Santa Cruz Life

This Weekend in Santa Cruz: July 26th – 28th, 2019

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This weekend brings crowd favorites like Friday Night Bands on the Beach, Music at Skypark, and even the Wharf to Wharf.

But, did you know Capitola is hosting its first food truck event, Lenz Arts is celebrating 51 years, and you can watch the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra rehearse for free?

Check out the lineup and add a new favorite for yourself, your kids, and even your dog.

See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:

Quick Links

 

Friday

H.I.V.E. Premiere Dance Performance

When: 7/26 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Motion Pacific
Cost: $15 – $25 + service fee

Contemporary dance aficionados, treat yourself to this exclusive, one-time event, presented by Juilliard Dance students and H.I.V.E., a virtual and physical community for interdisciplinary artists that are in pursuit of collaborative growth.

Get more info here.

Doggo Dreamland

When: 7/26 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: The MAH
Cost: $10 Includes Museum Admission | Free for Members & Children under 5

Dogs and dog lovers are taking over the MAH! BYOD…bring your own dog, or play with adorable and adoptable pups brought by the SPCA. The fun includes making dog toys, face painting, and exploring art at the museum, including animal portraits by local artist Janice Serilla.

Get more info here.

Bad Company former lead singer Brian Howe

When: 7/26 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free

Hit the sand for one of rock’s legendary voices! Former lead singer for Bad Company, Brian Howe, is back for Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach. Come early and claim your spot on the sand for one or both of the evening’s shows, and enjoy some classic Bad Co. hits.

Get more info here.

Into The Woods

When: 7/25 – 8/18 
Where: Cabrillo Crocker Theater
Cost: $16 – $46

Into the Woods puts a new twist on classic fairy tale characters, as a baker and his wife find themselves under a witch’s curse. Will their wish to have a child come true? Will Cinderella attend the King’s Festival? Does Jack’s cow finally give milk? Find out during opening weekend of this Tony Award-winning play. Runs July 25 through August 18.

Get more info here.

Day Out With Thomas

When: 7/26 – 7/28 and 7/31 – 8/4
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
Cost: $17 – $25

Everyone’s favorite engine is back for a summer weekend of fun for the family! A ticket includes a train ride with a talking Thomas the Tank Engine, photo opportunities with Sir Topham Hat, and an Imagination Station featuring a variety of kid-friendly activities. Arrive early and enjoy the day at Roaring Camp.

Get more info here.

Capitola Food Truck Friday

When: 7/26 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Monterey Avenue Park

Be a part of the first Food Truck Friday in Capitola! Gather your friends and family (dogs on leash welcome) and head to the park for a fun and marimba music-filled afternoon. Delicious food options include Saucey’z + Holopono + G’s Tacos + Aunt LaLi’s Desserts. Beer and wine sales support the Capitola Junior Guards program.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

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Saturday

Amirtha Kidambi Elder Ones: From Untruth

When: 7/27 at 8:00 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: $11 Members / $21 Adv / $25 Door

Known for presenting radical and unfamiliar artistic work, Indexical brings Elder Ones to the Kuumbwa stage. Led by vocalist and harmonium player Amirtha Kidambi, Quartet Elder Ones’ unique sound draws from her background in Carnatic and Western classical vocal techniques, fused with a free jazz style.

Get more info here.

Family Fun Day!

When: 7/27 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Harvey West Park 
Cost: Free

Gather the family and head down to Harvey West for some free summertime fun! Good times are guaranteed with activities such as swimming, obstacle courses, oversized board games, cornhole, kickball and more. Hosted by Santa Cruz County Parks Dept, City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation, and City of Watsonville.

Get more info here.

Lenz Arts 51st Anniversary Event

When: 7/27 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (sale on till 6:00 pm)
Where: Lenz Arts Parking Lot
Cost: FREE

One of our great locally owned art stores is throwing a party and inviting the public to make some art. Try one of many art media being demo’d at the Parking Lot Make and Take. Get your face painted, or have a caricature drawn, and enter the raffle while you stock up on art supplies at the sale.

