Rio Theatre Events
View our past events: 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Jenny & Johnny
Jenny and Johnny = Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice.
Immediate support - Ganglians
1st of 3 - Farmer Dave Scher (special)
Jenny and Johnny first started working together in Los Angeles in 2005, after being introduced by Conor Oberst. Rice had traveled to Nebraska to make his first record before moving to L.A. , where Lewis was beginning work with Mike Mogis on her solo debut Rabbit Fur Coat. They both ended up playing on each others recordings, and struck up a lasting creative relationship. Rice joined Lewis' band for the Rabbit Fur Coat world tour in 2006, and has played live with Lewis at every show of her solo career thus far. Jenny contributed both songwriting and singing to Johnathan's Further North in 2007, and he was quick to return the favor as one of the producers of Lewis' album Acid Tongue and again joining her on the road. During the Acid Tongue sessions, the band cut the song "Carpetbaggers" with Elvis Costello. The legendary songwriter was so inspired with the collaboration that he enlisted Lewis, Rice, their Acid Tongue crew, and the Imposters to help make one of his finest records of recent years, 2008's Momofuku.
Jenny and Johnny locked out Mogis' world-class ARC studios for five weeks of tracking, vocals, and mixing during the worst Midwestern winter since the 1860's. The front door of their guest house actually froze shut, so they used an alternate route to get to the studio every day. Cut off from the outside world in a blizzard's haze, the record's personality began to emerge. Gone were the vintage, classic-rock textures of their previous two albums, and in came a brand new sound which was tougher around the edges. The exuberance of love songs like Scissor Runner mask some of the record's darkness, with Lewis chronicling the economic demise of her beloved California in Big Wave, Rice's haunting vocal on Animal, and both songwriters raising a middle-finger kiss off in the acerbic My Pet Snakes. The overall result is genuine and original pop music for Right Now. This is not a Rilo Kiley record, a Jenny Lewis record, or a Johnathan Rice record. This is Jenny and Johnny. They're having fun now, and they want you to, too.
Show Time: 8:00 pm
Advance Tickets: $15.00
Advance Tickets: Available at Streetlight Records 831.421.9200 and Ticketweb
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Tuesday, September 14th, 2010
Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses
Ryan Bingham has spent most of his life on the road, first on the rough-and-tumble rodeo circuit, then moving from town to town on the equally volatile roadhouse musical circuit. Those travels have given him plenty of material to draw from - and plenty of reason to stop for a moment to dig in his heels and take a stand.His song in the film Crazy Heart won best original song at the 2010 82nd Academy Awards.
Show time: 7:30 PM
Advance tickets: Gold Circle $35.00 General Admission $21.00
Advance tickets at www.snazzyproductions.com
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Thursday, September 23, 2010
Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women
Dave Alvin, Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter and self-described "barroom guitarist," is widely considered to be one of the pivotal founders of the current Americana music scene.
Since forming the highly influential roots rock/R+B band The Blasters, with his brother Phil in 1979, and throughout his long and critically acclaimed solo career, Dave Alvin has mixed his varied musical and literary influences into his own unique, updated version of traditional American music. Combining elements of blues, folk, R+B, rockabilly, Bakersfield country and garage rock and roll. Artist's web site
Show time: 7:30 PM
Tickets: Gold Circle $40.00 (advance) General Admission $22.00 (advance)
Advance Tickets: Purchase Tickets Online HERE
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Friday, September 24th, 2010
Paula Poundstone
Santa Cruz favorite Paula Poundstone returns for another hilarious evening at the Rio Theater - Get tickets early!
