Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery August 13-September 19, 2026 Opening celebration and Artist Talk Saturday, August 15, 2-4:30 p.m Light refreshments will be served. Summer Gallery Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 1-5pm ReView: UC Santa Cruz Arts Alumni Exhibition features Arts Division alumni from the Monterey and San Francisco Bay Areas. Curated by Valéria Miranda, the Sesnon’s Director, ReView includes a wide variety of media and techniques highlighting the diversity of contemporary practice of alumni who graduated from 1972 to 2025. The exhibition title alludes to the portfolio critique process and suggests ideas of reflection and reevaluation—whether revisiting past work, rethinking materials, or tracing how a practice evolves over time. This exhibition celebrates the creative path of artists who began their journeys at UC Santa Cruz. United by shared roots yet defined by distinct paths, the participating alumni reflect the lasting influence of the Arts Division programs. Their works speak to the spirit of inquiry, experimentation, and perseverance that has long shaped the university’s artistic community. ReView presents an opportunity for the campus and larger community to see the professional practice of these artists who continue to build on the creative foundation that they received at UCSC and to inspire our current students, offering visualization of their own future artistic journeys after graduation. ReView offers a unique opportunity for returning alumni to celebrate their creative expressions while reconnecting with classmates and the university community. Admission is free and open to the public. More Information
From the waves to the redwoods, it's all happening here.
Live music, festivals, art walks, surf contests, trail days and everything in between.
In-person only, on purpose. Everything here is something you can actually show up to. No screens, no streams.
★ Featured this season
★ Featured
Naturalist Night: Plankton 101
Did you know that every other breath we take comes from phytoplankton? Dive into the hidden world of plankton and discover the tiny organisms that form the foundation of Monterey Bay’s rich marine ecosystem. Join marine scientist and educator Jane Silberstein for an engaging introduction to phytoplankton, zooplankton, and the remarkable roles they play in supporting ocean life. After the talk, you’ll have the opportunity to observe live plankton under a microscope and get an up-close look at these incredible microscopic organisms. Whether you’re a curious beachgoer, an aspiring naturalist, or simply fascinated by the ocean, this lecture will leave you with a new appreciation for the life drifting just beneath the surface. These amazing organisms form the base of the marine food web, produce much of the oxygen we breathe, influence the color of the ocean, and support countless species throughout Monterey Bay and beyond. REGISTER HERE Location: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Ticket Price: $12 Discounts: $5 member discount About the Speaker : Jane Silberstein brings more than 40 years of experience studying and teaching about the marine life of Monterey Bay. She earned her undergraduate degree in science with an emphasis in marine science from UC Santa Cruz and her graduate degree in Invertebrate Marine Ecology from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. During her 33 years at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Jane worked on all three plankton guide stations, sharing the fascinating world of plankton with visitors from around the globe. She has also taught plankton through Cabrillo College’s Pacific Plankton Program for nearly six years, inspiring students to explore the remarkable microscopic organisms that support life in the ocean. Jane is passionate about making the microscopic world accessible to audiences of all ages and helping others discover the incredible diversity of life drifting just beneath the surface. Accessibility and Logistics : This program will take place
★ Featured
Steve Hawk
Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes Steve Hawk, the longest serving editor of Surfer (1991-1998), who will share his thrilling new novel Nearshore , a mix of literary suspense and coastal noir which follows an unlikely trio on the California coast who investigate a nuclear terrorist act. Hawk will be in conversation with Charles Duhigg at this event.
Open Mic w/ SteveV, every Monday
It's Monday Open Mic at the Ugly Mug! Sign ups at 5p Beer, Espresso Drinks and Desserts available
Coming up
Abbott Square: Comedy Night
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
☀️ Happening today
Monday, August 1028 events on today. No plans required, just go.
What's happening
Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.
124 upcoming events · from 2026-08-15 · to 2026-08-16
Scotts Valley Farmers' Market
Every Saturday from late spring through fall, a circle of regional farms, local food businesses and makers set up their stands in Scotts Valley — 9 to 1, sun on the redwoods. It's been running since 2009 alongside the City of Scotts Valley, and it's grown into the kind of seasonal ritual you plan your weekend around. Come for the shopping, stay for the slowing down. The market doubles as a resource for nutritious food and agricultural education, and a gathering place for families, friends and neighbors — whether you're a weekly regular or just passing through the mountain town for the morning. Find it all amid the stalls: organic vegetables, fruits and herbs; pasture-raised chicken and duck eggs; flowers, artisanal meats, fresh bread and seafood; pastries; and ready-to-eat plates you can dig into right there with the music going.
Saturday mornings at Cabrillo College in Aptos, 8 to noon. A certified farmers' market with the week's fresh produce and plenty of free parking. Show up early and shop the good stuff first.
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
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.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’s show-quality dahlia beds for intimate, unhurried cutting experiences where you and your friends have the field to yourselves. No crowds. No rushing. Just you, your people, and a thousand flowers. Companion passes are available for guests who want to join the fun, explore the farm, and take in the beauty without cutting flowers. Friendly chickens roam the property, there are swings for little ones.
Celebrate Bookstore Romance Day at Bookshop Santa Cruz: Camp Daydream is in session! Join us this Bookstore Romance Day for a day full of camp-inspired activities! Bunk-up with fellow romance...
