It’s hard to believe it’s already the last weekend of April and we are well into spring. There’s reason to celebrate, because not only did April showers bring May flowers, but tax season is over, too.
The days are getting longer and nights are getting warmer, finally. It’s time to get out and enjoy all that Santa Cruz has to offer. There are many choices, including a day for independent bookstores, local performances and even The Santa Cruz Mini Maker Faire (see below for a chance to win free tickets). Some annual events are back this year, too, such as the open house at Moss Landing Marine Lab, and the UCSC Annual Plant Sale.
There are a lot of things to do out there this weekend, so check them out and have some fun. The weather’s expected to be warm and sunny, too. Enjoy!
Friday
Lloyd Kahn, Small Homes: The Right Size
When: 4/28 at 7:00 pm
Where: Bookshop Santa Cruz
Cost: $28.95
Thinking of downsizing, saving money and living a more simple life? See author Lloyd Kahn at a book signing and slideshow presentation with a variety of ideas for small homes and the advantages of living with less space.
Equinox Library Fundraiser
When: 4/28 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Equinox & Bartola Winery & Tasting Room
Equinox Winery is hosting a fundraiser for the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Join for wine, oysters from Bill the Oysterman, and a pop-up book sale. 20% of the day’s sales will benefit the Friends’ mission to support Santa Cruz Public Libraries.
All About Theatre Presents Into The Woods
When: 4/28 at 7:00 pm & 4/29 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm (plus performances next weekend, on May 5 & 6)
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost:$13-$20, kids under 6 are free.
Don’t miss this entertaining production by local youth and teen performers as they present their rendition of this Tony Award winning play that puts a new twist on old-time fairy tales, as a baker and his wife find themselves under a neighbor witch’s spell. Seating is limited and expected to fill up quickly.
San Lorenzo Valley High School Presents “Grease”
When: 4/27 (opening night) at 7pm, 4/28 at 7pm, 4/29 7pm & 4/30 at 2 pm (additional performances May 4-7)
Where: San Lorenzo Valley High School; 105 Hwy 9, Felton, CA 95018
Cost: $12-$18
The SLVUSD Performing Arts Center presents the classic 1950s style rock and roll musical performed by students of the San Lorenzo High School Theatre. Join Danny and Sandy as they experience high school love, fast cars and good times with friends. Come out and support local high school theater in this classic musical.
The Big Lebowski – Midnight Movie
When: 4/28 & 4/29 at 11:55 pm
Where: Del Mar Theatre
Cost: $6.50
A host of stars such as Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore appear in this 1998 comedy by the Coen Brothers. A band of friends go on a crazy journey to find a missing rug belonging to Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski after it was stolen from his house.
Also on Friday
- Alumni Weekend 2017 @ UCSC Hay Barn
- Vieux Farka Touré: “The Hendrix of the Sahara” @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Fleetwood Mask – the Ultimate Tribute to Fleetwood Mac @ Don Quixote’s
- White Buffalo @ Rio Theatre
- Dilated Peoples @ Moe’s Alley
- E-40 @ The Catalyst
- The Gravity @ The Cats Restaurant & Bar
- Matias @ Zizzo’s Coffeehouse and Wine Bar
- Jessica Michelle Singleton in Boulder Creek @ lille æske
- FishHook @ Crow’s Nest
- Danger Bang, Minc @ The Crepe Place
- THE UNLIKELY CANDIDATES @ The Catalyst
- Groovy Judy @ Severino’s
- Santa Cruz Contra Dance @ Live Oak Grange
- NEW WORK : Bianco / Hazels / Hiers / Niven @ Radius Gallery
- The Nether @ Center Street Theater
- Literary: Mountain Voices – Poetry Night @ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
- 2nd Annual Micro Business Summit @ Cabrillo College
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
Santa Cruz Mini Maker Faire
When: 4/29 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Gateway School
Cost: $2-$40
This maker faire is a hands-on and interactive fun event for the entire family as local makers, creators and tinkerers showcase their innovative work and inventions to the public. Experience a day filled with technology, art, music and food. Stop by to support these local visionaries and see what they are dreaming up for our future.
UCSC Farm and Garden Annual Organic Plant Sale
When: 4/29 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm & 4/30 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: University of California, Santa Cruz
Cost: Free
This annual event is a local favorite. This year they are celebrating their 50th anniversary and will feature some of the UCSC garden founder’s favorite plants. The plants are all organically grown with a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, flowers and landscape plants to choose from. The annual sale helps support the USCS Farm and Garden and the Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture program. Located on the corner of Bay and High Streets at the main campus entrance.
Gem & Mineral Show 2017
When: 4/29 & 4/30 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $5. Children under 12 and Scouts in uniform get in for free
Since 1953, exhibitors have been showcasing their jewelry, rocks and minerals at this annual event sponsored by the Santa Cruz Gem and Mineral Society. There will be demos and fun activities for all ages such as gold panning, geode cutting and kids’ crafts. Find $1 off coupons in stores and local advertisements.
Moss Landing Marine Labs Open House Weekend
When: 4/29 – 4/30 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Moss Landing Marine Lab
Cost: Free Admission
Want to do something fun and educational this weekend with the family? This popular annual event is sure to be a hit as the marine lab opens their doors to the public. The open house will include live touch tanks, arts and crafts, as well as a puppet show for kids. Admission and parking are free.
