Friday-Sat. | October 19-27 event peterpanwendy‘Peter Pan And Wendy’ Spotlight Stage invites Santa Cruzans to find their inner “lost boy” at its fall production of “Peter Pan and Wendy.” The play, which debuts on Friday night at Louden Nelson Community Center, stars a cast of talented local youth, ages 9-17, and Spotlight Stage’s founding artistic director, Andrew Ceglio, as Captain Hook. Formed to provide a positive and supportive environment where children can develop communication, performance and technical skills, as well as experience group collaboration, pride in accomplishment, and build self-esteem, Spotlight Stage productions are fun for the whole family, so load up the kids and head downtown for a performance that will have you wishing you never grew up. | JB INFO: Louden Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz. For tickets and information, call (408) 309-2428. Visit spotlightstage.com.

Friday-Sat. | October-Nov. 19-3 event rockyhorror‘The Rocky Horror Show’ To mark its 30th anniversary season, Mountain Community Theater will breathe new life into Richard O’Brien’s cult-classic musical, “The Rocky Horror Show.” For the uninitiated, the play began as an experimental production at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 1973, and went on to become an international pop culture phenomenon. The story follows Janet and Brad, a newly engaged couple, who find themselves lost on a cold, rainy night, and take refuge in the castle of a transvestite named Dr. Frank-N-Furter. The couple quickly finds out that their host has invited visitors from the planet Transsexual to stay in his castle as well—needless to say, hilarity ensues. Prepare for a whole lot of rock ’n’ roll and interactive fun. | JB INFO: 8 p.m. Oct. 19, 20, 25, 26, 31, and Nov. 1 and 2; Plus, 7:30 p.m. & 11 p.m. Oct. 27 and Nov. 3. Park Hall, 9400 Mill St., Ben Lomond. $22/general, $18/students and seniors. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Visit mctshows.org, or brownpapertickets.com.

Wednesday | October 24 music NeilHalsteadNeil Halstead When British guitarist/singer Neil Halstead first stepped onto the scene, his music was classified as “shoegaze,” a term coined in the ’80s to describe the way in which musicians playing dreamy, neo-psychedelic pop would often gaze at their shoes during performances. Halstead's music is still entrenched in shoegaze, but has evolved into something fresh and compelling. Songs from his third and most recent album, Palindrome Hunches, have a similar dream-like quality, but venture into a folk singer's lullaby. Known as one of Britain's most respected songwriters, Halstead pays homage to his U.K. roots with the use of phrases like “pithy liner” and “dangerous dolt” in his songs—a fact which makes deciphering his lyrics half the fun. | JH INFO: 9 p.m. Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $12. 429.6994.

Thursday | October 25 event greenLive Earth Farm Discovery Program Fundraiser GREENFIX Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing invites community members, age 21 and up, to drink organic, handcrafted beer for a cause on Thursday. One dollar of every pint sold at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing on Oct. 25 will benefit the Live Earth Farm Discovery Program, a hands-on farm-based education and nutrition program for local, underserved youth. Funds raised during the event will help LEFDP provide ongoing opportunities for youth to visit Live Earth Farm to learn about organic farming, local food systems and nutrition, as well as build confidence in learning to be active caretakers of themselves, their community and their environment. | JENNA BROGAN INFO: Noon-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25. Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, 402 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz. No cover. Visit liveearthfarm.net.

event wildscenicThe Wild & Scenic Film Festival In an effort to inspire people to act on behalf of public land conservation, the Ventana Wilderness Alliance—a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the wildlands of California’s northern Santa Lucia mountain range—will host The Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Thursday at the Del Mar Theatre. Each of the 10 films speaks to the environmental concerns and celebrations of the planet, and includes Santa Cruz native Kyle Thiermann’s film, Surfing For Change, which urges people to make small adjustments in their daily actions to help save the environment. Other films that will be shown include Chasing Water, a film that traces one man’s irrigation water to the sea, and Return Flight: Restoring Bald Eagles to the Channel Islands, a short film which follows a team of biologists who are determined to bring the bald eagle back to the Channel Islands. | JB INFO: 7-10 p.m. Del Mar Theatre, 1124 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. Tickets can be purchased at the Patagonia Outlet, 415 River St., Santa Cruz, or at ventanawild.org.

