This is a weekend of stories, with three film festivals, a new play at the Colligan Theater, three world premier local compositions, and so much more.
You will have some opportunities to make your own stories at DIYine and the Beer March, but whatever you decide to do, you have plenty of fun choices to get out there and enjoy a unique adventure in Santa Cruz!
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
This week’s roundup is brought to you by local musician, and 2018 NEXTies Musician Of The Year winner, Jesse Daniel. Check out Jesse’s new Kickstarter campaign, where you can back his upcoming 2nd studio album…
Support Jesse’s Kickstarter campaign here.
Friday
7th Annual Watsonville Film Festival
When: 3/28 – 3/31
Where: Gene Hoularis & Waldo Rodriguez Youth Center
Cost: $80.00 All access pass / $10-$15 for individual screenings
Kicking off on Thursday and continuing through Sunday, the Watsonville Film Festival presents more than 20 films along with conversations with Industry insiders, and Q & A’s and film discussions about these varied, engrossing and relevant stories. This festival is a unique opportunity to witness and celebrate the art of storytelling, cinema and community. #StoriesMatter
Santa Cruz Paddlefest
When: 3/28 – 3/31
Where: Steamer Lane
Paddle Fest is a four day competition for Surf Kayaks, Waveskis and SUPs. Main events take place at Steamer Lane where spectators will be able to view the dynamic maneuvers of each class of wave-rider and cheer on the paddlers in the 5K and 10K races.
Breaking the Code
When: runs through 4/14
Where: Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center
Cost: $45 / $50
For some excellent live theater, head to the Tannery’s Colligan Theater for Jewel Theater Company’s newest production, “Breaking the Code”, which tells the story of Alan Turing, prodigal codebreaker during WWII later imprisoned for homosexuality. Previews and Talkbacks will take place Wednesday and Thursday, with the opening performance on Friday evening.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Live Music by Echo Fabric @ Abbott Square
- Zakir Hussain & Masters of Percussion with Niladri Kumar, Eric Harland & Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar Group: The Drummers of Kerala @ Rio Theatre
- House of Floyd @ The Catalyst
- Carie & the SoulShakers @ Seabright Brewery
- SPUN @ Crow’s Nest
- MONEY – Pink Floyd Tribute @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- MAX ROMEO + Dubtonic Kru & DJ Spleece @ Moe’s Alley
- Teddy and The Rough Riders w/ TBD @ The Crepe Place
- Chrisbaby @ The Catalyst
- Bonedrivers @ Severino’s
- Ted Welty & Soul Riders @ Michael’s on Main
- Ten O’clock Lunch Band @ Michael’s on Main
- Troy Fernandez Returns to PHG and The Reef Bar! @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
THEATER/ARTS
- “Four Old Broads” by Leslie Kimbell @ Mountain Community Theater
- Yarn Wall Hangings @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
MORE
- Imagining the Downtown Commons @ Louden Nelson Community Center
- DNA’S Comedy Lab Presents: CSI Santa Cruz @ DNA’s Comedy Lab
- DNA’S Comedy Lab Presents: Movie Riffing Night @ DNA’s Comedy Lab
- Zizzo’s Coffeehouse & Wine Bar Celebration @ 3555 Clares St., Suite PP, Capitola
- Northern California Volleyball Association (NCVA) Beach National Qualifier Tournament @ Main Beach
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
SUP Film Fest
When: 3/30 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: The Rio Theatre
Cost: $20 adults $12 kids under 13
If news and current events have you feeling anxious, there is an antidote! The 2019 SUP Film Fest shines with stories full of beauty, hope, conservation and the indomitable human spirit. Organized by Paddle4Good, a non profit that strives to empower underserved populations through aquatic adventures like Stand Up Paddleboarding, these award-winning films remind us of all of the goodness in the world.
DIYine: A Celebration of Homebrewing
When: 3/30 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: MAH
Cost: $20-$50
Santa Cruz Bike Church is raising funds on Saturday night with a celebration of home brewing. Attendees can sample homemade fruit wines (plum port, anyone?), meads, beers and soft drinks such as kefir, kombucha and Breath of Fire Ginger Ale. The event also includes hors d’oeuvres and live music.
Night of the Living Composer III
When: 3/30 at 7:30 pm
Where: Cabrillo Samper Recital Hall
Cost: $12 – $37
The Santa Cruz art scene includes a wealth of local composers, a fact that will be showcased at New Music Works’ Night of the Living Composers. The evening includes three world premier pieces amongst other sonic treasures.
Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival
When: 3/30 – 4/4
Where: Various venues
Cost: Donor contributions start at $18
The Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival starts with a reception and raffle Saturday evening, followed by five days of film screenings exploring Jewish identity and highlighting cross cultural understanding and respect.
Downtown Santa Cruz Beer March
When: 3/30 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Start at the Downtown Santa Cruz Info Kiosk
Cost: $30 / $35
We are lucky enough to have a plethora of delicious craft breweries in Santa Cruz, but it’s rare that you get a chance to sample so many of them side by side. The Downtown Santa Cruz Beer March sets you up with a souvenir glass and a passport as you march to each participating venue for a tasting and a toast!
7th Annual Watsonville Film Festival
See Description Under Friday Section
Santa Cruz Paddlefest
See Description Under Friday Section
Breaking the Code
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Americana Charting and International Touring Band, Jeffrey Halford and the Healers @ Aptos Street Barbecue
- BOURBON & BURLESQUE Mardi Gras Mayhem @ Palomar Ballroom
- HOT Jazz Swing @ Santa Cruz Food Lounge
- Live Music by Eric Morrison & The Mysteries @ Abbott Square
- Come Fly With Me: The Songs of Frank Sinatra featuring John Michael & Will McDougal @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Pawn Shop Soul @ Crow’s Nest
- Grateful Bluegrass Boys @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- The English Beat @ Moe’s Alley
- Henry Chadwick w/ Tommy Alexander Band and Taylor Kingman @ The Crepe Place
- The Offspring – Acoustic Show – SOLD OUT @ The Catalyst
- Fishhook @ Severino’s
- Spirit of ’76 @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Castle Rock Loop @ Castle Rock State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Building Methods at the Mission @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Old Cove Landing Trail @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Artist Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
MORE
- The Santa Cruz VORTEX @ Pacific Cultural Center
- Beach Ball Gala @ Holy Cross Parish Hall
- DNA’S Comedy Lab Presents: Caitlin Gill @ DNA’s Comedy Lab
- Northern California Volleyball Association (NCVA) Beach National Qualifier Tournament @ Main Beach
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Music Musings & Mayhem
When: 3/31 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Art League
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Santa Cruz Art League reminds you to enjoy the fun side of life and art with an evening of sculpture, music and musings. Wine and snacks will be served. For mature audiences only.
Sanctuary Exploration Center 2019 Docent Training
When: 3/31 at 10:00 am
Where: Sanctuary Exploration Center
Cost: Free
Here’s your chance to share your love for the ocean and wildlife with the public. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is offering docent training at the Sanctuary Exploration Center.
Docents attend educational field trips, support special events, assist with school field trips, and guided tours.
Learn more about becoming a Docent by attending an Informational Meeting this Sunday at the Sanctuary Exploration Center.
The 2019 Docent Training Program will be held from April 10th – May 15th on Wednesdays from 6 PM – 9 PM at the Sanctuary Exploration Center.
For more information and to apply, please contact the SEC Volunteer Coordinator at brijonnay.madrigal@noaa.gov or call (831) 425-4182.
Anthony Arya & Emily Hough
When: 3/31 at 2:00 pm
Where: Michael’s on Main
Cost: $10 adv./$10 door seated
7th Annual Watsonville Film Festival
See Description Under Friday Section
Santa Cruz Paddlefest
See Description Under Friday Section
Breaking the Code
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Dan Potthast w/ Kevin Seconds, Dan Janisch and Kepi Ghoulie! @ The Crepe Place
- Lil Tracy @ The Catalyst
- Anthony Arya & Emily Hough @ Michael’s on Main
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- Guided Adobe Tour @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Creeping Forest Ramble @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Master Class: Thomas Lang – Applied Drum Technique @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Northern California Volleyball Association (NCVA) Beach National Qualifier Tournament @ Main Beach
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
20th Annual Soupline
What: 20th Annual Soupline
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove
When: Thu, April 18 from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Now in its 20th year, Soupline is a fundraiser for the Homeless Services Center. More than 30 restaurants present gourmet soups served by local celebrities, along with salads, artisan breads, desserts and a no-host bar. Proceeds support HSC’s efforts to help families and individuals in our county to find permanent homes.
The Art of Nature
What: First Friday: The Art of Nature
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
When: April 5, 5-7 pm & May 3, 5-7 pm
The Museum of Natural History will host their annual exhibit bringing together science and art. Local artists of varied media will display their nature-themed artwork through April, with two First Friday demonstrations.
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