Tuna Can Cabaret #5
14 December 2024

In the battle of performance versus archive and defense of immediacy, film screenings of Tuna Can Cabaret #5: Live Music Spanking and Snacks is suspended. Perfect urgent fun was the name of the game as Tuna Can Cabaret #5 came to life for one night: with live music spanking and snacks. Everyone was invited to come dressed as their favorite dictator. Master of Ceremonies Jonathan Carter Schall presided in bowtie the Santa Cruz Art Expressions gallery set on historic Pacific Avenue above Lulu Carpenter’s Cafe. Rachel Maryam Smith sang five bebop tunes with her pick up band, was spanked three times by audience members Mark and George, and spanked one audience member Mark. Following the performance audience made a live jam session — completed with soloing trombone and saxophone — and the crew continued to film interviews. Filming was generously sponsored by Bill Duran.

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Santa Cruz Art Expressions is in Downtown Santa Cruz. Doors opened at 6 p.m. with an 7 p.m. performance. Admission was forty dollars and no one was turned away for lack of funds. The event pulled in the cost of venue reservation.

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Support and participants are encouraged to contact us. Submission to film festivals is suspended. Email inquiries.

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CREW

Jonathan Carter Schall, Master of Ceremony

Rachel Maryam Smith, Dalang

Colt Hayhurst, Guitar

Victor Revere, Bass

Drummin’ Dave Dreyfus, Drums

​​Sergio Togliatti, Production and Saxophone

Marcello Hutchinson-Trujillo, Cinematography

Chris Connor, House and Film Lights and Trombone

Rob Cardy, Sound and House

Brian Snow, Door Manager

Dr. Qi (Thomas Ross), Promotion Assist

Mark Roberts, Character

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Frankly, it is difficult to know where to begin to describe Tuna Can Cabaret #5. It is fifth in a series of live performances inspired by my experience with the local Tuna Can, a group of elevated tech guys in the Scotty D-founded e-mtb club riding world class equipment on world class trails. One time I rode with them is documented in Tuna Can Crew Feb 18, 2023 a five-minute film by The Hulk documenting our Tuna Can ride between the Tuna Can at Keith Swick’s house in Forrest Lakes Felton, California and universal gem Santa Cruz rideable miles away. The Tuna Can teaches that if the Tuna Can can Can-Can then you can Can-Can, too. Tuna Roller Coast Dayz A Tuna Can Production by Hula Scott documents my final ride with the group. They continue to ride and I lightly tune into TunaCan on Signal.​

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A primary influence is Cyber Wedding to the Bring Shrimp by Ewelina Jarosz and Justyna Górowska in performance and addressment of the archive. They collaborated with my mentor duo Beth Stephens/Annie Sprinkle and made me a violin-playing brine shrimp. Hito Styerl’s poor image sets my larger ethos and Byung Chul-Han sets my approach to time in Vita Contemplativa: In Praise of Inactivity (2024).

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Just as in theatre and real life 1) the closer you are to the Bubble Lady the wetter you get and 2) there are no rules and 3) art like this thrives on support from you. My Special Thanks especially go to Steve at Ugly Mug, Colin Smith, the r. Blitzer Residency, my friend and former patron Dohn Grube, Santa Cruz Art Expressions, and Bill Duran.
 

Please support this project, through your donation:

Venmo @RachelMaryamSmith

PayPal rmmsmith@ucdavis.edu​

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Send an email to get involved.