Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.
📍 Santa Cruz Wharf
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Hey Fishhook Fans, We will be rocking the Free Santa Cruz Wharf Summer Tuesday Night Live at the Wharf Commons stage on Tuesday, August 11th! This outdoor festival is free and open to all ages! If you have never been there, then expect a treat! It's an absolutely beautiful location with panoramic views of Monterey Bay, and the sunsets are not to be missed! Don't miss it! As you may know, we are the band that does not let up on the gas! Hear all your favorite songs "leveled up" the FISHHOOK way! You know we deliver the best Rock and Roll in town. Location: 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA Let's Party! And bring your friends too. The show starts at 6:00 PM and ends at 8:00 PM.
📍 The Grateful Red Barn at Cabrillo Cottage Farms
🕒 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · $20
Henry Kaiser, Bob Bralove, John Hanrahan, Jennifer Burnes, Nathan Moore
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Gaw Vang Williams is a vocalist and educator from Sacramento, California. She became the director of the vocal jazz program at Sacramento State University in 2014, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and Master of Music in Voice Performance. She began teaching in 2004, serving as a music instructor at various high schools and music organizations. In Dynamics & Tone for Vocal Storytelling, Williams will lead participants through the exploration of different vocal tones, and demonstrate how storytelling naturally shapes vocal dynamics. Williams is a sought-after clinician and adjudicator for festivals and workshops throughout the United States. She currently serves as the President of the California Alliance for Jazz and is the vocal jazz traveling clinician for the Monterey Jazz Festival. Can’t make it in-person? You can stream it! Click here to register.
📍 Callahan's
🕒 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM · FREE
Free live music every Tuesday night with the Del Mar Trio at Callahan's in Santa Cruz.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM · FREE
Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PD® program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinson’s teachers use prompts and multiple dance styles to inspire movement, creative expression, and community. Dancers may sit in a chair, use a barre, or stand. Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinson’s, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinson’s is offered every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:15pm, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month, during which class is not held. Classes are offered in-person, in the Lobby at The 418 Project.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM · See listing
A weekly beginning hip hop house dance class. Participants will learn foundational movements, rhythms, and combinations in a structured, studio setting.
📍 Capitola Village
🕒 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · FREE
Bring chairs, jackets, a picnic supper, and the family to enjoy free live music and the sunset! Concerts begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and take place at the Esplanade bandstand. Visit local restaurants and pick up dinner to go and enjoy a picnic at the beach! Suggested to bring low back chairs or picnic blanket for seating. *No dogs or alcohol in the park or on the beach. 2026 Lineup: June 3, 2026: Rockin’ Big Band Blues with The Delta Wires June 10, 2026: Surf/Garage Rock with The Trestles June 24, 2026: Originals and Quirky Covers with Coffee Zombie Collective July 1, 2026: Fun Rock’n Party Music with Spun July 8, 2026: Classic Rock with B-Movie Kings July 15, 2026: Top 40/Dance 70’s through today with Mercy & The Heartbeats July 22, 2026: Funky Mostly Original Pop with Extra Large July 29, 2026: Latin Rock & Salsa with Santa Cruz Latin Collective August 5, 2026: R&B, Soul & Funk with The Joint Chiefs Band August 12, 2026: Top 40’s Dance with The Peelers August 19, 2026: Oldies Dance Band with The Digbeats
📍 Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park
🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · $25
Santa Cruz Shakespeare invites you to experience August Wilson’s Fences, under the trees and stars of the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruz’s DeLaveaga Park this summer. Fences By August Wilson Directed by Susan Dalian August Wilson joins the Santa Cruz Shakespeare stage for the first time in 45 years. Fences is the perfect offering, wonderfully in line with the Santa Cruz Shakespeare season’s theme: Till Death Do Us Part. Troy Maxson is one of Wilson’s great creations; Shakespearean in scope; a wordsmith and brilliant storyteller. He has survived the terrible trauma of his past and built himself a good life. But the backbone of that life, the spine that keeps it standing strong, is his wife Rose. Like all of Wilson’s best work, Fences is both mythic and intimate; the questions it asks both human and eternal. Fences runs July 28 – August 28. Tickets available for purchase starting May 1. More information through the link in the orange button above. Seasonal box office hours beginning May 1 are Tuesday through Friday from 12p.m. to 4p.m. Call the number above.
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 7:00 PM · $3
Swing and western swing from New Orleans at the Crow's Nest.
📍 The Crepe Place
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Sometimes, musical prodigies pop up in unlikely places. John-Roberts made his first TV appearance at 13-years-old on The Ellen Show. The last two years have been locked in at warped speed and John-Robert is traveling the stages of the world. Playing traditional folk and Appalachian country and peppering it with the vernacular of the 21st Century, the songs range from stripped down ballads into sonic explorations. This isn’t the Cosmic Cowboy of The Burrito Brothers, but more the cool Lyle Lovett of younger years. John-Roberts makes it all his own with vocals that crackle and sparkle. With Maryland singer/songwriter MyKey. -DNA; Good Times Santa Cruz
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
🕒 7:30 PM · See listing
Angelo De Augustine returns with Angel in Plainclothes, his fifth album and most inspired work yet—a deeply felt rendering of his multi-year journey of healing and renewal. The record showcases De Augustine’s powerful melodies and poignant lyrics across tracks like the haunting elegy “Empty Shell,” the hopeful “Spirit of the Unknown,” and standout psychedelic country piece “Mirror Mirror.” Themes explore life’s fragility, second chances, and picking up the pieces after an undiagnosed illness forced him to re-learn basic abilities: “I’m trying to figure out who I am now,” De Augustine says. “I feel like I may have been given a second chance at life, and I’d like to live it.” Angelo De Augustine Website (((folkYEAH!))) Website info/tickets/questions: [email protected]
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Moes Alley presents the versatile and formidable bluesman, Davy Knowles! Wednesday, August 12, 2026Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm$30 in advance / $35 day of the show21+* No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====DAVY KNOWLESWhether playing acoustic, mandolin, national steel, or screaming electric guitar, Davy Knowles has an unmistakable style.Since bursting on to the scene with his band Back Door Slams critically acclaimed album Roll Away in 2007 (I heard the spirit of Jimi Hendrix Patrick McDonald - Seattle Times), Davys star has only risen. His sophomore release Coming Up For Air was produced by the legendary Peter Frampton (Davy already has a recognizable style. Hes definitely the gunslinger guitarist of the 21st century,- Peter Frampton), with subsequent tours seeing him supporting and sharing the stage with acts such as Jeff Beck, The Who, Joe Bonamassa, Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, George Thorogood, Brian Setzer, the Sammy Hagar-fronted supergroup Chickenfoot, and guitar hero Joe Satriani who called Davy My favorite modern Bluesman. Knowles has several top-5 Billboard Blues charting albums under his belt, high profile TV appearances (Jimmy Kimmel Live and CBS Good Morning America among others), and has been praised with high accolades from heroes and press alike - but its not just the music industry who has taken note. Knowles was also the very first artist in history to perform live to the International Space Station directly from mission control in Houston TX, and has had his music taken to the Space Station by two astronauts, Nicole Stott and Ron Garan, on their missions orbiting Earth.Never one to be satisfied or to sit still, Knowles has explored multiple genres and styles, from the hard-hitting 70s classic rock influenced album Three Miles From Avalon, to
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · See listing
5:30-7:30pm Northern California songwriter Aaron Blyth is a little bit everything. Raised on the beaches of Hawaii and in the Mountains of the Pacific Northwest, his music is as diverse and eclectic as his background. Pulling from strong influences of Folk, Rock, Blues and Funk, this singer/songwriter blends his favorite flavors into a uniquely energetic sound. From his days of playing Tom Petty covers at bonfire parties in high school, to playing with his band Soul Plain in college, Aaron has been spreading his music around California for the last 12 years. The music has a positive message and energy that is both sonically simple yet lyrically deep.
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 5:30 PM · See listing
The Joint Chiefs perform at Crow's Nest in Santa Cruz, California.
📍 Bargetto Winery
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Join us at Bargetto Winery in Soquel on Thursday evenings for Live Music and Wine! 6-8PM No cover charge. Wine by-the-glass for purchase. Food will be available for purchase. Open seating, no reservations required. No outside food is permitted. For more info please call: (831) 475-2258
📍 Shanty Shack Brewing
🕒 6:00 PM · See listing
We are a 5-piece group led by LA-based guitarist and vocalist Ladi Oyediran, with the rest of us in Dallas: myself, Kayla Scales on keyboard and vocals, backed by Jelen Farrow on drums, Aaron Payton on bass, and Rafael Powell on saxophone. Our set can be an hour of originals up to two hours, including covers from SZA and Rex Orange County. We make R&B, Rock, and Soul for fans of The Internet and Steve Lacy.
📍 Abbott Square Market
🕒 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM · FREE
Free jazz nights every other Thursday at Abbott Square Market. All ages welcome to enjoy local jazz artists in an outdoor plaza setting.
📍 Colligan Theater
🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · $28
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving family—and gives him the connection he’s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices he’s made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
🕒 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM · See listing
To say that singer Marina Crouse is a jazz musician is technically true. However, it’s also a vast understatement of her talents. This Bay Area musician can sing the poetry of jazz, the emotions of the blues and the romance of traditional Mexican boleros. Her 2022 album Canto de Mi Corazon (Song of my Heart) is a testament to that. It’s her first all-Spanish album and it dares anyone with ears not to shed a tear at least once while listening. It’s beautiful, sad, ecstatic, and timeless, much like the artist herself. This evening, be prepared for a true Bay Area gem. -Mat Weir; Good Times Santa Cruz
📍 Santa Cruz Veteran's Hall
🕒 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM · $15
A young, wholesome, and seemingly normal couple, Brad and Jan, set out to visit their old professor, but their plans change when a large storm causes their car to go flat. Desperate to get out of the rain, they find an old castle that is home to Dr. Frank-N-Furter. From there, the night only becomes weirder. That night will be one they and the audience will not forget. This cult classic continues to entertain crowds, and this run is no different. Audience members can purchase interactive goodie bags with their tickets and participate in a costume contest. Goes until August 22.
📍 MJA Vineyards -- Westside Tasting Room & Cellar
🕒 3:30 PM · See listing
Friday, 3:30 PM - with Pattie Gilbert
📍 Santa Cruz
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM · FREE
Free summer block party in Midtown Santa Cruz featuring live music, food trucks, local artists, makers, and family fun.
📍 Lester Estate Wines
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · $25
Live music, food and wine overlooking the Lester Family Vineyards in the heart of Pleasant Valley. Friday, June 12 from 5-8pm: Music by Alex Lucero Band and Food by SnB Food Truck Friday, July 3 from 5-8pm: Music by B-Movie Kings and Food by Happy Dog Friday, July 10 from 5-8pm: Music by Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash and Food by Uncle Papa’s BBQ Friday, August 14 from 5-8pm: Music by Nautical Thrust and Food by Italia Fire Friday, September 18 from 5-8pm: Music by James Durbin & The Lost Boys and Food by SC Eatery Sunday, October 4 from 3-6pm: Music by Jive Machine and Food by High End Comida
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · See listing
5:30-7:30pm Harpin' and Clark are Jon Troutner and Peter Clark. They are a guitar and harmonica duo playing Americana, jazz, blues, ragtime, country and folk. Mixing carefully selected traditional and popular tunes with original songs, their combination of chromatic and blues harmonica and fingerstyle guitar provides a uniquely listenable musical experience. Jon and Peter have been developing their craft and entertaining Santa Cruz audiences for over forty years.
📍 Kissed By an Angel Wines
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · FREE
Enjoy live music from location musicians every Friday and Saturday. Venue is 21+ with wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options.
📍 Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
🕒 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · See listing
Brian Fitzgerald Jazz Trio
📍 Madson Wine
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Rebecca Coupe Franks / Trumpet Nancy Heth / Vocals and Piano
📍 Quarry Amphitheater
🕒 6:30 PM · See listing
When it comes to the underground hip hop greats, there are several lists one can compile, but all would include Atmosphere. Formed in 1996 by rapper Slug and DJ Ant in Minneapolis, Atmosphere has been dropping bars, knowledge and beats to hip hop lovers throughout the world. They were part of the original collective that would later form Rhymesayers record label, which would later sign acts like Living Legends, Murs, Aesop Rock, Brother Ali, Evidence, and Dilated Peoples. To see them is a blessing, but to see Atmosphere with the Bay’s The Pharcyde, DJ Abilities, Abstract Rude, and Plain Ole Bill is one night people will be talking about for years to come. -Mat Weir; Good Times Santa Cruz
📍 The Quarry Ampitheater
🕒 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM · $55.96
Head to the Quarry Amphitheater to see the underground hip hop duo, Atmosphere! Ant and Slug are widely celebrated as pioneers of independent and underground hip-hop. This concert features an iconic collective of underground hip-hop royalty—including The Pharcyde, DJ Abilities, Abstract Rude, and Plain Ole Bill—all performing in a majestic redwood forest setting. The Quarry Amphitheater was carved from a former limestone quarry in the 1960’s. The unique terraced asymmetrical design allows for amazing sightlines as you throw your hands up with towering redwoods all around you. You won’t want to miss seeing Atmosphere at this venue! Locals Love: The unique venue. First Timers Miss: Bringing a blanket or towel to keep comfortable in a redwood micro-climate. Insights: The Quarry Amphitheater is inside UCSC, so parking fees and lot usage are unpredictable. There are public e-bike stations on campus and throughout Santa Cruz and Capitola. Watch to see if a rally bus is available for the event.