music zachdeputyZach Deputy A bearded, bear of a man with a larger-than-life smile, Zach Deputy has enough soul in his voice to fill any room. A native of South Carolina, the singer/songwriter and guitarist plays hopeful, upbeat ballads and mid-tempo songs with a mixture of jam band, funk, soul and blues styles. Deputy's latest album, Another Day, has a theme of self-reflection, which gives fans a novel view into his depth as a person and musician. A master of live-looping, Deputy’s performances demonstrate an impressive, natural layering element to his music. Thursday at Moe’s Alley, he will share the stage with San Francisco-based singer/guitarist Mike Annuzzi, who performs acoustic, funk-driven, feel-good love songs. That’s two guitar aficionados for the price of one. | JOEL HERSCH INFO: 8:30 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $12/adv, $15/door. 479-1854.

Friday | October 26 music newmusicworksNew Music Works Ensemble Horror movie fans cite The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari as the mother lode of the modern genre. A prime example of German Expressionism, the nightmarish tale is known for the unexpected twist at the end, which has influenced everything from Jacob’s Ladder to Carrie to The Sixth Sense. This Friday at The Rio, the film will get a new live soundtrack, courtesy of the New Music Works Ensemble and conductor Phil Collins. This creature feature also includes the surrealistic Ghosts Before Breakfast, and the 1944 silent film At Land, with innovative scores by Henry Brant and John Cage respectively. Come dressed as your favorite character from the film, a piece of furniture, or as a life form of your choice, and compete for prizes during the costume contest, accompanied by a live performance of Erik Satie’s “Furniture Music.” | DNA INFO: 8 p.m. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $25/general, $19/senior, $10/student. 423-8209.

Friday-Sun | October 26-28 event themusicman‘The Music Man’ Christian Youth Theater Santa Cruz (CYT) will kick off its third season this weekend with a full-length production of Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man.” The family-friendly musical tells the story of a con man who poses as a boy’s band leader in order to get naïve townsfolk in Iowa to purchase band instruments and uniforms. But before he can skip town with the money, he falls for the local piano teacher, and risks being caught in order to win her over. Find out what happens at Cabrillo College’s Crocker Theater, where 51 talented students, ages 8 to 18, will take the stage to tell the story through song and dance. | JB INFO: 11:30 a.m. & 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26; 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27; 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28. Cabrillo College Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. $16/adults, $12/kids & seniors. For tickets, visit cytsantacruz.org.

Saturday/Sun. | October 27/28 Ensemble Monterey Known for executing one devilish Halloween concert—last year Elvis was raised from the dead—Ensemble Monterey has put together a show that warns attendees to “Be Afraid.” Expect it to rain glitter as Maestro Kyland DeGitaldi performs Michael Daugherty’s “Le Tombeau de Liberace.” Then, Liszt’s “Totentanz” and Verdi’s “Witches Chorus” will be summoned along with another Daugherty composition, entitled “Viola Zombie.” Will zombies come out to play the instruments? You’re going to have to attend to find out—costumes encouraged, and the scarier the better. | DNA INFO: 7 p.m. Cabrillo Music Recital Hall, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. $28/general, $20/senior, $10/student. 333-1283.

Saturday | October 27 Scotty Maxx Most locals recognize Scott Makson as the keyboardist/trumpeter for Santa Cruz Motown outfit Harry & The Hitmen, but this weekend, the talented musician will take the stage at The Crepe Place all by himself. Under the moniker Scotty Maxx, Makson will perform ’80s and ’90s hits on what he describes as a “one-man band outfit/musical superhero suit with a Nintendo Power Glove as a drum machine.” Prepare for a night of eclectic—not to mention, eccentric—music. | Jenna brogan INFO: 9 p.m. Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. No cover. 429-6994.

music chinacatsChina Cats & Slugs n’ Roses In a post-Jerry Garcia world the specter of dancing skeletons appears in the strangest of places—this time, with a pair of Dead bands getting spooky in Felton. World class Slugs n’ Roses (think Banana Slug String Band for adults) will shine the light in every dark corner of Don Quixote’s, illuminating three-eyed bears and roses, then the Bay Area’s own China Cats will bloom like sunflowers during an Indian summer, allowing that symbiotic energy between band and audience to take root. Costumes are encouraged for this special Halloween show—dress like Cowboy Neal, Captain Trips or a Warlock for a chance to win some cool cash and swag. | DNA INFO: 8:30 p.m. Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $12/adv, $15/door. 603-2294.

