This weekend, Santa Cruz celebrates symphony, theater, film, and chowdah!
The event lineup features two days of clam chowder tasting, a four-day adrenaline-packed film festival, and a wide variety of musical, theatrical, and dance performances to choose from.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Free Open Rehearsal of the Santa Cruz Symphony
When: 2/22 from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: Free (Donations welcome)
Friday night offers a free behind-the-scenes look at Santa Cruz Symphony’s rehearsal for Saturday and Sunday performances at the the Civic and Henry J Mello Center, respectively. Symphonic Fire is the 4th concert of the 2018-19 season and features internationally renowned principal cellist, Jonah Kim.
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
When: 2/21 – 2/24 at 7:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $18 – $20 (+ service fee)
The adrenaline rush starts Thursday when this 4-day film festival kicks off at the Rio. Featured films explore insane slopes, remote cultures, and extreme mountain sports. This year there are two programs featuring a different lineup of films on Thursday/Saturday and Friday/Sunday. Proceeds go to benefit the UCSC Wilderness Orientation Scholarship Fund.
Crowns by Regina Taylor
When: 2/22 – 3/3
Where: UCSC Theater Arts Mainstage Theater
Cost: $8 – $18 with $5 parking
Presented by the Theater Arts Department and African American Theater Arts Troupe, Crown is a musical that explores Black American history and identity through Yolanda, a young African-American woman sent down South after her brother’s death. There she finds herself surrounded by strong, wise women who wear stunning hats, a tradition stemming from African roots.
R.U.R Humans vs. Robots
When: 2/22 at 7:30 pm
Where: UCSC on Friday; Broadway Playhouse on Saturday
Cost: Free admission on Friday; $12 General Admission, $5 Students, $5 Children under 18 on Saturday
R.U.R. Humans vs. Robots is a 1920 science fiction play that coined the word “robot” and paved the way for future robotic sci-fi thrillers. Suspenseful and fast-paced storytelling explore the fate of humankind in a world where “mechanized” humans rebel against the humans they serve. Saturday’s performance includes a Q & A after the show.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Live Music by Blue Summit @ Abbott Square
- Habib Koité & Bassekou Kouyate @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Blue Ocean Rockers @ Crow’s Nest
- August Sun w/ Jive Machine @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Sly & Robbie & The Taxi Gang w/ Bitty McClean & Cherine Anderson @ Moe’s Alley
- Vagabonnies Road Show: Stacey Dee and Jennie (Bad Cop // Bad Cop), Beebs and Her Money Maker, Jen Pop (Bombpops), Jen Carlson (Formerly of Bad Cop // Bad Cop & Angry Amputees) Plus Sam King @ The Crepe Place
- Tv Girl @ The Catalyst
- Lara Price & Velvet Plum @ Severino’s
- Jazz the Dog @ Michael’s on Main
- The Village Green: A Tribute to the Kinks @ Michael’s on Main
- Santa Cruz Contra Dance @ Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz
THEATER/ARTS
- Random With A Purpose @ UCSC Theater Arts Second Stage
- The Ink that Binds Us: Spoken Word and Poetry @ Tiny House Productions
MAKE/CRAFT
- Exploring Watercolor: Basics for Beginners Workshop @ All Hands Workshops
- Leather Clutch and Key Fob Workshop @ All Hands Workshops
OUTDOORS
MORE
- Death Cafe @ Aptos Branch Library
- Wisdomkeepers, Paqo Andino @ Wisdom Center of Santa Cruz
- Hive & Hum STORE CLOSING SALE @ Hive & Hum
- YWP Fundraiser – A Night of Mystery, Jazz and Eats @ Food Lounge
Want to see all the best events in Santa Cruz every weekend? Click here to get these Weekend Roundup posts delivered straight to your inbox.Saturday
Clam Chowder Cook-Off
When: 2/23 & 2/24
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: $10 tasting kits
Calling all chowder lovers, grab your tasting kit and get to work! You now have two days to sample Boston and Manhattan chowders and vote for you favorites. The great Clam Chowder Cook-Off features amateur chefs on Saturday and the professionals compete on Sunday. 100% of proceeds from tasting kit sales go to supporting Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation.
