There are lots of ways to enjoy some local flavors this weekend without spending a dime! From the free rehearsal of the Santa Cruz Symphony, a stewardship and history event at Lighthouse Point, then on to an art exhibit reception, you can do it all for free.
If you’ve got some spending money, there are many worthy events to support like live theater, adventuring women, and our own sensational symphony.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Free Open Rehearsal of the Santa Cruz Symphony
When: 1/25 from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Santa Cruz is lucky enough to have its own symphony, but this weekend’s concert features a world premiere homage to the beauty of the winged inhabitants of the coastal redwood region, entitled, “Bonny Doon”, by Emmy-award winning local composer John Wineglass. In addition to Wineglass’ sonic flying dream, you can hear Klein International Competition grand prize winning cellist Jeremy Tai Klein perform Tchaikovsy’s Variations on a Rococo Theme. Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, always beloved, will complete the program.
You can see the concert dress rehearsal free on Friday night (donations happily accepted). But if you prefer to support the symphony, you can purchase tickets for Saturday night’s concert in Santa Cruz, or on Sunday in Watsonville.
All About Theatre Presents Honk!
When: 1/25 at 7:00 pm – 1/26 at 7:00 pm & 2:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: $13 – Students & Seniors (over 62), $16 – General Admission, $20 – Reserved Seating
All About Theater present’s the musical comedy about tolerance and acceptance, Honk!. Performed by local young talent, All About Theater shows are always a good bet for a night of family fun.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Contra Dance @ Live Oak Grange
- The Wallowers at Poet & Patriot @ Poet & Patriot Irish Pub
- Live Music by Pan Dulce @ Abbott Square
- HOT Jazz & Swing Dancing Night @ Santa Cruz Food Lounge
- Bill Frisell: When You Wish Upon A Star @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Conn3ct3d Tour: Wifisfuneral & Robb Bank$ @ The Catalyst
- Colter Wall @ The Catalyst
- Cosmic Pinball @ Crow’s Nest
- SOFT MACHINE w/ LEVIN BROTHERS @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- JUNIOR REID & The One Blood Band + King Schascha & DJ Spleece @ Moe’s Alley
- Bobcat Rob & The Nightly Howl w/ Tommy Alexander & Long Gone John @ The Crepe Place
- Joint Chiefs @ Severino’s
- Mudfrog plus Southern Pacific @ Michael’s on Main
- Pomaika`i to finish @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
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Laura Hecox Day
When: 1/26 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Lighthouse Point
Cost: Free
Lightkeeper at the original lighthouse on Westcliff from 1883 to 1916, Laura Hecox collected seashells, rocks and minerals, Indian basketry and other artifacts, which later formed the basis of the collection of the Museum of Natural History.
Here’s how you can celebrate the life and contribution of this citizen scientist: from 9:00-11:00 am lend a hand in the community cleanup of Lighthouse Field. Stop in anytime from 9:00- 2:00 pm at the Mobile Museum featuring items from the museum’s collection and more about Laura Hecox, the Lighthouse and the museum. And from 10:00- noon, you can learn more about the geology of Westcliff from the “geology gents” Gavin and Graham.
Women’s Adventure Film Tour
When: 1/26 at 7:00 pm, doors open at 6:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $18
Be awed, pyched and empowered watching these 8 films about women reaching for their highest potential as they surf, rock climb, ski and otherwise adventure for thrills and fulfillment. Films are selected for a family audience and every ticket sold will support the Changing Tides Foundation, educating others about the conscientious adventure of caring for the planet, and empowering women.
Enlightenment
When: 1/26 from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $15 – $85
See description under Friday section.
Amahl and the Night Visitors
When: 1/26 at 11:00 am & 1:00 pm
Where: UCSC Music Center Recital Hall
Cost: Suggested donation $10 for adults (free for children).
Parking $5
This one act opera sings the story of the Three Kings, who stop by the home of the disabled yet imaginative Amahl and his impoverished mother on their way to visit the Christ child. Performed by UCSC opera students and instrumentalists, this sweet story is the perfect way to close out the month of January.
All About Theatre Presents Honk!