📍 Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Stax Johnson is an independent rock and blues artist based out of California's Central Coast. With B3 hammond organs coupled with smooth guitar licks and deep rooted back beats, he transcends musical genres while incorporating pieces of the blues, rock and roll, and soul into a style all his own. Stax Johnson and his band have performed at various festivals and venues across the U.S. with artists that include Robbie Krieger of The Doors, Chris Isaak, Leon Russell, The Pointer Sisters, The Guess Who, John Mayall, Charlie Musselwhite, Ratt, Greg Kihn, Blues Traveler, Y&T, and The Blue Oyster Cult. Stax Johnson & Company includes Manny Castro(bass guitar and vocals), Robbie Bohn (lead guitar and vocals), Brad Burchell (drums), and Stax Johnson(guitar, keys, vocals, and harmonica).
📍 Colligan Theater
🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · $28
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving family—and gives him the connection he’s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices he’s made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Death & Saxes is Santa Cruz’s premier straight-ahead jazz quartet. Founded by saxophonist John Bouwsma, a Santa Cruz native and Kuumbwa education program alum, Death & Saxes interprets standards and classic jazz compositions as well as original songs and arrangements. Behind Bouwsma’s tenor is a rhythm section of Alameda’s own Harrison Brand on guitar, as well as longtime Santa Cruz jazz veterans Jamie Brudnick on upright bass, and Ben Sibley on drums. Together, Death & Saxes consistently creates exciting performances with dynamic solos, creative musical conversations, and incorporating a wide variety of musical styles. Full Court Press is a “nuclear fusion band” formed in Santa Cruz, mixing jazz with rock, funk, and beyond for their electrifying sets. Death & Saxes Full Court Press (Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
📍 Santa Cruz Veteran's Hall
🕒 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM · $15
A young, wholesome, and seemingly normal couple, Brad and Jan, set out to visit their old professor, but their plans change when a large storm causes their car to go flat. Desperate to get out of the rain, they find an old castle that is home to Dr. Frank-N-Furter. From there, the night only becomes weirder. That night will be one they and the audience will not forget. This cult classic continues to entertain crowds, and this run is no different. Audience members can purchase interactive goodie bags with their tickets and participate in a costume contest. Goes until August 22.
📍 Felton
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
The Polish Ambassador at Felton Music Hall on Friday, August 14th 2026 Tickets: www.prekindle.com/promo/id/-2852527949146904920
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 8:00 PM · $7
A concert from the John Michael Band.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 9:00 PM · See listing
Moes Alley presents Bay Area funk-fusion collective Afrolicious!Friday, August 14, 2026Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm$20 in advance / $25 day of the show21+ * No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====AFROLICIOUSThe Afrolicious live experience is, in a nutshell, a joyous and raucous celebration of life. The Afrolicious sound combines inspiring lyrics, funky bass lines, and a powerful horn section while retaining the soul and feel of classic funk, disco, Latin, and Afrobeat melodies. Audiences looking to dance, be inspired, or celebrate life have found Afrolicious as their perfect conduit.Afrolicious is a band custom fit for this moment when joy and unity are needed more than ever. The genuine passion, love, funk and energy at an Afrolicious event is something folks feel long after the event is over. It is a kind of feeling one wants to go out and spread around because it feels so good! Afrolicious is ready to be a part of that healing and uplifting energy the people need as we all emerge from a truly difficult and challenging time.
📍 Santa Cruz Zen Center
🕒 8:30 AM – 9:10 AM · FREE
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
📍 Westside Locations
🕒 8:39 AM – 8:39 AM · FREE
Beati Quorum, a new and growing Ensemble, is seeking new local members. Beati Quorum is a small, hybrid professional / volunteer ensemble based in Santa Cruz. We focus on a cappella singing, Renaissance through contemporary works, and collaborations with artists from our local network to international groups. Visit www.beatiquorum.org to set up an audition today.
📍 Capitola Branch Library
🕒 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM · See listing
Adults need playtime, too! Come play some new or old favorite tabletop games. Bring your favorite board game or play some of Lancelot's games. No prior gaming experience is necessary. This program is for adults 18+. We will meet every first and third Saturday of the month in the Barbara Gorson Multipurpose Room at the Capitola Branch Library.
📍 Colligan Theater
🕒 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM · $28
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving family—and gives him the connection he’s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices he’s made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · See listing
2:00-4:00pm Special Afternoon Show! Based out of New Orleans, LA, The Silver Lining Serenaders play traditional jazz and swing as well as Western swing and jug band music. Bringing harmonies and fresh arrangements to tunes from the first half of the 20th century.
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · See listing
5:30-7:30pm Live music in the Beer Garden from local singer/songwriter & surfboard crafter, Ashley Lloyd + Special Guests - every 3rd Saturday!
📍 El Vaquero Winery Tasting Room
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Somewhere in-between the tropical lounges of 1930s Los Angeles and the honky tonk beer joints of rural 1950s California, you'll find Poi Rogers. Hailing from Santa Cruz, CA, the duo performs vintage country & cowboy music, Hawaiian steel guitar ballads and trail songs. Gerard Egan and Carolyn Sills are both inductees into the Sacramento Western Swing Hall of Fame, and Carolyn is the current Academy of Western Artists Western Swing Female Vocalist of the Year. They front the award winning five piece band, The Carolyn Sills Combo, which has released three albums to date. Poi Rogers features Gerard doubling on standard guitar and his 1954 Fender triple neck steel guitar with Carolyn on standup bass, their timeless harmonies anchoring the show.
📍 Civic Auditorium
🕒 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM · See listing
Ani DiFranco was indie before it was cool. The New York-born singer-songwriter was an independent artist before it was practical for most. But DiFranco has always done things her way, with artistic principle rather than profit as a foundational goal. She’s a hero to her legion of fans both for her outside-the-machinery approach to her art as well as her dedicated activism, and of course her emotionally direct lyrics. With two dozen studio albums (and even more live releases) to her credit, DiFranco has a deep catalog from which to draw at her lively, engaging shows. Valerie June opens. -Bill Kopp; Good Times Santa Cruz
📍 The Ugly Mug
🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · $30
The Musers are the rascal Megan McLaughlin, bass sage Tom Kuhn, and lilting Leslie Jackson. Together they provide a safe space to get goofy. The Musers harken back to The Banana Slug String Band and even farther back to The New Zoo Revue. But instead of Freddie, Henrietta and Charlie, it’s Megan, Tom and Leslie. The Musers intentionally seek a playful level of songwriting and engagement with the audience. The Musers are a great palate cleanser, like a mouthful of lime sorbet to replace the banter of monkey chatter that takes up our days. Time to expand your joy with music. -DNA; Good Times Santa Cruz
📍 The Ugly Mug
🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · See listing
The Musers (self)
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM · See listing
Pull up a bar stool for 3rd Saturday evenings in the Beer Garden with local singer/songwriter & surfboard shaper Ashley Lloyd + special guests!
📍 Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
🕒 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM · $50
The RIO Theatre Hosts a live concert performance featuring SNAIL on Saturday August 15th 2026. 8 PM. Doors open at 7:00 PM.
📍 Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM · $64.25
Widely considered a feminist icon, Grammy winner Ani DiFranco is the mother of the DIY movement, being one of the first artists to create her own record label, Righteous Babe Records, in 1990. She has released 23 albums traversing folk, punk, hip-hop, soul and electronic genres and addressing a range of autobiographical, political and social issues. Her latest music releases include Unprecedented Sh!t (2024) and the 30th anniversary edition of her seminal album Not A Pretty Girl (2025). DiFranco is also an author and Broadway performer. Her memoir No Walls and the Recurring Dream was a New York Times Top 10 best seller in 2019, and her children’s books The Knowing and Show Up and Vote are out now. Her next book The Spirit of Ani is out in March 2026. In addition, DiFranco completed a 5-month run on Broadway as ‘Persephone’ in Hadestown in 2024. Ani DiFranco is bringing the Spirit of Love across America with a special stop in Santa Cruz. Longtime fans and new listeners will use this much-needed time to gather and recharge while celebrating Ani’s music, which is the soundtrack of so many lives.
📍 Felton Music Hall
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Penny & Sparrow at Felton Music Hall Saturday, August 15th 2026 21+ / 7pm Doors / 8pm Show Tickets: www.prekindle.com/promo/id/-2852527949150809829
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 8:00 PM · $8
Live music from Burnin Vernon at the Crow's Nest in Santa Cruz, a casual waterfront venue with an ocean view.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 9:00 PM · See listing
Moes Alley Presents El Sol - Salsa and Latin Music Dance Night! Show date: Saturday, August 15, 20268pm doors / 8:30pm dance lesson / 9pm show$15 in advance / $20 day of the show21+* No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====EL SOLEl Sol is a 10-piece band devoted to Salsa music - especially Salsa Dura NY-style. We play original arrangements of classic 70s songs from Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto, and Willie Colon as well as Latin standards. Our two singers, two trombones, flute, bongo, conga, timbale, keyboards and bass create an infectious groove that will bring you to the dance floor.
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
🕒 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · FREE
Everyone is invited to the International Musical Saw Festival! The festival begins at 10 am Sunday, August 16, at Roaring Camp in Felton, California. The world’s greatest saw players will join other acoustic musicians in a variety of musical performances. You’ll hear bluegrass, country, folk, gospel, blues, classical works, and show tunes throughout the day. The highlight of the festival is the musical saw contest, which takes place from 11:00 PM – 1:00 PM. All saw players are invited to compete in the contest. The presentation of awards takes place at 3:00 PM, followed by the chorus of saws, when up to 30 saw players play together. This one-of-a-kind event is free and fun for the whole family. You can wander the marvelous grounds of Roaring Camp, see live steam trains, eat, and listen to the wonderful sounds of the musical saw. Whether you’re a musician, a fan of music, or just a fan of the unusual, this special event is for you. For more information, check out www.sawplayers.org.
📍 Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
🕒 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM · See listing
Broken Compass Bluegrass is leading the way in the contemporary bluegrass revival, combining tradition with innovation in a way that appeals to both longtime fans and new listeners alike. Their live performances are characterized by tight harmonies, truly impressive solos, and an undeniable joy that permeates with every note they play. The band's repertoire includes numerous original compositions as well as fresh takes on timeless classics, all delivered with their own distinctive style. From the moment they take the stage, it's clear that Broken Compass Bluegrass is something different. Their energy is palpable as they weave intricate melodies and harmonize with ease, creating a wall of sound that transports fans to a place where tradition meets innovation. Whether you're a die-hard bluegrass aficionado or just looking for some foot-stomping fun, Broken Compass Bluegrass is sure to leave you spellbound and inspired. SPECIAL GUESTS: Diggin’ Trails and Blue Dream Bluegrass ft. Dan Robbins Diggin' Trails occupies a rare and vital corner of the Americana landscape — where banjo meets punk energy, and country twang collides with rock 'n' roll grit. Frontman John Dodds grew up playing punk rock and electric instruments, and that DNA runs through everything the band makes. The result is music with roots that go deep and edges that cut. Blue Dream is a lean, mean Santa Cruz trio that makes folk funk and bluegrass rock. The band includes David Cameron on guitar, Dan Robbins on bass, and Neal Curran on mandolin. Bringing a unique flavor to both familiar and original tunes, Blue Dream delivers high energy, solid grooves at every performance. Blue Dream is known for picking hot musical pockets that keep good times rolling and listeners moving. Crowds are dazzled when Blue Dream sizzles. $30 TICKET LINK
📍 Westside Locations
🕒 12:12 PM – 12:12 PM · FREE
Beati Quorum, a new and growing Ensemble, is seeking new local members. Beati Quorum is a small, hybrid professional / volunteer ensemble based in Santa Cruz. We focus on a cappella singing, Renaissance through contemporary works, and collaborations with artists from our local network to international groups. Visit www.beatiquorum.org to set up an audition today.
📍 Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
🕒 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM · $2
The Olive Tree is a poetry mic and public gathering space hosted by local poet Gabriel Kittle-Cervine. This monthly event seeks to honor the deeply rooted tradition of spoken word poetry in Santa Cruz, while uplifting the emerging voices of today. Each monthly event includes a free writing workshop, poetry open mic, and a featured reader at the end, highlighting new publications from local writers, as well as the works of touring poets. @ The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, every 3rd Sunday afternoon! 2:30 - Free Workshop; 3:30 - Sign Ups, 4:00 - Open Mic, 5:00ish - Featured Poet Informed by previous public offerings like The Word Church, Kinetic Poetics Project, Poetry Santa Cruz, among others, this space is intended to create a new opportunity for local poets of all ages and cultural backgrounds to express themselves honestly and emphatically on a public stage. This is a room for honesty, accountability, and radical co-existence; through the practice of telling our truth, and being able to hold the truth of others, we seek to build our sense of community. All vinyl house music. 10$ suggested entry donation. 4 minutes per poet. Follow @olivetreepoetrymic on Instagram to learn more, and we hope to see you there!