Show Time: 8:00 pm
Tickets: $28.00
Advance Ticket Prices: $25.00
Ticket Physical Point of Sale Location: Streetlight Records
Online Ticket Point of Sale: www.pulseproductions.net
Artist's Web site: www.paulapoundstone.com
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Sunday September 26, 2010
Robert Fisk
“LIES, MISREpoRTIng and CaTaSTRophE In ThE MIddLE EaST”
with Khalil Bendib
Robert Fisk is Middle East Correspondent for “The Independent” and one of Britain’s most distinguished journalists. His reporting has covered major revolutions and wars in the Middle East and North Africa, from the Iranian revolution and civil wars in and invasions of Lebanon, the Iran-Iraq War, Gulf Wars I & 2, Kosovo, and Algeria. Fisk won the 2000 Amnesty International award for his reports from Serbia on NATO’s bombardment of Yugoslavia. He received numerous awards for his reporting from the Middle East, including the 2006 Lannan Prize for Cultural Freedom. His books include “The Age of the Warrior: Selected Essays” (2008), “The Great War for Civilization: The Conquest of the Middle East” (2007), “Pity the Nation: The Abduction of Lebanon” (2002), “In Time of War: Ireland, Ulster and the Price of Neutrality” (1996). Fisk brings unparalleled insight into and encyclopedic knowledge of history and current events, keen analysis, engaging story-telling, and razor-sharp wit to bear on events in the Middle East. Khalil Bendib is an Algerian American, a widely syndicated cartoonist, radio talk show host, and commentator. Bendib’s radio program “Voices of the Middle East and North Africa,” appears on KPFA Radio in Berkeley, Fresno, Tampa and other cities. VOMENA consistently brings listeners deeply informed and authentic voices that take listeners beyond the headlines into the richly diverse and fascinating world of culture and politics of the Middle East and North Africa, exploring the complex web of class, gender, ethnic, religious and regional differences which separate and distinguish the ways of life and political and ideological perspectives of people in that part of the world.
Sponsored by the Resource Center for Nonviolence and the Palestine Israel Action Committee. FMI: 831-423-1626
Show time: 7:30 p.m.
Tickets:
General Seating $10.00 -$20.00 slidingscale ($5.00 for unemployed, seniors, & students available in advance from RCNV).
Preferred Seating $25.00 – $50.00 (sliding-scale)
Preferred Seating at 7:30 program & Special Reception at 9:00 p.m.
One person- $75.00 – $100.00 includes preferred seating and the post-event reception, one Fisk Book of your choice for author signature and two complementary tickets to “Little Town of Bethlehem” screening at Del Mar Theatre on Tuesday, October 19, 7:00p.m.
Two people- $125.00 – $175.00 slidingscale donation, includes preferred seating and the post-event reception for two, one Fisk book of your choice for author’s signature and four complementary tickets to “Little Town of Bethlehem” screening at Del Mar Theatre on Tuesday October 19 at 7:00 p.m.
For tickets contact the Resource Center for Nonviolence 831-423-1626, www.rcnv.org by PayPal or e-mail to robertfiskinsantacruz@gmail.com
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Thursday, September 30, 2010
Robert Earl Keen and Fred Eaglesmith
Robert Earl Keen: Keen emerged in Texas in the 1980s and 1990s striking an unusual balance between sensitive story-portraits and raucous barroom fun. Unified by a mordant sense of humor that strongly influenced the early practitioners of what would become known as alternative country music. Artist's web site
Fred Eaglesmith : Born to a farming family in rural southern Ontario. Often employing his difficult upbringing as raw material for his heartland narratives, Eaglesmith is known for writing songs about machines or vehicles, including songs about trains, tractors, trucks, cars, and engines. Rural life, dogs, guns, drinking and farming/ranching are other common themes. Artist's web site
Show time: 7:30 PM
Tickets: Gold Circle $50.00 (advance) General Admission $30.00 (advance)
Advance Tickets: Online HERE
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Friday, October 1st, 2010
Justin Townes Earle
Jessica Lea Mayfield opens the show.
Justin Townes Earle is an anomaly. He's tall as the day is long, all angles and elbows and a hard stare, both welcoming and deadly serious. He's Nashville North, all set up in lower Manhattan now, just like his hero Woody Guthrie, with twang and charm intact.
That hard working earnestness has paid off, to say the least. Justin won the Best New and Emerging Artist at the 2009 Americana Music Awards. His record, Midnight at the Movies, was named one of the best records of last year by Amazon, received four stars in Rolling Stone and found a sweet spot in the blackened hearts of fans and critics alike. GQ Magazine named him one of the 25 best dressed men in the world in 2010. He also appeared on HBO's Treme with his dad, troubadour Steve Earle, on whose Grammy Award-winning Townes record Justin also guests.
The aforementioned Woody Guthrie once said, "Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple." On Harlem River Blues, Justin chose the simple route. The record's not a wall of sound produced to the rafters. It's rockin' and reelin' at times, sweet and slow at others-and it's great. Like good fried chicken, a well-cut suit and a handmade guitar, there's heaven to be found in the beautifully crafted simpler things.
