San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Discover fun events this summer in Santa Cruz
Whether your tastes run to the artistic or the automotive — or to libations and locomotives — Santa Cruz’s lineup of special events this summer offer a variety of temptations. Here are some highlights in chronological order.
The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History presents “Strange Weather: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation,” a nationally touring exhibition of thoughtprovoking artworks exploring the connections between our bodies and the environment. Opening May 27, “Freak Power” features the art of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson’s political movement, on view through Sept. 25. (12 to 6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. $10 general admission, $8 for students, teachers and veterans, free for ages under 5. 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. 831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org)
The family-friendly Redwood Mountain Faire, which raises money for area nonprofits, returns with two days and two stages of live music from 20 bands, an arts and crafts fair, a children’s area and sales of local food and drink. (11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Two-day passes $55 adults, $35 ages 65-plus and teens 13 to 17; single-day passes $30 and $20, respectively, free for ages under 12. Parking $15 advance, $20 on-site. Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton. 831-335-4484, www.redwoodmountain faire.com)
Watch a parade of classic cars cruise from Santa Cruz Boardwalk to Capitola starting at 8:30 a.m. June 11, part of the Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show. Then ogle them up close through 5 p.m. and again 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 12 in Capitola Village, which will be closed to other vehicles (see website for parking options.) Music, raffles and demonstrations will also enliven the show. (Free, Esplanade Park, 120 Monterey Ave., Capitola. 831462-3197, www.capitolacar show.com)
Dads may enjoy a ride on the Father’s Day Brew Train with live music, tastings by Humble Sea Brewing Co., gold panning and optional barbecue lunch. Train departs Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk at 11 a.m. for Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton and then leaves at 3 p.m. for the return to Santa Cruz. ($62 adults, $33 children. Forest rides on the narrow-gauge steam train are also available in Felton, $45 adults, $30 ages 2 to 12. 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, 831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.com)
A record number of the classic surf cars known as woodies are expected for the 26th annual Woodies on the Wharf on Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. They’re officially on view from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but some will start arriving as early as 6 a.m. Pro tip: Admirers can watch the woodies again at 8:30 a.m. June 26 as they cruise along West Cliff Drive to the Santa Cruz Harbor for a farewell coffee gathering. (Free, 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 831-420-5725, www.santa cruzwoodies.com)
Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s outdoor repertory season at Audrey Stanley Grove presents Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and “The Tempest,” plus the world premiere of Kathryn Chetkovich’s “The Formula,” inspired by the Bard’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.” Preshow picnic offerings available from food trucks and the Grille at DeLaveaga Golf Course. (Ticket prices TBA; parking $5. Upper DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz, 831-460-6399, www.santacruz shakespeare.org)
Returning to in-person concerts, the 60th anniversary of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music features several world premieres, including the live orchestral premiere of Jake Heggie’s “Intonations: Songs from the Violins of Hope” on Aug. 7. (Many events are free; other concerts are $30-$75 individual tickets, $310$350 subscriptions. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz, 831-426-6966, www.cabrillomusic.org)
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will observe National Carousel Day, and mark the 111th anniversary of its Looff
Carousel, by giving the first 100 riders on the landmark carousel a souvenir brass ring. ($6 per carousel ride, open noon to 7 p.m. 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz, 831423-5590, www.beachboard walk.com)
The fifth annual Hammer-In at Roaring Camp Railroads showcases the craft of the California Blacksmith Association through demonstrations. Additional family activities include gold-panning, kids’ crafts, live music and train rides. (Free admission; rides $40-$42 adults, $25-$28 ages 2 to 12. 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, 831-3354484, www.roaringcamp.com)
Over 100 local artists show their works, paired with live entertainment and craft beer and wine tastings, at the Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival. On Aug. 20, the Cops ‘n Rodders car show opens the festivities at 9:15 a.m. with events till 6 p.m.; on Aug. 21, the festival runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Dog Day contests 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, 831438-1010, www.svartfestival.com)