Santa Cruz Life

This Weekend in Santa Cruz: May 3rd – 5th, 2019

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The first weekend in May kicks off with a full agenda that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Choose a walk among the wildflowers, hear amazing fish stories or even take a musical trip through time.

From Bluegrass, to Mustangs to our favorite Derby Girls, you’re guaranteed another great Santa Cruz weekend!

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

Quick Links

 

This week’s roundup is sponsored by Play it Forward Santa Cruz — 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!

Click here for more information about Play it Forward.

Friday

Fish Tales: A Live Storytelling Event

When: 5/3 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge
Cost: Free, please RSVP

A night of stories, art and science awaits you! This live storytelling event features National Geographic Explorer and Marine Biologist Tierney Thys, local fisherman Mick Zucker, and storytellers that will bring you their fishiest stories! Local artists will display their fish-themed work, and food and drink will be available.

Get more info here.

Jesse Daniel and Friends – Live

When: 5/3 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Where: New Bohemia Brewing Co.
Cost: $10 – $25

A full line-up of local musicians will be performing together for an unforgettable evening of music featuring Jesse Daniel, Taylor Rae, McCoy Tyler, Jody Lyford, Henry Chadwick, Lindsey Wall, Anthony Arya and more.  Hear your favorite songs as well as new collaborations.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

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THEATER/ARTS

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Saturday

Santa Cruz Derby Girls

Santa Cruz Derby Girls May the 4th

When: 5/4 at 4:30 pm & 6:45 pm
Where: Civic Auditorium
Cost: $11 – $30

The always thrilling Santa Cruz Derby Girls will be hosting a double-header on the most Jedi day of the year. Light up foam lightsabers await those who come in costume, and there will be a ‘Star Wars’ themed costume contest during half time of the second game. Be sure to grab a free #santacruzlife sticker in the lobby!

Purchase Tickets w/ Discount Code.

The Jazz Time Machine with Steve Wilson!

When: 5/4 from 11:00 am to 12:00 am
Where: Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building
Cost: $15 Adult, $10 Child

Local favorite musician Steve Wilson, along with his trio, will perform at the Family First Saturday Concert series. Take a trip through time, crossing a span of 100 years of jazz in 60 minutes! Go from Ragtime and swing to fusion, pop, hip-hop and more in one exciting hour of music.

Get more info here.

Star Wars Day at the Library

When: 5/4 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz Library

If the force is strong in you, head to the library to outsmart Stormtroopers and Mandalorian bounty hunters as you explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) programming offered through our libraries. After you defeat the bad guys from the Golden Gate Garrison, head over to Atlantis Fantasyworld for Free Comic Book Day!

Get more info here.

Wildflower Weekend

When: 5/4 – 5/5 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Rancho del Oso
Cost: Free

Enjoy a spring day out among the wildflowers of Rancho del Oso at Waddell Valley, located along the coastal side of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. A variety of botanist-led wildflower walks and hikes will be offered as well as a free wildflower drawing workshop by Michelle Antonisse!

Get more info here.

May The Fourth Be With You! Family Friendly Star Wars Themed Party and Fundraiser!

When: 5/4 from 12:00pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House
Cost: Free Admission

Soquel Parent Education Nursery School kicks off their annual spring fundraiser with this Star Wars-themed event that is sure to be fun for the whole family, including your dog! Silent auction, Disneyland ticket raffle, facepainting, bake sale and more! Don’t forget to dress up like your favorite Star Wars character. May the fourth be with you!

Get more info here.

Youth Concert & Raffle Fundraiser

When: 5/4 from 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: $3

Be Natural Music is hosting their biggest concert of spring! 11 youth rock bands will perform on the main stage. Enter the raffle fundraiser for prizes. Food and drinks will be served outside. Come out for a rocking night and support Santa Cruz’s talented youth musicians!

Get more info here.

Also on Saturday

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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

Pottery and Glass Seconds Sale

When: 5/5 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo Parking Lot A/B
Cost: Free

Check out the work of over 50 professional artists as they offer their seconds, experiments and overstock items at this bi-annual sale. Glass, pottery and jewelry will be available at rock-bottom prices!

Get more info here.

Mustangs On The Wharf Charity Event

When: 5/5 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf
Cost: Free

There will be 100 Mustangs on the Wharf, and we aren’t talking about horses! Bring the family out to this car show charity event with over 100 Ford Mustangs on display, from classic to modern. Live music, vendors, silent auction, raffle, trophies and more. All proceeds benefit O’Neill Sea Odyssey for kids!

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair

When: 5/5 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Where: San Lorenzo Park – Duck Island Stage
Cost: Free

Blue Summit will perform along with a fantastic lineup of bluegrass musicians such as Luke Abbott, The Down Beets, Mission Blue, and The Harmony Grits at the 33rd Annual Bluegrass Fair. Bring your family and friends as well as a blanket or chair and enjoy an entire afternoon of free bluegrass in the park.

Get more info here.

Wildflower Weekend

See description under Saturday

Also on Sunday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

MAKE/CRAFT

OUTDOORS

MORE

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Senderos Vive Oaxaca Cooper Street Fiesta

What: Senderos Vive Oaxaca Cooper Street Fiesta
Where: Cooper Street, Downtown Santa Cruz
When: Saturday, May 11 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Santa Cruz City Arts and The MAH co-sponsor this celebration featuring authentic Oaxacan food, music, dance and traditional festivities marking the start of the upcoming Vive Oaxaca Guelagauetza. Musicians and dancers will arrive in procession to Cooper Street at 5pm. Come out and celebrate!

Get more info here.

17th Annual Bonny Doon Art Wine & Brew Festival

What: 17th Annual Bonny Doon Art Wine & Brew Festival
Where: Bonny Doon Equestrian Park
When: Saturday, June 1 from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm

The Bonny Doon Community School Foundation presents their 17th annual fundraising event for Bonny Doon Elementary School. Celebrate the local community and enjoy wine and craft brew tastings, artisan vendors, live music, a wine pull and food trucks! There’s even a live auction as well as an online auction. Must be 21 or older to attend.

Get more info here.

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Valerie Lemke

Valerie Lemke is a transplant from the Bay Area to Santa Cruz County over 25 years ago, and hasn't looked back since. She is a local freelance writer and photographer who loves writing about and photographing one of the most beautiful regions in the world, the Central Coast.

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