October starts with a bang this weekend, as the Santa Cruz Wharf celebrates their 100th anniversary with a Centennial Celebration and Fireworks Spectacular.
Art lovers have a lot to be excited about this weekend too, with First Friday, and the start of the 2014 Open Studios Art Tour. Fans of comedy, fine cuisine, and classic cars will also enjoy the first weekend of October.
Read on to see the rest of the Santa Cruz Life picks for the best events this weekend.
First Friday Events
It’s time for the First Friday Art Tour!
Image above: “Om Sitar” by Isabell Fearnsby. On display at Isabell’s show, “Undercurrents.” Artist’s Reception is Friday from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm at Om Gallery in Downtown Santa Cruz.
Below are a few of the First Friday highlights this 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 Tour: Carol Bowie “Jazz Legends”
- First Friday Santa Cruz Art Showcase at The Spa at Chaminade
- First Friday: Art Wall at the Swift Street Courtyard
- Wild Things – Exhibit Opening
- Jim Holm: Clean Oceans Project
- “Upstream” new public art dedication
- Isabell K. Fearnsby reception at Om Gallery
Santa Cruz Wharf Centennial Celebration and Fireworks Spectacular
When: Saturday, 10/4 at 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Fireworks at 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
How Much: Free
This celebration will offer a diverse selection of entertainment, from the MAH’s honoring of Santa Cruz’s Italian fishing background to major sailing vessels, and live music. The Centennial Celebration on the wharf goes from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and is followed by a 100 year anniversary fireworks show at 9:00 pm on Main Beach.
If you go to only one historical Wharf celebration this year, it should be this one.
Harvest Moon Farm Dinner To Benefit Teen Kitchen Project
When: Saturday, 10/4 at 5:00 pm
Where: Live Earth Farm
How Much: $100.00
The Teen Kitchen Project is a local nonprofit that teaches high school students the importance of nourishing food, and brings them into the kitchen. Support this great nonprofit and sample what the kids have learned this Saturday at the Harvest Moon Farm Dinner.
Finals: 39th Annual San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition
When: Saturday, 10/4 at 8:00 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
How Much: $25-$35
You don’t have to drive all the way to the City to check out the Bay Area’s best aspiring comedians. Take in the finals of this multi round competition at Kuumbwa Jazz Center in downtown Santa Cruz.
Open Studios Art Tour
When: Saturday, 10/4 & Sunday, 10/5 (continues through 3rd weekend of Oct.)
Where: Various Locations in Santa Cruz County
How Much: Free (with purchase of Open Studios Guide or App)
The Santa Cruz area is home to a host of talented artists, and every autumn the county turns into one big museum, with artists’ studios transforming into galleries all over the county. Santa Cruz Life has plenty of info about Open Studios to help you get the most out of your tour this year.
Santa Cruz Symphony – Season Opening
When: Saturday, 10/4 & Sunday, 10/5 at 8:00 pm and 2:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium (Sat) and Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts (Sun)
How Much: $25-$70
If you enjoy the finer things in life, treat yourself to the Santa Cruz Symphony’s season opening, titled a “Classic Evening,” which will feature music from such revered composers as Mozart and Bach.
Holy Cross School Fall Carnival
When: Sunday, 10/5. 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Mission Plaza Park (in front of Holy Cross Church)
How Much: Free
Support Santa Cruz’s local parochial school, which is right next to the historic Santa Cruz Mission, at their annual Fall Carnival. There will be a raffle, pumpkin walk, live music and more.
Food and treats will be provided by Crow’s Nest, Kianti’s, and Marrianne’s, among others. Raffle prizes will include golf for 2 at DeLaveaga, as well as a stay at the Grand Hotel in San Jose.
Hot Rods at the Beach
When: Sunday, 10/5 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
How Much: Free
Since 1998, Hot Rods at the Beach has raised money for a variety of different worthy charities and causes, including Santa Cruz Police Officers Industrial Arts Scholarship and the Silver Shield Foundation, a scholarship program for the children of New York firefighters and police officers who passed away on September 11th, 2001. Come support this great fundraiser, and enjoy one of the best celebrations of classic cars in the area.
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- Star and Moon Gazing
- Zeppelin Live formerly HEARTBREAKER: Led Zeppelin Tribute
- The Aquabats
- Foreverland – An Electrifying 14-Piece Tribute to Michael Jackson
Friday & Saturday
Saturday:
- Chardonnay II Brewmaster Charter
- Celebrating 40 Years of Midwifery with SambaDa
- The Basics of Wildlife and Nature Photography Workshop
- Zumba Dance Party!!!
- Got Uke Festival 2014: An all-day ukulele blast-o-rama
- FREE SWIM LESSONS once a month
- Grow Your Own Compost: Cover Crops for the Home Garden and Orchard
- Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
- Boostive, Desmadre, Mark London & The Super Greens
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
- Royal Shakespeare Company presents THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
- 31st Annual Oktoberfest: Benefiting Hospice of Santa Cruz County
- McCoy Tyler Band, The Crow and The Canyon
- Liv/giant Mermaid Triathlon & Duathlon Capitola
- Monthly XStream Beach Cleanup at Davenport Main Beach
- Weekly Cowell Beach Cleanup
- Tools of the Treasure Hunt: Orienteering for Kids
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)
- Sunday Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center (weekly event – every Sunday)
- Santa Cruz Farmers Markets (weekly events)
- Live Comedy at the Crow’s Nest (weekly event – every Sunday night)
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