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Moe's Alley and KPIG present legendary blues artist Ana Popovic at The Rio Theatre!
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
$35 in advance / $40 day of the show
All Ages ***
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."
Ana says: “One of my biggest strengths on stage is my ability to make people dance. Music should take you to a place where you can let go, feel the groove, and move. You want music to grab you, to have a pocket that you can’t resist. —everything else revolves around it. Blues guitar has never really been part of dance music before, and in that way, it’s revolutionary. Guitar plays a central role in these tracks, breaking down the boundaries created by time, culture, and musical traditions. With this album, I’m pushing those boundaries.” For Ana, blues guitar is the foundation of everything in her music. Yet, she masterfully blends genres, effortlessly shifting from blues to dance, jam band, funk, pop, and even gospel—it's all part of her evolving sound.
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
