Tradewinds Church is one church that meets in three locations in Aptos, Soquel, and Scotts Valley. For this event, we will all be together to worship and remember the birth of our Savior.
Show time: 10:30 AM, doors 9:30 AM
Tickets: FREE
Advance tickets: www.tradewinds.church
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $35 Gen, $45 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.tix.com
Event website: www.whitealbumensemble.com
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $35 Gen, $45 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.tix.com
Event website: www.whitealbumensemble.com
(((folkYEAH!))) presents
LOS LOBOS
Rio Theatre Santa Cruz, CA
NYE Show!
December 31, 2025
Doors 8pm / Show 8:30pm
All Ages
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $115.44
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
January Jamgrass Jubilee Local favorites Painted Mandolin, and up and coming Bluegrass Stars, Broken Compass Bluegrass. Don't miss this evening of high energy dancing jamgrass fun!
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $33.85
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event website: www.paintedmandolin.com
Artists website: www.brokencompassbluegrass.com
Inspiring Films Celebrating Women in Adventure!
The She Adventures Film Tour returns for its annual celebration of women pushing boundaries in the outdoors, making a special one-night-only stop at the historic Rio Theatre on Friday, January 24, 2026. This unmissable event brings over two hours of the most inspirational and entertaining adventure films from independent filmmakers around the globe.
From legendary cave diver Jill Heinerth exploring uncharted depths to ten-year-old skateboarder Mia Kretzer mastering her biggest trick, the 2026 program showcases the fearless spirit of women and girls pursuing their passions across mountains, rivers and skate parks.
Program Highlights Include:
Roots Run Deep follows Robin Goomes, who made history as the first woman to win the legendary Red Bull Rampage downhill mountain bike race in 2024. The film chronicles her bold decision to leave a stable military career to chase an uncertain dream of becoming a professional mountain biker.
Diving into the Darkness takes audiences on an awe-inspiring odyssey with renowned cave diver Jill Heinerth as she ventures into the planet's most uncharted depths and explores the farthest reaches of her own resilience.
And Then Comes The Body captures the powerful journey of young ballet dancers in Lagos, Nigeria, who train barefoot on cracked concrete and become a global phenomenon after a video of them dancing in the rain goes viral.
The Beginning profiles 24-year-old Alenka Mali as she aims to become the first documented woman to complete a snowboard BASE jump off Goat Ridge and the Chief in Squamish, BC.
Additional films include META, honoring pioneering 19th-century alpinist Meta Brevoort; Dear Superhero, following professional skier Janina Kuzma's journey into motherhood; MIA, celebrating the determined spirit of a young skateboarder; and Mother River, a meditation on grief and healing along Australia's Murray River.
"Our aim at the She Adventure Film Tour is to connect like-minded women and build a community who support adventurous women," say Jemima Robinson, the tour Founder. "By showcasing and celebrating the female adventurous spirit, we hope to make women in the outdoors more visible."
While centered on women's stories, She Adventures screenings welcome all audiences to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the remarkable achievements of women in adventure sports and outdoor pursuits.
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $22
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
(((folkYEAH!))) presents
FRUIT BATS (solo)
Rio Theatre Santa Cruz, CA
Friday, January 30, 2026
Doors 7pm / Show 8pm
All Ages
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $42.08 Gen, $58.28 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Eagles fans! Mark your calendars because on January 31, 2026 Eagles Tribute - "Take It To The Limit" from Vancouver, Canada makes a spectacular return to Santa Cruz!
Get ready for an unforgettable night of live music as some of Canada's most talented musicians and vocalists bring to life your favourite Eagles hits, including classics like "Hotel California," "Heartache Tonight," "Peaceful Easy Feeling," "Take It To The Limit," "Desperado," "Life In The Fast Lane," "Take It Easy," "Lyin' Eyes," and more!
With rave reviews from coast to coast, this show promises to be a fully immersive experience, capturing the essence and energy of an authentic Eagles concert. Get your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable evening of Eagles music! Catch a sneak peak of what’s in store here: www.EaglesTributeShow.com
“I’m Glenn Anderson from the NHL. I saw Take It To The Limit Tonight and they were fantastic! I highly recommend them. Good energy. Good people and lots of fun. Make sure you make it to the show. You have a good time coming.“ - Glenn Anderson – NHL (6 X Stanley Cup winner and NHL Hall Of Fame inductee) - Florida USA
“One of the best I’ve seen …if anyone has the chance to see these guys perform, it’s well worth going. Everything from sound, stage, lighting & vocals were perfect! A great show!“ - Angie Tatarniuk – Vancouver, BC
“Fantastic concert, perfect sound and worth every penny!“ - Gary Leiper – Surrey, BC
Facebook: @EaglesTributeShow / @MoonCoinLive
Instagram: @EaglesTribute / @MoonCoinLive
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $69
Advance tickets: www.vtixonline.com
Event website: www.EaglesTributeShow.com
Event website: www.mooncoinlive.com
When purchasing your tickets, please do not refresh or go back during payment—this can cause an error or multiple tickets to be purchased.
ABOUT THE EVENT + TICKETS:
This in-person event will feature a book talk and audience Q&A, followed by a book signing (more information on signing is below).
Each ticket costs $34, including all tax and payment processing fees.
Ticket package includes the event plus signed hardcover edition of the book (distributed at the event).
Books will be pre-signed; the event will also be followed by a signing line if you would like your copy personalized. Please note that the author is only able to sign copies of VIGIL—no books from home will be signed. Thank you for understanding!
This event is cosponsored by The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A wise, playful, electric novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling, Booker Prize-winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo, taking place at the bedside of an oil company CEO in the twilight hours of his life as he is ferried from this world into the next
Not for the first time, Jill "Doll" Blaine finds herself hurtling toward earth, reconstituting as she falls, right down to her favorite black pumps. She plummets towards her newest charge, yet another soul she must usher into the afterlife, and lands headfirst in the circular drive of his ornate mansion.
She has performed this sacred duty 343 times since her own death. Her charges, as a rule, have been greatly comforted in their final moments. But this charge, she soon discovers, isn't like the others: the powerful K. J. Boone will not be consoled, because he has nothing to regret. He lived a big, bold life, and the world is better for it. Isn't it?
Vigil transports us, careening, through the wild final evening of an epic, complicated life. Crowds of people and animals—worldly and otherworldly, alive and dead—arrive, clamoring for a reckoning. Birds swarm the dying man's room, a black calf grazes on the love seat, a man from a distant, drought-ravaged village materializes, two oil-business cronies from decades past show up with chilling plans for Boone's postdeath future.
With the acuity and explosive imagination we've come to expect, George Saunders takes on the gravest issues of our time—the menace of corporate greed, the toll of capitalism, the environmental perils of progress—and, in the process, spins a tale that encompasses life and death, good and evil, and the thorny question of absolution.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
George Saunders is the author of thirteen books, including the novel Lincoln in the Bardo, which won the Man Booker Prize, and five collections of stories, including Tenth of December, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, and the recent collection Liberation Day (selected by former President Obama as one of his ten favorite books of 2022). Three of Saunders’s books—Pastoralia, Tenth of December, and Lincoln in the Bardo—were chosen for The New York Times’s list of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. Saunders hosts the popular Story Club on Substack, which grew out of his book on the Russian short story, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain. In 2013, he was named one of the world’s 100 Most Influential People by Time. He teaches in the creative writing program at Syracuse University.