Join Save Our Shores for a beach cleanup at Cowell & Main Beach! Registration is required, click here to register. Meet Up Location: Please meet us at the base of the stairs to Cowell Beach, on the right side of the wharf entrance. Facilities & Accessibility: Restrooms and drinking fountains are available onsite. Metered parking in the lot is limited, surrounding streets have additional metered parking available, please plan accordingly. How to Prepare: All volunteers must register to participate, register here. We recommend that all volunteers wear closed-toed shoes, dress in layers, wear sun protection, and bring a filled reusable water bottle. Save Our Shores encourages volunteers to avoid single-use plastics at our cleanups. All cleanup materials are provided, including buckets, grabbers, and gloves. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own. You can download the Save Our Shores Marine Tally App (Apple, Google) in advance of the cleanup and use it to record the debris you collect, or you can use the paper data cards that we will provide at the event. Every participant must complete a volunteer waiver. We will have waivers available at the event, however, participants are encouraged to complete this paperwork in advance to save time and bring it with you on the day of the event. Anyone under the age of 18 will require a parent or guardian’s signature on this document. Volunteers under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult (guardian) for the duration of the event. If you have additional questions, please check our FAQ page. This event is in partnership with:
This event is all about personal health and conscious economics. We're offering a full day event where attendees can sample movement classes, place-based workshops and more, from a dozen local small businesses. Our goal? To give you an affordable opportunity to discover as many local healing outlets as possible and promote those dedicating their lives to helping others. NOTE: Though we call ourselves a "festival", this will be a more intimate event, taking place at a private redwood estate in Scotts Valley with a maximum of 100 guests. We hope you'll take the time to connect with others, especially any practitioner who amazed you. Catered lunch from Julia's Vegetarian Restaurant + live music is included in the ticket
Come enjoy picking your own organic strawberries and/or flowers at the campus farm! When: U-picks will take place on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm, July 11–August 22, or while supplies last. PLEASE NOTE that u-pick will not occur on Saturday, July 4. Where: Free parking will be available in the Hay Barn lot or lot 115/116 during u-pick hours. Please do not park in the dirt lot at the farm’s back gate. Please walk to the check-in table near the strawberries/flowers at the farm to pre-pay and collect your u-pick container(s). We will have directional signage displayed. There is one ADA parking spot on the farm. The UCSC Farm has uneven, hilly terrain. If you require accommodations to fully participate, please email [email protected] and we will do our best to accommodate. Cost: UCSC students with valid ID get 25% off produce. Strawberry pints – $4 each Strawberry flats (12 pints) – $44 Flowers – $25 for 32oz deli container Flower buckets – $75 Payment: Credit card payments only (you will need a smartphone to scan a QR code and enter your card info manually). Dogs are not allowed on the UC Santa Cruz campus (service animals are OK).
Classic cars and coffee every Saturday morning, in East Lake Village Shopping Center. It doesn't get much better. Come walk around the expansive parking lot, look at some beautifully restored cars, drink delicious coffee, and visit with your community. Stay awhile and enjoy one of the many great eateries in the shopping center!
Saturday mornings at Hwy 1 and Western Drive, year-round. Fifteen-plus years on the Westside, with 100% certified organic produce, pasture-raised meats, sustainable seafood, flowers, and eggs, plus cook-to-order meals, live local music, and espresso from Syllable. On the edge of the greenbelt, minutes from Natural Bridges and Wilder Ranch, a bike ride from Downtown. Free parking, easy to reach.
This is a mixed-level ballet class for adult ballet dancers with Elizebeth Randall Rains.
Santa Cruz Schnauzer Meet Up Saturday, August 15th at Ocean View Dog Park. Bring your schnauzer, or schnauzer mix, or terrier. All sizes are welcome. This event starts at 9:30 am. We will take a group photo at 10:30, and disperse soon after. Meet at the off leash area. Please keep your pet on leash until you find us. Come for the socialization. Stay for the fun.
-Elle
Wellness Day at Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival
TherapyWorks, in collaboration with the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce, is excited to announce the first-ever Wellness Day at this year’s Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival! As the host of Wellness Day, TherapyWorks is honored to help create a dedicated space highlighting local health, wellness, prevention, education, and community care providers. This new festival experience is designed to bring meaningful visibility to the many organizations, practitioners, and businesses supporting the well-being of individuals and families throughout Scotts Valley and the greater Santa Cruz County community. Although Wellness Day is a brand-new addition to the festival for 2026, the vision for creating a dedicated health and wellness experience has been in the works for years. We are so excited to finally bring this idea to life. Interested in applying to be a Wellness Vendor? To reserve your vendor space, please complete the registration form and submit your payment below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjcET4ItwBlluPZRk8-IgUym6a53UXyxPZ81jna8e7J0S0cA/viewform?usp=send_form
We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s Garden Learning Center and Pilkington Creek.
Scotts Valley Art, Wine, and Beer Festival is back in the beautiful park setting of Skypark in Scotts Valley. This premier summer festival in the Santa Cruz Mountains has something fun for everyone! The fun includes over 100 artists, live music, kid zone, food trucks, Cops Car Show on Saturday, Dog Day on Sunday, beer, wine, and more! Don’t miss this summer favorite with free admission in Scotts Valley! Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Basket Weaving Workshop
During this program, you will be introduced to a craft used by indigenous peoples around the world: coiled basketry. CA basketry is some of the most ornate in the world, and this opportunity will pique your interest in learning more about, and supporting traditional arts. This 2-hour workshop will teach you how to weave your very own basket out of local Ponderosa Pine needles! Not recommended for children under the age of 12. All materials are supplied, and no previous experience is necessary. The class size is limited to 15. Please click the orange button above to register ahead. Although this event is free, it costs $10 to park in a state park. Hold on to your receipt! Once you pay to park at one state park for the day, it is good for all of the state parks! There are 14 state parks in Santa Cruz County alone!