Halloween Under The Sea: A Benefit For The Clean Oceans Project This Halloween, don’t just dress up—help support a worthy cause while doing it! At Halloween Under The Sea, The Clean Oceans Project asks locals to do just that. On Saturday night, the nonprofit, which works to locate, remove and recycle the millions of tons of plastic pollution from the world’s oceans, will host a costume party like no other at the old Wrigley building on the Westside of Santa Cruz. For $45, guests will enjoy two drink tickets, a raffle ticket, fire performances, a food court, a costume contest and live music by local surf/rock outfit The Parafins. So get all dolled up and do your part to protect the environment at the same time. | JB INFO: 7:30 p.m.-Midnight. The Wrigley Building, 2801 Mission St., Santa Cruz. $45. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com/event/4315842802/eac2. 21+. 476-8276.

events strikeoutagainstStrike Out Against Cancer Since 1992, WomenCARE has provided resources and support to local women with cancer and their friends and family. Now is our chance to thank the nonprofit for its years of service in the community, and ensure its longevity, by bowling for a cause at WomenCARE’s 16th annual benefit, “Strike Out Against Cancer.” The event, which takes place on Oct. 27 at Boardwalk Bowl, will feature a non-competitive bowling tournament for all ages and skill levels, raffle prizes, trophies, and refreshments. Those who are interested in participating can register on an existing team or register a group of five friends to bowl together. Each team member collects pledges and bowls one game. Help raise awareness about WomenCARE, funds for women living with the disease, and the spirits of those affected. Extra Brownie points for those who dress in costume! | CS INFO: 12:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. Santa Cruz Boardwalk Bowl, Santa Cruz. $150. To register, visit strikeoutagainstcancer.org, or contact Janette Waters at 457-2273.

29th Annual Oktoberfest In dire need of a vacation? You’re in luck—trips to San Francisco, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe, and Mexico, are just a few of the prizes up for auction at this weekend’s 29th annual Oktoberfest, a benefit for Hospice of Santa Cruz County. Attendees will not only have the opportunity to bid on such getaways, but they will also enjoy food, music, a drawing for cash prizes, a Cash & Carry section featuring vintage and repurposed items, plus an array of holiday items, and much more. Proceeds from the event will assist HSCC in its efforts to provide compassionate, medical, emotional and spiritual care to patients and families, as well as grief counseling for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. | JB INFO: Noon-4 p.m. Santa Cruz Elks Lodge, 150 Jewell St., Santa Cruz. No cover. hospicesantacruz.org/Oktoberfest.

event chiliSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off Follow your nose to the Boardwalk this Saturday for the third annual Chili Cook-Off. For the uninitiated, the event invites cooks of all styles and skill levels—from amateurs to professionals—to whip up a batch of their best chili and compete for the title (and bragging rights). The best part? Locals are invited to watch the chefs cook and purchase tasting kits for only $9—kits include five taste tickets, a spoon, a cup, and a People’s Choice ballot—to sample some of the entrants’ creations. Let your taste buds be your guide. At the end of the day, a panel of judges will award the best chili in each category: Amateur Red, Amateur Vegetarian Red, Professional Red, and Professional Vegetarian Red. Participants will compete for the title of People’s Choice, Most Tasted, and Most Original Booth, as well as plaques and cash prizes, so prepare to be wowed. | JB INFO: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. No cover. Visit beachboardwalk.com/chili.

