This weekend starts with a full slate of First Friday events, and ends with the 2nd annual Santa Cruz Hardwood Celebrity Classic on Sunday afternoon.
Read on to see the rest of our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.
First Friday Events
This Friday is the First Friday of the month, which means it’s time for the First Friday Art Tour. Here are some of the highlights you’ll find this month:
- First Friday Art Tour
- Free First Friday at the MAH
- First Friday Free Day at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
- First Friday Art Walk in Felton
- First Friday: Art Wall at the Swift Street Courtyard
- 50/50-UCSC Alumni Exhibit Opening
- A Collective Performance
- Hearts for the Arts Reception
Night Shift – The After Hour Passions of Plantronics Design
When: Friday, 2/6 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Design by Cosmic
How Much: Free
The local Plantronics design team has made products used by BMW, KitchenAid, Burton Snowboards and more. This First Friday, Platronics’ artists will be showing the projects they work on while off the clock. Come out to experience a blend of function and creativity produced right here in Santa Cruz.
Family Fun Night: MOD goes “MOD-arri”
When: Friday, 2/6 at 6:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery
How Much: $10
Construct and race your very own Modarri car through ThoughtFull Toys, a local toy company and creators of the Modarri, at the newly opened Children’s Museum of Discovery. If you have kids who are interested in “things that go,” this is a great way to introduce them to engineering. Space is limited to 50 drivers.
Rocky Horror Picture Show – Midnight Movie
When: Friday, 2/6 & Saturday, 2/7 at 11:55 pm
Where: Del Mar Theater
How Much: $6.5
A few times a year, UCSC’s own Slugs in Fishnets takes over the Del Mar’s midnight showing in a classic shadowcast rendition of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. The experience is inviting for Rocky veterans and virgins alike, so come prepared for a very weird and fun night.
What is Erotic? 2015
When: Friday, 2/6 through Saturday, 2/7 from 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: 418 Project
How Much: $30-$125
*This weekend’s performances are SOLD OUT. Tickets are still available for next weekend’s performances.
Now in its tenth year of running, What is Erotic? has made a name for itself by challenging norms and taboos regarding sexuality. It’s irreverent, thought provoking, and certainly not for the faint of heart.
8 Tens @ 8 Festival
When: Friday, 2/6 & Sunday, 2/8
Where: Center Street Theater
How Much: $22-$40
Some scientists say the average human attention span is about ten minutes, so this collection of ten minute one act plays should keep the audience engaged all night. If you want to experience some theatrical variety, this is the perfect event for you.
A Global Call to Love – Bob Marley’s 70th
When: Saturday, 2/7 at 5:00 pm
Where: The Catalyst Club
How Much: $30-$35
Bob Marley’s 70th birthday is happening this weekend. You can pay your respects and experience a passionate tribute to the late musician with a group of local bands and performers at the Catalyst.
Richard Stockton & Friends: Comedy & Music
When: Saturday, 2/7 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn
How Much: Free
Radio and television contributor Richard Stockton’s standup comedy is known for incorporating music and multi media, so it’s fitting that he’s teaming up with Northern California musicians for his latest show, Are We There Yet. You can catch it this Saturday night for free.
The Wizard of Oz Sing-Along
When: Saturday, 2/7 at 6:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
How Much: $10
Introduce your kids, or relive for yourself, the magic of The Wizard of Oz at this family oriented sing-along, presented by the local Family Theatre Project. There will be a costume contest, so you’ll want to start looking for green face paint or red sequined slippers.
DIYine: A Celebration of Homebrewing
When: Saturday, 2/7 from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: MAH
How Much: $20-$50
Homebrewing is becoming increasingly popular these days, and Santa Cruz’s DIY culture has embraced it wholeheartedly. Come to the MAH to sample concoctions like oaked cider, plum port, and sparkling pineapple guava.
2-For-1 All-Day Rides
When: Saturday, 2/7 & Sunday, 2/8 from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
How Much: $32.95
What’s better than unlimited rides at the Boardwalk? Free unlimited rides at the Boardwalk! Ride wristbands are two for one this weekend at the Boardwalk, so grab a friend and steady your stomach for the Fireball!
Downtown Antique Fair
When: Sunday, 2/8 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
How Much: Free
What’s great about Santa Cruz’s own antique fair is its eclecticism. Here you’ll find high end vintage furniture and art alongside old Playboy magazines and used postcards. Take advantage of it all, and make sure to come bearing cash!
2nd Annual Hardwood Celebrity Classic
When: Sunday, 2/8 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
How Much: $10-$25
Local organization Grind Out Hunger is hosting its second annual local basketball tournament, where teams from local businesses and organizations, such as the “New Leaf Kale Krunchers” compete for a good cause. You can be part of the fun by purchasing standard or courtside seats.
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- Too Short
- Singers Showcase
- Matthew O’Neill
- Tempest plus Jann Klose: Celebrating 25 years of Celtic and World Rock
- Joint Chiefs
- Beso, Gaucho, Wild Iris
Friday & Saturday
Saturday:
- Santa Cruz Baroque festival: Treasures from the Birth of the Baroque
- Rispin Mansion Park Public Workshop
- Walking the Path Toward the End of Life – A Daylong Retreat
- Ultra Street Fighter IV Tournament
- Adopt-a-Levee Cleanup: Santa Cruz Youth City Council
- Free UCSC Biking 101 Ride
- Tandy Beal – First Saturday Family Concert: Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir
- Volunteer Training Classes at Elkhorn Slough Reserve
- Valentine Sip ‘n Shop at Bonny Doon Vineyard
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks
- Melvin Seals plus the China Cats with special guest Tammi Brown
- FishHook
- The Tumbleweed Wanderers, Proxima Parada
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
- Discover the Coast Dairies: Monthly Hike
- Dance Showcase for Carrie’s Dream Scholarship Fund
- Winter Wildflower Walk
- Jessica Shyba, Naptime with Theo and Beau
Recurring Events You Can Find Every Weekend
- Tours of the Reserve at Elkhorn Slough (weekly event – every Saturday & Sunday)
- Santa Cruz Farmers Markets (weekly events)
- Live Comedy at the Crow’s Nest (weekly event – every Sunday night)
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