Rancho del Oso: Guided Hike- Marsh Trail/Hoover Loop Trail
Join us on a 0.5-1.5 mile tour based on group preference. Trails available are the Marsh Trail, the Hoover Loop Trail, or both. Our Nature and History Center will be open to explore immediately after the walk. Register Here
Balance Your Nervous System with Breema - Bodywork & Self-Care Exercises
With so many things requiring our attention each day, it can be difficult to find balance. This can lead to nervous system dysfunction, indicated by fatigue, overwhelm, anxiety, insomnia, and even illness. Breema Bodywork, Self-Breema Exercises, and the Nine Principles of Harmony offer practical tools to balance your nervous system, and bring more presence and vitality into your life. In this workshop you will learn: —Simple partner Breema bodywork exercises that are as nurturing to give as to receive —Self-Breema exercises that can be practiced throughout the day to harmonize and balance your mind, body, and feelings —Breema’s Nine Prinicples of Harmony that support you to discover a new energy, clarity, and enthusiasm for life! This workshop is ideal for those new to Breema’s transformational perspective on ways to live simply and meaningfully, as well as those with prior experience! Each workshop offers new material that will support you to have a more balanced, harmonious, and grounded perspective on life. Please be comfortable sitting, moving, and working on a well padded floor. $50 if paid by August 5 (use coupon code EARLYBIRD), $60 thereafter. For more information please contact the Breema Center: 510-428-0937 or [email protected] Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up. Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Denise Berezonsky and Dena Ehrlich
A fun and easy-to-learn way of drawing structured patterns to create beautiful images. The Zentangle Method makes drawing patterns, or tangles, accessible to almost anyone of all ages since tangles are created from basic pen strokes. If you can write your name, you can create art with Zentangle. As you draw tangles you will likely experience increased focus, calm, creativity and well-being. For those of you who attended the Introductory Zentangle class on February 20, this class will also introduce Zentangle and review the Zentangle Method. However, we will be doing variations of previously taught tangles and/or new tangles, so you will create a completely different Zentangle tile than before. Meets the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.Facilitated by Cynthia Balthaser.
Seymour Center’s Art in the Aquarium
Dive into your creative side and make a splash with us! 🎨🌊 Bring the whole family and unleash your inner artist while surrounded by fascinating ocean life. Whether you’re a budding painter or just looking for a fun weekend activity, you’ll leave with your very own sea-inspired masterpiece to take home! 🐠✨ Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a fun art project with a talented Seymour volunteer!
In this two-part short story workshop, writers will explore how to shape a story from an initial idea into a more focused, compelling draft. Register here: https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16763798 We’ll look at what makes a story feel alive on the page, with an emphasis on helping each writer better understand what their story is really about. Participants will have the opportunity to share their work, receive constructive feedback, and discuss practical strategies for strengthening a draft. The workshop is designed to be supportive, thoughtful, and generative, whether you are starting a new story, revising an existing one, or trying to figure out where a piece wants to go next. Writers of all experience levels are welcome. The goal is not to leave with a perfect story, but to leave with a clearer sense of direction, stronger tools for revision, and renewed confidence in the work. Devin Shoop is an MFA candidate and a published author. Photo credit: Aaron Burden.
Finding Shape, Color & Composition in Everyday Materials Collage begins with learning to see. In this introductory, hands-on workshop, participants will explore the elements of design and principles of composition using found papers, photographs, maps, botanical imagery, magazines, and printed ephemera. Through demonstrations and guided exercises, you'll learn how framing, cropping, layering, repetition, and thoughtful composition can transform ordinary materials into dynamic works of art. We'll explore visual concepts, including the Rule of Thirds, the Fibonacci Sequence (Golden Spiral), balance, rhythm, contrast, and focal point, as we create several collage studies and one finished piece. Participants will mat and frame one completed collage to take home, ready to display. Techniques Explored ● Elements of design: shape, line, color, texture, pattern, and negative space ● Framing and cropping to discover strong compositions ● Layering, repetition, and abstraction using found papers and photographs ● Creating balance, rhythm, movement, and focal points ● Editing and refining compositions through scale, contrast, and placement Materials A wide selection of found papers, magazines, photographs, vintage ephemera, maps, botanical imagery, and collage tools will be provided. Participants are also encouraged to bring personal photographs, paper scraps, or printed materials they'd like to incorporate into their work. About Gina Gina Gaiser is an Oakland-based artist working in photography, collage, and digital media. Her work begins with photographs of the built environment and the natural world, where she is drawn to overlooked patterns, textures, and structures. She cuts apart and reassembles these images into layered compositions that explore repetition, abstraction, and transformation. She earned a BA in Studio Art from the University of California, Santa Cruz, studied printmaking and art history at Il Bisonte in Florence, Italy, and received an MFA in Digital Media,
Everyone will have a blast at this end-of-summer celebration – take the whole family, including your dog! Enjoy local craft beer, wine, great food, ice cream, games, music and fun in the pool for adults, children and your dog too! Sign up for your dog’s swim time before the event.
Saturday, August 15 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm In partnership with the Volunteer Center Literacy Program
Saturday, August 15 2026 10:00am - 2:00pm Join us each Saturday morning for a relaxing time crafting with your neighbors.
Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Nature Walk
On this 2.5-mile, 2-hour family-friendly walk, you will explore the plants, animals, and geology of the Santa Cruz County coastal bluffs. Bring water, a hat, closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Pre-registration required at the link in the orange button above. Meet next to the park map in the main parking lot. Rain cancels. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
Go explore the harbor shops, restaurants and experiences with very little car traffic! Passengers may be picked up and dropped off at the following locations: X1 Gate (northeast harbor) AA Dock (southwest harbor) Launch Ramp (southeast harbor) Please visit the Port District’s website to view the map for all water taxi pick-up and drop-off locations in the harbor. Visitor parking is available for water taxi passengers in the north harbor near X Dock.
Staff offers a guided adobe tour centered on the experiences of Native communities in the Santa Cruz mission providing insight into daily life, cultural change, and the impacts of the mission system. Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the resilience and enduring presence of Indigenous people in the region. Reservation Link:
11th Annual Parks & Rex Dog Pool Party Fundraiser!
Join Santa Cruz County Parks Department and the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter for the 11th Annual Parks & Rex Dog Pool Party FUNdraiser at the Simpkins Family Swim Center! Everyone will have a blast at this end-of-summer celebration with great food, music, and fun in the pool for adults, children, and your dog, too! Get your ticket now and join in on the fun on Saturday, August 15th, 2026 from 11 AM to 4 PM! All proceeds will benefit County Parks youth programs and Animal Shelter programs. Plus, don't miss out on our amazing raffle with prizes worth up to $1,600! Learn more at bit.ly/parksandrexinfo Ticket information: Adults are $15 presale/ $20 day of and kids are $5 presale/ $10 day of. Dogs are free!Sign up for your presale tickets and tickets for dog swims all on Rec.us. One presale swim time per dog and a minimum of one handler to one dog is required. Additional human tickets are available as “Tickets Without Dogs”. Entry tickets are for the whole event, but your dog’s 20-minute swim window will be indicated on your ticket. You can check in with WoofPack day of for additional swim times, subject to availability
American Legion Gilroy Post 217 Veterans Potluck BBQ
All South Santa Clara County veterans are welcome to a potluck BBQ and social gathering sponsored by American Legion Gilroy Post 217. Location is the Mount Madonna County Park "Hilltop" picnic area. We will provide the fire, barbecue utensils, garlic bread, and ice. Bring something to BBQ and something to share (side dish), your favorite beverage, utensils, and if you have one, a folding chair. A BIG WELCOME TO ALL VETERANS - COME VISIT AND ENJOY!!! Learn about your local American Legion Gilroy Post 217 at: www.americanlegion217.org
Saturday, August 15 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm In this two-part short story workshop, writers will explore how to shape a story from an initial idea into a more focused, compelling draft.
