This weekend you can celebrate Pride and the Aloha spirit, attend a two-day art, wine & beer festival (kid and dog-friendly!), and savor summer with two lovely garden events—a makers market pop up and an evening of paella.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Mountain Community Theater Presents Who’s Got Me
When: 8/16 – 8/18
Where: Santa Cruz County Veteran’s Memorial Building
Cost: $8
There will be laughter, romance, and catchy tunes at this staged reading of the new musical, “Who’s Got Me”, a throwback to the golden age of Broadway musicals. As an extra special treat for the audience, this performance is held at the 1930s Art Deco Chris G Matthews Hall in the historic Veteran’s Memorial Building in downtown Santa Cruz. A special talk back with the playwright, directors, and cast will take place after each show.
Get more info here.
Michael Furlong’s Tribute to Tom Petty
When: 8/16 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
Stepping in for 10,000 Maniacs is Michael Furlong’s Tribute to Tom Petty, known as the first and longest-running Tom Petty tribute band. Hit the beach for your favorite TP hits and one or two free concerts.
Get more info here.
Food Truck Summer Series
When: 8/16 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz (Pacific Avenue between Walnut Ave and Church Streets)
It’s time for another round of the Santa Cruz Food Truck Summer Series, a street fair featuring live music, local artisans, family-friendly activities, and of course, food trucks. Foodie options include Drunk Monkey, Nomad Momo, Rogue Pye, Scrumptious Fish and Chips, Shockwave, and Union Foodie Truck.
Get more info here.
Summer Paella Event at Dorcich Family Vineyards
When: 8/16 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Dorcich Family Vineyards
Cost: $60 – $75
You had us at paella…two kinds! Paired with wine, live acoustic music, and a creekside garden, and you have the makings for a perfect summer evening. Bruxo Food Truck is preparing the paella and other savory treats, plus a vegetarian risotto.
Get more info here.
Giant Craft Night for the Giant Dipper
When: 8/16 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: The MAH
Cost: $10 Includes Museum Admission | Free for Members
Kick off the weekend with some hands-on crafting in honor of the one and only wooden rollercoaster in town. To celebrate the Giant Dipper’s 95th anniversary, you’re invited to create some giant art and enter it into a contest for great prizes. Your ticket also includes entry into the museum where you can explore three floors of art and history.
Get more info here.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- The Original Wailers @ The Catalyst
- Restless Souls @ Crow’s Nest
- Katdelic @ Moe’s Alley
- Planet Booty w/ Flynt Flossy and Turquoise @ The Crepe Place
- Live Again @ Severino’s
- Nojoken @ Michael’s on Main
- Jerry Brown and Friends @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- Into The Woods @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Tibetan Singer Yunchen Lhamo in Concert @ Pacific Cultural Center / Ashtanga Yoga Institute
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare NEXGEN: The Intern Co. @ The Nickelodeon
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
OUTDOORS
- Old Fashioned Campfire @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Little Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers: Wool, Spinning and Weaving @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Junior Rangers @ New Brighton State BeachCampfire Program @ New Brighton State Beach
- Jays and Murrelets Demonstration @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Saturday
Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival
When: 8/17 10:00 am to 6:00 pm & 8/18 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Sky Park
Cost: Free admission; Tasting kits available for purchase $25 – $40 + service fee
The Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival is a fun-filled, two-day event with something for everyone. Enjoy local wineries and breweries, delicious food, entertainment, local art, and a kids fun zone. Highlights include Saturday’s Cops ’N Rodders Car Show and Sunday’s custom motorcycle show and skateboarding contest. Sunday is also Dog Day so bring your 4-legged best friend, too!
Get more info here.
Mountain Community Theater Presents Who’s Got Me
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Toby Gray at Stockwells Cellars @ Stockwell Cellars
- Passafire @ The Catalyst
- Elie and Enah in the Afternoon @ Crow’s Nest
- Vintage Point @ Crow’s Nest
- Flor De Caña @ Moe’s Alley
- Smith and Tegio w/ The Brothers Strong and Lauren @ The Crepe Place
- Tsunami @ Severino’s
- Patio Acoustics with Shawn Yanez @ Severino’s
- The Sun Kings @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- Marcia Bassett & Samara Lubelski + ordinary blood @ Radius Gallery
- Redwood Dulcimer Day @ Aptos United Methodist Church
- Into The Woods @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Star Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Skill and Luck: Games of the Mission @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Little Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ New Brighton State Beach
- Summer Concert Series @ New Brighton State Beach
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Evening Campfire Programs @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Old Cove Landing Trail @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
MORE
- Classic Cars and Diner Days @ Hope Church, 4525 Soquel Dr, Soquel
- Bonny Doon Vineyard Tasting @ Annieglass
Sunday
27th Annual Aloha Outrigger Races and Polynesian Festival
When: 8/18 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm (Outrigger races 9:00 am to 12:00 pm)
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf
Cost: Free
Celebrate the aloha spirit and Santa Cruz’s Hawaiian connections at the 27th Annual Aloha Outrigger Races and Polynesian Festival. Cheer on the festive outrigger racers in the morning, then stroll down the wharf for island-style crafts, music, dance, shave ice, and drinks. This annual event is sponsored by the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation department and Pu Pu O’Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Club.
Get more info here.
Pajaro Valley Pride 2019
When: 8/18 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: YWCA Watsonville
Cost: Free
The whole community is invited to join the festivities at the 4th Annual Pajaro Valley Pride Celebration. A march will kick off the (Pride costumes encouraged!), followed by live entertainment from local bands to burlesque and folklorico dance. Teen Zone and Kid Zone activities round out this fun, family-friendly afternoon.
Home Summer Pop-up Event
When: 8/18 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: HOME Restaurant Soquel
Cost: Free admission
HOME is where the makers market is, specifically in HOME Restaurant’s lovely backyard garden. This summertime pop-up event is made special by 15 local artists, live music by Asher Stern & bobcat Rob Armenti, beer and wine, and a casual seasonal menu prepared by HOME’s Chef Brad Briske.
Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Jimmy Thackery @ Moe’s Alley
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- Patio Acoustics with Paul Logan @ Severino’s
- Elie and Enah in the Afternoon @ Crow’s Nest
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- When Species Collide @ Rancho del Oso
- Redwoods and Climate Change @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Little Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Twilight Adaptation Adventure @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Parks
- Gardens of Time Tour @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Community Science: Summer Phenology Walks at the UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden @ Arboretum
MORE
- Science Sunday—The Age of Dinoflagellates: Using New Technology to Detect Harmful Algal Blooms @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Race Through Time @ Santa Cruz MAH
- Bookshop Santa Cruz Political Caucus @ Bookshop Santa Cruz
- Makers Market @ Abbott Square
- RACE THRU THE REDWOODS @ Roaring Camp Railroads
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Hot August Nights Double Header
When: Saturday, August 24, at 4 PM – 9 PM
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $11 – $30
Celebrate Derby Girl Month with a special Derby doubleheader at the Civic.
Game one features the youth league Salt Water Sassies, followed by the adult league’s top team, the Boardwalk Bombshells, in the finale.
Capitola Beach Festival
When: September 28 & 29
Where: Capitola Village
Cost: Free
This two-day community event pays tribute to beloved Begonia Festival traditions, from the sand sculpture contest to the fishing derby, while introducing some fun new favorites, like the Little Wharf 3-Miler and a Lighted Nautical Parade.
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