you are ready to purge inessential elements and exorcize old ghosts as you prepare for a re-launch around your birthday.
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
When I worked on the Duke University grounds crew years ago, I did the work I was assigned as quickly as possible. Then I would hide in the bushes, taking unauthorized breaks for an hour or two, so I could read books I loved. Was that unethical? Maybe. But the fact is, I would never have been able to complete my assigned tasks unless I allowed myself relaxation retreats. If there is an equivalent situation in your life, Leo, I urge you to do as I did. APRIL FOOL! I half-lied. The truth is that I think you should be a little less extravagant than I was—but only a little—as you create the spaciousness and slack you need.
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
In his film Fitzcarraldo, Virgo director Werner Herzog tells an epic story. It includes the task of hauling a 320-ton steamship up a hill and over land, moving it from one river to another. Herzog could have relied on special effects to simulate this almost impossible project, but he didn’t. With a system of pulleys and a potent labor force, he made it happen. I urge you to try your equivalent of Herzog’s heroic conquest, Virgo. You will be able to summon more power and help than you can imagine. APRIL FOOL! I half-lied. While it’s true that you will be able to summon more power and help than you can imagine, I still think you should at least partially rely on the equivalent of special effects.
LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Researchers discovered that Egyptian fruit bats engage in extensive communication with each other while nesting in their roosts. Surprisingly, they talk about their problems a lot. In fact, they quarrel 60 percent of the time. Areas of disagreement include food allocation, positions within the sleep cluster and males initiating unwanted mating moves. Let’s make these bats your power creatures. The astrological omens say it’s time for you to argue more than you have ever argued. APRIL FOOL! I was not entirely truthful. The coming weeks will be a good time to address disagreements and settle disputes, but hopefully through graceful means, not bitter arguing.
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Unlike many modern poets, Scorpio-born Alice Notley rejects the notion that she must be part of any poetic lineage. She aspires “to establish or continue no tradition except one that literally can’t exist—the celebration of the singular thought sung at a particular instant in a unique voice.” She has also written, “It’s necessary to maintain a state of disobedience against everything.” She describes her work as “an immense act of rebellion against dominant social forces.” I invite you to enjoy your own version of a Notley-like phase, Scorpio. APRIL FOOL! I lied. In fact, I encourage you to enjoy a Notley-like phase beginning May 1. But for now, I invite you to be extra attentive in cultivating all the ways you can benefit from honoring your similarities and connections with others.
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized test that many American high school students take to prove their worth to colleges. The highest possible score is achieved by fewer than one percent of test-takers. We might imagine that earning such a premium grade must guarantee admission to any school, but it doesn’t. During one five-year period, for example, Stanford University rejected 69 percent of applicants with the highest possible score. I’m sorry to predict that a comparable experience might be ahead for you, Sagittarius. Even if you are your best and brightest self, you may be denied your rightful reward. APRIL FOOL! I totally lied. Here’s my real, true prediction: In the coming weeks, I believe you will be your best and brightest self—and will win your rightful reward.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
The visible part of an iceberg is typically just 10 percent of its total size. Most is hidden beneath the sea’s surface. References to “the tip of the iceberg” have become a staple metaphor in many cultures, signifying situations that are not what they seem. Of all the zodiac tribes, Scorpios are renowned for their expertise in discerning concealed agendas and missing information. The rest of us tend to be far less skillful. APRIL FOOL! I fibbed. These days, you Capricorns are even more talented than Scorpios at looking beyond the obvious and becoming aware of the concealed roots and full context.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18
In the coming weeks, I advise you to be like the 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson. She lived in quiet seclusion, corresponding through letters instead of socializing. She seemed content to write her poems all alone in her home and be unconcerned about trying to get them published. APRIL FOOL! I lied. Here’s my real horoscope: Now is a highly favorable time for you to shmooze with intensity at a wide range of social occasions, both to get all the educational prods you need and to advance your ambitions.
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
Some systems and situations improve and thrive in response to stress and errors. Indeed, some things need strain or irregularity to be fully healthy. For example, human bodies require a certain amount of stress to develop a resistance to infection. In reading the astrological omens, I conclude you now need stimulation like that. APRIL FOOL! I lied. Here’s the truth: August of 2025 will be a great time for you to harvest the benefits of benevolent stress. But for now, your forte will be the capacity to avoid and resist stress, confusion and errors.
