FRIDAY 11/29
SOUL
DRIFTR
Guitarists Brian Wood Capobianchi and Jamie Schnetzler (aka Joaquin Sun) combine acoustic, electric and electronic textures to create introspective music that’s equal parts organic and modern. The duo’s latest single is the contemplative “How Many Wars.” The mindful and eclectic evening also features the psychedelic grooves of Bay Area-based Sun Hop Fat, plus Paul Rubio with Inna Dagman presenting what’s billed as “songs of an Indigenous vibrational mindset.” In keeping with that theme, the concert takes place on Native American Heritage Day, and additional donations support the Santa Cruz-based Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. BILL KOPP
INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $30. 704-7113.
THEATER
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
As holiday stress sets in, it’s good to remember what the season’s all about: love, generosity and community. The heart-warming Christmas tale Miracle on 34th Street is based on the novel by Valentine Davies and directed by Daria E. Troxell. Things may seem uncertain, but the play advocates hope for the future, and who knows—the mall Santa Claus just might be who he claims to be. Grab a friend or loved one and remember what this time of year is all about. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 7:30pm, Park Hall, 9400 Mill St., Ben Lomond. $20-$25. 336-4777.
TRAPUNK
VANTANA ROW
Pushing the boundaries of performing music and being punk, Jamey and Volly Blaze of Vantana Row play “trapunk,” combining trap music and glitch hop with punk rock’s DIY & FU mentality. This year alone, they’ve put out seven separate releases—some solo and some in collaboration with other acts like WORMMOTHER and Dumpster Abortion. Not for the faint of heart, Vantana Row is an assault on the senses as they do “drive-by” performances in their van outside of shows, venues, cafes and more. Truly, Vantana Row is a band that needs to be experienced at least once in life, or maybe a couple of times, depending on how often they drive around the block before the cops catch up. MAT WEIR
INFO: 10:30pm, Blue Lagoon, 923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 423-7117.
SATURDAY 11/30
ROCK
COFFIS BROTHERS
The sons of the Santa Cruz Mountains return home for a show that promises to get the boots scootin’ and the booties shakin’. Americana rockers the Coffis Brothers are putting on a special show for their new album, Kaw-Fis Bruth-Urs. While the band has been playing since 2010, brothers Jamie and Kellen have performed together and with family since childhood. Their rootsy American rock ‘n’ roll blend is seasoned with folk, country and bluesy spices a la Tom Petty, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Neil Young. Sacramento folk duo Manzanita joins in the celebratory festivities. MW
INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $25. 704-7113.
HARDCORE
SCOWL
Hardcore band Scowl will headline their hometown club on Saturday, and that locals-make-good energy should equal a blow-the-roof-off-the-place performance from a band who knows what to do with energy. Frontperson Kat Moss alternates seamlessly between a full-throated singing voice and a feral growl while the hard-driving guitars, bass and drums follow her lead. After paying proper tribute to the locals, the quintet heads out on tour across the US and helping to see them off in appropriate style is a stacked lineup featuring Male Tears, Cosmic Joke, Marbled Eye and Sluttony. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
INFO: 7pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $32. 713-5492.
MONDAY 12/2
JAZZ
PINK MARTINI
Little orchestra, big sound. Initially founded to provide vibrant soundtracks for political fundraisers supporting civil rights and other well-intentioned causes, Pink Martini was born, and today, the group features 12 renowned global artists performing dynamic music that traverses 25 different languages. Known for its multicultural repertoire, the jazzy, genre-eclectic band has played and collaborated with over 50 orchestras internationally and released 11 studio albums on their indie label, Heinz Records. This year, “little orchestra” Pink Martini celebrates three decades of performances—30 years of embodying a lively vision of inclusivity and diplomacy through music. MELISA YURIAR
INFO: 7:30pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $68. 423-8209.
TUESDAY 12/3
BRAZILIAN JAZZ
CLÁUDIA VILLELA
Inspired by samba and the sounds of a vibrant childhood in Rio, Brazilian-born vocalist-pianist Cláudia Villela has built a remarkable career blending Brazilian traditions with jazz. Based in Santa Cruz since the ’80s, Villela has released seven acclaimed albums and collaborated with luminaries like American jazz saxophonist-composer Michael Brecker, Belgian jazz man Toots Thielemans and songstress Flora Purim. Drawing inspiration from Brazilian greats Egberto Gismonti and Hermeto Pascoal and diverse traditional genres like samba, bossa nova and forró, the talented musician brings a rich musical knowledge and heritage to the “Brazilian Rhythms & Melodies” master class. MY
INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. Free. 427-2227.
AUTHOR EVENT
MARILYNNE ROBINSON
The Noel Q. King Memorial Lecture celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Humanities Institute and honors the life and work of Noel King, a founding faculty member of Merrill College and advocate for the comparative study of world religions. This year’s lecturer is Marilynne Robinson, the prolific novelist and essayist, Pulitzer Prize winner, National Book Critics Circle Award winner, and National Humanities Medal recipient. President Barack Obama once applauded “her grace and intelligence in writing.” The Humanities Institute and Porter College present the free event, cosponsored by Merrill College, Bookshop Santa Cruz and Shakespeare Workshop. KLJ
INFO: 6:30pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 423-8209.
WEDNESDAY 12/4
INDIE
AX AND THE HATCHETMEN
The Chicago band Ax and the Hatchetmen has a finely tuned sense of rock history. Their sound seamlessly blends elements of surf rock, rockabilly, folk and classic pop, remarkably without sounding more than a tiny bit like any of those things. Their breezy, good-natured approach to music conveys a sense of fun rooted at the core of their songcraft. Catchy melodies and a peppy yet laid-back character make for a carefree, life-affirming listening experience. It’s hard not to smile when listening to tunes like “Grace” from 2022, and they’ve been cranking out a steady and high-quality stream of singles before and since. BK
INFO: 7:30pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $23. 713-5492.
