THURSDAY 10/15
LATIN
DOS SANTOS From Chicago to Santa Cruz, Dos Santos is a band vibrating with Grammy potential. With a lucky 13 years under their collective belt, Dos Santos twists jazz with the rhythms of Afro-Cuban beats into an intense, danceable braid. The five-piece Dos Santos features Alex Chavez out front, Jaime Garza on electric bass, Peter Vale on percussion, and Daniel Villarreal on drums. Dos Santos is no wilting wallflower; their music and words are passionate and direct. Luckily, Chavez is bilingual and even throws in some Spanglish for the language-challenged. DNA
INFO: 8pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz. $18-37. 427-2227.
CHICANO SOUL
ANDRE CRUZ & THE BLACK DIAMOND RHYTHM BAND In California of the ’60s, a style of music known as Chicano soul (sometimes referred to as “brown-eyed soul”) took hold among listeners. Groups like Cannibal & the Headhunters (“Land of a Thousand Dances”) and Thee Midniters (“Whittier Boulevard”) thrilled audiences and achieved national success. But as prevailing styles came and went, Chicano soul seemed to disappear into history. Happily, this Bay Area group exemplifies a faithful current-day take on the genre. In keeping with their traditionally-minded approach, the fronting duo— vocalist Cruz and bandleader Chris Lujan—release their passionate, soulful music on 45 rpm records. Trianna Feruza & the Heavy Hitters open. BILL KOPP
INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $18. 479-1854.
FRIDAY 10/16
EXHIBIT
HIGH SCORE: VINTAGE ARCADE AND MIDWAY GAMES Memories of crowding around a pinball machine, aiming to beat the high score, smells of popcorn and multicolored lights flashing in the periphery. The MAH brings the nostalgia of arcades into focus with an interactive exhibit showcasing pinball and games from the “golden age.” Explore each era of arcades from dime museums and amusement parlors of the 19th century to the levelled-up video games of the 1970s and ’80s. Featuring delightful fixtures from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s collection, this exhibit encourages visitors to play and interact with these games as they peek into the history of where it all began. Runs until Jan 24, 2027. SHELLY NOVO
INFO: 12pm, The MAH, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. $8-10. 429-1964.
HIP HOP
XAVIER WULF Xavier Wulf originally broke into the bigger hip hop scene in 2012 when he was a part of the Raider Klan. Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Wulf started rapping under his Ethelwulf moniker before changing it to Xavier Wulf after leaving Raider Klan. In 2015, he dropped his debut album, Project X, and hasn’t looked back. He is a frequent collaborator with BONES, whom he’s known since they were kids, and formed the collective Seshollowaterboyz with him. MAT WEIR
INFO: 9pm, Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $52. 713-5492.
SATURDAY 10/17
AMERICANA
MARTY O’REILLY Soulful and seasoned, Marty O’Reilly’s voice pours over the listener with passionate reflections on love, loss, loneliness, and connection. From raw lyrical honesty to the sound of fingers sliding across guitar strings, his music is untethered and cathartic. Inspired by legends from Woody Guthrie to Tom Waits, O’Reilly has deep roots in Americana. O’Reilly has done his time on the road, touring relentlessly and self-funding albums all while learning to be a husband and father. Through it all, he’s stayed true to his mission to make honest music that speaks to the heart and reflects all shades of the human experience. SN
INFO: 7pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz. $25. 429-6994.
CRAFTS
2026 MASK MAKING FESTIVAL Santa Cruz is hosting its annual Halloween Mask Making Festival on October 17! This year will have mask-making accompanied by a thrilling performance by the Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Youth Theatre. They will be performing a play based on a book about a play—their version of Robert W. Chambers’ The King in Yellow, a supposed inspiration for Lovecraft. It is a maddening tale, so what will happen when it is staged? Will the audience keep their wits? Will we all simply go mad as the story progresses? ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 12pm, London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz. Free. 420-5030.
SUNDAY 10/18
REGGAE
BLVK H3RO Big Ups to Woodhouse who fought the power in order to secure the party. Allowing them to bring people together for massive fun outdoors under the stars and near the train. This show kicks out the cobwebs with a tasty full band bringing heavy vibes. Frontman BLVK H3RO respects the roots but adds a fresh take on Jamaican beats. Backed by the 3PEAT band and the host of the weekly “Reggae Love Radio” show on KZSC 88.1 FM, DJ Selecta 7, this is going to be a dank night in a tight spot. Strip back the weed, dreads, and patriarchy and find the common denominator of the music: One Love. DNA
INFO: 4pm, Woodhouse Blending & Brewing, 119 Madrone Street, Santa Cruz. Free. 313-9461.
MONDAY 10/19
ALT-ROCK
SHE WANTS REVENGE Formed in the San Fernando Valley in 2004, She Wants Revenge combined strains of goth and darkwave to make some fine, moody music. Co-leaders Adam Bravin and Justin Warfield led the group through a pair of charting albums, highlighted by the 2006 hit single “Tear You Apart.” She Wants Revenge went inactive in 2012, reuniting, but not releasing further albums, in 2015. That second run ended in 2020, but the group reconvened in 2022 and has stayed together since, concentrating on live performance. They haven’t released any new music since a 2018 single, “Big Love.” Rosegarden Funeral Party opens. BK
INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $44. 705-7113.
WEDNESDAY 10/21
FILM
YOUNG SOUL REBELS Set in 1977, the year punk reared its snarling head into the world and the Queen of England celebrated her Silver Jubilee. Young Soul Rebels follows two British teens who operate a pirate radio station as they navigate the streets of London amid themes of homophobia, race relations and socio-economic hierarchy in a country facing class war and garbage strikes. It is the first film by writer/director Sir Isaac Julien, who is also a UC Santa Cruz Distinguished Professor of the Arts and will conduct a Q&A after the movie. While this event is free, it is suggested that attendees reserve a spot online. MW