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 3:00 PM · See listing
Kick back in the Discretion Brewing carport for some live entertainment by local artist Junebug who delivers high quality, nostalgic tunes backed by guitar, harmonica, and a touch of kazoo
📍 Fast Eddy's Billiards Dart Room
🕒 3:00 PM · FREE
Sing your heart out! We will start at 3pm....ends when the cops show up or when I throw in the towel....No way you can be too late to get into the rotation.....We use Karafun, so the artists who own the songs get paid ROYALTIES via BMI or ASCAP. Venmo & TIP JAR FOR THE KJ. Beer and Wine , Bar Food Menu. Plenty of free parking.
📍 Felton Covered Bridge County Park
🕒 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM · FREE
community singing & songs for hope, resilience & connection
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 4:00 PM · See listing
Moes Alley presents legendary group The Blue Project touring behind their latest album, LIVE 2025, featuring Roy Blumenfeld, David Aguilar, Mark Newman, Ken Clark and Tim Eschliman!Sunday, August 16, 2026Doors: 3pm / Show: 4pm$25 in advance / $30 day of the show21+ * All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====THE BLUES PROJECTBack in the good ol days, adjectives such as unique, genuine, influential, innovative, exciting, dynamic, incandescent, and trail-blazing, were often used by peers and music critics to describe the sounds of the Blues Project, arguably the greatest relatively unsung American rock band of the swinging 60s.In the fall of 1965, The Blues Project played alongside the likes of Big Joe Williams, Son House, Bukka White, Skip James, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Otis Spann, to name a few. It was these legendary sold-out performances at the famed Cafe Au Go Go in Greenwich Village that eventually led to the release of their phenomenal debut album, Live at the Cafe Au Go Go. The Blues Project made a musical revolution, turning many people on to the American blues heritage.
📍 The Ugly Mug
🕒 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM · $30
The Musers Band from Sonoma County. Soaring harmonies, original songs, hot picking.
📍 Sub Rosa
🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing
A show! Hosted by Rip!
📍 Kula Connections
🕒 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM · $25
Presented by: Ruby Hernandez, Adron Beene, Susan von Thun or Erin Carlson-Jones with Joyce Leonard. Each Sunday, one of the musicians performs a sound bath. This is a meditative experience where participants are immersed in sound vibrations produced by instruments like gongs and singing bowls. The goal is to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance mental clarity by allowing the sounds to wash over the body and mind. Joyce offers Reiki, providing a moment of personal attention, inviting you to settle more fully into stillness and the healing experience.
📍 Felton Music Hall
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Surf rock traces its roots back to Southern California in the late ’50s and early 1960s. Country and western has a much lengthier pedigree. Honolulu’s Twin Fin draws proudly from both of those musical traditions, finding additional inspiration in pop of the ’60s and more modern sources like ’90s alternative rock. Combining those varied textures into an original blend, the group began releasing singles in 2022. A pair of EPs followed: 2023’s Bandaid and Saint of Summer in 2024. After that, it was back to singles, and in 2026 Twin Fin recorded another EP, the playfully-titled Songs I Never Wrote. Circle Change opens. -Bill Kopp; Good Times Santa Cruz
📍 Ugly Mug CoffeeHouse, 4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073, United States
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
It's Monday Open Mic at the Ugly Mug! Sign ups at 5p Beer, Espresso Drinks and Desserts available
📍 The Ugly Mug
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · See listing
you Are A Star! Come share what you love · what you are working on Every Monday 5pm - 8pm · Lottery signups begin @5:15 One 5 minute song or two 3 minute songs We welcome: Poetry · Spoken Word · Music · Originals & Covers Hosted by SteveV Beer, Coffee, Tea and Cafe Snacks are always available. Non-performers are always welcomed & Appreciated We Cannot Wait to see you!
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Led by Jazz Mafia co-founders Adam Theis and Eric Garland, this special concert celebrates more than twenty five years of the collective’s futuristic jazz roots. The program revisits the music that shaped Jazz Mafia’s identity in its earliest days, drawing from the first five years of the project’s evolution from 2000 to 2005. Featuring material connected to early projects such as Realistic Orchestra, Shotgun Wedding Quintet, and other formative ensembles, the performance reconnects with the sounds that helped define the collective’s foundation. Expect adventurous compositions, layered grooves, and inventive improvisation, with surprise guests appearing from across the Jazz Mafia musical family. Jazz Mafia – 25th Anniversary Retrospective will feature Mike Olmos on trumpet, Dan White on alto and baritone saxophones, Tommy Occhiuto on tenor sax, Theis on trombone, Colin Hogan on keys, Sam Bevan on upright bass, Garland on drums, and special guest special guest Dublin on vocals.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM · See listing
Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · See listing
A recurring karaoke night held on the first and third Tuesdays at The 418 Project. Grab the mic and sing your favorite songs in a casual, welcoming setting.
📍 Callahan's
🕒 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM · FREE
Free live music every Tuesday night with the Del Mar Trio at Callahan's in Santa Cruz.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM · FREE
Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PD® program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinson’s teachers use prompts and multiple dance styles to inspire movement, creative expression, and community. Dancers may sit in a chair, use a barre, or stand. Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinson’s, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinson’s is offered every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:15pm, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month, during which class is not held. Classes are offered in-person, in the Lobby at The 418 Project.
📍 Sub Rosa
🕒 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM · See listing
Hosted by Olive!
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM · See listing
A weekly beginning hip hop house dance class. Participants will learn foundational movements, rhythms, and combinations in a structured, studio setting.
📍 Capitola Village
🕒 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · FREE
Bring chairs, jackets, a picnic supper, and the family to enjoy free live music and the sunset! Concerts begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and take place at the Esplanade bandstand. Visit local restaurants and pick up dinner to go and enjoy a picnic at the beach! Suggested to bring low back chairs or picnic blanket for seating. *No dogs or alcohol in the park or on the beach. 2026 Lineup: June 3, 2026: Rockin’ Big Band Blues with The Delta Wires June 10, 2026: Surf/Garage Rock with The Trestles June 24, 2026: Originals and Quirky Covers with Coffee Zombie Collective July 1, 2026: Fun Rock’n Party Music with Spun July 8, 2026: Classic Rock with B-Movie Kings July 15, 2026: Top 40/Dance 70’s through today with Mercy & The Heartbeats July 22, 2026: Funky Mostly Original Pop with Extra Large July 29, 2026: Latin Rock & Salsa with Santa Cruz Latin Collective August 5, 2026: R&B, Soul & Funk with The Joint Chiefs Band August 12, 2026: Top 40’s Dance with The Peelers August 19, 2026: Oldies Dance Band with The Digbeats
📍 The Ugly Mug
🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · See listing
The juncos & Ship of thieves
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
August Piano Bundle! Purchase a ticket to both the Bill O’Connell Trio (8/19) and the Jon Dryden Quartet (8/20) and receive 25% off – discount will be implemented at checkout. ––– The piano-led Bill O’Connell Trio on this concert date features three acclaimed and lyrical instrumentalists. Pianist Bill O’Connell has been called “nothing short of a national treasure”, “a master of the broadest spectrum of musical styles, a giant of modern jazz”, and “a colossus of musical dignity and improvisational authority,” by jazz critics. Lauded by DownBeat Magazine as “an inspired hybridizer of modernist jazz,” O’Connell has released eighteen albums as a bandleader. The GRAMMY-nominated O’Connell is a Steinway artist and four-time recipient of the coveted “Jazz Writer of the Year” award from SESAC. Oakland-born bassist, composer, author, and educator Lincoln Goines has distinguished himself as one of the premier bassists of his generation. A mainstay of the New York City jazz, Latin, and studio scenes for over four decades and noted for versatility and fluid style, his resume reads like a who’s who of the pop, jazz and Latin world, including appearances and recordings with Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Gato Barbieri, Carly Simon, Mike Stern, Dave Grusin, Paquito D’Rivera, and many more. Drummer Jon Krosnick has been a mainstay of the San Francisco Bay Area jazz scene for more than twenty years, performing with his group, Charged Particles, as well as the nine-piece Latin jazz group, The Lunar Octet. He has performed with pianist Chick Corea, bassist John Patitucci, trumpeter Randy Brecker, reed player Paul McCandless, saxophonist Kristen Strom, and many more. Bill O’Connell Website Lincoln Goines Website (Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 7:00 PM · $3
Monthly live guitar performances by Yuji Tojo at Crow's Nest in Santa Cruz, with a small cover charge.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 7:30 PM · See listing
Western Wednesday is on the horizon and its comin in hot! Weve got Deke Dickerson and The Whippersnappers with Geoffrey Miller! Wednesday, August 19, 2026Doors: 7pm / Two-step Lesson: 7:30pm / Show: 8pm$15 in advance / $20 day of the show21+* No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event==== DEKE DICKERSON AND THE WHIPPERSNAPPERSDeke Dickerson has devoted his long career to keeping Americas roots music alive while interjecting new creativity into genres of music that flourished in decades previous. Dickerson is 52 years old and has been carrying the torch since he was 13, playing in his first rockabilly band in his hometown of Columbia, Missouri. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of 22 and proceeded to found his primary band, Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics, his newest group, Deke Dickerson and the Whippersnappers, as well as several side projects.Dickerson has provided rootsy music for a slew of television shows and movie projects, including scoring the music for a Paramount Pictures film starring Johnny Knoxville, Action Point.Dickerson has his own signature guitar, manufactured by the Hallmark Guitar Company of Maryland.Dickerson is currently writing the official biography of guitar legend Merle Travis. He also writes for several guitar magazines and had two books published by Voyageur Press, The Strat in the Attic and The Strat in the Attic 2. Dickerson is well known as a historian of roots music and regularly contributes liner notes to reissue projects for such labels as Capitol, RCA, Bear Family, and Sundazed.GEOFFREY MILLERMiller grew up breathing the air of country and oldies AM radio and listening to Waylon, Willie, and Hank Jr. cassettes in the dash of his adoptive father Vern Millers work truck. Echos of Bakersfield, Californias Nashville West, rev
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM · See listing
A weekly Congo dance class in Santa Cruz. Participants learn traditional African dance movements in a group setting at The 418 Project.
📍 Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
🕒 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing
We are thrilled to return for our monthly SANTA CRUZ SQUARE DANCE ✨! 5:30pm old time tunes jam (bring your instrument!) This event is FREE (but please consider donating to support the band!)
📍 SubRosa Community Space, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
🕒 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing
Thursday, August 20th, come hear some folk punk both touring and local! * David Taylor Coffey - folk punk on tour from CT @coffeynocoffee ** Ember Nugent - Bay Area emo/folk punk @emgobrrr *** Gay Eldest Daughter - Santa Cruz clawhammer queerness @gayeldestdaughter **** Quindara - SC folk punk @bbannedindc Doors - 6:00pm & Music - 7:00pm // $10 at door - notaflof!* // all-ages // dry space // safe(r) space // anti-capitalist space // respect the space and each other! *no one turned away for lack of funds SubRosa is at 703 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, CA —@@@@@— SubRosa is a collectively run anarchist community space - a place to meet people, share resources and ideas, challenge our assumptions and act on our passions. Let’s create together the world(s) we want to live in now. @subrosa_space And SubRosa is part of the Hub Community Center at 703 Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz - a constellation of projects that support skill-sharing, appropriate re/use of resources, and int
📍 Bargetto Winery
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Join us at Bargetto Winery in Soquel on Thursday evenings for Live Music and Wine! 6-8PM No cover charge. Wine by-the-glass for purchase. Food will be available for purchase. Open seating, no reservations required. No outside food is permitted. For more info please call: (831) 475-2258
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
August Piano Bundle! Purchase a ticket to both the Bill O’Connell Trio (8/19) and the Jon Dryden Quartet (8/20) and receive 25% off – discount will be implemented at checkout. ––– Jon Dryden is a pianist, keyboardist, and composer currently residing in Northern California. He graduated from the Berklee College of Music and moved to Brooklyn, NY, where he spent nineteen years as a professional musician. He has performed or recorded with Norah Jones, David Byrne, Regina Carter, Lenny White, Paula Cole, Madeline Peyroux, Sara Ramirez, and many others. He has released two piano trio albums, both recorded in New York: Memento Mori (2020) and Trio (2022). Trio was produced by GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter Jesse Harris. His next release Some of My Lies Are True will be released in June 2026. Dryden is currently an adjunct professor and lecturer of jazz studies at San Jose State University and Santa Clara University. Dryden is also the author of two books: Reading Lead Sheets and The Pro Keyboardist’s Handbook, both published by Alfred Music. He performs regularly in Northern California, New York, and Europe. The Jon Dryden Quartet will feature special guest vocalist, Sami Stevens. Sponsored by Kenneth Koenig & Lisa Rose (Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
📍 The Ugly Mug
🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · See listing
Ship of thieves (+?)