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $34
Advance tickets: www.buytickets.at/bookshopsantacruz.com
Event website: www.bookshopsantacruz.com
Mania the ABBA Tribute has successfully toured every continent in the world and has played over 3,000 live concerts in over 35 countries. Recent highlights included a second run in London’s West End where the show performed for a month in the iconic Shaftesbury Theatre, London in May 2021. The show also enjoyed an 80 date sell-out USA National tour in 2022/2023, Mania continues in its quest to bring the music of the Swedish ’Supergroup’ to millions of fans, old and new!
Featuring an extraordinary cast of talented musicians and performers, Mania: The ABBA Tribute delivers an authentic and unforgettable tribute to the legendary Swedish band that has captured the hearts of fans for generations. With stunning costumes, energetic choreography, and impeccable musicianship, Mania: The ABBA Tribute recreates the magic of ABBA's music in all its glory. From "Dancing Queen" to "Waterloo," "Mamma Mia" to "Take a Chance on Me," the band performs all of ABBA's greatest hits with passion and precision, transporting audiences back to the disco era of the 1970s.
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $34.50 gen, $59.50 Gold circle
Advance tickets: www.ticketmaster.com
Event website: www.maniatheshow.com
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $49.50 gen, $74.50 Gold circle
Advance tickets: www.etix.com
Much like songbird Edith Piaf, Madeleine Peyroux spent her teenage years busking the busy streets of Paris. Just like the ‘little sparrow,’ Peyroux befriended the city’s street musicians and made its Latin Quarter her first performing stage. Years later, Peyroux would cite iconic Piaf as an influence on her music and record a rendition of the classic “La Vie En Rose,” soulfully capturing the tune’s romanticism and melancholy.
Born in Athens, Georgia in 1974, Peyroux “grew up in a house filled with music” and from an early age “instinctively realized music’s soothing power” but it was her teenage years in the French capital that turned the childhood notion into an all consuming vocation for life. A subsequent two-year touring adventure set Madeleine on a creative path for life and proved to be a gateway to greater things. In 1991, her band travelled to New York where Peyroux’s unique talents were spotted by Atlantic Records’ Yves Beauvais.
The young singer declined the music executive’s initial record deal offer but relented several years later and in 1996 her breakthrough album Dreamland was released. Dreamland sold a striking 200,000 copies and Peyroux’s dusky voice was likened to that of jazz greats Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.
Thirty years after her formative busking days Peyroux is the proud curator of nine beguiling albums and an accomplished performer with sell out worldwide tours under her belt. She will be joined on this concert date by guitarist/vocalist Jon Herington and bassist/vocalist Barak Mori.
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $52.45 Gen, $75.76 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.kuumbwajazz.org
Attention Elton John fans! Moon Coin Productions Inc. (Producers of ABBA Tribute “ABRA Cadabra” and Eagles Tribute “Take It To The Limit”) Presents The Rocket Man – A Tribute to Elton John!
Don't miss this visually and musically captivating stage production led by accomplished Vocalist, Pianist and Star Performer Sean Trombley who gives a genuine & powerful Tribute to the music that inspired him as vocalist and musician. Sean’s stunning vocals capture the essence of Elton John at the height of his vocal power and range in the 1970’s and he brings these beautiful songs to life in a way that touches the soul.
Backed by a spectacular live band, dazzling multi-media, colourful costumes and captivating dancers, this high-energy cast of performers will transport you back in time and have you moving, smiling and singing along to all of Elton John’s most iconic hits including Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock, Benny & The Jets, Tiny Dancer, Your Song, Saturday Night’s Alright, Philadelphia Freedom, Good-bye Yellow Brick Road, Daniel, Candle In The Wind and countless others! A must see show if you love the music of Elton John!
The name of this show has recently changed from The Rocket Man to Electric Elton - but rest assured it is the same high-calibre performance! Follow the journey on Facebook and Instagram @TributeToEltonJohn and online at mooncoinproductions.com/iloveeltonjohn
Follow the show’s journey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RocketManTributeToEltonJohn/
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $69
Advance tickets: www.vtixonline.com
Event website: www.ILoveEltonJohn.com
Sort of an endless buffet these days—a bottomless basket of rock bottom. Which is, I guess, why I’ve been making so much stuff lately. I mean, is the world getting darker? Sure feels like it. What is it? Is it the pervasive nagging toothache of dread that comes from the disintegration of a country that you thought you knew and understood? A home you still love with a love that could never be taken away, regardless of how painful that love has become? That sense of decline is hard to ignore, and it must be at least a part of the shroud I’m trying to unwrap.
The twilight of an empire seems like a good enough jumping-off point when one is jumping into the abyss. Twilight sure is a pretty word, though. And the world is full of happy people in former empires, so maybe that’s not the only source of this dissonance. Could be how old I’ve managed to become without warning. My own personal twilight. Whatever it is out there (or in there) squeezing this ennui into my day, it’s fucking overwhelming. It’s difficult to ignore. Twilight Override is my effort to overwhelm it right back. Here are the songs and sounds and voices and guitars and words that are an effort to let go of some of the heaviness and up the wattage on my own light. My effort to engulf this encroaching nighttime (nightmare) of the soul.
What I really want to do is grow my heart big enough to love everyone. And if I want a heart big enough to meet this moment, it requires something expansive. “Like a TRIPLE record!?,”you ask? Yes! Like a goddamn triple record! I mean … what else do I have but my songs and my family and my friends? What else do any of us have to keep the lights on? How else can I generate my own light? To me, any song, no matter the subject matter, can be a point of light and that’s one of the reasons I try and make so many of them. They all have the potential, even the heaviest music on the earth has the potential, to lift someone up.
I’m aware the day ends and the sun sets no matter how hard we wish for it to lift itself back out of the ocean. But it rises again. And what we do in the darkness matters. In a way, these three records represent the past, present, and future. A response to the feeling that we’re stuck in the worst part of the day, saying goodbye to the future we woke up to, waiting for it to get dark enough to dream up a new day. In all these songs I’m dreaming. Of who I once was, who you are now, who we could be.
Truthfully, I’ve been doing this for a long time. And I’m not going anywhere. This is the stuff that works for me. Feeling free. Making records with my friends (in this case James Elkington, Sima Cunningham, Macie Stewart, Liam Kazar, and my children Sammy and Spencer) and adding my voice to a song that never ends. Because I can’t sing and be afraid at the same time. And dreaming at twilight isn’t forbidden. Not quite a daydream and nowhere near a nightmare. Twilight dreaming is a lovely workaround. Killing time with slant rhymes, key changes and harmonies. Feel free to join us all here. Not singing into the void or at the void. Just singing. In spite of the void. Feeling good. Together. It will do you no harm. Sharing this music with the world is the best I can do.