The Saltwater Market - Vintage - Thrift - Upcycle Come by the Santa Cruz Harbor 2222 East Cliff Drive on Saturday August 15 from 12-4pm The market will feature local vintage resellers, clothing vendors, artists, and makers, transforming the Santa Cruz Harbor into an open-air shopping experience with a distinctly coastal vibe.
“Confluence”: where separate currents meet. This beautiful exhibition pairs the work of Santa Cruz artists Susana Arias and Glenn Carter, on view August 7 through September 13 at M.K. Contemporary Art Gallery. “Confluence” is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from “The Leftovers” at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Redwood Loop Tour
Coast Redwoods offer a 100% satisfaction guaran-treed! Every Saturday at 12:00pm, we are taking folks on a guided walk through the Redwood Grove to talk about coast redwoods and to experience the forest together. On this 1-mile stroll, we will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc. and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants. Click here to RSVP. Let's plan to meet in the front of the Visitor Center, we hope you can join us!
Spring Exhibitions at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences
Visit the IAS, UCSC’s premier art galleries, for our spring exhibitions. On view April 10–August 16, 2026 are three diverse and interdisciplinary shows: Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right , the first US solo exhibition by the Colombia-based artist and medical doctor; Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj , a site-specific and immersive exploration of the Haitian kreyol conception of rasanblaj; and Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies , a mixed-media exhibition emerging at the intersections of Black poetics, performance, and visual art. The IAS Galleries are open Wednesday-Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm. Admission is free to the public. Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right Libia Posada’s first solo exhibition in the United States features installations, sculptures, and drawings meticulously constructed from surgical instruments, gauze bandages, crutches, used books, and domestic picture frames. The new and existing works in the exhibition powerfully stitch together the personal, social, and political disorders and afflictions that currently trouble the world, from the wars that resonate across the globe to the violences of aging in US prisons. Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj: Origins & Disentanglements The internationally-lauded work of humanities professor Gina Athena Ulysse is on view as a premier Faculty Spotlight Exhibition. The site-specific installation, produced in community from things collected, found, purchased and donated, centers on the Haitian concept of rasanblaj, a form of assembly and collage that transcends the formal use of materials to draw together people, spirits, and ideas. Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies Collage is both a material practice and a structural interrogation in the Faculty Spotlight Exhibition artworks by literature professor Ronaldo V. Wilson. In video, painting, and installation, layers and folds conceal and reveal, delving into the experience, both bodily and emotive, of living in time
Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Redwood Grove Guided Walk
Experience an old-growth redwood forest filled with ancient trees over 200 ft. tall, and connect one on one with park staff. On this 1-mile stroll, you will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc., and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants. You don’t want to miss this! Meet at the visitor center. Although the event is free, the vehicle day-use fee is $10. Hold on to that receipt! Once you have paid for parking at one state park, you have paid for them all. There are 14 state parks in Santa Cruz County alone!
Are You Game? Lancelot's Merry Band of Gamers
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.
Wilder Ranch State Park - Ranch History Tour
Want to learn about the rich dairy history of Wilder Ranch State Park? Dreamt of peeking inside our beautiful Victorian homes and barns? Join us weekly on Saturdays and Sundays for a 1.5 hour long tour of the historic buildings of Wilder Ranch! Meet at the visitor's center at 1 pm. Pre-register here or join us on the day-of. This tour is free. Parking in Day-use lot is $10. Questions?Call (669)758-1963or email [email protected]
Re/View: Alumni Exhibition -- UC Santa Cruz
Opening celebration and Artist Talk on Saturday, August 15, 2-4:30pm. Light refreshments will be served. Re/View: Alumni Exhibition ReView: UCSC Arts Alumni Exhibition, on view August 13-September 19, 2026, features Arts Division alumni from the Monterey and San Francisco Bay Areas. Curated by Valéria Miranda, the Sesnon’s Director, includes a wide variety of media and technique highlighting the diversity of contemporary practice of alumni who graduated from 1972 to 2025. The exhibition title alludes to the portfolio critique process and suggests ideas of reflection and reevaluation—whether revisiting past work, rethinking materials, or tracing how a practice evolves over time. This exhibition celebrates the creative path of artists who began their journeys at UCSC. United by shared roots yet defined by distinct paths, the participating alumni reflect the lasting influence of the Arts Division programs. Their works speak to the spirit of inquiry, experimentation, and perseverance that has long shaped the university’s artistic community. ReView presents an opportunity for the campus and larger community to see the professional practice of these artists who continue to build on the creative foundation that they received at UCSC and to inspire our current students, offering visualization of their own future artistic journeys after graduation. ReView offers a unique opportunity for returning alumni to celebrate their creative expressions while reconnecting with classmates and the university community. Admission is free and open to the public. Summer Gallery Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 1-5pm
Saturday, August 15 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm Come join the magical world of D&D storytelling, where you can be a bard, a wizard, or a barbarian for a few hours and let your creativity run free.
Saturday, August 15 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm Play tabletop board games and have some fun!
Saturday, August 15 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm Scrapbooking group meets every third Saturday of the month.
Get ready to splash some color and ink as you create your own summer bouquet masterpiece with Heidi Michelle!
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!
