Soquel resident Will Barba, 26, says the idea for the upcoming gathering he’s planning with his business partner, 25-year-old Tristan Piotrowski, was sparked by time spent overseas.
“Truly the inspiration for this comes from my travels in Türkiye,” he said, looking out past flag bunting as vendors hawked their wares at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing on Tuesday evening. “We like this vibe.”
Barba and Piotrowski, who grew up playing soccer together in San Diego, can’t wait to bring their enthusiasm and passion for bolstering the creative community to Felton’s late-1800s covered bridge, on Saturday, Oct. 10.
As Temptations Bazaar, a “merchant collective” that “curates and shares the healing arts of the area,” they are launching a project called The Redwood Underground, which is meant to fuel the underground arts world.
To kick things off, they’re holding a “Marvelously Magical Night Market” at the rustic wooden bridge next to the new pump track.
They’re promising an assortment of live musical fare—from Italian folk, to blues, to spiritual jazz, to Appalachian- and Irish-inspired sounds—as well as hot, local tea and several artists displaying their creations—or even painting on site.
Attendees can expect 20 or so local vendors selling everything from leather works, to ceramics, to wooden crafts, to crochet items and jewelry.
And for those who like their fortune told, that will be an option, as well.
For Temptations Bazaar, it’s about much more than moving a few trinkets or partying it up at a single pop-up.
“I’ve been on a really exciting journey up through this whole realm,” Piotrowski said, referring to the magic of the Santa Cruz County region. “What we’re all about is trying to shift this paradigm of mass global consumerism, and we are really trying to build the infrastructure locally in a place that we love.”
Rory Lynch, a 35-year-old from Aptos chowing down on a delicious salad nearby, says there’s no way he’s going to miss the Felton Night Market.
“I’m honestly just going because it’s going to be awesome,” he said. “I know they’re just genuinely great people.”
With his long hair and scarf, Barba strikes a figure that’s somewhere between erudite Viking and polite metalhead. His speech may be grandiose, but it comes across as sincere.
“It’s a really hard place to live,” Barba said, thinking of the folks who live in their cars just to remain in the local atmosphere. “A lot of people are putting everything aside because the energy of this community is so powerful.”
For sure, Barba feels the pull of Silicon Valley.
But he wants to be part of the wave of people promoting “a deeply rooted conscious community that still communes.”
“I think it’s inevitable, given the way we’re digitizing so fast, that there’s going to be a reciprocal swing back towards humanism,” he said. “But also, times are changing and you never know how long the window of opportunity will be open.”
The event will begin to unfurl at 5pm, as the sun drops and the river plays its ancient song underfoot.
They’ve tapped a stand-up bassist to set the tone for the merchant-shopper mingling.
Andy Nguyen and Maxwell Apra will delve into old-timey string music, reminiscent of the first half of the 1900s.
“It’ll get a little more magical, mystical,” Barba prognosticates, hinting they’re working with Om Gallery to design a lighting display. “Forest creatures will come out to play.”
Nucleus, from Santa Cruz, will help to carry the spectacle forward with unique musical numbers.
“They are so dedicated to creating original music,” Barba said. “And that’s super exciting.”
Devin Masterson will give a poetry reading.
Adam Coopersmith, performing under the moniker “Coop Diggs,” will deliver what he calls “a cosmic ambient jazz folk odyssey,” and the Temptations Bazaar crew can’t wait to hear it.
“And now we’re soaring through space, and he’s going to be our brave captain,” Barba bubbles. “Come and be amazed by your community.”
Eubank Realtors, Santa Cruz Art Expressions and Wild Roots Market are also all on board the Night Market train.
Piotrowski has high hopes for the festivities, too.
“It’s going to feel like you’re in a different part of the world,” he said.
The Marvelously Magical Night Market will take place at Covered Bridge County Park on Oct. 10, from 5-10pm. $10. Info: theredwoodunderground.com.
