This Weekend in Santa Cruz: May 5th – 7th, 2017

This weekend offers multiple events for art enthusiasts, great local artisan shopping opportunities to help you get started with your Mother’s day shopping, two sure-to-be-delicious events at the Food Lounge, live music in the park, and much more.

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

Friday

Cinco de Mole

When: 5/5 from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge
Cost: Free

The Food Lounge’s first of two featured events this weekend celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a night of art, music, dancing, and of course, great food. Photographs from Miquel Zafra will be on display. Mole dishes will be served as appetizers and entrees.

Get more info here.

First Friday Santa Cruz

When: 5/5. Times vary by location
Where: Throughout Santa Cruz County
Cost: Free

Our favorite Friday of the month returns, offering a chance to see great local art throughout the county. Check out the complete listing of venues and artists on the First Friday website.

First Friday with Santa Cruz Shakespeare

When: 5/5 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Hotel Paradox

First Friday and Santa Cruz Shakespeare converge at Hotel Paradox to celebrate the start of the 2017 Santa Cruz Shakespeare season. Enjoy cocktails, small bites and wine from Sones Cellars.

Get more info here.

Free First Friday: Bike Night

When: 5/5 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: MAH
Cost: Free

This month the MAH will take part in First Friday with Bike Night. Enjoy live music, exhibits, and a variety of family friendly bike themed activities. Oh, and for the adults there will be bike powered margaritas, because…who doesn’t want a bike powered margarita?

Get more info here.

dis/connected

When: 5/5 – 5/7 at 7:00 pm
Where: Veterans Memorial Building
Cost: $20 – $25

Aeraflux, a local aerial and acrobatic performance company, will be performing “dis/connected” this weekend. dis/connected explores the issues that today’s youth grapples with in our connected digital world. The performance, featuring 9 Santa Cruz teens, demonstrates the importance of trust, collaboration and relationships through aerial dance and acrobatic floor work.

Get more info here.

A WHALE of a Time!

When: 5/5 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Sanctuary Exploration Center, 35 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: FREE

The Sanctuary Exploration Center is hosting a free whale-themed event this Friday evening with art by local artist, Robert Seals. Check out a pop-up historical gray whale exhibit, and take part in some whale art and science hands-on activities.

Get more info here.

Neil Simmons Photography Grand Opening & First Friday

When: 5/5 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Capitola Village, 309 Capitola Ave.
Cost: Free

Neil Simmons Photography has moved to Capitola Village! Come for the ribbon cutting at 6:30 pm, stay for a chance to see Neil’s latest work and the new shop, which also features jewelry from Leanna Simmons’ Damselfly Designs. Appetizers and drinks will be served.

Get more info here.

Cinco de Mayo/First Friday

When: 5/5 at 6:00 pm
Where: River Cafe Santa Cruz + Hive & Hum

Hive & Hum and River Cafe are teaming up for a Cinco de Mayo meets First Friday deck party you don’t want to miss! Enjoy great food, music, drinks, and a celebration of art by local artists Cindy Mori and Tessa Hope Hasty.

Also on Friday

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Saturday

Spring Art Market at the Tannery

When: 5/6 – 5/7 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Tannery Arts Center
Cost: Free

Get a jump on your Mother’s Day shopping this weekend at the Tannery’s Spring Art Market. This free event will include live music, food, artist studio tours, and as always, a ton of great art.

Get more info here.

Choose Santa Cruz & The Food Lounge Present: Food Slam!

When: 5/6 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Food Lounge
Cost: Free Admission

The Santa Cruz EDO wraps up Small Business Week in style at the Food Lounge with Food Slam! Come out and enjoy great food, raffle prizes and a series of twelve lightening round style presentations from local culinary experts. Each presenter will share a demo of a culinary technique or share a recipe.

Get more info here.

Spring Studio Sale

When: 5/6 – 5/7
Where: Mission Industrial Studios: Mission St (between Swift and Natural Bridges Dr)
Cost: FREE

This two day event will showcase work from eleven artists in the Mission Industrial Studios. In the spirit of Open Studios, the artists will have work for sale, on display, and will be available to discuss their work or offer demonstrations. The event runs from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm each day, with additional art activities from 6:00 – 9:00 pm on Saturday.

Get more info here.

Orchard School Annual May Faire & Open House

When: 5/6 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 live 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.

dis/connected

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

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

Sunday

Pottery & Glass Seconds Sale

When: 5/7 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo College
Cost: FREE

Cabrillo will host over 50 professional potters, glass artists, jewelers and other artisans who will be selling seconds and overstock items at bargain prices.

Get more info here.

SCM Makers Market

When: 5/7 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Mountain Community Resources, 6134 Highway 9, Felton, CA
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 Handmade Moments, Wild Iris and Chicken Mama.

Get more info here.

Downtown Santa Cruz Wine Walk

When: 5/7 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: $40

Enjoy the best wines the Santa Cruz Mountains have to offer without leaving Downtown. The 2017 Downtown Santa Cruz Wine Walk will take place this Sunday from 2:00-5:00 PM. Check in at Soif, beginning at 1:30. Grab a glass, your wine pass, a map of the pouring locations, and enjoy!

Get more info here.

Mother’s Day Sip ‘N Shop

When: 5/7 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Bonny Doon Vineyard Tasting Room in Davenport

Grab a gift for mom, shop local, and enjoy wine tasting. Be sure to come hungry and mosey on up to the Holopono Food Truck for Hawaiian pupus, poke, plate lunches, and more!

Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair

When: 5/7 from 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: Free

The historic Santa Cruz Bluegrass Festival returns to the Duck Pond Stage in San Lorenzo Park. This free event will feature the Down Beets, Brookdale Bluegrass Band, Bean Creek and more. Bring a blanket, chair, and your banjo, and enjoy some bluegrass music in the afternoon sunshine. Food and drink will be available to purchase at the event.

Get more info here.

Touch-a-Truck Community Fundraiser

When: 5/7 from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Skypark, Scotts Valley
Cost: $5

100% of funds raised goes to the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation, so bring the kids out to this family-friendly event and let them explore some cool giant trucks. Sitting in the driver’s seat and honking horns is encouraged!

Get more info here.

dis/connected

See Description Under Friday Section

Spring Art Market at the Tannery

See Description Under Saturday Section

Spring Studio Sale

See Description Under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

Featured Upcoming Event

What:12th Annual VIVE OAXACA GUELAGUETZA
Where: Harbor High School
When: Sunday May 21st from 9:00am – 5:00pm

Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza is an authentic Oaxacan cultural festival with music, dance, food, and crafts, held at Harbor High. Enjoy authentic Oaxacan food and beverages, including mole, tlayudas, tejate and more. Student musicians from Oaxaca will perform traditional Banda de Viento music, accompanied by colorful folkloric dance. This event benefits Senderos, an all-volunteer nonprofit in Santa Cruz providing free dance and music classes, tutoring and scholarships for Latino youth.

Get more info here.

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Ethan Oates

Ethan Oates fell in love with Santa Cruz while visiting as a child. He has lived in Santa Cruz since the mid '90's, and is happiest when spending time with his family.

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