Past
Events
Past Events
VOTING RIGHTS IN AMERICA ft. RANDOM RAB
Music • Democracy • The Fight for Fair Representation Live Concert + Panel Discussion The 418 Project • Santa Cruz
Voting Rights, Gerrymandering & the Fight for Fair Representation A Panel Discussion + Concert — The 418 Project, Santa Cruz — September 19th, 2026 Brought to you by the Romero Institute, the 418 Project, and Heart Tribe Presents. Indivisible Santa Cruz is a promotion partner for this event.
About This Event
Across the country, the machinery of representative democracy is under strain. This event brings together a panel of issue experts for a nonpartisan conversation about three converging threats to fair representation in the United States — followed by live music. This is not a candidate forum, and it is not about one political party versus another. We're looking at these issues through the lens of democracy and representation itself, and the way they affect communities — conservative and liberal alike.
What We'll Cover
- The Supreme Court and the Voting Rights Act — In April 2026, the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais significantly narrowed Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, raising the bar for proving that a state has diluted the voting power of communities of color through redistricting.
- The nationwide gerrymandering wave — Starting with Texas's mid-decade congressional redistricting in 2025, a wave of new district maps has reshaped the U.S. House map, shifting seats toward conservative-leaning states heading into this year's elections and prompting several liberal-leaning states to consider redrawing their own maps in response.
- Underrepresentation of communities of color — One consequence playing out in real time: communities of color are losing their representation in the House of Representatives. For example, in May 2026, Louisiana's legislature passed a new congressional map that eliminated one of the state's two majority-Black congressional districts, reducing Black Louisianans' opportunity to elect their preferred candidates from two districts to one.
Our panel will unpack what’s happening, why it matters, and what's at stake for voters and communities of color regardless of where they live on the political spectrum.
The Panelists
Julia Butterfly Hill is an internationally known environmental activist best known for living 738 days in a 1,000-year-old redwood tree named Luna to prevent its logging — an act that led to a negotiated agreement permanently protecting the tree. She has since worked on environmental and social justice causes worldwide, co-founding the Circle of Life Foundation and the Engage Network, which trains civic leaders for social change. Hill is the author of The Legacy of Luna and co-author of One Makes the Difference, and has spent more than two decades connecting environmental protection to community empowerment and civic engagement.
Elaine Johnson is president of the NAACP Santa Cruz County Branch and Executive Director of Housing Santa Cruz County, where her work has helped bring forth numerous affordable housing projects across the county. She has spoken widely on how her African American and queer identities inform her work as part of the civil rights movement, particularly around housing. Under her leadership, the local NAACP chapter has continued its work advancing the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons and eliminating race-based discrimination. Her dedication to uplifting the queer community of color through her community service earned her recognition as Santa Cruz Pride's 2024 Grand Marshal. Johnson remains a leading voice for civic engagement and equity in Santa Cruz County.
Paco Estrada is a former Watsonville mayor and City Councilmember who represented the city's 4th District from 2018 to 2022, serving as mayor in his first year in office under the city's district-based rotation system. Born in Watsonville to immigrant farmworker parents, Estrada earned his undergraduate degree from UC Santa Cruz and a master's degree in modern history from San Jose State University. Before and during his time on the council, he worked as a grants officer for the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust and taught as an adjunct history instructor at Hartnell College. In 2025, he was appointed to the Cabrillo College Board of Trustees. Estrada ran for office to combat political apathy and low civic participation among young people and Latino voters, and remains a vocal advocate for expanding community involvement and representation in local government.
Ryan Coonerty is a former Santa Cruz mayor and Santa Cruz County Supervisor with two decades of public service. He served on the Santa Cruz City Council from 2004 to 2012, including two terms as mayor, and represented the Third District on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors from 2015 to 2023. A graduate of the University of Oregon's Honors College, the London School of Economics, and the University of Virginia School of Law, Coonerty has taught democracy and constitutional law at UC Santa Cruz since 2003 and at the Panetta Institute for Public Policy. He is the author of Etched in Stone: Enduring Words from Our Nation's Monuments and co-author of The Rise of the Naked Economy, and was named a Rodel Fellow in Public Leadership by the Aspen Institute.
Daniel Sheehan is a Harvard-trained constitutional attorney with more than five decades of experience litigating landmark civil liberties and civil rights cases. He served as co-counsel in the Pentagon Papers case, argued Eisenstadt v. Baird (cited in Roe v. Wade), represented Karen Silkwood's family in Silkwood v. Kerr-McGee, and won a civil judgment against the Ku Klux Klan and American Nazi Party in the Greensboro civil rights case, before serving as chief counsel investigating the Iran-Contra affair. He founded the Romero Institute and the New Paradigm Institute and has served as lead attorney for the Lakota People's Law Project since 2006. Sheehan has taught constitutional law and American political history at UC Santa Cruz and UC Santa Barbara.