Compared to the much-lauded Midnight at the Movies, Harlem River Blues is more mature and increasingly nuanced, while still embracing the raw voice and clean sound of previous standout tracks like "Mama's Eyes." Harlem River Blues kicks off hot with the title track's choir of backing singers and electric guitar, slow dances through a decrepit tenement on "One More Night in Brooklyn," and swings à la Jerry Lee Lewis on "Move Over Mama." "Working for the MTA" is a modern day railway ballad, embracing the labor movement in classic folk singer style over some heartbreaking pedal steel from Calexico's Paul Niehaus. With percussive guitar, killer standup bass lines by Bryn Davies and a guest appearance from Jason Isbell, this record hums along like a 6 train jumpin' the tracks and heading straight for the Tennessee state line.
Harlem River Blues straddles not only the Mason-Dixon, but time itself. As versed in Mance Lipscomb as he is in M. Ward and sporting Marc Jacobs suspenders, Justin Townes Earle is a man beyond eras. With Harlem River Blues, a record that's perfect for late Indian summer nights on either the front porch or fire escape, Justin's found yet another way to be a timeless original.
Show Time: 8:00 pm
Tickets: $22 Door
Advance Tickets: $18 including city tax Available at Streetlight Records 831.421.9200 and www.ticketweb.com
Artist's web site
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Saturday, October 9th, 2010
The Blushing Barefoot Burlesque
Prepare to be tantalized, teased and satisfied by the Blushing Barefoot Burlesque performance troupe as they present you with, Smitten, a composition of comedic flare and sensuality perfectly blended to offer an exciting night of dance, theater, and original vocal performances that may enhance your love of burlesque or perhaps just make you smitten yourself. Accompanied by the transformed sound of the established Northern California band NPK, the troupe is going on the road to expand its vision and communicate a new voice and form of expression via the classic styling’s of burlesque. Of course the BBB extends a personal invitation to you … come and be a part of this burlesque extravaganza!!
The Blushing Barefoot Burlesque is comprised of 18 highly talented female artists, vocalists, actors, dancers, and poets who have transformed together in Northern California with the inspiration and creative intent to bring forth self expression of experiences shared by all women. Ardently fundraising since January, 2010, to debut their first full-feature performance, Smitten was well received at the Garberville Theater in April and again in May at the Arcata Theater Lounge. The troupe is thrilled to bring their first production on the road to the grand stage of the Rio Theater.
Show Time: Doors 8p.m. show 9 p.m
Ticket Prices: $25
Advance Ticket Prices: $20
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Thursday, October 14th, 2010
Reel Rock Film Tour
The fifth annual REEL ROCK Film Tour launching in September 2010 brings the best in climbing and adventure films to local audiences across the globe. REEL ROCK shows are spirited events where climbers and outdoors lovers come together to celebrate and sample the ultimate in adventure filmmaking. Prize giveaways, appearances by top climbers, and fundraising for non-profit organizations are always part of the party at REEL ROCK eve...nts.
The REEL ROCK Tour is the largest climbing event in the world. In 2009, REEL ROCK screened in over 120 locations world-wide, drew over 35,000 audience members, raised over $15,000 for non-profits, partnered with more than 120 retailers, university outing clubs and climbing gyms, and won copious media coverage and critical praise.
This year, REEL ROCK turns five, and co-founders Sender Films and Big UP Productions are celebrating by taking you on a global ride like never before. From death-defying speed link-ups of the wildest faces in The Alps, to Olympian displays of strength and tenacity on the hardest boulders ever climbed, REEL ROCK 2010 features a breathtaking journey through the vertical realm with the heroes of rock and snow.
Show time: 7:00 pm
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Friday, October 15th, 2010
The Morning Benders
Equally indebted to the Shins and Brian Wilson, the Morning Benders mix sunny pop songcraft with jangling guitars, collegiate wit, and a contemporary indie ethic. Frontman Chris Chu launched the group as a solo project in 2005, using a single microphone and laptop to record his first batch of songs. The Loose Change EP arrived in September 2006, and Chu subsequently opened the Benders' doors to several of his UC Berkeley classmates, including drummer Julian Harmon, bassist Tim Or, and guitarist/organist Joe Ferrell. A second EP, Boarded Doors, appeared in early 2007 and was well received by such Bay Area publications as The SF Weekly, prompting Chu to take a part-time job as a studio engineer in order to finance an additional record. Largely produced, engineered, and mixed by Chu himself, the full-length Talking Through Tin Cans arrived in May 2008 on the newly minted +1 Records label.
