THURSDAY 7/9
MUSICAL
SISTER ACT The Cabrillo Theater is preparing for a dazzling production of Sister Act. This uplifting story follows Deloris, a bold and loving nightclub singer, as she is sent to a convent for her own protection. While there, Deloris teaches the nuns to sing with passion and joy. The nuns and Deloris learn how to step into their own power. Promising mischief and friendship, the fun never stops during Sister Act. The audience will glow with laughter throughout the comedic production. The infectious and high-energy songs will light up attendees long after the curtain falls. Goes until August 2nd. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 7:30pm, Cabrillo Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos. $25-$65. 479-6154.
FUNK
ANNA MOSS Dipped in jazz and dripping with soulful guitar, woodwinds, horns, and gentle trills, Anna Moss’ music is easy to slip on. Her sultry vocals are deep, with grit that peeks in from time to time. Each song ushers the listener to sway to dreamy beats, with a touch of bossa nova. Raised in the limestone hollows of the Ozarks and seasoned in the French Quarter, the multi-instrumentalist busked her way through New Orleans’ historic streets long enough to let the city settle into her bones. Stripped-down soul threaded with Southern R&B and porch jazz collides to create cabaret love letters and gritty hymns. SHELLY NOVO
INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, $20/adv. $25/door, 479-1854.
FRIDAY 7/10
ROOTS
ALICE HOWE & FREEBO W/GLENN MACPHERSON While she’s merely in her mid-30s, singer-songwriter Alice Howe is proudly steeped in the Laurel Canyon musical tradition. Coming on to the folk scene in 2017, Hall drew upon her dues-paying years playing coffee shops and sharpening her skills as an emotionally resonant songwriter. These days Hall teams up with a music veteran, Daniel “Freebo” Friedberg, best known for his skill on the electric fretless bass. Freebo’s extensive credits include touring with Bonnie Raitt and recording with everyone from Aaron Neville to Ringo Starr to John Mayall. Alice Howe’s latest album Circumstance was produced by Freebo. BILL KOPP
INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $32/adv, $42/door. 427-2227.
SATURDAY 7/11
FOLK
PEARL CHARLES Los Angeles-born Pearl Charles entered show business while still a teen, as half of country duo Driftwood Singers. Charles debuted on record as a solo artist with a self-titled 2015 EP. Her first full-length, Sleepless Dreamer appeared in 2018, and she has followed that up with two more albums. 2025’s Desert Queen is her latest. Drawing from indie rock and cosmic country, Charles has gained favorable reviews, with special attention given to her thoughtful songwriting and skillful blending of musical styles. She’s a noted fan of disco, yacht rock and funk as well as the more obvious influences of rock and country. BK
INFO: 7pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $20/adv, $24/door. 429-6994.
AMERICANA
JIMMY DILLON & LORIN ROWAN Within the intimate setting of the Ugly Mug, settle back with your ice-cold Joe and enjoy the picking and singing of Jimmy Dillon and Lorin Rowan. For 50 years, singer/songwriter/guitarist Dillon has played alongside Robin Williams, Sting, Carlos Santana, and Bon Jovi. Multi-instrumentalist Lorin Rowan is the son of American bluegrass pioneer Peter Rowan. Lorin escaped living in the shadow with a solid career having his songs played on shows like NCIS and Sons of Anarchy. His compositions have been performed by Ricky Skaggs and Marty Balin. But, for both of these talented musicians, the magic is seeing them live. DNA
INFO: 7pm, Ugly Mug, 4640 Soquel Drive Soquel. $30-$35. 477-1341.
SUNDAY 7/12
ROCK
NICK LUTSKO Nick Lutsko is a singer/songwriter, a video artist and a comedian. This also makes him a musical comedian, the most feared type of comedian in the world of stand-up. His videos range from hilarious to manic and hilariously manic, with him often drenched in sweat like the madman he is. Become a fan long enough and some of his long-running jokes become apparent like his beef with Jeff Bezos (probably not a joke) and the “men in the tunnels” living in his grandma’s basement (hopefully a joke). When it comes to Lutsko’s music, it’s just as unique as the man himself, ranging the gamut of ’80s pop to third act soundtracks. MAT WEIR
INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $21-$83. 704-7113.
THEATER
MACBETH Something wicked this way comes, indeed. Starting this weekend and running through August 30th, Santa Cruz Shakespeare presents one of The Bard’s most infamous plays, Macbeth. Coincidentally the play’s first ever performance is believed to have been in 1606 marking this as the 420th anniversary, which is very Santa Cruz. And for anyone familiar with Macbeth, it’s easy to see why it’s lasted throughout the ages. Witches, murder, moral failings and tons of tragedy are beautifully sewn throughout the acts, stitched together with lines such as “Blood will have blood,” and “the wine of life is drawn.” MW
INFO: 2pm, The Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Rd Santa Cruz. $15-$91. 460-6399.
MONDAY 7/13
ROCK
WHITE DENIM There’s a well-worn charm that rockers White Denim exude that smells like backyard BBQ’s and dirt weed. Locationally, you can pinpoint White Denim to LA, but they feel like an Austin-brewed band. Or rather, that lead singer/guitarist James Petralli, who is the only founding member of this rotating door of denim, sounds like backwoods Texas. The labyrinth of intoxicating sounds has layers. Petralli was born, second-generation Sacramento. His pops was a professional baseball player, and James Petralli was born with the traveling blues. White Denim brings back the excitement of seeing a band, and singular frontman, who after 20 years is still fucking hungry. DNA
INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Drive, Santa Cruz, $33. 479-1854.
WEDNESDAY 7/15
INDIE POP
ADAM SPRY Adam Spry’s songs fall somewhere between dirt road folk and beachy indie pop. A Bay Area based rocker who rides the wave between being solo singer-songwriter and alt-rock front man, Spry has built a catalog that suits both intimate and lively sets. Rooted in earnest lyricism, atmospheric arrangements, and a melodic instinct, his music draws comparisons to Emitt Rhodes, Fruit Bats, and Hiss Golden Messenger. The genre-bender moves between shoegaze pop, waltz, and apocalyptic folk-rock with restless energy, but his lyrics are of someone who has found solid ground. SN
