Don’t let the rain forecast keep you from getting out and about this weekend. There are plenty of fun events taking place indoors for when it’s raining, and a fun one outdoors as well, for that window of dry weather that should open up in the middle of the weekend.
There’s a book signing by a renowned paper cut artist in tandem with her retrospective opening at the MAH, a surf photo show with live music, a concert for the whole family, and a celebration of hummingbirds.
Here are our picks for this weekend’s best events:
Nikki McClure Book Talk and Signing
When: Friday, 2/28
Nikki McClure is an artist renowned for her intricate paper cut art that she creates using an xacto blade and a single sheet of paper.
In tandem with a retrospective of her work opening the same day at the Museum of Art and History, Ms. McClure will be discussing her art and signing books at Bookshop Santa Cruz starting at 7:30. This event is free.
Board Makers of Santa Cruz Photo Exhibition with Live Music
When: Friday, 2/28
David Dennis, a local photographer, is having a closing night party for his photography exhibition of surfboard shapers at Cafe Iveta from 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm.
There will be live music by Coastal Connection and Winkipop City, and you can still buy raffle tickets with lots of great prizes ranging from surfboards to a family portrait session shot with David Dennis himself. Proceeds will benefit the Santa Cruz chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. Admission is free, raffle tickets cost $5 or 5 tickets for $20.
Hummingbird Days at the UCSC Arboretum
When: Saturday, 3/1 and Sunday, 3/2
The many nectar-filled plants at UCSC’s Arboretum attract several different kinds of hummingbirds all year round, and UCSC’s Arboretum holds a 2-day celebration in honor of the tiny creatures. Activities include hummingbird-spotting walks led by birders, lessons in how to identify and photograph hummingbirds, and children’s crafts.
Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for kids. You can find the full schedule of events here.
Santa Cruz Chorale & Baroque Festival Joyful Reunion Concert
When: Saturday, 3/1 & Sunday 3/2
The Santa Cruz Chorale and Santa Cruz Baroque Festival join forces for a concert performace of music by Bach, Handel and Purcell. You can get tickets here.
Santa Cruz County Symphony Music In Motion Family Concert
When: Sunday, 3/2
This afternoon family-friendly concert of joyful, lively music from the Santa Cruz County Symphony will feature guest artists that include the Santa Cruz Ballet Theater and classical guitar and cajón duo Roberto & Ernesto Granados.
At the end of the show, there will be a “Meet the Instruments” period where kids can talk with the orchestra musicians and try playing many different instruments.
The show is at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium and tickets are $8 to $12. Get tickets here.
Shawn Ishimoto & Friends at Don Quixote’s
When: Sunday, 3/2
Shawn Ishimoto is a musical Renaissance man, playing the drums, guitar, ukulele and bass, with styles ranging from country to pop to traditional Hawai’ian. Diagnosed with retinoblastoma at 5 weeks old, he never let blindness get in the way and has performed as a session musician with so many artists over the years that he’s become one of the most recorded artists to come from Hawai’i.
Shawn and friends will be playing at 2 pm, and advance reservation tickets are $15. Get more info here.
Here’s a clip demonstrating Shawn’s guitar-playing talent:
Additional Events This Weekend
- Community Free Friday at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Teen Nite: What the Cruz?!
- GRMLN at the Crepe Place
- Hansel & Gretel Free Children’s Opera
- Greg Kihn Band at Moe’s Alley
- Santa Cruz County Art of Guitar Festival Free Music Show
- Free Swim Lessons from Seahorse Swim School
- Fire it Up! Student Culinary Showcase & Chef Competition (Sold Out)
Recurring Events You Can Find Every Weekend
- 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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