White Album Ensemble to perform classic Beatles LPs

One tribute band, Santa Cruz’s very own White Album Ensemble, focuses largely on the Beatles’ later years when their music became too complex and experimental to be replicated live. For two upcoming shows at the Rio Theatre, the White Album Ensemble will be playing a truncated version of their namesake set — 16 out of the 30 songs on “The White Album” — to make way for a full performance of the album that marked the end of the Beatles’ touring days.

That would be “Revolver,” the Beatles’ 1966 album which was released a full three weeks before the group played their final concert at Candlestick Park, and thus none of the songs made their setlists during their tour that year. The album kicked off the Beatles’ psychedelic era, taking inspiration from Eastern mysticism on songs like “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “Love You To,” getting political on “Taxman” and even incorporating strings on “Eleanor Rigby.” It is often regarded as one of the band’s best and set the standard for all of their albums to follow. The White Album Ensemble will be utilizing the talents of the WAE String Ensemble and the brass group Mind Over Mattherhorns to accurately represent the album’s instrumentation.

The shows will be 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $37.50 for general admission and $47.50 for Gold Circle members. For more information, go to RioTheatre.com.

Have a funky new year at The Crepe Place

There will be plenty of New Year’s Eve parties throughout Santa Cruz County, but as always, The Crepe Place is going all out with its end of the year celebration.

It all kicks off with sets by Santa Cruz funk bands Velour, Trianna Feruza and the Heavy Hitters, then gives way to the Planet of the Crepes dance party where people can dance to vinyl classics. It all concludes with a champagne toast at midnight. It should leave everyone prepared for a “crepe new year.”

The party is 8-11:55 p.m. Tuesday at The Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave. Tickets are $20 in advance. For more information, go to TheCrepePlace.com.

Ring out the old, in with the new with Beats Antique

The Catalyst Club is also celebrating the end of the year, and they are doing so with Oakland’s very own Beats Antique.Beats Antique was formed by belly dancer Zoe Jakes, music virtuoso David Satori and percussionist Tommy Cappel when Jakes approached Miles Copeland, producer and record executive most known for managing The Police, about producing an album. The result was 2007’s “Tribal Derivations.” Since then, Beats Antique have combined a mix of genres, including jazz, hip-hop, electronic music and various forms of world music, including Afrobeats and Middle Eastern belly dancing. Audiences will get quite the fusion when they see them live. Opening will be Seattle electronic duo YAIMA.

The concert is 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave. Doors open at 8. Tickets range from $64.87 to $93.92. This is a 16-and-older show. For more information, go to CatalystClub.com.

End of the year heats up with Space Heater at Moe’s Alley

Once again, Moe’s Alley is also going all out with its New Year’s Eve party, featuring a photo booth, champagne toast, a set by DJ Traveler and the funky sounds of Space Heater.

Based out of Santa Cruz, Space Heater cite James Brown and Prince as inspiration and are prepared to take audiences on a cosmic journey. Since many people are planning to exercise more as part of their New Year’s resolutions, why not get started on that a day early with a set that is sure to get bodies moving?

The concert is 9 p.m. Tuesday at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way. Doors open at 8. Tickets are $35 in advance and $30 the day of the show. This is a 21-and-older event. For more information, go to MoesAlley.com.

This week’s calendar was compiled by Nick Sestanovich.