What does it mean to you to make the most of your weekend?
Do you want to get outside and see some wildlife or learn about our local history and ecosystem? Or would you rather make something with your hands?
How about catching some live music or comedy? You can do it all this weekend in Santa Cruz!
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
They’re baaaack! The Santa Cruz Derby Girls kick off their 2019 season with a Derby Doubleheader at the Civic on March 16th. We’ll be in attendance and hope to see you there!
New to Derby? Check out our SCDG Fan Guide.
Click here for tickets to the season opener. Use code SCLife19 at checkout for 10% off (discount not valid on game day so grab those tickets today!)
Friday
Birding at Dawn at UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden
When: 3/8 – 3/10 from 6:00 am to 9:00 am
Where: UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Cost: $10/day for Members & $15/day for Non-Members
The early person catches the bird! The Arboretum will open its gates at 6am this weekend (7am on Sunday) for a special sunrise treat. The payoff for getting up early will be witnessing the many varieties of birds and other animals as they come alive in the gardens at dawn.
Food From the Heart
When: 3/8 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Chaminade, 1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $65 individual
Do a good deed while enjoying a delicious catered lunch and tasting room featuring local vendors at the incomparable Chaminade. A live auction will raise funds to help Meals on Wheels deliver food to area senior citizens. A special awards presentation will take place honoring those whose work benefits our community.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Pure Roots & Earl Zero + Junior Toots, Rocker T & Sound Reasoning + Dee Jay Spleece @ Moe’s Alley
- Da Are You MADD Yet Tour @ Blue Lagoon
- Jive Machine @ Crow’s Nest
- The Boys of Summer – Eagles Tribute @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Dante Elephante w/ Shoobies & Sollomon Hollows @ The Crepe Place
- Twiddle @ The Catalyst
- SoDown @ The Catalyst
- Hot Fuse @ Severino’s
- Jazz the Dog @ Michael’s on Main
- Soulwise plus Harbor Patrol @ Michael’s on Main
- Lisa Allen @ Coasters Bar and Grill
THEATER/ARTS
- Luminous Numinous @ Felix Kulpa Gallery
- Pathways Through Our Parks Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
MORE
- Spring Girl Scout Overnight @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- UCSC Grad Slam @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Financial Fridays: Debt & Credit @ Santa Cruz Downtown Library
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
Agricultural History Project – 2nd Saturday On The Farm
When: 3/9 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Agricultural History Museum
Cost: Free
Celebrate the bounty of the county at 2nd Saturday on the Farm at the County Fairgrounds, brought to you by the Agricultural History Project. Each month, the project focuses on a different aspect of agriculture at this fun and informative event. This month is Spring on the Farm. Kids can enjoy driving a tractor, watch a puppet show and many more activities.
Exploring the San Lorenzo River Series
When: 3/9 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Quail Hollow Ranch
Cost: Free
Learn about our river and the flora, fauna and fungus that populate the San Lorenzo watershed in a naturalist-led walk at Quail Hollow Ranch. This free event is brought to you by the Coastal Watershed Council and the Museum of Natural History. Pre-registration is required.
Discretion’s 6th Anniversary Party!
When: 3/9 from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm
Where: Discretion Brewing
One of our great local breweries is having a birthday! Celebrate Discretion’s 6th anniversary with a new can release– Submarine Canyon, a sea-salt and meyer lemon IPA that benefits Save Our Shores, Yestertimes– a barrel-aged old ale in bottles, and their new Anniversary blend on tap. Put yours in a limited edition anniversary glass. The Kitchen will be serving up some fine food, and there will be games in the beer garden. Rain or Shine!
