Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole is the eldest son of Kekuhi Kanahele and descends from a distinguished hula family. "Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai" (a Wiki Wiki Wednesday favored song) was composed by his great grandmother, Edith Kanahele Kanaka'ole; his family's music traditions…
An all-star string extravaganza led by fiddle master Darol Anger will be performing at Don Quixote's in Felton, CA on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 7:30pm. Darol has taken acoustic string music into territory which fuses elements of jazz, bluegrass,…
Self described "stoner punk" Colleen Green is on tour promoting her new album, "Sock it To Me." I picked up the new record at Streetlight Records over the weekend and the fuzzy, lo-fi scathing guitar, Best Coast lyrics and Vivian…
The annual Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair will be held in San Lorenzo Park at the Duck Pond Stage in Santa Cruz on Saturday, May 4, 2013 from noon-5:00pm. A cavalcade of local bands will be featured: Homefire, The Earl White…
Two members of the traditional Irish music group Patrick Street, Kevin Burke and John Carty, will be performing as a duo on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 7:30pm at the Resource Center for Nonviolence, in Santa Cruz, CA. Both are outstanding…
KZSC recently hosted the UC Radio Network (UCRN) student broadcaster conference, a mostly harmonic convergence of California college radio stations including KDVS/UC Davis, KALX/UC Berkeley, KCSB/UC Santa Barbara, Bobcat Radio/UC Merced and others. We've never seen so many Warby Parker glasses…
Prepare to be transported to a tropical paradise in your mind as Barry Flanagan and Ron Kuala'au, collectively known as Hapa, return to Santa Cruz. Hapa founder Barry Flangan provides the shimmering guitar work that infuses all their albums over the…
Traditional and contemporary music from Cape Breton Island off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada will be presented by the talented and humorous Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at a House Concert in the…
An all-star lineup of extraordinary Irish musicians are touring as the "Masters of Tradition" and will be in concert at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 7:30pm. This is a unique opportunity to…
The 2nd annual Seabright Stringfest takes place this Saturday, March 2nd outdoors on the Seabright Brewery/Java Junction patio in Santa Cruz on. This day-long FREE event is a cavalcade of bands performing from 11 AM until midnight. The day begins with a kids' show…
Friday, March 1st is the Day of The Hawaiian Guitars. Both Makana and Maunalua honor the traditional Hawaiian style and make it their own, performing at two locations. Bobby Moderow, Kahi Kaonohi and Richard Gideon are in the band Maunalua. Their…
This and next month are full of African and African-influenced music events in Santa Cruz. Tuesday the 19th, world fusion band Toubab Krewe will perform at Moe's Alley. Toubab Krewe specializes in upbeat instrumentals that draw from African blues, rock,…
ZZ Ward's raw edge evokes blues greats such as Big Mama Thornton with a modern twist. Her "Eleven Roses" mixtape began to catch the public's attention when she sampled hip-hop beats over her bluesy vocals allowing for an explosive fusion of…
You're certain to see hula dancers in action as Ho'omana perform songs of hula and aloha from Hawai'i. Since the show is at The Reef Bar/Pono Grill, you can enjoy delicious "ono" food and drink as you escape into the music of…
Scottish singer-songwriter Jim Malcolm will be performing at Don Quixote's in Felton, CA on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 7:30pm. Former lead singer of the well-respected band Old Blind Dogs, Jim has been touring the world with his guitar and…
The Santa Cruz Resource Center for Nonviolence celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King with a weekend of events centered around "The Power of Songs for Social Change." John McCutcheon will be in concert Fri, Jan 18, 2013 at the…
Do you like punk? Come get ur freak on Saturday night at the Catalyst Atrium with LA band FIDLAR. Opening for them will be Pangea (LA), Meat Market (Oakland) and Bummer City (Santa Cruz) with a special guest spot by DJ…
The Wake the Dead band who are mostly from the SF Bay Area, blends traditional Celtic music played on acoustic instruments with the songs of the Grateful Dead. They'll be performing at Don Quixote's International Music Hall in Felton, CA on Friday, January…
The end of December is full of music events in the Santa Cruz area that you won't want to miss. "Winter Solstice" which includes Barbara Higbie, Liz Story, Lisa Lynne, George Tortorelli and Aryeh Frankfurter is a holiday music event…
Last year I fell head over heels for Two Door Cinema Club's album, Tourist History. Loaded with the electro-pop dance grooves I was looking for in a band, Tourist History was high energy and infectious, making it impossible to not…
From New York City, The Punch Brothers with Chris Thile will be in concert Friday, November 30, 2012 at 8pm at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz, CA. Rooted in the rhythmic structure of bluegrass, these four virtuosic musicians take…