This weekend is shaping up to be a great one! Check out Santa Cruz Paddlefest, the Santa Cruz Symphony presenting Frankenstein or head on down to see the Santa Cruz Warriors take on Oklahoma City Blue.
Bummed St. Paddy’s Day fell on a school night? Never fear, we know of a worthy event taking the celebration into the weekend.
Craving music? We’ve got you covered from the symphony to a choir to a performer from a Spanish island, there’s lots to lend your ear to.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Thursday
We usually kick these Weekend Roundup posts off with Friday events, but we’re making an exception this week to make sure you know what’s happening around town on St. Patrick’s Day.
Want to know who’s serving corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, and green beer? Looking to take in traditional Irish music and dancing? The following venues will all be hosting St. Patrick’s Day events:
- Chaminade Resort & Spa
- Davenport Roadhouse
- Don Quixote’s in Felton
- East Cliff Brewing Company
- Hollins House at Pasatiempo Golf Club
- Joe’s Bar in Boulder Creek
- Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria
- Malone’s Grille in Scotts Valley
- MJA Vineyards
- Poet N Patriot
- Rosie McCann’s
Friday
Santa Cruz Paddlefest
When: 3/18 – 3/20 at 7:00 am
Where: Cowell’s Beach
Cost: $40 – $150 for competitor registrations
We’re used to surfing competitions in Santa Cruz but this weekend sees a spin on the norm as this time paddlers compete, surfing the waves off of Cowell’s Beach.
Surf kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders, and waveskiers will race at Steamer Lane in separate classes Friday through Sunday. Intermediate racers will surf Cowell’s waves Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, another race has paddleboarders taking on laps between Cowells and the harbor.
Come out and watch the thrills! At time of this post, registration is still open to compete in the Cowell’s-Harbor race.
My Show: Melody Strong Grace & Friends, Living the Dream
When: 3/18 at 6:30 pm, 3/19 at 1:00 pm
Where: Aerial Arts Santa Cruz
Cost: Floor $10, Chair $15
Melody Strong Grace and fellow artists have drummed up a fun show for the whole family where audience participation is encouraged. Sing-a-longs, aerial acts, piano music, and puppetry are just some of what’s in store. No experience necessary. Melody and team will teach you the songs.
As an extra treat, homemade chocolate will be provided from the star herself, a woman obviously of many talents.
Kids Campfire & Hot Dog Dinner
Drop off the kids and make it a date night! The Ramblin’ Adventure Club will take over babysitting duties with a beach bonfire, hot dog and marshmallow roasting, and tons of fun.
When: 3/18 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Seabright Beach
Cost: $36 per child
Santa Cruz Warriors v. Oklahoma City Blue
When: 3/18 at 7:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Cost: $17 – $40
The Warriors take on Oklahoma City Blue again for the second time this month. The Warriors won one game last time and Blue came back to beat them the following day in a close overtime game.
What will happen as the two teams meet again to play Friday and Saturday on Santa Cruz turf? Come out to witness the action and cheer the players on. All fans can play Basketball Bingo presented by Llyod’s Tire & Auto Care while at the game.
CannTalk
When: 3/18 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: Free
No matter which side of the spectrum you stand on, this event will surely expand your knowledge of the green stuff. The free lecture series in three parts brings together industry experts to discuss cannabis science, research, politics and business.
Also on Friday
- Club Kuumbwa: Speakeasy 3 @ Kuumbwa Jazz
- Front Country plus McCoy Tyler Band @ Don Quixote’s
- Tsunami @ The Crow’s Nest
- Orgóne @ Moe’s Alley
- Ribsys Nickel @ The Catalyst
- Billy Martini Show @ Severino’s Bar & Grill
- IMUA @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Arrows @ The Crepe Place
- The Wonder Years @ The Catalyst
- Joe Ferrara @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Third Friday @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH)
- Book to Action – EYES WIDE OPEN: Going Behind the Environmental Headlines @ The MAH
- Unbridled @ Santa Cruz County Bank Offices
- Rumi on Stage: Motions of Tenderness @ Center Stage Theater
- Family Fun Overnight @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Stop Worrying, Start Living Public Talk @
Louden Nelson Community Center - Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville
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Santa Cruz Warriors v. Oklahoma City Blue
When: 3/19 at 7:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Cost: $17 – $34
The two teams meet to slam-dunk it out again. Free Warriors frisbees from Beach Street Inn & Suites to the first 1,500 fans.
Sheep to Shawl Fair
When: 3/19 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Live Earth Farm
Cost: $15 – $20
How did that sheep get onto your sweater? Find out how this happens as well as much more that the white fuzzy animals contribute to our daily lives as the Live Earth Farm puts on a fun, interactive experience for all.
Experts and local organizations will demonstrate and guide hands-on activities including shearing, dyeing, knitting, crocheting, weaving, spinning and more. Vendors will have a variety of sheep related products on hand. A lamb petting pen boosts the cuteness factor.
