โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Downtown Santa Cruz
486 upcoming events ยท Pacific Ave & beyond
A recurring dance class in Santa Cruz. Check with the venue for specific style and level.
Master Class: Gaw Vang Williams - Dynamics & Tone for Vocal Storytelling
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. Canโt make it in-person? You can stream it! Click here to register.
Award-winning novelist Clifford Mae Henderson returns with Lost in Sound: A Mystery, a thrilling whodunit set in the fictional coastal town of Tres Ojos. A mystery unravels in this unlikely sleepy beach town where tech millionaires brush past homeless encampments. When a neurodivergent landlocked pirate, Captain Eddie, is accused of murder, an unlikely and delightfully eccentric crew bands together to help the captain. The case spirals into a high-profile circus when the victim turns out to be the estranged sister of a country music legend. Henderson brings warmth, wit, and a deep social conscience to the page. -Shelly Novo; Good Times Santa Cruz
Rainbow Sangha at Insight Meditation Center (Outside Community Event)
Rainbow Sangha Sit, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month , 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The Rainbow Sangha group offers a safer space for individuals who identify as queer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, gay, intersex, questioning, and others who identify outside of cisgender, heterosexual mainstream culture. Please see more information on the Rainbow Sangha page at Insight Santa Cruz . .
A free weekly dance jam for babies and their caregivers at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, with movement, music, and play in a joyful environment.
Wednesdays, 1โ5 pm, year-round. Our biggest and oldest market is a block off Pacific. Open since 1990, with farms that helped build the organic movement. Eat with the seasons: fruits, vegetables, flowers, and pasture-raised meats, plus some of the county's most diverse food stalls, naan and curry, Eritrean dishes, pupusas, crepes, and long-ferment breads. Fill your bags, then stay for a meal
Dance for Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinsonโs Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PDยฎ program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinsonโs 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 Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinsonโs, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinsonโs 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.
Every Wed from 4 to 8 pm at our Downtown Santa Cruz Tasting Room + Wine Bar Join us for a night of wigging out in Downtown Santa Cruz! Wear a wig, and weโll have a surprise for you. Weโll play cool music, games, trivia, and much more! Letโs wig out and keep Santa Cruz weird! Wig Out Wednesday Special: 2 empanadas and a glass of wine (Riesling, Rose, or Homestead) for $19.
Motion Pacific- Beginning Hip Hop House
A weekly beginning hip hop house dance class. Participants will learn foundational movements, rhythms, and combinations in a structured, studio setting.
A regular tango class in Downtown Santa Cruz, offering a way to learn Latin dance in a social, cultural setting.
Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)
Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .
Using the fabrica inside space. Please donโt book noisy stuff at this time. Contact person is elaina.
Using the fabrica and partial courtyard. Please donโt schedule loud activities in subrosa at the same time. Contact personโ [email protected]
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by Hugging Porcupines Productions
A weekly event at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, focused on setup activities. Details are sparse.
Motion Pacific: Advanced Contemporary Jazz
This is Motion Pacific's Advanced Contemporary Jazz Dance class for adults.
A weekly evening of tango in Santa Cruz, offering a chance to learn, dance, and connect with a new community.
Angelo De Augustine returns with Angel in Plainclothes, his fifth album and most inspired work yetโa deeply felt rendering of his multi-year journey of healing and renewal. The record showcases De Augustineโs powerful melodies and poignant lyrics across tracks like the haunting elegy โEmpty Shell,โ the hopeful โSpirit of the Unknown,โ and standout psychedelic country piece โMirror Mirror.โ Themes explore lifeโs fragility, second chances, and picking up the pieces after an undiagnosed illness forced him to re-learn basic abilities: โIโm trying to figure out who I am now,โ De Augustine says. โI feel like I may have been given a second chance at life, and Iโd like to live it.โ Angelo De Augustine Website (((folkYEAH!))) Website info/tickets/questions: [email protected]
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Step into the MAH's Archives Reading Room during our weekly Open Archives hours. Meet the archivist, see a unique item from the collection on display, and discover where Santa Cruz history is preserved. Please note: Open Archives is an informal drop-in experience, not a time for in-depth research appointments. If you'd like to schedule research time, please contact us in advance by email or phone. We usually pop open the archives every week-though every now and then we take a break. For more information, email [email protected]
A weekly Congo dance class in Santa Cruz. Participants learn traditional African dance movements in a group setting at The 418 Project.
Motion Pacific: Adult Intermediate Modern
This is Motion Pacific's Adult Intermediate Modern class for adult dancers.
Free jazz nights every other Thursday at Abbott Square Market. All ages welcome to enjoy local jazz artists in an outdoor plaza setting.
To say that singer Marina Crouse is a jazz musician is technically true. However, itโs 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. Itโs her first all-Spanish album and it dares anyone with ears not to shed a tear at least once while listening. Itโs 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
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.
Evergreen Volunteer Days
Leave your mark on Santa Cruz history by volunteering at the historic Evergreen Cemetery every Friday from 9:30am-12pm. No need to register, just show up ready to work! All ages are welcome to help, including high school students seeking community service hours. Tools and work gloves will be provided. Please bring a mask and your own bottled water. For more information, email [email protected]
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Take a guided tour of the MAH by one of our staff members! At the MAH, our tours don't just take you through art and history. They immerse you in it and connect you to Santa Cruz and beyond. If you're ready to dive into a new perspective, join us every Friday for an informative private tour free with admission. Art experts, historians, and educators are here to help. Plus, stick around to meet new people or check out our new gift shop. If you are an educator and interested in booking a tour for your class or group, browse our educational field trips here.
Brian Fitzgerald Jazz Trio
Brian Fitzgerald Jazz Trio
Death & Saxes is Santa Cruzโs 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 Bouwsmaโs tenor is a rhythm section of Alamedaโs 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 โnuclear fusion bandโ 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)
In August 2026, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead will be playing at Actorsโ 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 Beckettโs 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 Shakespeareโs Hamlet. Stoppard crafts an ingenious backstory for these characters, which becomes an exploration of the meaning of life (or death), woven into Shakespeareโs 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 Shakespeareโs 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.
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.
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
-Elle
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
A film screening of *Chac, The Rain God* at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz. A cinematic experience for film and spirituality enthusiasts.
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. Sheโs 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
In August 2026, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead will be playing at Actorsโ 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 Beckettโs 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 Shakespeareโs Hamlet. Stoppard crafts an ingenious backstory for these characters, which becomes an exploration of the meaning of life (or death), woven into Shakespeareโs 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 Shakespeareโs 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.
Santa Cruz Civic Center: Ani DiFranco
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 childrenโs 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 โPersephoneโ 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 Aniโs music, which is the soundtrack of so many lives.
Downtown Santa Cruz: Makers Market
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 onesโฆthe 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
Wing Chun martial arts classes with instructor Marcus at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, meeting multiple times per week.
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Broken Compass Bluegrass Jubliee
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: Digginโ Trails and Blue Dream Bluegrass ft. Dan Robbins Diggin' Trails occupies a rare and vital corner of the Americana landscape โ 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
In August 2026, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead will be playing at Actorsโ 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 Beckettโs 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 Shakespeareโs Hamlet. Stoppard crafts an ingenious backstory for these characters, which becomes an exploration of the meaning of life (or death), woven into Shakespeareโs 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 Shakespeareโs 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, $35 for students and seniors, Thursday tickets will be 2-for-1, and there are plans for rush tickets to be available an hour before curtain. Today, audiences can go to https://randg.live/ or follow on instagram @randg.sc for production updates, announcements, and ticket information.
Sunday, August 16 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm Are you stuck with a technology question? You can make a free appointment with a tech savvy library staff member!
The Olive Tree: A Santa Cruz Poetry Open Mic
The Olive Tree is a poetry mic and public gathering space hosted by local poet Gabriel Kittle-Cervine. This monthly event seeks to honor the deeply rooted tradition of spoken word poetry in Santa Cruz, while uplifting the emerging voices of today. Each monthly event includes a free writing workshop, poetry open mic, and a featured reader at the end, highlighting new publications from local writers, as well as the works of touring poets. @ The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, every 3rd Sunday afternoon! 2:30 - Free Workshop; 3:30 - Sign Ups, 4:00 - Open Mic, 5:00ish - Featured Poet Informed by previous public offerings like The Word Church, Kinetic Poetics Project, Poetry Santa Cruz, among others, this space is intended to create a new opportunity for local poets of all ages and cultural backgrounds to express themselves honestly and emphatically on a public stage. This is a room for honesty, accountability, and radical co-existence; through the practice of telling our truth, and being able to hold the truth of others, we seek to build our sense of community. All vinyl house music. 10$ suggested entry donation. 4 minutes per poet. Follow @olivetreepoetrymic on Instagram to learn more, and we hope to see you there!
Silent meditation.
A show! Hosted by Rip!
-Natalie
The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted micโd board games 5 โ 8 Trivia 8 โ 10
Motion Pacific: Adult Beginning Jazz Fusion
This is Motion Pacific's Beginning Jazz Fusion class for adult dancers.
A weekly Afro-Brazilian dance class focusing on rhythm and movement.
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
Whatโs a family vacation without a little murder? Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes New York Times bestselling author Nina Simon (Mother-Daughter Murder Night) back to the store for a reading and signing of My Sister Is Going to Kill Me , another fun, family-centered whodunnit about two sisters who work together to find a killer as they raft down the rapids of the Grand Canyon. Nina Simon writes crime fiction about strong women. She is the author of the New York Times -bestseller Mother-Daughter Murder Night , which was a Reeseโs Book Club pick, a Golden Poppy Award winner, and a โbest of 2023โ selection for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CrimeReads, and Library Journal . Before turning to fiction, Nina wore many hats: NASA engineer, slam poet, game designer, museum director, and nonprofit CEO. Her work on community participation in museums, libraries, parks, and theaters has been featured in the Wall Street Journal , the New York Times , NPR, and the TEDx stage. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nina now lives off-the-grid in the Santa Cruz Mountains with her family. More information can be found on her website, ninaksimon.com . More information at: Bookshop Santa Cruz โ Nina Simon Co-sponsored by The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz.
Bookshop Santa Cruz: Family Vacation Mystery Reading
Whatโs a family vacation without a little murder? Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes New York Times bestselling author Nina Simon (Mother-Daughter Murder Night) back to the store for a reading and signing of My Sister Is Going to Kill Me, another fun, family-centered whodunnit about two adult sisters trying to reconnect on a vacation and end up working together to find a killer! Before turning to fiction, Nina wore many hats: NASA engineer, slam poet, game designer, museum director, and nonprofit CEO. Her work on community participation in museums, libraries, parks, and theaters has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, NPR, and the TEDx stage. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nina now lives off-the-grid in the Santa Cruz Mountains with her family.
Led by Jazz Mafia co-founders Adam Theis and Eric Garland, this special concert celebrates more than twenty five years of the collectiveโs futuristic jazz roots. The program revisits the music that shaped Jazz Mafiaโs identity in its earliest days, drawing from the first five years of the projectโs 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 collectiveโs foundation. Expect adventurous compositions, layered grooves, and inventive improvisation, with surprise guests appearing from across the Jazz Mafia musical family. Jazz Mafia โ 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.
Contact Improv dance session at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, offered weekly on Mondays.
Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
Kaika Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
A hula and Tahitian dance class offering instruction in traditional movement through an established dance school.
Wing Chun martial arts classes with instructor Marcus at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, meeting multiple times per week.
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.
A free weekly dance jam for babies and their caregivers at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, with movement, music, and play in a joyful environment.
Wednesdays, 1โ5 pm, year-round. Our biggest and oldest market is a block off Pacific. Open since 1990, with farms that helped build the organic movement. Eat with the seasons: fruits, vegetables, flowers, and pasture-raised meats, plus some of the county's most diverse food stalls, naan and curry, Eritrean dishes, pupusas, crepes, and long-ferment breads. Fill your bags, then stay for a meal
Dance for Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinsonโs Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PDยฎ program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinsonโs 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 Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinsonโs, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinsonโs 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.
Every Wed from 4 to 8 pm at our Downtown Santa Cruz Tasting Room + Wine Bar Join us for a night of wigging out in Downtown Santa Cruz! Wear a wig, and weโll have a surprise for you. Weโll play cool music, games, trivia, and much more! Letโs wig out and keep Santa Cruz weird! Wig Out Wednesday Special: 2 empanadas and a glass of wine (Riesling, Rose, or Homestead) for $19.
Hosted by Olive!
A regular tango class in Downtown Santa Cruz, offering a way to learn Latin dance in a social, cultural setting.
Motion Pacific- Beginning Hip Hop House
A weekly beginning hip hop house dance class. Participants will learn foundational movements, rhythms, and combinations in a structured, studio setting.
Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)
Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .
Motion Pacific: Advanced Contemporary Jazz
This is Motion Pacific's Advanced Contemporary Jazz Dance class for adults.
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by Hugging Porcupines Productions
A weekly event at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, focused on setup activities. Details are sparse.
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.
A weekly evening of tango in Santa Cruz, offering a chance to learn, dance, and connect with a new community.
Bill O'Connell Trio feat. Lincoln Goines & Jon Krosnick
August Piano Bundle! Purchase a ticket to both the Bill OโConnell Trio (8/19) and the Jon Dryden Quartet (8/20) and receive 25% off โ discount will be implemented at checkout. โโโ The piano-led Bill OโConnell Trio on this concert date features three acclaimed and lyrical instrumentalists. Pianist Bill OโConnell has been called โnothing short of a national treasureโ, โa master of the broadest spectrum of musical styles, a giant of modern jazzโ, and โa colossus of musical dignity and improvisational authority,โ by jazz critics. Lauded by DownBeat Magazine as โan inspired hybridizer of modernist jazz,โ OโConnell has released eighteen albums as a bandleader. The GRAMMY-nominated OโConnell is a Steinway artist and four-time recipient of the coveted โJazz Writer of the Yearโ 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 whoโs 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 DโRivera, 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 OโConnell Website Lincoln Goines Website (Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
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.
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Step into the MAH's Archives Reading Room during our weekly Open Archives hours. Meet the archivist, see a unique item from the collection on display, and discover where Santa Cruz history is preserved. Please note: Open Archives is an informal drop-in experience, not a time for in-depth research appointments. If you'd like to schedule research time, please contact us in advance by email or phone. We usually pop open the archives every week-though every now and then we take a break. For more information, email [email protected]
A weekly Congo dance class in Santa Cruz. Participants learn traditional African dance movements in a group setting at The 418 Project.
Motion Pacific: Adult Intermediate Modern
This is Motion Pacific's Adult Intermediate Modern class for adult dancers.
