Event highlights for the week of May 23, 2018.
Green Fix
The 34th Annual SCLU Club Invitational Surf Contest
The Santa Cruz Longboard Union (SCLU) is hosting their annual contest for surfers of all ages and skill levels. Twenty-four teams are descending on Santa Cruz to compete in categories from Menehune’s (kids) to Surfing Legends and “Ancients” (70 plus). In line with their gender equity beliefs, the contest offers women the same age division as their male counterparts. But you don’t have to surf to enjoy a surfing contest. The Santa Cruz surfing museum is within walking distance, and might we suggest grabbing a break-a-dilla at Steamer Lane Supply Co.? Proceeds from the event benefit local charities like Ride-a-Wave Foundation and Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services.
INFO: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday May 26 and 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday May 27. Steamer Lane. 700 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz. santa-cruz-longboard-union.com. Free.
Art Seen
‘Phantaura’
Last call to see Phantaura at the Felix Kulpa Gallery—likely the trippiest art you’ll see around town. Phantaura is a literal combination of the words “phantasmagoria” and “aura” into something completely open to viewers’ interpretations—weird, right? The show is an exploration of the dynamics between body and soul, mind and existence. Hosted by the Brain, Mind, & Consciousness Society, an interdisciplinary academic and social collective dedicated to connecting perspectives across the UCSC campus, the exhibit is meant to look into what lies beyond the conventional reality. The show wraps up on Friday, May 25 with a tea ceremony at 7 p.m.
INFO: Gallery open Thursday-Sunday, Noon-6 p.m. Felix Kulpa Gallery & Sculpture Garden. 107 Elm St., Santa Cruz. felixkulpa.com. Free. Image: Todd Kurnat.
Thursday 5/24-Sunday 5/27
Food Not Bombs Anniversary
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.
INFO: 6 p.m. Thursday, May 24, ‘Melodies Not Missiles” Anniversary Concert; 5 p.m. Friday, May 25, “Make: The Art of Food Not Bombs Coloring Adventure”; 4 p.m. Saturday, May 26, “Soupstock 2018 38th Anniversary Celebration.” Food Not Bombs holds weekly meals and services on Sundays at 4 p.m. Downtown Santa Cruz Post Office. 850 Front St., Santa Cruz. foodnotbombs.net. Free.
Saturday 5/26
Pagan Sale
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.
INFO: 6 a.m.-3 p.m. 520 Wilkes Circle, Santa Cruz. communityseed.org. Free.
Thursday 5/24
Trolley Tours
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.
INFO: Tours at noon and 1 p.m. Board at southwest corner of Lincoln & Cedar streets, near the back parking lot of Calvary Episcopal Church. 532 Center St, Santa Cruz. cityofsantacruz.com. Free.
