This Weekend in Santa Cruz: May 18th – 20th, 2018

By Christine Candelaria

Begin your weekend “Aloha Friday” style with two Hawaiian music acts to choose from.

On Saturday, there’s countywide fun with events taking place in the mountains, Davenport, Watsonville, Capitola, and Downtown Santa Cruz.

And what’s Sunday without #SundayFunday and a Oaxacan cultural festival?

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

Quick Links

Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Upcoming

Thank you to 1440 Multiversity for sponsoring this edition of the Weekend Roundup. Visit the 1440 campus on May 27th for a one-of-a-kind live performance by East Forest, whose fusion of wilderness field recordings and live elecro-acoustic music is designed to let listeners explore their own inner space.

Click here for more information.

Friday

Badass & Bra at Bhody

When: 5/18 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: 1526 Pacific Avenue
Cost: FREE

Bhody welcomes special guest Clara E Minor, fitness and martial arts expert and owner of Minorsan Self-Defense & Fitness, for an evening of #BadassCourage and kickboxing demos. All attendees are encouraged to donate new and gently-worn brassieres and new panties for Be A Dear & Donate a Brassiere, an organization that helps provide needed essential undergarments to women in transition.

Get more info here.

Louden Wainwright III – Performs Surviving Twin

When: 5/18 at 7:00 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: $29.50 – $42/Advance

Get ready for a moving performance many years in the making. In Surviving Twin, singer/songwriter Louden Wainwright III combines his music with readings of magazine columns written by his late father, along with a family photograph slideshow. The result makes for an emotionally powerful theatre piece on the father/son relationship.

Get more info here.

Taimane, Ukulele Virtuoso

When: 5/18 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $25 Gen, $38 Gold Circle

We’re going to let this TEDxMaui Talk do the talking on why you should check out Taimane at the Rio. You’ll know why at about the 30 second mark, if not sooner.

Get more info here.

Food Trucks + Free Movie in the Park

When: 5/18 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Skypark
Cost: Free Admission

Food Truck Friday is always a great way to end the week and kick off the weekend, especially when it’s all that and a bag of chips, or you know, a free outdoor movie, live music, circus arts performance, and Lego activities! The Scotts Valley Educational Foundation will have their Beer & Wine Garden for tasty beverages to pair with your favorite food truck dinners.

Get more info here.

Kailua Moon featuring Danny Carvalho and Nani Edgar

When: 5/18 at 6:30 pm
Where: Pono Hawaiian Grill
Cost: Donations appreciated

It’s Aloha Friday and Nani and Danny are baaaack! That’s right, we’re on a first name basis, but only because we’re big fans of this dynamic duo known as Kailua Moon. Tap your feet to their originals, sway to their traditional island favorites, and guaranteed, you will enjoy some hula dancing by local dancers because that’s how Pono rolls on Fridays!

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATRE/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

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

Shakespeare to Go’s Romeo and Juliet

When: 5/19 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Boulder Creek Branch Library
Cost: Free

We get it. You’re busy and the last thing on your mind is trying to fit a Shakespeare play onto your to-do list. Doth not worry…that’s what Shakespeare to Go is for. Check out a 50-minute version of “Romeo and Juliet” performed in a lovely outdoor setting by UCSC students. And it’s free!

Get more info here.

Goat Hill Fair

When: 5/19 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and 5/20 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Cost: $25 Early Access; $10 General Admission at the Gate

After attending our first Goat Hill Fair, all we can say is wow! This unique antiques and artisan fair features over 100 vendors showcasing vintage treasures, up-cycled junk, antiques, collectibles, and artisan food. It’s fun, nostalgic, and tons of DIY inspiration.

Get more info here.

29th Annual Davenport May Festival

When: 5/19 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Davenport Resource Service Center
Cost:

Davenport’s annual May Festival is a laid back, family-friendly, community event that benefits the Davenport Resource Service Center. Enjoy a fun day filled with delicious food, kid activities, a silent auction, and plenty of music and dancing entertainment.

Get more info here.

Capitola Library Big Closing Sale

When: 5/19 10:00 – 5:00 pm and 5/20 10am – 12pm, & 12pm – 2pm
Where: Capitola Library

In preparation for construction of a brand new library building, Capitola Library is closing and everything must go. This means, in addition to gently used books, CDs, and DVDs, there will be surplus furniture and shelves for sale. Proceeds benefit the future Capitola Branch.

Get more info here.

Motion Pacific Showcase

When: 5/19 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Civic Auditorium
Cost: Free

Motion Pacific’s annual spring recital will showcase pieces from their current season of youth, teen and adult classes. Special guest dance artists from the community will also be featured. Hip hop over to this fun, free, family-friendly event and prepare to be inspired by all that Motion Pacific has to offer.

Get more info here.

Ceram-a-Rama 2018

When: 5/19 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mountain Art Center
Cost: FREE

Besides a great name, this event boasts free fun for the whole family showcasing ceramics in action. Come play, learn, and take in demonstrations from master artists Yumiko Aso and Carlos Dye. There will be crazy contests involving pottery wheels, a special kids corner, items for sale, and delicious food served in handmade bowls.

Get more info here.

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

Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza

When: 5/20 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: $10 per person; children 5 and under Free

Spend the day as if you were in Oaxaca, Mexico celebrating Guelaguetza! A fun day is planned for you to enjoy with family and friends at this 13th annual cultural festival. Featuring authentic food, dancing, music and traditional crafts. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the celebration. See our photos from last year’s Guelaguetza.

Get more info here.

Science Sunday May 2018

When: 5/20 from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Cost: $6-$8

You won’t get bored and nod off in this lecture. Science Sunday lectures are presented in a “user-friendly” format, entertaining and easy to understand. This Sunday’s topic is Our Ocean’s Edge, a photographic documentary project by photographer Jasmine Swope coupled with narratives by author Dwight Holing, that celebrates Marine Protected Areas and inspires conservation action.

Please note:
Doors open to the lecture hall at 1 PM. Lecture passes are available at the admissions counter at 12:30 PM. Seating is limited and first-come, first-served. No late seating.

Get more info here.

#SundayFunday

When: 5/20 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Abbott Square

Millennials have all the fun. If you were born between 1981 and 1997, and you can prove it with ID, enjoy brunch specials (be sure to take food pics and a selfie first) and deals at various restaurants and shops in Downtown Santa Cruz. Abbot Square will be Millennial Headquarters for the day with “Meme” games, puppies, live music, a photo booth, Instagram contest, and more.

Get more info here.

Goat Hill Fair

See Description Under Saturday Section

Capitola Library Big Closing Sale

See Description Under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATRE/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Santa Cruz Ebb & Flow Festival 2018

What: Santa Cruz Ebb & Flow Festival 2018
Where: Santa Cruz Riverwalk
When: June 1 & 2

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.

Get more info here.

Farm to Table Wine Dinner Series

What: Farm to Table Wine Dinner Series
Where: Chaminade Resort & Spa
When: June 1

Enjoy an evening of local food and wine prepared by Chef Nicholas Church at the kickoff to Chaminade’s Farm to Table Wine Dinner Series. You’ll get to take in stunning panoramic views and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere as you meet and mingle with guests, the chef, vintners and local farm representatives. This evening pairs a five-course menu featuring Fiesta Farms and Cokes Farms with wine from Cinnabar Winery.

Get more info here.

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Christine Candelaria

Christine Candelaria is a local mom of four who enjoys sharing her Santa Cruz adventures. You can follow her #santacruzlife on Instagram at @theaumsmama.

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