We are thrilled to return for our monthly SANTA CRUZ SQUARE DANCE โจ! 5:30pm old time tunes jam (bring your instrument!) This event is FREE (but please consider donating to support the band!)
come hear some folk punk both touring and local!
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 โ@@@@@โ 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. Letโs 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
August Piano Bundle! Purchase a ticket to both the Bill OโConnell Trio (8/19) and the Jon Dryden Quartet (8/20) and receive 25% off โ discount will be implemented at checkout. โโโ 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 Keyboardistโs 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)
In August 2026, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead will be playing at Actorsโ 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 Beckettโs 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 Shakespeareโs Hamlet. Stoppard crafts an ingenious backstory for these characters, which becomes an exploration of the meaning of life (or death), woven into Shakespeareโs 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 Shakespeareโs 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.
Evergreen Volunteer Days
Leave your mark on Santa Cruz history by volunteering at the historic Evergreen Cemetery every Friday from 9:30am-12pm. No need to register, just show up ready to work! All ages are welcome to help, including high school students seeking community service hours. Tools and work gloves will be provided. Please bring a mask and your own bottled water. For more information, email [email protected]
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Take a guided tour of the MAH by one of our staff members! At the MAH, our tours don't just take you through art and history. They immerse you in it and connect you to Santa Cruz and beyond. If you're ready to dive into a new perspective, join us every Friday for an informative private tour free with admission. Art experts, historians, and educators are here to help. Plus, stick around to meet new people or check out our new gift shop. If you are an educator and interested in booking a tour for your class or group, browse our educational field trips here.
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+
Friday, August 21st, join us for Rushadicus! At SubRosa! Rushadicus the Infamous Cello Goblรญn 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 โ@@@@@โ 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. Letโs 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
Back by Popular Demandโฆ 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, Frankieโs musical journey began here โ 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: 314-518-1385โฌ | [email protected]
RAM DASS: FIERCE GRACE - Film Screening
A screening of 'Ram Dass: Fierce Grace,' a documentary about the spiritual teacher's life and teachings, at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
In August 2026, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead will be playing at Actorsโ 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 Beckettโs 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 Shakespeareโs Hamlet. Stoppard crafts an ingenious backstory for these characters, which becomes an exploration of the meaning of life (or death), woven into Shakespeareโs 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 Shakespeareโs 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.
Rushadicus the Infamous Cello Goblรญn 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.
Queer Climbing Night (Outside Community Event)
Cost: free for members of Pacific Edge, $15 pass with rentals for non-members Every third Friday of the month, Hayden and Joey host a meet-up for the climber gays of our community. Trans or cis, fifteen or fifty, pan or asexual, etc. You will be safe & welcome in our inclusive space. We strive to foster an environment of respect, safety, diversity and community building while meeting/having a blast with like-minded folx! All levels of climbing experience are welcome, from first timers to well-seasoned trad daddis. We have a zero tolerance policy against any and all discrimination such as transphobia, biphobia, racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, xenophobia, and (obviously) homophobia. More information here.
The Inner & Outer Audition, with Wilma Chandler
Audition workshop with Wilma Chandler this August! This workshop will help you prepare for auditioning, inside and out Saturdays, August 22, 29 & Sept 5, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Topics include: Selecting your monologue Cold readings Preparation Outer work: presentation, appearance, character interpretation, emotional range, tempo and vitality Inner work: handling fear, finding yourself in the work, breath and silence, the inner character, and the offering Cost: $60. Maximum of 15 participants Visit our Workshops page to sign up: https://www.santacruzactorstheatre.org/workshops
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
SPECTRUM FITNESS PRODUCTIONS 2026 NPC SANTA CRUZ CHAMPIONSHIPS
NPC Menโs Bodybuilding, Classic physique, Menโs physique, Fit Model, Womenโs Physique, Figure, Wellness, Bikini
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Introduction to Organized Anarchism with Black Rose Rosa Negra
Introduction to Organized Anarchism with Black Rose Rosa Negra - Saturday, August 22nd / 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. with tasha von stein ([email protected] & instagram @blackrosebayare) Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA Description: We will offer a basic introduction to the organized anarchist tradition as practiced by Black Rose Rosa Negra as well as our platfromist/especifist ancestors. Materials: We will have readings that people can read beforehand for the discussion. Community care note: encouraged masking but not required.
Indigo Mothers & Others - Saturday, August 22nd / 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. with Vicki Lynn ([email protected]) Location: Fรกbrica in Pacific Ave Courtyard, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Description: This class will cover the creation, care, and feeding of an organic indigo vat as well as resist techniques for creating patterns on cloth. Each student will create a working indigo "mother" The mothers will then be combined to form a vat in which to dip the cloth prepped with resist patterns. Limited to 6 participants. Materials: Fabric and indigo will be supplied - a $5 - $10 donation to cover supplies would be appreciated. Students can bring their own plant fiber (cotton, linen, ramie, etc) etc to dye. For best results, all fabric should be laundered without fabric softener or dryer sheets. NOTAFLOF for real - no one turned away for lack of funds. Community care note: Class will be outdoors in the courtyard.
whalefall arushi bottomline
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 Liptonโs 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
In August 2026, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead will be playing at Actorsโ 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 Beckettโs 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 Shakespeareโs Hamlet. Stoppard crafts an ingenious backstory for these characters, which becomes an exploration of the meaning of life (or death), woven into Shakespeareโs 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 Shakespeareโs 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.
Wing Chun martial arts classes with instructor Marcus at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, meeting multiple times per week.
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Big Blue Community Indigo Vat
Big Blue Community Indigo Vat - Sunday, August 23rd / 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. with Vicki Lynn ([email protected]) Location: Fรกbrica in Pacific Ave Courtyard, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Description: Bring your clean, natural fiber fabric items to dip in the organic indigo dye vat. Let's all get blue! Materials: Please consider a donation of $3 - $5 for materials. Bring your own clothing or fabric to dip if you would like โ unhemmed fabric squares will also be available if you just want to experiment. Plant-based fibers such as cotton, linen, or hemp work best with the indigo vat. Items should be clean and laundered without fabric softener or dryer sheets. NOTAFLOF for real - no one turned away for lack of funds. Community care note: Class will be outdoors in the courtyard.
Sunday, August 23 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!
Olive host
Silent meditation.
The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted micโd board games 5 โ 8 Trivia 8 โ 10
-Natalie
Motion Pacific: Adult Beginning Jazz Fusion
This is Motion Pacific's Beginning Jazz Fusion class for adult dancers.
A weekly Afro-Brazilian dance class focusing on rhythm and movement.
โKeyon Harrold is the future of the trumpetโ โ 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 โBop Pop Hip-Hop Jazz.โ Rooted in jazz, the band freestyles and solos with authority and weaves the spectrum of African American music into a sonic expression. Keyon Harrold โ Foreverland will showcase his GRAMMY nominated recording Foreverland, an acclaimed crossover success, which features a bevy of collaborators, along with the single โBeautiful Dayโ which received world-wide radio play.
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
Contact Improv dance session at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, offered weekly on Mondays.
Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
Kaika Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
A hula and Tahitian dance class offering instruction in traditional movement through an established dance school.
Wing Chun martial arts classes with instructor Marcus at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, meeting multiple times per week.
A weekly music jam session in downtown Santa Cruz, featuring lights and fun for all musicians.
Rainbow Sangha at Insight Meditation Center (Outside Community Event)
Rainbow Sangha Sit, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The Rainbow Sangha group offers a safer space for individuals who identify as queer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, gay, intersex, questioning, and others who identify outside of cisgender, heterosexual mainstream culture. Please see more information on the Rainbow Sangha page at Insight Santa Cruz . .
A free weekly dance jam for babies and their caregivers at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, with movement, music, and play in a joyful environment.
Wednesdays, 1โ5 pm, year-round. Our biggest and oldest market is a block off Pacific. Open since 1990, with farms that helped build the organic movement. Eat with the seasons: fruits, vegetables, flowers, and pasture-raised meats, plus some of the county's most diverse food stalls, naan and curry, Eritrean dishes, pupusas, crepes, and long-ferment breads. Fill your bags, then stay for a meal
Dance for Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinsonโs Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PDยฎ program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinsonโs 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 Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinsonโs, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinsonโs 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.
Every Wed from 4 to 8 pm at our Downtown Santa Cruz Tasting Room + Wine Bar Join us for a night of wigging out in Downtown Santa Cruz! Wear a wig, and weโll have a surprise for you. Weโll play cool music, games, trivia, and much more! Letโs wig out and keep Santa Cruz weird! Wig Out Wednesday Special: 2 empanadas and a glass of wine (Riesling, Rose, or Homestead) for $19.
Motion Pacific- Beginning Hip Hop House
A weekly beginning hip hop house dance class. Participants will learn foundational movements, rhythms, and combinations in a structured, studio setting.
Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)
Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .
A regular tango class in Downtown Santa Cruz, offering a way to learn Latin dance in a social, cultural setting.
Using the fabrica and partial courtyard. Please donโt schedule loud activities in subrosa at the same time. Contact personโ [email protected]
The Art of Building a Future (RSSC Discussion Group)
Join us 4th Wednesdays, 6-8pm at SubRosa for The Art of Building a Future - a cafรฉ for discussion and practice for creating the future we want to live in, now! Hosted by @rojavasc1 Bring your thoughts and experience and enjoy some light refreshments. Will be held in the courtyard weather permitting. COVID precautions encouraged. 6pm - 8pm // totally free! // all-ages // dry space // safe(r) space // anti-capitalist space // respect the space and each other! SubRosa is at 703 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, CA Also part of the @freeskoolsantacruz 2026 session - more info about other class in bio at @freeskoolsantacruz and @subrosa_space โ@@@@@โ 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. Letโs 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
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by Hugging Porcupines Productions
A weekly event at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, focused on setup activities. Details are sparse.
Motion Pacific: Advanced Contemporary Jazz
This is Motion Pacific's Advanced Contemporary Jazz Dance class for adults.
A weekly evening of tango in Santa Cruz, offering a chance to learn, dance, and connect with a new community.
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Step into the MAH's Archives Reading Room during our weekly Open Archives hours. Meet the archivist, see a unique item from the collection on display, and discover where Santa Cruz history is preserved. Please note: Open Archives is an informal drop-in experience, not a time for in-depth research appointments. If you'd like to schedule research time, please contact us in advance by email or phone. We usually pop open the archives every week-though every now and then we take a break. For more information, email [email protected]
Yappy Hours @ the MAH!
Join us for Yappy Hours in the Kincentricity Garden every last Thursday of the month! Meet the pups that are up for adoption (paperwork to fill out onsite), sip on a few "Barktinis", and enjoy furry-friend festivities like the option for dogs to make their very own paw paintings!
A weekly Congo dance class in Santa Cruz. Participants learn traditional African dance movements in a group setting at The 418 Project.
Motion Pacific: Adult Intermediate Modern
This is Motion Pacific's Adult Intermediate Modern class for adult dancers.
BITE ME! No Cover โข Last Thursday of Every Month Cat Alley Street (upstairs above The Catalyst) โ 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: โข Jewelry and clothing makers โข Tintype photography โข Goth makeovers โข 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, itโs totally worth it! Weโve created a beautiful, comfortable, and welcoming vampire lounge and canโt 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!
Open mic! Doors/sign-ups 7:00 pm. Music 7:30 pm. Hosted by critter.
Free jazz nights every other Thursday at Abbott Square Market. All ages welcome to enjoy local jazz artists in an outdoor plaza setting.
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 Phillipsโ sound in every setting. Working with many of the worldโs 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, Phillipsโ 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 Protocolโs 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 weโve come to expect from the Protocol legacy. Simon Phillips Website (Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
Santa Cruz Creative Mornings
What is CreativeMornings? A free, live, monthly breakfast lecture series for creatives, community-builders, entrepreneurs, and more! Each month features a short lecture by a local innovator, framed by opportunities to socialize and spark new connections. CreativeMornings draws attendees and speakers not strictly from โcreativeโ fields; it includes anyone driven by passion and purpose. Live lectures are video-recorded and shared on the CreativeMornings online platform. CreativeMornings Santa Cruz was born out of a love of this town as well as a desire to see our creative community unite and cross-pollinate. From Bonny Doon to Watsonville, our county is full of artists, innovators, and people making inspired choices in the ways they approach their lives and their work. Our goal is to bring them together IRL andโฆwatch the magic happen!
Evergreen Volunteer Days
Leave your mark on Santa Cruz history by volunteering at the historic Evergreen Cemetery every Friday from 9:30am-12pm. No need to register, just show up ready to work! All ages are welcome to help, including high school students seeking community service hours. Tools and work gloves will be provided. Please bring a mask and your own bottled water. For more information, email [email protected]
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Take a guided tour of the MAH by one of our staff members! At the MAH, our tours don't just take you through art and history. They immerse you in it and connect you to Santa Cruz and beyond. If you're ready to dive into a new perspective, join us every Friday for an informative private tour free with admission. Art experts, historians, and educators are here to help. Plus, stick around to meet new people or check out our new gift shop. If you are an educator and interested in booking a tour for your class or group, browse our educational field trips here.
Pulse Productions Website info/tickets/questions: [email protected]
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
A milonga, or social tango dance, with DJ Sharon at the 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
Beginner Bluegrass Slow Jam
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, youโre able to take part in this group jam. If not, come and learn! Materials: BYO instrument Accessibility: We will be outside.
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Rite Life - A Writing Group Amongst the Dead
This monthly series of writing workshops in Evergreen Cemetery is facilitated by local poet Gabriel Kittle-Cervine. Rite Life is a workshop that blends the act of automatic writing, with our individual practices of ancestor veneration, to confront that which haunts us, and to celebrate that which allows us to live. The workshop was born in 2016 from the vision of a profound poet and spiritual teacher named Honeysun, just a couple of years before she passed beyond this life. Her initial concept for the Rite Life workshop is preserved in the way it's practiced today; still facilitated by Gabe, her friend and pupil, alongside a bright circle of local writers and practitioners of craft. Learn more at www.blankmetafour.com or follow @unclegabe831 on Instagram. All ages welcome, and we'll be there rain or shine-see y'all in the cemetery!
A monthly open mic night at the 418 Project featuring music, theatre, and spoken word performances.
Silent meditation.
Coffee with the Curators
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 Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted micโd board games 5 โ 8 Trivia 8 โ 10
-Natalie
Motion Pacific: Adult Beginning Jazz Fusion
This is Motion Pacific's Beginning Jazz Fusion class for adult dancers.
A weekly Afro-Brazilian dance class focusing on rhythm and movement.
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
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).
Contact Improv dance session at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, offered weekly on Mondays.
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.
Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
Kaika Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
A hula and Tahitian dance class offering instruction in traditional movement through an established dance school.
Weekly karaoke night at The 418 Project, inviting singers to take the stage and perform.