Sunday | October 28 music TrailerParkTroubadoursAntsy McClain and The Trailer Park Troubadours This Halloween, Antsy McClain and The Trailer Park Troubadours are taking Santa Cruzans back to the ’80s—that’s right, big hair, shoulder pads, leg warmers … you get the idea. Though McLain says his latest release, Living the Dream, is the completion of his trilogy and a more “adult” view of life past middle-age, that doesn’t mean the crazy antics of The Troubadours will be dulled this Sunday at Kuumbwa Jazz. After all, he’s adamant that if life is like a roller coaster, “the best part is the second half of the ride.” | DNA INFO: 8 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $27/adv, $30/door. 427-2227.

music GayleSkidmoreGayle Skidmore San Diego-based indie folk artist Gayle Skidmore plays many instruments—guitar, banjo, dulcimer, harp, piano, etc.—but it's her twangy voice and creative lyrics that make her music something special. Skidmore began playing classical piano—her current instrument of choice for shows—and writing songs at age 8, taking early influence from composers, such as Frederic Chopin and Johann Bach, and also from more modern musicians including The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. Over the years, that hasn’t changed. Skidmore continues to explore a variety of styles with her music—though she specializes in playful folk with elements of bluegrass. Her recent material explores themes of love, death and insanity, all driven by her intricate piano compositions, full of depth and emotion, and complemented with an underlying country current. | JH INFO: 8:30 p.m. The Abbey, 350 Mission St., Santa Cruz. No cover. 429-1058.

Wednesday | October 31

music beourguestGroundation Be Our Guest With roots reggae rhythms, a lead singer whose voice channels Bob Marley, and a nine-piece band that explodes into improvisational jazz jams, Groundation holds some weight among the ranks of American reggae groups. The band formed in 1998 at Sonoma State University, where lead singer/founder Harrison Stafford taught a course on the history of reggae music, and has been making waves ever since. Known for its powerful and progressive fusion of jazz and dub, funk horns, Latin rhythm and soulful harmony vocals, the band is now on tour and promoting its most recent album, Building an Arc, which was released in March. | JH INFO: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $18/adv, $22/door. 423-1338. WANT TO GO?: Tell us why on the Good Times Facebook page by 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 26, and you could win two free tickets.

music lylbThe Wild Ones INFO: 9 p.m. Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6694. >> See: Love Your Local Band >

music monsterbash5Monster Bash 5 When you're a kid, Halloween usually revolves around trick-or-treating. But the fun doesn’t have to stop with adulthood. This Wednesday, locals, age 21 and up, can celebrate the holiday at Monster Bash 5, where funky dub-step beats and glow sticks flow like bite-sized Snickers and Tootsie Rolls. Attendees to this year’s event can expect to see werewolves, vampires and scantily clad nurses, but also a number of beat-slamming DJs, including FreQ Nasty and VibeSquaD, who will churn out brain-bouncing, fang-rattling, ear-melting electronica. In addition, The Fungineers will perform a wild mix of original tracks, beatboxing and live-looping freestyle songs, as well as interactive improv and costumed choreography, which they describe as “a full-sensory adventure that is silly, sexy and surreal.” | JH INFO: 7 p.m. Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. $35/adv, $40/door. 423-2053. Visit monsterbashfive.eventbrite.com.

event wearableartWearable Art Ball and Twisted Carnival Celebrate Halloween in style this year at the Museum of Art & History’s Wearable Art Ball and Twisted Carnival. Adults, ages 21 and up, are invited to come dressed in their scariest, wackiest, sexiest, and/or most inventive costumes for an evening of music provided by DJ Speed, dancing, pumpkin bowling, bloody beanbag toss, twisted twister, obituary Mad Libs, apple bobbing, and much more. Make sure to adjust your wig before the costume fashion show, grab a red rum cocktail at the cash bar, then squeeze all your friends into the photo booth, and ensure that this is one Halloween soiree you’ll never forget. | JB INFO: 8 p.m. Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. $20/general, $15/MAH member. 429-1964

Thursday | November 1 music otherlivesOther Lives plays at 9 p.m. at Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. Tickets are $12/adv, $15/door. For more information, call 603-2294. >> See: Feature Article >

