While you may be pulling an Augustus Gloop this week, we still encourage you to roll yourselves downtown (avoiding any chocolate lakes of course) and enjoy the considerable amount of talent coming to town. Whether they are Santa Cruz legends returning home for a special holiday appearance or local bands doing what they do best, come on out and show your support while working off some of that stuffing.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25
Another local comes home for the holidays. Veteran house producer and Santa Cruz native Andy Caldwell brings his impressive DJ skills and discography to Motiv. After his first single “Superfunkidiculous” debuted in 1994, Caldwell was off with a bang, playing DJ sets in London, Berlin and throughout the United States. Over the years his music has become a staple of the genre, getting spinned by DJs consistently in clubs all over the world. Along his musical journey he snagged two Grammy nominations for his work with Kaskade on the single “Sorry” along with a nomination for Best Remixed Recording in 2008. Be prepared to dance off some calories in preparation for turkey day. 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $10 at the door (free with student ID).
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 & SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28
The Expendables Thanksgiving Takeover at The Catalyst Club
Surf rock and Santa Cruz have gone together since forever, but no group has truly exemplified that relationship like The Expendables. Growing up in Santa Cruz, these guys spent most of their time surfing, playing music, partying, and giving back to their community, a lifestyle that has morphed into a successful music career. Their resume includes seven albums, a spot in Guitar Hero, and tours with G. Love and Special Sauce, Slightly Stoopid, Kottonmouth Kings and other beach rock royalty. Even though The Expendables have soared to heights far beyond their Santa Cruz beginnings, they have never forgotten their roots, contributing to worthwhile causes like the USA Junior Surf Team, hosting Locals Only on KMBY FM (a show focused on giving local bands exposure), and of course, coming back home over the holidays to play two amazing shows. Wednesday’s show, with Thrive, Ribsys Nickel is 21+. Saturday’s show, with Authority Zero, Alex Abreu is all ages. Go to both if you’re feeling extra wild; it is going to be a homecoming to remember. Tickets: $22/$27.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27
In the EDM world, collaborating with Armin Van Buren, Paul Van Dyk, and Mat Zo is pretty damn impressive, but doing it all before you turn 25, that is the stuff of legends. Russian-born ARTY (full name: Artem Stolyarov) has done just that. After graduating from music school at 14 and college at 18 with a degree in applied mathematics, Arty decided to forego the safe route and embark on a career in the EDM world, as one does. The young electronic DJ and producer came in at #78 on DJ Magazines top 100 list in 2010, and was nominated for Best Breakthrough DJ and Best Trance Track at the 2012 IDM awards. Traveling all the way from Putin’s backyard to our’s, catch him when he brings his fall tour to The Catalyst. 9 p.m. Tickets: $15-$25.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Moon Cadillac at The Crepe Place
House, Indie, disco, pop, rock, dance, and electronic might sound like a lot of genres to pack into one band, but locals Moon Cadillac have managed to do just that, all without letting their own style and sound get lost in the cacophony. The 4-piece (guitar and vocals, bass/keyboad, guitar, and drums) is known for always delivering an electric party atmosphere at their shows, creating some of the sweatiest crowds this side of the San Lorenzo. They will be joined by locals, Urban Theory and Corazon Atomico. 9 p.m. Tickets: $10 at the door.
Contact Sam at [email protected]. Pictured: The Expendables Winter Blackout 2016 poster via Facebook.
