This Weekend in Santa Cruz: September 7th – 9th, 2018

By Valerie Lemke

Some of the most anticipated festivals of the year are happening this weekend around Santa Cruz. Though some see this as summer’s last hurrah, we locals know it’s just the beginning of great weather and good times ahead.

In addition to celebrations of art, wine, mole, mariachis, and all things Greek, you can learn how to survive in the wilderness, watch a movie at the beach with the kids, attend a comedy competition, and tour some fabulous art exhibits, too.

Have fun this weekend, Santa Cruz!

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

Quick Links

Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Upcoming

Friday

Santa Cruz Greek Festival 2018

When: 9/7 – 9/9 Friday 5 pm – 10 pm, Sat 11 am – 10 pm & Sun 12 pm – 7 pm
Where: Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church
Cost: Free Admission

The longest running cultural festival in Santa Cruz County returns for a weekend filled with food, spirits, dancing and so much more. Enjoy a feast of barbecue and traditional food and beverage, shop at the Greek agora and listen to live music. Greek dancers from all over the Bay Area will perform dances that have been handed down for hundreds of years.

Get more info here.

The Beauty Queen of Leenane

When: 9/7 – 9/9 Friday 8 pm, Saturday 2 pm & 8 pm, Sunday 2 pm
Where: Colligan Theater at the Tannery
Cost: $45/$50

This dark comedy is a Tony Award-winning production that is set in the Irish town of Leenane. A spinster devotes her life to be a caretaker for her aging mother, leaving both women with resentment. When the daughter finds new romance, her mother interferes with a series of events to stop the budding relationship in way that is darkly humorous as well as downright scary.

Get more info here.

2nd Annual Sculpture on Wheels Car Show

When: 9/7 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: SANTA CRUZ MAH
Cost: Free

Make this 2nd Annual Sculpture on Wheels exhibit a must-see art stop on your First Friday Art Tour this month. Cooper Street will be lined up with fabulous cars and bikes in this truly unique art exhibition. Low Rider Car show, dance performances, live music and even more inside the MAH.

Get more info here.

Movie at The Beach

When: 9/7 at 7:30 pm (Seating begins at 6:30)
Where: Esplanade Park, Capitola Beach
Cost: Free

Enjoy a summer night out with the family watching a movie at the beach. This week will feature the Disney family favorite animated film “Zootopia”. Seating begins at 6:30. Free popcorn between 7-7:30. Bring a beach chair, flashlight and a blanket.

Get more info here.

The BIG End of Summer Block Party and Concert

When: 9/7 from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Haut Surf Shop
Cost: Free to RSVP; $1 at the door

This is not just any end of summer block party…it’s the BIG one! A special night is in store with a focus on new vendors selling one-of-a-kind goods and eats made right here in Santa Cruz. And for your musical entertainment, the lineup includes Jesse Daniel, Alex Abreu, and Whiskey West. Head to Haut and kick off the weekend Event Santa Cruz style!

Get more info here.

Chaminade Farm to Table Wine Dinner Series

When: 9/7 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Chaminade Resort & Spa
Cost: $86 ($110 includes gratuities and tax)

This installment in the Chaminade Farm to Table Wine Dinner series features Soquel Vineyards, Stagnaros and Live Earth Farm as Chef Church prepares a menu that will be sure to tantalize your senses. The evening starts with wine and appetizers, followed by five-course dinner and wine pairing. Enjoy stunning views and conversation as you mingle with guests, vintners and farm representatives.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ART

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Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza

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Saturday

Mole & Mariachi Festival 2018

When: 9/8 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, 144 School Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Cost: Free

Bring your appetite to the 6th Annual Mole & Mariachi Festival! Enjoy live mariachi music, ballet folklórico dancing, activities for kids, and a variety of craft vendors at the mercado. The highlight of the event is the mole tasting competition featuring many different varieties of mole, tasting kits for purchase, and the opportunity to cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Get more info here.

36th Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival

When: 9/8 – 9/9 Sat 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Capitola Village
Cost: Admission is Free

One of the most anticipated festivals in the county returns for its 36th year, The Capitola Art and Wine Festival. Have a great time with an entire weekend of festivities. The juried fine art show brings the best of artisans to share their work. With a 160 artists and 22 Santa Cruz Mountain wineries, it’s a festival not to be missed. Food, live music, crafts, shopping, and kids activities and more will provide fun for the entire family.

Get more info here.

Can You Survive?