Get more info here.

Rockin’ Pop-Up at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

When: 7/27 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Cost: Free with Admission: $4 General | $2 Students/Seniors | Free for Members and Youth Under 18

Rock-talk days are held once a month at the Museum of Natural History and are led by a team of UCSC PhD students known as the “Geology Gents.” Swing by this Saturday to talk shop with Gavin and Graham, and bring your geologic finds for identification.

Get more info here.

Anthony Arya & Emily Hough: Back

When: 7/27 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Michael’s on Main
Cost: $10 adv./$10 door seated <21 w/parent

Take in a Saturday matinee of original music and duet covers by Anthony Arya as he shares the stage with fellow singer-songwriter and competitor on Season 15 of The Voice, Emily Hough. 

Get more info here.

Books & Brews La Selva Beach Summer Fair

When: 7/27 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: La Selva Beach Clubhouse & Lawn
Cost: Free

A huge book sale and microbrews take center at the La Selva Beach Clubhouse. Enjoy an arts & craft fair, bake sale, food trucks (Ate3One and Rogue Pye), face painting, and kids’ crafts. Live music on the lawn features Linda Baker, Back for More, Girls & Company, Troubledoors and Plan B.

Get more info here.

Into The Woods

See Description Under Friday Section

Day Out With Thomas

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

MAKE/CRAFT

OUTDOORS

MORE

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Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.

Sunday

Cabrillo Festival Open Rehearsals

When: 7/28 at 7:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: Free

Head to the Civic for the first Open Rehearsal of the season. This is an informal opportunity to watch the creative process of our local orchestra, and to get a preview of this season’s concerts. Open rehearsals continue throughout the season. You can find the full schedule here.

Get more info here.

47TH ANNUAL WHARF TO WHARF RACE

When: 7/28 at 8:30 am
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf to Capitola Wharf

The “best little road race in California” is also one of the best spectator sports of the year. Though registration is closed to enter the race, you can join the fans and bands along the route and cheer for participants who run or walk the six miles from Santa Cruz Wharf to Capitola Wharf.

Get more info here.

MUSIC AT SKYPARK

When: 7/28 from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Skypark
Cost: Free

Music in the Park is a free outdoor concert series at Skypark on the last Sunday of July, August, and September. The first concert kicks off with The Joint Chiefs opening for Extra Large. In other words, you will be dancing nonstop! Come hungry and thirsty and support the food and beverage vendors whose net proceeds go to local school music programs.

Get more info here.

Into The Woods

See Description Under Friday Section

Day Out With Thomas

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Sunday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Super Sonic Summer Block Party

When: Friday, August 2nd from 5:30 – 9:00 pm
Where: Westside Surf & Skate
Cost: $3 at the door, RSVP in advance

Celebrate summer and a great cause! This year’s block party features local brews, fabulous food, and plenty of unique items from local vendors. Did we mention there will be baby goats? The super part: a portion of proceeds will benefit Island Conservation, a science-based nonprofit that prevents extinctions by removing invasive species from islands.

Event Info

Watsonville Strawberry Festival

When: Friday, August 2 through Sunday, August 4
Where: Downtown Watsonville
Cost: Free Admission

No better place to eat, drink, and be berry than the 25th Annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival. In addition to live music, pie-eating contests, and arts ’n’ crafts, you can take a walk down Strawberry Lane to try kabobs, smoothies, jams, shortcakes, funnel cakes, and other strawberry-themed treats. Be sure to check out two new events this year: the kick-off dance party on Friday and Saturday’s Strawberry Jam Fun Run. 

Event Info

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Christine Candelaria

Christine Candelaria is a local mom of four who enjoys sharing her Santa Cruz adventures. You can follow her #santacruzlife on Instagram at @theaumsmama.

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