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $55 gen, $60 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event website: www.wilcoworld.net
Event website: www.folkyeah.com
Nick Lowe has made his mark as a producer (Elvis Costello-Graham Parker-Pretenders-The Damned), songwriter of at least three songs you know by heart, short-lived career as a pop star, and a lengthy term as a musicians’ musician. But in his current ‘second act’ as a silver-haired, tender-hearted but sharp-tongued singer-songwriter, he has no equal.
Starting with 1995′s ‘The Impossible Bird’ through to 2011′s ‘The Old Magic,’ Nick has turned out a fantastic string of albums, each one devised in his West London home, and recorded with a core of musicians who possess the same veteran savvy. Lowe brings wit and understated excellence to every performance, leading Ben Ratliff of the New York Times to describe his live show as “elegant and nearly devastating.”
Los Straitjackets are the leading practitioners of the lost art of the guitar instrumental. Using the music of the Ventures, The Shadows, and with Link Wray and Dick Dale as a jumping off point, the band has taken their unique, high energy brand of original rock & roll around the world. Clad in their trademark Lucha Libre Mexican wrestling masks, the “Jackets” have delivered their trademark guitar licks to 16 albums, thousands of concerts and dozens of films and TV shows.
Together Nick & The Straitjackets have toured extensively around the world—headlining their own shows and sharing stages with the likes of Elvis Costello & The Imposters and The Mavericks and recorded three EPs worth of new material. A full-length LP is planned for 2024.
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $36.75 Gen, $47.25 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event website:www.nicklowe.com
You Should Be Dancing is the most explosive Bee Gees experience in North America. Recognized for their flair and onstage charisma, YSBD effortlessly recreates the iconic Bee Gees sound while elevating the onstage visual experience.
Dance & sing along to "Stayin' Alive", "You Should Be Dancing", "More Than A Woman", "Night Fever", "How Deep Is Your Love", and more, with songs written by the Bee Gees for Dolly Parton, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Andy Gibb, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, and other incredible hits & surprises.
YSBD has appeared on ABC, CBS, and the CW, headlined the biggest stages across the US, and featured in line-ups that include America, The Beach Boys, Boyz II Men, Chicago, Daryl Hall, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Smokey Robinson. The band has also performed with Yvonne Elliman & Ted Neeley, and opened for Cheap Trick, Skid Row, Def Leppard, and Guns N' Roses.
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $43.35
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event website: www.bayareabeegees.com
(((folkYEAH!))) presents
DREW & ELLIE HOLCOMB
Rio Theatre Santa Cruz, CA
April 22, 2026
Doors 7pm / Show 8pm All Ages
Drew & Ellie Holcomb have partnered with the anti-slavery non-profit International Justice Mission to donate $1 (one dollar) from each ticket sale to support the organization's efforts to rescue children trapped in modern-day slavery and protect people in poverty from violence.
VIP tickets -
VIP 1 - The Wine We Drink + Gold Circle - $369.85
VIP 2 - Intimate Pre Show Experience + Gold Circle - $186.20
VIP 3 - Premium Early Entry + Gold Circle - $121.32
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $63.68 Gen, $76.22 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Hailed as “one of the best acoustic guitarists in the world” by NPR’s World Cafe, Tommy Emmanuel got his start at the age of six, when he first began touring his native Australia with his family’s band. As a teenager, he earned a reputation as a highly sought after sideman and session player, and by his early twenties, Emmanuel was playing on chart-topping hits and performing with acts like Air Supply and Men at Work. Inspired in part by his hero, Chet Atkins (who would later become a friend, mentor, and collaborator), Emmanuel stepped out on his own as a solo artist in 1979, releasing the first in a string of acclaimed instrumental albums that would make him an unlikely celebrity in his home country and beyond. In the decades that followed, he would go on to headline everywhere from the Sydney Opera House to Carnegie Hall; tour with luminaries like Eric Clapton and John Denver; win a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement; perform for a televised audience of more than two billion at the Sydney Olympics; and collaborate with a who’s who of fellow guitar greats, including Les Paul, Mark Knopfler, Joe Walsh, Richard Thompson, Jason Isbell, and Billy Strings.
Recorded in just four days, Emmanuel’s latest album, Living In The Light, stands as the most daring—and most rewarding—collection in the globetrotting fingerpicker’s remarkable catalog, fusing his pop, jazz, classical, and roots influences into a virtuosic masterwork as exhilarating as it is intimate.
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $44.50, $59.50 & $69.50
Advance tickets: www.ticketmaster.com
Event website: www.tommyemmanuel.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com
Pat Metheny was born in Lee’s Summit, MO on August 12, 1954 into a musical family. Starting on trumpet at the age of 8, Metheny switched to guitar at age 12. By the age of 15, he was working regularly with the best jazz musicians in Kansas City, receiving valuable on-the- bandstand experience at an unusually young age.
Metheny first burst onto the international jazz scene in 1974. Over the course of his three-year stint with vibraphone great Gary Burton, the young Missouri native already displayed his soon-to-become trademarked playing style, which blended the loose and flexible articulation customarily reserved for horn players with an advanced rhythmic and harmonic sensibility: a way of playing and improvising that was modern in conception but grounded deeply in the jazz tradition of melody, swing, and the blues.
With the release of his first album, Bright Size Life (1975), he reinvented the traditional “jazz guitar” sound for a new generation of players. Throughout his career, Pat Metheny has continued to redefine the genre by utilizing new technology and constantly working to evolve the improvisational and sonic potential of his instrument.
Metheny’s versatility is nearly without peer on any instrument. Over the years, he has performed with artists as diverse as Steve Reich to Ornette Coleman to Herbie Hancock to Jim Hall to Milton Nascimento to David Bowie. Metheny’s body of work includes compositions for solo guitar, small ensembles, electric and acoustic instruments, large orchestras, and ballet pieces and even the robotic instruments of his Orchestrion project, while always sidestepping the limits of any one genre.
It is one thing to attain popularity as a musician, but it is another to receive the kind of acclaim Metheny has garnered from critics and peers. Over the years, he has won countless polls as “Best Jazz Guitarist” and awards, including three gold records for (Still Life) Talking, Letter from Home, and Secret Story. He has also won 20 GRAMMY Awards spread out over a variety of different categories including Best Rock Instrumental, Best Contemporary Jazz Recording, Best Jazz Instrumental Solo, Best Instrumental Composition at one point winning seven consecutive Grammys for seven consecutive albums. In 2015 he was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame, becoming only the fourth guitarist to be included (along with Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian and Wes Montgomery) and its youngest member. In 2018 he was named an NEA Jazz Master, the nation’s highest honor in jazz, awarded to the recipients “for their lifetime achievements and exceptional contributions to the advancement of jazz.”
Metheny has spent much of his life on tour, often doing more than 100 shows a year since becoming a bandleader in the 70s. At the time of this writing, he continues to be one of the brightest stars of the jazz community, dedicating time to both his own projects and those of emerging artists and established veterans alike, helping them to reach their audience as well as realizing their own artistic visions.
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $99.07 gen, $122.38 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.kuumbwajazz.org
Dive into the heartfelt melodies as Valerie: A Tribute to Amy Winehouse pays sincere homage to one of the most influential and distinctive voices of the 21st century.
