This weekend, you can go on a scavenger hunt through local history, see great live stage performances at both UCSC and Cabrillo, and watch one of the most exciting roller derby matches of the year.
Read on to see the rest of our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.
3rd Friday: Race Through Time
When: Friday, 7/17 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: MAH Atrium
How Much: $20-$25
This Third Friday, the MAH is delving into the world of Santa Cruz history. Rather than flipping through text books or glancing at exhibits, participants will get to take part in an interactive scavenger hunt through the downtown area.
Santa Cruz Battle of the Bay Poetry Slam
When: Friday, 7/17 from 5:00 pm-10:00 pm
Where: The Art Bar & Cafe
The National Poetry Slam is coming this August, but first, the Bay Area needs to comprise its own team of gifted poets. You’ll get a front seat to this process when you check out the battle at the Art Bar at the Tannery this Friday.
THE COFFIS BROTHERS + The McCoy Tyler Band
When: Friday, 7/17 at 9:00 pm
Where: Moe’s Alley
How Much: $9-$12
This Friday, Moe’s Alley will return Santa Cruzans to their roots by featuring two stellar local bands. If you’re into Tom Petty, Dave Mathews, and Mumford & Sons, chances are you’ll dig the Coffis Brothers.
FREE Friday Night Bands on the Beach: Berlin featuring Terri Nunn
When: Friday, 7/17 at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
How Much: Free
Electronic music is pretty mainstream and eclectic these days, but if you want to hear some of the roots of the genre, you’ll want to check out Berlin and Terri Nunn for free over at the Boardwalk this Friday. They’ll likely perform crowd favorites like “The Metro” and “Take My Breath Away.”
Schoolhouse Rock Live! presented by Cabrillo Stage
When: Friday, 7/17 & Saturday, 7/18
Where: Cabrillo Stage
How Much: $18-$40
“I’m just a bill, yes I’m only a bill…” If that phrase brings up childhood nostalgia for you, then you’ll definitely get a kick out of Cabrillo’s live stage performance of beloved educational cartoon Schoolhouse Rock.
DNA’s PopUp Comedy Club
When: Friday, 7/17 & Saturday, 7/18 at 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm Where: Center Stage Theatre
How Much: $10 in advance, $15 at the door (cash only)
The band of thirty local comedians performing at this pop up are definitely doing their part in keeping Santa Cruz weird… and funny! This wide-ranging night of comedy is sure to have something for everybody, and will be appropriate for audiences 16 and older.
Wacky Carnival Fun
When: Saturday, 7/18 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
How Much: Free
Laurel Park will transform into a full-on carnival this weekend, complete with snacks, games, juggling, magicians, and more. This is a great event for the whole family to enjoy.
Santa Cruz Derby Girls: All Star vs. BADG Team Gold
When: Saturday, 7/18 from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Civic Auditorium
How Much: $18-$32
The best of Santa Cruz will take on the strongest players from the San Francisco Bay Area in this ultimate roller derby matchup. If you’re all about hard hits, fast skating, and local rivalry, this match is not to be missed.
Coffee Zombie Collective + Soulwise
When: Saturday, 7/18 at 9:00 pm
Where: Moe’s Alley
How Much: $7-$10
The band Coffee Zombie Collective is all about one thing: giving audiences a good time. They do so by playing a huge range of beloved hits, from classic rock songs to ’90s favorites. If you like your music upbeat, loud, and danceable, this is the perfect show for you.
Movies @ the Mission: Soul Surfer
When: Saturday, 7/18 at 7:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
How Much: Free
In 2003, surfer Bethany Hamilton survived a severe shark attack that left her without a left arm. Rather than letting the experience scare her away from surfing, Hamilton has embraced the sport and gone on to place in professional competitions. You and your family can learn more about her story by checking out biopic Soul Surfer at the Santa Cruz Mission.
Passport Days
When: Saturday, 7/18 from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Participating Santa Cruz Mountains Wineries
How Much: $55 (available at select wineries)
The Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association’s passports allow local wine lovers the chance to try as many wines as they’d like for one flat fee. This Saturday, take advantage of the deal, and be sure to bring a designated driver along with you.
Santa Cruz Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
When: Saturday, 7/18 at 8:00 pm & Sunday, 7/19 at 2:00 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.
Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market
When: Sunday, 7/19 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Felton (6134 Highway 9)
How Much: Free
Head up to Felton for the second Makers Market of 2015. Browse a wide selection of local arts and crafts, sip on some local wine and beer, and enjoy great live music.
Sunday Art & Music at the Beach
When: Sunday, 7/19 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park, Capitola Village
How Much: Free
Art, music, and the beach are a winning combination, and you can find it soon at Esplanade Park in Capitola. Check out local crafts and paintings, enjoy a live band, and take a moment to appreciate our beautiful surroundings this Sunday.
O’lo Hui Nalu: Surf Demo, Paddle-Out and Luau
When: Sunday, 7/19 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Cowell’s Beach, Main Beach, and Abbott Square
How Much: Free/$10
Join the MAH for a day of Hawaiian surf-themed fun, starting at Cowell’s beach, and ending in Abbott Square. Watch in the morning as local surfers make their best attempt to suf on 17-foot, 200 pound replica redwood Hawaiian style surfboards. The day concludes with a Luau in Abbott Square.
Hikes
- Redwood Loop Walk
- Wildflower Walk
- BYOB Hike
- The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk
- Hike to Ocean View Summit
- Guided Redwood Grove Walks
- Coast Nature Walk
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- Moon Cadillac, Beautiful Machines and New Diplomat at The Blue Lagoon
- Third Fridays Art Walk
- Dengue Fever plus Bear Lincoln
- Ho’omana
- Film Screening : Mountain Bike Film UNREAL
- Trevor Hall, Leilani Wolfgramm
- Post Street Rhythm Peddlers, Lillie Lemon
Friday & Saturday
Friday through Sunday
Saturday:
- Here Comes the Sun!
- Felling the Giants
- DAY ON THE BEACH with Shared Adventures
- Bob Bralove & Henry Kaiser and The Psychedelic Cabaret plus Big Stone Soup
- Donny McCaslin’s Fast Future
- Summer Concert Series: Indonesian Gamelan Music
- Family Days
- Through a Curious Lens – Photography Exhibit
- SHWAYZE, Sam Johnson, 2 The League of DEUX
- Melissa Brooks & The Aquadolls, Babewatch, Jackie Zealous
- Battlehooch, Art Nickel
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
- Cleanup Cowells Project
- Weekly XStream Beach Cleanup at Davenport Main Beach
- Third Sundays at San Lorenzo Park
- Science Sunday: The Unorthodox Whales
- Major Minus FREE In-store Performance at Streetlight Records
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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