A Special Science Saturday Series We're hatching something new this spring. Guest educators from 4-H Youth Development, University of California are taking over one Saturday a month for a six-session series exploring science through studying the incredible, edible egg. Kids will use microscopes, conduct buoyancy experiments, and yes ...even try walking on eggs. This UC-developed curriculum goes deeper than our usual Science Saturday format, with small group investigations and structured lessons that build on each other week to week. Great for homeschool families who want documented STEM learning, and for any curious kid who likes getting messy with science. Grades K–6. Registration Coming Soon! March 21 | April 18 | May 16 | June 20 | July 18 | August 15 About 4-H Youth Development, University of California 4-H is the nation's largest positive youth development organization, with an international presence reaching nearly 6 million young people. As the youth program of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H helps kids build life skills through hands-on projects in science, agriculture, leadership, and more.
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.
Macbeth, presented by Santa Cruz Shakespeare
Something wicked this way comes, indeed. Starting this weekend and running through August 30th, Santa Cruz Shakespeare presents one of The Bard’s most infamous plays, Macbeth. Coincidentally the play’s first ever performance is believed to have been in 1606 marking this as the 420th anniversary, which is very Santa Cruz. And for anyone familiar with Macbeth, it’s easy to see why it’s lasted throughout the ages. Witches, murder, moral failings and tons of tragedy are beautifully sewn throughout the acts, stitched together with lines such as “Blood will have blood,” and “the wine of life is drawn.” -Mat Weir; Good Times Santa Cruz
Nothing Like Normal A Local Author Talk With Martha Graham-Waldon
Nothing Like Normal is a tender coming of age story about growing up with an older sister who developed schizophrenia at the tender age of 15. The recently released 2nd edition continues the story with a tender epilogue as the author unites with her sister’s daughter, revealing how joy can arise even out of tragedy and pain. This book will resonate with anyone who has struggled with the pain of schizophrenia or a chronic illness in a loved one, while inspiring hope and healing as well. Presented in honor of August's National Wellness Month. Registration encouraged, walk-ins welcome. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16578258 Light refreshments will be provided.
Join us each third Saturday, April through August, for a series of heritage demonstrations.
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.
Saturday, August 15 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm Join the circle and write a poem in a creative, supportive environment. No experience necessary.
Through the hands-on exploration of a bustling beehive on Chaminade's grounds, you will learn about the intriguing world of honey bees in a way that very few get to experience. Your hive tour, led by Northern Roots Bee Co.’s professional beekeepers, will include suiting up in beekeeping attire and learning about the different roles and contributions that bees make in the colony. We’ll finish the experience with a honey tasting where participants delight in the nuanced flavors of varietal honeys. This experience is open to overnight resort guests and community members.
Meet the Author Martha Graham-Waldon, author of the memoir Nothing Like Normal—Surviving a Sibling’s Schizophrenia will be presenting the 2nd edition of her book at the Scotts Valley Library on Saturday, August 15 at 2pm. Nothing Like Normal is a tender coming of age story about growing up with an older sister who developed schizophrenia at the tender age of 15. The recently released 2nd edition continues the story with a tender epilogue as she unites with her sister’s daughter, revealing how joy can arise even out of tragedy and pain. This memoir is a powerful story of survival, resilience, and self-discovery. It speaks to anyone who has experienced the impact of mental illness within a family, offering validation, understanding, and ultimately hope.
Saturday, August 15 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm Nothing Like Normal is a tender coming of age story about growing up with an older sister who developed schizophrenia at the tender age of 15.
Queer Movie Club at TDC
Queer Movie Club Date: Every third Saturday of the month Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm Location: The Diversity Center Ages: 18+ Cost : Free! Join us for a movie matinee! We’ve got popcorn, snacks, and a big screen, and we’re ready for some fun and conversation. For more information, check the newsletter or call us at the Center at 831-524-5422.
Enjoy a pleasant evening on the farm at Monkeyflower Ranch. We invite you and your friends to come out for a tour of our sheep dairy farm and cheesemaking facility and then to enjoy a farm dinner on our garden patio. Farmer, cheesemaker and chef Rebecca King will be preparing a 4 course meal served family style. The dinner will feature our Garden Variety Cheese sheep cheeses and products; pork, lamb and eggs from our farm; and organic produce from nearby farms. Wine and Beer will be available for sale by the glass or BYOB ($10 corkage fee). Farm tour at 5pm. Dinner at 6pm. Please no dogs.
5:30-7:30pm Live music in the Beer Garden from local singer/songwriter & surfboard crafter, Ashley Lloyd + Special Guests - every 3rd Saturday!
A film screening of *Chac, The Rain God* at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz. A cinematic experience for film and spirituality enthusiasts.
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
A night of Improv comedy. 6 troupes, 16 performers . Buckets of fun all for your enjoyment.
The Musers (self)
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.
Late Night @ the MAH: Black Tie Roller Ball
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND Rollerskate/Dance Party Elegance on Wheels Break out your best attire and dancing skates for a one-of-a-kind, Late Night @ the MAH: rollerskating edition. Experience the Solari Gallery transformed into a skating rink for one night only. Vendors, performances and more to be announced. This event is 21+. All rollerskates must have toe stops or jam/skate plugs to be granted entry. We welcome inline skates/ rollerblades as well. Waivers will be required to sign upon entry. Drinks available for purchase and will be permitted outside galleries. Late Night @ the MAH is a series of after-hours happenings at the museum featuring music, performance, and film by an array of artists.
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
Pull up a bar stool for 3rd Saturday evenings in the Beer Garden with local singer/songwriter & surfboard shaper Ashley Lloyd + special guests!
