Earth Day festivities continue this weekend along with celebrations of surf, aloha shirts, jazz on the wharf, and wine.
And in true Santa Cruz form, you’ll find cultural events centered around the themes of social, environmental, economic, and global justice.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Earth Week at Seymour
When: 4/19 – 4/24 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Cost: Free
During Earth Week anyone who arrives to the Seymour Center via public transportation, bike or foot receives free admission. Learn about marine life, coastal geology, and how scientific research works to conserve the world’s oceans. Take a tour of the marine mammal research overlook, explore the touch pools if you’re feeling brave, and don’t miss Ms. Blue, the whale!
SurfAid Cup Benefit Night
When: 4/22 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Surftech Santa Cruz
Cost: $25
Drink, dine and enjoy live music for a good cause! This benefit event is the preliminary celebration for the SurfAid Cup, a fundraising surf competition taking place Saturday morning at Pleasure Point. The organization works to bring health aid to Indonesian island communities. Along with food, drink and tunes, there will also be a raffle, and presentation by SurfAid Founder, Dr. Dave Jenkins.
May Day Labor Film Festival
When: 4/21 – 5/1, times vary
Where: Locations throughout the county
Cost: Voluntary Donation
As part of the 2016 Reel Work May Day Labor Film Festival, two films will be presented this weekend revolving around the theme of civil and labor rights for working people. Reel Work’s goal is to increase community awareness of the history of the labor movement, and the role of work in people’s lives through independent, documentary film.
Also on Friday
- Blackbird Blackbird @ The Catalyst
- La Ley @ The Catalyst
- Joe Ferrara @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Island Sunset Band with Hiva Nui & the Men and Women of Na Pua o Ka Honua @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Wild Iris Album Release Party with The Painted Horses and Big Bear @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Moonalice @ Don Quixote’s
- Olde Blue @ Crow’s Nest
- The Mermen @ Moe’s Alley
- Watergate Sandals, Crush, Our Dad Loves Bikes @ The Crepe Place
- Spun @ Severino’s Bar and Grill
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- Police n Pursuit @ Ocean Speedway
- Cuban Salsa Dance Workshop with Royland Lobato @ Louden Nelson Community Center
- Argentine Tango Dancing @ Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
- 2016 Santa Cruz Waves SWELLIES @ The Food Lounge
- Midnight Movie: Spirited Away in Japanese w/English subtitles @ Del Mar Theater
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Book Reading and Discussion: The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands with author Dale Hope
When: 4/23 at 7:30 pm
Where: Patagonia Santa Cruz
Cost: Free
Can’t find the perfect scenario to wear that favorite Hawaiian shirt of yours? Problem solved. This event is all about that island style. Each season Patagonia selects a unique print for the Limited Edition Patahola Shirt and Dress. Join the Patagonia Outlet in celebrating the 30th anniversary release of the Patahola shirt. Dale Hope, second generation Hawaiian shirt-maker and author of The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands will be reading from his book, and discussing the colorful history of the iconic clothing.
The Big Stick Logjam!
When: 4/23 – 4/24 All Day
Where: Pleasure Point
Cost: Free for spectators; See website for registration info.
The Big Stick Surfing Association, a family-oriented social surf club, partners with SurfAid for the 16th annual Logjam! This surf coalition attracts top surfers and surf clubs from all of California. If you aren’t surfing, settle in at 32nd and East Cliff to watch the exciting competition. This is a “classic, old school long-board surf contest,” so expect to see pre-1970 vintage surfboards with no cords, reminiscent of the early years of California surfing.
UCSC Bioneers Conference
When: 4/23 – 4/24 at 9:00 am
Where: University of California Santa Cruz
Cost: Free and open to the public
This two-day event takes place on the beautiful UCSC Campus and is for anyone interested in social and environmental justice, and motivated to make a difference in their community. The educational event features over 30 workshops and plenaries dealing with climate change activism, body positivity, and more! There will also be delicious food, music, and a chance to network with visionary local activists and scholars.
Peace Corps Special Event: Earth Day Gardening
When: 4/23 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Homeless Garden Project
Cost: Free
Ever been interested in joining the Peace Corps? This is your chance to learn about Peace Corps Volunteer experiences while helping out with the Homeless Garden Project for Earth Day. Bring your gardening gloves for a day of gardening at the beautiful Homeless Garden Project Farm near Natural Bridges. All the while, learn and discuss what it’s like to travel and volunteer abroad with the Peace Corps.
Homegrown @ The Hayloft
When: 4/23 at 7:00 pm
Where: Odd Fellows Hall
Cost: $10 presale/ $15 door
Rock out to The Coffis Brothers and Sugar by the Pound this Saturday night at the newly renovated Odd Fellows Hall in historic Boulder Creek. Proceeds from this event will help support local non-profit BCRPD Foundation and Laurel Hillerson-Spear, a local resident who was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer.
