School’s out for summer, but Friday Night Recess is on!
Saturday celebrates the simple things in life: summer reads, a night hike, good music and dancing.
And Sunday’s Makers Market is a great time to support local arts and crafts.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Friday Night Recess – Come play with us in the street!
When: 7/6 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz on Cooper Street between Front and Pacific
Cost: Free
If your favorite subject in school was/is recess, you’re in luck! Cooper Street in Downtown Santa Cruz will be closed off and turned into an all-ages playground complete with dodgeball, hopscotch, tetherball, corn hole, and huge building blocks. Unlike recess back in the day, this one will have a live DJ!
Rose Royce
When: 7/6 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
Friday Night Bands on the Beach continues with Grammy Award-winning R&B funksters Rose Royce of “Car Wash” fame, performing two free concerts back to back at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm. Come early and claim your spot on the sand for one or both of the evening’s shows.
Improv Playhouse of San Francisco
When: 7/6 at 8:00 pm
Where: Center Stage Theater
Cost: $20 +service fee
No need to drive up to the city when you can catch Improv Playhouse of San Francisco right here in Santa Cruz. This one-night only show will feature the troupe’s popular 3-act improvised play, “The Naked Stage”.
Light In The Shadows
When: 7/6 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge
Cost: Free
Following her debut First Friday fundraiser featuring the photography of children from the Wat Leu Village, photographer Gina Orlando is back at the Food Lounge with a project that hits closer to home. Her new exhibit features the photography of the Downtown Streets Team. Enjoy live music, a food pop-up, and the opportunity to meet many of the artists whose work will be on display.
Civic Open House
When: 7/6 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: Free
Open House at the Civic is perfect for local history buffs, anyone who’s ever attended an event there, and anyone interested in learning more about its future. Enjoy a tour, an unveiling of updates to the
Civics’ evolving History Project and new multi-media equipment, and 1940’s Happy Hour pricing
on popcorn with purchase of a 2018’s drink. This would make a great stop on your First Friday tour in Downtown Santa Cruz.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Four Of A Kind – Live In Santa Cruz @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Isaac & The Haze @ Crow’s Nest
- PRIDE AND JOY @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- The China Cats @ Moe’s Alley
- Sweater w/ Manor Lady and Practicing Sincerity @ The Crepe Place
- Ten O’Clock Lunch Band (Rock, R&B Soul, Blues) @ Severino’s
- Nojoken @ Michaels on Main
- Not So Young @ Michaels on Main
- Steven Espaniola @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Salsa Night @ Palomar Ballroom
- Shake the Square: Salsa @ Abbott Square
THEATRE/ARTS
- First Friday @ Multiple Locations County-wide
- Waves and Wildlife Photo Exhibit @ Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
- 88th Annual Statewide CA Landscape Exhibition Reception @ Santa Cruz Art League
- Altared Excavations @ Felix Kulpa Art Gallery 107 Elm Street
- RENT, The Musical @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
OUTDOORS
- Campfire Program @ Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Junior Rangers @ Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Evening Campfire Programs @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Discover the Santa Cruz Sandhills @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Little Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Pop-up Campfire @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Little Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- Preschool Storytime at Porter Memorial Library @ Porter Memorial Library
- MAKE & Explore at the Mall @ Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, Inside the Capitola Mall
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
Garden Railroad Open House
When: 7/7 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: 419 Ocean View Ave.
Cost: Free
All aboard! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to view working model trains in a garden setting filled with scale plants and structures. If you’re a returning guest, you can look forward to many new additions. Bring the kids, bring the grandpas, and everyone in between!
Star Stroll
When: 7/7 from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Cost: Event is free; parking is $10
The hike to the Observation Deck at Henry Cowell is one of our all-time favorites. Here’s an opportunity to experience it at night beneath the starry sky. Be sure to meet at the campground section of Henry Cowell, located off Graham Hill Road.
Friends of SCPL Summer Book Sale
When: 7/7 – 7/8 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Downtown Public Library
Cost: Free
If you’re looking for some great summer reads and inspiration, head to the Downtown Branch Library for a two-day Summer Book Sale hosted by The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. You’ll find a curated variety of books in many genres including fiction, crafts, DIY, and cookbooks. Proceeds benefit Santa Cruz Public Libraries.
SoulShakers at the Steel Bonnet
When: 7/7 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Steel Bonnet Brewing Co.