Grammy Winner:
- 2008 Best New Artist
- 2008 Song of the Year
- 2008 Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
- 2008 Record of the Year
- 2012 Best Pop/Duo Group Performance
In 2009, Guinness World Records recognized Winehouse as having the Most Grammy Awards Won by a British Female artist. Rolling Stone also listed her among the Top 100 Greatest Singers of All Time (#83). Her album "Back to Black" is one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century, with over 16 million copies sold.
Fronted by the talented Elsa Cedeno, a seasoned performer with over a decade of experience captivating audiences, our band brings Amy’s unforgettable music back to life.
Amy Winehouse was a marvel of modern music, blending jazz, soul, and rhythm and blues into songs that spoke to all audiences. Her deeply personal lyrics and unique style won her legions of fans and critical acclaim, securing her place as a musical icon.
Valerie: A Tribute to Amy Winehouse channels Amy's raw emotional power and signature style, ensuring that each performance is an experience that delivers goosebumps. With a voice that echoes the depth and passion of Amy herself, Elsa leads the audience through the highs and lows of Winehouse's impressive discography. From the defiant energy of "Rehab" to the soulful depths of "Back to Black," we bring Amy Winehouse's unforgettable vibes to life. Our performances feature a mix of her iconic hits and rare covers, capturing the essence of her legendary sound.
Join us in celebrating the legacy of Amy Winehouse. Our shows are more than concerts; they are a bridge connecting Amy’s soulful expressions to those who still hold her music dear. Experience the nostalgia, the emotion, and the soul—experience Amy Winehouse with us.
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $45
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event website: www.valerieamyband.com
Event website: www.instagram.com
Rising at the Rio for the Holidays: Joy is Everywhere!
Prevent Child Trafficking • Support Survivors • Reclaim Joy
This holiday season survivor-artists take the stage to share their journeys through music, movement, and storytelling. In our darkest times, when joy seems nowhere to be found, we come together, and we create it.
Live Music • Spoken Word • Comedy • Auctions • Rising Global Marketplace • Wine & Beer • Holiday Cookie Bar
Featuring comedian Venus Morris and musical guest 3LISE
Proceeds support Rising Safe and Sound, a child trafficking prevention program. Launched in 2015, Rising Safe and Sound is one of the first prevention programs created and led by survivors of human trafficking.
Child trafficking is preventable.
Join Rising Worldwide to end human trafficking and celebrate the artistry of survivors across the globe.
Show time: 5:30 PM, doors 4:30 PM
Tickets: $35 gen, $150 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.risinginternational.liveimpact
Event website: www.risingworldwide.org
Instagram: www.instagram.com
Voted “Best Family Show in Las Vegas,” Popovich Comedy Pet Theater features a unique blend of physical comedy and award-winning juggling skills by former Circus veteran and “America’s Got Talent” finalist Gregory Popovich, alongside the extraordinary talents of his performing pets! Trained using positive reinforcement techniques that enhance their natural abilities, his entourage consists of more than 30 rescue animals including cats, dogs, geese, ponies, goats and parrots. Come see the show that audiences are calling better than Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey combined!
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $30
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Artists website: www.comedypet.com
"Hurray! We have adult beverages!
The Rio is proud to partner with our friends at Moe's Alley to provide a selection of great beers, Venus canned cocktails, hard cider and sparkling wine at this show. You must be 21 and present a valid ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. We prefer cash, but will accept cards as well!"
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
$35 in advance / $40 day of the show
All Ages *
All sales are final ***
This show is at The Rio Theatre - 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz - not at Moe's Alley***
ANA POPOVIC
“In the 25 years since the release of her debut record, Hometown, tail-gunning blues virtuoso Ana Popovic has proved herself a force of nature with a vintage Stratin hand.” – Guitar World
“Ana Popovic Melds Rock, Blues, and Jazz for Fiery Power” – No Depression “A badass with a silver Strat, she performs the heck out of this song [“Worked Up”], owning it with swagger and grace. … “Worked Up” captures her love of funky grooves plus the edginess of rocking guitar power. – Rock & Blues Muse
Los Angeles-based and critically acclaimed guitarist and singer Ana Popovic is set to release her highly anticipated album Dance To The Rhythm (Electric Heel Records) on September 26, 2025. Produced by Popovic and Buthel, the album showcases a groundbreaking fusion of groove, blues, funk, and soul.
Building on the success of her previous work, Dance To The Rhythm pushes boundaries, seamlessly blending infectious dance grooves (“Dance To The Rhythm” / “Sho Nuff”) with raw blues guitar and powerful lyrics. From the soulful "Soul’ution" to the funky "Hottest Ticket In Town" and the bluesy “Dwell On The Feeling”, "California Chase," the album weaves a rich tapestry of musical styles, reflecting Popovic's masterful versatility. The track “Sisters and Brothers” channels a Steely Dan-like arrangement, while “Hurt So Good” brings a contemporary mainstream flair. The ultimate jam comes in the form of a clever reimagining of Paul Simon’s "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover."
ANTHONY ARYA
Anthony Arya is an Americana performing & recording artist from the San Francisco Bay Area, California. He gained popularity at 16 after his appearance on NBC’s The Voice. Coach Adam Levine said: It blows my mind … I’m telling you right now, your whole situation, the way you engage with an audience, the way you sing — you are so special, dude. People are gonna fall madly in love with how you do it.
Since then, he has released 4 full length albums winning national awards for his songwriting. From his soulful lyrics to gritty guitar riffs, some say Anthony Arya is at the forefront of the next generation of singer / songwriter / guitar-players once defined by musical icons like Neil Young and Tom Petty.
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $35 in advance / $40 day of the show
Advance tickets: www.ticketweb.com
Artists website: www.moesalley.com
"Hurray! We have adult beverages!
The Rio is proud to partner with our friends at Moe's Alley to provide a selection of great beers, Venus canned cocktails, hard cider and sparkling wine at this show. You must be 21 and present a valid ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. We prefer cash, but will accept cards as well!"
Tribute to the Beatles' "Help!" and the Hits
If you want to experience the best Beatles tribute ever, you won’t want to miss The Fab Four-The Ultimate Tribute. The 2025 tour brings their all-new show to the stage, celebrating The Beatles’ second film, HELP!, with performances from the movie soundtrack, as well as the Beatles’ greatest hits of every era.
The Emmy Award Winning Fab Four is elevated far above every other Beatles Tribute due to their precise attention to detail. With uncanny, note-for-note live renditions of Beatles’ classics such as “Help!,” “Yesterday,” “A Day In The Life,” “Twist And Shout,” “Here Comes The Sun,” and “Hey Jude”, the Fab Four will make you think you are watching the real thing. The Fab Four is truly the Ultimate tribute.
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $39.50 Gen. $64.50 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.ticketmaster.com
Artists website: www.thefabfour.com
Event wetsite: www.facebook.com
"Hurray! We have adult beverages!
The Rio is proud to partner with our friends at Moe's Alley to provide a selection of great beers, Venus canned cocktails, hard cider and sparkling wine at this show. You must be 21 and present a valid ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. We prefer cash, but will accept cards as well!"
