What are your plans for the first weekend of 2015? If you’re in Santa Cruz, you have a lot of options, including three different cover band performances, two pro basketball games, and a couple New Year’s celebrations.
Read on to see the rest of our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.
First Friday Events
This week brings the first First Friday of 2015, which means it’s time for the First Friday Art Tour. While the art tour is always a highlight, it isn’t the only perk that comes with the first Friday of each month:
- First Friday Art Tour
- Free First Friday at the MAH
- First Friday Free Day at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
- First Friday Art Walk in Felton
New Year Salsa Party
When: Friday, 1/2 from 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Where: Palomar Ballroom Santa Cruz
Welcome 2015 with some Latin music and dancing at downtown Santa Cruz’s own salsa mecca, the Palomar Ballroom. This event, which coincides with First Friday, will be all about starting the new year with positive vibes and old and new friends.
Lujan + Militia Of Love & One-A-Chord
When: Friday, 1/2 at 9:00 pm
Where: Moe’s Alley
How Much: $7-$10
If your New Year’s Eve festivities were lacking this year, head to Moe’s Alley on Friday night to make up for it. The Reggae dance party with three live acts are sure to be a good time.
Locomotive Breath: The songs of Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, The Who, Cream, The Rolling Stones, The Doors
When: Friday, 1/2 at 8:00 pm
Where: Don Quixote’s International Music Hall
How Much: $10-$12
The members of cover band Locomotive Breath don’t just pay tribute to one great artist –– they pay tribute to seven of them. Relive the classic rock wonder years of of 1967 through 1976 with them this Friday at Don Quixote’s.
Santa Cruz Warriors vs Canton Charge
When: Friday, 1/2 & Saturday, 1/3 at 7:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
How Much: $17 – $34
Santa Cruz’s NBA Development League team will take on the Charge from Canton, OH in a two game series this weekend. Make a downtown night out of it by grabbing dinner before or afterwards.
Urinetown, The Musical
When: Opens 1/2. Runs through 1/18.
Where: Cabrillo Stage Theater
How Much: $18-$45
This satirical musical takes on everything from the politics of water to corporate greed to musical theater, and any Santa Cruzan who has followed the desalination debate here in recent years will likely get a kick out of it. The Cabrillo cast is, as always, first rate.
Hike to Ocean View Summit
When: Saturday, 1/3 at 10:00 am
Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
How Much: Free
If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to exercise more or enjoy nature, this four hour, six mile loop around Big Basin is a great way to kick off 2015. The group will meet at Park Headquarters. Remember to bring plenty of water and a sack lunch with you.
Resolution: A Night of Poetry and Music
When: Saturday, 1/3 at 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: The Art Bar & Cafe
How Much: Free
Enjoy live performances on the theme of new beginnings and resolutions. The Art Bar & Cafe donates a portion of its proceeds to local public school arts programs, so you’ll be supporting a good cause while also having a good time.
China Cats: Grateful Dead Tribute
When: Saturday, 1/3 at 8:30 pm
Where: Don Quixote’s International Music Hall
How Much: $12-$15
Five Bay Area jam band veterans join together to make an excellent, nuanced Grateful Dead cover band. Bring the Dead Heads in your life to this fun night of tribute.
E-40
When: Saturday, 1/3 at 9:00 pm
Where: The Catalyst Club
How Much: $30
Bay Area rapper E-40 is best known for the hyphy movement of the late 90s and early 2000s, and he’s still putting out the energetic, danceable beats fans have come to expect. Head to the Catalyst on Saturday night to experience them, and don’t forget to bring your stunna shades.
Decades: Chuck Berry to Katy Perry
When: Saturday, 1/3 at 9:30 pm
Where: The Crow’s Nest
How Much: $7
When Chico based band Decades started in 2010, they had a lot of work to do: the band strove to learn a wide swatch of hits from the 1940s to contemporary times. You can hear the talented musicians perform a selection of songs from “In The Mood” by Glenn Miller Orchestra to “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke this Saturday night.
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- Ka Nalu
- Live @ The Pocket : Burnin’ Vernon & Aftermath
- The John Michael Band
- Jay Lingo Band, Hardly Worth the Trouble
Saturday:
- Live @ The Pocket : Ploughman and Esmeralda’s Roadshow
- ZONGO JUNCTION + Sun Hop Fat
- Mylo Jenkins, And Hod
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks
- Drop In Family Craft – Candle Dipping
Sunday:
- KOUNTRY KITTENS BURLESQUE, Girlbrains, Tyler Lloyd Emery & Six Mile Station
- Monthly XStream Beach Cleanup at Davenport Main Beach
- Bobey FREE In-store Performance!
- Wildflower Walk
Recurring Events You Can Find Every Weekend
- Free Wildlife Eco-Tours of the Santa Cruz Wharf (weekly event – every Saturday & Sunday)
- 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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