THURSDAY 5/14
WORLD MUSIC
DEREK GRIPPER, ALAM KHAN & GUY BUTTERY Sarod player, Alam Khan is the son of Ali Akbar Khan. Khan senior was a paradigm smasher, introducing the world to the magic of traditional Indian Music. Alam has carried his father’s legacy into the 21st century, combining his love of the sarod with the music of South Africa. Gripper and Buttery’s guitar work has the intricacy of a spider’s web, combined with the passion of revolution. This is a collaboration spun out of friendship and the intuitive process of combining instruments born from different cultures. DNA
INFO: 8pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, $39. 423-8209.
FRIDAY 5/15
ROCK
ROBYN HITCHCOCK It’s safe to say Robyn Hitchcock has had an incredibly prolific career. As the singer for the Soft Boys, he hit the punk and new wave scene with songs like “I Wanna Destroy You” on their eponymous Underwater Moonlight album which influenced legends like The Replacements and R.E.M. Then there was his stint with The Egyptians with the MTV hit “Balloon Man.” But it’s with his solo career that Hitchcock has truly earned his rock-pop name. His songs are a mash of psych, folk and rock with influences ranging from Dylan to the English folk revival of the 1960s with bands like Fairport Convention. MAT WEIR
INFO: 7pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $33/adv, $38/door. 429-6994.
THEATRE
WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? Back in 1962, playwright Edward Albee explored what the hell life is all about, with his play, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Sixty years have passed and we seem even farther away from sustainable answers. What is reality? What is illusion? The great divide between these two questions is increasing, and sinking your ego into the words of Albee and the fine performances of the actors of the Mountain Community Theatre will be wide-eyed and eye-opening. Buried within the portrayed relationships, it’s all too clear: we are barely communicating. Don’t be afraid, do better. Goes until June 7. DNA
INFO: 7pm, Park Hall, 9400 Mill Street, Ben Lomond. $20-$30. 336-4777.
SATURDAY 5/16
DANCE
HAITIAN FOLKLORIC DANCE WORKSHOP To aid in the MAH’s celebration of Haitian Flag Day, Portsha T. Jefferson, a celebrated dancer and founder of the Rara Tou Limen Haitian Dance Company, is leading a Haitian folkloric dance workshop. Join her and fellow community members to learn a festive Carnaval dance at the MAH. This 60-minute class celebrates the spirit, resilience, and beauty of Haiti through movement. Jefferson brings 25 years of experience in dance, research, travel, and choreography with her to this class. It is an opportunity to experience Haiti’s living culture and legacy while also learning and uplifting it through the movement and music of the dance. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 5pm, The MAH, 705 Front St, Santa Cruz. Free. 429-1964.
ORCHESTRAL ROCK
RENEGADE ORCHESTRA Fusing a rock rhythm section with some of the Bay Area’s best orchestral musicians, Renegade Orchestra aims to offer the best of both worlds. The Orchestra’s current season centers on a repertoire highlighting the rich musical heritage of the Bay Area. With wide-ranging selections from It’s a Beautiful Day to Dead Kennedys to classics like Jefferson Airplane’s Somebody to Love,” the Orchestra dazzles audiences with what it describes as “songs orchestras have never done… or maybe shouldn’t do.” The versatile ensemble’s high-energy set eschews balladry in favor of a hard-hitting, all-killer, no-filler evening of music. BILL KOPP
INFO: 7pm, London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz. $29. 420-6177.
SUNDAY 5/17
FUNK
CIMAFUNK Born in Cuba of African descent, Cimafunk takes his name from the Cimarróns—escaped slaves who formed their own communities in Cuba during colonial times. And just like his background and name, Cimafunk creates music that represents those who came before him alongside modern tastes. He blends Afro-rock with funk and Cuban sounds to create music that demands movement, dancing and nothing else but a good time. With his nine-piece band from Havana (La Tribu), Cimafunk has earned three Grammy nominations, a Latin Grammy nomination, a performance at the Kennedy Center and he was the first Cuban-born musician to play Coachella. MW
INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $30/adv, $35/door. 479-1854.
ALT FOLK
WILLIE NILE A Greenwich Village fixture with deep Buffalo roots, Willie Nile has spent five decades crafting evergreen rock n’ roll. Discovered by a New York Times critic, signed by Clive Davis, and called to open for The Who on their 1980 tour, his ascent was steep. His songwriting cozies up to heartland tradition, hopeful and anthemic, built on major chords and swinging between romantic and political. There are shadows of Springsteen, Mellencamp, and Woody Guthrie. Nile’s live performances are fiery and deeply felt, earning devotees who follow across state lines. After 21 albums, songs keep coming, and the fire behind them has not cooled. SHELLY NOVO
INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $39. 704-7113.
MONDAY 5/18
JAZZ
KURT ROSENWINKEL TRIO A contemporary and classmate of Christina McBride, Joey DeFrancesco and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel studied at Berklee College of Music before embarking on a tour with revered vibraphonist Gary Burton. As an in-demand, first-call sideman whose versatility extends to rock and hip hop, the guitarist has appeared on more than 60 albums. A recording artist under his own name for more than 30 years, Rosenwinkel has nearly 20 albums to his credit. For this performance, Rosenwinkel will front his trio featuring bass guitarist Dario Deidda and Greg Hutchinson on drums. BK
INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $47. 427-2227.
WEDNESDAY 5/20
AMERICANA
CHAD PRICE/SCOTT REYNOLDS Two voices, one lineage. The second and third singers of melodic punk institution ALL, Chad Price and Scott Reynolds, have built their legacy on relentless touring and road-worn songwriting. Price carries an alt-country grit in his back pocket, honed through years fronting Drag the River through dusty American venues. Reynolds, after doing time throwing down on worldwide tours, left ALL to chase quieter obsessions: acoustic lounge experiments, Buffalo punk outfits, and jazzy crooner tunes. Bringing together their years of melodic craft and technical range, Price and Reynolds will hit the stage with legendary energy and a classic pop-punk sound. SN