In The Queue Bill Churlap Trio, Renowned jazz pianist plays obscure bebop tunes and American Songbook hits-Thursday at Kuumbwa Jazz, Into the Labyrinth-Crete-based performers Labyrinth, Teslim string duo, and Kitka vocal ensemble-Friday at Holy Cross Church Aggression, A founding band of the Nardcore (Oxnard, Calif. hardcore) scene-Friday at The Blue Lagoon Touch’d Too Much, A Halloween costume party featuring AC/DC covers-Wednesday at The Crow’s Nest Great American Taxi & Poor Man’s Whiskey, A Halloween-themed double-bill of rockin’ Americana-Wednesday at Moe’s Alley

>> See: Music Feature Articles > >> See: Love Your Local Band > >> See: A&E Feature Articles > >> Good Times Facebook page >

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Ongoing Events

Wednesdays Santa Cruz Scottish Country Dancing Get some exercise, make new friends, and have a ball while doing it every Wednesday at First Congregational Church, where locals come together to learn traditional Scottish County Dancing. Beginners are welcome to join in on the fun, and participate in lively reels, jigs and strathspeys. No partners are necessary, just wear soft-soled shoes and comfortable clothing to move around in. Each dance will not only get your heart rate up, but will also help with flexibility, stamina, strength and balance. Did we mention it’s tons of fun? | ND INFO: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Beginner support at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. $5/class or $50/quarter. First Congregational Church, 900 High St., Santa Cruz. For more info, call Dotty at 423-6165, or Colleen at 535-2997.

Aug. 11-Nov. 25 Santa Cruz Collects at the MAH ARTSEEN The saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is at the forefront of the Museum of Art & History’s upcoming exhibit, “Santa Cruz Collects.” Beginning this Saturday, museumgoers can view Santa Cruz Mayor Don Lane’s thousands of decorated eggs, veterinarian David Shuman’s accumulation of animal skulls, and many more quirky collections. The exhibit was designed to spark debate about whether collections define who we are in a society that emphasizes consumerism. Visitors are also invited to consider their own buying habits using the museum’s interactive activities, which focus on consumerism, identity and memory. Plus, guests can create renditions of their memories out of the museum’s collection of found objects. | TW INFO: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Aug. 11-Nov. 25. The Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. $5/general, $3/students and seniors. 429-1964.

Aug.-April Poetry Reading Series at Watsonville Public Library Open to new and emerging poets, Watsonville Public Library will host a Poet’s Circle poetry reading once a month from now until April 2013. The series—made possible by a grant from the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County and producer Magdalena Montagne—will begin with a reading by a distinguished poet, followed by an open mic for attendees to showcase their own work. During this Thursday’s program, well-known poet T. Mike Walker, the executive director of the Santa Cruz Art League, will read from his collection. Walker has taught creative writing at San Francisco State University and Cabrillo College. His first novel, “A Way From the World: A Policeman’s Journal,” was published in 1970. | TW INFO: 6-8 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, from Aug. 16-April 2013. Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St. #100, Watsonville. No cover. 768-3400.

Friday-Sat. | October 26-27 event artPrima Materia ARTSEEN OPENS The community is invited to admire 30 original paintings by former and current participants in the River Street Artists’ Collective, as well as the work of 17 professional artists, this weekend at the Museum of Art & History. During the reception on Saturday, guests can participate in a silent auction for the Artists’ Collective paintings and a live auction for the donated pieces. “Prima Materia” is the culmination of five years of art therapy sessions at the River Street Homeless Shelter, during which participants are guided through an artistic process that allows them to connect their inner world with the natural world, build trusting relationships, and bring forth their individual strengths. Proceeds will benefit the shelter. | JB INFO: Exhibit open Oct. 26-27. Reception: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. No cover. Visit scccc.org.

First Friday Art Tour firstfridaysantacruz.com The First Friday Art Tour is a Santa Cruz Institute of Contemporary Arts event, managed in conjunction with the participating art venues. The event takes place year-round and illuminates some of the most talented local artists from local galleries. Log on to the event website for full details, but this one is a must-do. (Most First Friday galleries are open between noon and 9pm.)