The first weekend of spring has arrived!
Family-friendly events take center stage, including a day-long kids festival, a youth rock show, and a showcase of summer activities.
Other highlights include a red carpet awards show at The Rio and a polar plunge at Rio Del Mar Beach.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
This week’s roundup is brought to you by the 2019 NEXTies. Don’t miss this 10th anniversary celebration of the innovative and creative do gooders in our community taking things to the next level!
See the full list of winners and grab your tickets here.
Friday
World Water Day
When: 3/22 from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Allterra Solar
Cost: $10+ Donation in Advance, $15+ Donation Door/Day Of
World Water Day is all about bringing attention to the global water crises and helping to find solutions. Come out and celebrate water and be inspired to help with one of humanity’s biggest challenges. There will be live art, music, raffles, beverages and the viewing of a new short documentary filmed in Vietnam.
Opening Night Of DNA’s Comedy Lab With Joe Sib- SOLD OUT
When: 3/22 from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: DNA’s Comedy Lab
Cost: $20 SOLD OUT
The Riverfront Theater comes back to life this weekend as a comedy venue! The grand opening kicks off with Santa Cruz legend, comedian Joe Sib, as he headlines the first show. Come out for an evening of laughs and support this brand new comedy theater in Downtown Santa Cruz!
Youth Rock Show in Abbott Square
When: 3/22 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Abbott Square
Cost: Free
The rock bands of Rio Del Mar Elementary School and Aptos Junior High School, as well as the Celtic rock band, the Pub Grubs, will be performing in Abbott Square. Enjoy some food and drink and even take a stroll next door to the MAH for some interactive art and history.
The 2019 NEXTies
When: 3/22 at 6:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $25 – $35 +service fee
This year marks The NEXTies 10th year shining a spotlight on the area’s best and brightest doers! Don’t miss this evening of celebrating those in Santa Cruz County who inspire our community. Come get to know these do-gooders and enjoy some amazing musical guests including Anthony Arya, Mira Goto, Henry Chadwick, Jesse Daniel, and Cement Ship.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Contra Dance in Live Oak @ Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz
- Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Vintage Point @ Crow’s Nest
- Red Dog Ash w/ Wildcat Mountain Ramblers @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Poorman’s Whiskey @ Moe’s Alley
- Hashknife Outfit w/ Smith & Tegio and Tom Vandenavond @ The Crepe Place
- Fleetmac Wood @ The Catalyst
- Beach Cowboy Band @ Severino’s
- Jazz the Dog @ Michael’s on Main
- Alex Lucero & Live Again plus SPUN @ Michael’s on Main
- The Island Breeze Band @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
MAKE/CRAFT
- Friday Make Night for 21+ @ Dream Maker Creative, 6412 Highway 9 Felton, CA 95018
- Paint Night @ The MAH
OUTDOORS
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Bellies, Birth & Babies
When: 3/23 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Pacific Cultural Center
Cost: Free, preregistration encouraged
This is a wonderful opportunity for new and expectant parents to learn about some of the amazing community resources Santa Cruz County has to offer. There will be a pop-up marketplace, hands-on demos, workshops, free mini massages, prizes, and more.
Santa Cruz Polar + Puppy Plunge
When: 3/23 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Rio Del Mar Beach
Cost: Fundraiser minimum $125
Take a quick run into (and right back out of) the chilly water at Rio Del Mar Beach and support Special Olympic athletes! You can even skip the dip and register as a “chicken” to enjoy the festivities without all the dampness. Everyone is encouraged to dress in costume. You can even register your dog for the Puppy Plunge!
Midtown Spring Fling
When: 3/23 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Midtown on Soquel from Seabright to Pine
Cost: Free
Celebrate the beginning of spring as you stroll through midtown neighborhood shops. Meet your midtown merchants and enjoy pop-ups with local artists, sidewalk sales, and delicious local goodies from food trucks on site.
Santa Cruz Warriors vs. Agua Caliente Clippers
When: 3/23 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Cost: From $27
Come out to the Kaiser Permanente Arena and support your local Santa Cruz Warriors as they take on the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario. The first 1,500 guests will receive a rally towel. Bring your family and friends for a night of NBA G League action!