📍 Colligan Theater
🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · $28
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving family—and gives him the connection he’s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices he’s made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
📍 The Crepe Place
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
A live concert featuring Ruth Garbus, Plankton Wat, and Village of Spaces, blending indie rock and alternative sounds.
📍 Felton Music Hall
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Purchase tickets here Show 8pm // 21+ ***This is a standing room general admissions show. There will be a limited number of chairs located in the back of the concert hall. Seating will be first come first served. Bar and food will be open at 5pm.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Moes Alley and Ay Que Linda presents Samory I & The Wise Dem Band with special guest Blakkamoore plus DJ Robert Rankin!Thursday, August 20, 2026Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm$25 in advance / $30 day of the show21+* All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event======SAMORY ISamory I is a Jamaican roots reggae artist known for his powerful voice, conscious lyricism, and emotionally grounded songwriting. Blending classic reggae foundations with a modern global sensibility, his music speaks to strength, identity, spirituality, and everyday humanity. Emerging as one of the most respected voices in contemporary reggae, Samory I has built a catalog rooted in authenticity and purpose. His work reflects personal growth and cultural awareness while remaining relevant to todays global audience. THE WISE DEM BANDBased out of Humboldt County and founded by Bassist /Dj Sarge OneWise, theWisedem Band is a quartet and one of the few premier backing Reggae Bands in Northern CA. Guitarist Gueren White, a.k.a Gman and keybordist Alex Antonio have over 20 years experience in Reggae music as founding members of Woven Roots. Bassist, Sarge and drummer Alex Litsinger met in the mid 90s backing local Reggae star Ishi Dube in the Humboldt County based band Massagana. Wisedem Band is known for releasing original Dub music, instrumentals or riddims and backing various Artist for a live stage show. Between the four of them they have backed numerous international artists, such as Blakkamoore, Chuck Fenda, Charly Black, Army, Ras Attitude, Shinehead, Don Carlos, Sizzla, BLVK H3RO, and moreBLAKKAMOOREBorn in Georgetown, Guyana and raised in Brooklyn, NY, (Jahdan) Blakkamoore has long made a name for himself as a gifted and inspiring Reggae/Dancehall/Hip Hop/Dubstep artist both nationally and internationally.His mu
📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
🕒 1:10 PM · See listing
Friday, August 21 2026 12:10pm - 12:50pm A popular monthly series of free noon-time concerts at the Downtown Branch. Pieces and performers vary from month to month. Bring your lunch and enjoy some music!
📍 Santa Cruz
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM · FREE
Free summer block party in Midtown Santa Cruz featuring live music, food trucks, local artists, makers, and family fun.
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 5:30 PM · See listing
WoodMill performs live at Discretion Brewing. Acoustic duo.
📍 Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
🕒 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Unwind at the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park with an old-fashioned campfire event this summer! From 5:30-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, visitors can enjoy a campfire at the state historic park, listen to live music and make fresh tortillas on the comal! Visitors are also welcome to bring their own food for an evening picnic and listen to the musical guest. The event is free and the state park is located at 144 School St Santa Cruz CA 95060.
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 5:30 PM · See listing
Friday, 5:30 PM - Performing with "WOODMILL"
📍 Kissed By an Angel Wines
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · FREE
Enjoy live music from location musicians every Friday and Saturday. Venue is 21+ with wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options.
📍 Watsonville
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · See listing
An outdoor music event held in the plaza, offering a chance to enjoy live performance in downtown Watsonville.
📍 Cat Alley Street
🕒 6:00 PM – 1:30 AM · FREE
Every first and third Fridays at Cat Alley Street, our beat conductors take you on a high-style ride showcasing underground street sounds- Brought to you by Subterrestrials Records. Doors and Bar open at 6pm, Music at 9pm. No Cover, 21+
📍 Sub Rosa
🕒 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing
Friday, August 21st, join us for Rushadicus! At SubRosa! Rushadicus the Infamous Cello Goblín is a post-medieval metal jester of otherdimensional glee who prefers precarious perches to dazzle and delight. With mystical language of Sneth and textural noise-based birdstudied kazoo, it causes a romping nonsense catharsis party of weird wiggly wizardry: a "bejickment" for the brave, the curious, and the wild of mynde... Doors - 7:30pm & Music - 8:00pm // $15 at door - notaflof!* // all-ages // dry space // safe(r) space // anti-capitalist space // respect the space and each other! *no one turned away for lack of funds SubRosa is at 703 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, CA —@@@@@— SubRosa is a collectively run anarchist community space - a place to meet people, share resources and ideas, challenge our assumptions and act on our passions. Let’s create together the world(s) we want to live in now. @subrosa_space And SubRosa is part of the Hub Community Center at 703 Pacific Ave in downto
📍 Madson Wine
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Rebecca Coupe Franks / Trumpet Nancy Heth / Vocals and Piano
📍 The Ugly Mug
🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · See listing
Bean creek bluegrass (fc)
📍 Colligan Theater
🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · $28
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving family—and gives him the connection he’s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices he’s made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Back by Popular Demand… Six-time Las Vegas Headliner of the Year Frankie Moreno returns to Santa Cruz following his sold-out homecoming performance in May, bringing his electrifying TRIO show back to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Frankie’s musical journey began here – long before the awards, chart-topping hits, and sold-out theaters around the world. The community that first nurtured his love of music remains at the heart of everything he does. With millions of records sold worldwide and a record-breaking 124 #1 singles on the iTunes charts, Frankie returns home joined by his brother Tony Moreno on bass and his son Giovanni Moreno on drums. Together, the Moreno Trio will deliver an unforgettable night of fan favorites, fresh arrangements, and the undeniable chemistry that only family can create. Following the official proclamation of Frankie Moreno Day in Santa Cruz, Frankie and the Trio are on the heels of their brand new trio album and an international tour. One hometown. One family. One unforgettable night of Music. Frankie Moreno Website info/tickets/questions: 314-518-1385 | [email protected]
📍 SubRosa Community Center
🕒 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM · $15
Rushadicus the Infamous Cello Goblín is a post-medieval metal jester of otherdimensional glee who prefers precarious perches to dazzle and delight. With mystical language of Sneth and textural noise-based birdstudied kazoo, it causes a romping nonsense catharsis party of weird wiggly wizardry: a "bejickment" for the brave, the curious, and the wild of mynde... All ages. Tickets available at door day of show.
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 8:00 PM · $7
A live show blending rock, funk, soul, and R&B at a beachside venue.
📍 Felton Music Hall
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Purchase tickets here Show 8pm // 21+ ***This is a standing room general admissions show. There will be a limited number of chairs located in the back of the concert hall. Seating will be first come first served. Bar and food will be open at 5pm.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 9:00 PM · See listing
Moes Alley presents Colemine Records recording artists The Charities with special guest Mae Powell! Friday, August 21, 2026Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm$20 in advance / $25 day of the show21+* No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====THE CHARITIESThe Charities are a West Coast band that blends soul, funk, and jazz. With a tight rhythm section, smooth melodies, and crisp background vocals, their music captures diverse influences while staying grounded in a modern style. The bands sound reflects the energy of Southern California, offering a dynamic, straight-ahead approach to music that emphasizes authenticity.Their latest release, Fatal Attraction (out on Colemine Records), is a piercing take on loves dangers. Written from a dream by frontman Brock Van Pelt and brought to life by Anthony Masino at Penrose Records, it channels the nostalgic charm of the oldies while pushing classic soul into new territory. Its a song that feels like a lost relic, one you swear youve heard before but could never quite place.MAE POWELLMae Powell is a San Francisco based singer songwriter with a rainbow tinged timeless sound. She released her sophomore album Making Room For the Light on this year on Colemine Records. Its an indie folk record that grapples with love, friendship, and loss, with deeply personal yet universal lyrics. You can find Mae singing jazz, spinning vinyl, or playing her original music with her band made up of her very best friends.
📍 Santa Cruz Zen Center
🕒 8:30 AM – 9:10 AM · FREE
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
📍 Westside Locations
🕒 8:39 AM – 8:39 AM · FREE
Beati Quorum, a new and growing Ensemble, is seeking new local members. Beati Quorum is a small, hybrid professional / volunteer ensemble based in Santa Cruz. We focus on a cappella singing, Renaissance through contemporary works, and collaborations with artists from our local network to international groups. Visit www.beatiquorum.org to set up an audition today.
📍 Nicholson Vineyards
🕒 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM · $25
Enjoy summer weekend afternoons at the beautiful Nicholson Vineyards! Saturdays from noon to 5pm – Enjoy perusing art from local artists Sundays from 1pm to 4pm – Enjoy listening to local musicians Pack a picnic spread, gather your friends and family, and sip on their refreshing summer wine flight, featuring the best of our warm-weather selections. Book your reservation today! July 11 & 12: The Clay Chalet and music by Dos Bros July 18 & 19: Indigo and Vine and music by Jo Coleman July 25 & 26: Sour Sammy Sourdough and music by Six String Mixtape August 1 & 2: Scout and Sea and music by Half Pass August 8 & 9: Lili Arnold Studios and music by Eden Edell August 15 & 16: Desert Moon Design and music by Kip Allert August 22 & 23: Papelline Jewelry and music by Zach Bailey August 29 & 30: Anna Gail Designs and music by Jeff Smith September 5 & 6: All You Knead and music by Cake Party!
📍 Colligan Theater
🕒 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM · $28
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving family—and gives him the connection he’s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices he’s made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
📍 Roaring Camp
🕒 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM · $57
Evening train and dinner excursion departs from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and travels along the San Lorenzo River through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park to Roaring Camp. Upon arrival, a delicious BBQ dinner awaits you. After dinner, get up and move to a live band. On the return trip to Santa Cruz, the train ride brings the forest to life with dazzling color and light. The evening event is four hours, returning to the Boardwalk when the stars are overhead.
📍 Boulder Creek Fire Station
🕒 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM · $30
The Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department holds its annual Summer BBQ Dinner & Dance on Saturday, August 22. Firefighters serve a tri-tip and chicken dinner in the apparatus bay, and three live bands (Kentucky Mule, Barnstormers, Bootleg Country Band) play out back with dancing until 11 p.m. There's a bounce house and face painting for kids. Tickets are $30 for dinner and dance, free for kids under 5. Proceeds buy rescue and medical equipment for the all-volunteer department. Tickets and details: bcfd.com
📍 Roaring Camp
🕒 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM · $75.15
Treat yourself to an evening of fun and relaxation at Roaring Camp’s Redwood Evening Dinner Train Party. Start with a hearty BBQ dinner while you enjoy live musical entertainment. After, get into the swing of things by line dancing or two-stepping the night away, followed by a leisurely train ride aboard vintage railway cars. The steam train stops atop Bear Mountain to hot cider and musical entertainment. Hearty BBQ Dinner *Vegetarian Options Available Campfire Live Music Dancing
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · See listing
5:30-7:30pm THE JAMISSARIES - Featuring Arindam Krishna Das' originals as well as funked-up versions of music they love by the likes of The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, Cream, Donovan, Joe Cocker, David Bowie, Tenacious D and more… With Arindam on guitar/keys/vocals, Devii Grace DiMarco on violin/vocals, Jonathan Kessler on bass/vocals, Rob Borella on drums/vocals and Alex Bahler on lead guitar, their funky, sweet, sticky, psychedelic Jamz will get your Soul grooving and your body moving!
📍 Boulder Creek Fire Department
🕒 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM · $30
The Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department holds its annual Summer BBQ Dinner & Dance on Saturday, August 22, 5:30 to 11 p.m. at the Boulder Creek Fire Station, 13230 Central Ave. Firefighters serve a tri-tip and chicken dinner in the apparatus bay, and three live bands (Kentucky Mule, Barnstormers, and Bootleg Country Band) play out back with dancing until 11 p.m. There's a bounce house and face painting for kids. Tickets are $30, free for kids under 5, with a $100 family 4-pack available online. Proceeds buy rescue and medical equipment for the all-volunteer department. Tickets and details: bcfd.com
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
🕒 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing
Santa Cruz Starlight Dinner Party June 13, July 11, August 22, September 12 Ride, dine, and dance! Board the Beach Train at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and ride into Roaring Camp. When you arrive, enjoy dinner and a boot stompin' good time to a live band. Your round-trip ticket takes you back to the Boardwalk with an evening ride beneath the stars.
📍 Sub Rosa
🕒 6:00 PM – 10:15 PM · See listing
whalefall arushi bottomline
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
🕒 7:00 PM · $44.54
A unique and inspiring evening bringing together cutting-edge science, personal transformation, and the healing power of music. Featuring bestselling author and renowned cell biologist Bruce Lipton, PhD, musician and healing arts educator Lauren Monroe, legendary Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen, and an all-star ensemble including Joshua Ray Gooch, Carey Frank, Rachel Mazer, Dylan Rose, and Matthew Starr. Celebrating the release of Bruce Lipton’s new book, Beyond Darwin, the evening begins with a thought-provoking presentation and audience Q&A exploring human potential, consciousness, biology, and belief. The evening continues with an intimate acoustic performance by Lauren Monroe and her band. Through her magnetic stage experience, Lauren blends music, rhythm, and storytelling to guide audiences into expanded states of awareness, emotional healing, and deeper connection. Following the program, Bruce Lipton will host a book signing for attendees. Lauren Monroe Website info/tickets/questions: [email protected] | 831-288-2287
📍 Abbott Square Market
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Rod Stinson is a local Sacramento musician playing reggae-inspired covers and originals.