In August 2026, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead will be playing at Actors’ Theatre in Santa Cruz. Written by the late Tom Stoppard, this classic midcentury masterpiece is one of his earliest plays but also likely his best known. Written as a comedy, the work shares substantially with Samuel Beckett’s absurdist style, particularly Waiting for Godot. Performances from August 13th to August 30th, 2026, running Thursday through Sunday. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two minor characters in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Stoppard crafts an ingenious backstory for these characters, which becomes an exploration of the meaning of life (or death), woven into Shakespeare’s greatest play. The two collegiate friends find themselves traveling to Elsinore, encountering a roving band of actors, a prince (maybe mad), pirates, and never manage to get a grip on anything - even which of them is which. Santa Cruz local talents Chris Salem (Cabaret with Renegade Theater) will be playing Rosencrantz, and Zed Warner (The Addams Family with Mountain Community Theater) will be playing Guildenstern. A host of other fantastic Santa Cruz talents will take on the remaining roles of Shakespeare’s Hamlet including Ward Willats, Ian Dyer, Andy Waddell, Jennifer Stanford, Kevin Karplus, Juno Aliah, Raven Voorhees, Nick Bilardello, Brad Roades, Tom Boyle and Benjamin Canant. Tickets will go on sale July 1st, for an admission fee of $40, $35 for students and seniors, Thursday tickets will be 2-for-1, and there are plans for rush tickets to be available an hour before curtain. Today, audiences can go to https://randg.live/ or follow on instagram @randg.sc for production updates, announcements, and ticket information.
Fridays & Saturdays 8pm-10pm through October. Opening weekend July 10-11! Experience the magic once again as this beloved art and light installation returns to the Santa Cruz Mountains for its second year. Lighted lanterns hang high overhead surrounded by thousand year old redwoods that are uplit to create a unique and awe-inspiring retreat back to nature.
Mountain Community Theater's New Works Weekend is a celebration of local storytelling through eight original ten-minute plays. This year's lineup spans comic farce, dark comedy, and supernatural romp, with writers tackling everything from a psychic radio show and the ghost of Mae West to an escaped memory care patient, a time-traveling surgeon, and Old King Cole's throne room. Featured readers include MCT veterans Naomi Bowers, Tiffany Cesarin, Shireen Doyle, and Hannah Eckstein. Each performance is followed by a talkback with the writers, directors, and readers, offering a rare window into the craft behind the curtain. Goes until Aug 16. -Shelly Novo; Good Times Santa Cruz
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.
Audrey Stanley Grove: Live Drama in the Redwoods
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.
Live music from Burnin Vernon at the Crow's Nest in Santa Cruz, a casual waterfront venue with an ocean view.
Penny & Sparrow at Felton Music Hall Saturday, August 15th 2026 21+ / 7pm Doors / 8pm Show Tickets: www.prekindle.com/promo/id/-2852527949150809829
The RIO Theatre Hosts a live concert performance featuring SNAIL on Saturday August 15th 2026. 8 PM. Doors open at 7:00 PM.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Star Walk Tour
Star Walks - Astronomy-based program where participants are guided up to the observation deck, where they will participate in activities and learn about the night sky. This involves a 1 mile round trip hike. Meet in the campfire center of the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park campground. RSVP for this hike here .
This nighttime experience will bring you a magical and immersive perspective on the ancient forest at Roaring Camp. During the 0.8-mile loop walk, you will view 26 unique, lighted lanterns, hung approximately 50 feet above the ground. The lanterns were crafted by local artists including Anna Bobisuthi, Roaring Camp’s resident blacksmith, and Chris Butler, who also created the lighting design for Sequoias at Night. Tickets are available at the link in the orange button above. Kids under two enter for free. Roaring Camp’s food services and gift shop will be open.
Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Guided Star Walk
Enjoy this astronomy-based guided hike where you will be guided up to the Observation Deck, perched on an ancient seabed, over 800 feet above sea level and 17 miles from the beach. You will participate in activities and learn about the night sky. This involves a 1 mile round trip hike. Meet at the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground. Follow the link in the orange button above to RSVP. Although this event is free, it costs $10 to park at State Parks. If you plan to visit any other state park earlier in the day, hold on to that receipt! Once you have paid for parking at one state park for the day, you have paid for them all. There are 14 state parks in Santa Cruz County alone!
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.
SC Beach Boardwalk: National Roller Coaster Day
Celebrate National Roller Coaster Day by taking a spin on our National Historic Landmark, the Giant Dipper. First 100 riders on the Giant Dipper will receive a Boardwalk Souvenir Cup. Normal ride pricing and restrictions apply.
Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery August 13-September 19, 2026 Opening celebration and Artist Talk Saturday, August 15, 2-4:30 p.m Light refreshments will be served. Summer Gallery Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 1-5pm ReView: UC Santa Cruz Arts Alumni Exhibition features Arts Division alumni from the Monterey and San Francisco Bay Areas. Curated by Valéria Miranda, the Sesnon’s Director, ReView includes a wide variety of media and techniques highlighting the diversity of contemporary practice of alumni who graduated from 1972 to 2025. The exhibition title alludes to the portfolio critique process and suggests ideas of reflection and reevaluation—whether revisiting past work, rethinking materials, or tracing how a practice evolves over time. This exhibition celebrates the creative path of artists who began their journeys at UC Santa Cruz. United by shared roots yet defined by distinct paths, the participating alumni reflect the lasting influence of the Arts Division programs. Their works speak to the spirit of inquiry, experimentation, and perseverance that has long shaped the university’s artistic community. ReView presents an opportunity for the campus and larger community to see the professional practice of these artists who continue to build on the creative foundation that they received at UCSC and to inspire our current students, offering visualization of their own future artistic journeys after graduation. ReView offers a unique opportunity for returning alumni to celebrate their creative expressions while reconnecting with classmates and the university community. Admission is free and open to the public. More Information
Spend unhurried time observing the rescued horses, learning about their stories, and soaking in the peaceful energy of the herd as the day begins.
Join the Felton Business & Community Association for the 56th Annual Race Thru The Redwoods on Sunday, August 16, 2026. This scenic 10K trail run winds through towering redwoods, meadows, and along the San Lorenzo River in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, with a Kids 1-Mile Race for young runners. Starts and finishes at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, CA. All proceeds benefit community events in Felton.
Pancakes in the Park & Bake Sale!