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Celso Piña y su Ronda Bogota @ Appleton Event Center
- Live Music by Speakeasy 3 @ Abbott Square
- Y&T @ The Catalyst
- Chrome Sparks @ The Catalyst
- FishHook @ Crow’s Nest
- WILD CHILD, A JIM MORRISON CELEBRATION @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- B-Side Players @ Moe’s Alley
- Gardens and Villa w/ TBD @ The Crepe Place
- Hall Pass @ Severino’s
- Tempest @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- Castle Rock State Park @ Castle Rock Loop
- We Bring the Sandhills to You! @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Hides and Tallow @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Old Cove Landing Trail @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Snakes Alive! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ 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
Open House at the Castro Adobe: Beginnings at the Adobe
When: 1/27 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Castro Adobe State Historic Park
Cost: Free
The Castro Adobe is still a park-in-the-making, and thus, opportunities to enjoy this old homestead are still rare. Join us for a warm cup of chocolate from the cocina as you learn about the Castro family and the pioneering days when they lived in this adobe home. Please carpool as parking is limited and this is an active construction site.
Book Launch: Dan Haifley’s 40 Years of Saving Our Shores
When: 1/27 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: The MAH
Cost: Free
With our pristine coastline under constant threat from oil drillers and refiners, developers and polluters, Save Our Shores formed to fight for the preservation and conservation of our beautiful ocean backyard.
Founding director of SOS, and current director of O’Neill Sea Odyssey, Dan Haifley, will talk about the history of SOS and be on hand to sign copies of his new book, Forty Years of Saving Our Shores.
BRIDAL EXPO AT THE BOARDWALK COCOANUT GROVE
When: 1/27 at 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Cocoanut Grove
Cost: $8, $5 in advance
All the goods and services you’ll need to plan the wedding of your dreams. Come check out the area’s best photographers, florists, musicians, caterers, bakers, makeup artists, event venues and more. Buy your tickets in advance and be automatically entered to win a romantic getaway!
Take Aways: Art To Go!
When: 1/27 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Pajaro Valley Arts
Cost: Free Admission
If you enjoy browsing through the masterpieces of more than seventy talented local artists, then you are invited to the opening reception for Pajaro Valley Art’s spring exhibition. Take Aways, Art to Go! is a broad ranging fundraiser where everybody wins: buyers of all budget-sizes can take home an original, artists earn a commission and more art gets put upon the walls!
Santa Cruz Warriors vs. South Bay Lakers
When: 1/27 at 5:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Stadium
Cost: From $29
Celebrate Lantinx Heritage Night with the Santa Cruz Warriors as they take on the South Bay Lakers. Limited edition “Los Warriors” apparel will be available for purchase.
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Music Box at the MAH @ The MAH
- Winter Wreck @ The Catalyst
- J.I.D @ The Catalyst
- Tommy Castro & the Painkillers @ Moe’s Alley
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- We Bring the Sandhills to You! @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Drop-in Family Craft – Papal Picado @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Public Auction Sunday Jan 27th @ Clark’s Auction Company
- Ken Weisner, Cricket to Star @ Bookshop Santa Cruz
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Clam Chowder Cook-Off
What: Clam Chowder Cook-Off
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
When: February 23 & 24
Clams, beware! The great Clam Chowder Cook Off features amateur chefs on Saturday and the professionals compete on Sunday. Purchase a tasting kit for $10 and help pick a winner! Each tasting kit comes with 6 taste tickets (valid either day), a spoon, cup and People’s Choice Ballot. 100% of proceeds from tasting kits go to supporting Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation.
Twisted Tasting
What: Twisted Tasting
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
When: Friday, February 8 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
In conjunction with SFBeerWeek 2019, the brewers, crafters, distillers and artisans of our local food and beer scene get one week a year to unleash all the flavors in the universe. Twisted Tasting is a unique benefit featuring rare brews that you will find nowhere else on earth. Enjoy the concoctions and raise money for the Arts Council of Santa Cruz.
Winter is for Everyone
What: Winter is for Everyone
Where: Santa Cruz Mission SHP
When: Friday, February 1 from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What could be better than sipping a cup of Mexican hot chocolate while sitting around a campfire and getting lost in a good story? Enjoy all of these, in good company too, at our local historic mission park!
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