Santa Cruz, CA
Photo by Santa Cruz County CVC/ Greg Pio
Situated atop Monterey Bay, 74 miles south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz gives new meaning to the phrases “college town,” “beach city” and “anything goes.” It’s an independent-thinking, music-loving, ridiculously gorgeous place where the redwood forest meets the sea, and surfers, scholars, musicians, artists, eccentrics and Monarchs mingle. Even the palm trees dotting the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk sway to the rhythm of a different drum. UC Santa Cruz and nearby Cabrillo College have lured a wave of fun-loving intellectuals to the area, creating a hotspot for incredible coffee shops, record stores and alternative late-night diners. In addition to renowned venues like The Catalyst, those who dig deeper will find a plethora of alternative spaces to play, from underground house shows to haunted hotels in the mountains, where bands like The Devil Makes Three got their start. Touring musicians will surely find that Santa Cruz has much more to offer than just Mystery Spot bumper stickers.
Book a Gig: Venues
The Catalyst
1011 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-1388
www.catalystclub.com
Prestigious in size and reputation, this downtown venue packs rocker hipsters, reggae hippies and hiphop heads to catch music heavyweights of all genres rolling through town. Contact Gary Tighe a minimum of six weeks in advance at (831) 464-1212, P.O. Box 8545, Santa Cruz, CA 95061.
The Attic
931 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 460-1800
www.theatticsantacruz.com
Vibrant community arts hotspot embraces performers of many stripes three nights a week, and features a Swing Happy Hour every Friday. Book four to five months ahead through atticcalendar@hotmail.com or website booking form.
Blue Lagoon
923 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-7117
www.thebluelagoon.com
Popular downtown club hosts live music Wednesday, Sunday and Friday nights. The Blue books all genres, with an emphasis on heavy rock (psychedelic, punk, garage) and the occasional hip-hop or country/folk show. If bands are goth enough, they can approach “The Box,” a weekly gothic/industrial night that takes place every Monday. Email bluebooking@hotmail.com a few months in advance.
Santa Cruz Veteran’s Hall
846 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 454-0478
www.vetshall.org
Rustic mission architecture frames this all-ages punk and reggae haven (other genres welcome) for weekly shows. Check website for booking guidelines and email
tim@vetshall.org one to three months ahead.
Moe’s Alley
1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 479-1854
www.moesalley.com
Residents flock to this coolly casual bar for established blues, rockabilly, jazz and other groovy genres six nights a week. Book six to eight weeks ahead by emailing
booking@moesalley.com (preference for MySpace link).
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2227
www.kuumbwajazz.org
All-ages acoustic venue hosts jazz twice a week; mail press kit and CD two months in advance. Other days, bluegrass and world acts can rent out the facility; contact Sandy at (831) 427-2227.
Caffe Pergolesi
418 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-1775
www.theperg.com
This old Victorian/former dentist’s office turned cozy indie coffeehouse likes it loud, staging experimental rock and metal bands (no singer/songwriters!) for shows a few nights a week. Send music sample and URL to Paul at pergbooking@gmail.com two months ahead.
The Crepe Place
1134 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-6994
www.thecrepeplace.com
This newly transformed restaurant serves up both its namesake food and live music of all genres approximately three nights a week. Email Adam Bergeron at adam@
thecrepeplace.com at least six weeks ahead.
Promote a Gig: Media
Metro Santa Cruz
115 Cooper Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 457-9000
www.metrosantacruz.com
Alternative weekly. For listings, email calendar@metronews.com two weeks ahead; music reviews or show previews, contact editor Traci Hukill at thukill@metcruz.com a minimum of two weeks in advance.
Good Times
1205 Pacific Avenue, Suite 301, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 458-1100
www.gtweekly.com
Arts-oriented weekly. For listings, email calendar@gtweekly.com two weeks ahead; show previews or music reviews, contact Amanda Martinez at above address or
amartinez@gtweekly.com three weeks ahead.
KZSC 88.1 FM
Student Music East
1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
(831) 459-2811
www.kzsc.org
UC Santa Cruz college radio. Send music by mail or email music@kzsc.org; in-person or phone interviews easy to set up. For in-studio performances, contact development@
kzsc.org two weeks to two months in advance.
Gear/Repairs
More Music
512 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 458-2438
www.moremusic.com
Buy, sell or repair guitars and amps. Accepts walk-ins and often accommodates for immediate fixes. Open Monday through Saturday 11-6.
Union Grove Music
1003 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-0670
www.uniongrovemusic.com
Knowledgeable staff takes walk-ins for repairs. Sells guitars, drums, keys, amps, etc. Open most days 10-6.
The Starving Musician
1400 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-1975
www.starvingmusician.com
Great selection of new/used instruments and gear to buy, sell or trade. Open Monday through Sa.
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