This weekend’s biggest events include a star studded music festival, a major surfing competition, and a favorite local brewery’s weeklong birthday party.
Read on to see our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.
Steep Ravine // Kendra McKinley – Club Kuumbwa
When: Friday, 5/22 at 9:00 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz
How Much: $12-$15
Join local band Steep Ravine as they celebrate the release of their second album, which borrows sounds from jazz, folk, pop and more. They will be joined on stage by Kendra McKinley, who has been compared to both The Flaming Lips and the Beatles.
Tallest Man on Earth
When: Friday, 5/22 at 8:00 pm
Where: The Catalyst Club
How Much: $25
Music writers have compared singer-songwriter the Tallest Man on Earth to Bob Dylan, so you know you’ll be in for a treat when you head to this charismatic Swede’s show.
Sam Bush
When: Friday, 5/22 from 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
How Much: $31-$45
As a major player in the “Newgrass” (meaning new Bluegrass) musical movement, mandolin player Sam Bush brings a musical tradition onto the stage and then puts his own spin on things. You can hear it for yourself this weekend.
Dance concert: Splinters in Our Ankles
When: Friday, 5/22 at 7:00 pm
Where: Theater Arts Mainstage UCSC
How Much: $12-$15
If you’ve ever seen tinikling, a traditional Pilipino style of dance that requires some heavy footwork, then you know how engrossing it is to watch. This weekend’s performance will have elements of tinikling, but bring modern themes of cultural diaspora into the mix.
Hurricane Roses Farewell Performance
When: Saturday, 5/23 at 9:00 pm
Where: Moe’s Alley
How Much: $10
Over the last six years, the members of the Hurricane Roses have seen local success, as well as a slew of personal ups and downs. Now they’re saying goodbye to their band, which is sure to make for an emotional and beautiful performance.
Santa Cruz Derby Girls – Redwood Rebels vs. Steamer Janes
When: Saturday, 5/23 at 6:30 pm
Where: Civic Auditorium
How Much: $18-$32
In a match reminiscent of the Bay Bridge Series, two of Santa Cruz’s own Derby Girls team will face each other this Saturday night. This is part of a season long rivalry among three new local teams, which will vie throughout the summer to be crowned Santa Cruz’s finest.
Felton Remembers Parade and Festival
When: Saturday, 5/23 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Parade starts at Henry Cowell, Festival at Felton Covered Bridge Park
How Much: Free
The Felton Remembers Parade and Covered Bridge Festival is a community tradition in Felton. You can expect live music, great food, local beer and wine, vendor booths and fun activities for kids. The event starts with the parade, beginning at Henry Cowell State Park and culminates with the Festival at the Covered Bridge Park on Graham Hill Rd.
Steel Pulse
When: Saturday, 5/23 at 8:00 pm
Where: The Catalyst Club
How Much: $29-$33
Reggae and R&B band Steel Pulse has a big fan base in Santa Cruz, and it’s sure to turn out this weekend at the Catalyst, making for a packed, energetic show.
34th Annual Civil War Battles and Encampment
When: Saturday, 5/23 through Monday, 5/25 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
How Much: $23-$30
If your kids find learning about history from a textbook boring, bring them to this weekend’s Civil War reenactment to get them 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.
Santa Cruz Longboard Invitational
When: Saturday, 5/23 through Sunday, 5/24 at 7:00 am
Where: Steamer Lane
How Much: Free
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 one of a kind longboard of your own.
Santa Cruz American Music Festival
When: Saturday, 5/23 through Sunday, 5/24 10:00 am
Where: Aptos Village Park
How Much: $25-$200
Very big names like Bonnie Raitt, Big & Rich, Kellie Pickler and Los Lonely Boys will all descend on our very own Aptos Village Park this weekend in a celebration of country western, folk, Bluegrass, and other classic American music genres.
Santa Cruz American Music Festival Afterparty with Coco Montoya
When: Sunday, 5/24 at 8:00 pm
Where: The Catalyst Club
How Much: $25
Whether or not you can make it to the American Music Festival, the afterparty will offer a stellar lineup of its own, with Coco Montoya, Drake White and the Big Fire, and Pacific Groove all taking the stage.
Santa Cruz Derby Juniors & Jellies Double Header
When: Sunday, 5/24 at 1:00 pm
Where: Civic Auditorium
How Much: $15
Little girls with big talent get a chance to show what they can do on the skating rink this weekend. If you want to see what the next generation of butt kicking Derby Girls will look like, bring your family to this double header.
Music in the Garden
When: Sunday, 5/24 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Directions provided to ticket holders
How Much: $40-$50
The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival’s Spring event is Music in the Garden. The Bonny Doon concert will feature celtic musicians as well as Santa Cruz’s own The Great Morgani.
Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing 10 Year Anniversary Week
When: Begins Sunday, 5/24 at 10:00 am
Where: Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
Santa Cruz has seen a wave of excellent new craft breweries and taprooms in the last few years, and at ten years old, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing is now considered an elder in the local craft brew scene. The brewery is celebrating with a whole slew of events this week, from an interactive homebrewing class to a brunch a beer feast at Kelly’s French Bakery.
Hikes
- Redwood Loop Walk
- The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk
- Last Chance Trail
- Old-Growth Redwood Walks
- Wildflower Walk
- Family Discovery Walk
- History, Nature, and Scenic Views: A Tour of the Grey Whale Ranch Area
Cleanups
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- The Inciters plus Swamp Angel
- THE NEW ORLEANS SUSPECTS w/ members of The Radiators, The Neville Brothers & Dirty Dozen Brass Band
- Rich Girls, The Mozzies
Friday & Saturday
- Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me – Midnight Movie Copy
- San Lorenzo Valley High School Presents “The Matchmaker”
- Van Antwerp Theatre Co. presents DOG LOGIC
Friday through Sunday
Saturday:
- Mary Poppins by All About Theatre
- The Sun Kings
- “Slugs To Sludge” Wastewater 5K
- Birding for Beginners
- There Is No Mountain, Sun Maiden
- Here Comes the Sun!
- Felton Remembers Memorial Weekend Parade
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
- To Linda With Love: Tribute to Linda Ronstadt
- Community Rental: Invention At Play
- Fourth Sundays at San Lorenzo Park
- Belly Dancing performance Feldthouse Family & Friends
- Sunday Seaside Crafts
- The Mozzies Free In-Store at Streetlight Records
Recurring Events You Can Find Every Weekend
- Tours of the Reserve at Elkhorn Slough (weekly event – every Saturday & Sunday)
- Santa Cruz Farmers Markets (weekly events)
- Live Comedy at the Crow’s Nest (weekly event – every Sunday night)
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