This Weekend in Santa Cruz: May 4th – 6th, 2018

By Valerie Lemke

The first weekend of May is upon on us, and we’ve lined up some great events to help you bring in the month in style!

The First Friday Art Tour kicks off what is set to be an art-filled weekend with a variety of choices such as a spring art market, a paint and sip workshop, pottery seconds sale, fantastic live music concerts and some grand theater performances. Saturday is Cinco De Mayo and we’ve got a plan to help you celebrate this traditional holiday, too.

Even if your idea of fun is just hanging out with stormtroopers and droids, we know just what to do!

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

Quick Links

Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Upcoming

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Before planning this weekend, you might want to take a look at our 2018 Mother’s Day Guide to make sure you’ve got your plans for mom all squared away.

Friday

Mountain Community Theater Presents: “Assassins”

When: 5/4 – 5/5 at 8:00 pm
Where: Park Hall; 9400 Mill Street, Ben Lomond
Cost: $20-$25 + service fee

What happens when you mix both would-be and successful Presidential assassins together in a one of a kind production? You get a night of controversial comedy, sensational music and a thought-provoking performance that you won’t soon forget. A Tony Award-winning production with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Based on the book by John Weidman.

Get more info here.

Paint the Steamer’s Lane Lighthouse – Paint & Sip class at The Painted Cork

When: 5/4 at 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: The Painted Cork, 1129 Soquel Ave
Cost: $25

Spend First Friday evening creating your own painting of this Santa Cruz iconic lighthouse while sipping your favorite wine or beer in the comfort of The Painted Cork’s Santa Cruz art studio. Two full hours of professional art instruction from Matt Jones. All art supplies are included. Bring your own wine/beer and snacks.

Get more info here.

May the 4th be with You

When: 5/4 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Public Libraries – Downtown Branch
Cost: Free

Dress up in your favorite Star Wars themed cosplay for Star Wars Day at the downtown library! Spend an afternoon mingling with stormtroopers, schmoozing with Jedi and conversing with droids. Golden Gate Garrison will be out in full force re-creating characters from the Star Wars film series, while visitors explore the STEAM programming offered through the library system and more.

Get more info here.

Jewel Theatre Presents: THE ODD COUPLE

When: 5/4 – 5/5 at 8:00 pm & 5/6 at 2:00 pm
Where: The Colligan Theater
Cost: $42/$48

Neil Simon’s Tony Award nominated play is coming to the Colligan Theater! This classic comedy pairs two unlikely roommates, the untidy Oscar Madison and his neat-freak friend, Felix Unger. Can these two opposite personalities learn to live together in one small apartment without driving each other crazy? Find out at this fun performance.

Get more info here.

First Friday

When: 5/4 Times vary
Where: Multiple Locations County-wide
Cost: Free

The beginning of the month can only mean one thing…it’s time for the First Friday Art Tour! This monthly tour is hosted rain or shine with many art-centered events happening around the county, and it’s all free. Take this opportunity to unwind after a long week and kickoff a great weekend. Check the website for a complete list of events.

Two First Friday exhibits we’re interested in visiting are “Plant Life – Group Exhibition” at the Art Cave, and “Sunset is My Favorite Color (and Other Random Beach Finds)” at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing.

Also on Friday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATRE/ARTS

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

Santa Cruz Mini Maker Faire

When: Saturday, May 5 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo College, VAPA Complex
Cost: Click here for Advanced, Early Bird, and Day of ticket info.

The Santa Cruz Mini Maker Faire returns for a third year of making, tinkering, inventing, hacking, experimenting, and having fun. Jam-packed with hands-on, interactive experiences, this celebration of Santa Cruz’s vibrant maker community is truly a family-friendly event—it’s as much fun for the kids as it is for the adults.

Get more info here.

Be Natural Music’s BIG Spring Fundraiser

When: 5/5 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: $3

An evening of music from some of the county’s very talented young musicians. Enjoy food, drinks and raffle prizes while you listen to a lineup of 10 youth rock band performances! Come out and support this very important youth cause.

Get more info here.

Spring Art Market at the Tannery

When: 5/5 – 5/6 at 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Tannery Arts Center
Cost: Free

Shop and view the works of our fantastic local artists. Over 20 art vendors will showcase a variety of creations such as paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, textiles and more. There will also be tasty food, live music, face painting and even a visit from the Bookmobile! Get out for some time with family and friends and support our local talent.

