Event highlights for the week of March 21, 2018.
Green Fix
Eighth Annual Operation Surf Santa Cruz
This one-of-a-kind program offers personalized surfing lessons for wounded and post 9-11 active duty and veteran service members from the U.S. military. The event provides an environment where participants work to overcome perceived limitations connected to physical and psychological disabilities sustained while serving.
There are also volunteer opportunities for those looking to get more involved.
INFO: Thursday, March 22-Tuesday March 27. See website for all locations and events. March 22: Welcoming at the Dream Inn. Capitola Opening Ceremony: March 23-25. 805-544-SURF. amazingsurfadventures.org.
Art Seen
Belly Dance Class
That hot belly dancer at the Greek restaurant didn’t get her six-pack overnight, and neither did Shakira. Great belly dancers make it look really easy, but beneath the facade of beauty and grace, belly dancing requires a tremendous amount of core strength and fluidity. Sure, her hips don’t lie, but they can be complicated—belly dancing is hard work. Learn the basics, build up your confidence, and you’ll be moving like a Colombian pop star in no time. All levels welcome.
INFO: 10:30 a.m. Watsonville Yoga, Dance and Healing Arts. 375 N. Main, Watsonville. 713-9843. watsonville.yoga. $10.
Sunday 3/25
13th Annual Harp Festival
The harp is one of the oldest instruments in the world, so it’s only fitting that there be a festival to commemorate it. There are a couple of different kinds of harps, and various ways to play. The event features soloists from Monterey to New Orleans, and a harp “petting zoo” at intermission to get up close and personal with the harp. Don’t worry, it doesn’t bite unless you stroke the spine the wrong way.
INFO: 2 p.m. Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. 429-1964. santacruzmah.org. Free, donations gladly accepted.
Thursday 3/22
Kimchi Workshop
Sure, you can buy a jar of kimchi for $15 in your local grocery store, but it’s much more gratifying, cost-effective and generally better to make it at home. Kimchi is really just like ultra-fancy sauerkraut, and is rich in probiotics and antioxidants. Despite the recent popularity of fermented foods like kefir and kombucha, kimchi has been a Korean staple for more than 1,500 years. It’s meant to be enjoyed in moderate amounts, so if you are a new kimchi eater, maybe don’t eat the entire jar, or you will really regret it later. These are the kinds of things you can learn at this week’s kimchi workshop. Vegan options are available.
INFO: 6 p.m. New Leaf Community Market. 1101 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz. 426-1306. newleaf.com/events. $35.
Saturday 3/24-Sunday 3/25
Celebration! For Santa Cruz Symphony
It’s the Santa Cruz Symphony’s 60th anniversary this year, and symphony director Daniel Stewart has something very special in store. The unveiling of his newest composition, “Social Media,” is in celebration of the symphony’s success. And there’s more—the evening begins and ends with Mozart, with other historic works sprinkled in. His joyful “Overture to the Marriage of Figaro” opera opens the evening, and the event concludes with “Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola K 364.”
INFO: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. 307 Church St., Santa Cruz.
2 p.m. Sunday, March 25. Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts. 250 East Beach St., Watsonville. santacruzsymphony.org. $29-$85.
The post 5 Things to Do in Santa Cruz Mar. 21-27 appeared first on Good Times Santa Cruz.
California produces and distributes nearly half of all fruits, nuts and vegetables in the country. The exported $5.16 billion worth of almonds and $5.58 billion of grapes last year speaks for itself, but who is doing the work to feed the nation? Tending to and harvesting millions of pounds of crops is backbreaking work for laborers who have few to no rights. After working with individuals from the United Farm Workers (UFW), Victor Cartagena compiled a few of the stories of laborers behind our food. “Behind every salad is a story” is the motto of the Museum of Art and History’s latest exhibit, and these stories are often of injustice and struggle against bureaucracy. 
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, join the Resource Center for Nonviolence and Sisters in Solidarity for an evening of music, storytelling and spoken word to celebrate the lives and legacies of women of color everywhere. Local talent includes renowned musician Gina Rene, three-time Grand Slam poetry champion Queen Jasmeen, 15-year-old activist Carmen Azmita and many more. 
You’ve heard of stamp collecting, but chances are you haven’t heard of seed collecting. Seed collecting yields a much more fruitful outcome, pun intended, and insures a more biodiverse crop. Don’t worry if you don’t have any seeds, there will be free ones on site for everyone to get started. If that’s not enough, Master Chef Rick Cook will also be serving up samples of artisan barbecue. If you are bringing seeds, the event organizers ask that your plant be healthy and you label your seeds—no one wants sick, unidentified plants or a “feed me Seymour” moment. 
There are few low-maintenance flowers that yield as stunning results as the dahlia, but you have to do the work to get there. Dahlia plants bloom from tubers, which look like little magical sprouting potatoes you put in the ground. After planting the tuber, you can expect dahlias to bloom around eight weeks later, but try to refrain from watering immediately after planting, since tubers can be prone to rot. These perfectly symmetrical little poms come in beautiful fiery hues perfect for a mid-summer bloom. Show up early for the best selection. 