A free weekly dance jam for babies and their caregivers at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, with movement, music, and play in a joyful environment.
Wednesdays, 1โ5 pm, year-round. Our biggest and oldest market is a block off Pacific. Open since 1990, with farms that helped build the organic movement. Eat with the seasons: fruits, vegetables, flowers, and pasture-raised meats, plus some of the county's most diverse food stalls, naan and curry, Eritrean dishes, pupusas, crepes, and long-ferment breads. Fill your bags, then stay for a meal
Dance for Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinsonโs Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PDยฎ program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinsonโs 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 Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinsonโs, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinsonโs 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.
Every Wed from 4 to 8 pm at our Downtown Santa Cruz Tasting Room + Wine Bar Join us for a night of wigging out in Downtown Santa Cruz! Wear a wig, and weโll have a surprise for you. Weโll play cool music, games, trivia, and much more! Letโs wig out and keep Santa Cruz weird! Wig Out Wednesday Special: 2 empanadas and a glass of wine (Riesling, Rose, or Homestead) for $19.
Motion Pacific- Beginning Hip Hop House
A weekly beginning hip hop house dance class. Participants will learn foundational movements, rhythms, and combinations in a structured, studio setting.
A regular tango class in Downtown Santa Cruz, offering a way to learn Latin dance in a social, cultural setting.
Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)
Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .
Using the fabrica and partial courtyard. Please donโt schedule loud activities in subrosa at the same time.
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by Hugging Porcupines Productions
A weekly event at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, focused on setup activities. Details are sparse.
Motion Pacific: Advanced Contemporary Jazz
This is Motion Pacific's Advanced Contemporary Jazz Dance class for adults.
A weekly evening of tango in Santa Cruz, offering a chance to learn, dance, and connect with a new community.
Thursday, September 03 2026 10:30am - 11:30am For ages 0-5
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Step into the MAH's Archives Reading Room during our weekly Open Archives hours. Meet the archivist, see a unique item from the collection on display, and discover where Santa Cruz history is preserved. Please note: Open Archives is an informal drop-in experience, not a time for in-depth research appointments. If you'd like to schedule research time, please contact us in advance by email or phone. We usually pop open the archives every week-though every now and then we take a break. For more information, email [email protected]
Reserved for Olive
A weekly Congo dance class in Santa Cruz. Participants learn traditional African dance movements in a group setting at The 418 Project.
Motion Pacific: Adult Intermediate Modern
This is Motion Pacific's Adult Intermediate Modern class for adult dancers.
Drop-In Drawing at the MAH
Ever been inspired to drop everything and create when visiting an exhibition at the MAH? Join us for a Drop-In Drawing session in the gallery from 6-8pm on the first Thursday of every month. This is not a formal lesson, but an opportunity to bring in your own art supplies and sketch what you see. Dry media only (no markers or paint). All ages welcome. Free with admission. The museum will provide stools, feel free to bring a cushion or folding chair if space allows. Groups of 5+ please give advanced notice by emailing [email protected] . Drop-In Drawing Calendar 2025 September 4 - Art Forum Gallery / Ed Penniman: Landscapes of Home October 2 - Art Forum Gallery / Ed Penniman: Landscapes of Home November 6 - Art Forum Gallery / Ed Penniman: Landscapes of Home December 4 - Art Forum Gallery / Ed Penniman: Landscapes of Home 2026 January 1 - NONE (New Years Day) February 5 - Solari Gallery / Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship March 5 - Solari Gallery / Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship Comment end
Bookshop Santa Cruz: Lives of Buddhist Women
Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes Paula Arai (Bringing Zen Home) for a reading and signing of her new book Of Mud and Lotuses: Dreaming the Lives of Buddhist Womenโa unique blend of personal reflection, creative histories, and interview-based nonfiction that vividly imagines the lives of Buddhist women over 2,500 years. Of Mud and Lotuses illuminates the hardships, resilience, and creative ways in which Buddhist women have applied the Dharma to daily lifeโoften in ways that history has ignored.
Bookshop Santa Cruz: Paula Arai | Of Mud and Lotuses
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes Paula Arai (Bringing Zen Home) for a reading and signing of her new book Of Mud and Lotuses: Dreaming the Lives of Buddhist Womenโa unique blend of personal reflection, creative histories, and interview-based nonfiction that vividly imagines the lives of Buddhist women over 2,500 years. Of Mud and Lotuses illuminates the hardships, resilience, and creative ways in which Buddhist women have applied the Dharma to daily lifeโoften in ways that history has ignored.
First Friday is our monthly $10 coworking day at NextSpace Working alone sucks... NextSpace is not only a coworking space in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz, but a thriving community of individuals who are passionate about their work and eager to connect with others. NextSpace offers a variety of resources and events to help you grow your business and build relationships. Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or remote worker, you'll find a supportive and inspiring environment at NextSpace. If you are curious about coworking, this is a great time to try it out! For just $10 (normally $30), you'll enjoy complimentary coffee and tea, speedy internet, space to work, and meet a welcoming & vibrant community. Wrap the day up by joining for happy hour at precisely 3:58pm. We look forward to seeing you here at the coolest coworking space!
Evergreen Volunteer Days
Leave your mark on Santa Cruz history by volunteering at the historic Evergreen Cemetery every Friday from 9:30am-12pm. No need to register, just show up ready to work! All ages are welcome to help, including high school students seeking community service hours. Tools and work gloves will be provided. Please bring a mask and your own bottled water. For more information, email [email protected]
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
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!
Take a guided tour of the MAH by one of our staff members! At the MAH, our tours don't just take you through art and history. They immerse you in it and connect you to Santa Cruz and beyond. If you're ready to dive into a new perspective, join us every Friday for an informative private tour free with admission. Art experts, historians, and educators are here to help. Plus, stick around to meet new people or check out our new gift shop. If you are an educator and interested in booking a tour for your class or group, browse our educational field trips here.
Celebrating the life of Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir, the latest members of the Grateful Dead to have passed. โThe Days Betweenโ as it has been deemed โ are literally the days between Jerryโs 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 โThe Boysโ. We will have something special ALL โThe Days Betweenโ in the gallery; 1/2 LOADED with Rock n Roll Photography and 15 other local artists. Memorabilia and Memorial Gathering GATEFUL FOREVER.
Presenting: Between the Dark and the Light with Jay Blakesberg, Grateful Forever at Nicely Gallery
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 โThe Boysโ. We will have something special ALL โThe Days Betweenโ in the gallery; 1/2 LOADED with Rock n Roll Photography and 15 other local artists. Memorabilia and Memorial Gathering GATEFUL FOREVER.
First Friday at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, featuring artist-led offerings and community connection. Focus on supporting BIPOC, women, and artists.
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+
A screening of a film exploring ayahuasca, offering an opportunity to engage with the topic in a community space.
First Friday Art Event
First Friday Art Event
The gathering place for Alasdair Fraser's concerts, workshops and fiddle camps Biography http://www.alasdairfraser.com/ Description http://www.alasdairfraser.com/
Mike O'Hara Experimental Music + Video Event
An evening of experimental music paired with video, offering a boundary-pushing audiovisual experience.
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 2004โs The Man in a Blue Turban with a Face. Songs like โ10lb Moustacheโ defy easy categorization but feature elements of cabaret and music hall. Subsequent releases were no more mainstream, showcasing Honusโ distinctive and idiosyncratic approach to music. The groupโs latest release is a skewed take on country-folk, โSo it Goes,โ a collaboration with Fingers & the Outlaws (who are, fitting enough, actually Man Man). -Bill Kopp; Good Times Santa Cruz
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
SANTA CRUZ TRANS POTLUCK
SANTA CRUZ TRANS POTLUCK - Saturday May 2nd, 12pm - 3pm at SubRosa (703 Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz). Trans ppl!!! Bring ur friends! * Make Trans Friends * Share Food * Build Community Community announcements at 2pm. This can include things like board game nights or dinners, more formal planned events, or a milestone you feel like sharing with the community! This is a dry space (no alcohol) - Masks encouraged (available at SubRosa). Send feedback or suggestions to: [email protected] โ@@@@@โ 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. Letโs 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 interconnected, creative communities - since 1994! More about the Hub i
Saturday, September 05 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm A safe space to explore questions and feelings about dying
Bottomlined by chris
A Tribute To Sly & The Family Stone
This ensemble of mostly Bay Area/Marin musicians played what was supposed to be a โtwo-offโ Sly & The Family Stone tribute this past March at Hopmonk Novato and Moeโs 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 โLeboโ Lebowitz, Vicki Randle, Ray White, Mookie Siegel, Ezra Lipp, Steve Adams, Marcus Stephens and Brendan Liu were the perfect ensemble to interpret Slyโs music those two fantastic evenings. Vocals, instrumentation, passion and spirit all turned up to 11. For the September โ26 shows, we are thrilled to announce that Natalie Cressman will be joining the ensemble on trombone and vocals. Sheโs 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
"Xian Hippie Comics" - Illustrated Lecture by Amy Slonaker
Amy Slonaker presents an illustrated lecture on 'Xian Hippie Comics' at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, exploring the intersection of underground comics and counterculture.
Join us as we return to the Actor's Theatre of Santa Cruz for an unforgettable night of LIVE flamenco!
Clawhammer Banjo Beginner Workshop
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.
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Introduction to Organized Anarchist Feminism
Introduction to Organized Anarchist Feminism - Sunday, September 6th / 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. with tasha von stein ([email protected] & instagram @blackrosebayare) Location: please contact for location information โ [email protected] Description: Members of Black Rose will be introducing folks to the organized Anarcha-feminist tradition as practiced by BRRN and its sister organizations. We specifically want to focus on the examples of the Mujeres Libres in Spain, the Feminist organization like Women of Rojava, and our own experiences as feminist militant to mobilize against patriarchy. We hope by doing so we can inspire further mass feminist organizing in Santa Cruz. All of which will be done through selected readings and group discussion. Materials: Read and/or watch the material which we will link later. Community care note: encouraged masking but not required.
Dungeons and Dragons for Adults
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. Solve weird and wonderful problems with spells, cunning, or daggers and make some new friends in the process. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned player you will be welcomed every 1st Sunday for an afternoon of collaborative storytelling at the Downtown Branch. Friendly game masters will be ready with dice, characters, and the start of a story; all we need is your creativity and enthusiasm. No prior experience is necessary. This program is for adults 18+. This program also happens on 3rd Saturdays at the Capitola Branch from 12-5. What is Dungeons and Dragons? D&D is one of many tabletop roleplaying games, in which players create and control fictional characters within a shared imaginary world. A Game Master guides the story and sets the scene, while the players make decisions for their characters, rolling dice to determine outcomes. TTRPGs encourage creativity, teamwork, and storytelling as players collaborate to overcome challenges and complete quests. Modern D&D has veered away from the combat-heavy game it used to be. While it's still possible to spend hours attacking monsters and finding loot, many groups now tell stories of mystery, intrigue, horror, or whimsy. Who are the game masters? This event is organized by Jeltje van Baren ( [email protected] ), who learned to play a few years ago and has been creating games for new players ever since. She will be assisted by a rotating group of diverse GMs from the local TTRPG community, all of whom are used to patiently explaining the rules and keeping the game fun for everyone.
Dungeons and Dragons for Adults @ Downtown
Sunday, September 06 2026 1:00pm - 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.
Silent meditation.
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. Solve weird and wonderful problems with spells, cunning, or daggers and make some new friends in the process. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned player you will be welcomed every 1st Sunday for an afternoon of collaborative storytelling at the Downtown Branch. Friendly game masters will be ready with dice, characters, and the start of a story; all we need is your creativity and enthusiasm. No prior experience is necessary. This program is for adults 18+. This program also happens on 3rd Saturdays at the Capitola Branch from 12-5. What is Dungeons and Dragons? D&D is one of many tabletop roleplaying games, in which players create and control fictional characters within a shared imaginary world. A Game Master guides the story and sets the scene, while the players make decisions for their characters, rolling dice to determine outcomes. TTRPGs encourage creativity, teamwork, and storytelling as players collaborate to overcome challenges and complete quests. Modern D&D has veered away from the combat-heavy game it used to be. While it's still possible to spend hours attacking monsters and finding loot, many groups now tell stories of mystery, intrigue, horror, or whimsy. Who are the game masters? This event is organized by Jeltje van Baren ( [email protected] ), who learned to play a few years ago and has been creating games for new players ever since. She will be assisted by a rotating group of diverse GMs from the local TTRPG community, all of whom are used to patiently explaining the rules and keeping the game fun for everyone.
-Natalie
The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted micโd board games 5 โ 8 Trivia 8 โ 10
Motion Pacific: Adult Beginning Jazz Fusion
This is Motion Pacific's Beginning Jazz Fusion class for adult dancers.
A weekly Afro-Brazilian dance class focusing on rhythm and movement.
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
Contact Improv dance session at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, offered weekly on Mondays.
Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
Awe Lecture & Book Signing with Michael Amster
Join Michael Amster, co-author of The Power of Awe , for an awe-inspired lecture & book signing! Michael Amster, MD, is a local pain management specialist, researcher at the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center, co-author of The Power of Awe (Hachette 2023), and a Qi Gong/mindfulness teacher. A practitioner of meditation for over thirty years, he is also a meditation teacher trained at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and studied medical Qi Gong in China. He splits his time between clinical work, research on awe, teaching Qi Gong and mindfulness, and leading awe-inspiring retreats around the world.
Kaika Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
A hula and Tahitian dance class offering instruction in traditional movement through an established dance school.
A recurring dance class in Santa Cruz. Check with the venue for specific style and level.
Rainbow Sangha at Insight Meditation Center (Outside Community Event)
Rainbow Sangha Sit, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month , 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The Rainbow Sangha group offers a safer space for individuals who identify as queer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, gay, intersex, questioning, and others who identify outside of cisgender, heterosexual mainstream culture. Please see more information on the Rainbow Sangha page at Insight Santa Cruz . .
A free weekly dance jam for babies and their caregivers at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, with movement, music, and play in a joyful environment.
Wednesdays, 1โ5 pm, year-round. Our biggest and oldest market is a block off Pacific. Open since 1990, with farms that helped build the organic movement. Eat with the seasons: fruits, vegetables, flowers, and pasture-raised meats, plus some of the county's most diverse food stalls, naan and curry, Eritrean dishes, pupusas, crepes, and long-ferment breads. Fill your bags, then stay for a meal
Dance for Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinsonโs Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PDยฎ program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinsonโs 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 Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinsonโs, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinsonโs 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.