📍 Felton Music Hall
🕒 8:00 PM – 11:30 PM · $22.12
Purchase tickets here Show 8pm // 21+ ***This is a standing room general admissions show. There will be a limited number of chairs located in the back of the concert hall. Seating will be first come first served. Bar and food will be open at 5pm.
📍 Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Join Jai Uttal & Friends for an evening of sacred song, where music becomes prayer and chanting opens the heart. With soulful harmonium, a warm guiding voice, and decades devoted to the path of Bhakti, Jai creates a joyful, intimate space of call-and-response kirtan and sacred rhythm. Rooted in the sounds of India, Brazil, and American folk, this concert welcomes everyone—first-time chanters and longtime devotees alike. Come to sing, to listen, to be carried by rhythm, and to experience the deep joy of chanting the Divine Names. A one-of-a-kind evening of devotion, music, and love.
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 8:00 PM · $8
Live music at Crow's Nest in Santa Cruz, featuring Redwood Groove. $8 cover.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 9:00 PM · See listing
(((folkYEAH!))) presents instrumental psych-rock band from southern California, Earthless with special guests Primitive Ring!Saturday, August 22, 2026Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm$30 in advance / $34 day of the show21+* Tickets on sale Friday, June12th at 10am PT ** No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====EARTHLESSTheres an ancient Japanese legend in which a horde of demons, ghosts and other terrifying ghouls descend upon the sleeping villages once a year. Known as Hyakki Yagyō, or the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, one version of the tale states that anyone who witnesses this otherworldly procession will die instantlyor be carried off by the creatures of the night. As a result, the villagers hide in their homes, lest they become victims of these supernatural Invaders.Such is the inspiration for the latest album from Earthless. My son is really into mythical creatures and old folk stories about monsters and ghosts, bassist Mike Eginton explains. We came across the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons in a book of traditional Japanese ghost stories. I like the idea of people hiding and being able to hear the madness but not see it. Its the fear of the unknown.Whereas 2018s Black Heaven featured shorter songs and vocals from guitarist Isaiah Mitchell on much of the albuman unprecedented move for the San Diego power triotheir latest is a return to the epic instrumentals Earthless made their unmistakable name on. Night Parade Of One Hundred Demons is comprised of two monster songsthe 41-minute, two-part title track and the 20-minute Death To The Red Sun.
📍 Westside Locations
🕒 12:12 PM – 12:12 PM · FREE
Beati Quorum, a new and growing Ensemble, is seeking new local members. Beati Quorum is a small, hybrid professional / volunteer ensemble based in Santa Cruz. We focus on a cappella singing, Renaissance through contemporary works, and collaborations with artists from our local network to international groups. Visit www.beatiquorum.org to set up an audition today.
📍 Fast Eddy's Billiards Dart Room
🕒 3:00 PM · FREE
Sing your heart out! We will start at 3pm....ends when the cops show up or when I throw in the towel....No way you can be too late to get into the rotation.....We use Karafun, so the artists who own the songs get paid ROYALTIES via BMI or ASCAP. Venmo & TIP JAR FOR THE KJ. Beer and Wine , Bar Food Menu. Plenty of free parking.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 3:00 PM · See listing
Moes Alley presents a special outdoor blues matinee featuring Mighty Mike Schermer and Friends 60th Birthday Celebration, with special guests to be announced! Sunday, August 23, 2026Doors: 2pm / Show: 3pm$25 in advance / $30 day of show21+* No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====Mighty Mike SchermerMighty Mike Schermer was a fixture on the Bay Area blues scene for over 20 years when he relocated to Austin TX in 2009 and joined the touring band of swamp-boogie piano legend Marcia Ball. He had carved out a solid solo career, with four critically acclaimed CDs, an award winning single and thousands of performances at festivals and nightclubs the world over. He also became the go to guy sideman for such heavyweights as Elvin Bishop, Maria Muldaur, Angela Strehli, Bonnie Raitt, Howard Tate, Charlie Musselwhite, Sista Monica, Shana Morrison and many, many more. Oh yeswe may be judged by the company we keep, but when the spotlight shines a solo artist also must be able to bring the goods all on his own.
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM · See listing
3:00-5:00pm Hunny Pot (Jim Lewin and Diana Z) brings together worlds of folk, rock, Celtic, reggae, bluegrass, Americana and more, featuring Diana's lush vocals, Jim's intricate picking, duet harmonies and a wide variety of songs from various backgrounds.
📍 Kula Connections
🕒 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM · $25
Presented by: Ruby Hernandez, Adron Beene, Susan von Thun or Erin Carlson-Jones with Joyce Leonard. Each Sunday, one of the musicians performs a sound bath. This is a meditative experience where participants are immersed in sound vibrations produced by instruments like gongs and singing bowls. The goal is to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance mental clarity by allowing the sounds to wash over the body and mind. Joyce offers Reiki, providing a moment of personal attention, inviting you to settle more fully into stillness and the healing experience.
📍 Over the Hill Gang Saloon
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Sunday, 7:00 PM - Performing with "PATTIE GILBERT & THE WANDERLUST"
📍 Ugly Mug CoffeeHouse, 4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073, United States
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
It's Monday Open Mic at the Ugly Mug! Sign ups at 5p Beer, Espresso Drinks and Desserts available
📍 The Ugly Mug
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · See listing
you Are A Star! Come share what you love · what you are working on Every Monday 5pm - 8pm · Lottery signups begin @5:15 One 5 minute song or two 3 minute songs We welcome: Poetry · Spoken Word · Music · Originals & Covers Hosted by SteveV Beer, Coffee, Tea and Cafe Snacks are always available. Non-performers are always welcomed & Appreciated We Cannot Wait to see you!
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
“Keyon Harrold is the future of the trumpet” – Wynton Marsalis Keyon Harrold is an award-winning trumpeter, vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Harrold first came into the international spotlight for his critically acclaimed album, The Mugician, and his work as the trumpet voice behind the GRAMMY winning Don Cheadle film Miles Ahead. As a bandleader, he has created a compelling new statement with a riveting mix of jazz, Afrobeat, soul, spoken word, hip-hop, blues, rock, and American folk. As a soloist, his distinctly warm trumpet sound simmers in the middle register; creating drama without aggrandizing, and mesmerizing live audiences with an emotionally charged concert presentation. Harrold has collaborated with many of the top hip hop and pop artists including: Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, Eminem, Maxwell, and Anthony Hamilton, as well as rock legends Keith Richards and Jeff Beck. His current touring ensemble can best be described as ‘Bop Pop Hip-Hop Jazz.’ Rooted in jazz, the band freestyles and solos with authority and weaves the spectrum of African American music into a sonic expression. Keyon Harrold – Foreverland will showcase his GRAMMY nominated recording Foreverland, an acclaimed crossover success, which features a bevy of collaborators, along with the single “Beautiful Day” which received world-wide radio play.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM · See listing
Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 5:45 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing
A weekly music jam session in downtown Santa Cruz, featuring lights and fun for all musicians.
📍 Felton Music Hall
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
La Luz at Felton Music Hall on Tuesday, August 25th 2026 Tickets: https://tixr.com/e/191064
📍 Callahan's
🕒 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM · FREE
Free live music every Tuesday night with the Del Mar Trio at Callahan's in Santa Cruz.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM · FREE
Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PD® program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinson’s teachers use prompts and multiple dance styles to inspire movement, creative expression, and community. Dancers may sit in a chair, use a barre, or stand. Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinson’s, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinson’s is offered every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:15pm, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month, during which class is not held. Classes are offered in-person, in the Lobby at The 418 Project.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM · See listing
A weekly beginning hip hop house dance class. Participants will learn foundational movements, rhythms, and combinations in a structured, studio setting.
📍 Felton Music Hall
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel at Felton Music Hall on August 26th & August 27th Tickets at: https://tixr.com/e/182052
📍 The Crepe Place
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
A concert featuring Twisted Teens at The Crepe Place.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Pre-Saale Begins 4.29.26 - 10 am pst "GASLIGHT26" On Sale - 5.01.26 - 10 am pst
📍 Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
🕒 8:00 PM · $55.58
Built to Spill joins us for one night at Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz.
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · See listing
5:30-7:30pm
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 5:30 PM · See listing
Live music on the Santa Cruz beach from Alex Lucero Band, with BBQ and drinks available at the Crow’s Nest.
📍 Cat Alley Street
🕒 6:00 PM – 1:30 AM · FREE
BITE ME! No Cover • Last Thursday of Every Month Cat Alley Street (upstairs above The Catalyst) – Santa Cruz https://catalleystreet.com A high-energy Goth / Industrial / Deathrock / EBM / Techno night in a swanky new vampire venue. THE DANCE CHAMBER Be among the first to experience our brand-new, state-of-the-art sound system. Our DJs will make you shake your fine goth ass from 6 PM onward. THE BAR Exclusive Bite Me cocktails, including the Banshee and London After Midnight. THE LOUNGE A cozy, quieter space across from the bar featuring hand-picked furnishings curated by the Baron's cat of Cat Alley Street himself. Plus the Macabre Makers Faire: • Jewelry and clothing makers • Tintype photography • Goth makeovers • Other dark delights BEST DRESSED Select free drink tickets awarded to our most impeccably dressed guest vampires. COME EARLY DJs start at 6 PM, and our new kitchen will be serving pizza. Vampires may not be assumed to eat human pizza, but trust the cat, it’s totally worth it! We’ve created a beautiful, comfortable, and welcoming vampire lounge and can’t wait to share it with the greater Goth community and kind-hearted misfits of all sorts. Fly upstairs. Last Thursday of each month. Bite Me!
📍 Sub Rosa
🕒 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing
Open mic! Doors/sign-ups 7:00 pm. Music 7:30 pm. Hosted by critter.
📍 Bargetto Winery
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Join us at Bargetto Winery in Soquel on Thursday evenings for Live Music and Wine! 6-8PM No cover charge. Wine by-the-glass for purchase. Food will be available for purchase. Open seating, no reservations required. No outside food is permitted. For more info please call: (831) 475-2258
📍 Abbott Square Market
🕒 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM · FREE
Free jazz nights every other Thursday at Abbott Square Market. All ages welcome to enjoy local jazz artists in an outdoor plaza setting.
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Jazz. Rock. Jazz-rock. Across more than four decades, legendary drummer Simon Phillips has shown an uncanny ability to excel in most any musical environment. Precision, intensity, and emotion are hallmarks of Phillips’ sound in every setting. Working with many of the world’s most prominent musicians from an early age, he has repeatedly made his mark through scores of historic recordings and tours around the globe. While the first Protocol release was in 1989, Phillips’ compositions really began to gel with the Protocol II album in 2013. Protocol II was firmly established as one of the truly great bands in jazz-rock history. Phillips toured extensively as leader in 2019, celebrating Protocol’s 30th Anniversary and playing tunes from each of the previous albums. 2022 saw the release of Protocol V. The band features Ernest Tibbs on bass, Otmaro Ruiz on keys, Phillip Whack on saxophone, and Alex Sill on guitar. Simon Phillips & Protocol 6 is a high energy ensemble with the Phillips signature that we’ve come to expect from the Protocol legacy. Simon Phillips Website (Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
📍 Felton Music Hall
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel at Felton Music Hall on August 26th & August 27th Tickets at: https://tixr.com/e/182052
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Moes Alley and Do It Ourselves present Joe Kaplow with special guest Emily Afton! Thursday, August 27, 2026Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm$15 in advance / $20 day of the show21+* No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====JOE KAPLOWPosh, Poodle, Krystal and Toe is the third full length album from Santa Cruz based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joe Kaplow. Appropriately named after his bandmates nicknames, this record is a more cohesive band statement than his previous self-recorded work. Most tracks were cut over a five day span, performed live at the OK Theater in Enterprise, OR with engineer Bart Budwig. They were learned and workshopped on the spot, thus capturing very honest, energetic, and fly by the seat of your pants moments. The record was mixed underground at Vin Christophers studio, Heavy Meadow in Portland, Oregon.Posh, Poodle, Krystal and Toe takes Kaplows singularly unique, honest and raw songwriting style and propels it forward with spontaneous collaboration, undeniable rhythm, and sound imagery. The record will be released on 5.17.24 on Fluff and Gravy Records.EMILY AFTONEmily Afton makes timeless alt-pop for the zeitgeist. Described by NPR as Utterly charming electro-folk... Her songs seem wary of life, but still positive, Afton is following her 2024 album CIRCAA, with a new alt-country EP that trades polished beats for pedal steel, while retaining the vulnerability and emotional honesty that have become her signature. Her new EP begins rolling out with the title track, Its You, available on all platforms July 24. Stay tuned for more shows and releases from Emily Afton!
📍 Santa Cruz
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM · FREE
Free summer block party in Midtown Santa Cruz featuring live music, food trucks, local artists, makers, and family fun.
