Shakespeare Santa Cruz begins its 29th season this week with James Goldman's The Lion in Winter starring Marco Barricelli -- on the Mainstage on Friday, July 23. And Shakespeare’s Love’s Labor’s Lost opens this Saturday, July 24 in the outdoor festival Glen. Both plays run through the end of August. Othello opens in August. Information and tickets online at: shakespearesantacruz.org.

Cabrillo Stage in Aptos presents Cabaret, the Tony Award-winning musical, oening Friday July 23  and running through August 15 at the Crocker Theater on the Cabrillo College campus. Trevor Little directs. Tickets at 831-479-6154 and online at www.cabrillostage.com

Community Music School of Santa Cruz presents acclaimed fretted dulcimer player and recording artist Rob Brereton and friends in concert at The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist in Aptos on Friday, July 23 at 7:30 PM. Rob Brereton is considered one of the pioneers in contemporary mountain dulcimer playing.  He specializes in the standards and early jazz tunes of Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and their peers, but is also adept at playing more traditional dulcimer repertoire.  He has performed and taught dulcimer at most of the major dulcimer festivals across the country. www.robertbrereton.com. The concert also features Bay-area based dulcimer artists Neal Hellman of Gourd Music http://www.gourd.com/, Peter Tommerup, Janet Herman, and Ron Beardslee, who, with Brereton, make up the faculty at an all-day program of dulcimer workshops taking place in Bonny Doon the day after the concert. http://www.folkplanet.com/dulcimerday). www.communitymusicschool.org

Women of Whimsy, Monterey’s all-woman improvisation theater troupe is taking their wit to the Paper Wing Theater Company in Monterey on Saturday, July 24 at 8:00 pm. The Whimsies, as they call themselves, turn audience suggestions into hilarious scenes made up on the spot. Performances are upbeat, high energy and include lots of audience interaction from calling out suggestions to volunteering for some of the scenes – always a big hit. However, only people who raise their hands to volunteer are asked to join in a scene. Gerry Orton, founder and director of Women of Whimsy points out “We don’t want to embarrass anyone.” At the Paper Wing Theatre, 320 Hoffman Ave. (corner of Hoffman / Lighthouse) in Monterey. Reservations at 831-905-5684.

Kuumbwa Jazz in Santa Cruz welcomes Cuban vocal group Sexto Sentido (or Sixth Sense) on their first US tour on Monday, July 26, 7:00 pm. Vocalists Melvis Santa Estevez-Guzman, Eliene Castillo-Borrero, Arlety Valdes-Cana, and Yudelkis Lafuente-Acea got their start as teenagers singing at school functions. But this was hardly a humble beginning; their school was the prestigious Amadeo Roldan Conservatory in Havana. Combining forces as Sexto Sentido (the Sixth Sense), they’ve already performed with Chucho Valdes and Silvio Rodriguez, wowing audiences throughout Europe and Latin America. With modern interpretations of Cuban classics, four-part harmonies and skillful call and response, Sexto Sentido is bound to become a sensation here as well. Info at kuumbwajazz.org.

Arts Habitat in Monterey will present the hip-hop electronica band "Hidden Library" on Tuesday, July 27, as part of the event series Arts In Progress. "Hidden Library" is Nathaniel Stevens, Ross McCafferty, and Jake Student a.k.a. Numerous. The band's agent, Maria Matias of Maria Matias Music, Inc., will discuss the behind-the-scenes role of a talent agent. Maria Matias has more then 20 years experience in the talent agent business. She helped produce Luciano Pavarotti worldwide in concert, and later worked with Monterey Peninsula Artists/Monterey International for 14 years. She opened Maria Matias Music in 2006, and currently has a roster of 21 acts. Arts in Progress events take place every fourth Tuesday of the month at the Monterey YMCA, 600 Camino El Estero, at Webster Street, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Refreshments are served and the events are free and open to the public.