Ami Chen Mills is an educator, journalist, and author with 30 years of experience in community, school, and university settings. She lectures at UC Santa Cruz's Oakes College and is the author of several books, including State of Mind in the Classroom and The Spark Inside. An award-winning journalist recognized for environmental and investigative reporting, she hosts the radio program and podcast Moment of Truth and writes on climate policy, mental health, and social justice for Lookout Santa Cruz and other outlets.
Schedule
- 7:00 PM — Doors open
- 7:30 PM — Panel discussion
- 9:00 PM — Live music begins
Live Music
Random Rab (Headliner)
Random Rab is a Colorado-based electronic music producer and multi-instrumentalist who has spent more than two decades blending organic and synthetic sounds into immersive live performances. Since his 2001 debut album Epicycle, he has released more than a dozen albums — several reaching the iTunes Top 5 Electronic charts — and has performed at festivals including Lightning in a Bottle, Shambhala, Boom, and Coachella. He has held a 25-year annual residency performing the Sunday Sunrise set at Burning Man and has headlined the Great Pyramids of Giza festival in Egypt. His music has been featured by National Geographic, Google, and Red Bull.
Phreeborn and the Phreequencies (Opener)
Afro-beat artist Phreeborn brings Santa Cruz-rooted, globally-influenced live music to open the night.
Venue
The 418 Project — 155 S. River St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 — is a community arts venue operating since 1993, dedicated to cultivating safe, creative spaces where artists and communities come together to learn, grow, and create belonging through the arts.
Tickets
- $25 in advance, $35 at door
A Note on This Event
This is a nonpartisan event focused on the health of representative democracy and fair treatment of communities of color — not a candidate forum, and not an event that champions one political party over another. All discussion of redistricting and representation will be framed in terms of conservative or liberal-leaning communities rather than political parties, and the underrepresentation of communities of color will be discussed as a shared concern regardless of political affiliation.
Last Event
7:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Remembering Tim Curry: CLUE
Who, what, where? Join The 418 Project for Clue! A night of mystery and laughter starring the and only Tim Curry.
Friday, Sept. 18th – 7:30 PM – SMALL THEATER
Remembering Tim Curry:
CLUE (1985, Paramount / Swank, 97 min. Dir. Jonathan Lynn).
Please join us in celebrating the life and artistry of the great Tim Curry (1946-2026) featuring one of his most beloved performances as Wadsworth the Butler in the delightful slapstick murder mystery CLUE opposite an equally brilliant comic cast including Eileen Brennan as Mrs. Peacock, Michael McKean as Mr. Green, Lesley Ann Warren as Miss Scarlet, Madeline Kahn as Mrs. White , Christopher Lloyd as Professor Plum, Martin Mull as Colonel Mustard and Colleen Camp as Yvette the Maid. From his legendary performance as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW to Pennywise the Clown in IT to the Lord of Darkness in LEGEND, Curry was always wickedly wonderful and utterly unforgettable. Mr. Green: “So it was you. I was going to expose you.” Wadsworth: “I know. So I choose to expose myself.”
Ticket Price: $10 advance / $15 door.
Doors open at 7 PM, film at 7:30 PM at The 418 Project, 155 South River Street, downtown Santa Cruz at the Dragons Gate.
Last Event
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
La Practilonga del 418
The 418 Project welcomes new and experienced Tango dancers for a night of practice dance and traditional Tango music.
Hosted by Yuki and Aaron
A Practilonga is a place to dance Tango as if you were in a regular milonga, following the same rules and etiquette of a traditional milonga, but also open to experimentation, asking questions, and a less formal dress code.
Whether you're attending your very first tango event or you've been dancing for years, dancers of all experience levels are warmly welcome. Come to dance, practice, connect with the community, and enjoy an evening of traditional Argentine tango.
Tango Class 7PM-8PM
Dancing 8PM-11PM
Traditional tango music by DJ Yuki.
Cash donations welcomed at the door.
The 418 Project complies with all local health regulations.
Free - Donations Accepted
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Congolese Dancing with Vivien Bassouamina
Come experience the fast paced energy of Congolese Dancing with experianced teacher Vivien Bassouamina! $20 suggested Donation.
Connect with the rich traditions of Central Africa in this Congolese dance class led by instructor Vivien. Accompanied by the grounding energy of live drumming, this class is open to all movement levels from absolute beginners to experienced dancers. Vivien will guide you through traditional footwork and polyrhythms that celebrate community, history, and rhythm. Presented as a Co-Production with The 418 Project, this partnership brings dynamic cultural arts programming directly to the local community. Hosted in our safe and welcoming space, it’s a great opportunity to move your body, de-stress, and connect with others. Grab your water bottle and join us on the dance floor!
