.5 Things To Do In Santa Cruz: Sept. 25 – Oct. 1

A weekly guide to what’s happening

Green Fix

Global Climate Strike

Though there have been global climate strikes across the world in the last week, Santa Cruz’s big strike day coincides with a U.N. Climate Action Summit in New York City. The strike will include walkouts at schools and workplaces across Santa Cruz and student marches converging at River and Front Streets at 2:25 p.m., then continuing to the Youth Green Commons festival at the farmers’ market site on Cedar Street, with multiple events hosted by students and local groups. Some groups will be staging climate teach-ins at various locations on the way. Check online for a detailed map and schedule. 

INFO: Noon, Friday, Sept. 28. Santa Cruz Green Commons, 686 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. scruzclimate.org. Free. 

Art Seen 

Sesnon Gallery’s ‘Multiples’

This exclusive exhibition will feature approximately 60 selected works, from a total of over 200, that make up the Parkett Collection housed at the School of Fine Arts, University of Castilla La Mancha’s Contemporary Art Archives and Collections in Cuenca, Spain. This exhibition highlights non-traditional mediums, fostering the engagement of students, scholars and diverse populations with the works of acclaimed contemporary artists. UCSC’s Sesnon Gallery is the only public educational institution in the nation that’s exhibiting this particular selection of work—it’s literally one of a kind. 

INFO: Show opens Wednesday, Oct. 2, with a reception 5-7pm. UCSC Sesnon Art Gallery, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. art.ucsc.edu/sesnon. Free. Photo: Katharina Fritsch. 

Saturday 9/28 

Elkhorn Slough Reserve Open House and Plant Fair 

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve—and National Estuaries Week—at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve Open House and Native Plant Fair. There will be information sessions with local land stewards and researchers, arts and crafts, microscope activities at the learning lab, and a plant fair for gardeners. Plus, there will be tacos, burritos and drinks available all day to fuel the walks and talks. 

INFO: 9am-1pm. Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Rd., Watsonville. elkhornslough.org. Free. 

Monday 9/30 

Gordo Gustavo’s and Full Steam Dumpling Collab 

Oh boy(s)! Gordo Gustavo’s is back with some company! You don’t want to miss this one. After a three-month break, they’re back at it with the local dumpling bandits at Full Steam Dumpling. The two are collaborating to bring you a special menu filled with delicate, juicy smoked meats nestled in classic dim sum doughs. A little package of smoky, tasty love. Expect a Smoked Brisket Bao, Oak-Smoked Pork Gyozas, Pickled and Smoked Shiitake Crystal Dumplings, some super spicy Pan-Fried Noodles with Fire-Grilled Chicken, and a whole lot more! There will be a bunch of local brews on tap, so come thirsty and hungry. 

INFO: 5pm. Santa Cruz Food Lounge, 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz. Free entry. 

Friday 9/27-Sunday 10/13 

Actors’ Theatre’s ‘Company’

Santa Cruz County Actors’ Theatre, the brains and brawn behind the annual sold-out 8 Tens At Eight Short Play Festival, is concluding this year’s season with Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical Company. Through a series of vignettes, the production’s main character Robert is a New York bachelor who learns of the perils and pleasures of love, marriage, dating, and divorce from his married friends during his birthday. This is Actors’ Theatre’s first musical production, and is ushered in by Director Andrew Ceglio (a Cabrillo Stage favorite), with Daniel Goldsmith as musical director (seen this summer conducting the pit orchestra for Cabrillo Stage’s Into The Woods). There is of course a powerhouse cast, including local favorites like Bobby Marchessault, Lori Rivera, Melissa Harrison, and more. 

INFO: 8pm Fridays and Saturdays, 3pm Sundays. Center Stage Theater, 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz. sccat.org. $29-$32. Photo: Jana Marcus.