Santa Cruz Events: October 5th

The first weekend in October is here and we have an art-filled weekend lined up for you! One of the most anticipated local art events is back with a self-guided tour through the studios of some of the south county’s talented artists.

Put this together with other fun and favorite events, such as First Friday, film and comedy festivals, bubbles, the first local Brewgrass Festival and then top it all off with a favorite annual fireworks show that will start your October with a bang!

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

Quick Links

Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Upcoming

This week’s roundup is sponsored by Arts Council Santa Cruz County & the Open Studios Art Tour. Open Studios is our favorite fall activity and we’re thrilled to visit South County artist studios this weekend. Look for the free Open Studios guide around town, download the “Open Studios Art Tour” app, or just follow the green signs around town.

Click here for more information about Open Studios.

Photo: Taylor Reinhold, Artist #87.

Friday

RED – Tony-Award winning play by John Logan

When: 10/5 – 10/21
Where: Center Stage Theater
Cost: $23 – $26

RED is John Logan’s Tony Winning Play about one of the 20th century’s greatest artists, Mark Rothko, who is commissioned to do a series of murals for the famous Four Seasons Restaurant in New York City. Will facing the many challenges of taking on this project and struggles with the uprising of a new generation of artists prove to be his undoing?

Get more info here & buy tickets here.

Santa Cruz Surf Film Festival

When: 10/5 & 10/6 from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $16

The Santa Cruz Film Festival returns for it’s 5th year with four different programs of surf films presented over two nights. See some of surfing’s biggest waves, crazy drops and serious wipeouts up close and on the big screen. There will be goodie bags and giveaways at each showing. A portion of sales will go to the Surfrider Foundation.

Get more info here.

Monterey Bay Youth Outdoor Day

When: 10/5 & 10/6 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Main Lawn
Cost: Free

Monterey Bay Youth Outdoor Day highlights many of the great outdoor activities right here in our area for local kids and teens to participate in. Over 40 organizations will be presenting the many outdoor opportunities available for youth to spend time outside and explore a variety of areas and activities in Santa Cruz County.

Get more info here.

First Friday

When: 10/5
Where: Multiple Locations County-wide
Cost: Free

The beginning of the month can only mean one thing…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 art-filled weekend. Check the website for a complete list of events.

Get more info at the First Friday website.

Additional First Friday happenings:

Santa Cruz Film Festival

When: 10/3 – 10/7
Where: Multiple venues
Cost: $10 for Individual film tickets, $75 & up pass packages, $55 & up opening or closing parties

This 16th annual event is back with independent films that focus on the local environment, spotlighting local nature and the arts. A full weekend program of indie films awaits you! Come and celebrate independent filmmakers and support their work.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

MAKE/CRAFT

OUTDOORS

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Saturday

Open Studios 2018

When: 10/6 & 10/7 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Artist Studios throughout South County
Cost: Free

This much anticipated event is back with the first week of Open Studios 2018!

Arts Council Santa Cruz County will begin their annual free self-guided art tour this weekend with open studios located throughout South Santa Cruz County. See what our local talented artists have on display this year. Download the app or pick up a guide at select locations for a fall weekend of local art!

Get more info here.

Transforming Together

When: 10/6 at 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson
Cost: Free

The City of Santa Cruz Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women presents this one day Awareness and Prevention conference to help prevent sexual harrassment, domestic violence, sexual assault and gender-based biases. Keynote speakers and presentations include a line-up of experts, authors and care providers.

Get more info here.

ArtSmart Family First Saturday Concert Series: Tom Noddy and his Amazing Bubble Magic!

When: 10/6 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building
Cost: Adults $15, Children $10

Come for an amazing show as renowned bubble artist and local performer, Tom Noddy, brings his Bubble Magic performance to the stage. Bring the family for an entertaining event featuring bubbles like you’ve never seen before!

Get more info here.

RISE: The Story of Augustines (US Premiere)

When: 10/6 at 9:15 pm to 11:15 pm
Where: Tannery Arts Center
Cost: $10

Part of the Santa Cruz Film Festival, this is the US premiere of RISE: The Story of Augustines. A true and compelling story of a singer who loses his younger brother to suicide at the same time his band has broken up, leaving him and a band member personally and financially devastated. This story highlights the struggles and strength through the darkest times as they pushed forward to become one of the most celebrated independent bands in the world.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Comedy Festival

When: 10/4 – 10/6
Where: Various venues in Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Both paid and free shows at various locations

The 5th annual event is back this year with a line up of comedy that will leave you rolling in the aisles! There will be 60 comics performing across 11 venues with free and paid shows in downtown Santa Cruz. A night of comedy that will surely keep you entertained.

Get more info here.

Additional Santa Cruz Comedy Festival events:

Brewgrass Festival

When: 10/6 from 12:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
Cost: $15 – $75

Bluegrass music and the best in local brew combined together bring a day of fun, food, local craft beer and fabulous entertainment! Come out to Roaring Camp for demonstrations from local breweries, a Brewgrass Tasting Train, food trucks and live music from a lineup favorite Bluegrass bands. 10% of food and beer sales go to the Heidi Krueger Foundation, which helps fund college scholarships for local students in financial need.

Get more info here.

Wilder Ranch Book Talk With Beth Pratt-Bergstrom

When: 10/6 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Wilder Ranch State Park
Cost: Free (parking is $10)

The California Director of the National Wildlife Federation, Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, will talk about her book “When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: People and Wildlife Working It Out in California” at her special book talk event. Explore stories of interactions of mountain lions and other wildlife who face the challenges of development in our state and efforts to co-exist peacefully. Book will be available for purchase at the event.

Get more info here.

Costanoa Commons Farm Fest

When: 10/6 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Costanoa Commons Farm (at the base of Pogonip)
Cost: Free Admission

Costanoa Commons Farm is an urban organic farm that offers a chance for people of all abilities to learn new skills, grow healthy food and build community. Come on out this Saturday to celebrate the Costanoa Commons Farm Fest, their first community event. Located at the base of Pogonip, the farm will be offering tours, art activities in the “Creativity Barn” (we want to check that out ;), face painting and live music. There will also be plenty of local eats as well as beer from Shanty Shack Brewing.

Get more info here.