Luck o’ the Castros
When: 3/19 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Castro Adobe State Historic Park
Cost: Free admission (donations gratefully accepted)
Lucky visitors will get an introduction to California’s next state park on an easy guided walk. You’ll learn the fascinating history of Pájaro Valley and the relic home that has lasted there over a century.
Author Visit with Craig Harwood
When: 3/19 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Scotts Valley Branch of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Cost: Free
Did you know Santa Cruz made a mark in aviation history? Come hear author Craig Harwood speak about “Quest for Flight,” a biography he wrote chronicling a 19th century inventor and American west aviation pioneer.
Paddy-Palooza: A Party with a Purpose
When: 3/19 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: An Epicurious Lifestyle: 104 Bronson St, Santa Cruz
Cost: $20 suggested donation
Continue the St. Paddy’s celebration while giving to a good cause. Festivities include food, drinks, a raffle, live music and crafting for the kids. Proceeds from the occasion will benefit Cherish Uganda, an organization that includes a school, hospital, farm, and a home for orphans living with HIV/AIDS.
Santa Cruz Symphony: Frankenstein!!
When: 3/19 at 8:00 pm, 3/20 at 2:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium / Henry J Mello Center
Cost: $27 – $72
Composer and chansonnier H.K. Gruber, travels from Vienna to wow us with a blend of music pieced together, weaving the sometimes horrifying and other times sweet tale of Frankenstein.
Santa Cruz Paddlefest
See Description Under Friday Section
My Show: Melody Strong Grace & Friends, Living the Dream
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
- Melvin Seals & JGB @ Moe’s Alley
- Trace Bundy @ Don Quixote’s
- AZA @ Don Quixote’s
- Claudio Melega @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Bonedrivers @ The Crow’s Nest
- Takoma Records Guitar Masters “Spirit of John Fahey Tour” with Peter Lang, Toulouse Engelhardt & Rick Ruskin @ Kuumbwa Jazz
- Beach Fuzz, The Nerves, Solar Glory @ The Crepe Place
- Greg Brown @ Rio Theatre
- LIT TOUR Eric Bellinger, Philthy Rich, RJ, Compton AV, Kay Cola @ The Catalyst
- Sin Sisters Burlesque @ The Catalyst
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walks @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Slowcoast Spring Equinox Event @ Slowcoast Airstream Store in Davenport
- Home Coffee Roasting Class @ Seven Bridges Organic Brewing Supply
- 6th Annual Indulgences Fundraiser @ Zayante Firehouse
- Aptos Farmers Markets @ Cabrillo College
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair! @ PetSmart
- A Healthy Mind @ YWCA of Watsonville
- Surf City/Santa Cruz Kiwanis Crab & Pasta Dinner @ Santa Cruz Elks Lodge
- Westside Farmers Market @ Western Dr. and Mission St. Ext.
- Historic Photo Processes Forum @ MAH Boardroom
- Free Basic Maintenance Class @ Spokesman Bicycles
- Street Fighter V Tournament @ Level Up Video Games
- Lesbian Happy Hour @ Tampico Lounge
- Build Your Business: Basic Recordkeeping @ Cabrillo College
- Rumi on Stage: Motions of Tenderness @ Center Stage Theater
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Buika
When: 3/20 at 7:30 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $35.00 – $50.00
Buika, the flamenco superstar with a soulful, husky sound touted by NPR as, “one of the world’s 50 great voices” will perform her unique mix of jazz, flamenco, blues, and soul influenced by American, Cuban and Spanish rhythms.
Santa Cruz Chorale presents the San Jose State University Choraliers in Concert
When: 3/20 at 4:00 pm
Where: Holy Cross Church
Cost: $5 – $25
Our friends from over the hill known for their blended vocal styling and masterful musicianship will dazzle attendees with selections from Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir, a piece shockingly first performed 40 years after it was written, as well as music from the Renaissance and modern times.
Architecture at the Holy Cross Church no doubt will lend beauty and acoustical attributes to the special afternoon.
Santa Cruz Paddlefest
See Description Under Friday Section
Santa Cruz Symphony: Frankenstein!!!
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
- Sammy J @ The Catalyst
- Fred & Toody of Dead Moon @ Don Quixote’s
- Cruz Control with Patti Maxine @ Don Quixote’s
- Afternoon Blues Series: Lara Price @ Moe’s Alley
- Joy, Pharlee, Drain @ The Crepe Place
- Live Comedy @ The Crow’s Nest
- 48th Annual SC Classic Criterium Bicycle Race @ Street closures at Third, Spruce, Front and Laurel Ext.
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Science Sunday @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Bird Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Art From Our Attics @ Santa Cruz Art League Fundraiser
- Rumi on Stage: Motions of Tenderness @ Center Stage Theater
- Cleanup Cowell’s Project @ Cowell Beach
- Clean The Streets @ Moran Lake
Upcoming Easter Events
To start planning your Easter celebration in Santa Cruz, check out the activities below, from egg hunts to bunny photos, train rides to carnivals, and of course, Easter brunch!
Egg Hunts
Carnival
Brunch
Bunny Photos
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