Celebrating live music, stand-up and storytelling in Santa Cruz since 1983

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Upcoming shows

  1. Garrison Keillor

    with Heather Masse & Richard Dworsky

    8:00 pmRio TheatreSunday, December 13, 2026

    Garrison Keillor

    With cheerfulness and wit, the natural storyteller has endured the decades.

    The familiar, decent characters of Lake Wobegon will undoubtedly be woven 

    in to the evening, along with a limerick or two, and communal singalongs 

    to lift the spirits.

  2. On A Winters Night

    with Patty Larkin, Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky

    8:00 pmRio TheatreSaturday, March 6, 2027

    On A Winters Night

    Presenting the reunion tour of "On a Winters Night" from veteran songwriters that remain among the brightest stars of the singer/songwriter movement for the past three decades.

    Patty Larkin, Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky

  3. Paula Poundstone

    Back to Santa Cruz!

    8:00 pmRio TheatreFriday, August 27, 2027

    Paula Poundstone

    Iconic comedian Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor and a spontaneous wit that has become the stuff of legend. She regularly plays theaters across the country, hosts a weekly comedy podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone, and is a regular panelist on NPR’s Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me.

  4. Sandra Bernhard

    Caught Off Guard tour

    Rio TheatreRescheduled - New date coming in 2027

    Sandra Bernhard

    Sandra Bernhard’s Caught Off Guard show, originally scheduled for ​November 29th at the Rio theatre in Santa Cruz is being postponed to 2027 due to scheduling conflicts with a current TV project. 

    All tickets will be honored for the new date. 

    We will reach out to ticket holders directly as soon as the new date is confirmed. 

    Sandra looks forward to seeing everyone next year! 

All tickets are subject to applicable city taxes and service charges.

Beware of counterfeit tickets. We recommend buying only from this Pulse site or directly from the venue’s website.