The county Fair starts this week and continues through the weekend, along with several events that you will not find anywhere else.
Ohlone Day celebrates, educates and is FUN! For art and sipping, the Capitola Art and Wine Festival is the place to be.
Our talented seniors are putting on a show, and this is your last chance to watch a movie on the beach in Capitola.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Wednesday – Sunday
Santa Cruz County Fair
When: 9/11 – 9/15
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Cost: Adults $14, Kids $7, Seniors $10; Parking $10
The Fair begins! Santa Cruz County has so much to celebrate and much of the bounty is on display at the County Fair. Browse the award-winning artwork of local residents, see the crafts, collections and creations of your friends and neighbors. Ride the rides, watch the turkey stampede, pig races, or catch a show. Treat yourself to the once-a-year foods that you can only get there.
Friday
Each Beach: Art Show & Benefit for Save Our Shores by Erika Perloff
When: 9/13 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Hotel Paradox
Cost: Free
Even an unbiased observer would agree that our coastline is some of the most beautiful scenery on earth, and plein air artist Erika Perloff set a goal to capture each beach from Santa Cruz Main Beach all the way to Pigeon Point. Paintings are for sale as a fundraiser for Save Our Shores, to support conservation for future generations to enjoy.
Catherine Provenzano: “Pitch Correction Software and Vocal Ecology”
When: 9/13 at 6:00 pm
Where: Design by Cosmic, 115 Cooper St., Santa Cruz
Cost: Free – RSVP
Explore how the music production landscape has been altered by the advent of products like “auto-tune,” with ethnographically based research into music history. Also featuring soprano voice artist Micaela Tobin, this talk will probe into gender, race, stardom and technology.
Santa Cruz Follies Presents “Fascinatin’ Rhythms”
When: 9/11 – 9/14 at 1:00 pm & 9/13 at 7:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: General $22.00; Children 10 & under $5.00
Enjoy the best music and dance routines from Broadway and Hollywood, all performed in one amazing variety show by local talent in the senior set. This annual fundraiser supports the wonderful folks at Senior Citizens Opportunities who provide classes, activities and other help to Santa Cruz elders.
Bird Fun Fest
When: 9/13 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: The MAH
Cost: Free
It’s all about our fine feathered friends at the MAH this Friday. Bird experts will be on hand to answer questions while you create your own bird mask. You can also learn to draw birds and play bird games. Birds of a feather will flock together at the end of night, as attendees parade around Abbott Square.
Movies on the Beach: Ralph Breaks the Internet
When: 9/13 Seating begins 6:30; Movie begins 7:30 pm
Where: Esplanade Park near Capitola Beach
Cost: Free
Autumn is approaching, but you still have one more chance to make the most of a summer night by catching a movie outside. The last in the series features Wreck-It Ralph and pals. Bring your picnic dinner or get some takeout in Capitola for one last nighttime flick by the beach.
Santa Cruz County Fair
See Description Under Wednesday section
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Live Music by Samba Cruz @ Abbott Square
- IYA TERRA @ The Catalyst
- THE PETER MOON TRIBUTE BAND @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- The Eldorados @ Crow’s Nest
- Ben Morrison Band (Of The Brothers Comatose) + Ron Artis II & The Truth @ Moe’s Alley
- Harpin’ & Clark @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
MORE
- Boardwalk Beach Blitz Overnight @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- NIGHT MARKET @ Santa Cruz Food Lounge
- COMEDIAN SOLOMON GEORGIO @ DNA’s Comedy Lab
- THE SUN DOES SHINE: HOW I FOUND LIFE AND FREEDOM ON DEATH ROW @ Bookshop Santa Cruz
- And Two If By Sea @ Rio Theatre
Saturday
Ohlone Day
When: 9/14 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Cost: Free; Vehicle day-use parking $10
This annual event is a celebration and demonstration of the first nation people who lived in this area. Ohlone people will perform traditional songs, stories, dances as well as sharing basket-weaving techniques, tools and language. Attendees can learn how to use an atlatl and cook acorn mush with hot rocks. This is a family treat not to be missed.
River Health Day
When: 9/14 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Riverwalk
Cost: Free
Join the Coastal Watershed Council’s efforts to keep our river clean and healthy. Plant and care for native seedlings, weed out the invasive guys and spruce up the ecosystem with cool people. Gloves, tools and light refreshments will be provided.