Federale
(((folkYEAH!))) presents
THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE
Rio Theatre Santa Cruz, CA
Friday, November 21, 2025
Doors 6pm / Show 7pm All Ages
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $55.58
Advance tickets: www.folkyeah.com
Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado. The tour will visit the Rio Theatre on November 15th with films that explore themes connected to Mountainfilm’s mission of using film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world. This year's screening will present the Adventure playlist.
Mountainfilm on Tour in Santa Cruz has been hosted at the Rio Theatre since 2016. While presenting an inspiring film collection, the show is also an opportunity to support Second Harvest Food Bank as they kick off their Holiday Food Drive. Every ticket purchased, along with beer sales (provided by Sante Adairius Midtown Portal) will share a portion of revenue with this organization.
Summer in the City
Director: Michael James Brown (USA 3 minutes)
On a hot summer afternoon, two friends attempt to ride every inch of Salt Lake City and the surrounding trails on their mountain bikes.
The First Woman Ever to Drop at RedBull Rampage
Director: Satchel Cronk (USA 9 minutes)
When Robin Goomes learned she’d be competing in the 2024 Red Bull Rampage, an invitation-only freeride mountain bike competition, she set her sights on victory. Follow Goomes as she navigates the brutal demands of crafting and testing her line, and pushing her limits before making her final drop into the most challenging event of her career.
Your Last Best: A Memphis Rox Story
Director: Glen Janssens (2025 USA 16 minutes)
South Memphis is a historic neighborhood long recognized for being the home of Soulsville USA and the birthplace of Aretha Franklin. The area has also historically struggled for basic resources. Many areas are recognized as food deserts as national chains have left due to crime, gang violence and basic economic inequalities. In 2018, a dedicated group got together and began an effort to bring lasting change and hope to the community. This unlikely place is a climbing gym called Memphis Rox.
Magic Hour Segment
Director: Todd Jones (USA 5 minutes)
Alaska is the ultimate heli-skiing playground, and Cordova’s Points North Heli is the spot for untouched powder. Magic Hour follows Griffin Post and Michelle Parker as they hit massive lines during an epic spring.
Annika - Where She Lands
Director: Michael Schwartz (Norway 10 minutes)
Annika Malacinski is chasing more than just a podium — she’s fighting for equality in her sport. Where She Lands follows the U.S. Nordic Combined skier as she pushes the limits of what’s possible, balancing the relentless pursuit of excellence with the weight of a larger battle. As she fights for women to have the same Olympic opportunities as men, the film captures an athlete at a crossroads — determined to leave her mark, no matter where she lands.
Rogatkin
Director: Keenan Desplanques (USA 15 minutes)
Mullet, no visor, fired up and spinning like a top, Nicholi Rogatkin is a slopestyle mountain bike rider like no other. His fearless approach and innovative tricks have redefined what is possible in the sport. Rogatkin has been competing for over 20 years, and he’s still on the rise. He’s the ultimate hype man, and if the world could figure out how to harness Rogatkin’s energy, it could power the planet.
About Damn Time
Director: Dana Romanoff (USA 24 minutes)
n 1983, Cindell “Dellie” Dale talked her way onto her first commercial river trip through the Grand Canyon. Like many women in the industry at the time, her place was in the kitchen. But determined to push against the tide of a male-dominated river-running world, she earned her spot on the oars and became one of the Grand Canyon’s legendary dory guides. Inspired by the trailblazing women before her, Dale is now proudly passing the oars to a new generation, declaring, “It’s about damn time.”
White Gold
Directors: Peter Brown, Amon Barker (USA 6 minutes)
From the Silverton road gap to the infamous Telluride Trestle, legendary freeskier Bobby Brown and friends spent the winter filming around the San Juan Mountains. This film showcases Brown’s athleticism, the allure of the snowy peaks and the pure joy of hucking kickers on a bluebird day.
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $21
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event website: www.mountainfilm.org
Larry Yes & Braided Waves
(((folkYEAH!))) presents Built to Spill w/ special guests Larry Yes and Braided Waves.
Built to Spill was formed in 1993 by Doug Martsch and over the years they have toured extensively and made several albums with a rotating cast of musicians, currently featuring Teresa Esguerra (Prism Bitch) on drums, and Melanie Radford (Blood Lemon) on bass.
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $42
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event website: www.builttospill.com
Artists website: www.larryyes.com
Bring on winter with Warren Miller! From the Scottish Highlands and the streets of Finland to the back bowls of Whitewater, BC and a local hill-turned-terrain park in downtown Denver, Warren Miller’s SNO-CIETY celebrates the spirit of winter—wherever you ride and however you connect to the snow and the community around it. Featuring all-new, original segments with Olympians, urban riders, and local legends, the 76th Warren Miller film hits theaters this fall. Tickets are on sale now at warrenmiller.com.
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $25
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event website: www.warrenmiller.com
We are heartbroken to announce the cancellation of the High, Lonesome and Them Some 2025 Tour dates. Ahead of Todd Snider’s show in Salt Lake City, Todd sustained severe injuries as the victim of a violent assault outside of his hotel. Todd will be unable to perform for an undetermined amount of time. We deeply apologize for the cancellation and any inconvenience it causes. We appreciate your understanding as Todd receives needed medical treatment. We hope to have more information on new dates soon.
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
Private Screening of Paddle Out
We’re honored to bring Paddle Out home to Santa Cruz for a special private screening at the historic Rio Theatre — one of California’s most beloved surf landmarks.
This heartfelt film celebrates friendship, resilience, and the healing power of the ocean. It began when Melissa, a young woman with Cystic Fibrosis, learned to surf with the Mauli Ola Foundation at Cowell’s Beach — where her love for the sea was born.
You’ll also witness an extraordinary chapter in the life of legendary surfer Shawn “Barney” Barron, whose story embodies courage and redemption, and discover how Bob Pearson and O’Neill became part of Melissa’s divine journey to the sea.
As Paddle Out continues its international festival run, this rare hometown screening invites our community to gather in support of The Living Breath Foundation.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of storytelling and the sea that connects us all.
Show time: 6:00 PM, doors 5:00 PM
Tickets: $15
Advance tickets: www.livingbreathfoundation.org
Event Website: www.paddleoutfilm.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
JOIN US for An Evening with Alice Waters celebrating her new book, "A School Lunch Revolution."
Presented by Bookshop Santa Cruz and The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz at the Rio Theatre.
Tickets are $45 (all-inclusive) and include a donation to the Edible Schoolyard Project and Life Lab as well as a signed copy of the book.
"Learning from renowned Chez Panisse chef Waters is always a joy, and this combination manifesto/cookbook is no different. Her rousing, optimistic, logical blueprint for a 'revolution' that removes the processing and packaging from the farm-to-lunchroom pipeline to provide school children with healthful, seasonal, ethically sourced foods is inspiring . . . Once readers are thoroughly convinced, Waters dives into the recipes: simple but never plain, well-explained but always personable, seasonal, nutrient- and flavor-rich, and representative of global flavor preferences. Each recipe is crafted with the personal touch of a handwritten favorite from a friend, and offers variations to expand a dish's flavor or usefulness . . . [A] gorgeous and heartfelt book." — Booklist (starred review)
Learn more at https://bookshopsantacruz.com/alice-waters
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $45
Advance tickets: www.buytickets.at/bookshopsantacruz
Event website: www.bookshopsantacruz.com/
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
#1 New York Times bestselling cartoonists Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud team up for a one-of-a-kind friendship story about creativity and self-expression that blends how-to and comics magic. Welcome to the club!