Summer Activity Fun Fair
When: 3/23 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Civic Auditorium
Cost: Free
It may seem like the rain will never stop, but summer is around the corner and it’s time to start planning! Parks and Rec offers this opportunity to meet summer staff, counselors, coaches, etc. You can set up your family account while the kids romp and play.
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- A Tribute To John Prine @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Santa Cruz Baroque: North German Abendmusik With Bach @ Peace United Church of Christ
- Live Music by Michael Gaither & His New Best Friends @ Abbott Square
- UTURN @ Crow’s Nest
- Foreverland @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Midtown Social + Harry & The Hitmen @ Moe’s Alley
- The Reverberations w/ The Rantouls and The Not Yetis @ The Crepe Place
- Susto & The Soft White Sixties @ The Catalyst
- Joint Chiefs @ Severino’s
- Special Fun @ Michael’s on Main
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Castle Rock Loop @ Castle Rock State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Pine Needle Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Hides and Tallow @ 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
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Snakes Alive! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Dancing Through the Decades: 50th Anniversary Gala @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
- Global Oceans Gala honoring John Laird @ UC Santa Cruz Colleges Nine and Ten
- She is Beautiful: The Pinkest 10K and 5K @ Bay Street and Centennial Street
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Kids Day Downtown
When: 3/24 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Kids Day Downtown is back! This day long festival showcases all the great community resources for kids, including education, sports, arts, science, dance, and theater. Kids can participate in hands-on activities, watch fun performances, and enjoy in-store specials and giveaways.
The Seasons of Our Children With Cantabella Children’s Chorus
When: 3/24 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Holy Cross Church 123 High Street, Santa Cruz
Cost: General $25 Seniors (62+) $20 Students $5
The Santa Cruz Chorale joins the Cantabella Children’s Chorus for a concert performance featuring songs about children and the seasons. Experience childhood with folk songs, sprituals and premiere works from around the world.
Come Be Curious with George: A Curious George Storytime
When: 3/24 at 4:00 pm
Where: Bookshop Santa Cruz
Cost: Free
Bookshop Santa Cruz presents an interactive story time with storyteller, Susan Freeman. This special half hour will be filled with stories, puppets, pictures and music for children in preschool and Kindergarten. Sponsored by the Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival and Temple Beth El.
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- She Speaks Out…. Again @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Steve Poltz @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Lydia Pense & Cold Blood @ Moe’s Alley
- Morgan James @ The Catalyst
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Photography Hike for Beginners @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Deep Relaxation: Spring Healing Circle @ Pacific Cultural Center 1307 Seabright Ave Santa Cruz CA
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Santa Cruz Classic Criterium @ Loop of Streets
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai 31st Annual Exhibit
What: Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai 31th Annual Exhibit
Where: MAH – Museum of Art and History
When: April 6 & 7 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Everything you wanted to know about Bonsai and more! See demonstrations from Bonsai Masters to learn the techniques of creating these artistic and beautiful trees. Enjoy performances by Watsonville Taiko (Saturday) and The Nori Project (Sunday), as well as Sumi-e Japanese ink paintings and origami demonstrations. We highly recommend buying raffle tickets for this one!
Earth Day Santa Cruz
What: Earth Day Santa Cruz
Where: San Lorenzo Park
When: April 20 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Come and enjoy a fun environmental celebration for the whole family! Event highlights include a kid zone with hands-on activities, live music by SambaDa, sustainable food vendors and a beer garden, electric vehicle showcase including ebikes, and plenty of green business informational booths.
Sanctuary Exploration Center 2019 Docent Training
What: Sanctuary Exploration Center 2019 Docent Training
Where: Sanctuary Exploration Center
When: Info sessions on March 27th at 5:30 pm & March 31st at 10:00 am
Here’s your chance to share your love for the ocean and wildlife with the public. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is offering docent training at the Sanctuary Exploration Center.
Docents attend educational field trips, support special events, assist with school field trips, and guided tours.
Learn more about becoming a Docent by attending an Informational Meeting on either Wednesday, March 27th at 5:30 PM or Sunday, March 31st at 10 AM at the Sanctuary Exploration Center.
The 2019 Docent Training Program will be held from April 10th – May 15th on Wednesdays from 6 PM – 9 PM at the Sanctuary Exploration Center.
For more information and to apply, please contact the SEC Volunteer Coordinator at brijonnay.madrigal@noaa.gov or call (831) 425-4182.
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