Every Wed from 4 to 8 pm at our Downtown Santa Cruz Tasting Room + Wine Bar Join us for a night of wigging out in Downtown Santa Cruz! Wear a wig, and weโll have a surprise for you. Weโll play cool music, games, trivia, and much more! Letโs wig out and keep Santa Cruz weird! Wig Out Wednesday Special: 2 empanadas and a glass of wine (Riesling, Rose, or Homestead) for $19.
Wednesday, September 09 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm Practice reading to a trained therapy dog! Registration is required.
Motion Pacific- Beginning Hip Hop House
A weekly beginning hip hop house dance class. Participants will learn foundational movements, rhythms, and combinations in a structured, studio setting.
Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)
Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .
A regular tango class in Downtown Santa Cruz, offering a way to learn Latin dance in a social, cultural setting.
Using the fabrica inside space. Please donโt book noisy stuff at this time. Contact person is elaina.
Using the fabrica and partial courtyard. Please donโt schedule loud activities in subrosa at the same time. Contact personโ [email protected]
A weekly event at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, focused on setup activities. Details are sparse.
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by Hugging Porcupines Productions
Motion Pacific: Advanced Contemporary Jazz
This is Motion Pacific's Advanced Contemporary Jazz Dance class for adults.
Much Love To You And Yours ๐
A weekly evening of tango in Santa Cruz, offering a chance to learn, dance, and connect with a new community.
Thursday, September 10 2026 10:30am - 11:30am For ages 0-5
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Step into the MAH's Archives Reading Room during our weekly Open Archives hours. Meet the archivist, see a unique item from the collection on display, and discover where Santa Cruz history is preserved. Please note: Open Archives is an informal drop-in experience, not a time for in-depth research appointments. If you'd like to schedule research time, please contact us in advance by email or phone. We usually pop open the archives every week-though every now and then we take a break. For more information, email [email protected]
A weekly Congo dance class in Santa Cruz. Participants learn traditional African dance movements in a group setting at The 418 Project.
Motion Pacific: Adult Intermediate Modern
This is Motion Pacific's Adult Intermediate Modern class for adult dancers.
Picture This: Belonging Builds Community
Beginning in 2026, Housing Matters presents Picture This: Belonging Builds Community, a quarterly storytelling and conversation series exploring belonging, connection, and community care in Santa Cruz County. Each event opens with a featured storyteller sharing a personal experience of belonging and what it means to feel seen, supported, and included. A local community partner then joins for a facilitated discussion on how belonging shows up in practice and how inclusive spaces are built across our County. The evening concludes with small-group reflection and a shared invitation to take one meaningful action toward a more connected community.
Free jazz nights every other Thursday at Abbott Square Market. All ages welcome to enjoy local jazz artists in an outdoor plaza setting.
Nduduzo Makhathini is an improvisor, scholar and musicologist at the University of KwaZulu Natal school of the arts with a PhD in music obtained from Stellenbosch University. Makhathiniโs practice and scholarship focus on constructing alternative sites for practicing and theorising jazz studies in South Africa that consider ba-ntu cosmologies as points of departure. Makhathini is also a multi award winning artist and internationally acclaimed musician from Pietermariztburg in KwaZulu Natal. As a bandleader, Makhathini holds 12 albums under his belt and he features on many as a sideman and producer. He is currently signed to the prestigious Blue Note Records in the US and has a busy tourist schedule that keeps him relevant in current jazz practices and discourses. Makhathini has collaborated with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra, Richard Bona, Hamilton de Holanda, (the late) Zim Ngqawana, Omagugu, Shabaka Hutchings, Black Coffee, Thandiswa Mazwai, Mbuso Khoza and most recently, the WDR Big Band just to name a few of his favourite musicians that he has worked with. Makhathini has also done reputable festivals around the globe such as Umbria Jazz Fest, Joy of Jazz, Jarasum Jazz Fest, Chicago Jazz Fest , Montreal Jazz Fest and Cape Town International Jazz Fest among others. Currently, Makhathini is performing his recent offering uNomkhubulwane (2024) out on Blue Note Records. uNomkhubulwane is understood to be a mythical rain Goddess who regulates fertility through the language of water. The album is underpinned by an understanding of mythical institutions of Nguni peoples of Southern Africa, their connection to the cosmos and how that relates to ingoma (sound making and healing strategies). Makhathini has recently returned from a long US, South America and European tour that included his debut at the historical Carnegie Hall in New York and at the Koln Philharmonie.
Evergreen Volunteer Days
Leave your mark on Santa Cruz history by volunteering at the historic Evergreen Cemetery every Friday from 9:30am-12pm. No need to register, just show up ready to work! All ages are welcome to help, including high school students seeking community service hours. Tools and work gloves will be provided. Please bring a mask and your own bottled water. For more information, email [email protected]
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Take a guided tour of the MAH by one of our staff members! At the MAH, our tours don't just take you through art and history. They immerse you in it and connect you to Santa Cruz and beyond. If you're ready to dive into a new perspective, join us every Friday for an informative private tour free with admission. Art experts, historians, and educators are here to help. Plus, stick around to meet new people or check out our new gift shop. If you are an educator and interested in booking a tour for your class or group, browse our educational field trips here.
World Class Music Live Presents: Ballakรฉ Sissoko & Piers Faccini
Two decades after their first ever collaboration, British-Italian folk songwriter, Piers Faccini, and Malian kora virtuoso, Ballakรฉ Sissoko, return with a mesmerizing album. This new and captivating musical dialogue โ between a prodigious instrumentalist at the height of his powers and a gifted songwriter and wordsmith โ deftly bridges continents and traditions, inventing new song forms. The seeds of Our Calling were first planted when Sissoko and Faccini met at Label Bleu in the early 2000s. Their friendship grew as they linked and explored uncharted paths between Manding traditions and folksong forms. With its ten finely crafted tracks, Our Calling is a sonic and narrative praise song for migration in all its manifestations: seeds borne by the winds; Nightingales flying between West Africa and Europe at the turn of the seasons; humans, across the centuries, and along trade routes, sharing musical practices and rhythms. The albumโs originality is that it feels deeply Malian at its core, while also being seamlessly infused with an essence of folk songwriting; the two elements blending without one ever overshadowing the other. The duoโs ambition when they began imagining the album was clear: the musical language begins and ends with Manding traditions and modes. The songs had that creative brief. Their melodies, although sung in English, are constructed and stepped along Manding lines. The originality of Sissoko and Facciniโs dialogue is best exemplified with the song โIf Nothing is Realโ โ a song that succeeds in finding a home away from home, both on the African and European continents. It is a testament to the Nightingale, or Sorofรฉ Kono in Bambara, the songbird that first inspired these old friends to compose music of their own calling. Ballake Sissoko Website info/tickets/questions: worldclassmusic.live/contact or Ticketing Page
SEP 11 - SANTA CRUZ - PEDRO GONZALEZ LIVE
Pedro's one of NYC's best comedians and the First Latino immigrant to ever perform on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
A screening of a film exploring ayahuasca, offering an opportunity to engage with the topic in a community space.
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
World Class Music Presents: Salar Nader & Quraishi: The Afghan Music Project
Afghan tabla virtuoso Salar Nader curates a program of the rich and varied legacy of classical compositions and folk melodies of this ancient Central Asian nation. At the heart of this musical odyssey lies the enchanting sounds of the rubab, Afghanistanโs revered 21-stringed lute, renowned for its hauntingly soulful timbre. Accompanied by the tablaโs rhythmic pulse, Salarโs innovative fusion of Afghan and Indian percussion draws out the musical parallels with Hindustani music, exploring the essence of Ragas and the profound connection between two diverse yet harmonious traditions. Salar Nader, disciple of the legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain, has toured extensively with NEA Jazz Master Stanley Clarke, appeared on Broadway with โThe Kite Runner,โ and took part in a series of recordings of the music of Afghanistan and Central Asia sponsored by Aga Khan Music Initiative for the Smithsonian Folkways label. Quraishi Roya is a legendary master and composer of the rubab, Afghanistanโs national instrument. A self-taught musician originally from Kabul, he is widely celebrated for keeping the rich tradition of classical Afghan court music and regional folk styles alive. In a time when music has been banned in Afghanistan, the music of these master musicians serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and importance of preserving cultural heritage. Salar Nader Website info/tickets/questions: worldclassmusic.live/contact or Ticketing Page
Downtown Santa Cruz: Antiques Faire
The Santa Cruz Antique Faire is on the 2nd Sunday of every month from 9am-5pm, weather permitting. Vendors offer an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items, vintage clothing, collectibles and more! Visit the Antique Faire on Lincoln Street between Pacific and Cedar.
Really Really Free Market
Description: Tianguis Realmente Gratuito. Todo es gratis. Really Really Free Market - every second Sunday - 11am - 2pm. No money. No trades. Everything is free. This gathering is not about the "stuff" we give and take, but more about how we can freely give and receive from each other. This is a form of anti-capitalist mutual aid where everyone is invited to participate and share care. ยกTodo es gratis! No intercambio de dinero, no negocios, no trueques. Trae lo que gustes, toma lo que necesites. Este mercado gratuito es basado en una economรญa de regalar. Learn more about the Santa Cruz Really Really Free Market (RRFM) and RRFMs in general - go to link in bio https://instagram.com/rrfm_ and http://journal.subrosaproject.org/2022/09/really-really-free-market-info-history.html Please wear a mask for community care. with the Really Really Free Market Crew ([email protected]) http://www.subrosaproject.org/ // https://www.facebook.com/subrosaproject // https://www.instagram.com/subrosa_space
Confluence: where separate currents meet. The exhibition brings together two distinct practices, each shaped by its own materials, process, and point of view - meeting at a single point within the gallery. Carter's work begins from a place of not knowing, letting intuition guide the encounter between material and chance. Arias describes her work as primitive contemporary, presenting her sculptures as if they belonged in a history museum - objects that carry the weight and presence of relics. Together, their work forms a quiet conversation about what separate paths can become when they meet. "Susana and Glenn each bring such a deeply distinctive artistic voice to their work," said Rose Sellery, exhibition curator. "Confluence explores the fertile ground where two creative currents meet. Their work remains unmistakably their own, yet in conversation with one another it reveals new layers of meaning, beauty and possibility." Confluence is shown alongside work from more than 25 local and regional artists whose work the gallery is proud to represent, reflecting M.K. Contemporary's ongoing commitment to the Santa Cruz arts community. The exhibition opens with a First Friday reception on August 7, featuring live improvisational jazz from The Leftovers. The public is invited to attend.
โConfluenceโ: 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. โConfluenceโ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from โThe Leftoversโ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Silent meditation.
World Class Music Live Presents: Ballakรฉ Sissoko & Piers Faccini
Two decades after their first ever collaboration, British-Italian folk songwriter, Piers Faccini, and Malian kora virtuoso, Ballakรฉ Sissoko, return with a mesmerizing album. This new and captivating musical dialogue โ between a prodigious instrumentalist at the height of his powers and a gifted songwriter and wordsmith โ deftly bridges continents and traditions, inventing new song forms. The seeds of Our Calling were first planted when Sissoko and Faccini met at Label Bleu in the early 2000s. Their friendship grew as they linked and explored uncharted paths between Manding traditions and folksong forms. With its ten finely crafted tracks, Our Calling is a sonic and narrative praise song for migration in all its manifestations: seeds borne by the winds; Nightingales flying between West Africa and Europe at the turn of the seasons; humans, across the centuries, and along trade routes, sharing musical practices and rhythms. The albumโs originality is that it feels deeply Malian at its core, while also being seamlessly infused with an essence of folk songwriting; the two elements blending without one ever overshadowing the other. The duoโs ambition when they began imagining the album was clear: the musical language begins and ends with Manding traditions and modes. The songs had that creative brief. Their melodies, although sung in English, are constructed and stepped along Manding lines. The originality of Sissoko and Facciniโs dialogue is best exemplified with the song โIf Nothing is Realโ โ a song that succeeds in finding a home away from home, both on the African and European continents. It is a testament to the Nightingale, or Sorofรฉ Kono in Bambara, the songbird that first inspired these old friends to compose music of their own calling. Ballake Sissoko Website info/tickets/questions: worldclassmusic.live/contact or Ticketing Page
Monday, September 14 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Join us for Storytime for ages 0-5 featuring songs, rhymes, lap bounces, and stories. After Storytime, stay for Stay & Play!
-Natalie
The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted micโd board games 5 โ 8 Trivia 8 โ 10
Motion Pacific: Adult Beginning Jazz Fusion
This is Motion Pacific's Beginning Jazz Fusion class for adult dancers.
A weekly Afro-Brazilian dance class focusing on rhythm and movement.
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
John Pizzarelli has had a multi-faceted career as a jazz guitarist, vocalist and bandleader. Internationally known for classic standards, late-night ballads, and the cool jazz flavor he brings to his performances and recordings, he has recently established himself as the consummate entertainer and radio program host with the launch of "Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli" a nationally syndicated radio program co-hosted with his wife, Broadway star Jessica Molaskey. Born on April 6, 1960, in Paterson, New Jersey, Pizzarelli has been playing guitar since age six, following in the tradition of his father, guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli. Hanging out with his father, John was exposed to all the great jazz music of the era, from Erroll Garner and Les Paul to Django Reinhardt. He began playing with his father at age 20, before going out on his own. John Pizzarelli has recorded as a bandleader for RCA, Chesky, Stash and Novus, and in 1997 appeared in the Broadway musical Dream, a revue of Johnny Mercer songs. Along the way, Pizzarelli and his band have earned rave reviews. Reviewers often compare the Pizzarelli Trio to jazz icons such as Nat "King" Cole: "The John Pizzarelli Trio has never been tighter, and Pizzarelli himself has never been looser," said The Village Voice of a recent New York show. "We can say weโre as lucky to listen to [Pizzarelli] as Nat Cole fans were in the years before he became a legend." For Pizzarelli, the comparison to the Nat "King" Cole Trio is the highest of compliments. "I've always said in my concerts that Nat 'King' Cole is why I do what I do." Using greats like Nat "King" Cole and Frank Sinatra and the songs of writers like Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen as touchstones, Pizzarelli is among the prime contemporary interpreters of the great American songbook, bringing to the work his signature style and brilliant guitar playing. With Telarcโs recent release of Dear Mr. Sinatra, an homage to 'Ol' Blue Eyes,' Pizzarelli's album count now stands a
Contact Improv dance session at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, offered weekly on Mondays.
Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
Kaika Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
A hula and Tahitian dance class offering instruction in traditional movement through an established dance school.
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.
The Hive Live! Featuring Amber Coverdale Sumrall & Jen Siraganian
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: The Hive Live! presents an evening of poetry featuring Amber Coverdale Sumrall and Jen Siraganian.Your RSVP helps us plan for your arrival and keep in touch with any changes. ...