Birding at Dawn at UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Superdream Tour: Big Wild @ The Catalyst
- Sin Sisters Burlesque @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Sasha’s Money @ Crow’s Nest
- Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds @ Moe’s Alley
- One Grass * Two Grass w/ Crocked Branches @ The Crepe Place
- Ceramic Animal / Spendtime Palace @ The Catalyst
- Groovity @ Severino’s
- Painted Mandolin @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS MAKE/CRAFT OUTDOORS
- McNee Ranch at Montara State Beach @ Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Castle Rock Loop @ Castle Rock State Park
- Wool, Spinning, and Weaving @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Wilder Ridge Loop @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Hike to Buzzard’s Roost @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Ohlone Plant Use @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Felling the Giants @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency Announces Three-Part “Understanding Our Water” Educational Series @ Felton Community Hall
- Beginners’ Genealogy Workshop @ Santa Cruz Downtown Branch Library, Upstairs Meeting Room
- Hummus & Homicide – Mayhem on the Menu @ Santa Cruz Food Lounge
- Author Talk: Meet local author Cheryl Chaffin @ La Selva Beach Branch Library
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
The Orchestra Moves – Family Concert
When: 3/10 from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $8- $15
Who can resist belting out the chorus of Bohemian Rhapsody? This year, the annual family concert asks the audience to do just that and more. Bring your instrument and M.C. Omari Tau will lead you through the gorgeous selections being played by our professional orchestra, the talented Youth Symphony, Kuumbwa’s Jazz Honor Band and the Cabrillo Youth Chorus as the Santa Cruz Ballet Theater troupe performs. Don’t miss the instrument petting zoo after the show and artwork by the students of Kirby!
Real Irish Comedy Fest
When: 3/10 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: $20 – $30
The best way to appreciate an Irish accent is to listen to a good joke, or better yet, a lineup of five hilarious Irish comedians performing at the Kuumbwa this Sunday evening.
Masters of Hawaiian Music: George Kahumoku Jr., Nathan Aweau & Kawika Kahiapo
When: 3/10 from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $30 Gen, $36 Gold Circle
Chase away the winter blues with a trip to Hawaii. Featuring slack key, acoustic and electric guitar, ukulele and vocals, three Hawaiian masters will take you on a virtual tour of the islands through the distinctive, rich and soothing music of Hawaii.
Children’s & Adult Felting Workshop
When: 3/10, kids class 11:00 am- 2:00 pm, adults 2:00 pm- 5:00 pm
Where: Kizuka Hall, 150 Blackburn St, Watsonville, CA
Cost: $25
If you are feeling crafty, come support Watsonville Taiko Drumming by making a wet-felted wool soap bag and a pretty pouch. This fundraiser includes all supplies and instruction for a fun and foolproof project.
Contra Dance – Open Band, Open Caller
When: 3/10 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Veterans Memorial Building, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz
Cost: Suggested admission donation for dancers is $12 regular, $20 for supporters, $8 for full-time students. Cash, check, or Paypal only.
Contra Dancing is so much fun, you won’t even notice that you are working out your body, brain and social skills! Come to dance, play, or call at the annual open band, open mic contra dance– all levels are welcome and encouraged to participate in the band, on the dance floor, or at the mic.
Birding at Dawn at UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- James Ilgenfritz @ Wind River
- Chris Cain @ Moe’s Alley
- Shawn James @ Moe’s Alley
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
OUTDOORS
- Castro Adobe Open House 2018: Luck o’ the Castros
- 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
- Berry Creek Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
MORE
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Love Monday at Discretion Brewing!
What: Love Monday at Discretion Brewing!
Where: Discretion Brewing 2703 41st Ave. Ste A Soquel
When: Monday, March 18, from 11:30 AM to 8:00 pm
If you are not a Monday person, take heart! Discretion Brewery’s Love Mondays are the antidote you need. Stop in Monday, March 18 from noon to 8:00 pm, enjoy a brew and some fine snacking while supporting our local libraries. Pick up a book from the Pop Up Book Shop for a pairing of literature and distilled beverage.
Anthony Arya Acoustic Night
What: Anthony Arya Acoustic Night
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge
When: Friday, March 15 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Local music phenom, Anthony Arya will play his acoustic blend of folk/rock/jazz at the Food Lounge. Food, beverages, dancing and fun for all!
Summer Activity Fun Fair
What: Summer Activity Fun Fair
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
When: Saturday, March 23 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
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.
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