Arts & Entertainment
GET OUT: First Friday, John Steinbeck, and Some Twisted Harp
Take a break from reality this weekend and get back to the arts, nature, music and literature.
Friday, March 1st
What: Not on our Watch; an epic trek to end hunger in Santa Cruz County
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When: 3 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.
Where: Grind Out Hunger Headquarters
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Cost: Free
Why go: Childhood hunger sadly does exist in this county and Chris Danzer along with Jake J. Thomas are taking action to slam it. They hope to raise awareness with the 91 mile trek that will start out at Grind Out Hunger Headquarters, follow the perimeter of the county, and back. The public is encouraged to participate.
What: First Friday
When: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Museum of Art and History
Cost: Free
Why go: Art and wine all over town and music and food at the Museum of Art & History. Full schedule here. Highlights include a celebration of the music of Tom Waits in print, food trucks including Low N Slow, Cruz N Gourmet and The Truck Stop, a collaborative photo gallery at the Museum of Art & History, as well as music by the Rayburn Brothers.
What: Little Shop of Horrors
When: 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Where: Park Hall, Ben Lomond
Cost: $12.
Why go: Musical that will have the whole family singing ironically.
Saturday, March 2nd
What: A Musical Celebration of the life and times of John Steinbeck
When: 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: $15. from Brown Paper Tickets; Santa Cruz Reads
Why go: Steinbeck is the focus all month long in Santa Cruz and his native Salinas. Kuumbwa's musical entry includes a host of stars ready to bring you back to the dust bowl, including: the Woody Guthrie Dust Bowl Band with Neal Hellman on mountain dulcimer and vocals, Shiloh Hellman on guitar, Jewel Sandoval on harmonica, Deby Benton Grosjean on fiddle and Tammi Brown on vocals. Others are Celina Gutierrez, the Bob Burnett Trio, Eleazar Cortes and Back in Time.
What: Discussion with State Senator Bill Monning and former Mayor Mike Rotkin and a screening of Edward R. Murrow's last documentary, Harvest of Shame
Where: Nickelodean Theatre
When: 10 a.m - 12 p.m.
Cost: Free
Why go: Hear local politicians talk about how the Central Coast's most famous author inspired their careers and see a 1960 documentary that showed the conditions of migrant workers, up to then largely ignored. It's a must for journalists and foodies.
What: Critter Safari
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Henry Cowell Redwood State Park, in front of the Mountain Parks Nature store
Cost: Free
Why go: A two hour tour through the forest to trace the lives and times of hawks, deer, mountain lions, bats and all the creatures hanging about.
Sunday, March 3rd
What: Symphony Family Concert - Imagination Takes Flight
When: 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $8. - $10. advance/ $10. - $12. day of show plus service fee
Why go: Young performers of ZunZun and the Children's Youth Symphony along with Zaiko Drummers and the Santa Cruz Ballet theatre will all be part of the largest philharmonic orchestra on the Central Coast.
What: Rick Estrin and the Nightcats
When: 4 p.m. show, Doors open at 3 p.m.
Where: Moe's Alley
Cost: $10. advance/ $15. day of show
Why go: Calling all harmonica players. Don't miss this blues harp legend returning to Moe's after being on the road since the band's 2009 release of Twisted. The great San Jose guitarist Kid Anderson take's Little Charlie's place and he's always red hot.
What: Crafts at the Seymour Center
When: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: Seymour Center
Cost: Free with admission
Why go: Bring your little one for some 'under the sea' craft fun and then check out all the sea life that lives right here in the Monterey Bay with the tide tank and many colorful aquariums.