Wednesdays, 1โ5 pm, year-round. Our biggest and oldest market is a block off Pacific. Open since 1990, with farms that helped build the organic movement. Eat with the seasons: fruits, vegetables, flowers, and pasture-raised meats, plus some of the county's most diverse food stalls, naan and curry, Eritrean dishes, pupusas, crepes, and long-ferment breads. Fill your bags, then stay for a meal
Headliner: Nonbinary Girlfriend Critter bottom-lining
Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)
Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by Hugging Porcupines Productions
Thursday, September 17 2026 10:30am - 11:30am For ages 0-5
Confluence: where separate currents meet. The exhibition brings together two distinct practices, each shaped by its own materials, process, and point of view - meeting at a single point within the gallery. Carter's work begins from a place of not knowing, letting intuition guide the encounter between material and chance. Arias describes her work as primitive contemporary, presenting her sculptures as if they belonged in a history museum - objects that carry the weight and presence of relics. Together, their work forms a quiet conversation about what separate paths can become when they meet. "Susana and Glenn each bring such a deeply distinctive artistic voice to their work," said Rose Sellery, exhibition curator. "Confluence explores the fertile ground where two creative currents meet. Their work remains unmistakably their own, yet in conversation with one another it reveals new layers of meaning, beauty and possibility." Confluence is shown alongside work from more than 25 local and regional artists whose work the gallery is proud to represent, reflecting M.K. Contemporary's ongoing commitment to the Santa Cruz arts community. The exhibition opens with a First Friday reception on August 7, featuring live improvisational jazz from The Leftovers. The public is invited to attend.
Looking at the genome: Learn how to use the UCSC Genome Browser
Looking at the genome: Learn how to use the UCSC Genome Browser - Thursday, September 17th / 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. with Cin Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA Description: Ever wanted to zoom around sequences in a chromosome? Curious about how normal people can interact with sequencing research? This workshop will walk you through how to use the UCSC Genome Browser, a free, interactive web portal of data that can be explored to learn about genes. Materials: Students are encouraged to bring a laptop or tablet that can access wifi, to allow them to follow along. However, this is not required. Community care note: Masks not required but encouraged
Fools, Monsters, and Marvels of the Old World Carnival: A lecture & book signing with author Al Ridenour
Join us at the MAH for a wonderful presentation from author Al Ridenour! Based on his book, A Season of Madness: Fools, Monsters, and Marvels of the Old-World Carnival (Feral House, 2025), Ridenour's lively and immersive presentation employs slides, video, props, and other surprises to illustrate a history reaching back to 4th-century Rome and widespread from Sardinia to Bulgaria. A Season of Madness focuses primarily on old (yet still extant) Carnival traditions echoing the customs of village life, medieval Christianity, and paganism. Much of this revolves around the activities of costumed groups visiting homes or interacting with spectators in public spaces. Their behavior is often chaotic or intimidating and their appearance bizarre, even monstrous, yet contact with them is said to bring luck and fertility. Often costumed in shaggy sheepskins, horned masks, and almost always wearing bells, these figures invite comparison to the Krampus.First encountering them while researching The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas (Feral House 2016), Ridenour was intrigued and began studying the historical intertwining of these traditions. Tonight's presentation will explore that connection and provide an overview of the regional celebrations detailed in A Season of Madness, a volume described by Dr. Paul Koudounaris (Empire of Death, Heavenly Bodies, Faithful unto Death) as "sumptuously illustrated and written with clarity, eloquence, and wry humor."
Sarah Elizabeth Charles is a vocalist/composer/producer/teaching artist/mother based in Brooklyn, New York. She has released four critically acclaimed albums with her band SCOPE, and her fifth album Dawn โ a reflection on birth, loss, joy, and motherhood โ features a brand new ensemble. Charles has performed at venues including The White House, Carnegie Hall, the first annual Culture Summit in Abu Dhabi, The Kennedy Center, the Rose Theatre with Jazz at Lincoln Center and many more. She has also had a commissioned composition performed at The National Gallery in Washington D.C. via The Canales Project โHear Her Songโ initiative. Charlesโ musical output has been described as a โgenre of oneโ (DownBeat Magazine), โsoulfully articulateโ (The New York Times) and โan unmatched soundโ (Jay Zโs Life+Times). One can only look to the future for more unique and boundary pushing work from this versatile artist. In addition to Charlesโ performance and recording work, she is an active teaching artist who designed, developed and co-teaches the โJazz and Gender: Broadening the Scopeโ and โNew Narratives: Creating Space for Equity in Musicโ at The New School University in New York City with Dr. Caroline Davis. Moreover, Charles has co-led The Musical Connections project with Carnegie Hall at Sing Sing Correctional Facility for over a decade, designed an early childhood education program in Fond Parisien, Haiti for Rise2Shine and has worked with Decoda and Musicambia to teach music programs in Correctional Facilities in South Carolina, Connecticut and Kansas. Sarah Elizabeth Charles Website (Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
Confluence: where separate currents meet. The exhibition brings together two distinct practices, each shaped by its own materials, process, and point of view - meeting at a single point within the gallery. Carter's work begins from a place of not knowing, letting intuition guide the encounter between material and chance. Arias describes her work as primitive contemporary, presenting her sculptures as if they belonged in a history museum - objects that carry the weight and presence of relics. Together, their work forms a quiet conversation about what separate paths can become when they meet. "Susana and Glenn each bring such a deeply distinctive artistic voice to their work," said Rose Sellery, exhibition curator. "Confluence explores the fertile ground where two creative currents meet. Their work remains unmistakably their own, yet in conversation with one another it reveals new layers of meaning, beauty and possibility." Confluence is shown alongside work from more than 25 local and regional artists whose work the gallery is proud to represent, reflecting M.K. Contemporary's ongoing commitment to the Santa Cruz arts community. The exhibition opens with a First Friday reception on August 7, featuring live improvisational jazz from The Leftovers. The public is invited to attend.
Hosted by Chris
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+
An evening of traditional South American music and dance, centered on Argentine tango-a practica for dancers to practice and socialize.
Queer Climbing Night (Outside Community Event)
Cost: free for members of Pacific Edge, $15 pass with rentals for non-members Every third Friday of the month, Hayden and Joey host a meet-up for the climber gays of our community. Trans or cis, fifteen or fifty, pan or asexual, etc. You will be safe & welcome in our inclusive space. We strive to foster an environment of respect, safety, diversity and community building while meeting/having a blast with like-minded folx! All levels of climbing experience are welcome, from first timers to well-seasoned trad daddis. We have a zero tolerance policy against any and all discrimination such as transphobia, biphobia, racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, xenophobia, and (obviously) homophobia. More information here.
The musical evolution of Old Blind Dogs began in Aberdeen in 1992 with roots that grew from the eclectic music scene that flourished in the Granite City during the early 90โs. Four musicians from very different musical backgrounds came together to create a full-time professional touring band with the aim of showcasing the rich tradition of songs and tunes of the North East of Scotland on an international stage. โLike many of the early flag bearing Scottish folk bands, the Old Blind Dogs line up has faced inevitable changes over the years but the core values at the band's musical heart continue to beat strong. The current band line up has been settled for several years now and consists of some of Scotland's finest traditional musicians at the top of their game. Original member Jonny Hardie (fiddle/vocals) is joined by Aaron Jones (cittern/guitar/vocals) and Donald Hay (percussion/vocals) and along with Mike Katz (pipes/whistles) they collectively comprise one of the hottest live tickets on the traditional Scottish music scene today. As inductees to the BBC ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 'Trad Music Hall of Fame', the 'Dogs' will celebrate thirty-five years on the road in 2027. Their fourteenth studio album, 'Knucklehead Circusโ, is a joyous, uplifting and fun album full of compelling energy and intoxicating rhythm on which โOBD' continue to innovate within their tradition while faithfully revealing its essence. The band is in the process of recording their 15th CD, and promise to bring some of that new music as well as much loved favorites into the intimate Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Hereโs to many more years of Old Blind Dogs! Tickets: celticsociety.org members: $27 non-members: $31.25 student/child: $15.25
Confluence: where separate currents meet. The exhibition brings together two distinct practices, each shaped by its own materials, process, and point of view - meeting at a single point within the gallery. Carter's work begins from a place of not knowing, letting intuition guide the encounter between material and chance. Arias describes her work as primitive contemporary, presenting her sculptures as if they belonged in a history museum - objects that carry the weight and presence of relics. Together, their work forms a quiet conversation about what separate paths can become when they meet. "Susana and Glenn each bring such a deeply distinctive artistic voice to their work," said Rose Sellery, exhibition curator. "Confluence explores the fertile ground where two creative currents meet. Their work remains unmistakably their own, yet in conversation with one another it reveals new layers of meaning, beauty and possibility." Confluence is shown alongside work from more than 25 local and regional artists whose work the gallery is proud to represent, reflecting M.K. Contemporary's ongoing commitment to the Santa Cruz arts community. The exhibition opens with a First Friday reception on August 7, featuring live improvisational jazz from The Leftovers. The public is invited to attend.
Free Skool tea party
Free Skool tea party
A cabaret performance at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz. Details tentative.
Downtown Santa Cruz: Makers Market
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 onesโฆthe 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
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!
BRRN's "Don't Despair, Organize!" event. Bottomlined by critter.
Monday, September 21 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Join us for Storytime for ages 0-5 featuring songs, rhymes, lap bounces, and stories. After Storytime, stay for Stay & Play!
-Natalie
The Cruz Room: Hosted Board Game Night
The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted micโd board games 5 โ 8 Trivia 8 โ 10
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
A Meet & Greet VIP Package is available to purchase with a ticket to the 7 PM show! The VIP package is $150 per-person, and can be added to your cart after selecting your ticket(s). The package includes: View Al Di Meolaโs soundcheck from the first five rows (this seating is available only during the soundcheck). Cameras are permissible (no flash please). Video recording is not permitted. This is a chance to experience the unique time during which Al prepares for a polished and fantastic performance in every city. Following the soundcheck, you will meet Al Di Meola and he will sign up to two pieces of your favorite memorabilia, should you wish to bring any items. In addition, an Al Di Meola CD or photo will be provided to you and will also be signed in person. During that time you will be able to personally chat with Al. Al Di Meolaโs tour representative will capture the moment on your own phone or camera while you pose with Al for a photo. Priority access to the merchandise booth prior to the doors opening to the general public. โโโ Al Di Meola occupies a rare and enduring position in contemporary music as a living legend whose work continues to define the present moment. For more than five decades, he has shaped the language of modern instrumental music through an unmistakable synthesis of jazz, rock, Latin, Mediterranean, and world traditionsโmarked by rhythmic sophistication, compositional intelligence, and extraordinary precision. A GRAMMY Awardโwinning artist, Di Meola is the recipient of the Miles Davis Lifetime Achievement Award and the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a seven-time recipient of Guitar Player Magazineโs Best Guitarist award and a multi-year winner of DownBeatโs Readers Poll. His standing among the Greatest Guitarists of All Time is consistently affirmed by leading international publications and cultural institutions. Di Meola first rose to global prominence in the mid-1970s as a core member of Return to Forever, the seminal ensemble led
Rainbow Sangha at Insight Meditation Center (Outside Community Event)
Rainbow Sangha Sit, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The Rainbow Sangha group offers a safer space for individuals who identify as queer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, gay, intersex, questioning, and others who identify outside of cisgender, heterosexual mainstream culture. Please see more information on the Rainbow Sangha page at Insight Santa Cruz . .
Wednesdays, 1โ5 pm, year-round. Our biggest and oldest market is a block off Pacific. Open since 1990, with farms that helped build the organic movement. Eat with the seasons: fruits, vegetables, flowers, and pasture-raised meats, plus some of the county's most diverse food stalls, naan and curry, Eritrean dishes, pupusas, crepes, and long-ferment breads. Fill your bags, then stay for a meal
Wednesday, September 23 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm Practice reading to a trained therapy dog! Registration is required.
Wednesday, September 23 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm Lego Fun for Kids
Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)
Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .
The Art of Building a Future (RSSC Discussion Group)
Join us 4th Wednesdays, 6-8pm at SubRosa for The Art of Building a Future - a cafรฉ for discussion and practice for creating the future we want to live in, now! Hosted by @rojavasc1 Bring your thoughts and experience and enjoy some light refreshments. Will be held in the courtyard weather permitting. COVID precautions encouraged. 6pm - 8pm // totally free! // all-ages // dry space // safe(r) space // anti-capitalist space // respect the space and each other! SubRosa is at 703 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, CA Also part of the @freeskoolsantacruz 2026 session - more info about other class in bio at @freeskoolsantacruz and @subrosa_space โ@@@@@โ 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. Letโs 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
Using the fabrica and partial courtyard. Please donโt schedule loud activities in subrosa at the same time. Contact personโ [email protected]
Motion Pacific's Melissa Contemp. Jazz class series at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, CA, running weekly through November.
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by Hugging Porcupines Productions
Brass Queens is a female-led, New York-based brass band that has been dominating the brass band scene since 2019. Finding that they shared similar frustrations about the emerging brass band scene in New York City, co-founders Alex Harris and Ally Chapel formed a group dedicated to showcasing the talents of female musicians in a landscape that was dominated by male musicians and bandleaders. After debuting in March 2019, Brass Queens grew to be a fixture in the local music scene and was dubbed โthe hardest working band in townโ by their peers. The Queens gained a dedicated following through outdoor performances on the streets of Brooklyn and playing pop-up events in their community through the pandemic. Now, a core value of the band is to play for as many audiences as possible to increase the visibility of female musicians. The band has developed a signature style that sits right at the intersection of the Big Apple and the Big Easy. Their sound is deeply inspired by, and pays homage to, the New Orleans brass band tradition while injecting the upbeat, multifaceted energy of their New York home into each performance. In November 2023, the band released their first full-length album titled Black & Gold, which is an ode to the Brass Queenโs incredible early fanbase who supported the band from the virtual performances and socially-distanced street corners during the COVID-19 pandemic, to the crowded clubs and packed venues of today. Less than a year later, Brass Queens released their second full-length album and their first album of all-original music, titled Hot Tub Sessions Vol. I. Brass Queens Website (Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
MAH Art Travel Program - Silicon Valley
Join MAH Executive Director Ginger Shulick Porcella for a full day of art, food, and community as we explore the greater Silicon Valley. Together we'll be led on guided tours of museum exhibitions, then gather for tapas, dinner, and wine at PintxoPote. This trip is open to all MAH members, and space is limited. If you have any dietary needs or mobility considerations, please reply to this email so we can ensure your experience is comfortable and enjoyable. Itinerary 9:15am - Convene in MAH Atrium for pastries and coffee 9:30am - Depart MAH in luxury passenger van Anderson Collection 11:00am - Private Museum Tour of Anderson Collection 12:00pm - Lunch at Tootsie's in ICA San Jose 1:45pm - Private Tour of Greg Ito's To Give and Take New Museum Los Gatos 3:00pm - Private Tour of New Museum Los Gatos Monte Sereno 4:00pm - Tour of Monte Sereno Eichler Homes 5:00pm - Dinner at PintxoPote 7:00pm - Arrive back at MAH We can't wait to explore the Silicon Valley art scene with you!
