A weekly guide to what’s happening
Green Fix
Lighted Boat Parade
This is perhaps the most lit holiday event of the year. Local mariners decorate their boats with lights and holiday decorations and parade them across the harbor for your oohing and aahing pleasure. The event will happen rain or shine, so grab a hot chocolate and a blanket and get there early for a good seat. The parade can be viewed from either side of the harbor, so feel free to stroll along the channel, too. Parking is extremely limited, so biking or carpooling is encouraged.
INFO: 5:30pm. Saturday, Dec. 7. Santa Cruz Harbor, 135 5th Ave., Santa Cruz. santacruzharbor.org. Free.
Art Seen
S.C.R.A.P Opening Reception
Sometimes, the best art materials aren’t sold in stores. In the annual Santa Cruz Recycled Art Project (SCRAP), local artists collect materials from the dump to repurpose into art. This year’s project includes six residents who have embraced the interactive and humorous altar to “Sapiens” through video, photography, assemblage art, a tiny house, giant Pick Up-Sticks, jewelry and an alchemist’s library of tar paper books. Artwork ranges from the poignant—exploring themes of housing and homelessness in our cultural worship of consumption—to the more ethereal and fun, like a “dump dollar store.” Exhibit runs through Saturday, Dec. 28.
INFO: First Friday reception 6-9pm, Friday Dec. 6. Artist talks 2pm, Sunday, Dec. 8. R. Blitzer Gallery, 2801 Mission St., Santa Cruz. Free.
Saturday 12/7
Tannery Winter Art Market
The Tannery is one of the most creative hubs in the county, and their Winter Arts Market is a prime example. The annual event features 20 Tannery studios and dozens of artists, including ceramicists, jewelers, sculptors, and embroiderers, each selling one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays. There’s something for everyone at this one-stop shop, so why not invest in local arts while getting your holiday shopping done early?
INFO: 10am-5pm. The Tannery Arts Center, 1010 River St., Santa Cruz. tanneryartscenter.org. Free.
Friday 12/6 and Sunday 12/7
‘Fiestas Mexicanas’
December In Mexico is an annual show presented by Senderos that brings the beauty of Mexico to dance this holiday season. There will be different dances from various regions in Mexico and authentic homemade Mexican food. The show benefits Senderos, a volunteer-based nonprofit in Santa Cruz providing free dance and music classes, tutoring and scholarships for Latino youth.
INFO: 7pm. Harbor High Theater, 300 LaFonda Ave., Santa Cruz. 854-7750, sccenderos.org. $10.
Friday 12/6
‘Unapologetically Black Art Show’ Grand Opening
The Resource Center for Nonviolence’s latest exhibit focuses on the theme, “What is black art?” The show questions if black art is supposed to represent black people and issues. Or, is it simply any art produced by artists of African or black heritage? Featured artists include Justice Renaissance, Karren Moorer, TheArthur, Elijah Pfotenhauer, Devi Pride, Kendra Dosenbach, Valeria Miranda, Dwight Tashann Chism, Robert Endacott-Keller, and Javance Henderson. There will also be a panel discussion with the featured artists about what is means to be a black artist in today’s world.
INFO: 6pm. Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. 423-1626, rcnv.org. Free.