When: 9/8 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Cost: Free; $10 day use parking

Have you ever wondered what you should do if you were stranded in the wilderness? Certified California Naturalist Steven Stolper will host a free five-hour workshop to teach you how to survive in the wilderness in the event of an emergency. Whether you hike, camp or ride horses, it’s important to know these survival skills. Dress in day hiking clothes, bring water, lunch and snacks. All abilities welcome.

Get more info here.

Ohlone Day

When: 9/8 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Cost: All activities are free; day-use parking is $10

Bring the family for a day of local history and celebrate the past, present and future of the Ohlone People at this annual event. Enjoy demonstrations in basketry, tools, music and stories. Learn how to cook with hot rocks, play games and watch traditional dances. Use the main entrance to Henry Cowell on Highway 9 to the group picnic area.

Get more info here.

International Ocean Film Tour

When: 9/8 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $16

Six extraordinary films will take you on a journey of the ocean like you’ve never seen it before. The captivating cinematography will astound you with stunning beauty and give you a feel of what it’s like on top of and under the water. All the films provide a message of the importance of protecting our natural resources.

Get more info here.

Seeing Red: A Time-Traveling Musical

When: 9/8 – 9/9 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: Free, donations appreciated

SF Mime Troupe brings you this live outdoor theater performance in San Lorenzo Park. It’s election night and voter takes a chance on a candidate who promises change but is in the opposite party. Two years into the presidency and still waiting for change, she goes to a local bar to vent her troubles. But, she comes across a mystery person who takes her back in time and to a similar point in history where she sees how the great divide can be overcome.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Greek Festival 2018

See Description Under Friday Section

The Beauty Queen of Leenane

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ART

Sin Sisters Burlesque @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center

MAKE/CRAFT

OUTDOORS

MORE

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

Sunday

San Francisco Comedy Competition

When: 9/9 at 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: Crow’s Nest
Cost: $10

It’s a night of comedy! Come out to the Crow’s Nest and see these comics compete in the end of the first round as they make their final try for the Semifinals. Only five will advance to the Semifinals, who will they be?

Get more info here.

George Kahumoku Jr.

When: 9/9 at 7:00 pm
Where: Flynn’s Cabaret
Cost: $17 Advanced Ticket Sales, $20 at the door

This Grammy Award-Winning musician performs a special night of Hawaiian Music at Flynn’s. Join this Hawaiian “Renaissance man” for an evening of music from the islands that is the essence of Aloha.

Get more info here.

Contra Dancing

When: 9/9 from 5:40 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Veterans Memorial Building, 846 Front Street (downtown Santa Cruz)
Cost: $8-20 suggested donation

Everyone is welcome and a partner is not required to join in on the fun of Contra Dance, a New England style of folk dancing where moves are called out by a “caller” and you eventually end up dancing with everyone in line. Free lesson for newcomers 20 minutes prior to dance to get you started! Calling by Claire Takemori.

Get more info here.

Straws Film Screening, Discussion, and Presentation

When: 9/9 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Cost: Event included with your admission to Seymour – Adults $9, Children, Students or Seniors $7

What are the problems caused by plastic straws? Everyday in the US, hundreds of millions of plastic straws are used and thrown out. This special film screening, discussion and presentation will tell the stories of the problems that occur in the environment from this particular non-recyclable plastic pollution and what we can do to help.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Greek Festival 2018

See Description Under Friday Section

The Beauty Queen of Leenane

See Description Under Friday Section

36th Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival

See Description Under Saturday Section

Seeing Red: A Time-Traveling Musical

See Description Under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ART
MAKE/CRAFT

OUTDOORS

MORE

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

HARVEST, HOPS & HOUNDS

What: Benefit Farm to Table Dinner
Where: Aptos Village
When: Sat Sept 22 from 3:30PM to 7:30PM

Your dog will be living his/her best life at Harvest, Hops & Hounds, Santa Cruz County’s premiere outdoor “dining with your dog” event. You get to wine, dine, and dance while your pup gets to frolic in an off-leash, supervised play area. Proceeds from the event support the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter and Unchained, two wonderful community organizations that support dog adoption.

Get more info here.

1st Annual Capitola Beach Festival

What: Capitola Beach Festival
Where: Capitola Village
When: September 29th & 30th

Don’t miss this new festival in town, or rather in the Village of Capitola. This two-day community event includes many of the beloved Begonia Festival activities, from the Sand Sculpture Contest to the Fishing Derby, while introducing some fun new festivities…the Little Wharf 3-Miler and a Lighted Nautical Parade!

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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