Santa Cruz Life

This Weekend in Santa Cruz: May 5th – 8th, 2016

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There’s much to celebrate this weekend, from Cinco de Mayo to Mother’s Day and maybe a little rain in between.

This weekend is also about embracing the outdoors and supporting local causes, from the kickoff of Ecology Action’s Bike Week to the culmination of Santa Cruz County’s largest giving campaign at the Human Race Walkathon and Fun Run.

We’ve also spiced it up with music and cultural events bouncing around the world from Mexico to Greece to Spain and our own backyard.

See our picks for the top events each day this weekend, starting with Cinco de Mayo on Thursday:

Thursday

Tequila Tasting and Mexican Food Marketplace Popup

When: 5/5 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge

Tamales, Oaxacan mole, and tequila tasting…olé! With events ranging from Cinco de Mayo and First Friday to a hot sauce popup and Mother’s Day Brunch, the Food Lounge is your one-stop celebration destination this weekend.

Get more info here.

Grand Re-Opening and Cinco de Mayo Celebration

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When: 5/5 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Childish Santa Cruz

Childish has relocated across the street from its previous location and invites the whole family to come check out their new expanded space. Enjoy tacos, beer, dancing, art projects, piñatas, and more!

Get more info here.

Cinco de Mole Popup

When: 5/5 from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: POPUP in Downtown Santa Cruz

Join My Mom’s Mole and The Green Waffle for a unique popup dining experience. Menu items include enmoladas (enchiladas with mole), green waffles, and a crowd-favorite cactus and kale salad. Mole lovers with dietary restrictions will enjoy the vegan and gluten-free options.

Get more info here.

Also on Thursday

Friday

Tommy Emmanuel

When: 5/6 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $39.50

If an appreciation for true, raw guitar talent is your jam, then you’ll enjoy seeing Tommy Emmanuel perform at the Rio. A finger stylist and one-man-band, interweaving the melody, bass and supporting chords, Emmanuel’s shows are all uniquely improvised.

Get more info here.

Ecology Action’s Bike Week, May 6-13th

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When: 5/6 at 6:00 pm
Where: Museum of Art & History
Cost: Free

Grease up your gears! Ecology Action’s Bike Week kicks off tonight at the MAH. There will be giveaways, crafts and stunts as well as a community night ride. The week is full of all kinds of fun bike activities. Check out Ecology Action’s events calendar for details.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Shakespeare Season Kick-Off Celebration

When: 5/6 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Radius Gallery at The Tannery
Cost: Free and open to the public

Enjoy cupcakes from Buttercup Cakes, wine from Sones, and a meet and greet with Artistic Director Mike Ryan and other artists. You’ll learn about the 2016 shows—“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Hamlet”—that will debut at The Grove at DeLaveaga Park, Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s new home beginning this summer.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

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Saturday

The 2016 Human Race Walkathon and Fun Run

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When: 5/7 at 9:00 am
Where: 2300 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz CA
Cost: Participants that provide a donation of $35 or more will enjoy a t-shirt, breakfast and family-friendly activities

Santa Cruz County’s largest giving campaign celebrates funds raised for local organizations today. Walk or run five miles along the beautiful Westcliff course to show your support for any non-profit, school or church you’ve collected donations for. All ages and dogs are welcome. Complimentary breakfast and lunch, music, entertainment and prizes on-hand.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Symphony: Ode to Joy

When: 5/7 at 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: Starting at $27

This concert consists of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and a contemporary piece by Esa-Pekka Salonen entitled “NYX.” The performance will showcase vocal soloists from the Metropolitan Opera and the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus under the direction of Cheryl Anderson.

Get more info here.

Cinco De Mayo Celebration

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When: 5/7 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Davenport Resource Service Center
Cost: Free

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo on siete de Mayo in Davenport! Get in the spirit with mariachi music, Mexican cuisine, children’s activities, a silent auction and dance performances. ¡Olé!

Get more info here.

Migratory Bird Day Celebration Weekend!

When: 5/7 – 5/8 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Elkhorn Slough Reserve
Cost: $4.12 day use fee for 16 and older (credit card only)

The Elkhorn Slough Reserve will host scheduled walks where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about and observe shorebirds, waterfowl and waders during one of the year’s peak migration seasons. There will be crafts for kids and a chance to visit the Education & Research Lab.

Get more info here.

Eat Like A Greek at the Aptos Farmers Market

When: 5/7 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College

The Aptos Farmers Market is gone to the Greeks this Saturday. Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church of Santa Cruz members will turn a section of the market into a sample of the homeland with traditional Greek dishes. Come delight your taste buds on Jimmy-the-Greek’s world famous rice pudding. Yanni Chronopoulos will perform the bouzouki.

Get more info here.

Also on Saturday

santa cruz instagramKeep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.

Sunday

Mother’s Day in Santa Cruz

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Mother’s Day is THIS Sunday! Wondering how to celebrate mom and make the day special?

You’ll find all the best Mother’s Day brunches and events in our Mother’s Day Guide.

Bay Area Flamenco presents: Fiesta Flamenca de Cante Gitano

When: 5/8 at 7:00 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: $32.64-$132.87

Musicians, Gypsy singers and flamenco dancers, Perico el Pañero and brother José el Pañero will put on an unforgettable show at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Cap off your weekend by transporting yourself back in time to Andalusia when powerful dance and vocal expressions emerged out of socially and financially challenging times.

Get more info here.

Migratory Bird Day Celebration Weekend!

See Description Under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

Featured Upcoming Event

ghspring2016wecanhardlywaitWITHwebAVintageMarket

A spring vintage market is coming to the fairgrounds and bringing with it over 100 vendors of unique, handmade, upcycled and repurposed antique and artisan treasures.

P.S. Buy mom a ticket and take her treasure hunting the weekend after Mother’s Day!

Get more info here.

What: Goat Hill Fair Antique Show
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
When: 5/14 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; 5/15 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

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Keri Robinson

Keri Robinson has grown up coming to Santa Cruz and is proud to have made it her permanent residence as of 2011. She is a writer and blogger, active within the community. When not adventuring with her dog, kayaking, climbing or running she can be found at a local coffee shop, chronicling her adventures. Check out Keri's personal site to see more of her work.

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