Visit https://bookshopsantacruz.com/cartoonists-club for event details!
ABOUT THE BOOK + CREATORS:
Makayla is bursting with ideas but doesn't know how to make them into a story. Howard loves to draw, but he struggles to come up with ideas and his dad thinks comics are a waste of time. Lynda constantly draws in her sketchbook but keeps focusing on what she feels are mistakes, and Art simply loves being creative and is excited to try something new. They come together to form The Cartoonists Club, where kids can learn about making comics and use their creativity and imagination for their own storytelling adventures!
Raina Telgemeier is the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning creator of Smile, Sisters, and Guts, which are all graphic memoirs based on her childhood. She is also the creator of Drama and Ghosts, the adapter and illustrator of the first four Baby-sitters Club graphic novels, and, with Scott McCloud, the co-creator of The Cartoonists Club. Facing Feelings: Inside the World of Raina Telgemeier is based on an exhibition that was held at The Ohio State University's Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. Raina lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. To learn more, visit her online at goraina.com.
Scott McCloud is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art; Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels; Zot!; and The Sculptor. He is also, with Raina Telgemeier, the co-creator of The Cartoonists Club. Scott is a frequent lecturer on the power of visual communication, creator of the international 24-hour comic movement, and, in 2021, was inducted into the Will Eisner Awards Hall of Fame. He lives with his family in Oregon. His art and stories are available in more than 30 languages and on the web at scottmccloud.com.
Show time: 6:00 PM, doors 5:00 PM
Tickets: $22.99
Advance tickets: www.buytickets.at/bookshopsantacruz
Event website: www.bookshopsantacruz.com/
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
"Hurray! We have adult beverages!
The Rio is proud to partner with our friends at Moe's Alley to provide a selection of great beers, Venus canned cocktails, hard cider and sparkling wine at this show. You must be 21 and present a valid ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. We prefer cash, but will accept cards as well!"
Since their formation in 2015, Brooklyn-based duo Rachael & Vilray have achieved a certain timeless quality with their singular take on traditional pop. Though rooted in the language of an earlier age, their songs transcend nostalgia with wit and a flair for the theatrical. On their third album West of Broadway, vocalist Rachael Price (also of Lake Street Dive) and guitarist/singer/songwriter Vilray evolve their music’s previous dreaminess to achieve a refreshing angularity built on left-of-center instrumentation (e.g., vibraphone and alto saxophone coasting above the moody strains of baritone sax and trombone). Produced by Dan Knobler (Allison Russell, Bahamas), West of Broadway unfolds in a series of sharply drawn vignettes inspired by a recent fascination with classic musicals—bringing their luminous vocals to offbeat tales of love and heartache along city streets.
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $52.45 gen, $69.93 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.kuumbwajazz.org
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
(((folkYEAH!))) presents
STEREOLAB
Rio Theatre Santa Cruz, CA
Friday, October 24, 2025
Tickets: $40 advance / $45 day of show + SC Admission tax All Ages All Sales Final.
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $42
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event website: www.stereolab.co.uk
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
Cosponsored by The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz
Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes #1 New York Times bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell for a discussion about Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering. In this provocative new work, Malcolm Gladwell returns for the first time in twenty-five years to the subject of social epidemics and tipping points, this time with the aim of explaining the dark side of contagious phenomena.
Through a series of riveting stories, Gladwell traces the rise of a new and troubling form of social engineering. He takes us to the streets of Los Angeles to meet the world's most successful bank robbers, rediscovers a forgotten television show from the 1970s that changed the world, visits the site of a historic experiment on a tiny cul-de-sac in northern California, and offers an alternate history of two of the biggest epidemics of our day: COVID and the opioid crisis. Revenge of the Tipping Point is Gladwell's most personal book yet. With his characteristic mix of storytelling and social science, he offers a guide to making sense of the contagions of modern world. It's time we took tipping points seriously.
Malcolm Gladwell is the author of eight New York Times bestsellers: The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, What the Dog Saw, David and Goliath, Talking to Strangers, The Bomber Mafia and Revenge of the Tipping Point. He is also the co-founder of Pushkin Industries, an audio production company that produces audiobooks like Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon, as well as podcasts including Revisionist History, Broken Record, The Happiness Lab, Against the Rules, and Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage. Gladwell has been included in the Time 100 Most Influential People list and was named one of Foreign Policy’s Top Global Thinkers. Previously, he was a staff writer for The New Yorker. Gladwell was born in England and grew up in rural Ontario. He lives in New York.
Each ticket is $30 and includes a signed paperback copy of the book. More information and tickets at https://bookshopsantacruz.com/malcolm-gladwell
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $30
Advance tickets: www.tickettailor.com
Event website: www.bookshopsantacruz.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
Adventure Night
Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world! Hot on the heels of the Festival that is held every fall in beautiful Banff, Alberta, the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour hits the road. With stops planned in over 600 communities and more than 40 countries across the globe, the Banff World Tour celebrates amazing achievements in outdoor storytelling and filmmaking worldwide.
From the over 400 entries submitted into the Festival each year, award-winners and audience favorites are among the films that are carefully selected to play in theatres around the world. Traveling to remote vistas, analyzing topical environmental issues, and bringing audiences up-close and personal with adrenaline-packed action sports the 2024/2025 World Tour is an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world.
This year's fall screening with feature all new films from the SANDSTONE Playlist. Please check any advisory before purchasing tickets.
The Streif | 2024, Austria, 4 min
Fabio Wibmer is back on snow! This time crashing the preparations for the most legendary ski race in the world: the Streif. River Mamma | 2023, USA, (11 min) Advisory: Coarse Language
River Mamma follows Elisha McArthur, a lifelong raft guide and single mom and her relationship with her teenage goth daughter, Charlotte, who has no interest in rivers at all.
109 Below (2024 Best Film - Mountain Sports*) | 2023, USA, 14 min
109 Below tells a tale of resilience and grit when elite rescue volunteers go out of their way to save the lives of strangers.
Keep It Burning | 2024, Spain, 32 min
The Karakora, is the wildest mountain range in the world and Nameless Tower beckons to climbers who approach. Edu Marin, his brother Alex and father Novato attempt the second free ascent of Eternal Flame 33 years after the first ascent by Wolfgang Guilich and Kurt Albert, and 13 years after Alex and Thomas Huber's first free ascent.
Welcome to the Pit | 2024, Canada, (15 min) Advisory: Coarse Language
in 2011, Steve Matthews had a bright idea. With his kids completely hooked on snowboarding, he rallied a few friends and set out to build Yellowknife's first and only rope tow.
