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NYE 2025 - Gathering In Gratitude

Artist Led Mega Party

Location

The 418 Project

155 S. River St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

About This Event

Ring in the New Year with an Artist-Led Mega-Party Like No Other!

Join us for an unforgettable night of celebration, creativity, and community as we concoct the brightest New Year — together with you! Dance the night away with the electrifying sounds of MaMuse and Sitar Power, contribute your memories and dreams to our mesmerizing collective constellation sculpture by Liminal Space Collective, and indulge in delicious Chai from India Joze or cocktails from Movin' and Shakin' at our vibrant bars.

Be captivated by spoken word poetry, and experience the thrill of midnight aerial dance by Cloud Mirage Circus as we welcome in 2025.

Lineup & Featured Artists

  • MaMuse (Headliner) — Soulful folk revival duo Sarah Nutting and Karisha Longaker with their full band, delivering uplifting harmonies and rolling rhythms.
  • Sitar Power feat. Ashwin Batish (Headliner) — Electrifying Indian classical and rock fusion featuring Ashwin, Meena, and Keshav Batish, plus Myron Dove (Santana).
  • Cloud Mirage Circus (Feature) — Stunning Santa Cruz aerialists soaring overhead throughout the night with midnight aerial ceremony.
  • Shekinah Tribal Belly Dance (Support) — American Tribal Style (ATS) belly dance troupe directed by Inna Dagman in sacred feminine dance improvisation.
  • Lex Is Word & Julian Blackmon (Spoken Word Guests) — Award-winning poets bringing raw lyricism, slam poetry, and creative resistance.
  • Liminal Space Collective (Art Installation) — Interactive "Constellation of Memories and Dreams" sculpture and chill downtempo art sanctuary in the Small Theater.
  • DJ Electric Tomcat (Oasis Lobby) — Resident selector spinning vibrant soundscapes alongside Joze Chai and craft cocktails.

Evening Schedule

  • 8:00 PM — Doors Open & Oasis Lobby Activation (Coat check, chai, craft cocktails, Photo Casbah, DJ Electric Tomcat)
  • 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM — "Constellation of Memories and Dreams" Interactive Sculpture in the Small Theater
  • 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM — MaMuse (Full Band Opening Set on the Large Theater Mega-Dance Stage)
  • 9:30 PM – 9:45 PM — Shekinah Tribal Belly Dance
  • 9:45 PM – 11:15 PM — Sitar Power feat. Ashwin Batish
  • 11:15 PM – 11:45 PM — Cloud Mirage Circus & Spoken Word Virtuosos (Lex Is Word, Julian Blackmon)
  • 11:45 PM – 12:30 AM — Ring in Midnight with MaMuse (Prayerformance & Ecstatic Dance)

Featured Artists & Lineup

8 Artists
MaMuse

MaMuse

Headliner
Soulful folk revival duo Sarah Nutting and Karisha Longaker with their full band, delivering powerful lyrics, uplifting harmonies, and rollicking rhythms.
Sitar Power feat. Ashwin Batish

Sitar Power feat. Ashwin Batish

Headliner
Master sitar player Ashwin Batish blending traditional Indian classical music with electrifying rock fusion, featuring Meena and Keshav Batish, plus Myron Dove (Santana).
Cloud Mirage Circus

Cloud Mirage Circus

Featured
Santa Cruz aerialists creating ambient living chandeliers overhead and high-flying midnight aerial feats.
Shekinah Tribal Belly Dance

Shekinah Tribal Belly Dance

Supporting Act
Santa Cruz American Tribal Style (ATS) belly dance troupe directed by Inna Dagman, embodying sacred feminine sisterhood and improvisational synchronization.

Lex Is Word

Guest Artist
Spoken word artist and poet Lex Beatty sharing poetic perspectives at the intersection of spirit, healing, and creative resistance.

Julian Blackmon

Guest Artist
Award-winning slam poet "Protected Poet", author, and performer bringing raw lyricism and power to the stage.
Liminal Space Collective

Liminal Space Collective

Art Installation
Interactive installation docents presenting Constellation of Memories and Dreams for the Future and cozy downtempo lounge.

DJ Electric Tomcat

DJ Set
Resident selector spinning vibrant soundscapes in the Oasis Lobby alongside India Joze Chai and Movin & Shakin cocktails.

Visiting The 418 Project: What to Expect

House guidelines to ensure a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone

We are committed to a safe, welcoming environment where everyone is treated with cultural and personal respect across all backgrounds and identities. We hold the highest standards for consent—in movement, touch, and conversation. Always check in first, honor boundaries, and ensure that consent is clear, voluntary, and ongoing.
As a community-run non-profit collective with a small staff, we cannot clean everything after every event. Please help us care for the space by picking up after yourself, placing recycling and compost in the bins provided, and treating every room with kindness so it remains welcoming for the next gathering.
We have a filtered water bottle refill station on-site, so feel free to bring a refillable bottle. All restrooms are all-gender, ADA-accessible, and located conveniently on the ground floor.
To ensure everyone can breathe and move comfortably—especially community members with chemical sensitivities and asthma—The 418 Project is a low-fragrance space. Please refrain from applying perfumes, scented colognes, or strongly scented lotions before attending.
As an artist-driven non-profit collective, we believe movement and art should be accessible to all regardless of financial circumstances. Many events feature sliding scale tickets, and we offer work-trade opportunities for community members who wish to volunteer in exchange for admission.
Plan Your Visit

Venue & Accessibility

The 418 Project is located in downtown Santa Cruz. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming space for all dancers, artists, and community members.

Address: 155 S. River St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Accessibility: Ground floor entrances & all-gender accessible restrooms
Parking: On-street parking & nearby River Street public garage

Gallery

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Upcoming at The 418 Project