This weekend brings a variety of music, cultural and food events to satisfy all of your senses.
Music and the performing arts are taking over Santa Cruz with the 30th annual Bluegrass Fair, Motion Pacific’s Spring Dance Showcase, and a thrilling play about the supernatural. And the circus is in town!
Bring your appetite too, because there’s a food truck event, traditional eats from Greece and Oaxaca, and a wine walk!
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Mountain Community Theater Presents: “The Mystery Plays”
When: Runs 5/13 – 6/4 Friday/Saturday at 8:00 pm, select Sunday matinees at 2:00pm
Where: Park Hall, Ben Lomond
Cost: $17 – $20
Partake in an evening of mystery, murder and ghosts! These interrelated plays follow the aftermath of terrible tragedies that bring fear and distress to their victims, while exploring faith in the face of misfortune. Opening night features a champagne reception.
10th Annual Eat Like A Greek Food Faire
When: 5/13 – 5/15 from 5:00pm to 10pm on Friday, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm on Saturday, and 12pm to 7pm on Sunday
Where: Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free Admission
You will definitely eat like a Greek at this authentic food fair that features traditional specialty dishes—spanakopita, spit-roasted lamb and baklava to name a few—including plenty of vegetarian options. There will be live music and dancing too. Jump in on a folk dance or two after a glass of Ouzo and let loose like a Greek …Opa!
Food Truck Event + Free Movie In The Park!
When: 5/13 from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Skypark, Scotts Valley
Cost: Free Admission
What do you get when you combine an assortment of delicious food trucks, a FREE outdoor screening of an adorable Academy Award Winning Pixar film, and a spring night in a park? Let’s just say it’s a combo that you pretty much can’t go wrong with. Dinner is from 4:30pm to 8:00pm, and the screening of “Inside Out” starts at 8:30pm on the big screen. Bring blankets and lawn chairs and settle in for an evening of fun!
Also on Friday
- Chris Pureka @ The Catalyst
- Memphis May Fire @ The Catalyst
- Joe Ferrara @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Groove Hounds @ Crow’s Nest
- The Record Company @ Moe’s Alley
- The Wild Reeds, Cave Clove, Birdman (Jeff Wilson) @ The Crepe Place
- Ten O’Clock Lunch Band @ Severino’s
- Almost Cut My Hair Tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young @ Don Quixote’s
- Bike Party Group Ride- PROM THEME @ the Bike Church
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- It’s MAYHEM! @ the Boardwalk Bowl
- Wine and Watercolor @ New Leaf Community Markets Sold Out
- Argentine Tango Dancing @ Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
- Star and Moon Gazing @ Quail Hollow Ranch
- Artisan Food Market @ The Food Lounge
- “Airline” by Tim Kelly @ San Lorenzo Valley High School Performing Arts Center
- CYT Presents Bridge To Terabithia @ The Barn at Camp Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz High School’s Production of The Comedy of Errors @ Santa Cruz High School
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Goat Hill Fair * A Vintage Market
When: 5/14 – 5/15 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00 am to 3:00pm on Sunday
Where: Santa Cruz Co. Fairgrounds, Watsonville
Cost: $5.00 entry~sold at the gate. Free parking
Goat Hill has been named one of the top vintage markets that brings together some of the best artisans of repurposed collections and curators of vintage pieces. Over 100 vintage and antique dealers will have their treasures on display at the scenic fairgrounds where you’ll be able to find everything from furniture and garden decorations to jewelry and clothing, and much more. This is the ultimate antiquing experience!
Day on the Farm
When: 5/14 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Agricultural History Project @ Santa Cruz Co. Fairgrounds
Cost: Free
Ever wanted to learn how to milk a cow or drive a tractor? Now’s your chance! This monthly family event is a hands-on learning experience that focuses on showcasing a particular area of agriculture each month through games and demonstrations. Visitors also get to participate in unique interactive educational activities to learn about past farming practices. Bring your camera for guest animal appearances.
International Migratory Bird Day 2016 Family Fun Activities
When: 5/14 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am
Where: West Marine Parking Lot, Watsonville
Cost: Free
Learn about the bird species in the area and what the city is doing to protect the local habitat they live in. As part of the Conservation Outreach and Education Program, the Watsonville Nature Center provides this educational opportunity and interactive nature activity for all ages. The 2-hour walk will loop around the beautiful E. Struve Slough Trail. Bring water and binoculars and get ready to spot some birds.
Tandy Beal & Company presents: Step Right Up! – Circus and other Magic
When: 5/14 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Veteran’s Memorial Building
Cost: $10 – $15
Amazing acrobatics, juggling, and feats of abnormal strength…oh my! The circus must be in town. Overload your senses with spectacular music, colorful props, and other fun surprises. Sure to be an extraordinary treat that will delight your inner child.
30th Annual Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair
When: 5/14 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: Free
The historic Santa Cruz Bluegrass Festival is back for its 30th year in a row, featuring The Naked Bootleggers, The Abbott Brothers and more! Bring a blanket, chair, and your banjo, and enjoy some of that good ole American roots music in the afternoon sunshine. Food and drink will be available to purchase at the event. A raffle will offer tickets to upcoming bluegrass events and other great prizes.
Motion Pacific 19th Annual Spring Showcase
When: 5/14 at 2:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $19.50 and $12.49 (service charges included)
Motion Pacific Dance offers 1500 dance classes a year and presents local, regional and national dance artists to local audiences. At this event they will showcase pieces from their current season of youth, teen and adult classes. Special guest dance artists from the community will also be featured. Sashay over to the fun, family-friendly event and prepare to be inspired to take up dance.
