SANTA CRUZ

DNA, Karin Babbitt record comedy album at Kuumbwa

As comedians, DNA and Karin Babbitt have spent decades generating laughs on stage, but neither has ever recorded a comedy album. That changes Friday when both come together to record their first comedy record live onstage at Kuumbwa Jazz.

DNA (legal name: DNA) won his first comedy competition at the Showtime College Comedy Laff-Off at Chico State, appeared on NPR’s “Snap Judgement” and was a chauffeur for Timothy Leary. He also founded and curated the Santa Cruz Comedy Festival for more than 10 years and founded the local DNA’s Comedy Lab.

West Hollywood comic Babbitt was a regular performer at the Comedy Store throughout the ’80s, was a finalist in the 1990 San Francisco International Comedy Competition and was featured on “MTV Comedy Half Hour” and VH1’s “Stand-Up Spotlight.” She is also an instructor at San Francisco Comedy College.

The show is hosted by Michael Booth, a Santa Cruz Comedy Festival performer who also runs monthly shows at local venues like Bruno’s Bar & Grill and Woodhouse Blending and Brewing.

The show is 7:30 p.m. Friday at Kuumbwa Jazz, 320 Cedar St. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $23.18. This is a 16-and-older show. For more information, go to KuumbwaJazz.org.

Quite the deal: Kim Deal to play Rio

Fans of ’80s and ’90s alternative rock, you will have a legend in your midst when Kim Deal performs at the Rio Theatre Friday.

Deal is best known for her work as the bassist for The Pixies, the Boston indie rock band who became heroes to many aspiring musicians in the late ’80s with their twin masterpieces “Surfer Rosa” and “Doolittle” and helped set the template for the “quiet verses, loud choruses” format exemplified by many bands throughout the ’90s. Kurt Cobain from Nirvana even admitted that “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was his band’s attempt at a Pixies-style song. Deal also fronted The Breeders, whose 1993 song “Cannonball” was a massive hit on MTV and alternative stations. In November, she released her first solo album “Nobody Loves You More” featuring Deal’s signature style while also incorporating elements of bossa nova and brass instruments as well as contributions from the likes of Raconteurs bassist Jack Lawrence, former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer and sister and Breeders collaborator Kelley Deal. She is also the subject of the Dandy Warhols song “Cool as Kim Deal,” which sums up everything you need to know. Opening will be songwriter Morgan Nagler.

The concert is 8 p.m. Friday at the Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave. Doors open at 7. Tickets start at $51.98. For more information, go to RioTheatre.com.

Moe’s Alley mainstays Metalachi make return

Metalachi, a quintet that performs classic metal and rock songs in a mariachi style, will be returning to Moe’s Alley Friday.

The five-piece Los Angeles band performs a variety of heavy metal favorites from the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Judas Priest but infuses them with staple instruments and melodies of mariachi music for a sound that blends the high-octane energy of metal with stripped-down traditionalism of corridos. Metalachi’s unique style has brought them to “America’s Got Talent,” the Monsters of Rock Cruise, Netflix is a Joke festival and an AT&T commercial where they could be seen performing Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take it.” Opening will be the Zombie Coffee Collective.

The concert is 9 p.m. Friday at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way. Doors open at 8. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show. This is a 21-and-older concert. For more information, go to MoesAlley.com.

Pooches become stars at Top Dog Film Festival

Dogs have a proud legacy in film from Rin Tin Tin and Lassie all the way up to “The Artist” star Uggie. This Saturday, audiences will have an opportunity to see some of the budding hounds of cinema when the Top Dog Film Festival comes to the Rio Theatre.

Based out of Australia, the Top Dog Film Festival is a touring showcase of dog-centered movies from throughout the world. This year’s pawsome lineup includes “Bionic Pets,” “Andy: A Dog’s Tale,” “Dogsville,” “The Comforter: Penny Ruthberg,” “A Dog’s Tale” and “Man’s First Friend.” Proceeds will support the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, and a pre-show Yappy Hour will be held at Sante Adarius, 1315 Water St.

The festival is 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Rio, 1205 Soquel Ave. Tickets are $25.31 and can be purchased at EventBrite.com. For more information, go to RioTheatre.com.

This week’s calendar was compiled by Nick Sestanovich.