Independent Bookstore Day!
When: 4/29 from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm
Where: Bookshop Santa Cruz
Cost: Free
This Saturday is a national day to celebrate Independent bookstores. Bookshop Santa Cruz is hosting a variety of events for the entire day and into the evening with contests, appearances by local authors, and activities for all ages. They will also hold their annual Trivia Night with Santa Cruz Shakespeare, and the winner will take home six pairs of tickets to their summer theater season.
Bowl for Kids’ Sake
When: 4/29 & 4/30
Where: Boardwalk Bowl
Cost: Bowling and shoe rental are free, teams are pledge sponsored.
Support Big Brothers and Sisters of Santa Cruz as they hold their biggest fundraiser of the year and have some fun bowling, too. Join a team or form your own and start collecting pledges from your friends and family. It doesn’t cost anything to bowl or rent shoes for this event. Pre-register online. There will be prizes for participants with the most pledges.
Garden Planting and Wool Day
When: 4/29 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Wilder Ranch State Park
Cost: Event is free; day-use parking is $10
Go back in time to the year 1900 for a day at Wilder Ranch and help plant an heirloom vegetable garden. Come early (10:00 am to noon) for a sheep shearing and wool-making demonstration. There will be composting presentations, gardening information, as well as crafts for the family.
All About Theatre Presents Into The Woods
See Description Under Friday Section
San Lorenzo Valley High School Presents “Grease”
See Description Under Friday Section
The Big Lebowski – Midnight
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
- Minnesota @ The Catalyst
- Slingshot on Mars @ Don Quixote’s
- Elvin Bishop @ Rio Theatre
- Harrison Stafford (of Groundation) & The Professor Crew @ Moe’s Alley
- Harmonious Sphere: Esfera Armoniosa @ Holy Cross Church
- A-Plus ft. Knobody – Spring Cleaning Tour @ Blue Lagoon
- The Summit Boys @ The Cats Restaurant & Bar
- Samba Cruz @ Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn
- Magdalena @ Zizzo’s Coffeehouse & Wine Bar
- THE BILLS @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- The Jolly Llamas, We Arson @ The Crepe Place
- ANTDOG DA BEAST @ The Catalyst
- Chas (patio) @ Severino’s
- Harpin Johnny & the Groovehounds @ Severino’s
- UCSC Farm and Garden Annual Organic Plant Sale @ University of California, Santa Cruz
- Mommy/Daddy & Me Gluten-Free Baking Workshop @ New Leaf Community Market – Westside
- City of Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville – Nature Center
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair @ Pet Pals Discount Pet Supplies
- People’s Climate March @ San Lorenzo Park
- Alumni Weekend 2017 @ UCSC Hay Barn
- NEW WORK : Bianco / Hazels / Hiers / Niven @ Radius Gallery
- The Nether @ Center Street Theater
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Sandhills Mobile Visitor Center @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Choose Your Own Adventure Tour @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Archeology Demonstration @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Zakir Hussain & Rahul Sharma
When: 4/30 at 7:30 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $35-$65
Zakir Hussain and Rahul Sharma will perform on stage together to bring you their own style of improvisational music that crosses cultural lines. With their classical instruments, the tabla drums and santoor, the duo will bring you an evening of music with a contemporary sound. Doors open at 6:30.
UCSC Farm and Garden Annual Organic Plant Sale
See Description Under Saturday Section
Gem & Mineral Show 2017
See Description Under Saturday Section
Moss Landing Marine Labs Open House Weekend
See Description Under Saturday Section
San Lorenzo Valley High School Presents “Grease”
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
- A-Plus ft. Knobody – Spring Cleaning Tour @ Blue Lagoon
- Pieces, The Saxophones @ The Crepe Place
- TRAITORS @ The Catalyst
- Dan Frechette and the Eclectics @ Don Quixote’s
- Joe Ferrara @ The Cats Restaurant & Bar
- The Box @ The Blue Lagoon
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- The True Cost: Film Screening & Discussion @ Santa Cruz Public Libraries – Downtown Branch
- SURFAID CUP SANTA CRUZ @ Santa Cruz
- BFF BOUTIQUE SPRING/SUMMER FASHION SHOW @ BFF Boutique
- Sigma PI MS Volleyball Tournament @ Main Beach Volleyball Courts
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Cleanup Cowells Project @ Cowell Beach
- Alumni Weekend 2017 @ UCSC Hay Barn
- NEW WORK : Bianco / Hazels / Hiers / Niven @ Radius Gallery
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Sandhills Mobile Visitor Center @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Focusing on Flowers – Photography Hike @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Outlook from Mt. McAbee @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Featured Upcoming Event
Bring your questions and concerns to this open forum with city leaders and staff. This event will focus on neighborhoods west of the river (Westside, Downtown, Harvey West, Beach Flats, Beach Hill). City leaders, engineers, planners, police officers and more will be in attendance and city projects will be on display.
A second City Hall and You event will take place in the fall and will focus on neighborhoods east of the river.
What: City Hall & You: West of the River
Where: Peace United Church of Christ: 900 High St.
When: May 4th, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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