Advisory: Coarse language
Dolomites (Tour Edit) | 2024, France, 33 min
Mountain biking free solo and more...Kilian Bron and his team take you on a thrilling and history-rich adventure, riding the steepest trails of the Dolomites.
Undammed | 2024, USA, 17 min
After witnessing a massive fish kill on her ancestral home waters, Yurok tribal attorney Amy Bowers Cordalis dedicated her life to reversing the generations-long destruction wrought by the Klamath River dams. Undammed follows her journey to free the Klamath, from testifying before Congress to passing down fishing traditions within her young family.
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $23
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event website: www.banffcentre.ca
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
Since gaining prominence in the early 2000’s, ukulele marvel Jake Shimabukuro has mesmerized audiences with his innovative and dynamic style, taking the instrument to dizzying new heights. Over a dozen solo albums, Shimabukuro has shown a knack for moving effortlessly between genres, sometimes in the same song. After being taught the instrument by his mother at age four, Jake became a local phenom, performing on his own and in a local group Pure Heart. Early in his solo career he became a YouTube sensation when his cover of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” went viral. Since then, Jake has gone on to play the world’s most venerable venues, from The Hollywood Bowl to Lincoln Center to the Sydney Opera House and The N.O. Jazz Fests and collaborated with some of the world’s greatest musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma, Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, Jimmy Buffett, Jack Johnson, Bette Midler, Ziggy Marley, Sonny Landreth, Billy Strings, Lukas & Willie Nelson and Warren Haynes. Shimabukuro has also won his share of awards and, just a few years ago he was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as a Member for the National Council on the Arts.
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $40 Gen, $60 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.pulseproductions.net
Event website: www.jakeshimabukuro.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
¡Viva el mariachi! A new generation takes mariachi to whole new heights—2x Latin GRAMMY®-nominee Mariachi Herencia de México pushes the boundaries of traditional mariachi music. Simultaneously honoring the past, celebrating the present, and creating the future of mariachi music, Mariachi Herencia de México presents an electrifying and unforgettable night of Mexican music and culture.
The historic tradition of mariachi music has its roots of origin in cities such as Guadalajara and Mexico City. As the ever-evolving genre’s influence spread, it reached Chicago and birthed Mariachi Herencia de México. The band has issued five chart-topping albums and has performed all across the North American continent, paving the way for a new generation of mariachi musicians. Nuestra Herencia, their 2017 debut album, topped the Latin streaming charts and earned the band their first Latin GRAMMY®-nomination for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album. 2018’s Herencia de la Tierra Mía and the two-volume series, Esencia and Esencia, Vol. 2 issued in 2019 and 2020, respectively, charted atop all major streaming platforms and industry charts. In 2022, Herederos appeared as the band were performing a wildly successful North American tour. Herederos received a 2023 Latin GRAMMY® nomination for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album. The young, virtuosic band is composed of 14 musicians, ages 18-32, representing a new bicultural generation in the United States.
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $46.62 Gen, $64.10 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.kuumbwajazz.org
Event website: www.mariachiherenciademexico.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
Yi-Wo
Directed by Thomas Campbell
Rio Theatre Santa Cruz, CA
September 30, 2025
Doors 6pm / Show 7pm
All Ages
YI-WO is a prayer, a habitual ritualistic gaze into the depths of the vast unknowable. YI-WO is a celebration of very purposely selected forms of the connective water sliding pursuits. It's poem, a place to be or not to be untangled. A space for your time, to possibly honor the practice, this existence and the paths potential dimensional expansive qualities.
The movie "Yi - Wo" was completed in 2025 - Directed by Thomas Campbell
The surfers documented in the film are - Ryan Burch, Alex Knost, Craig Anderson, Karina Rozunko, Joel Tudor, Nick Melanson, Lauren Hill, Dave Rastovich, Ozzie Wright, Jared Mell, Trevor Gordon and Bryce Young.
The locations filmed are - Fiji, Morocco, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Australia, Utah and California.
Shot predominantly on 16mm film by Thomas Campbell, Dave Homcy, Scott Soens, Chris Bryan and Tyge Landa amongst others.
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $17.85
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
Join Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist Jai Uttal for an evening of celebration, kirtan and a very special concert with his world music band, The Pagan Love Orchestra. Performing old and new songs, touching on many moods and colors, Jai & friends invite you to dance, sing, cry, laugh and celebrate together!
This show, originally scheduled for April 12th, has moved to September 27th to accommodate Jai's foot surgery in March. Tickets purchased for April 12th will be honored Sept 27th
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $30
Advance tickets: www.pulseproductions.net
Artists Website: www.jaiuttal.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
"Hurray! We have adult beverages!
The Rio is proud to partner with our friends at Moe's Alley to provide a selection of great beers, Venus canned cocktails, hard cider and sparkling wine at this show. You must be 21 and present a valid ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. We prefer cash, but will accept cards as well!"
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $49.50 Gen, $79 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.etix.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
Pulse is stoked to welcome back Iconic comedian Paula Poundstone to the Rio Theatre! Paula is known for her smart, observational humor and a spontaneous wit that has become the stuff of legend. She regularly plays theaters across the country, hosts a weekly comedy podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone, and is a regular panelist on NPR’s Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me.
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $30 Gen, $45 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.pulseproductions.net
Artists website: www.paulapoundstone.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
SNAPT 5 by Logan Dullien The most anticipated surf film of 2025 Staring : Caly Marzo, Mason Ho , Noa Deane, Yago Dora , Jack Robo and More .
Ride the Line Presented by Blak Bear Surf Club . Staring Balaram Stack , Billy Kemper and the crew .
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $10
Advance tickets: www.Blakbearsurfclub.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
"Hurray! We have adult beverages!
The Rio is proud to partner with our friends at Moe's Alley to provide a selection of great beers, Venus canned cocktails, hard cider and sparkling wine at this show. You must be 21 and present a valid ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. We prefer cash, but will accept cards as well!"
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $49.50 Gen, $69.50 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.etix.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
The Ocean Film Festival World Tour is back in 2025, celebrating 12 incredible years of inspiring, educating, and protecting our oceans. This annual event, which has touched lives across 14 countries, will screen in Santa Cruz, bringing the captivating beauty of the underwater world to audiences nationwide.
For over a decade, the Ocean Film Festival has been a global beacon for ocean lovers, showcasing the wonder and power of the sea through a curated selection of films from talented independent filmmakers worldwide. This year’s tour promises to mesmerise audiences with a three-hour program of breathtaking visuals and compelling stories, offering a deep dive into the heart of our oceans and the lives of those who cherish them.
The Ocean Film Festival World Tour is more than just a film event; it’s a celebration of our planet’s blue heart. Through its stunning cinematography and powerful narratives, the festival aims to inspire a deeper connection with the ocean and encourage audiences to take action to protect this vital ecosystem.
Whether you’re a seasoned ocean enthusiast, a weekend surfer, or someone who marvels at the mysteries of the deep, this festival promises an unforgettable cinematic journey.
