Arts
Art Department and Digital Arts and New Media (DANM) Fall Open Studios: Revel in the myriad genres of UC Santa Cruz’s artistic domain. Featured in this quarter’s exhibition are student accomplishments in drawing, painting, print media, sculpture, intermedia, photography and electronic art. Open Studios runs in conjunction with the DANM Studios, gearing up a parallel showcase of independent and collaborative works in hand-drawn, stop-motion and pixilation animation. Free and open to the public.
Dec. 7, 12 – 4 p.m., UCSC Elena Baskin Visual Arts Studios
Open Studios: Animation Showcase will occur simultaneously in the UCSC Digital Arts Research Center, Room 317
Events
“Santa Cause n’ Santa Cruz”: Don’t let someone’s Christmas pine turn into a weeping willow — don your most plush Santa hat and come kick out the jams with local bands Custom Fit, Eliquate and others at the Blue Lagoon. For just $5, a new toy, or even one of those Spock figurines from your mint-condition assortment of memorabilia, you can brighten a kid’s Christmas morning and help make this benefit show a worthy community cause.
Dec. 12, starts at 3 p.m., the Blue Lagoon
Entertainment
Cass McCombs: Singer-songwriter and NorCal troubadour of modern lore and lyricism rekindles Woodstock-era sound from the 1970s. Taking a note from folk Americana pioneers John Cale and Leonard Cohen, McCombs strings together pastoral narrative and Buddy Holly hooks with the breezy disposition of caravan psychedelia. $12 in advance and at door.
Listen: “Dreams Come True Girl,” “The Same Thing”
Dec. 10, show at 9 p.m., the Crêpe Place
Tater Famine: Gypsy punk trio rocks out to a swinging set of jukebox jamborees. The Santa Cruz countrymen herald when the levee breaks on their 2012 release NOW!, harking back to the acoustic epics of Irish folklore with a heady infusion of ska sensibilities and psychobilly freakouts. $8 in advance and at door.
Listen: “Dream,” “NOW!”
Dec. 22, show at 9 p.m., the Crêpe Place
The Psychedelic Furs: Brit-rocker sextet fires up an industrial goth-pop retooling of art rock, in the vein of David Byrne’s solo projects. Synth swagger and new wave jangle anthems are pressed, packaged and delivered with all the metallic command of Aladdin Sane sashaying away to the ‘80s post-rock melancholy. $35 in advance.
Listen: “Pretty in Pink,” “Heaven”
Jan. 3, show at 7 p.m., the Rio Theatre
