THURSDAY 5/21
JAZZ
PETER ERSKINE TRIO There are prolific musicians and then there’s whatever the heck Peter Erskine is doing. This guy is the Energizer Bunny of jazz musicians! The man started playing the drums at the age of 4 and by the time he was 18 he was playing with the legendary Stan Kenton. After that, he went on to play with Maynard Ferguson, Weather Report, and Jaco Pastorius. He’s toured or recorded with a who ’s-who of musicians from Kate Bush to Queen Latifah and Chick Corea. But the truly amazing fact is that this two-time Grammy Award winner has appeared on 700 albums. Fifty of those under his name and this Thursday he brings his trio to the Kuumbwa stage. MAT WEIR
INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $21-$41. 427-2227.
ROCK
UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA Diving into questions of morality and mortality through murky melodies, Unknown Mortal Orchestra continue to make ripples with their eclectic, experimental grooves. Beginning as a solo project by Ruban Nielson, the band has travelled across the shores, recording in home studios, Mexico City, and Hanoi, and drawing inspiration from films and natural disasters. Featuring rotating bandmates who impress with technical poise, UMO occasionally becomes a family affair with Neilson’s father on saxophone and brother on drums. This tour anticipates a 2026 EP, Curse and is sure to feature sultry R&B harmonies, silky strings, and deep reflections on the mysteries of love, pain, society, and space. SHELLY NOVO
INFO: 9pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, $49, 713-5492.
SCIENCE
BEAUTIFUL UNIVERSE Many people believe that science and art are completely different and unrelated. The Beautiful Universe exhibition at the MAH begins to bridge the gap between the two worlds. The exhibition features images by Steve Mandel and Bob Fera, Deep Space Remote Observatories. These beautiful glimpses of deep space are filled with scientific information that also invokes deep emotions. There is beauty in science and space. Appreciate the colors and patterns and ask questions about nature and the immense universe. The enormous sizes and distances these images reflect are a grain of sand in what the universe holds. Goes until May 31. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: The MAH, 705 Front St, Santa Cruz. $10. 429-1964.
FRIDAY 5/22
AMERICANA
ANDY FUHRMAN AND HIS FABULOUS FRIENDS Time to tilt a brewsky and listen to a talented consortium of musicians led by singer-songwriter Andy Fuhrman. Fuhrman might be straight-out-of-Brooklyn, but he sharpened his teeth on Blues, Country Folk and Outlaw Country on the revered local bandwidth of KFAT. His band is, as Hendrix says, “experienced.” With Jerry Whitney (Blues Mechanics) on bass, Ken Margolis (The Choir) on keys, Chris Ferrell shredding the lead guitar, Mat Wolf on skins and Laura Burnett (Dulcimer Girls) and Cheryl D’Alessandro (B-Movie Kings) bringing those sweet harmonies. Original tunes alongside your favorite cover songs of the 20th Century. DNA
INFO: 5:30pm, Discretion Brewing, 2703 41st Ave Ste. A, Soquel. Free. 316-0662.
THEATRE
THE WHOLE MONKEY SHOW The Actor’s Theatre is a sweet, little black box that provides year-round productions with an eye towards raising up new voices. Monologuist/Actor Christopher Michael Palermo is presenting his one-person show, which centers on, well, according to a YouTube video, everything? Decked out in bohemian attire, holding a bone, ala the monkeys at the beginning of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Palermo seems determined to open minds to the truth. Considering the 2001 monolith that the chimps worshipped was an extraterrestrial object, the truth, according to Palermo, might be stranger than we can imagine. DNA
INFO: 7pm, Actor’s Theatre, 1001 Center Street, Santa Cruz. $25. 431-8666.
GOTH
BEACH GOTH NIGHT Break out the stompy boots, crack open the black eyeliner and put on a torn fishnet shirt because Beach Goth Night returns to the Blue Lagoon! Hosted by DJs JPEG and Noizith, Beach Goth Night is an all-night dance party diving into everything goth. This is a one-stop shop for anyone who likes The Cramps, Killing Joke, Soft Cell, Depeche Mode and newer acts like Cold Cave, Boy Harsher and Twin Tribes. This is the second time Beach Goth Night has come to Santa Cruz and last time it was muy es spooky with stage set up, lights, tons of fog and some pretty *ahem* killer merch. MW
INFO: 9pm, Blue Lagoon, 923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $8/adv, $13/door. 423-7117.
SATURDAY 5/23
CHORALE
WHY THE WORLD LOVES BACH Nothing beats Bach, wizard of the Baroque and explorer on the frontier of fugues, counterpoint, and cantatas. Join Artistic Director Christian Grube and the Santa Cruz Chorale for an unforgettable program of four masterworks from Johann Sebastian Bach’s deep arsenal of sacred polyphony, filled with the unsurpassed musical instincts of the prolific maestro. Bach, at the height of his powers, performed by the renowned Chorale in league with soloists and chamber orchestra. Felix Mendelssohn’s gorgeous Nunc Dimittis is also included in the program of Bach’s stunning sound architecture. We need this music right now! Also on Sunday. CHRISTINA WATERS
INFO: 8pm, Holy Cross Church, 126 High St., Santa Cruz. $5-$54. 427-8023..
INDIE ROCK
GRANDADDY Indie rockers Grandaddy got their start in Modesto in 1992. Between 1997 and 2006, the group released four albums. Beginning with 2003’s Sumday, the band scored chart success in several countries. But in the wake of limited financial returns, the group broke up, with members going on to solo projects. By 2012, the band reformed, releasing the critically acclaimed Last Place in 2017. The death of band member Kevin Garcia put an end to a major tour, and the band went silent a second time. But in 2023, they reformed yet again, releasing Blu Wav the following year. BILL KOPP
INFO: 8pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $47. 423-8209.
WEDNESDAY 5/27
ROCK
SUPERSUCKERS The Supersuckers claim to be the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World. Even though they jest (a bit), the group founded in Tucson, Arizona in the late 1980s has as legitimate a claim to that title as anyone else. In practice, the group fronted by bassist and lead vocalist Eddie Spaghetti combines C&W with roaring punk. So, while audiences might do some boot-scootin’, the rip-roaring songs keep things rooted in the rock idiom. These days, the Supersuckers are closer to “outlaw country” than anything else, but applying labels sells the group short. Scott H. Biram opens. BK
