Photo Credit: Arts Council Santa Cruz County
It’s true. Summer is here and festival season has begun in Santa Cruz!
Head Downtown for the Ebb & Flow River Arts Festival and Santa Cruz Pride Parade and Festival, or celebrate in the redwoods at the Redwood Mountain Faire and Bonny Doon Art, Wine & Brew Festival.
To top it off, we’ve got Open Streets Watsonville, the symphony with a movie-themed twist, a spring carnival, and a few other fun surprises.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Ebb & Flow River Arts Festival
When: 6/1 – 6/2
Where: Santa Cruz Riverwalk
Cost: Free
Celebrate the San Lorenzo River at Ebb & Flow 2018, a free two-day festival for all ages June 1 & 2! Friday festivities include live music, dance and art making in Abbott Square, a night procession with the Post Street Rhythm Peddlers to the river, and a dance party at the river, complete with a DJ, fire dancers and the Samba Stilt Circus. The event continues on Saturday with a river march, followed by an afternoon celebration at the Tannery.
DeLaveaga 25th Annual Spring Carnival
When: 6/1 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: DeLaveaga Elementary School
Cost: Free admission
DeLaveaga Elementary School invites the whole community to celebrate spring at their annual carnival fundraiser. Bring the family to enjoy carnival games, karaoke, a bounce house, an art auction and raffle, live entertainment, and more. Also, be sure to come hungry and feast on tacos, burritos, tamales, pozole, corn on the cob, BBQ, pizza, and other carnival treats.
2018 Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year – Profile Performance
When: 6/1 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo College, Crocker Theater
Cost: Free – One ticket per person will be issued from the box office the night of, on a first-come, first-served basis.
This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the work of this year’s Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year, Cheryl Anderson. Her Profile Performance concert will feature members of Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus, Cabrillo Chorale, Cantiamo!, Cabrillo Youth Choruses, Il Dolce Suono, and Peace Chancel Choir. Tickets will be issued the night of the performance only, starting at 6:00 p.m. when the box-office opens.
3-course Thai Tasting Menu
When: 6/1 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Tannery Arts Center
Cost: $35 for regular or vegetarian menu
Kick off your weekend with a three-course Thai feast. Chef Lalita Kaewsawang has created a tempting menu that is gluten-free and dairy-free, with vegan and vegetarian options. Don’t miss your chance to experience a unique dining adventure and authentic Thai cuisine. There are only ten seats per slot, so reserve your spot soon!
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Summer Nights. A Hip Hop Showcase @ The Crepe Place
- JERRY’S MIDDLE FINGER w/ Cosmic Pinball @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Rose & The Honeysuckers @ Crow’s Nest
- FIDEL NADAL, Fayuca & DJ Wyze 1 @ Moe’s Alley
- Planet Booty w/ Alvie & The Breakfast Pigs and Fulminante @ The Crepe Place
- Blue Ocean Rockers @ Severino’s
- Jazz The Dog @ Michaels on Main
- Alex Lucero & Live Again @ Michaels on Main
- Garden Island Blend is Baaaacck! @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Goldfish @ The Catalyst
- The Throwback – Flashback Friday Summer Party @ The Catalyst
- Salsa Night @ Palomar Ballroom
THEATRE/ARTS
- The Blue Tarp Project Exhibit @ Downtown Branch Library
- Emerging Visions: Creative Practice at the Nexus of Freedom and Justice @ Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: “Assassins” Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim @ Mountain Community Theater
- Actors’ Theatre presents THE REALISTIC JONESES @ Center Stage Theater
- Spring Opera at UC Santa Cruz: “The Magic Flute” @ Music Center Recital Hall, UCSC
MORE
- First Friday Santa Cruz @ Various locations in Santa Cruz County
- Farm to Table Wine Dinner Series @ Chaminade Resort & Spa
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville
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
The Movie Music of John Williams
When: 6/2 from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $29 – $85 (Student, Family Pack, and Group discounts available)
Talk about fun for the entire family! The Santa Cruz Symphony performs the iconic film music of Oscar-winning composer John Williams, featuring classics from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Catch Me If You Can, E.T., Jurassic Park, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Pre-concert entertainment includes a street party with food from Ate3One, live music by Rose & The Honeysuckers, a costume contest, and appearances by Storm Troopers, wizards, and more!
Bonny Doon Art, Wine & Brew Festival
When: 6/2 from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Bonny Doon Equestrian Park
Cost: Advanced $49.00 + fee; Day of $69.00 +fee
They don’t call it “the best party in the Santa Cruz Mountains” for nothing. Enjoy wine and craft brew tastings in the redwoods with great live music from local favorite Extra Large. Adding to the fun is a live auction with local auctioneer-extraordinaire John West. Participate in a wine pull, shop local artisan vendors, and feast on local food truck eats…all for a good cause—proceeds from this event benefit Bonny Doon Elementary School.
Redwood Mountain Faire
When: 6/2 – 6/3
Where: Roaring Camp
Cost: $20 – $45
Two days, two stages…twenty-two bands! Besides great music acts like The Coffis Brothers and the Mountain Men, this weekend-long faire features locally made food and drinks, arts & crafts, and a kid zone. Kids 12 and under are free!