Camper Van Beethoven is one of the most ridiculously influential and criminally underrated bands of all time, blending all the influences swirling around college radio stations in the ’80s: ska, punk, polka, Eastern European folk and alt-rock. Their songs had a wonderful, absurd sense of humor with poetic lyrics that could go from sweet and sincerely optimistic to wickedly sardonic and satirical in the blink of an eye. Founding Camper Van member bassist and guitarist Victor Krummenacher will be joining the also talented singer, songwriter and frontperson of the Norway Rats, Casey Neill, when he plays Santa Cruz this week. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
Bay Area rappers have earned a place in the history of hip hop, from E-40, Keak Da Sneak and Mac Dre to the unique Del the Funky Homosapien and the legendary Too Short. The scene continues to be strong, fighting to draw attention from the better-known scenes of LA, NY, Chi-town, Memphis and Atlanta. Bay Area rapper Zay Bang hits hard with autobiographical storytelling rhymes offset by Lil Bean’s Auto-Tune-heavy style that rides the line between rapping and singing. The combination has worked well for the two, giving them a regional hit with “Side of Me,” putting them on the map. KLJ
INFO: 7pm, Vet’s Hall, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz. $24-$109. 454-0478.
REGGAE
DON CARLOS
The smooth and soulful Don Carlos brings his legendary voice to Moe’s Alley for a special two-night engagement. Born in Kingston, Jamaica’s Waterhouse district and steeped in the sound of reggae greats, Carlos began his singing career as one of the original members of Black Uhuru in 1973. Five years later, Carlos pursued solo success and has established himself as one of reggae’s most distinct voices. After all this time, Carlos maintains an excellent sense of rhythm and masterfully uses his soft and hypnotic voice to deliver conscious, captivating lyrics. His charismatic and gentle performance is not to be missed. SHELLY NOVA
No doubt, the harp is one of the hardest-to-learn instruments and one of the most misunderstood. It often seems like the 47-stringed instrument is only used for soft lullabies or by Harpo Marx. Thank goodness Brandee Younger is here to flip the script and showcase the harp in a whole new way. For over a decade, she has stunned audiences and critics alike with her bold playing, bringing the harp front and center in the most American of music, jazz. In 2022, she became the first Black woman nominated for a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition. Two years later, she won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album with her latest album, Somewhere Different. MAT WEIR
INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $42. 427-2227.
SATURDAY 3/29
CLASSICAL
BENNARDO-LARSON DUO
The NYC and Stockholm-based Bennardo-Larson Duo invites audiences to an intimate evening in the redwoods at violinist Maya Bennardo and pianist Karl Larson’s favorite mountainside venue, Wind River. Known for their dedication to a forward-thinking repertoire, the duo will perform works from Anthony Vine and Bennardo’s oeuvre. Since their conception in 2016, in which they performed Charles Ives’s complete violin and piano works, they have built a wonderfully diverse portfolio and a reputation for blending new compositions with innovative historical pieces. SN
INFO: 7:30pm, Wind River, 421 Wild Way, Santa Cruz. $20. 627-9491.
NEW AGE
YAIMA
New Age music isn’t for everyone. However, the musical duo Yaima (meaning that which water runs through) might be just the thing for those who hate New Age. Consisting of Japanese multi-instrumentalist and producer Masaru Higasa and Seattle vocalist Pepper Proud, Yaima flows as softly and as powerful as a river. It makes sense, as the duo takes inspiration from nature to create music that draws the listener to sense something more profound right below the surface of their music: life and human consciousness. MW
Santa Cruz’s vibrant music scene has deep roots throughout the decades, and Stormin Norman Louis knows it. Maybe that’s why they sold out their first appearance at the El Vaquero Winery last year. After all, his all-star band, the Cyclones, consists of Scott Kail on drums, JoJo Fox on bass, Jim Hannibal on sax and local legend Ken Kraft (yes, that Ken Kraft from fabled Santa Cruz rockers, SNAIL) on guitar. The result is old-school rock ‘n’ roll for people who like to hear a song’s melody, instruments and vocals instead of distortion and Cookie Monster growls. MW
Kitty Craft (the musician alias of artist Pamela Valfer) has been making mellow, groove-heavy tunes combining an ethereal voice, keyboards, samples and low-fi hip hop production since the mid-’90s when her first releases came out on cassette tape. Hailing originally from Minneapolis (how does this town churn out so many great musicians?) and now calling LA her “forever home,” she clocks over a quarter million monthly listeners on Spotify. Valfer’s officially been around long enough to go from hip to the streaming generation’s idea of retro cool, and she’s still at it, recording and performing live for a devoted following and releasing albums on cool green vinyl. KLJ
INFO: 8pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $38. 713-5492.