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · See listing
5:30-7:30pm Santa Cruz's own Free Elements brings their signature blend of Cali-style lounge rock to the stage, creating a laid-back and irresistibly groovy vibe. Known for generating a good time and a tight sound, they put a fresh spin on classic covers and add some original tunes along the way. The band features Diane Rigoli on guitar/vocals, Aaron Wayne on guitar/accordion/vocals, Ron Beebe on bass/harmonica/vocals and Dag Dasche
📍 Kissed By an Angel Wines
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · FREE
Enjoy live music from location musicians every Friday and Saturday. Venue is 21+ with wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options.
📍 Madson Wine
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Rebecca Coupe Franks / Trumpet Nancy Heth / Vocals and Piano
📍 The Crepe Place
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Tom Kenny & the Hi Seas bring soulful surf-rock energy alongside Michael Michael Motorcycle for an evening of eclectic, groove-heavy music.
📍 Camp Campbell
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Teaching Cello
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Pulse Productions Website info/tickets/questions: [email protected]
📍 Felton Music Hall
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Purchase tickets here Show 8pm // 21+ ***This is a standing room general admissions show. There will be a limited number of chairs located in the back of the concert hall. Seating will be first come first served. Bar and food will be open at 5pm.
📍 Henflings Tavern
🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM · FREE
Elmo - Roots Music plays Henflings Tavern on Friday, August 28 from 8:00 to 11:00 pm, taking you along the backroads of Americana: Blues, Jazz, Groovy Jams, and New Orleans sounds. Elmo is a prominent West Coast American roots and jam band based out of the Santa Cruz area. Veterans of local venues throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area, the group features a lineup of seasoned musicians from the California Jam Band and Blues scenes: Ron Tomasello: Guitar and Vocals; Steve Hunt: Keyboards; Bill Ward: Bass; Kris DiNoto: Drums; Ray Hauck: Percussion 🎸💃 No cover! Kitchen open late! 🍔🍺 "Acclaimed blues guitarist Ron Tomasello last stepped onto the Henflings Tavern stage in Ben Lomond on a late August evening in 2010 with his band Goodlife Rhythm & Blues Review. In an interview on the back porch that afternoon during sound check, rock journalist Andrew “Tuck” Tuckman wrote, “Ron Tomasello is one of the greatest guitarists around. Flat out, hands down, without question.” The band was known for playing roots music: Latin, blues, jazz, country, and the swampy sounds of New Orleans, drawing inspiration from the backroads of Americana. Ron returns to old haunts this summer with his new band Elmo. Enjoy a night of smokin’ blues and roots music at Henflings on Friday, August 28, 2026 at 8:00 pm." - Julie Horner, SLV Post
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 8:00 PM · $7
Live music from Fully Charged at the Crow's Nest in Santa Cruz, a casual waterfront venue.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 9:00 PM · See listing
Moes Alley presents the return of Mestizo Beat with special guests to be announced! Friday, August 28, 2026Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm$20 in advance / $25 day of the show21+ * No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====MESTIZO BEATMestizo Beat is an Afro-Latin Soul Ensemble based out of Los Angeles, CA. They are an instrumental group that blend the sounds of early 70s Funk s, Mongo Santamaria, Fela Kuti, Parliament Funkadelic, and The Meters. The bands music carries a certain sense of nostalgia, using their creativity to fuse the old with the new, constantly paying homage to the greats who came before.
📍 Santa Cruz Zen Center
🕒 8:30 AM – 9:10 AM · FREE
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
📍 Westside Locations
🕒 8:39 AM – 8:39 AM · FREE
Beati Quorum, a new and growing Ensemble, is seeking new local members. Beati Quorum is a small, hybrid professional / volunteer ensemble based in Santa Cruz. We focus on a cappella singing, Renaissance through contemporary works, and collaborations with artists from our local network to international groups. Visit www.beatiquorum.org to set up an audition today.
📍 Garrahan Park
🕒 2:00 PM – 7:30 PM · $15
The 8th Annual KBCZ Music Fest returns Saturday August 29th to Garrahan Park in Boulder Creek. Our 4 bands are The Mother Corn Shuckers, Squidrow Orchestra, Trestles and the headliner is local mountain favorite, The Coffis Brothers. Local breweries offering beer/wine and cider, Vendors and kids activities. All proceeds benefit KBCZ 89.3 FM Boulder Creek Community Radio which is celebrating 10 years on the air! Kids Under 5 are free and parking is free. Advance Tickets are available at www.kbcz.org
📍 Visit Santa Cruz County
🕒 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM · $30
Enjoy a reception and dinner on the UCSC Farm followed by dancing in the Hay Barn! This event will feature music, appetizers, tours, and local wine followed by a four-course, family-style dinner on the farm provided by Feel Good Foods. As the sun sets, head down to the Hay Barn for music, dancing, and dessert. Want to skip dinner and join us for dancing and dessert in the Hay Barn only? Tickets for the barn dance portion only are available for $30. Wine and beer provided by local winemakers and breweries. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options will be available. The evening’s program: 4:00pm: Reception and farm tours followed by dinner 7:00pm: Dancing in the Hay Barn
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 7:30 PM · See listing
A milonga, or social tango dance, with DJ Sharon at the 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Moes Alley presents The Greyboy Allstars!Saturday, August 29, 2026Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm$40 in advance / $45 day of the show21+* Tickets on sale Friday, May 29th at 10am PT ** No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====THE GREYBOY ALLSTARSLegendary California jazz-funk revivalists The Greyboy Allstars first played together at San Diegos Green Circle Bar in 1994, when DJ Greyboy assembled an all-star combo of local players to join him onstage. With Greyboy as producer, provocateur, and namesake for the new group, they honed their take on the revolutionary funk of Grant Green, Idris Muhammad, and James Browns infamous J.B.s. While Greyboy himself moved on to other projects, the band preserved his visionary spirit, with each Allstar contributing a legacy of their own. Saxophonist and flutist Karl Denson first turned heads playing on essential Lenny Kravitz albums Let Love Rule and Mama Said, then led Karl Densons Tiny Universe. Hes toured as a member of The Rolling Stones since 2014 and appeared as the Sexual Chocolate sax player in Eddie Murphys iconic Coming to America. Guitarist Michael Andrewsor Elgin Park, if you preferis a noted film composer whose work on Donnie Darko (with his signature cover of Tears for Fears Mad World) remains central to its cult status. Keyboardist Robert Walter leads Robert Walters 20th Congress, and plays with Mike Gordon from Phish. Bassist Chris Stillwell and drummer Aaron Redfield are in-demand session standouts, with credits alongside Sia, Elton John, CeeLo, and Charli XCX
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 8:00 PM · $8
A performance by Kid Kameleon & The Lounge Lizards. Suitable for kids.
📍 SubRosa Community Space, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
🕒 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · See listing
Beginner Bluegrass Slow Jam - Sunday, August 30th / 11 a.m. with Bashi ([email protected]) Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA Description: Bluegrass standards for beginners, played at a very slow 60-90 bpm. If you can play a G, D, and A chord on your instrument, you’re able to take part in this group jam. If not, come and learn! Materials: BYO instrument Accessibility: We will be outside.
📍 Westside Locations
🕒 12:12 PM – 12:12 PM · FREE
Beati Quorum, a new and growing Ensemble, is seeking new local members. Beati Quorum is a small, hybrid professional / volunteer ensemble based in Santa Cruz. We focus on a cappella singing, Renaissance through contemporary works, and collaborations with artists from our local network to international groups. Visit www.beatiquorum.org to set up an audition today.
📍 Fast Eddy's Billiards Dart Room
🕒 3:00 PM · FREE
Sing your heart out! We will start at 3pm....ends when the cops show up or when I throw in the towel....No way you can be too late to get into the rotation.....We use Karafun, so the artists who own the songs get paid ROYALTIES via BMI or ASCAP. Venmo & TIP JAR FOR THE KJ. Beer and Wine , Bar Food Menu. Plenty of free parking.
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM · See listing
3:00-5:00pm Originals and classic tunes from the great folk, blues and rock piano players. Come join us for a relaxing afternoon with Ken Margolis + special guests. Look forward to original songs and a whole variety of keyboard oriented rock, blues and R&B favs.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM · See listing
A monthly open mic night at the 418 Project featuring music, theatre, and spoken word performances.
📍 Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
🕒 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM · 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.
📍 The Ugly Mug
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · See listing
you Are A Star! Come share what you love · what you are working on Every Monday 5pm - 8pm · Lottery signups begin @5:15 One 5 minute song or two 3 minute songs We welcome: Poetry · Spoken Word · Music · Originals & Covers Hosted by SteveV Beer, Coffee, Tea and Cafe Snacks are always available. Non-performers are always welcomed & Appreciated We Cannot Wait to see you!
📍 Ugly Mug CoffeeHouse, 4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073, United States
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
It's Monday Open Mic at the Ugly Mug! Sign ups at 5p Beer, Espresso Drinks and Desserts available
📍 Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park
🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · $40
Formed in 1986, Rockapella rocketed to stardom in 1993 with their hit single “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” (featured in the PBS TV series of the same name). Led by Scott Leonard’s signature high tenor voice and mind-blowing arrangements and Jeff Thacher’s one-of-a-kind vocal percussion, Rockapella has been a global phenomenon for nearly 40 years, setting the standard for all a cappella vocal groups. The “band” (famous for their ability to imitate the sounds of instruments with only their voices) has been featured everywhere from the Boston Pops to the Muppets, and their voices have been the soundtrack for everything from Folgers and Doritos to Aflac and HBO. Click the link in the orange button above for tickets!
📍 Santa Cruz Shakespeare
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Since the early ’90’s when they first achieved national television fame on PBS’s Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?, they’ve toured the globe and provided a funky powerful soundtrack to several generations of vocal music fans, while keeping it fresh along the way. With buckets of catchy original pop songs, and complete contemporary revisions of sparkling pop and soul classics, plus an unbeatable Christmas tour and catalog, this group has always been the one to watch. ”Often imitated – never duplicated” applies here. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more influential group out there in this Era of A Cappella, with movies and network television a cappella exposure, a cappella Grammy awards, and innumerable college groups on campuses everywhere. As one of the progenitors of the astonishing full-band sound of “contemporary” a cappella, Rockapella has shown every audience the raw power of pure vocal talent and originality. “There’s nothing in the way between the audience and the us; it’s very human music,” says Rockapella’s human beatbox, Jeff Thacher. No instruments, no hidden tracks, no mirrors…and never lame. Now they’re better than ever! “We make it rock and make it interesting,” explains Scott Leonard, the group’s chief songwriter, arranger, and an architect of their ever-evolving and imitated dynamic sound. USA Today summed up their lasting appeal: “The best musical instrument of all is the human voice – if you’ve seen Rockapella, you know that’s the truth.” The New York Times agrees: they’re “Pure entertainment”! “People have a hard time believing it’s just us making all of that music. It’s still those same familiar elements that make modern band music: percussion, bass, melody and harmonies,” says Scott. With a cappella groups multiplying across the world, Jeff adds “we know our longtime success is in the art of it – it’s not what you do, but how you do it!” Rockapella has indeed proven that original pop & soul magic onstage is what sets them apart.
📍 The Catalyst
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Leah Bluestein is a professional drummer from Atlanta, Georgia. She began playing the drums at the age of 9 when her mother saw her drumming along with Tom Sawyer on the video game Rock Band. Leah studied with private drum instructors for most of her youth and then attended Berklee College of Music from 2016 - 2020. From there she graduated with a degree in Drum Set Performance. Leah is a versatile drummer capable of many different styles. Some of her various projects and credits include: Eagles of Death Metal, The Video Game Orchestra, Gary Hoey, and more. She also writes and performs original music with her own band Groundlift and also with prog guitar virtuoso Paul Bielatowicz (Carl Palmer).
📍 The Catalyst
🕒 9:00 PM · See listing
Eagles of Death Metal return to The Catalyst in Santa Cruz for a high-voltage rock show. A mix of desert rock swagger and punk attitude.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM · See listing
Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
📍 Satori Arts
🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · FREE
Are you ready to get your poetry on? Join us on Sept 1, 2026 at Satori Arts for InterAct, a FREE open mic night, from 7-9 pm, featuring poets David Allen Sullivan and Ignatius Valentine Aloysius. In Everything I Touch Is—& Isn’t—You, David Allen Sullivan and Ignatius Valentine Aloysius engage in a daring poetic conversation, weaving poems from one another’s lines and inventing new collaborative forms. Written in a time of political fracture, the poems insist on attention, tenderness, and survival. The collection moves through grief, love, politics, and bearing witness, dissolving the boundaries between self and other to reveal a shared, living voice. Former Santa Cruz county poet laureate, David Allen Sullivan won the Mary Ballard Chapbook poetry prize for Take Wing. His book Black Butterflies over Baghdad was selected for the Hilary Tham Capital Collection by Tim Seibles. He teaches at Cabrillo College, where he edits the Porter Gulch Review with his students. Ignatius Valentine Aloysius earned his MFA in Creative Writing from Northwestern University, Chicago, where he teaches. He is the author of the literary novel Fishhead. Republic of Want (Tortoise Books, 2020), & his prose and poetry have appeared in many journals. Ignatius is the current host & curator of the long-running reading series Sunday Salon Chicago. He serves as Co-Chair of the Curatorial Board at Ragdale Foundation, where he is also a Board of Trustees member. Come share your spoken word work or poetry with the community, or come out to support our local readers! Sign up to read starting at 6:30 pm. Limited seating. For more information, visit https://www.satoriarts.org/upcoming-events. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. Free. Satori Arts, 815 Almar, #9, Santa Cruz (warehouse building near the back, follow signs)
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · See listing
Weekly karaoke night at The 418 Project, inviting singers to take the stage and perform.
