Join us for a fun Thursday evening of trivia, pizza, tacos, wine, and good friends. Host and Americana songwriter/musician Michael Gaither hosts this weekly event starting at 7 PM each Thursday. Typically, 60-80 regulars and newcomers join us for the fun and the chance to win one of three bottles of wine. There’s no cost to play, and no reservation is needed.

The topic and associated hints are posted each week on the Instagram and Facebook accounts of El Vaquero Winery and Michael Gaither. The game consists of 20 questions related to the week’s topic, including five video questions and five audio questions. If you’re confident in your answers for the video and/or audio questions, you can play Double or Nothing. Michael may even perform a couple of live songs!

Pizza can be ordered by texting Corralitos Pizza and will be delivered to your table about 40 minutes later. Also, Chubby's Tacos will be parked outside the winery and available starting about 6:30 pm. They make killer Quesebirria tacos.

Great ready for a night with a band of talented musicians from your favorite local band! Ted Welty, Don Caruth, Rob Ouse and Ryan Price rock out together in this four piece group! Make reservations now and come enjoy the music, amazing tacos from The Taco House and our award winning EL Vaquero Wines. Go to bit.ly/evwevents to save your spot!

Make reservations at for the return of El Vaquero’s favorite Americana/Swamp Music/Blues Band - Jeffrey Halford & The Healers.

These guys are so good that:
Their albums are reviewed by Rolling Stone Magazine
Bill Wyman of the ROLLING STONES requested they record “Mississippi Flyer”, a song Billy Wyman wrote
Nashville Scene said "Halford, one of the best slide players on the planet".
Every fall they play 11-20 gigs in Germany, The Netherlands and Berlin where there newest "Soul Crusader" release hit #1 on the EuroAmericana Charts.
Their percussionist Adam Rossi plays the keyboards and drums…simultaneously!
Jeffrey Halford and the Healers are regularly played on KPIG with such songs as Walk to the River, Elvis Shot The Television, Mexico, Dead Man’s Hand and many, many more.
They are regulars at El Vaquero Winery and always deliver a great time

So come on out and discover one of your next favorite bands !

We’ll have award winning wines and food from Riot BBQ! Cover is $10, reservations are highly recommended at bit.ly/evwevents

Make reservations at bit.ly/evwevents to welcome the B-Movie Kings back to El Vaquero Winery.

The B-Movie Kings have been together for almost 25 years, playing classic rock dance music and watching audiences dance and enjoy their favorite songs.

Kevin Krilanovich fronts the band. He’s a Santa Cruz icon, having played with many groups over the years. His last band, The Beggar Kings, was led by Dale Ockerman, a former member of the Doobie Brothers. Kevin's vocals are a treat for all our fans and the band! Nick Adams, the manager and guitarist, is the founding member of the band. Eric Gunn, the drummer has been with the band from the beginning.

The B-Movie Kings have gotten air time on KPIG, and KFOX, and finished as a finalist on KFOX's Last Rock Band Standing competition (with over
300 bay area bands involved).

The band has always been a local fan favorite playing at The Crow's Nest, Bargetto's Winery, The Catalyst , Sandbar, and the Cork and Fork. THERE WILL BE DANCING, LOTS OF DANCING.

Make your reservations at bit.ly/evwevents to see the return of cumbia-tex mex-salsa and overall really good band Rasquache Liberation Front (RLF).

With seasoned veterans who've shared stages with icons like Los Lobos and Willie Nelson, the RLF will captivate you with musical prowess, delivering soaring melodies, sweet harmonies, and infectious rhythms honed alongside musical legends. Drawing from a rich array of Latin influences including Buena Vista Social Club, Flaco Jimenez, Eddie Palmieri, and Fito Olivares, the RLF's unique sound blends seamlessly with rock and blues, forming an irresistible concoction of Chicano music. Previous shows at El Vaquero Winery have included special guests Mario Ramirez (younger brother of Richie “Labomba” Valens) and mariachero Javier Vargas.

Reservations are highly recommended and available at bit.ly/evwevents. Cover charge at the door is $10.

Make reservations at bit.ly/evwevents for the return of Big Bad Wolf at El Vaquero Winery.

Big Bad Wolf Hailing from Aptos, in Santa Cruz County, California, Big Bad Wolf howls with a special off-the-beaten-path brand of tasty and danceable blues-based classic rock from groups and artists like Creedence, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, Jon Hiatt, John Don’t Fogerty, The Hollies, and many more. A party with The Big Bad Wolf is always a high octane, rip-roaring good time.

Jefferson's John Fogerty vocals are spot on! Their “One Headlight” rendition is as good as the Wallflowers!

Reservations are highly recommended at bit.ly/evwevents, Cover charge is $10 at the door.

Make your reservations at bit.ly/evwevents for the Alex Lucero Band at El Vaquero Winery starring the winner of the 2023 and 2024 Good Times Best Local Solo Artist and Band award The Alex Lucero Band.

