Felton Music Hall: A New Live Music Experience
Felton Music Hall Offers an “ineffable” night on the town.
By Julie Horner
Felton’s famous dinner and dancing venue with a pedigree dating to the mid-century, promises a full immersion musical treat, dinner and drinks. Located in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the newly opened Felton Music Hall delivers an unrivaled live music experience. Those who love music of any genre can see the best local talent and their favorite touring musicians while enjoying fresh craft food, cocktails, craft beer, and local wine served in-house. “My default is I want to hang out at a concert – it’s the feeling I get with live music,” says owner and talent buyer, Thomas Cussins of the Ineffable Music Group, “and I want to invite people to see a good show in their own backyard.” Ineffable also manages The Golden State Theatre in Monterey, the Cornerstone in Berkeley, Ventura Music Hall, and The Fremont Theatre in San Luis Obispo. The word “ineffable” means ‘something too great for words’. The focus with the new endeavor at Felton Music Hall, therefore, is on the music. Back in the day, he said, “You might have had a sorry burrito, but you would have had a heckuva show experience.”
He’s referring to the Don Quixote’s, a long-established dance hall, which specialized in Mexican food and featured an “International Music Showcase” with Tom Miller booking the best live music anywhere in Santa Cruz County. Go back further, in the 1940s, Costella’s Chalet was “Central California’s newest dining and dancing center – featuring deluxe dinners and the finest in wines and liquors,” according to a postcard in the Santa Cruz Public Libraries archives (history.santacruzpl.org). When Don Quixote’s closed its doors in 2017, local realtor Bradd Barkan stepped in and created Flynn’s Cabaret and Steakhouse in honor of his friend Flynn Post, who passed away as a young man from complications of ocular melanoma. Bradd is responsible for the building’s exterior facelift, updated dining area, and top-of-the-line kitchen equipment promising the San Lorenzo Valley’s finest dining. Music was not on his priority list, however, and financial hurdles eventually forced him to close. And Cussins saw the opportunity and made his move.
Felton Music Hall will take it to the next level. Cussins and his crew are experts at what they do. “This is not a short term thing for us, this is how we live our lives.”
Felton Music Hall opened its doors to their first show on July 3, 2019, and are booked with artists representing diverse “vibes” through December. Upcoming shows include performances by Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters (August 7), Julian Marley (August 22), and Con Brio (September 21).
Make plans to enjoy a show and grab a local bite by checking out their online presence: feltonmusichall.com @Feltonmusichall
Felton Music Hall is located at 6275 HWY 9, Felton, CA 95018.
Photos by Julie Horner
