GET OUT: Music, Eroticism, Poetry, More Music and Valentine's Stuff

FRIDAY

What is Erotic? "In the Boudoir"

418 Front St.

7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday (also the following weekend).

Tickets: $25-$30 ($20 Friday)

What is Erotic? is a sort of Vaudeville of local performers who put on stage and off stage answers to the question. Guests will be welcomed to the theater, the 418 Project, with chocolate-dipped strawberries and a night of music, acting, improv and audience participation. A perfect Valentine's themed date.

SATURDAY

Y&T

1011 Pacific Ave.
9 p.m. $19 advance/$23 door

Led by guitarist Dave Meniketti, this power rock trio was Northern California's answer to Van Halen, without the melodrama. They play rock with an edge and can delve into some heavy hitting blues too.

Camper Van Beethoven

1134 Soquel Ave.

6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

This is one of the biggest bands to have been born in Santa Cruz with an actual hit ("Take the Skinheads Bowling") and a bigger band to be born out of it (Cracker). Hard to believe that these once alt-punks are celebrating 30 years of playing.

Good news/bad news: The 9 p.m. show is sold out. There are still tickets for the early show.

Jake Shimabukuro

1205 Soquel Ave.

7:30 p.m. Tickets: $26.50

Sure a lot of people in Santa Cruz play the ukulele. Maybe too many. But this Hawaiian has made it cool and doesn't just use it as an easy backup to bad singing. He's more like the Pat Metheny of the instrument, using it to pump out jams on songs such as George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

He's made the instrument cool.

 
Time/Place: Sat., Feb. 11, 12-5 p.m., Bookshop Santa Cruz (1520 Pacific Ave.)
What: If you’re looking for a more literary celebration of VDay, look no further than Bookshop Santa Cruz! Couples will answer questions about their beloved, before writers create a customized a love letter or poem on a typewriter for them.
Cost: Free


Time/Place: Sat., Feb. 11, 8 to 10 p.m., Center Stage, 1001 Center St.
What: Hast thou a desire to learn about the many faucets of love through eight centuries? Join a stellar cast for this musical and theatrical performance.
Cost: The event is free, but donations are encouraged through the theater’s website. 

SUNDAY

Poetry Festival Santa Cruz

400 Beach St.

3:30 p.m.-10 p.m.

$15/$12 for students

Some of the big names of local and world poetry are reviving a festival started three decades ago. The Doors keyboard player Ray Manzerak will accompany Michael C. Ford.

Other performers include Wanda Coleman, Jack Hirschman, Michael C. Ford (with Ray Manzarek), Genny Lim, Lorna Dee Cervantes, The Ellyn Maybe Band, Stephen Kessler, Avotcja & Modupue, Charles Curtis Blackwell, Andy Clausen, Ellen Bass, Jerry Kamstra, A.D. Winans, Gerald Nicosia, Cara Vida, S.A. Griffin, Jennifer Barone with Nova Jazz Band, Mike The Poet, Jane Ormerod, Marc Olmsted, Rich Ferguson (w/Bo Blount), Floyd Salas, Claire Ortalda, Gary Young, Quiet Lightning, Ron Lampi, T. Mike Walker, Keith Savage, Dennis Holt, Peter Marti and Kevin Patrick Sullivan. Musical Guests: The Invertebrates, Alan Sitar Brown, Ruebi Lynn Jimenez and Geordie Van Der Bosch. Hosted by San Francisco poet MCs extraordinaire Ginger Murray and Marc Kockinos.

See their bios here.