---- EVERY 3RD SUNDAY, April - October --- This event is for all generations to enjoy: kids, parents, grandparents, singles, and friend groups. This pancake breakfast and bake sale are foundational fundraisers to ensure that SLV has a robust and resourceful Senior & Community Center for all residents 50+. Your patronage makes a huge difference! When: Every 3rd Sunday | 8:30 AM–Noon July 19th August 16th September 20th October 18th Location: Auditorium @ Highlands County Park Senior & Community Center 8500 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond, CA 95060 (Green Building behind the Soccer field) $5 kids under 7 | $12 adults — Includes table service, eggs cooked to order, fresh Driscoll’s berry fruit salad, famous potatoes, unlimited pancakes, homemade fruit spreads, breakfast meats, juice, coffee, and tea. We invite you to join us once a month and to bring friends to enjoy this hearty breakfast before your Sunday activities! It's one of our most essential fundraisers that keeps the Center open for all to enjoy! See you soon!
Join us for Sunday drop-in Meditations 9-10 am weekly. In person only– in the Gompa at Land of Medicine Buddha with Venerable Yangchen! Venerable Yangchen's guided meditations bring together a refreshing and precious combination of simplicity, depth, and accessibility. These weekly, hour-long sessions are of great relevance and value to long-term Buddhist practitioners as well as to complete newcomers to meditation. The practice begins with brief instruction, 10 minutes of silent meditation, followed by guided analytical meditation and discussion based on the theme of the week.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’s show-quality dahlia beds for intimate, unhurried cutting experiences where you and your friends have the field to yourselves. No crowds. No rushing. Just you, your people, and a thousand flowers. Companion passes are available for guests who want to join the fun, explore the farm, and take in the beauty without cutting flowers. Friendly chickens roam the property, there are swings for little ones.
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
Sunday mornings near the sea, year-round: regional organic produce, delicious meals and a live music series for the Eastside. EBT/SNAP accepted.
Volunteer in the cool, quiet beauty of The Forest of Nisene Marks
Join us as we have fun maintaining and enhancing our favorite Santa Cruz County State Park, The Forest of Nisene Marks! Tasks vary from clearing brush alongside trails, removing invasive non-native plant species, repairing superstructure to cleaning up picnic areas. Anything that will improve the experience for park visitors. We meet every 3rd Sunday of the month (except December).
Enjoy the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market every THIRD Sunday in 2026! Featuring 40+ local makers & artists, this market hosts a wide range of locally handmade goods. Find some of your favorite Santa Cruz makers AND brand new ones…the variety of goods at the market is always exceptional. Friendly leashed pups are welcome! Check out their website for the full list of participating vendors! Sponsored by Farm Fresh to You Supported by Downtown Santa Cruz Presented by SCM Makers Market
SUNDAY SERENITY: RESTORATIVE EXPRESSIVE ART
0 booked, 7 available Cindy Laurin
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.
Bargetto Winery hosts off-site events in July, August, and November featuring wine tastings at various locations.
Wing Chun martial arts classes with instructor Marcus at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, meeting multiple times per week.
Learn how to make herbal teas.
For a more casual local draw, Low Tide features weekly dining specials including The Monday Slice ($20 signature pizzas), Wine Down Wednesdays (½ price bottles under $80), and Sunday Golden Hour offerings (4PM-6PM with $6 draft beer and house wine)
A small but mighty amazing community market. In beautiful Corralitos, which is located in south Santa Cruz county. The country feel is real with local produce, local flowers, local honey, baked goods, plants, crafts, and so much more. An amazing Jewel hidden in the south County of Santa Cruz also we are right next to Aldridge Park and the famous Corralitos meat market. See you all there. Rain or Shine. Located 127 Hames Road Corralitos 11-3pm plenty additional parkiing @Aldridgepark
Go explore the harbor shops, restaurants and experiences with very little car traffic! Passengers may be picked up and dropped off at the following locations: X1 Gate (northeast harbor) AA Dock (southwest harbor) Launch Ramp (southeast harbor) Please visit the Port District’s website to view the map for all water taxi pick-up and drop-off locations in the harbor. Visitor parking is available for water taxi passengers in the north harbor near X Dock.
Senior Men’s Social Pool Party (RSVP for location)
Name: Senior Men’s Social Pool Party Date: Sunday, August 16 Time: 12:00 - 3:00 pm Location: RVSP for location Ages: Older Adults Event Description: Join your fellow men for a summer social at Hal’s house, featuring pool time and a buffet lunch! Contact Tom at [email protected] for details and location. $10 suggested donation to cover the lunch, but no one turned away for lack of funds.
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
“Confluence”: where separate currents meet. This beautiful exhibition pairs the work of Santa Cruz artists Susana Arias and Glenn Carter, on view August 7 through September 13 at M.K. Contemporary Art Gallery. “Confluence” is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from “The Leftovers” at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Redwood Loop Tour
Coast Redwoods offer a 100% satisfaction guaran-treed! Every Saturday at 12:00pm, we are taking folks on a guided walk through the Redwood Grove to talk about coast redwoods and to experience the forest together. On this 1-mile stroll, we will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc. and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants. Click here to RSVP. Let's plan to meet in the front of the Visitor Center, we hope you can join us!
Spring Exhibitions at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences
Visit the IAS, UCSC’s premier art galleries, for our spring exhibitions. On view April 10–August 16, 2026 are three diverse and interdisciplinary shows: Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right , the first US solo exhibition by the Colombia-based artist and medical doctor; Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj , a site-specific and immersive exploration of the Haitian kreyol conception of rasanblaj; and Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies , a mixed-media exhibition emerging at the intersections of Black poetics, performance, and visual art. The IAS Galleries are open Wednesday-Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm. Admission is free to the public. Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right Libia Posada’s first solo exhibition in the United States features installations, sculptures, and drawings meticulously constructed from surgical instruments, gauze bandages, crutches, used books, and domestic picture frames. The new and existing works in the exhibition powerfully stitch together the personal, social, and political disorders and afflictions that currently trouble the world, from the wars that resonate across the globe to the violences of aging in US prisons. Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj: Origins & Disentanglements The internationally-lauded work of humanities professor Gina Athena Ulysse is on view as a premier Faculty Spotlight Exhibition. The site-specific installation, produced in community from things collected, found, purchased and donated, centers on the Haitian concept of rasanblaj, a form of assembly and collage that transcends the formal use of materials to draw together people, spirits, and ideas. Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies Collage is both a material practice and a structural interrogation in the Faculty Spotlight Exhibition artworks by literature professor Ronaldo V. Wilson. In video, painting, and installation, layers and folds conceal and reveal, delving into the experience, both bodily and emotive, of living in time
Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Redwood Grove Guided Walk
Experience an old-growth redwood forest filled with ancient trees over 200 ft. tall, and connect one on one with park staff. On this 1-mile stroll, you will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc., and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants. You don’t want to miss this! Meet at the visitor center. Although the event is free, the vehicle day-use fee is $10. Hold on to that receipt! Once you have paid for parking at one state park, you have paid for them all. There are 14 state parks in Santa Cruz County alone!
