It’s raining, it’s sporing…it’s perfect weather to enjoy the 3-day Fungus Fair this weekend!
It’s also a good time to visit California’s oldest state park and learn how the tallest redwoods are measured.
Variety is the spice of life on the music scene. From a harp festival to heavy metal mariachi, aka Metalachi, we’d say there’s something for everyone.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
The 45th Annual Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
When: 1/11 – 1/13
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: $5.00 on Friday, $10 on Saturday & Sunday, Students & Seniors (60+) – $5, Kids under 12 – free- Tickets sold at Door
Did you know we wouldn’t have bread, cheese, wine or beer without fungi? Learn more fascinating facts about fungus at this 3-day annual fair and see many varieties on display. Bring the family out for a fun weekend of fungus including speakers, cooking demonstrations, a special Kids’ Room, and a taxonomy panel for identification of fungi. This year’s theme is “Mushrooms as Medicine”.
14th Annual Santa Cruz Harp Festival
When: 1/11 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: The MAH
Cost: Free (Donations for the performers greatly appreciated.)
Celebrate one of the most fascinating and beautiful instruments, the harp! This 14th annual festival will feature Celtic, classical and double-strung harp solos as well as an orchestra of musicians of all ages. Come early to enjoy harp art at 5pm and a “petting zoo” at 6pm where you can try a harp!
METALACHI + Coffee Zombie Collective
When: 1/11 at 9:00 pm, Doors Open 8:00 PM
Where: Moe’s Alley
Cost: $15 Advance, $20 Day Of Show
“The World’s First and Only Metal Mariachi Band” is coming to Santa Cruz for two nights! Enjoy them Friday night with local favorites Coffee Zombie Collective, or catch them on Saturday along with Divided By Seven. Enjoy food on the back patio of Moe’s by the Jerk House.
SC Bike Party – Stripes Ride
When: 1/11 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Bike Church at 703 Pacific Ave
Cost: Free
What will your stripes say about you? Come and express your colors and ride in this mobile party through the streets of downtown Santa Cruz. These themed monthly bike rides are 7-10 miles long and move at a fairly slow pace for all to enjoy. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Ride routes posted online ahead of the dates.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Special EFX All-Stars with Chieli Minucci, Eric Marienthal, Regina Carter, Lao Tizer, Joel Rosenblatt & Jerry Brooks @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Live Music by The Grateful Dads @ Abbott Square
- Groovity @ Crow’s Nest
- Pathetic Honey String Band w/ Alec Lytle @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Diggin’ in the Crepe w/ Professa Gabel, Khan, 1AM, Steezy Sins, Alwa Gordon, DJ Los @ The Crepe Place
- Man Man @ The Catalyst
- Breeze Babes @ Severino’s
- Jazz the Dog @ Michael’s on Main
- Ten O’clock Lunch Band with special Guest Tammi Brown @ Michael’s on Main
- Ho’omana in January @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
- Leather Clutch and Key Fob Workshop @ All Hands Workshops
- Paint and Sip:Diamond Head (Le’Ahi) ~ Ages 21 and up ~ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
OUTDOORS
- Wildflower and Nature Hike of Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso
- Bird Watching for Beginners @ Wilder Ranch State Park
Saturday
Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency Announces Three-Part “Understanding Our Water” Educational Series
When: 1/12 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Felton Community Hall
Cost: Free
San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, the City of Santa Cruz and unincorporated parts of Santa Cruz County rely on the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin. This educational series will hold three monthly meetings to discuss water supply, land development, population growth and management. This first installment in the series is titled “Land Use and Water: How Much Does Growth Matter”. Each seminar features a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, discussions with staff and elected leaders and more.
Sarah Hennies: Contralto
When: 1/12 at 8:00 pm
Where: Radius Gallery
Cost: $10 students, $15 general
“Contralto” showcases a variety of approaches to music that will create sounds like you haven’t experienced before. Video, strings, percussion and experimental sounds featuring a cast of transgender women who will perform vocal exercises to a variety of music scores.
Measuring Tall Trees
When: 1/12 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Cost: Free ($10 vehicle day use parking fee)
Have you ever wondered how they measure the tallest trees? Zane Moore, a redwood researcher, will demonstrate how scienteists determine height, size and age of these tall trees. Learn about the history and future of tree measurement tools. This will be a 1-mile, 90-minute walk. Meet at park headquarters.
