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A person with long brown hair stands in front of a bakery display case full of pastries, wearing a black hoodie with a patch on the back that reads “SOCK IT TO ME” in green letters.

Colleen Green May 17th

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…

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Poster for the 27th Annual Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair 2013 with illustrations of two smiling men, event details, band names, and notices about no pets, alcohol, or smoking in the park.

Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair, Sat May 4th

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…

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An older man in a dark suit and red tie smiles slightly while holding a violin and bow against a brown studio background.

Kevin Burke and John Carty, Sat April 27th

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…

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Hapa April 27

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…

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Poster for the Second Annual Seabright Stringfest, featuring silhouettes of musicians with string instruments and event details, including band names, date (March 2, 2013), time, and location in Santa Cruz, California.

Seabright Stringfest March 2nd

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…

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Double Shot Of Hawaiian Guitar March 1st

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…

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World Music Show Feb. 19

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,…

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ZZ Ward Feb. 13

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…

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Three men wearing matching green Hawaiian shirts stand outdoors with guitars, smiling. Three smaller string instruments are on stands in front of them. Lush greenery and a large tree are in the background.

Ho’omana Hawaiian Band Feb. 8th

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…

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A man sits on the grass beside a river, surrounded by greenery. He holds an acoustic guitar and is wearing a green shirt and jeans. Trees and bushes are in the background.

Jim Malcolm Wed Jan 30th

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…

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A close-up of an older man with a gray beard and blue eyes, smiling gently, next to a banjo. Text at the bottom reads "Photo by Irene Young.

John McCutcheon, Fri & Sat Jan 18th-19th

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…

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A colorful poster features cartoon characters Beavis and Butt-Head making rock hand signs. It advertises a concert with bands FIDLAR, PANGEA, Meat Market, and Bummer City, and includes event details for January 19th at the Catalyst Atrium.

FIDLAR Jan. 19

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…

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Seven adults pose indoors with musical instruments, including a harp, mandolin, and bodhrán. Four are seated on a light blue couch, while three stand behind them in front of a glass block wall and engraved memorial plaques.

Wake the Dead Fri, Jan 11th

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…

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Live Shows for The Holidays

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…

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Two Door Cinema Club Dec. 5th

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…

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Five men in suits stand together outdoors, holding string instruments including a banjo, guitar, mandolin, and upright bass, with green leafy foliage in the background. They look seriously at the camera.

Punch Brothers Fri Nov 30th

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…

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Five young men pose outside on a cobblestone path, smiling and holding traditional musical instruments including a violin, flute, accordion, guitar, and concertina. A harbor is visible in the background.

Teada Sat Nov 24th

The Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay presents the Irish band Teada on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 7:30pm at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, CA. Appearing at major music festivals around the world, Teada has now grown…

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