This May weekend is jam-packed with exciting anniversary celebrations, fabulous cultural performances and even a bit of fundraising for some terrific local causes!
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Women Who Rock
When: 5/17 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz
Cost: $25
Celebrate the unsung contribution of women who changed the course of history and made a global impact. This event will begin with a discussion in a talk show format moderated by Wallace Baine, followed by a rock music performance by the legendary band, Ace of Cups. Guests include Douglas Brinkley, Kate Bowland, Lynda Francis and Anne Steinhardt.
Food Trucks & Free Movie in the Park
When: 5/17 Dinner from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm; Movie at 8:30 pm
Where: Skypark, Scotts Valley Scotts Valley Community Center (due to rain)
Cost: Free
With six different food trucks lining up to serve you, and a beer garden featuring Steel Bonnet Brewing Company, watching The Force Awakens out under the night sky will be an unforgettable experience. The movie is free, and the beer garden benefits the Scotts Valley Education Foundation. Bring your camera and snap a few pictures with a famous little droid.
Get more info here.
UCSC – Free Performances – Miriam Ellis International Playhouse
When: 5/17 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: UCSC, Stevenson Event Center
Cost: Free, parking $5
Cowell College, Stevenson College and the Department of Languages and Applied Linguistics present the 19th season of this program. This show brings together multilingual performances in Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish with English supertitles.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- An Evening of Vocal Jazz @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Voice Class Recital @ Samper Recital Hall
- Performing Arts Collective Spring Production @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Meg Baird & Mary Lattimore + Gabriel Saloman & Mustafa Walker @ Wind River
- Qiensave? + Philthy Dronez + Sonido Cumbiambero @ El Alteno Restaurant
- Salsa Night @ Palomar Ballroom
- The Mermen Record Release @ The Cocoanut Grove
- Champian Fulton: Tribute to Dinah Washington @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- The John Michael Band @ Crow’s Nest
- AKAE BEKA (Formerly Known As Midnite) + Blazeen & Tribe @ Moe’s Alley
- Carsie Blanton (2 Sets!) @ The Crepe Place
- Rumble Steelskin @ The Catalyst
- Fishhook @ Severino’s
- Harpin’ & Clark @ Michael’s on Main
- Sonny & the Sunsets plus Kelly Stoltz @ Michael’s on Main
- Haopinaka Hawaiian Music and dance @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
- Sashiko Mending @ All Hands Workshops
- Slime Time Workshop @ The MAH
- Palace Art 70th Anniversary Celebration @ Santa Cruz & Capitola locations
OUTDOORS
MORE
- Willow & Wolfe Grand Opening @ 706-H Capitola Ave, Capitola
- Street Outreach – Encompass Community Services @ Downtown Santa Cruz
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 County History Fair
When: 5/18 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Capitola Community Center
Cost: Free
Join Santa Cruz Public Libraries for an afternoon of Santa Cruz County History! More than 20 museums and historical societies come together in one venue to share old photos, artifacts and plenty of information on Santa Cruz County history. You can also check out the on-site book sale, activities for kids and more. Bring your family, friends, questions and even local old photos to share!
Art of Santa Cruz 5th Anniversary Party
When: 5/18 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Capitola Mall
Cost: Free
The Art of Santa Cruz art gallery in Capitola Mall is celebrating their 5th anniversary! Come and join the festivities with works on display from over 65 local artists, free refreshments, music, raffle and a silent auction.
Happy Healthiversary: 5 Years Strong!
When: 5/18 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: East Cliff Family Health Center
Cost: Free
The East Cliff Family Health Center is celebrating it’s 5th Anniversary and you are invited. Come by for food, music, family activities, discussion with community leaders, performances and much more. A free community event!
Art Expo Santa Cruz
When: 5/18 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: The Old Wrigley Building
Cost: $5 – $10
Head over to the Old Wrigley Building for an outdoor (event will be indoors due to weather forecast) art expo featuring the work of over 50 artists and galleries from all over the greater Bay Area and Northern California. Food vendors and guest wineries will keep you fueled as you explore and discover new art and artists.
Get more info here.