Cost: No cover
The following three things alone would make for a great Saturday night, but you’ll find them all in one place: live music by Carie and the SoulShakers, delicious food by pop-up favorite Areperia831, and small batch craft beer by Steel Bonnet Brewing Company—a great place to hang out with friends!
A Tribute Night of Led Zepplin & Jimi Hendrix Music
When: 7/7 at 8:00 pm
Where: Michaels on Main
Cost: $10 adv./$10 door Dance
We are loving the music scene at Michael’s on Main these days! On this particular evening, Zepplin and Hendrix fans can relive some great music by two tribute bands, Shred Zepplin and Liquid Sky. Expect a danceable good time!
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Foreverland @ The Catalyst
- Los Cafres @ The Catalyst
- Buffalo Tooth, Molten, Winterwind @ The Blue Lagoon
- Blue Ocean Rockers @ Crow’s Nest
- James McMurtry @ Moe’s Alley
- Novarose w/ Basha (Reno) and Bananarchy @ The Crepe Place
- KATCHAFIRE @ The Catalyst
- The Bone Drivers @ Severino’s
- Patio Acoustics with Bret Fowler @ Severino’s
THEATRE/ARTS
- RENT, The Musical @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Woodburning Workshop @ Boulder Creek Branch Library
- Woodburning Workshop @ Scotts Valley Branch Library
- Make a Vase Clay Workshop @ Annieglass @ 310 Harvest Drive, Watsonville, CA
OUTDOORS
- Coast Nature Walks @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Big Basin’s Talent Show @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Hidden Gems: Flowers of Big Basin! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Outlook from Mt. McAbee Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- A Walk in the Past (Native Plant Uses) @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Felling the Giants (Logging Demonstration) @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Little Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Connect with Nature Program @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Evening Campfire Programs @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Evening Campfire Programs @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Discover the Santa Cruz Sandhills @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Campfire Program @ Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Junior Rangers @ Half Moon Bay State Beach
MORE
- Aptos Farmers Market @ Cabrillo College
- Capitola library May bookstore sale in the Mall @ Capitola Mall Shopping Center
- West Coast Board Riders (WCBR) Surf Event @ Steamer Lane
- Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf Experience @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Contra Dance
When: 7/8 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Veterans Memorial Hall 846 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Cost: $8-12 suggested donation
Bring a partner or come alone for a day of New England folk dancing fun! Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. In fact, there’s a free lesson 20 minutes before the event begins. Check out a video introducing contra dancing here.
SCM Makers Market Felton
When: 7/8 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: 6134 Highway 9 Felton – Mountain Community Resources
Cost: FREE
The Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market returns this Sunday in Felton. Shop for unique items from over 40 local artists and crafters while enjoying free live music by Lindsey Wall, Bobcat Rob Armenti, and Aj Lee + Jesse Fichman. On top of that, there will be beer on tap by New Bohemian Brewing Co. and food truck eats by Ate3One. Sunday Funday in Felton!
Friends of SCPL Summer Book Sale
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Live Music by Calíco @ Abbott Square
- OPEN BLUEGRASS JAM @ The Crepe Place
- Patio Acoustics with Dave Muldawer @ Severino’s
- The Box @ The Blue Lagoon
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michaels on Main
THEATRE/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville – Nature Center
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- History Walk @ Seacliff State Beach
- Evening Campfire Programs @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Nature Wander @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Little Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- The Road Less Traveled – A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- History Walk @ Seacliff State Beach
- Nature Wander @ Rancho del Oso Unit
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover the Santa Cruz Sandhills @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Twilight Adaptation Adventure @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Santa Cruz Downtown Antique Street Faire @ Downtown Santa Cruz
- SHADOW PLAY @ MAH
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
SCM Makers Market Pop-up at The Closet Shopper Eastside
What: SCM Makers Market Pop-up at The Closet Shopper Eastside
Where: The Closet Shopper Eastside 1203 41st Ave. Capitola, CA
When: Sunday, July 15 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Have you checked out the Closet Shopper’s new eastside location? Now’s your chance to not only shop for great deals on recycled fashion, but to enjoy a fun parking lot pop-up with 12 local artists. Shop to live music by Lauren Wahl Music & Simply Put, and bring an appetite for G’s Mexican Tacos.
Church Street Fair – Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
What: Church Street Fair
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
When: Saturday 8.4 & Sunday 8.5, 2018 | 11am – 7pm
Get ready for a street fair like no other, with art, food, wine, and non-stop music and dance performances from around the world. Kids will love the creativity tent and the highlight of the weekend, a free family concert which includes a tour of the orchestra!
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