Arts & Entertainment
Get Out in Santa Cruz
It's the week between holidays, and all through the town, events are a-stirring, so here's the low-down.
Where/When: 705 Front St.; today through Jan. 6 (closed New Year’s Day), 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Why Go: To see the intricate, high-tech toy train exhibition that’s rolled in to the museum. There’s a vast collection of toy trains from the 1920s to the 21st century, and the museum promises that breaks will squeal, smoke will billow from the smoke stack, headlights will flash and wheels will turn around the track. Fun for all ages!
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Info: 831-429-1964
Pricing: $5 general admission, $3 students 18 and older and seniors 62 and older, $2 children 12-17, and free for museum members and children under 12.
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Where/When: 400 Beach St.; rides open noon to 5 p.m. today through Sunday.
Why go: To pretend it’s summer and have fun at the only major seaside amusement park on the Pacific Coast. Arcades and bowling will be open, and rides will be limited to Double Shot, Hurricane, Pirate Ship, Carousel and Bumper Cars, plus one of the following kids’ rides: Starfish, Jet Copters or Speedway.
Info: 831-423-5590
Pricing: Parking is half-price ($6), and unlimited rides wristbands are discounted to $19.95 plus tax.
PLAID TIDINGS AT CABRILLO STAGE
Where/When: Cabrillo Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos; today through Friday, 7 p.m
Why Go: To see a nostalgic holiday musical at the local junior college. The play is the story of four young singers from the late 1950s who were killed in a car crash on the way to their first big concert and then miraculously revived for the chance to put a little harmony into a discordant world.
Info: 831-479-6154
Pricing: $16-$34. Tickets available online at cabrillostage.com
Where/When: Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave.; Thursday and Friday, 8 p.m.
Why go: To take in the eighth-annual holiday show run of Beatles music. Guests include the Barry Phillips String Quartet, the Mind Over Matter Horns and the Honey Pies. With a nod to the Beatles’ stance of standing for peace, love and nonviolence, the memers of the White Album Ensemble has set aside portions of concert proceeds for music in school and anti-violence programs.
Info: ticketweb.com or whitealbumlive.com
Pricing: $25-$40
GUIDED TOURS OF MONARCH BUTTERFLY GROVE
Where/When: Natural Bridges State Beach; Saturday, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Why go: To hang out with the Monarch butterflies at the state preserve before they head south on their migration. The park's Monarch Grove provides a temporary home for up to 100,000 Monarchs that form a “city in the trees” each winter. The area's mild ocean air and eucalyptus grove provide a safe roost until spring..
Info: 831-423-4609
Pricing: Free; donations accepted. No reservations needed.