Contra dancing is as much about socializing as it is about dancing. Of course there is dancing involved—a lot of it—but it’s also kind of like high-speed dance dating without time for the ensuing awkwardness. Contra dancing takes place in sets and consists of two lines, where your partner (if you have one) is usually across from you in the other line. Dancing experience isn’t necessary, but there is a beginner’s workshop 20 minutes before the dance that is recommended. Bring comfortable, non-marking shoes to protect your feet and the floors and refrain from wearing cologne or perfumes. 
The term “taiko” refers to a spectrum of japanese drums and percussion instruments and the ancient musical performance. Throughout history, taiko has been used in marches, celebrations, theater and even war. In celebration of their 27th year in Santa Cruz County, Watsonville Taiko is showcasing the wind element to portray the movement of energy and time across history. According to the group, taiko drumming awakens the winds of distance times, and is a fitting celebration of energy and power. 
Organic farming and food wasn’t always mainstream, and the documentary 
Joan Lowden a.k.a. “Bass Lady” is a woman of many facets. She is an encaustic artist, meaning that she works with wax and pigment to create visual art, and she is also a jazz bass musician—hence the nickname. She says jazz and encaustics go together because they are both improvisational; not surprisingly, her shows aren’t limited to just one of her artistic mediums. This show series will feature weekly themed music events, with local musicians alongside her encaustic visual art. Lowden will be playing with her jazz trio ‘Jazz With a Twist’ during the reception, to the beat of some twisted cocktails. 
Everyone knows the story of Cinderella, so Aptos High School has a bit of a twist to keep things interesting. The musical production will be ’80s themed, with some seriously big hair and totally tubular
Spring is here, and for some that means a wardrobe refresher. But before you go to a department store or online, consider shopping for a cause. “Step Into Fashion” will feature more than 40 Bay Area designers selling affordable clothing, handbags, accessories, jewelry and more. Plus, a portion of all proceeds will go to Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s cancer prevention and care programs. To date, the event has raised more than $227,000 for cancer-related programs in Santa Cruz County. For fashion-forward questions, local television personality and fashion producer Joyce Anderson will talk about accessorizing, and Image Consultant Alyce Parsons will discuss incorporating the latest trends into your wardrobe. 
At the Santa Cruz County Outdoor Science School in Corralitos, aka “Science Camp,” fifth and sixth graders spend four to five days living in the Santa Cruz Mountains among the redwoods and learning about science and the environment. No classrooms necessary, and hiking shoes are mandatory. Unfortunately, many families cannot afford to send their kids to camp, and that’s where Every Child Outdoors (ECO) comes in. ECO awards grants to local elementary schools to sponsor and promote the outdoor education program. Help them help others during their third annual fundraiser for kids outdoor education and get a delicious dinner in the process. 
Artistic Director Sarah Albertson spent months collaborating with a variety of Cabrillo College students to create a series of 10-minute theatrical pieces. Each short play was directed by students from Albertson’s class, and though each piece is unique, she says there is a common thread of unusual life paths and circumstances—hence the title 
Cell phone cameras don’t capture everything, and they certainly won’t do when every leaf vein and feather tuft matters. Sure, people buy fancy cameras, but what happens if they lose their memory card or something malfunctions? Or what if the animal is extinct? Despite its centuries-old history, scientific illustration is still a very relevant and accurate art form—and the latest exhibit at the Museum of Natural History proves it. The annual exhibit features longtime local illustrators and UCSC art students’ work that will make you go “there is no way someone drew that!” The collection of watercolors and sketches in this exhibit proves that scientific illustration is just as awe-inspiring as ever. 
Every day should be Earth Day, theoretically, but for some reason we limit it to a single day. In celebration of water, air and living things, get outside, ride a bike, pack your trash, and maybe even put the house spider outside instead of squishing it—it deserves to live, especially today. Join the rest of the community in celebration of this beautiful planet. There will be a climbing wall, river clean up, compost workshop and tons of live music. Show Mama Earth a little extra love and affection; she definitely doesn’t get enough. 
Cue snapping in formation, jeering gang members and some very manly plies—
The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival presents a concert of Spanish and Moorish music from Martinetes to Sevillanas and Fandangos. One of their five annual concerts, 
It’s not every day you can see Grammy-nominated jazz musicians perform, let alone for free and with an ocean view. International Jazz Day isn’t until Monday, April 30, but Santa Cruz couldn’t wait that long, so join the Sandra Manning Quartet, local vocalist Tammi Brown, Jazz Tap Dancer Tara Firenzi and more for a day of jazz by the sea.
This labor film festival is back for a 17th season, just in time for May Day. The festival will include feature films about Dolores Huerta, Standing Rock and the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), the lives of undocumented workers and labor activism. The festival began last week, but it’s not too late to jump in. There are screenings all over Santa Cruz County, and the majority of the events will have live speakers and hosts. 
Bearded Irises smell and look amazing, and are drought tolerant, as well as deer- and gopher-resistant. What more could you ask for from a little plant? Brook Lomond Iris Gardens is opening their doors to the public for two weekends, and will be selling them along with other certified organic irises and holding demonstrations on plant care. This is prime blooming season for bearded irises, so if you don’t have any Mother’s Day plans (or forgot about it altogether) grab your mama and head on down. 