📍 Callahan's
🕒 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM · FREE
Free live music every Tuesday night with the Del Mar Trio at Callahan's in Santa Cruz.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM · FREE
Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PD® program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinson’s teachers use prompts and multiple dance styles to inspire movement, creative expression, and community. Dancers may sit in a chair, use a barre, or stand. Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinson’s, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinson’s is offered every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:15pm, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month, during which class is not held. Classes are offered in-person, in the Lobby at The 418 Project.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM · See listing
A weekly beginning hip hop house dance class. Participants will learn foundational movements, rhythms, and combinations in a structured, studio setting.
📍 Esplanade Park
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Free & family-friendly! Two talented pianists face off in a musical showdown full of crowd favorites, sing-alongs, and spontaneous comedy. You bring the requests, they bring the show! Bring your beach chairs, grab a treat from Capitola Village, and enjoy a summer afternoon of music, laughter, and community on the coast. Requests encouraged. Dancing inevitable. Fun guaranteed.
📍 Santa Cruz Yoga
🕒 12:00 AM · See listing
SUBMERGE exists for the dancers and for the artists. It's a dance party, a movement meditation and a fantastic workout all at once. Drawing inspiration from the great dances of music festivals and burning man, as well as the best parts of the ecstatic dance movement, SUBMERGE exists to provide dancers a deep canvas for movement, and also for experienced artists (often with decades of wisdom) to get fairly paid. 100% of ticket revenues go to the artists.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM · See listing
A weekly Congo dance class in Santa Cruz. Participants learn traditional African dance movements in a group setting at The 418 Project.
📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · See listing
5:30-7:30pm With a big map and no planned destination, this trio of seasoned improvisers from the jazz and jam band worlds use song and structure the way spacecrafts use planets: not to land and stay, but to SLINGSHOT around and be propelled back out into the galaxy. During this mostly-improv show, a familiar song could materialize at any time. Or not. All we can promise is that nobody knows what's going to happen. Slingshot is: Guitar and Vocals: Matt Hartle (China Cats, Painted Mandolin, Shady Groove, Grateful Sundays with Matt Hartle and Friends) Bass: Pete Novembre (OM Trio, Coffee Zombie Collective, Aza, Elephino) Drums: Bret Bailey (Shady Groove, Elephino, Cosmic Pinball, BlissNinnies)
📍 The Crepe Place
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · FREE
Santa Cruz guitarist, Joshua Cedar, along with acclaimed jazz musician friends, Jon Dryden (piano), Ken Okada (bass), and Jim Kassis (drums), will present music that has helped shape the sound of modern jazz guitar. From Pat Metheny's lyrical blend of ECM-inspired jazz and Brazilian influences to John Scofield's infectious mix of New Orleans funk, blues, and jazz fusion, the performance will span a rich spectrum of contemporary jazz styles and a few surprises, too!
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 5:30 PM · See listing
Live music from Sambada at the Crow's Nest in Santa Cruz, an early evening show at the waterfront venue.
📍 Bargetto Winery
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Join us at Bargetto Winery in Soquel on Thursday evenings for Live Music and Wine! 6-8PM No cover charge. Wine by-the-glass for purchase. Food will be available for purchase. Open seating, no reservations required. No outside food is permitted. For more info please call: (831) 475-2258
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
The baddest fronch-porch blues band around Reverend Peytons Big Damn Band is back! Thursday, September 3, 2026Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm$20 in advance / $25 day of the show21+* No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====REVEREND PEYTONS BIG DAMN BANDThree time BMA nominees The Reverend Peytons Big Damn Band are the greatest front-porch blues band in the world. They are led by Reverend Peyton, who most consider to be the premier finger picker playing today. He has earned a reputation as both a singularly compelling performer and a persuasive evangelist for the rootsy, country blues styles that captured his imagination early in life and inspired him and his band to make pilgrimages to Clarksdale, Mississippi to study under such blues masters as T-Model Ford, Robert Belfour and David Honeyboy Edwards. Their ecord Dance Songs For Hard Times went #1 on the Billboard, iTunes and Sirius XM Blues Charts and was produced by Grammy winner Vance Powell. The record was critically acclaimed by Rolling Stone, Relix, Popmatters, Guitar World, American Songwriter, No Depression, Glide, Wide Open Country, Paste, American Blues Scene and many more!Their latest record, Honeysuckle was produced and recorded by Reverend Peyton and mixed by eight-time Grammy winner Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, Jack White). The record features many special guests, including gospel music group The McCrary Sisters on the song Manger, Blues Music Hall of Famer and Grammy-nominated harmonica player Billy Branch who plays on the Blind Lemon Jefferson song Nell (Prison Cell Blues), Grammy award-winning and IBMAs 10-time Fiddle Player of the Year Michael Cleveland plays on Freeborn Man and Colton Crawford from The Dead South plays banjo on The Good Die Young
📍 Breath + Oneness
🕒 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM · $2600
⚡ Ceremony of Sound ⚡ Breath+Oneness’ 100-hour Sound Healing Certification Course Get Certified in 4 weekends over 4 months ✨ Designed for beginner and intermediate musicians, healers, yoga teachers, therapists, and anyone who wants to use resonance and vibration in their offerings, ceremonies, and classes. ♢ Add to your current career or start a new one as you share your gift of sound healing with the world ♢ Become who you are meant to be! Follow your purpose, passion, and artistic expression into the embrace of sound healing 🎵🎵🎵 _____________________________ 📅 Fall Session 2026 | 4 Weekends over 4 Months All days are 8:30am-5:30pm 9/4-9/6 10/3-10/4 11/7-11/8 12/4-12/6 🙌 EARLY BIRD pricing! Register by May 31st to save $250 on tuition. 😍 In order to provide each participant with personal feedback and to cultivate deep and meaningful relationships with our cohort, we keep the group size limited. Register early for early bird pricing and to reserve your spot! Staff teachers: Lead Teacher: Dallas McKenzie Co-Lead Teacher: Adron Beene Support Teachers: Alex Harrison, Sam David, and Carrie Arlah Burr _____________________________ This course is for you if you want to: - Initiate or expand your relationship with music, sound, resonance, and vibration - Deepen your ability to heal and offer healing to others - Play many different instruments (including renowned brands Meinl Sonic Energy and Crystal Tones crystal singing bowls) and develop further with the ones you resonate with most - Set and hold ceremonial space through prayer, intention, and sound - Take people on journeys, sound baths, potent yoga classes, and more - Explore vibrational healing instruments such as Crystal Tones crystal bowls, your voice, drums, flute, digeridoo, chimes, gong, and much more - Deepen and expand your self-expression and artistry - Connect with an intimate group of no more than 15 students along with your mentors and teachers for ample individualized attention and personal practice _____
📍 Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
🕒 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM · See listing
Make the MAH your first stop this weekend with FREE First Friday. Explore all three floors of the museum and see our latest exhibitions, check out our giftshop, and hangout among art and history! Then stay into the night dancing to live music out in Abbott Square. First Friday hours are 12-8pm. See you then!
📍 Nicely Gallery
🕒 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM · See listing
Celebrating the life of Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir, the latest members of the Grateful Dead to have passed. “The Days Between” as it has been deemed – are literally the days between Jerry’s birth and death date. We have 1/2 the gallery with Rock n Roll Photography by Jay Blakesberg: see resident artist @ NicelySC.com We will be hosting a private special event, slide show with stories and more from Jay and special guests. Will announce the ticketed event asap. Come on down and shake your bones while enjoying company and wonderful memories of “The Boys”. We will have something special ALL “The Days Between” in the gallery; 1/2 LOADED with Rock n Roll Photography and 15 other local artists. Memorabilia and Memorial Gathering GATEFUL FOREVER.
📍 Nicely Gallery: Decor + Design
🕒 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM · See listing
Celebrating the life of Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir, the latest members of the Grateful Dead to have passed. Between the Dark and the Light- is a very personal slideshow as a 90 min. retrospective of Grateful Dead Rock n Roll Photography by Jay Blakesberg @Nicely.SantaCruz. 7:30-9 pm. (must have a ticket) We will be hosting a private event, slide show with stories and more from Jay and special guests via Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jay-blakesberg-between-the-dark-and-the-light-nicely-gallery-tickets-1995021735716?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true Come on down and shake your bones while enjoying company and wonderful memories of “The Boys”. We will have something special ALL “The Days Between” in the gallery; 1/2 LOADED with Rock n Roll Photography and 15 other local artists. Memorabilia and Memorial Gathering GATEFUL FOREVER.
📍 Offshore Sounds
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Offshore Sounds First Friday in Santa Cruz. Late hours at the record shop with local vinyl DJs and new arrivals.
📍 Kissed By an Angel Wines
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · FREE
Enjoy live music from location musicians every Friday and Saturday. Venue is 21+ with wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options.
📍 Cat Alley Street
🕒 6:00 PM – 1:30 AM · FREE
Every first and third Fridays at Cat Alley Street, our beat conductors take you on a high-style ride showcasing underground street sounds- Brought to you by Subterrestrials Records. Doors and Bar open at 6pm, Music at 9pm. No Cover, 21+
📍 Madson Wine
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Rebecca Coupe Franks / Trumpet Nancy Heth / Vocals and Piano
📍 Watsonville
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · See listing
An outdoor music event held in the plaza, offering a chance to enjoy live performance in downtown Watsonville.
📍 Civic Auditorium
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
The gathering place for Alasdair Fraser's concerts, workshops and fiddle camps Biography http://www.alasdairfraser.com/ Description http://www.alasdairfraser.com/
📍 Felton Music Hall
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Purchase tickets here Show 8pm // 21+ ***This is a standing room general admissions show. There will be a limited number of chairs located in the back of the concert hall. Seating will be first come first served. Bar and food will be open at 5pm.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM · See listing
An evening of experimental music paired with video, offering a boundary-pushing audiovisual experience.
📍 The Crepe Place
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
(((folkYEAH))) presents Pink Breath of Heaven in Santa Cruz, offering an evening of indie and alternative rock in an intimate venue.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 9:00 PM · See listing
Moes Alley presents The Sam Chase & The Untraditional with special guests Thanks Buddy! Friday, September 4, 2026Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm$20 in advance / $25 day of the show21+* No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====THE SAM CHASE & THE UNTRADITIONALThe Sam Chase & The Untraditional hails from San Francisco, California. This juggernaut of a band blends rock n roll with folk music while maintaining the sensibilities and attitudes that come from growing up on a healthy diet of punk rock. The leader of the band is The Sam Chase himself, a natural storyteller with a voice that sounds as if it has weathered many an epic tale. With boot stomping orchestration and lyrics that have been immortalized on the tattooed skin of their fans, The Sam Chase t mess around. These are the warriors we need in these troubled times.THANKS BUDDYThanks Buddy are friends playing for the love of it. Rock-n-roll sprinkled with Americana, Punk and Folk. Established in Santa Cruz, California in 2013
📍 The Catalyst
🕒 9:00 PM · $34
Singer Honus Honus (born with the comparatively conventional name Ryan Kattner) fronts Man Man, a deeply experimental rock project that features multiple musicians playing a wide array of instruments. The band debuted with 2004’s The Man in a Blue Turban with a Face. Songs like “10lb Moustache” defy easy categorization but feature elements of cabaret and music hall. Subsequent releases were no more mainstream, showcasing Honus’ distinctive and idiosyncratic approach to music. The group’s latest release is a skewed take on country-folk, “So it Goes,” a collaboration with Fingers & the Outlaws (who are, fitting enough, actually Man Man). -Bill Kopp; Good Times Santa Cruz
📍 Santa Cruz Zen Center
🕒 8:30 AM – 9:10 AM · FREE
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
📍 Westside Locations
🕒 8:39 AM – 8:39 AM · FREE
Beati Quorum, a new and growing Ensemble, is seeking new local members. Beati Quorum is a small, hybrid professional / volunteer ensemble based in Santa Cruz. We focus on a cappella singing, Renaissance through contemporary works, and collaborations with artists from our local network to international groups. Visit www.beatiquorum.org to set up an audition today.