Get more info here.

Capitola Library Used Book Sale at the Capitola Mall

When: 5/5 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Capitola Mall
Cost: Free

The Capitola Library is opening a used book store in the mall that will be open on First Saturdays and selected other dates throughout the month. Hundreds of used books are available between $1-$3. Head over there this Saturday and come out with an armload of good reading while helping the Capitola Library.

Get more info here.

Música Classica en la Misión con CIS No8

When: 5/5 from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mission Historic Park
Cost: Free

Take the family out for an afternoon of Cinco De Mayo history and festivities. You can take a Mission tour, make some traditional crafts, and savor some authentic Mexican food while listening to the classical music outdoor concert. A fun afternoon of celebration for the entire family!

Get more info here.

AFE Spring Festival!

When: 5/5 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: The Circle Church, 111 Errett Circle
Cost: Free Admission

The middle schoolers of Alternative Family Education are throwing a spring festival for their community service project. Everyone is invited to enjoy the festivities, including games, crafts, a petting zoo, raffle, live music and food for purchase. All money raised goes to helping teen parents (TAPP) and the Homeless Garden Project. Come out and support our local youth!

Orchard School Annual May Faire & Open House

When: 5/5 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Orchard School, Aptos

Spring time fun is in store at Orchard School’s annual celebration. Enjoy music, a May Pole dance at 1:30, face painting, kids’ crafts & activities, local artisans, and a big water slide! Tickets for food, drinks and activities will be available for purchase or you may bring your own picnic. Tours and faculty meet and greets will be available.

Get more info here.

Mountain Community Theater Presents: “Assassins” Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

See Description Under Friday Section

Jewel Theatre Presents: THE ODD COUPLE

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

Mothers’ Voices

When: 5/6 at 7:00 pm
Where: Bookshop Santa Cruz
Cost: Free

Join author Lisa Matison Garrigues as she guides mothers how to chronicle their stories of motherhood and the power of doing so alongside a group of others. Come alone or bring your own mother, daughter or friend. Bring a notebook and pen and join in on this special writing experience.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair

When: 5/6 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park – Duck Island
Cost: Free

It’s that time again for the 32nd Annual Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair! Gather by the duck pond stage for a lineup of five fabulous Bluegrass bands to take you through a music-filled Sunday afternoon and end the weekend on an great note.

Get more info here.

Pottery & Glass Seconds Sale

When: 5/6 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo College Parking Lot
Cost: FREE

More than 50 local artists and craftspeople will be offering their seconds, experiments and overstock at fantastic prices! What a great time to shop for Mother’s Day or upcoming celebrations or for new and unique décor for your home.

Get more info here.

SCM Makers Market

When: 5/6 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Felton, Mountain Community Resources Lot
Cost: Free Admission

The Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market returns this Sunday in Felton. Shop for unique items from over 40 local artisans while enjoying free live music by Dam Dave, The Dull Richards, and Heathen Hill. This is a great opportunity to support local non-profit Mountain Community Resources!

Get more info here.

Jewel Theatre Presents: THE ODD COUPLE

See Description Under Friday Section

Spring Art Market at the Tannery

See Description Under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATRE/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Santa Cruz Derby Girls Double Header

What: Santa Cruz Derby Girls Double Header
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
When: Saturday, May 12 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Invite your friends or bring your mom out for a unique Mother’s Day out at this SCDB Double Header featuring the Bombshells vs Berkeley Resistance and Sassies vs West Coast Derby Knockouts. This is sure to be a popular action-packed evening, so get your tickets soon!

Get more info here.

Want to win tickets to the game? We’re giving away two free tickets to the upcoming Derby Girl Doubleheader. Click here to enter the ticket giveaway.

Senderos Fiesta

What: Senderos Fiesta
Where: Cooper St
When: Saturday, May 12 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Dancers, musicians and puppets will march downtown for a sidewalk parade that will end on Cooper Street with a fantastic fiesta, and you’re invited! Watch colorful dancing, listen to traditional music and relish in authentic Oaxacan food for purchase. Proceeds from food sales will go to benefit Senderos youth programs.

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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