Gold Standard Barbershop Chorus Cabaret
When: 6/2 at 7:00 pm
Where: Felton Community Hall
Cost: Children 12 and under $10, Adults $20
You won’t have to sing for you supper, but the Gold Standard Chorus, along with local barbershop quartets, will sing while you indulge in a fabulous dessert buffet. A capella and apple pie, anyone? Don’t miss this annual cabaret that is sure to include some musical surprises.
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- The Last Thizzle @ The Catalyst
- Live Music by Wave Tones @ Abbott Square
- TOMMY ALEXANDER with Joshua Thomas @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Camino @ Crow’s Nest
- Eric Lindell @ Moe’s Alley
- Khan // Alwa Gordon // TDC // QEDJ @ The Crepe Place
- Otis Coen & Friends @ Severino’s
- Patio Acoustics with James Murray @ Severino’s
- Joint Chiefs @ Michaels on Main
THEATRE/ARTS
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: “Assassins” Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim @ Mountain Community Theater
- Actors’ Theatre presents THE REALISTIC JONESES @ Center Stage Theater
- Spring Opera at UC Santa Cruz: “The Magic Flute” @ Music Center Recital Hall, UCSC
- Pacific Voices Spring Concert @ Cabrillo Samper Recital Hall
- It Can’t Happen Here @ The Western Stage Studio Theater, Hartnell College Performing Arts Building
OUTDOORS
- Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Outlook from Mt. McAbee @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Old Cove Landing Coast Nature Walk @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Castle Rock Loop Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Story Time Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Nature’s Reading Room @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Evening Campfire Programs @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Scotts Valley Friends Summer Book Sale @ Scotts Valley Branch Library
- Aptos Farmers Market @ Cabrillo College
- TechRaising 2018 @ Cruzio Internet
- 26th Annual Dyke/Trans Rally and March @ Town Clock
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Open Streets Watsonville
When: 6/3 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Watsonville City Plaza
Open Streets returns to downtown Watsonville! All walkers, joggers, bikers, skaters, and anyone who wants to enjoy a beautiful, car-free Sunday are welcome. There will be free activities, performances, raffles, and community outreach booths.
Santa Cruz Pride Parade and Festival
When: 6/3 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Pacific Avenue and Cooper Street
Cost: Free admission; Suggested donation $5
Over the years, Santa Cruz Pride has grown from a small gathering to a whole downtown celebration. Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ community or a proud ally, don’t miss the fun this Sunday which includes a parade down Pacific Ave. and festival where the Wednesday Farmers Market meets.
Building Habitat in Seabright
When: 6/3 from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Cost: $5 General | Free for Museum Members
Following a brief presentation at the museum, join a walking tour in the Seabright neighborhood led by Bill Henry, Director of Groundswell Coastal Ecology. Along the way, visit three project sites where habitats are being restored with California native plants: Seabright Beach, Pilkington Creek, and the Museum’s new Coastal Prairie demonstration garden.
Introduction to Modern Calligraphy with Brush Pens
When: 6/3 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: The Craftsmen Collective 4600 Soquel Drive Soquel
Cost: $50
Spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon learning something new and nurturing your creativity at The Craftsmen Collective. Learn how to use brush pens to create beautiful letters and words. Rest assured, you don’t have to have good handwriting to be skillful at modern calligraphy. Take home custom practice materials as well as two brush pens.
Redwood Mountain Faire
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- 3rd Annual Summer Breakout @ The Catalyst
- STRANGE MISTRESS @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88’s @ Moe’s Alley
- Santa Cruz Reggae All Stars @ Moe’s Alley
- Patio Acoustics with Paul Logan @ Severino’s
- The Box @ The Blue Lagoon
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michaels on Main
THEATRE/ARTS
- Pacific Voices Spring Concert @ Cabrillo Samper Recital Hall
- Actors’ Theatre presents THE REALISTIC JONESES @ Center Stage Theater
- Spring Opera at UC Santa Cruz: “The Magic Flute” @ Music Center Recital Hall, UCSC
OUTDOORS
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- The Road Less Traveled – A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Tidepool Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- History Walk @ Seacliff State Beach
- Castle Rock Loop Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville – Nature Center
- Rainbow Play Day @ MAH
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Santa Cruz Beach Soccer Championships @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
24th Annual Woodies on the Wharf
What: Woodies on the Wharf
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf
When: June 23 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Stroll the historic Santa Cruz Wharf and feast your eyes on over 200 classic, wood-bodied surf wagons, many in perfect condition. Enjoy music, Polynesian dance, raffle prize drawings, and more. Be sure to stay for the parade of Woodies as they leave the Wharf promptly at 3:30 pm.
Jay Race
What: 2018 Jay Race
Where: Capitola Beach
When: June 16 from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
This annual ocean paddleboard race is held in memory of Santa Cruz Waterman Jay Moriarity. The 2018 Jay Race will be held on Jay’s 40th birthday, June 16. Paddle the 2-mile or 12-mile course, and bring the kids to participate in the free “mini Jay” race. Proceeds support the Capitola Junior Lifeguard program, Ocean of Hope, and Angel Warriors For Kids.
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