THE CALL
Filmmaker: Nolan Grose (12 minutes: USA)
In the lush landscape of Kauai, Mike Coots discovers his calling through the ocean. A naturally gifted surfer and photographer, he captures the breathtaking world of Hawaiian surf culture with remarkable artistry. His photographs transform local surfing scenes into powerful visual stories, revealing the deep connection between humans and the sea.
A life-changing moment will challenge everything Mike knows, forcing him to reimagine his relationship with the ocean. "The Call" is an inspiring journey of transformation, showcasing how passion can evolve and overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
ASTRONAUT IN THE OCEAN
Filmmaker: Bimarian Films (11 minutes: USA)
Bodyboarding demands a pioneering spirit and fearless heart. Where surfing basks in fame and fortune, Shane Ackerman finds pure freedom riding the waves. A crane operator in the mines by day, Shane's true life unfolds in those moments when he crashes through ocean swells, proving that passion transcends financial reward. For him, work is merely a means to an end—a way to fund the moments of absolute liberation found on his bodyboard.
THE GODDESS
Filmmaker: Dean Cropp (8 minutes: Australia)In this ethereal short film, a poetic love letter unfolds as a diver plunges deep beneath the waves. His voice, rich with wonder and tenderness, narrates an ode to his "love," weaving a vivid tapestry of underwater life.
A celebration of nature's beauty and an invitation to fall in love with the world beneath the waves, Goddess is a poetic exploration of connection, reverence, and the profound bond between humanity and the sea.
AQUABALLET
Filmmaker: Alex Voyer (5 minutes: France)
Aquaballet is a mesmerising underwater performance where dancer Mariane Aventurier blends her deepest passions into a breathtaking artistic journey. Filmed in the crystal waters of French Polynesia alongside her partner, photographer Alex Voyer, the film is a poetic dance with marine life, transforming the ocean into a living stage. Accompanied by Stephane Lopez's haunting musical composition, Aventurier creates an ethereal performance that celebrates the beauty and grace of underwater creatures, turning her lifelong dream into a stunning visual poem.
FOOTPRINTS ON KATMAI
Filmmaker: Max Romey (22 mins : Alaska USA)
In a poignant journey of discovery, artist and filmmaker Max Romey follows the faded traces of his grandmother's sketchbooks to the wild, remote beaches of Katmai, Alaska. Joining a team of marine debris experts, Romey uncovers an unexpected narrative of human impact—revealing how people leave profound marks on this pristine landscape without ever physically setting foot on its shores.
WE THE SURFERS
Filmaker Arthur Bourbon (38 minutes: France)
Set in the coastal towns of Liberia, an unexpected cultural exchange transforms lives through the universal language of surfing. A group of European surfers arrives with more than just boards—they bring hope, connection, and joy to a community hungry for opportunity and healing. By establishing a surf club and teaching local children and teenagers how to ride the waves, these visitors create more than just a recreational space—they build a lifeline of empowerment.
The documentary follows the remarkable stories of Liberian youth whose lives are dramatically changed by discovering surfing. What begins as a simple athletic pursuit becomes a profound journey of self-discovery, mental resilience, and community building. Through the rhythm of the waves, these young people find purpose, confidence, and a pathway to reimagine their futures, proving that sometimes the most powerful humanitarian aid is not just about survival, but about creating moments of pure, transformative joy.
WHITE ROCK
Filmmaker: Stefan Andrews (35 minutes: Australia)
White Rock is a documentary exposing a hidden impact of the climate crisis - the explosion of long spined seaurchins devastating Australia's kelp forests. Through stunning visuals and compelling storytelling, White Rock exposes the threat and presents tangible solutions to save Australia’s kelp forests before it's too late. The film takes viewers to the front line of these efforts, introducing commercial divers who are actively harvesting urchins. It follows the journey of restoration, contrasting the barren seascapes and the remarkable recovery of reefs - a testament to how human intervention can reverse environmental devastation.
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $21
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event Website: www.oceanfilmfestivalworldtour.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $57 Gen, $99 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.etix.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
The Wonderful World of Disney comes to life like never before!
Sin Sisters Burlesque & Drag is at The Rio Theatre for 1 night only on Saturday July 12th, for a dazzling evening of burlesque and drag inspired by the magic, mischief, and mayhem of your favorite Disney dreams and nightmares. Featuring internationally renowned and award-winning performers, this is a fairytale gone fabulously rogue—glitter, glamour, and a touch of wickedness guaranteed.
Doors open at 6:30 PM Show begins promptly at 7:30 PM (yes 7:30!!)
Magic awaits... don’t be late for this very important date!
Show time: 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $35 gen, $45 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event website: www.instagram.com
Event website: www.facebook.com
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
Since its creation in 2008, STWFF features inspiring nonfiction and documentary films on surf and water sports, travel and adventure, plus conservation and climate.
Its lineup of short films this year feature surf breaks and stories from California, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Iceland, the Pacific Northwest, Australia and South Africa.
Save The Waves Film Festival is a fundraiser for the Save The Waves Coalition and our conservation efforts to protect surf ecosystems. Every ticket purchase makes a difference!
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $15
Advance tickets: www.eventbrite.com
Event website: www.savethewaves.org
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
New York Times bestselling author Charles Duhigg shares the simple and tested method for communicating and connecting with anyone. Supercommunicators explores the psychology and neuroscience behind how we can all learn to be super communicators at work and in life. This event benefits Leadership Santa Cruz County.
Event Sponsor: Dignity Health Medical Network Event Partners: Bookshop Santa Cruz, Event Santa Cruz, and Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce
TICKETS:
$19.95 (admission)
$39.95 (with a copy of The Power of Habit)
$49.95 (with a copy of Supercommunicators)
Show time: 7:00 PM, doors 6:00 PM
Tickets: $19.95 -$49.95
Advance tickets: www.june26supercommunicators.eventbrite
The Rio Theatre present protocol : masks are highly encouraged except when eating or drinking
Please read entire Rio Theatre Covid19 Protocols
Valerie June Hockett is a Grammy-nominated artist from Tennessee. She’s been hailed by the New York Times as one of America’s “most intriguing, fully formed new talents.”
Show time: 8:00 PM, doors 7:00 PM
Tickets: $35 Gen, $48 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.pulseproductions.net
Event website: www.valeriejune.com
The Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts, a most versatile live venue in Santa Cruz California
DEC 21 Tradewinds Church Christmas
DEC 29 White Album Ensemble
DEC 30 White Album Ensemble
DEC 31 Los Lobos
JAN 17 Painted Mandolin
JAN 24 She Adventures Film Tour
JAN 28 Matteo Mancuso
JAN 30 Fruit Bats (solo)
JAN 31 Eagles Tribute
FEB 03 Lecture: George Saunders
FEB 06 Beats Antique
FEB 07 Mania: The ABBA Tribute
FEB 15 Warren Haynes Solo
MAR 04 Madeleine Peyroux
MAR 06 Electric Elton
MAR 10 East Forest
MAR 24 Jeff Tweedy
MAR 27 Cristela Alonzo
MAR 30 Nick Lowe (solo)
APR 18 You Should Be Dancing
APR 22 Drew & Ellie Holcomb
APR 23 Tommy Emmanuel CGP
MAY 03 Pat Metheny
MAY 16 Valerie
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