Art of Communication Festival
When: 9/14 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Peace United Church
Cost: Sliding scale tuition: $60-$120 or $30-60 for a half-day
Here is a chance to dive in to NVC, also known as Compassionate Communication. With a variety of teachers and workshops available, attendees can choose from the buffet of topics, all with the aim of deeper understanding and connection with oneself and others.
37TH ANNUAL CAPITOLA ART & WINE FESTIVAL
When: 9/14 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm & 9/15 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Capitola Village
Cost: Free Admission
Spend a lovely September day perusing artwork and artisan crafts, and sampling wine by the sea. A full line up of stage performances by local singers, dancers and other performers add to the creative fun.
Santa Cruz Follies Presents “Fascinatin’ Rhythms”
See Description Under Friday Section
Santa Cruz County Fair
See Description Under Wednesday section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- An Evening With Keith Greeninger and Band @ Armitage Winery
- Backyard Birds with Dan Frechette and Laurel Thomsen @ Felton Music Hall
- Live Music by Moshe Vilozny @ Abbott Square
- THE CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS @ The Catalyst
- Jive Machine @ Crow’s Nest
- Elie and Enah in the Afternoon @ Crow’s Nest
- BOOSTIVE + drftr @ Moe’s Alley
- Shoobies w/ Tomb Weaver (Record Release) @ The Crepe Place
- Ten O’clock Lunch Band @ Michael’s on Main
- The Snarky Cats Rock @ Severino’s
- Grand Larson plus Eric Morrison & The Mysteries plus Lindsey Wall @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- Snake Park Saturday @ Rancho del Oso
- Birding for Beginners in Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso
- Tour the Base of Pigeon Point Lighthouse @ Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
- Stargazing at Pigeon Point @ Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
MORE
- Rexford Winery Tasting @ Annieglass Incorporated
- ROARING CAMP: MOONLIGHT TRAIN DINNER PARTY @ Roaring Camp Railroads
- COMEDIANS TOM & STEPH CLARK @
DNA’s Comedy Lab - National Drive Electric Day @ Downtown Santa Cruz
- Vampires MC Dark Ride. @ Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
- Tommy’s Really Leaving Party @ Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
- Boardwalk Beach Blitz Overnight @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Sunday
Spotlight On The Symphony – Souvenir De Florence
When: 9/15 at 2:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo Samper Recital Hall
Cost: $49 (plus service fees)
This series features a small group of strings performing Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous sextet Souvenir de Florence. Opening the concert will be Maestro Daniel Stewart playing Telemann’s Viola Concerto, one of the first pieces written for this soulful instrument.
Santa Cruz County Fair
See Description Under Wednesday section
37TH ANNUAL CAPITOLA ART & WINE FESTIVAL
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- LIL KEED @ The Catalyst
- Elie and Enah in the Afternoon @ Crow’s Nest
- Rick Estrin & The Nightcats @ Moe’s Alley
- Future Twin (SF) w/ Secret Nudist Friends (Philly) Village of Spaces (Santa Cruz) @ The Crepe Place
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- Before — The Symphony — And After @ Peace United Church of Christ, Sanctuary
- A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN @ The Colligan Theater
OUTDOORS
- Birding for Beginners @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Open House at the Castro Adobe: The Pajaro Valley in the Mexican Era @ Castro Adobe State Historic Park
- When Species Collide @ Rancho del Oso
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
MORE
- Science Sunday—Kelp Forest Resiliency: Life after Sea Urchin Grazing @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- San Francisco Comedy Competition @ Crow’s Nest
- Kevin Nealon @ Rio Theatre
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Santa Cruz Mountains Harvest Festival
What: Santa Cruz Mountains Harvest Festival
Where: Downtown Boulder Creek
When: Saturday, September 28, from 11:00 am to 6:45 pm
Boulder Creek is throwing an autumn party with food trucks, wine, beer and cider, live music, arts and crafts and fun activities. Proceeds go back into the community through local nonprofits and organizations.
Capitola’s 2nd Annual Beach Festival
What: Capitola Beach Festival
Where: Capitola Village
When: September 28 & 29
Rowboat races, a 3-mile fun run, sand-sculpture contest, horseshoe tournament, fishing derby, chalk art event…and that’s just the beginning! This is old-fashioned community fun at its rarest and best. Don’t miss the Esplanade concert and lighted nautical parade!
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