This weekend brings a surf contest, outdoor shopping events, and a chance to enjoy some delicious sudsy beverages while supporting a great cause.
Families can enjoy duck races, a book fair and two children’s festivals.
Take your pick, you can’t go wrong! See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Thank you to the Santa Cruz Derby Girls for sponsoring this week’s roundup. We’ll be cheering on the Derby Girls for their special May the 4th derby doubleheader, and we’d love to have you join us. Be sure to grab a free #santacruzlife sticker in the lobby. Get more info here.
Grab your discounted tickets here. Use code SCLife19
Friday
Mamma Mia!
When: April 26 – May 5, Friday and Saturday 7:00 pm, Sunday 2:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Valley High School Performing Arts Center
Cost: $12 – $18
With an irresistible score and romantic plot line, Mamma Mia makes for great entertainment, especially when it’s all performed by the talented students at SLV High School.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Santa Cruz contra dance @ Live Oak Grange
- John Rybak + Friends @ Lulu Carpenter’s @ Lulu Carpenter’s
- High Life Cajun Band at Henflings Tavern @ Henflings Tavern
- HOT Jazz Swing @ Santa Cruz Food Lounge
- Live Music by The Shady Rest Band @ Abbott Square
- Sharon Knight & Winter in Concert @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Blazeen and Tribe @ Crow’s Nest
- The Big Jangle @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- WAYNE “THE TRAIN” HANCOCK + Hank & Ella With The Fine Country Band @ Moe’s Alley
- Boss Weekender gets Morning Wood: Doug and the Slugz w/ Roadside Bombs and DJ Chops Loungeway @ The Crepe Place
- POLYPHIA @ The Catalyst
- SHALLOU SLOW MAGIC @ The Catalyst
- Jackie Turner Group @ Severino’s
- Ted Welty & Soul Riders @ Michael’s on Main
- Edge of the West + Southern Pacific @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
- Macrame Wall Hangings @ All Hands Workshops
- Succulent Planting Make Night @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
OUTDOORS
MORE
- Earth Week at the Seymour Center @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Civil War Author talk with Nick Adams @ Garfield Park Branch Library
- Community Awards and Art & Wine Auction Gala @ Seacliff Inn
Saturday
Mineral, Gem, Fossil and Jewelry Show
When: 4/27 & 4/28 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $6.00 . Free for children under 12.
Here is your chance to stock up on beads and supplies or finished jewelry, healing crystals, fossils and gems! Take a walk through the 68th annual Santa Cruz Gem and Mineral show and you will enjoy seeing the geologic treasures of the earth, with many items for sale and children’s activities such as gold panning.
The Devil’s Road: A Baja Adventure (WORLD PREMIERE)
When: 4/27 at 5:30 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $12 advance, $15 at the door
Walk the red carpet in your finest duds at the world premier of this adventure-filled romp retracing the steps of two naturalists who explored Baja over 100 years ago. You will be inspired by the beauty, diversity and culture of Baja as the modern adventurers explore the changes time and human activity have wrought on the landscape. Cast and crew will be on hand for a Q&A after the screening. Refreshments will be available for purchase as well as a raffle with cool prizes.
Soquel Village Sip & Stroll Wine Walk
When: 4/27 at 1:00 pm
Where: Soquel Village
Cost: $35 advance, $40 day of
Cute little downtown Soquel has many hidden gems which you can explore as you sample some of our area’s fine wines. With your wristband, commemorative glass and event map, you will have access to 11 tasting stations also serving small bites. ATE3ONE food truck will also be selling delectables if you work up a bigger appetite.
29th Annual Ducky Derby
When: 4/27 from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Where: Harvey West Park
Cost: Free admission
A quintessential Santa Cruz family fun day, the 29th annual Ducky Derby is a fundraiser for many local charities and student scholarships. In addition to the rubber duck races being held throughout the day, there are carnival games, great food, live music and entertainment and sweet prizes for the lucky ducks!
Logjam! 2019
When: 4/27 7:00 am – 5:00 pm, and after party & 4/28 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Pleasure Point
A throwback contest, LogJam! features pre-1970 surfboards weighing 20 lbs or more, single fins and no leashes. With categories including men, women, children, tandem and paddleboard, everyone can get involved. Food vendors, educational materials and merchandise will be available, and there is a great raffle with proceeds going to many worthy causes, local and worldwide.
Ales for Whales
When: 4/27 at 2:00 pm
Where: Humble Sea Brewing Co.
Cost: $12
Humble Sea Brewery is throwing an awesome party with delicious brews, live music, silent auction, sustainable pep-talks, surf gear and apparel, and all proceeds go to scholarships for low-income marine biology and conservation students.
Dia de los Niños
When: 4/27 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Branciforte Small Schools Campus
Cost: Free admission
Celebrate and indulge the children in your life with a fun festival; jumpy houses, face painting, carnival games, cake walk…the works! And, there’s a rummage sale out front for the bargain hunters. Yummy food will be available and all proceeds go right back to local schools.
Life on the Ranch: Gardening and Wool Day
When: 4/27 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Wilder Ranch State Park
Cost: Free admission. $10 Parking.