Earth Week
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
- M83 @ The Catalyst
- Samba Cruz @ Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn
- Pusaka Sunda – Gamelan Music and Dance of West Java @ United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz Baroque Festival: Experimental Baroque @ UCSC Music Center Recital Hall
- Remembering Shakespeare, 1564-1616 @ UCSC Music Recital Hall
- Claudio Melega @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Coffee Zombie Collective plus Dave Holodiloff Band @ Don Quixote’s
- The Pieces @ Crow’s Nest
- The John Kadlecik Band @ Moe’s Alley
- Novarose, Alex Abreu @ The Crepe Place
- Shook Ones , Stickup Kid, Pure, Drain @ The Catalyst
- Stormin Norman @ Severino’s Bar and Grill
- Aptos Farmers Markets @ Cabrillo College
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Community Center
- Westside Farmers Market @ Western Dr. and Mission St. Ext
- Annual Wildflower Weekend @ Rancho del Oso State Park
- Open House at the Castro Adobe: Vaqueros y Bandidos @ Castro Adobe State Historic Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walks @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Mission Cooking Demonstration @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Outlook from Mt. McAbee @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Family Discovery Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Parks and Beaches
- 6th Annual Days of Wine and Wet Noses @ MacDorsa Park (Dog-friendly!)
- Wheels at Watsonville Car Show @ Watsonville Municipal Airport
- Walk to Build @ Santa Cruz Bible Church
- Wipe Out T1D Day @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Bowl for Kids’ Sake @ Boardwalk Bowl
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair! @
PetSmart - Santa Cruz Rotary Club Fundraiser – Duck Dynasty @
Holy Cross Parish Hall - Mountain Charlie Challenge @ Skypark
- FREE Bilingual Health Empowerment Workshop @ MAH Auditorium
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Earth Day/Day of the Child
When: 4/24 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Ramsay Park Soccer Field in Watsonville
Cost: Free
Come out and celebrate youth and the environment at Ramsay Park! There will be 50 organizations and community services joining together at the event, each with booths offering info about local resources and fun activities for kids and families. There will also be a number of local children and teen musical and dance acts to enjoy on the main stage, food, raffle prizes, and a bounce house!
BBQ and Steam Train Rides at Swanton Pacific Railroad
When: 4/24 from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Swanton Pacific Ranch & Railroad in Davenport
Cost: $15 youth; $25 adult
This event is SOLD OUT! (The next railroad/bbq/music/ranch event is October 9 – look for the reservation form mid-September) Ride the same steam locomotive that ran 100 years ago at the San Fransisco fairgrounds! The Swanton Pacific Steam Railroad is quite the experience. It’s as if you are traveling back in time as you ride on this old train while enjoying views of Davenport, a BBQ lunch, music, ranch activities and more.
3rd Annual Sip & Nibble Celebration and Silent Auction
When: 4/24 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Bargetto Winery
Cost: $15 advance/$20 door
Enter to win a trip to Disneyland and other fantastic prizes at the 3rd Annual Sip & Nibble Silent Auction. After you place your bids, taste local wine paired with delicious snacks and listen to live soulful Americana music from the Crooked Branches Band. This 21 and over event will be held on the lovely outdoor patio at Bargetto Winery. Proceeds benefit Santa Cruz Parent Education Nursery School, a non-profit parent participation preschool serving the Santa Cruz community for over forty years.
Jazz on the Wharf
When: 4/24 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
Cost: Free
What’s better than listening to jazz with an ocean view on a beautiful Santa Cruz day? Not much! Stroll along the wharf, dine, shop and enjoy the views with live jazz as your soundtrack. Top jazz musicians will be performing everything from smooth jazz to swing along the wharf and inside select restaurants.
Hangover Sundays at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing! NOW SERVING BRUNCH!!
When: 4/24 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
Nothing like a little hair of the dog to remedy the pain that comes the morning after an evening of drinking. Cure that hangover with a chavela or beermosa at Hangover Sundays at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery. And as nutritious as a chavela may be alone, brunch is now also being served! You really can have it all.
The Big Stick Logjam!
See Description Under Saturday Section
UCSC Bioneeres Conference
See Description Under Saturday Section
Earth Week
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Bombino @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Noctambule @ Don Quixote’s
- Casey Abrams @ Moe’s Alley
- Flypaper Blues, Donna Amini @ The Crepe Place
- Shamans Dubstep Collective Take Over @ The Catalyst
- Pescetarian Pop Up Crab Feed @ The Food Lounge
- Live Oak Farmers Market @ 15th and Eastcliff Dr.
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Weekly Davenport Beach Cleanup @ Davenport Beach
- Bowl for Kids’ Sake @ Boardwalk Bowl
- Annual Wildflower Weekend @ Rancho del Oso State Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Featured Upcoming Event
What’s more family friendly than racing 12,000 rubber ducks down a slip ‘n’ slide? You kind of have to see it to believe it. Carnival games, prizes, food, and entertainment will round out the day at Omega Nu’s 26th Annual Ducky Derby.
What: Omega Nu’s Annual Ducky Derby
Where: Harvey West Park Friendship Gardens
When: Saturday, April 30, from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm
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