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.
Wilder Ranch State Park - Ranch History Tour
Want to learn about the rich dairy history of Wilder Ranch State Park? Dreamt of peeking inside our beautiful Victorian homes and barns? Join us weekly on Saturdays and Sundays for a 1.5 hour long tour of the historic buildings of Wilder Ranch! Meet at the visitor's center at 1 pm. Pre-register here or join us on the day-of. This tour is free. Parking in Day-use lot is $10. Questions?Call (669)758-1963or email [email protected]
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!
Sunday, August 16 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm Are you stuck with a technology question? You can make a free appointment with a tech savvy library staff member!
New Works Weekend is Mountain Community Theater’s celebration of local storytelling. This year, we are thrilled to share eight brand-new, original plays crafted entirely by talented authors from our own community. These performances showcase local talented playwrights’ scripts as they work to bring these stories from the page to the stage. Tickets are only $10 each! Performances take place at Ben Lomond’s historic Park Hall (9400 Mill Street). Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. After each performance there will be a talkback with the writers, directors, and readers. Buy Tickets Each performance will consist of eight ten-minute plays. The plays include: Beyond the Beyond and Beyond, by Robin Lasser where we will delve into the airwaves as a guest psychic on a radio show contacts the beyond. Patrick True gives us On the Haunt, where a shy music teacher accidentally conjures up the Ghost of Mae West. Starry Starry Night is Hannah Eckstein’s comic farce about two sisters sharing stories around a campfire in the African bush. Tiffany Cesarin’s Hearts That Matter envelops us in a dark comedy about a family drama. In Paola Bruni’s Sense of Direction, Officer Lenny Green, the “Dancing Cop of Brooklyn” finds himself in a difficult situation when his wife Alice escapes from Cypress Village Memory Care and discovers him directing traffic–what else could go wrong? Eavesdropping, by Juanita Usher is a hilarious chance encounter in a department store dressing room that leads to some truths being revealed. Linda Gunther’s script, Back to the Suture, is a raucous comedy set in a doctor’s office, where a female college student impersonates her late father Dr. Suture. The twist? Dr. Suture can go back in time! Our last play is Once Upon a Time Change written by one of MCT’s founders, Rita Wadsworth co-authored by Carolyn Hyatt. It’s a romp in the throne room with Old King Cole and his court jester. Featured readers include MCT veteran actors Naomi Bowers, Tiffany C
In August 2026, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead will be playing at Actors’ Theatre in Santa Cruz. Written by the late Tom Stoppard, this classic midcentury masterpiece is one of his earliest plays but also likely his best known. Written as a comedy, the work shares substantially with Samuel Beckett’s absurdist style, particularly Waiting for Godot. Performances from August 13th to August 30th, 2026, running Thursday through Sunday. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two minor characters in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Stoppard crafts an ingenious backstory for these characters, which becomes an exploration of the meaning of life (or death), woven into Shakespeare’s greatest play. The two collegiate friends find themselves traveling to Elsinore, encountering a roving band of actors, a prince (maybe mad), pirates, and never manage to get a grip on anything - even which of them is which. Santa Cruz local talents Chris Salem (Cabaret with Renegade Theater) will be playing Rosencrantz, and Zed Warner (The Addams Family with Mountain Community Theater) will be playing Guildenstern. A host of other fantastic Santa Cruz talents will take on the remaining roles of Shakespeare’s Hamlet including Ward Willats, Ian Dyer, Andy Waddell, Jennifer Stanford, Kevin Karplus, Juno Aliah, Raven Voorhees, Nick Bilardello, Brad Roades, Tom Boyle and Benjamin Canant. Tickets will go on sale July 1st, for an admission fee of $40, $35 for students and seniors, Thursday tickets will be 2-for-1, and there are plans for rush tickets to be available an hour before curtain. Today, audiences can go to https://randg.live/ or follow on instagram @randg.sc for production updates, announcements, and ticket information.
Audrey Stanley Grove: Live Drama in the Redwoods
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.
Local non-profit American Sign Language Services Community hosting a bingo fundraiser at the Aptos Grange on Sunday's 3PM - 8PM , Monday's 5PM to 10PM.
The Olive Tree: A Santa Cruz Poetry Open Mic
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!
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
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.
community singing & songs for hope, resilience & connection
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 Musers Band from Sonoma County. Soaring harmonies, original songs, hot picking.
Silent meditation.
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.
A show! Hosted by Rip!
Audrey Stanley Grove: Much Ado About Nothing
Santa Cruz Shakespeare invites you to experience Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, un-der the trees and stars of the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruz’s DeLaveaga Park this summer. Much Ado About Nothing By William Shakespeare Directed by Charles Pasternak One of Shakespeare’s wittiest and most beloved comedies, the 2026 season will open with Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Of all the couples in Shakespeare, perhaps none is more widely loved than Beatrice and Benedick. Their battle of wits; their antagonism turned to eroticism; their history. Before the play begins, they already seem to define each other. The audience, like the other characters in the play, wait with excitement as their wits clash, and eventually, as their love blossoms. Much Ado About Nothing runs July 11 – August 30. More information or to purchase tickets, follow the link in the orange above, or contact the box office Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4pm at the number listed above.
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
Hosting something rad?
If it's happening in person anywhere in Santa Cruz County, whether it's a show, a market, a paddle-out, or a gallery night, we want it on the calendar. Submissions are free and reviewed by our editors.
Submit your event →