Alex Lucero might have grown up in “The Cowboy Capital of The World”, but don’t let that fool you. Despite being brought up in a very “country” esque environment in small town Oakdale, Ca, Alex actually grew up listening almost exclusively to the soulful music of the 60’s & 70’s. Artists such as Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Van Morrison and Stevie Wonder have played a huge part in his musical influences and overall feel. Alex Lucero & The Live Again Band have received incredible response across Northern California being played regularly on multiple radio stations and on permanent rotation on the well known KPIG 107 “oink” 5.

$10 Cover, reservations are required at bit.ly/evwevents

Enjoy Alex & Justina Lucero on this special holiday.

Make reservations at bit.ly/evwevents for the return of SPUN, Santa Cruz’s BEST 80s & 90s Rock Covers Band They opened Capitola’s 2024 Summer Twilights Concert series, and killed it!

They are some of the best local musicians including fun front man Patrick Buon Sante, lead guitarist Ted Welty, bassist Daniel Vee Lewis and drummer Andy Ziker. Matt Shaw (harmonica) will also join for a few tunes.

Hear and dance to the sound track of your life Bob: at least my life anyways), including: Van Halen, Tom Petty, Sublime, CCR, ZZ Top, Rolling Stones, Ramones, Marshall Tucker Band, Queen, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many, many more.


$10 Cover, Reservations are recommended at bit.ly/evwevents.

Make reservations at bit.ly/evwevents to see the return of FISHHOOK at El Vaquero Winery.

FishHook delivers a double dose of high-energy musical magic! For an electrifying musical experience that echoes the charm of historic rock bands, catch FishHook! The band that never lets off the gas .

Bob: This is no lie, Fishhook Delivers What They Advertise. They are excellent musicians and a very FUN band. The last time they played here they played 3 hours straight with no break! One of the best Dance bands in Santa Cruz.

They are one of the most entertaining bands in the area that includes the Central Coast and the greater SF Bay area.

Audience favorite tunes they play include tunes by The Beatles, The Stones, The Cure, Tom Petty, The Cars, Cheap Trick, CCR, Aerosmith, The Clash, Queen, Sublime, Green Day, and much, much more.

Make reservations at bit.ly/evwevents to see the Joint Chiefs at El Vaquero Winery.

Bob: “ The Joint Chiefs are one of the two most popular bands in the Santa Cruz area and likely the most danceable band.”

The Joint Chiefs are one of the most versatile and exciting dance bands currently performing on the Northern California music scene. Since their inception in 1990, The Joint Chiefs have built a loyal following based on their live performances as well as their wide range of styles and influences.

Their sound fuses elements of funk, acid jazz and classic R&B with their own signature groove. The result is a dance party of infectious grooves.

Since members of the band were raised on 70’s funk, the band is able to capture the real funk feel that all other bands try to imitate.

With a repertoire of over 200 songs and a history of 100s of performances in the Bay Area’s most popular venues, The Joint Chiefs play everything from low volume instrumental jazz to full blown dance crazed funk.

Cover is $10, reservations are highly recommended at bit.ly/evwevents.

Make reservations at bit.ly/evwevents to see Touch’d Too Much AC/DC Tribute Band at El Vaquero Winery.

Local musicians agree, these guys are great, they sound just like Bon Scott era AC/DC, just close your eyes and believe your ears.

Get your reservations at bit.ly/evwevents early, they sold out last time!

Make reservations at bit.ly/evwevents to see Old School Rock Band Stormin Norman and The Cyclones as they celebrate the release of their latest CD and the return to El Vaquero Winery after their first appearance and sell out here last year.
The band features:
Stormin Norman Louis- Rhythm Guitar & vocals
Ken Kraft - of SNAIL (Santa Cruz Famous Band in the 70s) fame & White Album Ensemble-Lead guitar & vocals
Jojo Fox - Bass & vocals
Jim Hannibal- Saxophone Extraordinaire
Scott Kail - Drums
The new CD features 8 great new Norm Louis originals plus 3 of your favorite covers.
BY THE WAY - KPIG has chosen "Road Trip," the new release from Stormin' Norman and The Cyclones for their Fresh Pork Chops: Week of November 18th, 2024.
Cover $10, Reservations recommended at bit.ly/evwevents

Make reservations at bit.ly/evwevents for the return of SPUN, Santa Cruz’s BEST 80s & 90s Rock Covers Band They opened Capitola’s 2024 Summer Twilights Concert series, and killed it!

They are some of the best local musicians including fun front man Patrick Buon Sante, lead guitarist Ted Welty, bassist Daniel Vee Lewis and drummer Andy Ziker. Matt Shaw (harmonica) will also join for a few tunes.

Hear and dance to the sound track of your life Bob: at least my life anyways), including: Van Halen, Tom Petty, Sublime, CCR, ZZ Top, Rolling Stones, Ramones, Marshall Tucker Band, Queen, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many, many more.


$10 Cover, Reservations are recommended at bit.ly/evwevents.