The first weekend of the month is always a treat because of First Friday and all the shops, salons and galleries around town that open their doors to display the work of our talented local art community.
This weekend and next brings to town a world-class contemporary music festival that will not fail to impress and inspire.
And lucky for us, there are lots of ways this weekend to get out and celebrate the diversity and beauty of our awesome county, from the Church Street Fair to the Watsonville Strawberry Festival.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Super Sonic Summer Block Party 36.955650° 12.048490°
When: 8/2 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Westside Surf & Skate
Cost: $3 at the door, RSVP in advance
Celebrate summer and a great cause! This year’s block party features local brews, fabulous food, and plenty of unique items from local vendors. Did we mention there will be baby goats? The super part: a portion of proceeds will benefit Island Conservation, a science-based nonprofit that prevents extinctions by removing invasive species from islands.
Y&T
When: 8/2 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
Part of the Friday Night Bands at the Beach free concert series, this show is nostalgic summertime fun. Y&T have been together since 1974, made 18 albums and their hits can still be heard on classic rock/metal stations.
Cabrillo Festival
When: Concerts & events throughout the weekend
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $0 – $65
People travel far and wide to attend Santa Cruz’ own world class contemporary music festival. Friday evening’s Notorious program features a tribute to RBG, When There are Nine. All four pieces in Friday’s program are composed by women and range in theme from the aforementioned protest song to homages to Virgil, Haydn and Egyptian relics. Saturday and Sunday’s shows are equally compelling and the festival continues into next weekend.
First Friday
When: 8/2 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Multiple Locations County-wide
Cost: Free
First Friday lets you choose your own adventure and this month your options are many. Sculpture on Wheels at the MAH shows off the beautiful cars and bikes of Santa Cruz. Just down the street at the Homeless Garden Project store you can celebrate The Art of Food with appetizers, art and DIY projects. Or, head over to the one of the other hotspots around town from Felton to Pleasure Point to take in the art, music, theater, food and drinks of First Friday fame.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Grizfolk @ The Catalyst
- Quarteto Santa Cruz @ Lulu Carpenters Cafe
- Ten O’Clock Lunch Band @ Crow’s Nest
- ALO @ Moe’s Alley
- Bourbon (Rum) and Burlesque w/ LuLu and the Lushes @ The Crepe Place
- Soul Punch #5 w/ Soulciter (from Inciters) @ The Crepe Place
- Rodney Crowell & Band – The TEXAS Tour @ Rio Theatre
- Stormin Norman & The Cyclones @ Severino’s
- Harpin’ & Clark @ Michael’s on Main
- Locomotive Breath @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- August First Friday: Sculpture on Wheels Car Show @ The MAH
- Into The Woods @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Instruments of Consciousess ART SHOW @ Rockford Gallery Contemporary Ceramics
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
MORE
- Storytime with Author Joyce Oroz @ Scotts Valley Branch Library
- Shark Science Week @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Want to see all the best events in Santa Cruz every weekend? Click here to get these Weekend Roundup posts delivered straight to your inbox.Saturday
Church Street Fair
When: 8/3 – 8/4 from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where: Church Street – outside the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: Free
In partnership with the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, the Civic Auditorium shuts down the street to cars and opens it to music, dance, arts and crafts, food and drink. Musical styles and artists from all corners of the earth will delight your ears and open your mind from peaceful Qi Gong to exhilarating Afro-Brazilian beats.
Watsonville Strawberry Festival
When: 8/3 – 8/4
Where: Downtown Watsonville
Cost: Free admission
No better place to eat, drink, and be berry than the 25th Annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival. In addition to live music, pie-eating contests, and arts ’n’ crafts, you can take a walk down Strawberry Lane to try kabobs, smoothies, jams, shortcakes, funnel cakes, and other strawberry-themed treats. Be sure to check out two new events this year: the kick-off dance party on Friday and Saturday’s Strawberry Jam Fun Run.
COMEDIAN JACKIE KASHIAN
When: 8/3 at 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm
Where: DNA’s Comedy Lab
Cost: $20 Adv./$25 Door
Master of the comedy craft, Jackie Kashian brings a mix of self-effacing, relatable commentary to a hilarious edge. Creator of two podcasts, The Dork Forest and The Jackie and Laurie Show, Kashian’s current album was the #1 Comedy album on iTunes and Amazon.
