SANTA CRUZ

Film-concert ‘Right in the Eye’ pays tribute to films of Méliès

Cinephiles and music lovers should have plenty to enjoy when the French concert-film “Right in the Eye” comes to the Rio Theatre to celebrate the groundbreaking cinematography of Georges Méliès.

French filmmaker Méliès is one of the most important figures in the history of cinema, having laid the groundwork for special effects and narrative storytelling with his early 20th century films. The most famous of these is 1902’s “A Trip to the Moon” which provided a glimpse of potential lunar life 67 years before Apollo 11 brought humans to the moon — and it brought an iconic image in the form of a rocket capsule stuck in the moon’s eye.

Jean-François Alcoléa crafted a show that features 12 films blended with live performances, most notably a trio of musicians who play everything from piano to harpsichord to soundboards, theremins, aquaplanes, glockenspiels and even everyday objects like circular saws and takeout container lids. It is an event that will make you feel like you have been to the moon and back.

The show is 2 p.m. Sunday at the Rio, 1205 Soquel Ave. Tickets are $40 for general admission and free for children under 10. For more information, go to RioTheatre.com.

Bookshop Santa Cruz hosts Caldecott medalist Brian Selznick

Two years ago, award-winning author and illustrator came to Santa Cruz to discuss his then-new book “Big Tree” at London Nelson Community Center for a discussion presented by Bookshop Santa Cruz. Now, the shop is bringing Selznick back to the store itself Tuesday for a discussion of his new novel “Run Away with Me.”

For more than 30 years, Selznick has written and illustrated numerous books. His illustration work includes the 20th anniversary editions of the “Harry Potter” books and the novellas of Andrew Clements, but he has also written many books of his own, including “Wonderstruck,” “The Marvels” and “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” which became the first novel to win a Caldecott Medal for illustrations.

“Run Away with Me” tells the story of Danny, a teenage boy who spends summers in Rome where his mother works in a museum. He meets a boy named Angelo, who shares stories of his city, and the two share stories of each other that blossom into a friendship and feelings of attraction for one another.

The discussion is 6 p.m. Tuesday at Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz Pride is co-sponsoring the event. People can register in advance at BookshopSantaCruz.com to allow organizers to assist with planning and reaching out in the event of any changes. The event is free.

FELTON

Laura Jane Grace brings new group to Felton

For more than 25 years, Laura Jane Grace has caused many a concertgoer to bang their heads in rhythm to her powerful voice through the many bands she has performed with. Audiences can experience some of that with her newest outfit, Laura Jane Grace and the Mississippi Medicals, when they play at Felton Music Hall Wednesday.Grace is best known as the lead singer of the Florida punk band Against Me, which played multiple Warped Tour festivals and received alternative airplay in the late 2000s with songs like “Thrash Unreal,” “Stop” and “I Was a Teenage Anarchist.” Grace came out as transgender in 2012 after having experienced gender dysphoria since she was a child. She has been very open about her gender and transition, which was the subject of Against Me’s 2014 album “Transgender Dysphoria Blues.” She has also put out two solo albums and fronted other bands including Laura Jane Grace and Devouring Mothers, and Laura Jane Grace and the Trauma Tropes. Her newest project is the Mississippi Medicals, featuring Matt Patton of Drive-by Truckers on bass, Mikey Erg of The Ergs on drums and Grace’s wife Paris Campbell Grace on vocals and percussion. The band released an EP called “Give an Inch” and are currently on tour. Opening will be Alex Lahey and Rodeo Boys.

The concert is 8 p.m. Wednesday at Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $37.55 in advance. This is a 21-and-older concert. For more information, go to FeltonMusicHall.com.

This week’s calendar was compiled by Nick Sestanovich.