You can get a closer look at the venue this coming Wednesday - that's New Year's Eve, of course - when local favorite Keith Greeninger and his band kick in 2014 at Treasures Roadhouse.
The Roadhouse has been in a “soft launch” for several months, featuring Sunday shows with THREE HOURS of live music every week. I finally got to test drive the place during their recent open house, and I must say: This is one of the best-sounding rooms I’ve ever played in. Makes sense since local engineering whiz Tim Prince, of Ridgetop Sound, wired the place.
As with many cool things, this was a happy accident. Last spring, local singer/musician Bourne Archer was scouting a new location for his Aptos Burger restaurant – several other options had fallen through. He wasn’t looking to open a music venue. The Five Mile House (corner of Freedom Blvd and Corralitos Rd in Corralitos) was vacant, so Bourne called the landlord.
With two other restaurants on the small site already, a third wasn’t optimal. The landlord asked if he could “entertain” Bourne with another building, then walked him into a huge empty space – it was a Curves and a stove store in previous lives. Bourne took one look and said, “this is a theater!”
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A Summer and Fall’s worth of work ensued. Local musicians Rhan Wilson and Rick Zeek contributed heavily. Bourne said Rhan’s “infectious spirit and energy” has kept the project going since Day One, and Rick “has built much of what was needed to put the inside of the Roadhouse together”.
The Treasures Roadhouse is officially open for business. There are workshops every weekend, the Sunday showcase continues, and their calendar is filling up with great shows. This blessing of a new venue is now available to rent for rehearsals, performances, and events, as well.
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So what about New Year's Eve?
Keith Greeninger, who normally plays the Aromas Grange (or a larger such venue) to kick in the new year, decided to go more intimate this time out, in addition to bringing some attention to this new venue. He's playing the Treasures Roadhouse with his band beginning at 8:30 pm. Seating is limited, the event is sure to sell out, and tickets are ONLY AVAILABLE at Streetlight Records in Santa Cruz or online at treasuresroadhouse.com.
(Tickets are $25 which includes refreshments, appetizers, and a New Year's toast. Attendees are also asked to bring one bottle of wine to share.)
You can find out more on their web site and FaceBook page. The Treasure's Roadhouse is at 2908 Freedom Blvd in
(And if you're marking your 2014 calendars: I'll be doing a night there at Treasures Roadhouse on Sunday, February 9th, backed by Steve Uccello on stand-up bass. We're splitting the night with local songwriter Derick Bodkin. That show runs 6:00 - 9:00 pm with a $10 cover.)