Talking Through Tin Cans fared well in indie pop circles, and the band toured heavily in support of its release, occasionally serving as the opening act for bands like Death Cab for Cutie and the Kooks. After releasing an album of acoustic pop covers, the Morning Benders pulled up stakes and moved to Brooklyn, where their '60s SoCal hooks gradually gave way to a more experimental sound. With Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor serving as co-producer, the bandmates introduced their new approach with 2010's Big Echo, an ambitious album that fused Chu's pop melodies with atmospheric textures.
Show Time: 8:00 pm
Tickets: $15 + 5% city tax @ Door
Advance Tickets: $12 + 5% city tax
Advance Tickets Available at Streetlight Records 831.421.9200 and www.ticketweb.com Tickets on-sale Aug 21
Artist's web site
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
MINUS THE BEAR
Tim Kasher of Cursive AM supports
Show Time: 8pm, doors 7pm
Tickets: $18 advance $20 door
Advance Tickets at ticketweb.com & streetlight records 831-421-9200
numbskullshows.com presents
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Thursday, October 28th, 2010
Vieux Farka Touré
With international acclaim still pouring in from his second full-length, Fondo-one of iTunes best World Music albums of 2009, and a staple on critics' year-end pick lists as chosen by the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Village Voice and the BBC among many others-Vieux has not only distinguished himself from his famous bluesman father, Malian legend Ali Farka Touré, but begun to transcend the limitations of the worl...d music genre itself.
The release of the concert album VFT Live (Digital: 6/8/10, Physical: 6/29/10) affirms that Mali's young lion has become a legend in his own right, emerging at a crucial point in history, just as the Western world is finally beginning to take notice of West African acts like Amadou & Miriam and Omou Sangare. Not only does VFT Live capture the excitement of Vieux's much- anticipated World Cup performance, but it confirms what tens of thousands of music fans around the world already know: VFT's live show is championshipcaliber.
Though Vieux' rise to the top has happened fairly rapidly, he's paid his dues every step of the way. In 2005, his eponymous debut album established him as an up-and-coming talent and symbolically represented the passing of the torch from father to son. A 2007 remix album, UFOs Over Bamako, recontextualized Vieux's trance-inducing, bluesy style into an electronic dance format, introducing the guitarist to international audiences. After signing with American-based world music label Six Degrees, Vieux released his breakthrough sophomore effort, Fondo, in 2009.
Unanimously hailed as one of the best contemporary African music releases of the year, Fondo saw Vieux emphatically emerging out of Ali's shadow with excursions into jam-rock and electronic virtuosity, fused with the sublime elements of Malian and West African rhythms. Fondo largely made the boundaries between rock and world music immaterial - unlike many African music albums, it didn't require an advanced degree in musicology to appreciate (though that certainly doesn't hurt), just an ear for undeniable grooves and eminently hypnotic rhythms. To its credit, Fondo is as much a "guitar album" as a "world music album," yet it managed to be accessible without catering overly to Western sensibilities.
Show Time: 8:00 pm
Advance Tickets: $15 + 5% city tax
Advance Tickets Available at Streetlight Records 831.421.9200 and www.ticketweb.com
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Friday, 
October 29th, 2010
Santa Cruz Comedy Presents
JACK-O-LAUGHTER
Santa Cruz Comedy presents "Jack-O-Laughter" at the Rio Theatre. A special pre-Halloween performance featuring five of the Bay Area's most talented comedians sharing the stage for one night only! Headliner Kevin Camia has appeared on Comedy Central's 'Live at Gotham' and was named 'Best Up & Coming Comic' at Rooftop's Aspen Comedy Festival. Nationally touring comedians Brendan Lynch, Emily Heller, Trevor Hill, and John Brown will also be bringing their unique comedic minds to Santa Cruz. Start your Halloween festivities with a big bag of funny. No trick. All treat.