Thursday, September 24 2026 10:30am - 11:30am For ages 0-5
Yappy Hours @ the MAH!
Join us for Yappy Hours in the Kincentricity Garden every last Thursday of the month! Meet the pups that are up for adoption (paperwork to fill out onsite), sip on a few "Barktinis", and enjoy furry-friend festivities like the option for dogs to make their very own paw paintings!
$5 NOTAFLOF. Hosted by Critter
Women Behind the Camera During the Silent Era: Dwight Cleveland Lecture + Booksigning
A lecture and book signing exploring the contributions of women cinematographers during the silent film era.
BITE ME! No Cover โข Last Thursday of Every Month Cat Alley Street (upstairs above The Catalyst) โ 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: โข Jewelry and clothing makers โข Tintype photography โข Goth makeovers โข 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, itโs totally worth it! Weโve created a beautiful, comfortable, and welcoming vampire lounge and canโt 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!
Free jazz nights every other Thursday at Abbott Square Market. All ages welcome to enjoy local jazz artists in an outdoor plaza setting.
Bill Frisell & HARMONY FIVE feat. Petra Haden, Hank Roberts, Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo
โFrisell has had a lot of practice putting high concept into a humble package. Long hailed as one of the most distinctive and original improvising guitarists of our time, he has also earned a reputation for teasing out thematic connections with his musicโฆโ โ The New York Times Bill Frisellโs career as a guitarist and composer has spanned more than forty-five years and many celebrated recordings. His catalog has been cited by DownBeat as โthe best recorded output of the decade.โ Bill Frisell & HARMONY FIVE expands upon 2019โs HARMONY project, blending jazz, traditional Americana, and chamber music; and features Petra Haden on vocals, Hank Roberts on cello and vocals, Luke Bergman on bass and vocals, and Tim Angulo on drums. As a singer, instrumentalist, and composer, Petra Haden has established a singular reputation for creativity and versatility, and a unique niche, allowing her to apply her diverse talents to a wide range of music, including her work as part of the 1990 alt-rock quartet That Dog, her solo albums Imaginaryland (1996), Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out (2005), and Petra Goes to the Movies (2012). With a career spanning over fifty years, improvisational cellist and composer Hank Roberts has performed internationally with a diverse array of celebrated musicians. His playing is featured on many recordings, including dozens of his own as a leader and collaborator. Luke Bergman is a multi-instrumentalist based in New York City. As a pedal steel guitarist, he is known for his distinctive approach to the instrument, performing jazz and classical music alongside repertoire traditionally associated with that instrument. He has released two solo albums and one trio album with Jason Burger and Martin Nevin. Timothy Angulo is a drummer and composer based in New York City. Although his background is in jazz, Angulo has performed with a dizzying array of musicians across genres. Combining intuition and discipline to allow the music to reveal itself regardless of
Santa Cruz Creative Mornings
What is CreativeMornings? A free, live, monthly breakfast lecture series for creatives, community-builders, entrepreneurs, and more! Each month features a short lecture by a local innovator, framed by opportunities to socialize and spark new connections. CreativeMornings draws attendees and speakers not strictly from โcreativeโ fields; it includes anyone driven by passion and purpose. Live lectures are video-recorded and shared on the CreativeMornings online platform. CreativeMornings Santa Cruz was born out of a love of this town as well as a desire to see our creative community unite and cross-pollinate. From Bonny Doon to Watsonville, our county is full of artists, innovators, and people making inspired choices in the ways they approach their lives and their work. Our goal is to bring them together IRL andโฆwatch the magic happen!
the limes! Riderz! Florez rain! Bottom Michael.
"Califia's Children: Alternative Spiritual Movements in California": Illustrated Presentation
An illustrated presentation exploring alternative spiritual movements that emerged in California, from utopian communities to new religious movements, hosted at The 418 Project.
Moon Festival Lobby Event / Rui Lee (AAPI)
A Moon Festival lobby event at the 418 Project featuring Rui Lee, celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander culture.
trash day universe
(Tentative) Yemanjo feat. Irene Rosalia
A tentative concert by Yemanjo featuring Irene Rosalia at The 418 Project.
Circle Readings with JARED THE MEDIUM -SoulSearch Santa Cruz Expo
Join Jared the Medium for Circle Readings at the SoulSearch Santa Cruz Enlightenment Expo! Limited to 20 | 6:30PM
A milonga, or social tango dance, with DJ Sharon at the 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
Astrology Event: Vivi Henriette Illustrated Lecture
An illustrated lecture on astrology by Vivi Henriette at the 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
Rite Life - A Writing Group Amongst the Dead
This monthly series of writing workshops in Evergreen Cemetery is facilitated by local poet Gabriel Kittle-Cervine. Rite Life is a workshop that blends the act of automatic writing, with our individual practices of ancestor veneration, to confront that which haunts us, and to celebrate that which allows us to live. The workshop was born in 2016 from the vision of a profound poet and spiritual teacher named Honeysun, just a couple of years before she passed beyond this life. Her initial concept for the Rite Life workshop is preserved in the way it's practiced today; still facilitated by Gabe, her friend and pupil, alongside a bright circle of local writers and practitioners of craft. Learn more at www.blankmetafour.com or follow @unclegabe831 on Instagram. All ages welcome, and we'll be there rain or shine-see y'all in the cemetery!
A monthly open mic night at the 418 Project featuring music, theatre, and spoken word performances.
Coffee with the Curators
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.
Monday, September 28 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Join us for Storytime for ages 0-5 featuring songs, rhymes, lap bounces, and stories. After Storytime, stay for Stay & Play!
The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted micโd board games 5 โ 8 Trivia 8 โ 10
-Natalie
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
A weekly music jam session in downtown Santa Cruz, featuring lights and fun for all musicians.
Come help us celebrate Tรฉadaโs 25th Anniversary of touring as one of Ireland's leading traditional bands! The five members of the band are fiddle player Oisรญn Mac Diarmada, button accordion player Paul Finn, Damien Stenson performs on flute, Samantha Harvey, piano/dance, Seรกn Mc Elwain who switches between the bouzouki and guitar and bodhrรกn player Tristan Rosenstock. You will undoubtedly recognize fiddler Oisรญn Mac Diarmada, if you have attended an Irish Christmas In America concert. A leading exponent of Irish traditional music, Tรฉada is driven by a fascination for the timeless, expressive force of music inherited from previous generations of musicians. An Irish band with a truly worldwide reach, Tรฉada has frequently appeared as headliners at major music festivals throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Russia, Israel and Australia. Highlights include a 30,000-capacity stadium concert in Brittany, along with performances at Penang World Music Festival in Malaysia, Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada, Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe, and the Milwaukee Irish Festival. The group also received an invitation from the Irish Embassy in Rome during 2008 to perform at a commemorative event marking the 400th anniversary of the landmark event in Irish history known as The Flight of the Earls. With engaging textural arrangements, Tรฉada, which means "strings", will have you dancing in your seat. Tickets: celticsociety.org members: $27 non-members: $31.25 student/child: $15.25
Presented by Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay
Busy
Wednesdays, 1โ5 pm, year-round. Our biggest and oldest market is a block off Pacific. Open since 1990, with farms that helped build the organic movement. Eat with the seasons: fruits, vegetables, flowers, and pasture-raised meats, plus some of the county's most diverse food stalls, naan and curry, Eritrean dishes, pupusas, crepes, and long-ferment breads. Fill your bags, then stay for a meal
Downtown Santa Cruz: Farmers Market
The Downtown Santa Cruz Market runs year-round on Wednesdays, 1-5pm year round. Our largest and oldest market, it is situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, one block off of Pacific Avenue. Established in 1990, many of the farms that sell here were and remain pillars of the organic and ecological farming movement. This is the place to eat with the seasons! The variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, pastured meats and other products is swoon worthy. The Downtown Market also spotlights a large variety of up-and-coming, unique cultural food businesses. This weekly spot may serve up the most diverse selection of ethnic foods in the county including naan and curry, Japanese fermented misos, Eritrean dishes, crepes, El Salvadorean pupusas, traditional Italian cookies, fish and chips and long-ferment fresh breads. Shopping at the Wednesday market is a wonderful way to support regional responsible farms and small local businesses. Fill your grocery bags! Then sit down for a delightful meal and rest your weary arms.
Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)
Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by Hugging Porcupines Productions
Motion Pacific's Melissa Contemp. Jazz class series at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, CA, running weekly through November.
Cyrille Aimรฉe (Surยญreal MยญA) is a FrenchยญDominican vocalist and actress. Winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival's Vocal Competition, the Sarah Vaughn International Jazz Vocal Competition and finalist in the Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition, Aimรฉe isโin the words of Will Friedwald of The Wall Street Journalโ"one of the most promising jazz singers of her generation." In the same Wall Street Journal feature (which included vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant), Friedwald declared both to be โastonishing creative singers, with a brilliant sound, fresh ideas, impeccable rhythm and an overall approach that honors tradition without being shackled to the past." Aimรฉe was born in Fontainebleau, France, to a French father and Dominican mother. Her introduction to jazz was the result of the fortuitous location of her upbringing, the village SamoisยญsurยญSeineโthe same place where legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt had lived. Every June for decades, gypsies have descended upon Samois, setting up caravans in nearby meadows for the annual Django Reinhardt Festival. During those June nights many years ago, after her parents would fall asleep, a young, curious Aimรฉe would climb out her bedroom window and wander into the gypsy encampments. Aimรฉe would sing by the fire with Djangoโs descendents and began to fall in love with the gypsy way of lifeโscampering home before the sun rose. Explained Aimรฉe, "I was hypnotized by gypsy music which made me want to tap my feetอพ music that swings makes me so happy." As a teenager, Aimรฉe performed in various Parisian cafรฉs and clubs. When her family moved to Singapore, she remained in Paris to attend the American School of Modern Music. She also auditioned for "Star Academy," a kind of French "American Idol." Selected to be one of 16 semiยญfinalists, Aimรฉe had second thoughts when handed a contract that tied her up every which way for yearsโincluding the songs to sing. This was too much for her gypsy spiritโso she quit. The French media so pursued
Drop-In Drawing at the MAH
Ever been inspired to drop everything and create when visiting an exhibition at the MAH? Join us for a Drop-In Drawing session in the gallery from 6-8pm on the first Thursday of every month. This is not a formal lesson, but an opportunity to bring in your own art supplies and sketch what you see. Dry media only (no markers or paint). All ages welcome. Free with admission. The museum will provide stools, feel free to bring a cushion or folding chair if space allows. Groups of 5+ please give advanced notice by emailing [email protected] . Drop-In Drawing Calendar 2025 September 4 - Art Forum Gallery / Ed Penniman: Landscapes of Home October 2 - Art Forum Gallery / Ed Penniman: Landscapes of Home November 6 - Art Forum Gallery / Ed Penniman: Landscapes of Home December 4 - Art Forum Gallery / Ed Penniman: Landscapes of Home 2026 January 1 - NONE (New Years Day) February 5 - Solari Gallery / Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship March 5 - Solari Gallery / Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship Comment end
THEATRE OF HORRORS: Grand Guignol documentary screening
A documentary screening exploring the history of Grand Guignol theater and its legacy of horror.
First Friday is our monthly $10 coworking day at NextSpace Working alone sucks... NextSpace is not only a coworking space in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz, but a thriving community of individuals who are passionate about their work and eager to connect with others. NextSpace offers a variety of resources and events to help you grow your business and build relationships. Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or remote worker, you'll find a supportive and inspiring environment at NextSpace. If you are curious about coworking, this is a great time to try it out! For just $10 (normally $30), you'll enjoy complimentary coffee and tea, speedy internet, space to work, and meet a welcoming & vibrant community. Wrap the day up by joining for happy hour at precisely 3:58pm. We look forward to seeing you here at the coolest coworking space!
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!
First Friday at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, featuring artist-led offerings and community connection. Focus on supporting BIPOC, women, and artists.
First Friday Art Event
First Friday Art Event
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+
Evergreen Cemetery Illustrated Lecture w/ Traci Bliss
An illustrated lecture on the history of Evergreen Cemetery, led by author Traci Bliss, offering a deep dive into local heritage and stories.
Harvest Festival returns to Downtown Santa Cruz. There will be throwing up tents, popping popcorn, stacking hay bales and setting up a slew of silly, throw-back games and fun activities for all of you. Think of a sweet nook version of county fair meets a school fair but, filled with local farms and businesses. The Harvest Festival offers tons of activities for all ages, including: Carnival Games ~ Enjoy classic carnival games! Mechanical Bull Whoโs gonna try it? Wreath Making Station, sponsored by the Santa Cruz Warriors Striker, Glitter Tattoos, sponsored by Pacific Cookie Co. Face Painting, sponsored by Go Ask Alice Plinko, Froggy Fly, sponsored by Game Santa Cruz Corn Hole & Foosball, sponsored by the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz.. Food ~ Savor delicious fall flavors! Popcorn, sponsored by Downtown Association of SC Churros by La Casa de Churros Live Music Garden Variety Cheese Farm Animal Meet & Greet ~ Rebecca King brings baby sheep, ewes and chicks for viewing & handling. And more! See link in orange button above.
SANTA CRUZ TRANS POTLUCK
SANTA CRUZ TRANS POTLUCK - Saturday May 2nd, 12pm - 3pm at SubRosa (703 Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz). Trans ppl!!! Bring ur friends! * Make Trans Friends * Share Food * Build Community Community announcements at 2pm. This can include things like board game nights or dinners, more formal planned events, or a milestone you feel like sharing with the community! This is a dry space (no alcohol) - Masks encouraged (available at SubRosa). Send feedback or suggestions to: [email protected] โ@@@@@โ 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. Letโs 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 interconnected, creative communities - since 1994! More about the Hub i
Santa Cruz Porchfest is a free, all-ages, one-day music event that turns downtown porches into stages. Wander the neighborhood, follow the sound, and discover your new favorite band on a neighborโs front steps. On the day: Several bands playing on porches across downtown. (Including the Santa Cruz County Visitor Center) Music from 12 to 6pm, with sets running about an hour each. Walk the route at your own pace โ bring water, a friend, a kid. Food and drinks at local spots along the way.
A classical orchestral performance of Scheherazade by the Santa Cruz Symphony.
