A weekly guide to what’s happening.
Green Fix
Boardwalk Holiday Ice
Ice skating at the beach is one of Santa Cruz’s most iconic holiday events. The ice skating rink is open to all ages and ability levels—whether you can barely stand or you’re the next Tonya Harding, all are welcome. It does get chilly with all of the coastal snow flurries, so be sure to cozy up next to the fire pits with some hot cocoa after. Open rain or shine, online reservations recommended.
INFO: Runs through Jan. 6. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. 423-5590, beachboardwalk.com. One-hour session includes $15 ice skate rental.
Art Seen
Prison Arts Project Art Poetry
Because of the limited amount of materials local art teacher Tripura Anand could bring into the Santa Cruz County Main Jail, she had to improvise. She developed a college art program for the inmates using torn paper. Inmates would create images out of the paper, and Anand says that art classes have been particularly relaxing for her students while also fostering better communication between correctional officers and inmates. A selection of art and poetry by inmates in the Santa Cruz County Main Jail is on display at the Resource Center for Nonviolence until the end of this month only.
INFO: Show runs through Jan. 24. Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. 423-1626. rcnv.org. Free.
Sunday 12/16
Breakfast with Santa Claus
Santa always goes above and beyond during the most wonderful time of the year. This season, Santa and his elves will be serving pancakes, eggs, sausage, fruit and beverages, accompanied by youth singers and dancers. There will be free kids’ holiday games and build-a-gift activities, plus a raffle with local prizes and photographs with Santa. All proceeds support recreation activities for Watsonville youth. Those in need of financial support to attend the event can email [email protected].
INFO: 8 a.m.-noon. Watsonville Senior Center, 114 E. Fifth St., Watsonville. $6 adults, $5 children.
Sunday 12/16
Kuumbwa Journey of 1,000 Lights
The Kuumbwa Jazz Center’s annual benefit concert combines music of different styles and ethnicities that speak to the immigrant experience from which democracy evolved. Featuring local musicians like Keshav Batish and Laurie Tanenbaum, this annual benefit supports Chadeish Yameinu Jewish Renewal Community of Santa Cruz.
INFO: 3-5:30 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. 427-2227, kuumbwajazz.org. $20-$35.
Saturday 12/15
Pine Needle Basket Making Workshop
Join docent Cheryl VanDeVeer in learning how to make a woven basket from local ponderosa pine needles. No experience is necessary, though all of you expert pine needle basket weavers are welcome to join. Children 10 and older may attend if accompanied by an adult.
INFO: 10 a.m.-noon. Henry Cowell Redwood State Park. 101 N Big Trees Park Road, Felton. 335-4598. Free.
THU 12/13- SAT 12/15
‘THE CURIOUS SAVAGE’
Scotts Valley High School presents a new production of The Curious Savage, a play by John Patrick about an elderly woman named Mrs. Savage whose husband has left her $10 million. But a fight over the fortune—and the schemes of her stepchildren—bring an unexpected turn to Mrs. Savage’s life, and a surprising new outlook on family.
7 p.m., Scotts Valley High School, 555 Glenwood Dr., Scotts Valley. $10, $8 students. Tix4u.com.