Last Event
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Motion Pacific: Adult Int. Modern
In this class, movers will wake up the senses through somatic and improvisational practices. Full bodied warm ups will use both standing combinations and floor work with an emphasis on alignment, breath, strength, and efficient movement. This class will also include across the floor combinations and accumulative phrase work. Throughout, dancers will use the expressive and creative body as a medium to practice internal and anatomical awareness. Some Dance Experience Required
Last Event
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Baby Dance Jam
With Jeff Stasi
Jeff Stasi returns with Baby Jam! A joyful, interactive gathering for babies, toddlers, and their caregivers. Baby Jam with Jeff Stasi Weekly on Wednesdays- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Nearly 25 years after first bringing families together through music and movement, Jeff Stasi returns with Baby Jam—a joyful, interactive gathering for babies, toddlers, and their caregivers.
The morning begins with everyone gathering in a welcoming circle before Jeff leads the group into a playful musical journey. Drawing on nearly 25 years of experience creating family-centered music and movement experiences, Jeff combines live guitar, accordion, percussion instruments, and curated recorded music creating a rich and engaging environment for children and caregivers alike. Families are invited to dance, sway, spin, play, and connect as the music unfolds organically throughout the gathering. Designed for babies through approximately 2–3 years old, Baby Jam offers a relaxed environment where little ones can move freely, listen, spin, sway, and engage at their own pace. Babies are welcome on a rug in the center of the room, while caregivers participate alongside them, creating opportunities for bonding, shared discovery, and meaningful connection. Jeff is a dancer, musician, caregiver, gardener, painter, and longtime community builder whose work has helped families connect through music and movement for decades. Participants often describe Baby Jam as a special opportunity to slow down, share joy, and deepen their connection with their children. Older siblings are welcome when appropriate, but all children must remain under the supervision of their parent or caregiver at all times. This is a family participation event and not a drop-off program. This event has historically been offered as a free community gathering, with donations welcomed at the door for Jeff and/or the venue. Come sing, dance, play, and connect in a warm community space where movement, music, and family come together.
Free - Donations Accepted
Cielito Lindo Tango Practica
with Israel Bibriesca
Wednesdays 7-10pm Drop-in $10 Beginners and all levels welcome! Come join us for a fun night of Argentine Tango Practica at The 418 Project! The dance floor we enjoy in the main lobby is large enough to be divided into two areas, one designated for learning the basics & the other for sequence practice for beginners. This offering requires proof of vaccination, the use of a mask during class is optional.
Free - Donations Accepted
Tango Class with Aaron and Yuki
Intro to Tango is a welcoming weekly class for anyone interested in exploring the beauty, connection, and artistry of Argentine Tango. Whether you're stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or looking to strengthen your fundamentals, this class offers a supportive environment to learn at your own pace. Students will develop the core principles of tango, including posture, musicality, balance, partner connection, and basic footwork, while building confidence through guided instruction and practice. No partner or previous dance experience is required just bring comfortable shoes and a willingness to learn. Tango is more than a dance; it's a conversation built on trust, presence, and movement. Join us each week and discover the joy of connecting through dance. Wednesdays | 5:30 – 7:00 PM All levels welcome • No partner required The 418 Project • 155 River St. S., Santa Cruz
Free - Donations Accepted
Motion Pacific: Melissa Contemp. Jazz
Melissa Wiley started dancing at the age of four and is classically trained in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop and contemporary dance. She competed for several years with Dance Magic Studio, based in Lancaster, CA. She began teaching at her studio through the competition team assistant's program and has been teaching tap, jazz, ballet and hip hop consistently for over 10 years. She loves working and interacting with students of all ages. Currently, she is also working with Cid Pearlman Performance Projects and has been a guest choreographer for Cabrillo College dance concerts.Melissa is also experienced in burlesque dancing, which has taken her to Portugal, Las Vegas and other venues throughout the bay area. She occasionally teaches burlesque workshops for adults and is always excited to perform and become involved with new challenges and projects.
Last Event
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Wahine Advanced Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
Silly Sober Karaoke
Come 1st & 3rd Tuesday to hang out and rock out to your favorite hits!
Tuesday Sober Karaoke at The 418 Project
1st & 3rd Tuesdays 7-9pm By Donation
Step into the spotlight-- or just cheer from the audience-- at Tuesday Karaoke! Whether you're a seasoned performer or someone who's never held a mic, you'll find a warm, welcoming group ready to cheer you on as you belt your favorite tune. Come as you are and sing your heart out in a judgement-free and sober environment designed to support creative expression and connection. Bring a friend or come solo. It's a perfect space for letting go of the day's stress with some silliness, giving voice to your emotions, overcoming stage fright, building confidence, and laughing a lot along the way! All voices welcome.
Show up & get on our WhatsApp group for weekly themes- but you're always welcome to sing what's in your heart.
For more info, email programming@the418project.org
Free - Donations Accepted
Wahine Beginning Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
155 S. River St.
Santa Cruz CA, 95060
(831) 466-9770
community@the418project.org
Made with ❤️ by: The Electric Family