Step back in time at Wilder Ranch. Visitors can help plant the garden as it would have been in 1910– organic and GMO free! Children can plant a bean in a paper pot and bring it home to their own garden. More living history demos abound with sheep dogs and sheep shearing and wool spinning. Snacks, drinks, tools and seedlings provided.
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Open House
When: 4/27 – 4/28 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Cost: Free
This family-friendly favorite is worth the short drive out of town. For two days, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories opens its doors to the public, offering fun and educational behind-the-scenes tours, talks, and activities. What better way to learn about ocean science than with interactive attractions like fish printing, an invertebrate touch tank, and the famous annual puppet show?
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- THE LOUISIANA PICNIC & DANCE @ Michael’s on Main
- Live Music by The Gitanos @ Abbott Square
- The Poor Carters @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Groovity @ Crow’s Nest
- The Vandoliers + Cory Branan @ Moe’s Alley
- Boss Weekender gets Morning Wood: The Inciters Featuring Nolan Porter, The Capsouls and DJ Soulciter @ The Crepe Place
- CHICANO BATMAN @ The Catalyst
- ALLBLACK @ The Catalyst
- Block Party @ Severino’s
- Lyin’ I’s is an Eagles Tribute band @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- Looking For Normal @ Center Stage Theater
- The Santa Cruz Chorale presents “Joseph Haydn, Mass in b-flat major and Felix Mendelssohn, Psalm 42 & Choral Settings from Elijah.” @ Holy Cross Church, Santa Cruz
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Guided hike through Mima Meadow, with Grey Hayes and the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History @ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Old Cove Landing Trail @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin
MORE
- Earth Week at the Seymour Center @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Tales of Old Felton @ The Satellite Felton, 6265 Highway 9
- FIESTA: Love. Community. Home. @ Museum of Art & History
- Spring Scentsations – Canine Scent Work Competition @ Living with Dogs, 8022 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003
- Wipe Out T1D Day @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Independent Bookstore Day 2019 @ Bookshop Santa Cruz
- Capitola City-Wide Garage Sale @ Capitola City
- Bicycle Trip Capitola Grand Opening @ 3555 Clares St., Suite T, Capitola
Sunday
Santa Cruz Book Fair For Kids Of All Ages
When: 4/28 from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz Library
Cost: Free
Eight local authors will gather at the library’s main branch to read, sign and talk about their books to an audience of kids of all ages. Their books range from picture books to young adult, fiction and non-fiction and will available for sale. A portion of the proceeds will go to support the Friends of the Library.
Felton SCM Makers Market
When: 4/28 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Mountain Community Resources Parking Lot
Cost: Free
Browse the handcrafted goods of over 40 local artists and makers as you listen to the musical stylings of Body Language, Whiskey West and Nomad. Food truck snacks will be available and beer from Steel Bonnet Brewing Company.
City of Watsonville: Earth Day / Day of the Child
When: 4/28 from noon – 4:00 pm
Where: Watsonville Downtown City Plaza
Here is another great opportunity to celebrate children and the earth we live on. Downtown Watsonville hosts the perfect festival with games, prizes and activities dedicated to children and planet.
Mineral, Gem, Fossil and Jewelry Show
See event description under Saturday section.
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Open House
See event description under Saturday section.
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- KHAN // Free In-Store Performance @ Streetlight Records-Santa Cruz
- Youth Concert at Bruno’s Bar & Grill @ Bruno’s Bar & Grill
- Rick Estrin & The Nightcats @ Moe’s Alley
- BUMPIN UGLIES + Kyle Smith @ Moe’s Alley
- GTS PRESENTS: RADIATE @ The Catalyst
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- The Santa Cruz Chorale presents “Joseph Haydn, Mass in b-flat major and Felix Mendelssohn, Psalm 42 & Choral Settings from Elijah.” @ Holy cross church, santa cruz
- Spotlight On The Symphony: Nigel Armstrong & Friends @ Samper Recital Hall
- AIDA opera by Giuseppe Verdi @ Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building
MAKE/CRAFT
- Intro to Field Journaling @ All Hands Workshops
- Sew A Tote @ All Hands Workshops
- Play & Paint on Earth Day @ El MAH
OUTDOORS
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin
- Hike to Ocean View Summit @ Big Basin
- Seacliff History Tour @ Seacliff State Beach
MORE
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza
When: May 19 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: $10, Age 5 and under Free
All the colors, flavors, sights and sounds of Oaxaca will come together in Santa Cruz for this beautiful, festive celebration of Oaxacan culture and people.
Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy the music, dancing, food and drinks brought to you by Senderos, a local non-profit supporting Latino youth and culture. Vive Oaxaca!
Star Wars Day: May the 4th Be With You
When: May the 4th
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz Library
Cost: Free
If the force is strong in you, head to the library to outsmart Stormtroopers and Mandalorian bounty hunters as you explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) programming offered through our libraries.
After you defeat the bad guys from the Golden Gate Garrison, head over to Atlantis Fantasyworld for Free Comic Book Day!
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