Santa Cruz Life

This Weekend in Santa Cruz: May 26th – 28th, 2017

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memorial day 2017
You know it’s Memorial Weekend when the American Music Festival, Longboard Invitational, and Civil War reenactments come to town.
Performing arts also take center stage this weekend with no less than three plays to choose from.
And one celebration you don’t want to miss is the Surfer Statue’s 25th anniversary…think he’ll be dressed up?

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

Friday

Zoot Suit

When: 5/26 – 28 and June 1 – 4 at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm
Where: Mainstage Theater at UC Santa Cruz
Cost: $12-$18; Parking $4

“Zoot Suit” became a Broadway musical sensation in 1979 and later a feature film starring Edward James Olmos. Now, 38 years after its Broadway premiere, the original playwright, Luis Valdez, has written a new version of his American classic. Don’t miss its run at UC Santa Cruz, the first academic theater in the world to produce the new script. Recommended for mature audiences only.

Get more info here.

HONK! jr.

When: 5/26 – 5/28 at 7:00 pm and 2:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: Adults $16, Student/Senior/Child $14 Specially priced tickets may be purchased through one of our cast or family members.

This classic retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen tale “The Ugly Duckling” is appropriate for the entire family. Prepare for laughter, tears, memorable songs, and a heart-warming life lesson about acceptance.

Get more info here.

VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE

When: 5/26 – 5/28 at 8:00 pm and 2:00 pm
Where: Park Hall
Cost: $20 General Admission, $17 Seniors/Students

Head to Ben Lomond’s historic Park Hall for the last weekend of Mountain Community Theater’s production of the hilarious Tony Award-winning play “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” Read the full review in the Sentinel here.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

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Saturday

Santa Cruz Longboard Union Memorial Day Invitational

When: 5/27 – 5/28 at 8:00 am
Where: Steamer Lane

Considered “the best longboard contest in the US,” this invitational attracts 200 surfers from all over and provides for some riveting entertainment for spectators. You can even enter a raffle for a chance to win a handcrafted surf board of your own. Vendors selling locally-made clothing, jewlery, wetsuits, and more will be set up Saturday and Sunday.

Get more info here.

Spring Book Sale!

When: 5/27 from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: Free Admission

Choose from over 10,000 gently used books, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks at the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries annual Spring Book Sale. Friday evening is a preview for Friends donors from 5 – 8 pm, and the sale opens to the public on Saturday at 10 am. Proceeds benefit the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Santa Cruz Life Tip: Fill up a bag of books for $5 from 2 – 4 PM!

Get more info here.

 Santa Cruz American Music Festival

When: 5/27 – 5/28 from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where: Aptos Village Park
Cost: $25 – $1000 + additional fee

Big name acts like Melissa Etheridge, The Brothers Comatose, and The Devil Makes Three will all descend on our very own Aptos Village Park for the Santa Cruz American Music Festival, a weekend-long celebration of Blues and American Roots music.

Get more info here.

36th Annual Civil War Battles & Encampment

When: 5/27 – 5/28 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
Cost: Admission is $5 per person. Get a $2 discount off Roaring Camp Train Tickets by showing admission ticket

Bring the kids to Roaring Camp for a unique history lesson. This weekend’s Civil War reenactment is bound to get every kid in attendance engaged in a crucial part of America’s past. You’ll be able to see how soldiers lived, slept, ate, and fought back in the 1800s.

Get more info here.

Surf Statue 25th Anniversary

When: 5/27 at 12:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz
Cost: Free

The whole community is invited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our beloved Surfer Statue on West Cliff Drive. Enjoy refreshments and a photo display (you know he’s worn some wacky costumes over the years), while you learn about the statue’s history and meet the folks who made it possible.

Get more info here.

Zoot Suit

See Description Under Friday Section

HONK! jr.

See Description Under Friday Section

VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

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

Sunday

Music and Art Festival

When: 5/28 from 11:30 am to 7:00 pm
Where: Junction Park
Cost: Free Admission

Bring the whole family to enjoy this Memorial Weekend fundraiser for Boulder Creek Recreation Programs. There will be kid activities, art vendors, and plenty of music including JnJ Dynamite, Dead Men Rocking, and Mofongo. BBQ and beer provided by Boulder Creek Brewery and more.

Get more info here.

Zoot Suit

See Description Under Friday Section

HONK! jr.

See Description Under Friday Section

VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE

See Description Under Friday Section

Santa Cruz Longboard Union Memorial Day Invitational

See Description Under Saturday Section

Santa Cruz American Music Festival

See Description Under Saturday Section

36th Annual Civil War Battles & Encampment

See Description Under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

Featured Upcoming Event


What: Jewish Cultural Festival
Where: Temple Beth El, Aptos
When: June 11, 2017 from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Cost: Free Admission

Come for the food, like Bubbe’s Matza Ball Soup with a vegan option, and stay for the music, including the uniquely Santa Cruz Rock Shabbat Band. A wonderful day of culture, food, music, education and fun is in store for the entire family!

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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