What’s happening this weekend in Santa Cruz?
A lot.
Read on to see our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend:
FREE Friday Night Bands on the Beach: Everclear
When: Friday, 8/14 at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
How Much: Free
Everclear rocked the 90s with radio hits like “Father of Mind” and “Santa Monica.” You can relive the fun or discover the band for the first time for free, this Friday night at the Boardwalk.
Julie Goldman/Marga Gomez: Straight Stand-Up
When: Friday, 8/14 at 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building
How Much: $18-$25
The only thing “straight” about either of these two headlining stand up comics is their straightforward, unabashed humor. If you want to see what the future of LGBTQ comedy looks like, you won’t want to miss this event.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Tribute –Tribe of The Red Horse plus Heartless–Tribute to Heart
When: Saturday, 8/15 at 8:00 pm
Where: Don Quixote’s International Music Hall
How Much: $10
Those who enjoy rock music from the 60s and 70s will find a lot to love at Don Quixote’s Saturday show, where both Neil Young and Heart will receive tribute concerts.
“Exile on Beach Street” The Beggar Kings
When: Saturday, 8/15 from 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
How Much: $15-$25
Former members of beloved bands like the Doobie Brothers and the White Album Ensemble, as well as local American Idol star James Durbin, will come together to recreate two classic Rolling Stones albums, “Exile on Main Street,” and “Sticky Fingers.” You can only catch it this weekend, so don’t put off buying a ticket.
Wish You Were Here | Cabrillo Festival Orchestra Concert
When: Saturday, 8/15 at 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
How Much: $32-$59
Four composers under the age of 35 wrote the works that will be performed at this weekend’s Cabrillo Festival Orchestra Concert. This is a great way for classical enthusiasts and novices alike to experience something a little new and different.
Santa Cruz Socialites ‘Give Back BASH’
When: Saturday, 8/15 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge
How Much: Donations
Jello shots, samba dancing, and a live DJ are just a few of the fun features that attendees of the Give Back BASH will experience this Saturday night. All proceeds will go to five different local causes, including Sprouting Hope.
An exclusive VIP Evening with LEON RUSSELL
When: Saturday, 8/15 at 8:00 pm
Where: The Catalyst Club
How Much: $30
Rock veteran and revered songwriter Leon Russel has worked with heavyweights like Bob Dylan, John Lennon, and Barbara Streisand. This weekend, you can catch him on stage playing some of his own stuff at The Catalyst.
Grizzly Bear Festival
When: Saturday, 8/15 from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Rancho Del Oso State Park
How Much: Free
California grizzly bears once roamed free and abundantly throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains area. The upcoming Grizzly Bear Festival will give interested attendees insight into how they lived, and will also include Native American inspired crafts and activities.
SF Mime Troupe 2015
When: Saturday, 8/15 and Sunday, 8/16 at 2:30 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
How Much: Free (donation)
Don’t expect any striped shirts or silent role playing from the SF Mime Troupe; the theater group doesn’t mean “mime” in the dramatic sense, but rather use the word for its definition of “to mimic.” But if you are looking for sharp, biting political and personal satire, you will likely enjoy this show.
Santa Cruz Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
When: Saturday, 8/15 at 2:00 pm and Sunday, 8/16 at 8:00 pm
Where: Sinsheimer-stanley Festival Glen
How Much: $16-$52
Shakespeare essentially laid the groundwork for the modern day romantic comedy, and never is that more apparent than when viewing Much Ado About Nothing. Watch contempt turn into love seemingly out of thin air in this masterful take on gossip and romantic rivalry.
Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival
When: Saturday, 8/15 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday, 8/16 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Skypark
How Much: Free admission
This festival is set apart from the rest by the excellence of its local beers and wines (including brews from Anchor Steam and Speakeasy, and wines from Pelican Ranch Winery and Dancing Creek Winery), as well as its fine selection of local arts and crafts. Passionate beverage lovers and art enthusiasts alike will enjoy the festivities.
Sunday Art & Music at the Beach
When: Sunday, 8/16 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park, Capitola Village
How Much: Free
This Sunday’s Art & Music at the Beach will feature 7th Wave, a soft country rock band whose website describes it as “a very musical, acoustic band composed of three lead singers.”
Grease Sing-A-Long at Regal Santa Cruz 9 (2 showtimes)
When: Sunday, 8/16 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Regal Santa Cruz
How Much: $13-$15
Usually reciting lines in a movie theater is highly frowned upon, but the Regal is making an exception this Sunday, when the whole family is invited to participate in a sing-a-long for Grease, a beloved tail of slicked back hair, poodle skirts, and one very cool car.
Sunday Soul Session
When: Sunday, 8/16 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: Abbott Square
How Much: Free
Local band Paradise Soul Savers is known for having a laid back, infectiously funky sound. You can hear them and other local acts for yourself this Sunday at the MAH’s Abbott Square.
Hikes
- Guided Redwood Grove Walks
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks
- Wilder Ranch Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours
- Redwood Loop Walk
- Wildflower Walk
- Family Discovery Walk
- Guided Walk through Pescadero Marsh
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods
- Nature Walk: “Redwood Wandering”
Cleanups
- Cowell and Main Beach Cleanup with Big Pete!
- Weekly XStream Beach Cleanup at Davenport Main Beach
- Adopt-a-Beach Cleanup with MBAQ
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- Princes of Surf History Talk
- Artisan Food Market at Food Lounge
- Guided Tour: Gardens of Time
- Susan Casey, Voices in the Ocean
- Night to Rally: “Party like Great Gatsby for History!”
- Corduroy Jim, Steven Graves Band, The Fintztones
- The Skatalites + special guests Monkey & DJ Dr. Wood
- John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band
- The Donors, Flying Tigers, Nerves
- KEHLANI, Marc E Bassy, Ambre
- Fun Fridays in Laurel Park
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare Noon at the Nick: The Rover
- A Stellar Experience — Star Gazing at Quail Hollow Ranch
- Ho`omana with the Hula Honeys at Pono
- The LitWits® experience of PINOCCHIO (ages 7+)
Saturday:
- Community Rental: Book Reading and Music by Greg Anton
- Summer Concert Series: Three in a Chord & Broken G strings
- A Year in the Life of the Quiroste
- Vaud & The Villains: 18 Piece Orchestra & Cabaret Show
- Joomanji – Club Kuumbwa
- Arrows
- Cabrillo Festival Student Staff Free Concert
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
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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