The shops, salons and galleries will be teeming with First Friday fun, and a promising play opens at the Tannery.
If you plan your Saturday strategically you can have Mole for lunch and Greek food for dinner, and you can work it all off doing self-defense moves or dancing to a silent DJ.
On Sunday head to the downtown Maker’s Market for an objet d’art and then catch Anthony Arya and Preacher Boy perform together in Soquel.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Pippi Boards: Launch Party and Art Exhibition
When: 9/6 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: The Art Cave (The Old Wrigley Building)
Cost: Free
There’s a new skate shop in town, ladies! With decks and artwork for, of and by women, Pippi’s purpose is to support and encourage women and girls to claim their space at the skateparks and all over town. Live music will be provided by Echoes and Artifacts, plus enjoy beer, wine, creativity and equality!
Waves & Wildlife First Friday Celebration
When: 9/6 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: MBNMS Exploration Center
Cost: Free
Celebrate the beauty of our ocean environment and the efforts to preserve and protect it. Bring your own mug (or purchase a reusable mug at the event) for some of Discretion Brewery’s finest beer and marvel at the images of the amateur photographer contest.
A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN
When: 9/6 – 9/7 at 8:00 pm & 9/8 at 2:00 pm
Where: The Colligan Theater
Cost: $45 / $50
Friday is opening night for this romantic drama by award-winning playwright and Nobel laureate Eugene O’Neill. The Colligan Theater is a superb venue, and the Jewel Theater Company is top-notch, so you can expect to be impressed. Play runs September 4 – 29.
SANTA CRUZ GREEK FESTIVAL 2019
When: 9/6 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm; 9/7 11:00 pm to 10:00 pm; 9/8 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church
Cost: Free admission
Always a delight for the senses, the Greek Festival is about food and drink, music and dancing. Treat yourself to a gyro and some baklava and watch the costumed folk dancers and musicians perform as Greeks have done for centuries.
FIRST FRIDAY ART TOUR
When: 9/6 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Various locations throughout the county
Cost: Free
Every First Friday is a new and different affair, but what they all have in common is fun, friends, food, drink, and of course, art. Enjoy the fruits of our creative community at various locations throughout town while supporting the arts and small businesses that make Santa Cruz vibrant and unique.
Movies on the Beach: Bernie the Dolphin
When: 9/6 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Capitola Village
Cost: Free
Bring your family, a blanket and some beach chairs, and enjoy a picnic as the sky darkens to dusk, when the movie begins. This week’s film is a cute story about kids and a dolphin; what more can you ask for? How about free popcorn from 7:00-7:30? Seating begins at 6:30, and the movie starts at 7:30.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
THEATER/ARTS
MORE
Saturday
Seventh Annual Mole & Mariachi Festival
When: 9/7 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
Cost: Free Admission; $10 Tasting Kits
You be the judge: who makes the best mole sauce? A feast for all senses, the Mole and Mariachi festival brings together several local chefs and food vendors to treat your taste buds, as well as gorgeously adorned dancers and musicians, crafts, piñatas and fun! Proceeds support programs, education and restoration at the mission.
Summertime Self-Defense Fundraiser
When: 9/7 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Elkhorn Slough Brewing Company
Cost: $35
Raising funds for Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, this community event includes two hours of self-defense instruction, a raffle with cool prizes, food trucks and yummy local craft brews. You will learn some vital skills while working up an appetite for the delectables and be helping women and children in need.
Circumference Festival
When: 9/7 from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Tannery Arts Center
Cost: $20
A mixture of entertainment, arts collaboration and networking, digital media showcasing and discovery, feasting, dancing, shopping and more, the Circumference Festival is the first of its kind. Proceeds support K-12 Arts Education and the Tannery, naturally home to this artistic jubilee with over 15 acts performing, beer from Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, local food trucks and so much more.
International Ocean Film Tour
When: 9/7 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $18
If it’s brought to you by Patagonia, you know it’s going to be good. This is the ultimate film tour for ocean-lovers worldwide, and it’s making a stop in Santa Cruz to support the non-profit MTNS2SEA, which brings outdoor education to underserved kids.
SF Mime Troupe “Treasure Island”
When: 9/7 – 9/8 at 3:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: Free (donations requested)
Don’t be fooled by the name. This Tony Award-winning mime troupe is all about live musical comedy and political satire that is hilariously relevant. Music starts at 2:30 and the play follows at 3:00.
Bonny Doon Fire and Rescue Taco Social
When: 9/7 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Martin Road Fire Station
Cost: Children Under 5 Free, Kids 5-10 $5, Adults $15
Come out to support the all-volunteer fire fighters in Bonny Doon. In addition to rice & beans, tacos, etc., there will be a bake sale, t-shirts for sale and disaster preparedness booths.
11TH ANNUAL SONGFEST FOR PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS
When: 9/7 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: Free
Hear some of your favorite local musicians playing to help a great cause. Joe Ferrara of Atlantic Fantasyworld fame, Patti Maxine and several others will sing their hearts out. Cancer resources and information will be available, as well as lots of support and love.
A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN
See Description Under Friday Section
SANTA CRUZ GREEK FESTIVAL 2019
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
MORE
Sunday
Anthony Arya & Preacher Boy
When: 9/8 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Michael’s on Main
Cost: $10
Local teen legend Anthony Arya teams up with Preacher Boy, the gritty, steel slide guitar master. Sparks will fly when this duo takes the stage.
Downtown Maker’s Market
When: 9/8 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free admission
With over 40 local craft vendors and live music performed by Cement Ship, this market is a fun way to support artists and enrich your life with beautiful things.
A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN
See Description Under Friday Section
SANTA CRUZ GREEK FESTIVAL 2019
See Description Under Friday Section
SF Mime Troupe “Treasure Island”
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
MORE
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Ohlone Day
When: September 14 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Cost: Free (Parking fee $10)
This annual event is a celebration and demonstration of the first nation people who lived in this area. Ohlone people will perform traditional songs, stories, dances as well as sharing basket-weaving techniques, tools and language. Attendees can learn how to use an atlatl and cook acorn mush with hot rocks. This is a family treat not to be missed.
Celebrating 30 years of Mothersong
When: Saturday, September 14, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: Pacific Cultural Center
Cost: Kids under 12 Free, Adults $10
Building a better world through life-affirming song and dance, Joya Winwood has endowed us with her gifts of creativity, music and love for 30 years. It is time to celebrate! Bring your babies, or come alone, and belt out the love at the top of your lungs!
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