Are you an aspiring or professional photographer? Then join our Van Gogh Photo Challenge this spring! We invite all photographers to flex their creative muscles and capture the true beauty of almond blossom season.

The Alex Lucero Band, originally from Oakdale and now based in Santa Cruz, is comprised of multigenerational members who perform a unique fusion of Soul, Funk, Jazz Fusion, Rock and Roots Americana. The band has made their mark in multiple European cities along with New York, Boston and other main stages throughout California. Named Santa Cruz County’s best musician and best band two years in a row, they released their most recent album, the all-original “Same Moon,” in 2023. The band’s live performances are electrifying!

Learn more at alexluceroband.com.

NEA Jazz Master and Grammy Award winning trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis formed the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (UJO) to keep important jazz music traditions alive, including riff-playing, spontaneous group improvisations, and collective New Orleans instrumental polyphony. At the time, Marsalis realized that the New Orleans music community was lacking the infusion of young homegrown talent outside of the great brass band tradition, and chose to form an orchestra that could present traditional, classic, and modern compositions with authenticity. Since that time, UJO has grown into one of the premier large ensembles in the world, releasing three CDs to critical acclaim, and touring locally, nationally, and internationally.