Here they are, nine necessary know-abouts for the week ahead. It’s the chocolate-bunny B9:
➤ Back in the Obama years, Santa Cruz was ground zero for big, bold, wild fashion shows, combining ambitious fashion collections with outré wearable art. The popular FashionART show at the Civic morphed into Pivot, which moved around to various venues, and now the only thing still standing from the fashion-show era is FashionTeens, at one time an offshoot of the bigger shows. The FashionTeens show returns Friday to the Rio Theatre, bringing with it more than 40 young fashion designers from Santa Cruz County high schools and middle schools. The teen designers work from recycled and even discarded materials to make unique and creative outfits and to express their personalities through clothing. We’re all looking for a reason to feel better about the world, and seeing what these young people are capable of will do the trick. And, it’s free.
➤ Not so much a recommendation as an observation of the bizarre thunderclap when 4/20 coincides with Easter Sunday. The programmers at The Catalyst, for instance, know what 4/20 means to their clientele, as they’re bringing in weed-friendly performers Collie Buddz and Berner (“Smoke til I’m lifeless,” he opens on one of his most famous songs) on back-to-back nights Saturday and Sunday. Both shows are, not surprisingly, sold out. Meanwhile, the Rio is counterprogramming (kinda) with a free Easter Sunday service from Vintage Faith Church. Of course, there’s nothing that says you can’t attend all three events.
➤ ’Tis the heart of springtime and gardeners are all out in force. But you might want to take a break from the kneeling in the dirt next Wednesday to visit with writer, designer and garden obsessive Debbie Millman. She’ll be at Bookshop Santa Cruz to discuss and sign copies of her new book, “Love Letter to a Garden.” I’m sure she won’t mind if you’re in dirty jeans and smelling faintly of potting soil.
➤ Genres and labels don’t really work too well with the Japanese-born jazz pianist known as Hiromi. You’re likely to experience all different kinds of flavors and textures in Hiromi’s playing, from funk to rock to classical — she once recorded a swingin’ improv-laden album inspired by Beethoven. A student of Chick Corea and Ahmad Jamal, Hiromi comes to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Monday for two shows with an appropriately named new album, “Out There.”
➤ For close to 30 years, Amy Rigby has been writing and recording songs that are by turns witty, arch, poignant and awkwardly honest, a kind of Loudon Wainwright III for the female experience. Now, past Social Security age, Rigby is still churning little gems of hard-earned insight and humor, as found in her 2024 album “Hang In There With Me.” On Saturday, we can also hang out with Amy as she plays the Ugly Mug in Soquel.
➤ Author Malcolm Harris made big waves in 2023 with his comprehensive but jaundiced view of Silicon Valley-style capitalism called “Palo Alto.” Harris, who was actually born in Santa Cruz, comes to Bookshop Santa Cruz next week to discuss his new book, “What’s Left: Three Paths Through the Planetary Crisis,” and the coming climate apocalypse. Spoiler alert: There are no easy answers.
➤ Lovers of jazz guitar are due for a big adrenaline rush next Wednesday at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center’s “The Great Guitars” show. The concert is to feature two masters of Django-esque fingerstyle jazz guitar Martin Taylor and Ulf Wakenius. Note that the show was originally a trio show, but guitarist Bireli Lagrene will not be part of the concert due to injury. But the “Great Guitars” label still applies.
➤ With an approach that embraces acoustic blues, railcar folk and wandering country, Santa Cruz-by-way-of-Sonoma singer-songwriter Marty O’Reilly really earns the label “Americana.” His recording career thus far has been as a bandleader, but he’s gearing up to release his first solo album, and he’s playing in the newly refurbished performance space at The Crepe Place next Thursday.
➤ Our old beloved planet could use some friends right about now. On Saturday, you’ll get the chance to express your love for Mother Earth at downtown Santa Cruz’s free Earth Day Celebration, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in and around Abbott Square. You’ll get some live music, an eco-friendly fashion show, educational activities and things to do with kids.