Santa Cruz Life

This Weekend in Santa Cruz: September 27th – 29th, 2019

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With several food festivals to choose from, it’s a great weekend to get outside and feast! From Tapas on Top to the Burrito Bash, there are many outdoor, food-oriented activities all weekend.

Some great shows to catch, from experimental to musical or theater, are Remembering James, Sondheim’s Company, or an audio/visual venture at the DNA Comedy Lab.

Enjoy our parks, farms and other natural beauty while bird watching, touring Elkhorn Slough or UCSC’s Farm.

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

Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Upcoming

Friday

Remembering James The Musical

When: 9/27 at 7:30 pm & 9/28 at 2:30 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center

More than a tribute, this rousing show tells the story of James Brown’s astronomical career in the context of the Civil Rights Movement and other events of this period in history. Written and performed by Dedrick Weathersby and featuring an eight-piece band, this performance is part  musical fun, part biography.

Get more info here.

Food Truck Summer Series

When: 9/27 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz

Even though it’s officially autumn, the summer weather is here, so get outside and eat! This event brings together a slew of delicious food options, live music, dancing and games right downtown for the community to enjoy.

Get more info here.

Sondheim’s COMPANY

When: 9/27 – 9/29  8:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Where: Center Stage Theater

This Tony-award winning dark comedy is updated for our times by director Andrew Ceglio. As relevant and pointed as ever, each vignette will have you laughing, snapping your fingers and contemplating what makes a marriage happy. The show runs September 27 through October 13.

Get more info here.

WATSONVILLE’S TAPAS ON TOP!

When: 9/27 from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Watsonville’s Civic Plaza Parking Garage

Enjoy the spectacular views of the Pajaro Valley from atop the Civic Plaza parking garage as you sip a local wine or craft brew and sample dishes from five local restaurants. Live music and good company make the most of our local food, drink and scenery scene!

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

MORE

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Saturday

People Like Us + Blectum from Blechdom

When: 9/28 from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: DNA’s Comedy Lab (155 S River St., Santa Cruz)

People Like Us is the pioneering artist Vicki Bennet who has been making audio/visual collage featured in museums and galleries around the world. Teaming up with improvisational music duo Blectum from Blechdom to screen Bennet’s latest creative visual adventure, Notations, the evening will also feature Bennet’s film The Mirror.

Get more info here.

Birds by the Bay

When: 9/28 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Antonelli Pond

This week is “Take a Child Outside Week” and to celebrate the occasion, Santa Cruz’s Museum of Natural History is sponsoring a bird walk at Antonelli pond. Explorers may glimpse birds of prey, shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds through binoculars, or look at feathers, bones and skulls through a magnifying glass as they walk the guided 1.5 mile loop. Pre-registration is required.

Get more info here.

Elkhorn Slough Reserve Open House & Native Plant Fair

When: 9/28 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Elkhorn Slough Reserve

Learn more about the fascinating ecosystem that is Elkhorn Slough. Look through a microscope at slough water, chat with scientists and take a tour of the premises. Craft activities will keep the kids enthralled, a native plant fair goes from 9-1, and burritos, tacos and beverages will be on sale all day long.

Get more info here.

CAPITOLA BEACH FESTIVAL

When: 9/28 – 9/29 
Where: Capitola Village

With rowboat races, a 3-mile fun run, sand-sculpture contest, horseshoe tournament, fishing derby, chalk art event…and that’s just the beginning! This is old-fashioned community fun at its rarest and best. Don’t miss the Esplanade concert and lighted nautical parade!

Get more info here.

BOARDWALK BITES AND BREWS

When: 9/28 from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Here is a food festival for the people. Over 15 local craft brewers offer their beverages to pair with the tasty rations served up at the Boardwalk. Four great bands on two stages will entertain as you combine flavors for the perfect bouquet.

Get more info here.

A Taste of Soquel

When: 9/28 from noon – 4:00 pm
Where: Congregational Church of Soquel

A fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank, this day is dedicated to food and community. Ralph Anybody, beloved KPIG DJ emcees the live music as the foodies of Soquel converge. This family event includes a fun kidzone. Did you know how many scrumptious restaurants, cafes, wineries, farms and breweries are located in Soquel? You can find out on Saturday!

Get more info here.

Sondheim’s COMPANY

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

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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

Kidrageous Golden Carnival

When: 9/29 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 am
Where: Watsonville City Plaza

A kid’s dream come true, this fiesta features every activity kids love; face painting, bouncy houses, magic shows, music and dancing, yummy food, contests, arts and crafts… the list goes on and on. All this spectacular fun raises money for local kids with cancer and their families.

Get more info here.

Fall Harvest Festival

When: 9/29 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: UCSC Farm’s Life Lab Garden Classroom

Enjoy the bounty of UCSC’s farm and Life Lab, which is celebrating 40 years of educating children! Enjoy apple tasting, hay-rides, live music and food. Learn about beekeeping, herbs, preserves and more at the workshops and tours happening all day long.

Get more info here.

MUSIC AT SKYPARK

When: 9/29 from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Skypark

This month the House Rockers and the Johnny Neri Band are playing for this excellent fundraiser. Bring the whole hungry family to dance, eat and drink to support music programs in our schools.

Get more info here.

Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap Grand Opening Celebration

When: 9/29 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: 3744 Capitola Road

The Aloha spirit is coming to Capitola. Join in the fun as Pono opens their doors with live music, workshops, vendors and of course lots of delicious food and drink.

Get more info here.

BURRITO BASH AND CAR SHOW

When: 9/29 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Main Lawn

Help determine who makes the best burrito on the Central Coast, see the car show, listen to mariachi or a CCR cover band; all this and more at Rotary’s annual Burrito Bash at the Fairgrounds. Lots of art and crafts vendors will be selling their wares, and tons of food and drinks will be available, all to benefit local charities and student scholarships.

Get more info here.

Sondheim’s COMPANY

See Description Under Friday Section

CAPITOLA BEACH FESTIVAL

See Description Under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

MAKE/CRAFT

OUTDOORS

MORE

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Open Studios

When: First three weekends in October
Where: Various locations

Open Studios is an invitation into the creative workspaces of local artists throughout the county. Plot your own self-guided tour or simply follow the green signs around town. The first weekend of October features North County artists, the second weekend showcases South county artists, and the third weekend is an optional encore weekend for artists throughout the county.

Event Info

Open Streets Santa Cruz

When: Sunday, October 13, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: West Cliff Drive

Imagine if West Cliff Drive were one continuous park for pedestrians, bikers, skaters, singers and dancers and community organizations to meet up and exchange smiles, ideas and information. For one day only, this vision will come true, so join in the fun!

Event Info

Welcome Back Monarchs Day

welcome back monarchs day

When: Sunday, October 13, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Natural Bridges

How lucky are we that we get to host the migrating monarch butterflies as they journey southwards? Celebrate as the fluttering insects begin to arrive in their favorite eucalyptus grove. To kick things off, Natural Bridges State Park is going to throw a little party with ice cream, crafts and live music to welcome the monarchs home.

Event Info

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Meridith Cook

Meridith Cook came to Santa Cruz 18 years ago from Minnesota. She is a freelance writer and mother of 3 who enjoys exploring the beauty and culture of this unique community. Visit her website at www.melbacomms.com.

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