Agricultural History Project – 2nd Saturday On The Farm
When: 1/12 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Agricultural History Museum
Cost: Free
Bring the kids to the farm and let them engage with unique educational activities and learn about past agricultural projects. Some of the usual activities include wooden cow milking, a kid-driven tractor, and a puppet theater. Every month features a different theme so mark your calendars for this family-friendly event.
Achilles Wheel plus The Puffball Collective
When: 1/12 at 8:00 pm
Where: Michael’s on Main
Cost: $10 adv./$10 door Dance – ages 21 +
Achilles Wheel shows its California roots as they bring you uplifting and inspiring rock and roll that is sure to lift your spirits and soothe your soul. And there’s something about a band named Puffball Collective, featuring members of the Banana Slug String Band, that you just know some dancing is going to be involved.
The 45th Annual Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Bone Thugs-n-Harmony @ The Catalyst
- Illeagles @ The Catalyst
- Live Music by Skypark @ Abbott Square
- Sasha’s Money @ Crow’s Nest
- One More Try – The George Michael Ttribute Show | and Forever Whitney | @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- METALACHI + Divided By Seven- Saturday Night Ticket @ Moe’s Alley
- Jackie Turner Group @ Severino’s
- THE LOUISIANA PICNIC & DANCE @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- Sin Sisters Burlesque: Disney! @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- 8 Tens @ 8 Short Play Festival @ Center Stage Theater
MAKE/CRAFT
- Watercolor Florals Workshop @ All Hands Workshops
- Intro to Bullet Journaling Workshop @ All Hands Workshops
- Paint and Sip: Poppy ~ Ages 21 and up @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
- Prints in the Sand ~ Ages 7 and up ~ Non-alcohol event @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
OUTDOORS
- Castle Rock Loop @ Castle Rock State Park
- Birding for Beginners in Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso
- Snake Park Saturday @ Rancho del Oso
- We Bring the Sandhills to You! @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Wool, Spinning, and Weaving @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Wilder Ridge Loop @ 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
- Explore the Redwoods with a Redwoods Researcher @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
Sunday
Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds with Blazeen
When: 1/13 at 9:00 pm
Where: Moe’s Alley
Cost: $9 Advance, $12 Day Of Show
This five-piece band from Southern California performs a mix of reggae, rock and pop in a high energy performance that leaves their fans wanting more. Opening for Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds is local band, Blazeen and Tribe, featuring vocalist Shoko Blazeen. Enjoy Jerk House grinds on the back patio.
The 45th Annual Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
- Drop-In Family Craft – Yarn Baskets @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Shibori Indigo Dyeing – Level 2 Workshop @ All Hands Workshops
- Herbal Facial Care Workshop @ All Hands Workshops
OUTDOORS
- We Bring the Sandhills to You! @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Berry Creek Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
MORE
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Underwater Parks Day
What: Underwater Parks Day
Where: Natural Bridges State Beach
When: Jan 19 & Jan 20 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Learn more about the plants and animals that live in the underwater park at Natural Bridges and find out what can be done to protect them. Tide pool tours will be held at 3:00pm both days. Have some fun with ocean themed crafts and music for all!
The Official Santa Cruz Women’s March: Truth to Power
What: Santa Cruz Women’s March: Truth to Power
Where: Downtown, Santa Cruz
When: Saturday, January 19 at 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The Women’s March is back for its third year with the theme of Truth to Power. This annual march has been the largest march in Santa Cruz history with the purpose of allowing all voices to be heard for multiple causes, civility and truth. Join the community and let yourself be heard! See our photo album from last year’s march, here.
Frans Lanting: Land of the Jaguars
Photo by Frans Lanting
What: “Land of the Jaguars: Wild Wetlands of South America”
Where: Rio Theatre
When: Saturday, February 2 at 3 PM and 7 PM
A current project to bring jaguars and other wildlife back to the Iberia wetlands of Argentina after years of of over-hunting and exploitation will be presented by photographer Frans Lanting and partner Chris Eckstrom. Come see the images and hear conservation success stories highlighting what is being done to restore these landscapes and habitats.
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