We have a great lineup of local theatre up ahead. While Santa Cruz Shakespeare continues a Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Grove (new venue!), two new musicals open this weekend: Fiddler on the Roof and Dorothy Potter and the Wizards of Oz.
Don’t forget, the Wharf to Wharf is this Sunday. If you’re trying to avoid the crowds it could be a good time to drive up Highway 1 and catch a Pokémon or two.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Fiddler On The Roof
When: 7/21 – 8/14, check for showtimes
Where: Cabrillo Crocker Theater
Cost: $16 to $45
Don’t miss the chance to catch this beloved classic running July 22 through August 14. Cabrillo Stage is well-known for bringing box office sensations to the stage and Fiddler on the Roof, winner of 9 Tony Awards including best musical, is no exception.
Toad the Wet Sprocket
When: 7/22 at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
All I want is to feel this way, the evening speaks, I feel it say: It’s time for another free concert on the beach! Walk, ride your bike, or take the trolley and catch Toad the Wet Sprocket performing familiar and new hits at 6:30 and 8:30 pm.
Dorothy Potter and The Wizards of Oz
When: 7/21 – 7/31, check for showtimes
Where: Mountain Community Theater
Cost: $12 to $28
This adventure centers on poor Dorothy who lives in a cupboard below the porch, receives an owl invite to Ozwarts, and confronts a witch who must not be named…sounds strangely familiar, right? Head to Ben Lomond and check out Little Peoples Repertory Theatre’s original rock musical mash-up of Harry Potter AND the Wizard of Oz.
Night At The Museum
When: 7/22 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery
Cost: Donation of $5 per member and $10 for non-members
A variety of activities—from science experiments to glow painting—will be available for children and their families at this FUNdraiser kick off to MOD’s Sustainability Campaign. Enjoy live music, light snacks and appetizers, a silent auction, and more as you explore MOD’s interactive learning environment.
Also on Friday
- Psychedelic Furs & The Church @ The Catalyst
- Aaron Avila @ Zizzo’s Coffeehouse & Wine Bar
- Joe Ferrara @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Donna Jean Godchaux w/ Shady Groove @ Don Quixote’s
- Back to Nowhere @ Crow’s Nest
- Vaughn Benjamin – The Akae Beka @ Moe’s Alley
- Chuck Brodsky with Sherry Austin & Patti Maxine @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- **Special Guest**, The Beholder Band, Urban Theory @ The Crepe Place
- Yoni & Geti Go Dark @ The Catalyst
- Hot Fuse @ Severino’s
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare presents: A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
- Argentine Tango Dancing @ Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- Museum as Recording Studio @ MAH Atrium
- Old Fashioned Family Campfire @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Campfire Programs @ New Brighton State Beach
- Bottle Jack Winemaker’s Dinner Featuring Chef Rachel of Tanglewood @ The 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
Santa Cruz Arabic Music Week
When: 7/23 – 7/24 at 9:30 am
Where: Desert Dream Dance Company
Cost: $12.50 – $600
The 3rd Annual Arabic Week will bring concerts, recitals, workshops and classes in traditional Arabic music, singing, and dance to Santa Cruz. Musicians, singers, drummers, dancers and anyone wishing to study music of the Arab world are welcome to participate in this weeklong event.
Tidepool Book Talk
When: 7/23 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Where: Natural Bridges State Beach
Cost: Free event. Parking at Natural Bridge is $10 and supports the park
Your future tidepooling adventures could be greatly enhanced by this special presentation featuring author and illustrator Marni Fylling. Come view a slideshow of her illustrations, learn about her path to becoming a scientific illustrator, and get your book signed.
Club Kuumbwa: The Painted Horses // Nels Andrews
When: 7/23 at 9:00 PM
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: $5 at the door
Originally from Santa Cruz, The Painted Horses are making a homecoming stop on their summer tour. This evening their soft harmonies will be joined on stage by local folk singer Nels Andrews. Watch their live performance at Lennon Rehearsal Studios in San Francisco here.
Fiddler On The Roof
See Description Under Friday Section
Dorothy Potter and The Wizards of Oz
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
- The Acacia Strain @ The Catalyst
- Rocky Pase @ Zizzo’s Coffeehouse & Wine Bar
- Reflections Trio @ Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn
- Claudio Melega in the Rockroom Lounge @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- The Jayhawks @ Don Quixote’s
- Bonedrivers @ Crow’s Nest
- La Santa Cecilia @ Moe’s Alley
- Heather’s Dream: A Cystic Fibrosis Benefit Show @ The Crepe Place
- Country Guilty @ The Catalyst
- Patio Acoustic’s with Bret Fowler @ Severino’s
- Beach Cowboy Band @ Severino’s
- Aptos Farmers Market @ Cabrillo College
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Community Center
- Westside Farmers Market @ Westside Farmers’ Market
- Pop-Up Breakfast @ Westside Santa Cruz Farmers Market
- Keep Calm and Curry On @ POPUP
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare presents: A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair @ PetSmart
- East Cliff Brewing Co. Tap Takeover and English Pub Food @ The Food Lounge
- Basket Making with Pine Needles @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ New Brighton State Beach
- Drop-In Family Crafts @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Campfire Programs @ New Brighton State Beach
- Castro-Coastal Connection @ Sunset State Beach
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
44th Annual Wharf to Wharf Race
When: 7/24 at 8:30 am
Where: Race begins at Municipal Wharf
Cost: $40 registraiton fee
The best little road race in California is back this weekend. If you’re one of the 16,000 runners, good luck and have fun! If not, join the thousands of spectators lining the route and enjoy a festive atmosphere and lots of live music.
Fiddler On The Roof
See Description Under Friday Section
Dorothy Potter and The Wizards of Oz
See Description Under Friday Section
Santa Cruz Arabic Music Week
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
- Belanova @ The Catalyst
- Hot Club of Baltimore w/Alexis Tantau plus The Jimmy Grant Ensemble @ Don Quixote’s
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Kanekoa @ Moe’s Alley
- Debashish Bhattacharya & Subhasis Bhattachajee with Ashwin & Keshav Batish @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- The Garden @ The Catalyst
- The Fool’s Journey @ R. Blitzer Gallery
- Corralitos Farm and Garden Market @ Corralitos Cultural Center
- Rich & The Rhythm Roustabouts @ Swing Set Lounge
- Can You Survive? (Part 2) @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ New Brighton State Beach
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Center
- Weekly Davenport Beach Cleanup @ Davenport Main Beach
Featured Upcoming Event
Check out the free activities, events, festivals, and specials at restaurants and shops and make plans to bring the whole family Downtown during Kids Week.
What: Kids Week 2016
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
When: 7/31 – 8/7
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