When I rode my red beach cruiser from Live Oak to the Westside to go record shopping, it was an epic journey for a then twelve-year old, the tween equivalent of the Mayflower crossing the Atlantic. Music was my communion; it was the lens through which I saw the world, providing a sonic language, forging indelible links of belonging and understanding. As that awkward LP obsessed kid (Logos FOREVER!!), I never could have fathomed what would happen in my life, or where my religious fervour for bands, artists, subcultures and all things inbetween would take me.
My travels and travails are varied and probably worthy of a memoir in themselves: I do not know anyone else who has gulped beers with a Grammy-winning artist at a Hell’s Angel Club House and twenty-four hours later given a lecture at Cambridge University. To me, that is a perfect reflection of what being a Santa Cruzan is all about: moving between seemingly divergent worlds fluidly with grace, being inquisitive and having fun. Through it all, the one thing that has never changed is my evangelical obsession with the place I grew up.
When I left California to move to London in 2009, I made a vow to somehow figure out a way to bring value and opportunity to the place that I love more than any other: my 
hometown.
With Event Santa Cruz, Matthew has created a community celebrating our distinctive culture, bringing to life unique and meaningful opportunities to be made through experiential shared moments, something that is arguably more important now than ever before.
The last time I was home, I had an evening out downtown that was pure, epic, JOY. It made me realize it had been a while since inspiration and unadulterated delight had been at the forefront of my priorities. It made me remember how vital fun and connection is- and now I want more! Thanks to Event Santa Cruz, I now have the opportunity to create some of the most exciting and unexpected experiences, bringing more JOY to the best place on earth (Santa Cruz, obviously!).
I cannot wait to meet you all!
Love, JEN
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW for JULY 17th when we kick off our inaugural LEGENDS LIVE & LOCAL event with none other than Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and trailblazing artist Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s! More information coming soon.
Interested in sponsoring this unique night of music and chat? We want to talk!