The Waifs
When: 8/3 from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $27 Gen, $40 Gold Circle
This Australian folk band has a melodic salt of the earth sound and have been playing together for more than 25 years!
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Pleasure Point Jazz @ Lulu Carpenters Cafe
- Sasha’s Money @ Crow’s Nest
- NATTALI RIZE, Marla Brown, Ancestree, DJ Soultry Dubs @ Moe’s Alley
- Lauren Wahl & Simply Put Album Release @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- The Bad Light w/ Big Rig & Return to Nagoya @ The Crepe Place
- Pacific Roots with Soulwise & Hijinx @ The Catalyst
- Patio Acoustics Dave Muldawer @ Severino’s
- Fishhook @ Severino’s
- Beggar Kings @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- Contrasts | Cabrillo Festival Orchestra Concert @ Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
- Meet the Composers | Cabrillo Festival Panel Discussion @ Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
- Blowout: Who’s Next? Film Showing @ Resource Center for Nonviolence
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
- Into The Woods @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
OUTDOORS
- Ohlone Plant Use @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Old Cove Landing Trail @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Felling the Giants @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Mission Cooking Demonstration @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Star Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Farm to Fork Gala Dinner & Auction @ La Selva Beach Clubhouse 314 Estrella Ave., La Selva Beach, CA
- STRAWBERRY JAM FUN RUN @ Ramsey Park
- Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf Experience @ Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
- Shark Science Week @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Friends of SCPL Book Sale @ Church Street Fair
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Free Family Concert | Cabrillo Festival Orchestra Concert
When: 8/4 at 1:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: Free
Beginning with a tour of the orchestra, this special concert features the Brazilian composer, musician and storyteller Clarice Assad whipping her audience into soccer fever in the musical tale of one of the world’s best female footballers, Marta Vieira da Silva. Prepare to learn, be inspired and sing along in this fun, family friendly event.
SUNDAY ART & MUSIC AT THE BEACH
When: 8/4 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park
Cost: Free
Browse the booths of artists and artisans along the esplanade in Capitola as you listen to the dulcet tones of Acoustic Soul.
Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market
When: 8/4 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free
With over 40 local artists and makers, this market is a great opportunity to support the creators in our community and bring home a treasure. Music will be provided by August Sun.
WHERE’S WALDO WRAP-UP PARTY
When: 8/4 at 2:00 pm
Where: Bookshop Santa Cruz
Maybe you have been hunting Waldos for the whole month of July, and maybe you haven’t, but in any case, you can still attend the party at Bookshop Santa Cruz! With games, activities and a raffle, Waldo enthusiasts will come together to catch one more glimpse of the elusive chameleon in the hat and striped shirt.
Second Annual Beer Release Party!
When: 8/4 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Hotel Paradox
Cost: Free; Register for tickets
In true Paradox spirit, expect the unexpected at the second annual beer release party, and count on it bee-ing delicious! Hotel Paradox has partnered with New Bohemian Brewing Company to bring the new Honey Hazy IPA called Bee Cool, made with honey from the hotel’s rooftop apiaries. Be among the first to taste the sweet new brew, while enjoying live music, a food station by Solaire restaurant, and more!
Church Street Fair
See Description Under Saturday Section
Watsonville Strawberry Festival
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Gary Hoey @ Moe’s Alley
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- Patio Acoustics with Matt Masih @ Severino’s
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Free, guided tour of the UCSC Farm @ UCSC Hay Barn
- Redwoods and Climate Change @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Bishop Daniel Garcia, of the Monterey Diocese visits the Shrine of St. Joseph @ Shrine of St. Joseph, 544 WestCliff Drive
- Andy’s Auto Supply 70th Anniversary Party @ Andy’s Auto
- Friends of SCPL Book Sale @ Church Street Fair
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
FC&W Garden Railroad Open House
What: FC&W Garden Railroad Open House
Where: 419 Ocean View Ave.
When: Sunday, August 11, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Head over to Ocean View Avenue and prepare to enter a miniature world. Model trains run throughout the garden of this private home, transforming it into a maze of towns and tunnels, landscapes and train stations!
Parks & Rex Pool Party
What: Parks & Rex Pool Party
Where: Simpkins Family Swim Center
When: Saturday, August 24, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Cost: $7-$17
This event is fun for the whole family, especially the most important members: the dogs! But there’s also lots of great people-food and drinks, fun water activities, raffles and prizes and even massage. For the furry ones, access to the warm water pool, a doggie day-spa and ice cream, because they deserve it!
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