Dungeons and Dragons for Adults
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. Solve weird and wonderful problems with spells, cunning, or daggers and make some new friends in the process. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned player you will be welcomed every 1st Sunday for an afternoon of collaborative storytelling at the Downtown Branch. Friendly game masters will be ready with dice, characters, and the start of a story; all we need is your creativity and enthusiasm. No prior experience is necessary. This program is for adults 18+. This program also happens on 3rd Saturdays at the Capitola Branch from 12-5. What is Dungeons and Dragons? D&D is one of many tabletop roleplaying games, in which players create and control fictional characters within a shared imaginary world. A Game Master guides the story and sets the scene, while the players make decisions for their characters, rolling dice to determine outcomes. TTRPGs encourage creativity, teamwork, and storytelling as players collaborate to overcome challenges and complete quests. Modern D&D has veered away from the combat-heavy game it used to be. While it's still possible to spend hours attacking monsters and finding loot, many groups now tell stories of mystery, intrigue, horror, or whimsy. Who are the game masters? This event is organized by Jeltje van Baren ( [email protected] ), who learned to play a few years ago and has been creating games for new players ever since. She will be assisted by a rotating group of diverse GMs from the local TTRPG community, all of whom are used to patiently explaining the rules and keeping the game fun for everyone.
Soundbath w/ Sera Timms - LARGE THEATER
A soundbath experience in a large theater, designed for relaxation and auditory immersion.
Hosted Micโd Board Games 5 โ 8 Trivia 8 โ 10 The Game Night Collective is a Santa Cruz-based board game community that creates welcoming, hosted tabletop events where people can discover new games, meet new friends, and enjoy structured game nights without needing prior experience. Unlike a typical board game meetup where players are expected to know games or organize themselves, The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Each event includes a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, community announcements, raffles, and opportunities to connect with other players. Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. The flagship event takes place every Monday at The CRUZ Room, where attendees can enjoy open gaming, learn two featured games taught by founder Courtney Laschkewitsch, participate in trivia, browse the Merch Chest, and become part of Santa Cruzโs growing tabletop gaming community. At its core, The Game Night Collective exists to bring people together through board games. It combines the structure and consistency of a trivia company with the creativity, strategy, and social connection of modern tabletop gaming, creating a space where newcomers and experienced gamers alike can feel welcome.
-Natalie
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
A technology event covering STEM topics. Check schedule for multiple dates.
A recurring dance class in Santa Cruz. Check with the venue for specific style and level.
Weekly karaoke night at The 418 Project, inviting singers to take the stage and perform.
Downtown Santa Cruz: Farmers Market
The Downtown Santa Cruz Market runs year-round on Wednesdays, 1-5pm year round. Our largest and oldest market, it is situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, one block off of Pacific Avenue. Established in 1990, many of the farms that sell here were and remain pillars of the organic and ecological farming movement. This is the place to eat with the seasons! The variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, pastured meats and other products is swoon worthy. The Downtown Market also spotlights a large variety of up-and-coming, unique cultural food businesses. This weekly spot may serve up the most diverse selection of ethnic foods in the county including naan and curry, Japanese fermented misos, Eritrean dishes, crepes, El Salvadorean pupusas, traditional Italian cookies, fish and chips and long-ferment fresh breads. Shopping at the Wednesday market is a wonderful way to support regional responsible farms and small local businesses. Fill your grocery bags! Then sit down for a delightful meal and rest your weary arms.
Wednesdays, 1โ5 pm, year-round. Our biggest and oldest market is a block off Pacific. Open since 1990, with farms that helped build the organic movement. Eat with the seasons: fruits, vegetables, flowers, and pasture-raised meats, plus some of the county's most diverse food stalls, naan and curry, Eritrean dishes, pupusas, crepes, and long-ferment breads. Fill your bags, then stay for a meal
Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)
Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .
Using the fabrica and partial courtyard. Please donโt schedule loud activities in subrosa at the same time.
Motion Pacific's Melissa Contemp. Jazz class series at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, CA, running weekly through November.
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by Hugging Porcupines Productions
Busy
A technology event covering STEM topics. Check schedule for multiple dates.
Mattie Brice / Presentation on Post-Apocalyptic Video Games & Play
A presentation by game designer Mattie Brice exploring post-apocalyptic themes in video games and play.
Kaiser Permanente Arena: Legacy Fighting Alliance
Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) is back in Santa Cruz! LFA 243 hits Kaiser Permanente Arena for a night of non-stop MMA. Get ready for a front row seat to the sportโs top contenders and best up-and-coming talent. Get your tickets now and be part of the action!
LFA 243 brings professional MMA fights to Kaiser Permanente Arena for a night of live combat sports.
A Show!
Etiquette, Poppyfield, Adam and the Sandlers Show! Alex Backlining
The Santa Cruz Antique Faire is on the 2nd Sunday of every month from 9am-5pm, weather permitting. Vendors offer an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items, vintage clothing, collectibles and more! Visit the Antique Faire on Lincoln Street between Pacific and Cedar.
Really Really Free Market
Description: Tianguis Realmente Gratuito. Todo es gratis. Really Really Free Market - every second Sunday - 11am - 2pm. No money. No trades. Everything is free. This gathering is not about the "stuff" we give and take, but more about how we can freely give and receive from each other. This is a form of anti-capitalist mutual aid where everyone is invited to participate and share care. ยกTodo es gratis! No intercambio de dinero, no negocios, no trueques. Trae lo que gustes, toma lo que necesites. Este mercado gratuito es basado en una economรญa de regalar. Learn more about the Santa Cruz Really Really Free Market (RRFM) and RRFMs in general - go to link in bio https://instagram.com/rrfm_ and http://journal.subrosaproject.org/2022/09/really-really-free-market-info-history.html Please wear a mask for community care. with the Really Really Free Market Crew ([email protected]) http://www.subrosaproject.org/ // https://www.facebook.com/subrosaproject // https://www.instagram.com/subrosa_space
A screening of the film Labyrinth at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, offering a meditative viewing experience in a labyrinth-themed setting.
Hosted Micโd Board Games 5 โ 8 Trivia 8 โ 10 The Game Night Collective is a Santa Cruz-based board game community that creates welcoming, hosted tabletop events where people can discover new games, meet new friends, and enjoy structured game nights without needing prior experience. Unlike a typical board game meetup where players are expected to know games or organize themselves, The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Each event includes a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, community announcements, raffles, and opportunities to connect with other players. Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. The flagship event takes place every Monday at The CRUZ Room, where attendees can enjoy open gaming, learn two featured games taught by founder Courtney Laschkewitsch, participate in trivia, browse the Merch Chest, and become part of Santa Cruzโs growing tabletop gaming community. At its core, The Game Night Collective exists to bring people together through board games. It combines the structure and consistency of a trivia company with the creativity, strategy, and social connection of modern tabletop gaming, creating a space where newcomers and experienced gamers alike can feel welcome.
-Natalie
Busy
Vocalist, composer, actor, and playwright Somi Kakoma is the Midwestern daughter of immigrants from Uganda and Rwanda. Hailed by The New York Times as โa virtuosic performer in full command of her instrument and powers,โ she is known in the international jazz world simply as โSomi.โ Her 2021 GRAMMY nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album made her the first African woman ever nominated in any of the GRAMMY jazz categories, as well as the first Rwandan or Ugandan ever nominated for a GRAMMY. Her last release, Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba, was a companion project to the critically acclaimed original musical Dreaming Zenzile that Somi also wrote and starred in as a tribute to the great South African singer and activist. Her highly anticipated forthcoming album, What Does It Take to Bloom?, will be released in August 2026. Somi is a recipient of two NAACP Image Awards and a Doris Duke Artist Award. Recently, she made her Broadway debut in the titular role of the TONY Award-winning play Jajaโs African Hair Braiding.
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
A technology event covering STEM topics. Check schedule for multiple dates.
Rainbow Sangha at Insight Meditation Center (Outside Community Event)
Rainbow Sangha Sit, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month , 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The Rainbow Sangha group offers a safer space for individuals who identify as queer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, gay, intersex, questioning, and others who identify outside of cisgender, heterosexual mainstream culture. Please see more information on the Rainbow Sangha page at Insight Santa Cruz . .
Wednesdays, 1โ5 pm, year-round. Our biggest and oldest market is a block off Pacific. Open since 1990, with farms that helped build the organic movement. Eat with the seasons: fruits, vegetables, flowers, and pasture-raised meats, plus some of the county's most diverse food stalls, naan and curry, Eritrean dishes, pupusas, crepes, and long-ferment breads. Fill your bags, then stay for a meal
Downtown Santa Cruz: Farmers Market
The Downtown Santa Cruz Market runs year-round on Wednesdays, 1-5pm year round. Our largest and oldest market, it is situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, one block off of Pacific Avenue. Established in 1990, many of the farms that sell here were and remain pillars of the organic and ecological farming movement. This is the place to eat with the seasons! The variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, pastured meats and other products is swoon worthy. The Downtown Market also spotlights a large variety of up-and-coming, unique cultural food businesses. This weekly spot may serve up the most diverse selection of ethnic foods in the county including naan and curry, Japanese fermented misos, Eritrean dishes, crepes, El Salvadorean pupusas, traditional Italian cookies, fish and chips and long-ferment fresh breads. Shopping at the Wednesday market is a wonderful way to support regional responsible farms and small local businesses. Fill your grocery bags! Then sit down for a delightful meal and rest your weary arms.
Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)
Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .
Busy
Using the fabrica and partial courtyard. Please donโt schedule loud activities in subrosa at the same time. Contact personโ [email protected]
Using the fabrica inside space. Please donโt book noisy stuff at this time. Contact person is elaina.
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by Hugging Porcupines Productions
Motion Pacific's Melissa Contemp. Jazz class series at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, CA, running weekly through November.
Busy
โWell at least nobody could ever accuse us of releasing too much music!โ quips guitarist Greg Carmichael on the release of their latest EP The Empire of Lights, โbut I think our fans know by now that weโre a little obsessive about only releasing music when we have something ready that we really love.โ The four tracks on their latest release visit familiar themes for longtime fans, from the western shuffle of โ8,000 Milesโ to the reggae flavours of โAlisioโ, the upbeat joy of โBack to Backโ to the laid back groove of โOther Peopleโ. โWe hope thereโs something here for everyone,โ says Miles Gilderdale, โweโre very lucky that over the years weโve found fans that just get what weโre doing, so we can wear our influences on our sleeves and not have to try and fit into any one style.โ With over thirty five years of recording and touring, the bandโs longevity may be due in part to that spirit of never trying to fit in, but to just make music that they love, โI feel really grateful that weโve been on such a long journey with our fans and theyโre still there with us.โ Carmichael says, โWe talk after shows and itโs always such an honor to hear the stories of how our music has been the soundtrack to so many peopleโs livesโ
Bonnie Raitt: Live 2026 with Special Guest Jon Cleary
Bonnie Raitt performs live with special guest Jon Cleary at Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Blues, rock, and R&B from the legendary guitarist.
Santa Cruz Civic Center: Bonnie Raitt
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Bonnie Raitt is returning to Santa Cruz! Fans can expect a setlist that balances her โpresent-day brillianceโ from Just Like Thatโฆ with timeless classics like โI Canโt Make You Love Me,โ โSomething to Talk About,โ and โAngel from Montgomeryโ. Reviewers have praised her enduring vocal power and legendary slide guitar skills. Known for her unique blend of blues, rock, folk, and R&B. A 13-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, she gained fame for her soulful voice and masterful bottleneck slide guitar skills, breaking barriers for women in blues-rock. Locals Love : The historic Art Deco charm and intimate setting of the Civic Auditorium. First Timers Miss : Dressing for heat in a historic building without air-conditioning. During winter shows or rainy days, there is often a coat check in the basement that many visitors miss. Insights : Arrive early for security screening, donโt bring a bag or purse, and remember that Locust St. Garage is a short, pleasant walk if lot 6 (next to the venue) is full.
THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT Film Screening w/ UCSC Center for Monster Studies
A screening of the classic sci-fi film 'The Quatermass Xperiment,' presented in collaboration with the UCSC Center for Monster Studies.
with Artikal Sound System & Pacific Roots
The Santa Cruz Film Festival returns for three days of screenings and events at The 418 Project.
A technology event covering STEM topics. Check schedule for multiple dates.
A performance by Dual Demons in Santa Cruz at The 418 Project.
A recurring dance class in Santa Cruz. Check with the venue for specific style and level.
A weekly music jam session in downtown Santa Cruz, featuring lights and fun for all musicians.
The Santa Cruz Film Festival returns for three days of screenings and events at The 418 Project.
Marc Perez + Wilfredo Terrazas Marc Perez + Lorin Benedict Rodrigo Barriga Ensemble (Record Release) Abe Gibson BL - leshy
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+
An evening of traditional South American music and dance, centered on Argentine tango-a practica for dancers to practice and socialize.
Queer Climbing Night (Outside Community Event)
Cost: free for members of Pacific Edge, $15 pass with rentals for non-members Every third Friday of the month, Hayden and Joey host a meet-up for the climber gays of our community. Trans or cis, fifteen or fifty, pan or asexual, etc. You will be safe & welcome in our inclusive space. We strive to foster an environment of respect, safety, diversity and community building while meeting/having a blast with like-minded folx! All levels of climbing experience are welcome, from first timers to well-seasoned trad daddis. We have a zero tolerance policy against any and all discrimination such as transphobia, biphobia, racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, xenophobia, and (obviously) homophobia. More information here.
A performance by Dual Demons in Santa Cruz at The 418 Project.
The Santa Cruz Film Festival returns for three days of screenings and events at The 418 Project.
A weekly music jam session in downtown Santa Cruz, featuring lights and fun for all musicians.
A recurring dance class in Santa Cruz. Check with the venue for specific style and level.
A cabaret performance at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz. Details tentative.
Downtown Santa Cruz: Makers Market
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 onesโฆthe 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
A TEDx event organized by Merit Academy, featuring talks on various topics at The 418 Project.
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!
LGBTQ+ History Month Celebration - Never the Last Love Letter AIDS Documentary Screening & Queer Santa Cruz Walking Tour @ MAH
Name: LGBTQ+ History Month Celebration - Never the Last Love Letter AIDS Documentary Screening & Queer Santa Cruz Walking Tour Date: Sunday, October 18 Time: 3:00 - 7:00 pm Location: Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History Ages: All ages RSVP: tinyurl.com/ntllscreeningoct2026 Event Description: Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with a screening of The Diversity Centerโs intergenerational and volunteer-made documentary Never the Last Love Letter, which celebrates the legacy of AIDS organizing in Santa Cruz. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with local LGBTQ+ heroes, a reception, and an optional queer history walking tour downtown. The reception will include an opportunity to contribute to The Diversity Centerโs Trans Memorial Quilt for Trans Day of Remembrance 2026.