For T.S. Anand and Christianna Hunnicutt, collage is more than just gluing things together. Sure, it’s fun and expressive, but it also requires a tremendous amount of patience, diligence and inspiration. Anand teaches for the Prison Arts Project inside the Santa Cruz Main Jail, and her work there has inspired her most recent collages that consist only of torn paper, inspired by popular culture and landscapes. Hunnicutt is renowned for her figurative ceramic sculpture, and after 30 years, has transitioned to working with magazine cuttings, photographs and cell phone parts in her collage. 
The Mini Maker Faire is the ultimate form of show and tell, without the pressure. Whether it’s drones, salsas or candles, there is literally something for everyone. Makers include tech enthusiasts, crafters, scientists, and chefs of all ages and backgrounds. The idea is to celebrate all of the makers and inventors in Santa Cruz and inspire others along the way. Whether you go to network, learn or enjoy a cupcake, you’ll leave feeling inspired by the creative community. 
Former computer programmer for the U.S. Space program and theoretical physicist Daniel Wenger somehow also found time to make stunning mid-century modern steel and leather furniture in the ’60s and ’70s. The 1969 the Lotus Chair (pictured) is his most well-known piece, and has appeared in galleries and collections all over the world. After a 30-year hiatus from furniture making—during which he worked at UCSC, among many other things—Daniel and his son Sam began making functional art together around six years ago. Agency will be showcasing Wenger Designs work along with two other artists during First Friday. 
With so much anxiety and pressure around environmental movements today, it’s nice to have a big party to celebrate the movement’s accomplishments every once in a while, right? The fundraiser for the Habitat Institute is an educational party to help sustain and celebrate our natural wildlife and habitats. Proceeds from the event will fund and support science, environmental policy, and the Habitat Institute’s future projects. There will also be a special appearance by the bands Sol Tribe and Soulwise as well as other creative and caring souls. 
Women have a big roll to play in the future of film, and for the last 18 years, LunaFest has been securing and supporting that future. LunaFest is a traveling film festival of award-winning short films by, for and about women. This season features nine short films with events spread across 150 cities reaching 25,000 people. Santa Cruz’s screening will benefit WomenCARE, a nonprofit support system for women with cancer or a history of cancer. 
Watergate whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, journalist Amy Goodman, climate change activist Bill McKibben and more than a dozen others are coming to Santa Cruz to talk about the advancement of social and environmental justice today, as the first-ever North American Right Livelihood Conference is held at UCSC over three days. Only some of the biggest names in social and environmental justice, no big deal. Check online for the full schedule of lectures, discussions and programs. 
This two-week long Sunday workshop addresses assertiveness, body language, the power of the voice and various physical self-defense techniques for women to feel safer and more empowered. All levels and ages are welcome, registration closed after the first class.
You may have heard in the news recently that Hawaii is trying to ban some types of sunscreen containing chemicals known to harm the fragile reefs. Or maybe you saw the viral video of the starving polar bear that 
Everyone has had weird neighbors at some point. Chances are you probably came up with some odd conspiracy narrative about what their lives are like behind closed doors. But what if your neighbors were really a reflection of you? In the spirit of neighborly love, Actors’ Theatre kicks off its season with Broadway’s hit comedy 
Take a trip up the coast to celebrate traditional Mexican food and artists. Highlights include baile folklórico, Zumba, and Tahitian dancers, and all proceeds go to benefit the Davenport Resource Service Center’s programs for low-income residents of the North Coast of Santa Cruz County. There will also be a silent auction of artwork, spa treatments and trips. 
Last call to see 
For 38 years, Food Not Bombs cofounder Keith McHenry has been fighting war with food. Food Not Bombs provides free weekly vegan meals, showers and hair cuts to the homeless and others in need. McHenry was one of nine volunteers arrested for sharing food and literature at Golden Gate Park on Aug. 15, 1988 and has been arrested more than 100 times, totalling over 500 nights in jail, for serving free food in city parks. Stop by one of their celebratory anniversary events for some delicious food and to ask McHenry about his colorful history fighting for social justice. 
No, they aren’t auctioning off pagans. This annual yard sale, hosted by Community Seed, is your one-stop ticket to all things witchy, wild and a little weird. There will be more than 100 crates of ritual garb, crazy books, divination tools and tons of magickal items. Guaranteed to be the wildest yard sale you will see this year—get there early before all the good cloaks and cauldrons are gone. Snacks and coffee provided. 
We are all a little guilty of putting our recycling into blue bins and forgetting about it, but your cans and bottles go through an adventurous journey post-bin. Celebrate National Public Works Week with a free trolley tour of the City of Santa Cruz Recycling Center or Wastewater Treatment Facility and see what happens to that tossed soda can. See in real time how the Wastewater Treatment Facility processes 7 million gallons of wastewater—the equivalent of more than 140,000 full bathtubs—daily. Tours are 60 minutes long. 