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Big Band Jazz Spring Concert 2019 @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- IL Dolce Suono Spring Concert @ Samper Recital Hall
- Grody/Dead War/Blood Omen/Cult Graves @ The Blue Lagoon
- The House Rockers @ Crow’s Nest
- SHOOTER JENNINGS + Jesse Daniel @ Moe’s Alley
- The Ha w/ Dominique Gomez (full band) and TBD @ The Crepe Place
- Ari Lennox @ The Catalyst
- Tsunami Band @ Severino’s
- Soulwise @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- Performing Arts Collective Spring Production @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- MCT’s Rapture, Blister, Burn @ Mountain Community Theater/Park Hall
MAKE/CRAFT
- Sea Animals Collagraph Printmaking with Joan P Bogart @ Sanctuary Exploration Center
- Tea Blending @ All Hands Workshops
- Flower Arranging @ All Hands Workshops
- Succulent Kokedama @ All Hands Workshops
- Wool, Spinning, and Weaving @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Palace Art 70th Anniversary Celebration @ Santa Cruz & Capitola locations
OUTDOORS
- Park Restoration Work Day @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Hidden Gems: Flowers of Big Basin! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Coast Nature Walks @ Wilder Ranch State Park
MORE
- Paddle For Melissa Pappageorgas @ Cowell Beach
- A Walk on Water @ Cowell Beach
- Staff of Life 50th Anniversary Party @ Staff of Life
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Play It Forward Santa Cruz
When: 5/19 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: Free Admission
**This event is happening rain or shine** Play it Forward Santa Cruz is a one-of-a-kind festival— key word: PLAY! Don’t miss this family-friendly event from Santa Cruz Public Libraries and the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation. From hands-on activities and games to live music, food trucks, and a beer & wine garden, come hungry, thirsty, and ready to play!
VIVE OAXACA GUELAGUETZA
When: 5/19 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: $10 at the entrance; children 5 and under free
All the colors, flavors, sights and sounds of Oaxaca will come together in Santa Cruz for this beautiful, festive celebration of Oaxacan culture and people. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy the music, dancing, food and drinks brought to you by Senderos, a local non-profit supporting Latino youth and culture. Vive Oaxaca!
Bonny Doon Volunteer Fire & Rescue Burrito Breakfast
When: 5/19 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Martin Fire Station @ 975 Martin Road, Bonny Doon
Cost: Small Plate $5 Large Plate $10 Children under 5 Free
A win/win situation all around! Support Bonny Doon Volunteer Fire and Rescue while enjoying a fabulous breakfast burrito meal. Stick around for kids activities, live music, a bake sale, shirt sale and even a silent auction. All proceeds go to purchasing equipment and equipment maintenance.
The Cabrillo Symphonic Winds – The Cement Ship 100 Years
When: 5/19 at 3:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo Crocker Theater
Cost: Free but tickets required
The S.S. Palo Alto is celebrating it’s 100th birthday and the Cabrillo Symphonic Winds will perform a special concert with music dedicated to one of our favorite local landmarks, the “Cement Ship” at Seacliff State Beach.
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Cabrillo Youth Chorus Spring Concert @ Samper Recital Hall
- Sue Foley + Nick Schnebelen @ Moe’s Alley
- Quattlebaum w/ Jenner Fox and Jessica Malone @ The Crepe Place
- Carnifex @ The Catalyst
- Mac Demarco @ The Catalyst
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- Senior Story Slam @ The MAH, Downtown Santa Cruz
- Performing Arts Collective Spring Production @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
MAKE/CRAFT
- Encaustic Collage @ All Hands Workshops
- Modern Brush Lettering @ All Hands Workshops
- Hand Painted Leather Wallet Workshop @ Annieglass
OUTDOORS
- Seacliff History Tour @ Seacliff State Beach
- Open House at the Castro Adobe: Women of the Castro Adobe @ Castro Adobe State Historic Park
- When Species Collide @ Rancho del Oso
- Elephant Seal Equal Access Tour @ Ano Nuevo State Park
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Science Sunday—Eelgrass Restoration Success in Elkhorn Slough @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Surfer’s Path Marathon, Capitola Half Marathon & Relay @ Monterey Bay
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
SS Palo Alto Centennial CEMENT SHIP Street Fair!
What: SS Palo Alto Centennial CEMENT SHIP Street Fair!
Where: Downtown Seacliff
When: Saturday, June 1 from 11:30am – 4pm.
The SS Palo Alto is turning 100 years old and you’re invited to the festivities! In conjunction with the celebration for the Cement Ship at Seacliff State Beach, the street fair will take place on Broadway in Seacliff. Enjoy a day filled with live music, family activities, the Surfing Magician, vendors, food trucks and more!
Sip & Shop: A Benefit for the Coastal Watershed Council
What: Sip & Shop: A Benefit for the Coastal Watershed Council
Where: Artisans + Agency
When: Wednesday, June 5th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Calling all river and art lovers. You are invited to a benefit event that will help raise funds for the Coastal Watershed Council. Come out to learn more about the San Lorenzo River and enjoy wine, small bites and an art raffle.
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