In Restless Dreams
When: 2/23 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Center Stage Theater
Cost: $20
Experience a theatrical evening of magic and storytelling. Local performer Santiago takes the audience on a journey through his life, beginning with seeing his first magic trick as a young boy to performing with master magicians in Las Vegas. This show is family-friendly, but recommended for ages 10 and up.
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
See Description Under Friday Section
Crowns by Regina Taylor
See Description Under Friday Section
Santa Cruz Symphony – Symphonic Fire
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Yaya’s Kitchen: The “Oh Mama” EP Release Experience @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- The John Michael Band @ Crow’s Nest
- Grampa’s Chili w/ Southern Pacific @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Antibalas @ Moe’s Alley
- The Seshen w/ Cave Clove and TBD @ The Crepe Place
- Lil Mosey @ The Catalyst
- Tsunami @ Severino’s
- Spirit of ‘76 @ Michael’s on Main
- Spicy Boys Club: Bae 2 Bae House Party @ Zelda’s on the Beach
MAKE/CRAFT
- Encaustic Collage Workshop @ All Hands Workshops
- Becoming Magic: Creating Sacred Objects for Healing @ All Hands Workshops
- Spindling: From Fluff to Stuff @ Live Oak Branch Library
OUTDOORS
- Castle Rock Loop @ Castle Rock State Park
- Snakes Alive! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- We Bring the Sandhills to You! @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Pine Needle Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Skill and Luck @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Old Cove Landing Trail @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Tannery World Dance And Cultural Center Presents Winter Dance Fest 2019
When: 2/24 at 7:30 pm
Where: The Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center
Cost: $18, $22 at the door
Enjoy an evening of contemporary dance at the Tannery. TWDCC presents the work of Gregory Dawson and his dance company, dawsondancesf, along with emerging choreographers Taliha Scott and Stephanie Da Silva. Santa Cruz based choreographer Da Silva will be debuting her new work, entitled Innocent Targets, which explores the ‘zero tolerance’ policy enacted by the US against migrants seeking asylum.
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
See Description Under Friday Section
Crowns by Regina Taylor
See Description Under Friday Section
Santa Cruz Symphony – Symphonic Fire
See Description Under Friday Section
Clam Chowder Cook-Off
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Lunasa @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Dead Funk Summit featuring Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band) Tony Hall (Dumpstaphunk) Alan Evans (Soulive) and Joe Marcinek @ Moe’s Alley
- Yhung T.O. @ The Catalyst
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Burleigh H. Murray Ranch Park Property @ Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- We Bring the Sandhills to You! @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Friends of SCPL Fiction Book Sale! @ Downtown Branch Library
- Surfer’s Path 10K, 5K @ The Start Line is on 41st Ave near the intersection of Portola Drive
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday Fete
What: Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday Fete
Where: Chaminade Resort & Spa
When: Tuesday, March 5th
Head up to Chaminade for a Mardi Gras celebration, complete with a buffet dinner and live New Orleans-style music from The Pleasure Point Brass Band. This one’s a steal at $20 for the Mardi Gras inspired buffet that includes Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffee & seafood gumbo.
Santa Cruz Derby Girls Doubleheader
What: Santa Cruz Derby Girls Doubleheader
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
When: Saturday, March 16th
They’re baaaack!
The Santa Cruz Derby Girls return for another hard-hitting season of action on the track. The first event of the season is a double header featuring three of our local derby teams. The Seabright Sirens take on Sacramento’s Bruin Trouble in the opener.
The second game pits the Santa Cruz Derby Girls’ two top teams against each other in an all star match up. Two games and three local teams…but that’s not all.
The Derby Girls will also be unveiling a new mascot at the game and are inviting fans compete in a super fan contest during halftime.
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