Happy weekend, Santa Cruz!
We’ve got a couple of event packed days coming up. Art, festivals, music…you name it, Santa Cruz has it.
Read on for all the best that Santa Cruz has to offer this weekend.
Santa Cruz Goya Windsurfing Festival
When: Thursday, 6/6 through Sunday, 6/8, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Waddell Creek
How Much: Free
The American Windsurfing Tour’s first competition of the 2014 season is taking place this weekend, up the coast at Waddell Creek. Divisions include Pro, Amateur, Masters, Grand Masters, and Youth.
First Friday Events
What’s the only thing better than a Friday? First Friday! As usual, there is a lot to see and do for First Friday. Here are some First Friday events to check out:
- First Friday Art Tour
- Free First Friday at the MAH
- First Friday Free Day at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
- Faces of Santa Cruz County
- First Free Friday: Live Artist Demonstration
- First Friday Felton Art Walk
- First Friday at Homeless Garden Project Store: Land and Sea
40th Annual UCSC Student Print Sale
When: Friday, 6/6 & Saturday, 6/7 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Where: Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center at UCSC
How Much: Free
The annual print sale at UCSC gives the public a chance to view, and buy, prints from art students. The print sale takes place within the print studios at the Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center.
Dead on Live: Workingman’s Dead/American Beauty
When: Friday, 6/6 at 8:00 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
How Much: $20
East coast Grateful Dead tribute band, Dead on Live, comes to the west coast for the first time. Their note for note covers of Dead songs have made them one of the top Dead tribute bands. On Friday they’ll be playing some early songs from Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty. Expect to hear “Uncle John’s Band”, “Casey Jones”, “Box of Rain”, “Sugar Magnolia” and “Ripple.”
Music & Art @ The Mission: Tailgaters Music & Michael Schwab Art
When: Friday, 6/6 at 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mission
How Much: Free
Come out to the Santa Cruz Mission tonight for a night of Music & Art @ The Mission. This event will feature artist Michael Schwab. If you don’t recognize the name, you likely know his work. Michael Schwab is the artist who created the iconic Santa Cruz State Parks images of Natural Bridges, Wilder Ranch, Nisene Marks and Seacliff. He will be unveiling the newest pieces tonight, images of the Santa Cruz Mission and the Castro Adobe State Historic Park.
Live music by The Tailgaters will start at 6:00 pm.
Summer Visitors Program 2014
When: Friday, 6/6 at 8:30 pm
Where: Lick Observatory
How Much: $9.50 + Service Fees
This is the first weekend of the Summer Visitors Program at the Lick Observatory. Attendees will get a chance to view the night sky through the massive Great Lick Refractor and the Nickel Telescope. Each evening also features two speakers. There is also an event on Saturday night, but it is sold out.
Farm to Table Wine Dinner Series – first dinner of the season!
When: Friday, 6/6 at 6:00 pm
Where: Chaminade Resort & Spa
How Much: $80
Friday night is the first in this year’s Farm to Table series at the Chaminade. 5-course meals are served outdoors on the Sunset Terrace or Courtyard Terrace, with killer views of the bay. Tonight’s meal features local, farm fresh ingredients prepared by Executive Chef, Kirsten Ponza.
Japanese Cultural Fair
When: Saturday, 6/7 at 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Where: Mission Plaza Park
How Much: Free
The 28th annual Japanese Cultural Fair takes place this Saturday at the Mission Plaza Park, in front of Holy Cross Church. The event celebrates and increases awareness of Japanese culture, as well as the Japanese community in Santa Cruz. You can see a schedule of events here.
Free bike valet will be provided by People Power.
Get more info here, or check out this video from 2012 to get a feel for the event:
Tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
When: Saturday, 6/7 at 8:00 pm
Where: Don Quixote’s International Music Hall
How Much: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
There seems to be a Woodstock generation jackpot of tribute shows right now. Kuumbwa had a Neil Young tribute last weekend, and a Grateful Dead tribute show on Friday. Now it’s CSN&Y’s turn. The Almost Cut My Hair tour makes its way to Don Quixote’s on Saturday night.
9th Annual Capitola Rod and Custom Classic Car Show
When: Saturday, 6/7, 9 am – 5 pm & Sunday, 6/8. 9 am – 2 pm
Where: Capitola Village
How Much: Free
Cruise down to the Capitola Village this weekend to check out hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, roadsters, and race cars. There is also live music, vendor booths, and the charm of the Capitola Village. Read all about this must-see car show.
Rio Theatre’s 65th Anniversary Celebration
When: Sunday, 6/8 at 7:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
How Much: Free
The Rio Theatre is having a birthday party, and you’re invited!
This free event celebrates the 65th anniversary of the theatre with a cocktail party and variety show, hosted by comedian Richard Stockton. The party will feature a Midtown timeline by historian Ross Gibson, with photos dating back to the 40’s.
Additional Events This Weekend
Friday:
Friday through Sunday
- Planet Ord
- Special Exhibit: The Art of Nature
- Visual Art: “In a Golden State” 84th Annual California Statewide Landscape Exhibit
- August: Osage County
Saturday:
- Natural History Storytime
- Opiuo
- Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
- Santa Cruz County Symphony Benefit Concert – ¡Fiesta! A Celebration of Latin Classical Music
- 2014 Beneath the Waves Film Festival
- FREE SWIM LESSONS once a month
- Hillstomp,Lonesome Shack
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
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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