This Weekend in Santa Cruz: June 8th – 10th, 2018

By Valerie Lemke

This weekend brings some favorite annual events such as the Japanese Cultural Festival, back for its 32nd year. One of California’s most popular custom car shows cruises into town, and an annual celebration of locally grown Gerbera daisies will bring some bright summer color to your weekend, too.

There’s also plenty of happenings on the local food and craft beverage scene, an opportunity to immerse yourself in a spectrum of light, and a variety of fabulous theater, song, and dance performances in store. So get out there and have some fun!

See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:

Quick Links

Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Upcoming

Friday

Javi’s Home

When: 6/8 at 7:00 pm; 6/9 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Where: Broadway Playhouse
Cost: $10-$15 sliding scale with no one turned away for lack of funds

Six-year-old Javi finds himself in a new home after suddenly losing his grandmother. He and his two foster moms adjust to their new life together as they face their own challenges. Puppets, masks and music help tell the story as Javi discovers new friends, family and learns to build trust again. This children’s show is great for ages 6 and up.

Get more info here.

Night Market

When: 6/8 at 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge
Cost: No cover, cost of food and beverages.

The second Friday of the month means Night Market at the Santa Cruz Food Lounge. An evening of local food from a lineup of vendors, craft cocktails and live music await you for a relaxing start to you weekend.

Get more info here.

Spektrum – an immersive exhibit

When: 6/8 – 6/9 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: lille æske, Boulder Creek
Cost: $16, $32

Walk through a rainbow, take in a one-on-one music performance for you alone, take a unique journey to the Source and feel the transformation. Intrigued? We are too. Some good things to know: there’s no talking, comfortable shoes are recommended, fermented food and beverage are part of the experience, a guide will assist your journey. This interactive experience runs Thursday – Saturday until June 30.

Get more info here.

Friday Night Food Truck Party & Swing!

When: 6/8 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Skypark, Scotts Valley
Cost: Free Admission

Swing your way into the weekend with a fun food truck event at Skypark in Scotts Valley. Food Trucks A Go Go is joining forces with Swing Set Lounge to bring you swing lessons, swing dancing, a beer and wine garden, and some awesome food trucks, including Holopono, G’s Mexican Tacos, Drunk Monkey, Carmonas BBQ, and Aunt Lali’s!

Get more info here.

Shakespeare to Go: “Romeo and Juliet”

When: 6/8 at 9:00 am and 10:30 am
Where: Second Stage, UCSC
Cost: Free, parking permit required

Shakespeare to Go is holding their final two back-to-back performances of the season with Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare to Go has a mission to connect with local youth and bring Shakespeare’s plays to life with a shorter (50-minute) script that is still packed full of the original richness. Don’t miss this season finale.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATRE/ARTS

MORE

Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza

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Saturday

Gerbera Festival 2018

When: 6/9 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Kitayama Brothers, 481 San Andreas Road, Watsonville
Cost: Free

Who can resist colorful Gerbera flowers! Come out to the Kitayama Brothers Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Open House for their 9th annual festival. Take a greenhouse tour, buy some flowers and see flower arranging demonstrations. There will even be a farmer’s market as well as local tacos and beer for purchase. A PopUp Parks Store will be on site and funds raised will benefit Kids2Parks, a field trip program supported by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

Get more info here.

Japanese Cultural Festival

When: 6/9 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Mission Plaza Park
Cost: Free

This popular cultural festival is back for its 32nd year. Celebrate our neighbors across the Pacific and the Japanese community in Santa Cruz by gathering at Mission Plaza Park and participating in cultural activities, including traditional dancing, food, and arts and crafts. Additional workshops and demonstrations will be held at nearby Aikido of Santa Cruz and the Zen Center. A free shuttle from the County Building will be available.

Get more info here.

Aptos Wine Wander

When: 6/9 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Aptos Village
Cost: $35

Wander for wine! Stroll through Aptos Village and taste the local wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains at this 2nd annual fundraising event. Tickets are limited, so get yours before they sell out. All funds raised will benefit Rio Del Mar Elementary, Mar Vista Elementary and Valencia Elementary schools.

Get more info here.

Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show

When: 6/9 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; 6/10 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Capitola Village Esplanade
Cost: Free

Starting at 8:30 am on Saturday, the classic cars will cruise the coastline from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to Capitola Village where the festivities will begin. View the vintage cars, listen to live music, and enter the raffles for a day of family fun. Enjoy all that our local Capitola Village businesses have to offer while you’re there.

Get more info here.

Home/Work Anniversary Party

When: 6/9 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Home/Work
Cost: Free

Home/Work is having a party and we’re all invited to help celebrate the shop’s 3rd anniversary! This is easily the best homework assignment you’ve ever had. Come enjoy cocktails, trunk shows, and local art that represents our amazing town.

Get more info here.

Spektrum – an immersive exhibit

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATRE/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.

Sunday

The Choral Project’s Earthsongs: Song & Dance

When: 6/10 at 5:00 pm
Where: Peace United Church of Christ, Santa Cruz
Cost: $25 General Admission; $20 Senior Admission; $10 Student/Alum Admission

The 22nd season of the Choral Project concludes with a concert of music and dance. A mix of sight and sound will be a feast for the senses as the dancers showcase their “choralography”. In addition to classical favorites, repertoire features include music from Broadway shows Newsies, Once on this Island, West Side Story, and Sister Act.

Get more info here.

Open House at The Castro Adobe

When: 6/10 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Castro Adobe State Historic Park
Cost: Free

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks hosts an open house at the Castro Adobe, which is an important piece of the area’s Rancho past. “Summer on the Rancho” is the theme. Bring the family for a walk back in time to find out what it was like at the Castro Adobe during summertime. Limited parking, carpooling recommended. Dogs on leash in parking area only.

Get more info here.

Pop-up SCM Makers Market at Shanty Shack

When: 6/10 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Shanty Shack Brewing
Cost: Free

Shop at Shanty! Over 20 local artists and crafters will show their work, while you enjoy live reggae music by Brainfood, tasty eats by the Shanty Kitchen, beer, and a special bottle release.

Get more info here.

Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show

See Description Under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATRE/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

The Big Westside Block Party 2018

What: The Big Westside Block Party 2018
Where: Haut Surf Shop lot
When: Friday, June 22 at 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Celebrate the beginning of summer at this year’s Block Party. Local brews, fabulous food and plenty of unique items from local vendors. Lot of surprises are in store! Admission is free, but registration in advance is required for this event and is expected to fill up.

Get more info here.

Bands on the Beach

Photo Credit: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

What: Bands on the Beach
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
When: Friday Nights, from June 15 – August 31

Yet another signal that summer is upon us…next Friday the Boardwalk kicks off their free Friday night bands on the beach concert series. Check out the 2018 lineup and start planning your Friday night concerts.

Get more info here.

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Valerie Lemke

Valerie Lemke is a transplant from the Bay Area to Santa Cruz County over 25 years ago, and hasn't looked back since. She is a local freelance writer and photographer who loves writing about and photographing one of the most beautiful regions in the world, the Central Coast.

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