The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted micโd board games 5 โ 8 Trivia 8 โ 10
-Natalie
Busy
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
Busy
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.
Downtown Santa Cruz: Farmers Market
The Downtown Santa Cruz Market runs year-round on Wednesdays, 1-5pm year round. Our largest and oldest market, it is situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, one block off of Pacific Avenue. Established in 1990, many of the farms that sell here were and remain pillars of the organic and ecological farming movement. This is the place to eat with the seasons! The variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, pastured meats and other products is swoon worthy. The Downtown Market also spotlights a large variety of up-and-coming, unique cultural food businesses. This weekly spot may serve up the most diverse selection of ethnic foods in the county including naan and curry, Japanese fermented misos, Eritrean dishes, crepes, El Salvadorean pupusas, traditional Italian cookies, fish and chips and long-ferment fresh breads. Shopping at the Wednesday market is a wonderful way to support regional responsible farms and small local businesses. Fill your grocery bags! Then sit down for a delightful meal and rest your weary arms.
Busy
Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)
Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by Hugging Porcupines Productions
Motion Pacific's Melissa Contemp. Jazz class series at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, CA, running weekly through November.
Busy
Taxidermy Presentation w/ Allis Markham - SMALL THEATER
A presentation on the art and craft of taxidermy, offering an inside look at the techniques and history behind the practice.
Dรญa de los Muertos Celebration
Join us for the Dรญa de los Muertos community celebration of traditional music, dance, and art at the MAH. This fall, the MAH invites you to our annual Dรญa de los Muertos Celebration. On this beloved Oaxacan cultural holiday, the day will be filled with Musical and Dance Performances by Senderos. Throughout the day, we will have hands-on activities, live music, and the powerful presence of community. Explore the MAH to view beautifully crafted altars known as altares, or ofrendas, created by community organizations. Schedule for the Day 12-3 pm - Free Drop-in Art and Cultural Activities 1-3 pm - Musical and Dance Performances Video Storytelling: Honrando Mis Ancestros y Comunidad Learn about Dรญa de los Muertos from our community partners and leaders of Senderos. Hear the story of Dรญa de los Muertos in our community and the importance of honoring this beautiful celebration, together. Watch the video here! Would you like to volunteer at this event? Volunteer hours: 10-1pm, 1-3pm, 3-5pm Join us as we welcome and greet people attending Dรญa de los Muertos at the MAH. During the event, you'll be helping set up, walking around the facility to check in with guests, providing any assistance if needed, and helping break down. No experience is necessary. Training is provided. Contact [email protected]
A milonga, or social tango dance, with DJ Sharon at the 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
Rite Life - A Writing Group Amongst the Dead
This monthly series of writing workshops in Evergreen Cemetery is facilitated by local poet Gabriel Kittle-Cervine. Rite Life is a workshop that blends the act of automatic writing, with our individual practices of ancestor veneration, to confront that which haunts us, and to celebrate that which allows us to live. The workshop was born in 2016 from the vision of a profound poet and spiritual teacher named Honeysun, just a couple of years before she passed beyond this life. Her initial concept for the Rite Life workshop is preserved in the way it's practiced today; still facilitated by Gabe, her friend and pupil, alongside a bright circle of local writers and practitioners of craft. Learn more at www.blankmetafour.com or follow @unclegabe831 on Instagram. All ages welcome, and we'll be there rain or shine-see y'all in the cemetery!
A monthly open mic night at the 418 Project featuring music, theatre, and spoken word performances.
An Evening of Neo Soul : Let The Caged Bird Sing IV
Musical Soulmates Performers Collaborative: Songs of tenacity, solidarity and liberation underscoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Busy
The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted micโd board games 5 โ 8 Trivia 8 โ 10
-Natalie
Busy
Fonville x Fribush is the brand new musical collaboration from acclaimed drummer Corey Fonville (Butcher Brown) and in-demand organist Sam Fribush. Like a hip-hop link up from the 90s, the pairโs collective ear, musical talents, and friendship pushes the limits of the R&B organ trio sound into a youthful, tasty style of โblue collar jazz.โ Fonville x Fribush features a rotating cast of guitarists in the studio, including Charlie Hunter, Alan Good Parker and Morgan Burrs. Songs like โI Couldnโt Love You Moreโ and โBlue Chipsโ immerse audiences in Atlantic Coast soundscapes of their hometown roots in North Carolina and Virginia. In 2026, they released their debut Fonville x Fribush EP, R&B Organ Trio, featuring Charlie Hunter.
Midnight Maas: A Court of Thorns & Roses Book 6 Release Party
SAVE THE DATE: MONDAY, OCTOBER 26TH! Join us to celebrate the return to Prythian and the long-awaited next installment in the ACOTAR series. It may not be Starfall, but we'll have tons of fun activ...
A weekly music jam session in downtown Santa Cruz, featuring lights and fun for all musicians.
Rainbow Sangha at Insight Meditation Center (Outside Community Event)
Rainbow Sangha Sit, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The Rainbow Sangha group offers a safer space for individuals who identify as queer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, gay, intersex, questioning, and others who identify outside of cisgender, heterosexual mainstream culture. Please see more information on the Rainbow Sangha page at Insight Santa Cruz . .
Downtown Santa Cruz: Farmers Market
The Downtown Santa Cruz Market runs year-round on Wednesdays, 1-5pm year round. Our largest and oldest market, it is situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, one block off of Pacific Avenue. Established in 1990, many of the farms that sell here were and remain pillars of the organic and ecological farming movement. This is the place to eat with the seasons! The variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, pastured meats and other products is swoon worthy. The Downtown Market also spotlights a large variety of up-and-coming, unique cultural food businesses. This weekly spot may serve up the most diverse selection of ethnic foods in the county including naan and curry, Japanese fermented misos, Eritrean dishes, crepes, El Salvadorean pupusas, traditional Italian cookies, fish and chips and long-ferment fresh breads. Shopping at the Wednesday market is a wonderful way to support regional responsible farms and small local businesses. Fill your grocery bags! Then sit down for a delightful meal and rest your weary arms.
Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)
Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .
Busy
The Art of Building a Future (RSSC Discussion Group)
Join us 4th Wednesdays, 6-8pm at SubRosa for The Art of Building a Future - a cafรฉ for discussion and practice for creating the future we want to live in, now! Hosted by @rojavasc1 Bring your thoughts and experience and enjoy some light refreshments. Will be held in the courtyard weather permitting. COVID precautions encouraged. 6pm - 8pm // totally free! // all-ages // dry space // safe(r) space // anti-capitalist space // respect the space and each other! SubRosa is at 703 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, CA Also part of the @freeskoolsantacruz 2026 session - more info about other class in bio at @freeskoolsantacruz and @subrosa_space โ@@@@@โ 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. Letโs 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
Using the fabrica and partial courtyard. Please donโt schedule loud activities in subrosa at the same time. Contact personโ [email protected]
Motion Pacific's Melissa Contemp. Jazz class series at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, CA, running weekly through November.
Busy
Santa Cruz Civic Center: Musician Lyle Lovett
A singer, composer and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers. Among his many accolades, besides the four Grammy Awards, he was given the Americana Music Associationโs inaugural Trailblazer Award, and was named Texas State Musician.
Lyle Lovett and his Small Large Band
Yappy Hours @ the MAH!
Join us for Yappy Hours in the Kincentricity Garden every last Thursday of the month! Meet the pups that are up for adoption (paperwork to fill out onsite), sip on a few "Barktinis", and enjoy furry-friend festivities like the option for dogs to make their very own paw paintings!
BITE ME! No Cover โข Last Thursday of Every Month Cat Alley Street (upstairs above The Catalyst) โ 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: โข Jewelry and clothing makers โข Tintype photography โข Goth makeovers โข 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, itโs totally worth it! Weโve created a beautiful, comfortable, and welcoming vampire lounge and canโt 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!
Santa Cruz Creative Mornings
What is CreativeMornings? A free, live, monthly breakfast lecture series for creatives, community-builders, entrepreneurs, and more! Each month features a short lecture by a local innovator, framed by opportunities to socialize and spark new connections. CreativeMornings draws attendees and speakers not strictly from โcreativeโ fields; it includes anyone driven by passion and purpose. Live lectures are video-recorded and shared on the CreativeMornings online platform. CreativeMornings Santa Cruz was born out of a love of this town as well as a desire to see our creative community unite and cross-pollinate. From Bonny Doon to Watsonville, our county is full of artists, innovators, and people making inspired choices in the ways they approach their lives and their work. Our goal is to bring them together IRL andโฆwatch the magic happen!
"Dance or Die - A Drag Rave Serving Cult" w/ Sam Bennaroch
A high-energy drag rave fusing club beats, cult aesthetics, and performance art, featuring Sam Bennaroch in a queer-friendly, dance-focused night.
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Samhain Event - Talk w/ Ritual -- w/ Casey Zabala
A Samhain observance featuring a talk and ritual led by Casey Zabala, exploring the traditions and spiritual meaning of the holiday.
Busy
Hosted Micโd Board Games 5 โ 8 Trivia 8 โ 10 The Game Night Collective is a Santa Cruz-based board game community that creates welcoming, hosted tabletop events where people can discover new games, meet new friends, and enjoy structured game nights without needing prior experience. Unlike a typical board game meetup where players are expected to know games or organize themselves, The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Each event includes a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, community announcements, raffles, and opportunities to connect with other players. Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. The flagship event takes place every Monday at The CRUZ Room, where attendees can enjoy open gaming, learn two featured games taught by founder Courtney Laschkewitsch, participate in trivia, browse the Merch Chest, and become part of Santa Cruzโs growing tabletop gaming community. At its core, The Game Night Collective exists to bring people together through board games. It combines the structure and consistency of a trivia company with the creativity, strategy, and social connection of modern tabletop gaming, creating a space where newcomers and experienced gamers alike can feel welcome.
-Natalie
Using the fabrica and partial courtyard. Please donโt schedule loud activities in subrosa at the same time.
First Friday Art Event
First Friday Art Event
Rainbow Kids Circle
Event Name: Rainbow Kids Circle Date: Saturday, September 5 Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am Location: please email [email protected] for location information Ages: LGBTQ+ and allied youth ages 5-11 and their families. RSVP: please email [email protected] Event Description: Rainbow Kids Circle is a monthly 90 minute playgroup for gender diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies elementary school age 5-11 and their families facilitated by Sara. Rainbow Kids Circle meets on the first Saturday of each month. Kids must be accompanied by an adult family member. Siblings ages 10 and under are welcome to attend. Families and kids will have a chance to do arts and crafts, read a story, enjoy a snack, and engage in free play with other gender diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies. Together we will create an accepting, affirming playgroup for families. Rainbow Kids Circle is a collaborative project of The Diversity Center and TransFamilies of Santa Cruz County.
SANTA CRUZ TRANS POTLUCK
SANTA CRUZ TRANS POTLUCK - Saturday May 2nd, 12pm - 3pm at SubRosa (703 Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz). Trans ppl!!! Bring ur friends! * Make Trans Friends * Share Food * Build Community Community announcements at 2pm. This can include things like board game nights or dinners, more formal planned events, or a milestone you feel like sharing with the community! This is a dry space (no alcohol) - Masks encouraged (available at SubRosa). Send feedback or suggestions to: [email protected] โ@@@@@โ 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. Letโs 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 interconnected, creative communities - since 1994! More about the Hub i
Really Really Free Market
Description: Tianguis Realmente Gratuito. Todo es gratis. Really Really Free Market - every second Sunday - 11am - 2pm. No money. No trades. Everything is free. This gathering is not about the "stuff" we give and take, but more about how we can freely give and receive from each other. This is a form of anti-capitalist mutual aid where everyone is invited to participate and share care. ยกTodo es gratis! No intercambio de dinero, no negocios, no trueques. Trae lo que gustes, toma lo que necesites. Este mercado gratuito es basado en una economรญa de regalar. Learn more about the Santa Cruz Really Really Free Market (RRFM) and RRFMs in general - go to link in bio https://instagram.com/rrfm_ and http://journal.subrosaproject.org/2022/09/really-really-free-market-info-history.html Please wear a mask for community care. with the Really Really Free Market Crew ([email protected]) http://www.subrosaproject.org/ // https://www.facebook.com/subrosaproject // https://www.instagram.com/subrosa_space
-Natalie
Rainbow Sangha at Insight Meditation Center (Outside Community Event)
Rainbow Sangha Sit, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month , 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The Rainbow Sangha group offers a safer space for individuals who identify as queer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, gay, intersex, questioning, and others who identify outside of cisgender, heterosexual mainstream culture. Please see more information on the Rainbow Sangha page at Insight Santa Cruz . .
Using the fabrica and partial courtyard. Please donโt schedule loud activities in subrosa at the same time. Contact personโ [email protected]
Bottomlined by chris
-Natalie
Queer Climbing Night (Outside Community Event)
Cost: free for members of Pacific Edge, $15 pass with rentals for non-members Every third Friday of the month, Hayden and Joey host a meet-up for the climber gays of our community. Trans or cis, fifteen or fifty, pan or asexual, etc. You will be safe & welcome in our inclusive space. We strive to foster an environment of respect, safety, diversity and community building while meeting/having a blast with like-minded folx! All levels of climbing experience are welcome, from first timers to well-seasoned trad daddis. We have a zero tolerance policy against any and all discrimination such as transphobia, biphobia, racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, xenophobia, and (obviously) homophobia. More information here.
-Natalie
Rainbow Sangha at Insight Meditation Center (Outside Community Event)
Rainbow Sangha Sit, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The Rainbow Sangha group offers a safer space for individuals who identify as queer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, gay, intersex, questioning, and others who identify outside of cisgender, heterosexual mainstream culture. Please see more information on the Rainbow Sangha page at Insight Santa Cruz . .
Using the fabrica and partial courtyard. Please donโt schedule loud activities in subrosa at the same time. Contact personโ [email protected]
The Art of Building a Future (RSSC Discussion Group)
Join us 4th Wednesdays, 6-8pm at SubRosa for The Art of Building a Future - a cafรฉ for discussion and practice for creating the future we want to live in, now! Hosted by @rojavasc1 Bring your thoughts and experience and enjoy some light refreshments. Will be held in the courtyard weather permitting. COVID precautions encouraged. 6pm - 8pm // totally free! // all-ages // dry space // safe(r) space // anti-capitalist space // respect the space and each other! SubRosa is at 703 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, CA Also part of the @freeskoolsantacruz 2026 session - more info about other class in bio at @freeskoolsantacruz and @subrosa_space โ@@@@@โ 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. Letโs 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
-Natalie
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.
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