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Showing 30 of 111 upcoming events Β· Art & Culture Β· from 2026-09-28 Β· to 2026-10-05
π Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
π 10:00 AM β 11:00 AM Β· See listing
Grab a cup of coffee and hang out with a MAH curator! Coffee with the Curators is a morning at the museum where you can chat, ask questions, and hear behind-the-scenes stories about the exhibitions and collections. Coffee and good conversation are complimentary with museum admission.
π Capitola Branch Library
π 12:00 PM β 1:00 PM Β· See listing
Come join a community of readers who meet the 4th Monday of each month to hear poetry and discuss its curious powers. Come join a community of readers who meet the 4th Monday of each month to hear poetry and discuss its curious powers. Discussions facilitated by Paola Bruni, Elaine Fletcher Chapman, and Jessica Cohn. Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/14321587 Poets in 2026 January 26 Joy Harjo February 23 Billy Collins March 23 Eavan Boland April 27 Arthur Sze May 18 * Emily Dickinson June 22 Gary Snyder July 27 Dean Young August 24 Lucille Clifton September 28 Sharon Olds October 26 Juan Felipe Herrera November 23 Ada Limon December 28 Jericho Brown *Note: Third Monday in May because of Memorial Day
π Capitola Branch Library
π 1:00 PM β 2:00 PM Β· FREE
Monday, September 28th, The Spoken Experience meets at a new time: 1 p.m. This community of readers gathers on the fourth Monday in the Capitola library to read a featured poetβs work. For September, the focus will be on the poems of the incomparable Sharon Olds. Local poets Paola Bruni, Elaine Fletcher Chapman, and Jessica Cohn facilitate the conversation, and you'll enjoy the company of the nicest bunch of people you could meet on any Monday. Join us!
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 2:00 PM Β· See listing
Monday, September 28 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm Come join a community of readers who meet the 4th Monday of each month to hear poetry and discuss its curious powers.
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 5:00 PM Β· See listing
Monday, September 28 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm A poetry workshop anyone who would like to establish a writing practice in a safe and encouraging environment.
π Motion Pacific at The London Nelson Community Center
π 5:30 PM β 6:30 PM Β· See listing
This is Motion Pacific's Beginning Jazz Fusion class for adult dancers.
π The 418 Project
π 6:00 PM β 7:30 PM Β· See listing
A weekly Afro-Brazilian dance class focusing on rhythm and movement.
π Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
π 6:00 PM β 8:30 PM Β· See listing
0 booked, 6 available Chris Finnie
π London Nelson Community Center
π 6:00 PM β 9:00 PM Β· $25
Henry IV Part One by William Shakespeare -- in the style of a live WWE show. Come cheer with Falstaff, boo that heel Hotspur, and witness the reigning champion, King Henry IV, pass on the title to the one true heir of the English throne. Booing, cheering, and rooting for your hero, highly encouraged. Join us as we transform the London Nelson theatre into a unique venue with floor seating around a raised wrestling ring. Hear the original text of Shakespeare is a new light, in the way it was meant -- direct, to the common masses, encouraging you to hoot, holler, and participate in the story that unfolds. Switching between arguments in the ring and a live camera backstage, with scenes and soliloquies punctuated by five fully staged fights, this show is like no Shakespeare play you've ever seen. Hosted by Angela Rangel, this full length production will include unique (and hilarious) merch, concessions you'll be allowed to consume in the theatre, and even the opportunity to craft your own pithy sign once you decide whose side you're really on. Sing along with Falstaff, jeer Hotspur's squad as they pass next to you, and watch the sweat fly from our fighting cast as you watch thus one weekend only production created by an amazing cast, crew, and creatives.
π Mid County Social Center
π 6:15 PM β 8:30 PM Β· $10
2 Mondays of Latin Social Dance in September, Salsa, level1 and Cha Cha level 2, at the Mid County Social Center in Capitola with Becky Adams. 6:15-7:15 - Salsa social dance for the absolute beginner. If you love the music, come join us to learn the basics of this fun dance. 7:30-8:30 - ChaCha 2, will move you into fun, useable Intermediate combinations to add to your social dance repertoire. If you know Cha Cha basics, or have taken Salsa 2 and know the 'triple step' come and join us. Singles or couples all ages welcome.
π Motion Pacific at The London Nelson Community Center
π 6:30 PM β 8:00 PM Β· See listing
This is Motion Pacific's intermediate level contemporary jazz dance class.
π Santa Cruz
π 7:00 PM β 8:00 PM Β· See listing
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes New York Times bestselling author Joseph Fink (Welcome to Night Vale, Alice Isn't Dead) for a reading and signing of The Nudge, a new horror novell...
π Community Through Art
π 9:00 AM β 11:30 AM Β· $198
Soft Pastel Painting runs in six week intervals taught by instructor Sarah Orre. A short demo will be taught the first class meeting with reference photos that will teach color theory, underpainting, texture, layering, and movement. Students are encouraged to bring additional reference photos for inspiration. Participants bring their own soft pastels (not oils), and sanded paper. The remainder of the class meetings are used for studio time. The last day we have a group peer review to discuss our work and give and receive feedback.
π Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
π 12:00 PM β 4:00 PM Β· See listing
0 booked, 4 available Glazing
π Community Through Art
π 3:30 PM β 5:00 PM Β· $255
Youth Bloom Studio Art with Sarah Orre, nurtures creativity, confidence, and curiosity through hands-on learning. Each class encourages young artists to explore new materials, techniques, and ideas while building foundational art skills in a supportive studio environment. From painting and drawing to air dry clay and mixed media, students learn to see like artists and express their own unique voice. Enroll in as many sessions as you like!