Mountain Community Theater Presents: “The Mystery Plays”
See Description Under Friday Section
10th Annual Eat Like A Greek Food Faire
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
- Sin Sisters Burlesque @ The Catalyst
- Tech N9ne @ The Catalyst
- Pacific Voices Spring Concert! @ Holy Cross Church
- Esoteric Collective: 40’s to 60’s Jazz @ Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn
- Claudio Melega in the Rockroom Lounge @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- The Black Birds @ Crow’s Nest
- 7 Come 11 @ Moe’s Alley
- Moon Cadillac, Fulminante @ The Crepe Place
- Room 9 @ Severino’s
- Foreverland @ Don Quixote’s
- Laura Steenberge + Weston Olencki @ Tannery Arts Center
- Aptos Farmers Markets @ Cabrillo College
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Community Center
- Westside Farmers Market @ Western Dr. & Mission St. Ext
- Aptos Wine Wander @ Aptos Village
- Mommy and Me Gluten-Free Baking Workshop @ New Leaf Community Market Westside
- Author Talk: Local author, Craig Harwood @ La Selva Beach Library
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair @ PetSmart
- Community Rental: Jazz for Freedom Concert Series @ The MAH
- Michael Moore at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium @ Civic Auditorium
- Meet Elephant & Piggie! @ Bookshop Santa Cruz
- It’s MAYHEM! @ the Boardwalk Bowl
- Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Hides and Tallow @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Mission Building Game @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Wilder Ranch Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walks @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Snake Park Saturday @ Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center
- Birding in Waddell Valley @ Rancho Del Oso State Park
- Shadowbrook Stroll @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Volunteer with the Trail Crew @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- “Airline” by Tim Kelly @ San Lorenzo Valley High School Performing Arts Center
- CYT Presents Bridge To Terabithia @ The Barn at Camp Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz High School’s Production of The Comedy of Errors @ Santa Cruz High School
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza
When: 5/15 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Harbor High School
Cost: $10 general admission; 5 and under Free
Spend the day in Oaxaca at the 11th annual Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza. This authentic music, dance, food and crafts cultural festival is inspired by those held annually in Oaxaca, Mexico. Delicious Oaxacan food and beverages will be served, and traditional Banda de Viento music will be played. And don’t miss the colorful folkloric dance by Centeotl Danza y Baile.
Paws in the Park
When: 5/15 at 10:00 am
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: Free
Dog lovers, bring your pooch and join others for a community dog walk series every third Sunday along the San Lorenzo River. Walks will continue throughout the summer. All dogs must be on a 6-foot leash in compliance with park rules.
Downtown Santa Cruz Wine Walk
When: 5/15 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: $35 in advance / $40 day of event per person
Taste the best local wines, many from the Santa Cruz Mountains, at the spring wine walk. Enjoy tastings as you stroll down Pacific Avenue past the many downtown shops and restaurants. Check-in at Soif Wine Bar & Merchants for your pass, your glass, and your map of pouring locations. It’s a glass-half full kind of afternoon. Cheers to that!
Swing into Spring
When: 5/15 from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Where: Seacliff Inn
Cost: $25 Museum members/ $30 non-members
Bust out your best flapper dress for the “Roaring 20s”-themed soiree to celebrate Aptos History Museum’s 10th Anniversary. There will be a silent auction, jazz music, and prizes for best costume. The event will be followed by dinner at Severino’s across the street from the museum. Start practicing your foxtrot for this night of fun.
Get more info here.
Mountain Community Theater Presents: “The Mystery Plays”
See Description Under Friday Section
10th Annual Eat Like A Greek Food Faire
See Description Under Friday Section
Goat Hill Fair * A Vintage Market
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
- Blues & R&B Vocalist Curtis Salgado Celebrates New Release @ Moe’s Alley
- Great Big Love Concert @ Center for Spiritual Living
- Toby Gray @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Illenium @ The Catalyst
- Villanelle @ Don Quixote’s
- Ronny Cox plus Stevie Coyle @ Don Quixote’s
- MATT ANDERSEN & THE BONA FIDE + Lee Harvey Osmond @ Moe’s Alley
- Moonbeau, The Shanghais, Coke Nail @ The Crepe Place
- Pacific Voices Spring Concert! @ Holy Cross Church
- “Airline” by Tim Kelly @ San Lorenzo Valley High School Performing Arts Center
- CYT Presents Bridge To Terabithia @ The Barn at Camp Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz High School’s Production of The Comedy of Errors @ Santa Cruz High School
- Food Trucks on the Field @ Ramsay Park in Watsonville
- Blues for Bernie Benefit Bash @ The Pocket
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Z Budapest – Practical Mysticism @ Academy of Arcana
- It’s MAYHEM! @ the Boardwalk Bowl
- The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Berry Creek Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Science Sundays @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Bi-Monthly Cleanup Cowells Project @ Cowell Beach
- Weekly Davenport Beach Cleanup @ Davenport Beach
- Wilder Ranch Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Featured Upcoming Event
Not only is world-famous Martinelli’s produced right here in Watsonville, there is now a company store where you can enjoy complimentary tastings, souvenirs, apparel, products by the case, and more. Bring your friends and family to the Grand Opening celebration featuring kids activities, raffle prizes, a photo booth, local food vendors, and live music.
What: Martinelli’s Company Store Grand Opening
Where: 345 Harvest Dr., Watsonville
When: Saturday, 5/21, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
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