Coming up next week and beyond:

SpectorDance of Marina invites you to a weekend of dance on July 31 and August 1. Guest artists perform in concert on Saturday, July 31 at 7:30 pm and on Sunday, August 1 is the Emerging Choreographer’s Showcase at 7:00 pm. Cash prizes are awarded for the audience’s favorite choreographed piece, with prize money will be awarded to the top choreographer and top young choreographer. It’s the Monterey Bay’s version of “So You Think You Can Dance.” Both events at SpectorDance, 3343 Paul Davis Drive, Marina. Information and tickets at 831-384-1050 and www.spectordance.org

The Le Boeuf Brothers are a New York-based modern jazz quartet, co-led by identical twin brothers, Remy Le Boeuf (alto sax) and Pascal Le Boeuf (piano), with Martin Nevin (bass) and Michael Davis (drums). They'll perform at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz at 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 5. Doors and dinner beginning at 6:00 pm. Tickets available in advance at: 1-866-55-TICKETS or for purchase at Logos Books and Records; info www.kuumbwajazz.org  and www.LBjazz.com "

MPC Theatre Company presents the Central Coast premiere of RENT directed by Gary Bolen (7:00PM Thu, 8:00 PM Fri-Sat, 2:00PM Sunday), August 5 through 22 on the Morgan Stock Stage at Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont Street, Monterey. Tickets $10-$25 831-646-4213 or www.mpctheatre.com

Shakespeare Santa Cruz presents Shakespeare’s Othello playing in the outdoor festival Glen opens August 6 and runs through August 29. Information online at: shakespearesantacruz.org.

Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad return to Santa Cruz with with a new mix of comedy, music and variety, featuring comedians Cynthia Levin (Comedy Central), Dana Eagle (Comedy Central) and Sister Schmaltz and host, The Goddess Perlman (Last Comic Standing) on Saturday, August 7 at 8:00 pm at Temple Beth El in Aptos. These badass chosen chicks boldly dare to deconstruct years of tradition, expectations and guilt in a fast-paced vaudeville extravaganza. Tickets at  brownpapertickets.com Information: 831-479-3444

The community of Salinas invites you to the Salinas Music and Arts Summit on Sunday, August 8 from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at Natividad Creek Park, 1395 Nogal Drive in Salinas. This free music and arts event is designed to inspire an appreciation of the arts. Event lineups will showcase local bands. The Village Stage will include local and popular bands performing rock, reggae and Banda music. An outdoor art exhibit will highlight local artists of all mediums. Food, kids corner, jumping houses, skate park, games, educational booths and free live entertainment! Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the festivities. Info at (831) 375-1992.

Two recent graduates of the Eastman School of Music invite you to join a classical concert in Carmel. Soprano Marielle Murphy, a native of Carmel-by-the-Sea, will be accompanied by pianist Alden Gatt in a Romantic concert music by Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, and Gershwin. August 21 at 4:00 pm in Carmel at the All Saints Episcopal Church, located on the corner of 9th and Dolores. Admission is free, and donations will support these young artists' burgeoning careers in New York City. Call (831) 625-5226 for more information.

AUDITIONS, WORKSHOPS & OPPORTUNITIES:

Celtic Music Summer Camps – Community Music School
These traditional music camps are for players of fiddle, flute, pennywhistle, recorder, oboe, harp, guitar, banjo, dulcimer, keyboards, accordion, percussion, cello, bassoon and other traditional instruments.  All participants must be proficient on their instrument – these camps are not appropriate for beginners. Sheet music will be available, but we encourage students to learn by ear.  Please call (831) 426-9155 or e-mail info@communitymusicschool.org for an ability assessment if you have questions.

- Kids' Camp: August 2 - August 14,  Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Ages 7 - 13. Come learn tunes in the redwoods of Bonny Doon and meet other young musicians. Other amenities include swings, a slide, spinny-go-round, and a pool. Bring a bag lunch.  No camp on Sat. Aug. 7th and Sunday Aug. 8th.  Concert on Saturday, August 14 at 11 AM.  Camp will take place at the Boomeria, in Bonny Doon.
http://www.communitymusicschool.org. Full tuition due before camp starts. Inquire for payment plans if necessary.


Band/Orchestra
The Santa Cruz City Band is open to anyone that plays a band instrument and is proficient at reading music. The group meets Mondays from 7:30-9:30 PM in the Santa Cruz High Band Room on the corner of Walnut Street and California Street. Call John Thomas at 831-425-0110 for more information or visit Thomas Musical Instruments in Santa Cruz.