π The 418 Project
π 5:00 PM β 6:00 PM Β· See listing
A weekly hula and Tahitian dance class with the Te Hau Nui school, exploring Polynesian movement and tradition.
π The 418 Project
π 6:00 PM β 7:00 PM Β· See listing
Advanced hula and Tahitian dance class for experienced dancers. Part of Te Hau Nui School's curriculum.
π Community Through Art
π 6:30 PM β 8:00 PM Β· $250
Beginning adult ceramics with instructor Nora Sarkissian. Learn the basics of hand building, pinch, and coil. Nora will provide demos and projects as well as time for independent clay creation. Class is held at Redwood and Ranunculus downtown Felton. Tuesdays, 6-8:30 PM $234 for 6 weeks (7% service fee due at checkout) plus a $20 material fee due to instructor at first class Clay, glazes, and tools provided. Session I: August 18, 25, Sept 1, 8, 15, 22 Session II: Sept 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3
π Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
π 7:00 PM β 9:15 PM Β· See listing
0 booked, 7 available
π Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
π 8:00 PM Β· $46.13
Aldous Harding comes to Santa Cruz for a special performance at Rio Theatre.
π The 418 Project
π 12:00 AM β 11:59 PM Β· See listing
Busy
π The 418 Project
π 10:00 AM β 12:00 PM Β· See listing
A free weekly dance jam for babies and their caregivers at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, with movement, music, and play in a joyful environment.
π Scotts Valley Branch Library
π 10:30 AM β 12:00 PM Β· See listing
A 12 week series on Wednesdays from 10:30AM-12PM that introduces foundational digital literacy concepts and teaches useful digital skills. August 19: What is a VPN and Do You Need One? August 26: Smartwatches Made Simple September 2: AI Powered Art September 9: Music Streaming Made Simple September 16: Podcasts Made Easy: Listen to Your Favorite Topics Anytime September 23: Your Story, Your Legacy: Preserving Memories with Spoken Records September 30: Tech Settings That Help With Accessibility October 7: Using Emergency Features on Your Phone October 14: Intro to Facebook October 21: Intro to Instagram Registration required. Must register for each class individually. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/events?term=cyber+seniors&d=2026-07-30&r=range&start=2026-08-01&end=2026-11-01 Come join Dara Brady, a local instructor with the digital literacy organization Cyber-Seniors, for a weekly digital literacy course! Each class includes a lesson on the topics below, Q&A time, and one-on-one tech support. Participants are encouraged to bring a notebook, pen/pencil, and whatever tech device they want to learn on: (a laptop, tablet, and/or smart phone) and the charger for that device. If they don't have a device, they can still participate and Dara can get them one to use for the class. All classes run on Wednesday mornings from 10:30AM to 12PM in the Fireside Room except for the first and last sessions, which will take place in Study Room A.
π The 418 Project
π 5:30 PM β 6:30 PM Β· See listing
A regular tango class in Downtown Santa Cruz, offering a way to learn Latin dance in a social, cultural setting.
π SUNNY CALIFORNIA SURF CLUB
π 6:00 PM β 9:00 PM Β· FREE
Join Nurture Santa Cruz & Points for Wellness for an evening of supportive conversations about endometriosis and the challenges of it.
π Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
π 6:00 PM β 8:00 PM Β· See listing
Butterflies are known for intricate wing patterns and flitting flight patterns. They are also indicators of the health of our environment and ecosystems, especially those that migrate across our state and region. Join Megan Gnekow, a local scientific illustrator, for an evening exploring the beauty and resilience of some of our most famous flying friends as you sip on wine, beer or seltzer water of your choice. With materials provided by the instructor, you will practice techniques for illustrating them accurately in colored pencil. For your illustrations, Megan will provide specimens and photographs to help illuminate the details needed to create accurate and life-like illustrations. PROGRAM FULL β Email [email protected] to join the waitlist About the Speaker Megan Gnekow is an artist and scientific illustrator whose work focuses on ecological relationships that support special-status species in California. She represents the 7th generation of her family with deep ties to Santa Cruz. She has supported the Art of Nature exhibit as both a juror and participant since 2010. Megan is the Chair of the Collections Committee and a member of the Governance Committee, where her work in civil rights for the University of California helps support the museumβs ongoing efforts to build an inclusive, welcoming museum for all. Capacity : 20 Ticket Price: $40 General Discounts : $5 Off Members Age limit : 12+, Kids must be accompanied by adults Accessibility and Logistics This program will take place indoors at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Refreshments will be provided. Parking is available on Pilkington and street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood. Please allow a few extra minutes to find parking and get settled before the program begins. Cancellation Policy
π The Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga
π 7:00 PM Β· See listing
Thereβs a thin line between love and hate and sometimes, itβs the barrier between balconies. Thatβs the premise of Noel Cowardβs Private Lives. Two divorced lovers find themselves spending their new honeymoons next door to one another at the same hotel. Both are egotistical, passionate, and selfish, so how are they going to manage to live next to each other at a hotel? Better yet, how are they going to live without each other? This laugh-out-loud comedy is rich, witty and as sharp as Cupidβs arrow. See the play on Friday, September 4th for a matinee preview or check out one of the multiple showings through October 4th. -Mat Weir; Good Times Santa Cruz
π Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
π 9:00 AM β 12:00 PM Β· See listing
1 booked, 8 available Katy Kenyon-Abel
π Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
π 10:00 AM β 2:00 PM Β· See listing
0 booked, 4 available Glazing
π M.K. Contemporary Art Gallery
π 11:00 AM β 5:00 PM Β· FREE
We will be hosting the Open Studios Preview Exhibition, showcasing the work of all the 330+ Santa Cruz County Open Studios Artists who are participating in the program