Show time: 9:00 pm
Tickets: $15 ADVANCE AND $20 AT THE DOOR
Advance tickets online : TICKETWEB
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Saturday, October 30th, 2010
Ski Flick by Matchstick
THE WAY I SEE IT
Here it is. The most anticipated ski film of 2010. MSP takes you into the action with ÒTHE WAY I SEE IT.Ó This work of epic proportions features top-shelf skiing and cinematography swirled around an eclectic soundtrack. In addition to fueling your fire, this film provides several unique perspectives on our sport, and in the end brings you more epic skiing than you can shake a pole at. The winner of Powder MagazineÕs 2009 ÒMovie of the YearÓ brings you the best athletes on the planet, doing what they do best Ð skiing faster, spinning while flipping and grabbing, and of course, stalking the deepest stashes of snow in the world. The MSP team scoured the globe in search of what makes this sport so specialÉ the adventure, the passion, the camaraderie, and the fun. ÒTHE WAY I SEE ITÓ showcases the greatest deep powder, steep lines, and massive park features from British Columbia, Japan, Alaska, Colorado, Switzerland, Idaho, Washington, and many other locat! ions worldwide.
Featuring the skiing of: Mark Abma, Sean Pettit, Eric Hjorleifson, Henrik Windstedt, Bobby Brown, Colby West, James Heim, Richard Permin, Cody Townsend, Rory Bushfield, Ingrid Backstrom, Gus Kenworthy, Jacob Wester, Russ Henshaw, and others.
Show Time 7:00 - 10:00
Ticket Prices :$15.00
Ticket Physical Point of Sale Location: Rio Theater, Day of Show
Check this out!
For everyone who purchases a ticket for “The Way I See It” you will receive 1-free ticket ($20.00 value) to the Ski & Snowboard Festival put on by SNOWBOMB at either San Francisco, November 6-7, or, Silicon Valley, November 13-14 2010. Not only does this give you access to 1 million dollars worth of incredibly discounted gear but each person that enters will receive 3-free lift tickets to Bear Valley, China Peak and Dodge Ridge. The festival includes wine and brew tasting, BMX ramp exhibition, free Ski mag subscription and a free combo meal by Wahoo’s Fish Tacos. You would be crazy not to see this flick!
www.sfskifest.com
Sponsors: 500mph Films, Snowbomb
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Tuesday, November 9th, 2010
Stars
Sharing a fondness for sophisticated soul and pop artists like the Smiths, New Order, and Marvin Gaye, vocalist Torquil Campbell and keyboardist Chris Seligman formed Stars in Toronto. Along with friends Evan Cranley (also of Big Rude Jake) and Amy Millan (who contributed to the soundtrack for the film Drowning Mona), the band relocated to New York City before returning to Canada, this time settling in Montreal. Their debut full-length, Nightsongs, was released in early 2001, with the Comeback EP following later that same year. The band's mix of pop and indie rock made Stars a popular act in Montreal, not to mention an important part of the city's burgeoning indie scene, and their success began spreading into other cities as well.
Before 2002 came to an end, the band headed back into the studio to record a sophomore effort. The soft-hued Heart was released to critical acclaim in the U.K. before Christmas; Heart appeared stateside on the Canadian label Arts & Crafts during summer 2003. The ambitious Set Yourself on Fire followed two years later, and all of its tracks were creatively remixed by the band's peers. Stars released those remixed songs on a new album, Do You Trust Your Friends?, in 2007. During July of that year, as a preemptive measure to beat any blog leaks of their next record, Stars made In Our Bedroom After the War available for download two months before its actual September release date. They also created their own label, Soft Revolution, which released the band's next studio album, The Five Ghosts, in 2010.
Show Time: 8:00 pm
Advance Tickets: $18 On sale Friday, July 9th
Available at Streetlight Records 831.421.9200 and www.ticketweb.com
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Friday, December 3rd, 2010
Riding the Rails
100 minute film documentary
By the early 1950's a new generation of California's youth had begun to embrace the sport of surfing and its back-to-the-ladn lifestyle. Many of them would chose to abandon he big-city "rat race" and migrate to the quiet beach town of Santa Cruz, joining together with a handful of locals to partake in what is now regarded as the Golden Age of Surfing, before Hollywood and its creations revealed the secret and brought the trampling masses to the coast and an end to a remarkable era in California's history. Produced by Bay Area filmmaker Chris Thompson, this documentary features archival footage and interviews with the key figures of the era, several of whom will be making a personal appearance to answer questions from the audience after the film.
Show time: 7:00 pm, doors 6:30
Tickets: $10.00