📍 Nicholson Vineyards
🕒 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM · $25
Enjoy summer weekend afternoons at the beautiful Nicholson Vineyards! Saturdays from noon to 5pm – Enjoy perusing art from local artists Sundays from 1pm to 4pm – Enjoy listening to local musicians Pack a picnic spread, gather your friends and family, and sip on their refreshing summer wine flight, featuring the best of our warm-weather selections. Book your reservation today! July 11 & 12: The Clay Chalet and music by Dos Bros July 18 & 19: Indigo and Vine and music by Jo Coleman July 25 & 26: Sour Sammy Sourdough and music by Six String Mixtape August 1 & 2: Scout and Sea and music by Half Pass August 8 & 9: Lili Arnold Studios and music by Eden Edell August 15 & 16: Desert Moon Design and music by Kip Allert August 22 & 23: Papelline Jewelry and music by Zach Bailey August 29 & 30: Anna Gail Designs and music by Jeff Smith September 5 & 6: All You Knead and music by Cake Party!
📍 Roberts Ranch Vineyards
🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM · $12.51
Acoustic musical guests make for a lively accompaniment to the afternoon! Enjoy a tasting of 5 of the current Roberts Ranch wines complete with abundant charcuterie boards! Meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits, chocolate and even warm appetizers make appearances at this lovely and casual tasting experience. (See Seltzer & Charcuterie option for those not partaking in the wine tasting.) Your tasting begins at the crush pad where you will sign in and get your first pour and plate of charcuterie. From there you are welcome to find a comfortable spot to enjoy the views. Pace your tasting and food experience according to your preference. Enjoy a flavorful and relaxing afternoon! Attended children and well-behaved pups are welcome to join. Please sign up for a child’s ticket so they can be prepared with snacks and drinks for the kids.
📍 Sub Rosa
🕒 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing
Bottomlined by chris
📍 Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant and Inn
🕒 6:00 PM · See listing
Saturday, 6:00 PM
📍 Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing
This ensemble of mostly Bay Area/Marin musicians played what was supposed to be a “two-off” Sly & The Family Stone tribute this past March at Hopmonk Novato and Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz. Magic happened during those two shows, and everyone agreed, just with facial expressions and body language, that we must keep this going and do more shows. Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz, Vicki Randle, Ray White, Mookie Siegel, Ezra Lipp, Steve Adams, Marcus Stephens and Brendan Liu were the perfect ensemble to interpret Sly’s music those two fantastic evenings. Vocals, instrumentation, passion and spirit all turned up to 11. For the September ’26 shows, we are thrilled to announce that Natalie Cressman will be joining the ensemble on trombone and vocals. She’s a tenured member of the Trey Anastasio Band among other incredible projects. This project is FUN and it fully delivered in March. That was just a warmup! These Sept shows will be talked about and cherished for a very long time! Tickets: Booking powered by FareHarbor fareharbor.com
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Moe's Alley presents reggae legend Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown Band! Saturday, September 5, 2026 Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm $30 in advance / $35 day of the show 21+ * All sales are final * Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com * Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event * Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event ==== CLINTON FEARON Born in Jamaica, Clinton became the bassist, vocalist and lyricist of the mythic Gladiators at the age of 19. He spent 18 years with the band and signed several songs for The Gladiators, hits and classics like Chatty Chatty Mouth, Richman Poorman, On The Other Side, Can You Imagine How I Feel, Let Jah Be Praised, One Love, Untrue Girl, and more. Clinton Fearon was also a session musician for different studios in Jamaica, including with producers Coxsone Dodd at Studio One and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s at Black Ark, but also at Channel One, Aquarius, Harry J, Randy’s, etc. In these studios, Clinton Fearon composed some everlasting bass lines for well-known artists like Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo, Junior Byles and many others. After leaving Jamaica in 1987, Clinton Fearon started a new career in Seattle. Him and some of the musicians of The Gladiators took advantage of the extra time remaining on their visa, at the end of the US tour, to start a band in the Northwest: The Defenders. The band built a nice following in the area until they split after five years. And finally Clinton Fearon formed his own band in the mid 90s with local musicians in Seattle: Clinton Fearon and The Boogie Brown Band. Since 2019, Clinton Fearon also teamed up with The Riddim Source for his live performances in Europe and for his most recent albums, including “Jah Is Love” released June 2026
📍 Santa Cruz Actors' Theatre
🕒 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM · $35
Join us as we return to the Actor's Theatre of Santa Cruz for an unforgettable night of LIVE flamenco!
📍 Felton Music Hall
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Purchase tickets here Show 8pm // 21+ ***This is a standing room general admissions show. There will be a limited number of chairs located in the back of the concert hall. Seating will be first come first served. Bar and food will be open at 5pm.
📍 Rio Theatre
🕒 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM · $77.06
After fronting the Sex Pistols, John Lydon formed post-punk originators Public Image Ltd (PiL). Widely regarded as one of the most innovative bands of all time, their music and vision earned them 5 UK Top 20 Singles and 5 UK Top 20 Albums. With a shifting line-up and unique sound – fusing rock, dance, folk, pop and dub – Lydon guided the band from their debut album ‘First Issue’ in 1978 through to 1992’s ‘That What Is Not’, before a 17 year hiatus. Lydon reactivated PiL in 2009, touring extensively and releasing three critically acclaimed albums ‘This is PiL’ in 2012 followed by ‘What The World Needs Now…’ in 2015 and ‘End of World’ in 2023. Head to the Rio to see PiL continue to challenge and thrive.
📍 Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
🕒 8:00 PM · $77.06
Public Image Ltd join us for one night at Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz.
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 8:00 PM · $8
A performance from Locomotive Breath.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Clinton Fearon est un compositeur, auteur-compositeur, chanteur et musicien depuis son adolescence. Né en Jamaïque, Clinton est devenu le bassiste, chanteur et parolier des mythiques Gladiators à l’âge de 19 ans. Il a passé 18 ans avec le groupe et a signé plusieurs chansons avec cette formation, des succès et des classiques comme « Chatty Chatty Mouth », « Richman Poorman », « On The Other Side », « Can You Imagine How I Feel », « Let Jah Be Praised », « One Love », « Untrue Girl », et bien d’autres. Clinton Fearon a également été musicien pour différents studios en Jamaïque, notamment avec les producteurs Coxsone Dodd au Studio One et Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s au Black Ark, mais aussi au Chanel One, Aquarius, Harry J, Randy’s, etc. Dans ces studios, ce monument du reggae a composé des lignes de basse éternelles pour des artistes connus comme Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo, Junior Byles... Après avoir quitté la Jamaïque en 1987, Clinton Fearon a commencé une nouvelle carrière à Seattle. Lui et certains des musiciens des Gladiators ont profité d'une tournée américaine pour monter un nouveau groupe dans le Nord-Ouest : The Defenders. Le groupe s’est construit un bon public dans la région jusqu’à ce qu’il se sépare après cinq ans. Clinton Fearon forme ensuite son propre backing-band au milieu des années 90 avec des musiciens locaux à Seattle : Clinton Fearon & the Boogie Brown Band. Pour ses tournées en Europe, il s'associe à un autre backing-band, The Riddim Source, depuis 2019. Le courant est immédiatement passé, tant et si bien qu'ils ont enregistré ensemble, en France, ses albums suivants. Au total, Clinton Fearon a enregistré quinze albums sous son propre nom et il parcourt le monde avec ce répertoire impressionnant. Il se produit dans les grands festivals de tous les continents, et régulièrement aux Etats-Unis (Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Reggae On The River, National Folk Festival, Festival International de Louisiane, Houston International Festival, Salm
📍 SubRosa Community Space, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
🕒 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM · See listing
Clawhammer Banjo Beginner Workshop - Sunday, September 6th / 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. with Critter K. ([email protected] & @gayeldestdaughter on Instagram) Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA Description: Have you recently started learning clawhammer banjo, or are you looking to begin your banjo journey? Join us for a group workshop as we focus on clawhammer technique and learn a beginner-level banjo tune together! Please bring your own banjo. Materials: a banjo Community care note: the group will be held outside, but masking is still encouraged.
📍 Westside Locations
🕒 12:12 PM – 12:12 PM · FREE
Beati Quorum, a new and growing Ensemble, is seeking new local members. Beati Quorum is a small, hybrid professional / volunteer ensemble based in Santa Cruz. We focus on a cappella singing, Renaissance through contemporary works, and collaborations with artists from our local network to international groups. Visit www.beatiquorum.org to set up an audition today.
📍 Nicholson Vineyards
🕒 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM · $25
Enjoy summer weekend afternoons at the beautiful Nicholson Vineyards! Saturdays from noon to 5pm – Enjoy perusing art from local artists Sundays from 1pm to 4pm – Enjoy listening to local musicians Pack a picnic spread, gather your friends and family, and sip on their refreshing summer wine flight, featuring the best of our warm-weather selections. Book your reservation today! July 11 & 12: The Clay Chalet and music by Dos Bros July 18 & 19: Indigo and Vine and music by Jo Coleman July 25 & 26: Sour Sammy Sourdough and music by Six String Mixtape August 1 & 2: Scout and Sea and music by Half Pass August 8 & 9: Lili Arnold Studios and music by Eden Edell August 15 & 16: Desert Moon Design and music by Kip Allert August 22 & 23: Papelline Jewelry and music by Zach Bailey August 29 & 30: Anna Gail Designs and music by Jeff Smith September 5 & 6: All You Knead and music by Cake Party!
📍 Fast Eddy's Billiards Dart Room
🕒 3:00 PM · FREE
Sing your heart out! We will start at 3pm....ends when the cops show up or when I throw in the towel....No way you can be too late to get into the rotation.....We use Karafun, so the artists who own the songs get paid ROYALTIES via BMI or ASCAP. Venmo & TIP JAR FOR THE KJ. Beer and Wine , Bar Food Menu. Plenty of free parking.
📍 Moe's Alley
🕒 4:00 PM · See listing
The great blues legend Tommy Castro s! Sunday, September 6, 2026Doors: 3pm / Show: 4pm$30 in advance / $35 day of the show21+* No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERSMultiple award-winning guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader Tommy Castro is a California-based blues and rock powerhouse. For over four decades, hes captivated audiences with his soul-drenched vocals, searing guitar work, and high-energy live shows. As frontman of the telepathically tight and wildly raucous Tommy Castro s released 17 albums that span a wide stylistic rangefrom horn-driven R&B and hot-blooded soul to gritty, stripped-down rock and electric blues.With his latest and eighth Alligator Records release, Closer To The Bone, Castro returns to his roots, delivering what he calls a real blues record, the way they would have made them back in the day. Produced by guitar master Christoffer Kid Andersen at San Joses Greaseland Studio, the album is Castros rawest and most direct blues effort to date.The album features standout originals like Aint Worth The Heartache, Cant Catch A Break, and Crazy Woman Blues, alongside deep-cut covers of songs by Castros friends and influencesJohnny Nitro, Magic Slim, Ron Thompson, Chris Cain, and more. Guest appearances include Rick Estrin, Billy Branch, Deanna Bogart, Chris Cain, Jim Pugh, and gospel harmonies from The Sons Of The Soul Revivers
📍 Chaminade Resort & Spa
🕒 5:00 PM · See listing
Sunday, 5:00 PM
📍 Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
🕒 8:00 PM · See listing
Stephen Malkmus, known for Pavement and his solo work, performs at the historic Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz.
📍 Ugly Mug CoffeeHouse, 4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073, United States
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
It's Monday Open Mic at the Ugly Mug! Sign ups at 5p Beer, Espresso Drinks and Desserts available
📍 VFW Post 7263
🕒 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · FREE
🎸 Blues Jam Night! 🎶 Great Music by Amazing Musicians — You Don’t Want to Miss This! Every 1st Monday of the Month No Cover Charge | Fully Stocked Bar | Open Mic Bring your instrument, your voice, or just come enjoy the vibes! 🍗 Southern Fried Chicken & Fish Dinners — starting at $20 (Cash Only) 🍽️ Served from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 💙 Donations Appreciated — Proceeds benefit the VFW Relief Program
📍 The Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Monday Night Revels: Petty Theft: San Francisco Tribute to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Rock out to the timeless music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as the celebrated Bay Area tribute band Petty Theft delivers a high-energy live performance. One Night Only: September 7 @ 7PM Santa Cruz Shakespeare's Monday Night Revels are special, eclectic performances held on Monday nights—traditionally a "dark" night with no mainstage plays—at the Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park. These events feature diverse entertainment, including comedy, music, and cabaret-style shows, offering a lively, intimate alternative to the main repertory season.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM · See listing
Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 6:45 PM – 9:00 PM · See listing
A recurring dance class in Santa Cruz. Check with the venue for specific style and level.
📍 Callahan's
🕒 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM · FREE
Free live music every Tuesday night with the Del Mar Trio at Callahan's in Santa Cruz.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM · FREE
Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PD® program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinson’s teachers use prompts and multiple dance styles to inspire movement, creative expression, and community. Dancers may sit in a chair, use a barre, or stand. Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinson’s, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinson’s is offered every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:15pm, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month, during which class is not held. Classes are offered in-person, in the Lobby at The 418 Project.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM · See listing
A weekly beginning hip hop house dance class. Participants will learn foundational movements, rhythms, and combinations in a structured, studio setting.
📍 Crow’s Nest
🕒 7:00 PM · $3
Funk and soul grooves fill the Crow's Nest for a Wednesday night show with Matt Masih, offering a lively soundtrack for a casual evening out by the water.
📍 The Catalyst
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
Much Love To You And Yours 🌞