TUESDAY 4/1
AUTHOR EVENT
WINTER IN AMERICA
Emotions continue to run high after the 2024 election. It is a time of uncertainty and fear as new, outrageous headlines clog the newsfeed daily. Even so, there’s still hope for the future. Solidarity and community can build resilience. To reflect and express the complex emotions felt and to celebrate the release of Winter in America (Again: Poets Respond to the 2024 Election, a new poetry anthology, Bookshop Santa Cruz is hosting a powerful poetry reading featuring contributing poets who will explore themes of democracy, resilience and the future. The reading aims to pull at strands of positivity and hope so a better future may be forged. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 7pm, Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free w/RSVP. 423-0900.
I am reaching out to encourage a discussion on banning the retail sale of nitrous oxide (N₂O) in Santa Cruz County, but I am unsure where to begin. My goal is to raise awareness about the extreme recreational use of N₂O in our community, an issue that often flies under the radar.
On a personal note, I struggled with severe N₂O addiction for five years and was caught in possession of a canister on 12/12/24. Since then, I have been in recovery through the support of Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, and I am thriving within these fellowships. My deepest desire is to be of service to others who are struggling with this substance.
Despite existing regulations under Penal Code 381e (see screenshot), enforcement appears lacking. I can name at least 10 smoke shops within a five-mile radius that, in my experience, do not adhere to these legal requirements. One particularly concerning example is GREAT GAS at 1024 Water St., Santa Cruz, which sells nitrous oxide 24/7, 365 days a year. Yet, due to its proximity to Monarch Elementary (0.2 miles away) and Branciforte Middle School (0.3 miles away), it is prohibited from selling cigarettes or vapes—highlighting an inconsistency in how substances are regulated.
I appreciate the work you do to make Santa Cruz a progressive, sustainable, and safe county, and I would love guidance on how to further this conversation.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Cody Mahler
Bare Necessities
When people told me to start saving up for college, I thought they were talking about tuition. Instead of spending my money on basic necessities like food, I’m limited by the classes that are supposed to be expanding my opportunities. What upsets me the most is that there is a whole industry thriving off of the grocery money of students just like me. As a UCSC student, now in my third year of college, I finally understand how the textbook market has completely monopolized the textbook industry for students. I recently found out that textbook prices have increased at 3x the rate of inflation. That’s a 1041% cost increase since 1977. However, there is hope for the new college age. Quite a few of my professors have started using free, online textbooks known as open education resources. This allows students to access readings and course materials without having to pay. According to US PIRG, 2 out of every 25 students fail a class because they couldn’t afford their textbooks. Every student deserves to have an equal opportunity to succeed in their classes without worrying about the expense of their success. There must be a change in the textbook market for the sake of all students, and I believe that change lies in the support and utilization of open education resources.
Jessica Cortez | Santa Cruz
ONLINE COMMENTS
RE: Bye Bye Bezos
How about a shout-out to Staff of Life, please? Like Shoppers too, but Staff has a lot more organic produce, that that, in turn, supports other local business (farms who are also stewarding the environment).
And where do I go for basic, everyday clothing (sure, REI is good too, and a co-op) but what if I need a pair of sturdy jeans, and don’t have time to dig for my size and fit at Grey Bears (which is also a go-to for me)!
Whoa! What a great thing! I’m past the age of socializing in bars, but when I was younger, I used to worry about leaving my drink unattended. Even if it was just ginger ale. If I had to leave the table to dance or use the restroom, I wouldn’t touch my drink when I returned. I’d have to order another. This coaster test is a great idea, and I hope all the bars and pubs in the county take up on the practice.
Donna Maurillo
Correction In the March 12 issue of Good Times, author Jason Isralowitz’s name was misspelled in an article about Scotts Valley’s Hitchcock Festival. We regret the error.
Aphrodise’s Greek Charmat Rosé Sparkling Wine is made from indigenous Xinomavro (dry/red) grapes, which are sourced from vineyards in northwestern Greece.
One band has found a way to make it big, playing great music here for 40 years. How did the Banana Slugs do it? Our writer, DNA, talked to them to find out.
The universe loves balance, and in dark times, the light shines brightly, but only here and there. In Santa Cruz, for 40 years, our constant spark has been carried forth by the Banana Slug String Band. They are both a beloved kids’ quartet—with catchy songs, sing-alongs and goofy humor— as well as four dyed-in-the-wool environmentalist troubadours who exhibit a...
Brandee Younger stuns audiences and critics alike with her bold playing, bringing the harp front and center in the most American of music, jazz. Friday at Kuumbwa.
