Best Art Event
First Friday
First Friday started in 2003 with just 6 venues, and under two dozen people attending.- Santa Cruz County Bank was one of the first venues, and has participated in nearly every First Friday since.
- There are often new venues, making First Friday a unique experience each time.
- The core mission is developing culture in the county by promoting local artists. Through the years, over 1,000 artists have been featured.
- The number of participating venues on any given Friday varies, but has been known to exceed 40. AARON CARNES
First Friday started in 2003 with just 6 venues, and under two dozen people attending.
Best Art Gallery (Retail)
Artisans Gallery
- Artisans has been through many phases since its opening in 1976, when it started as a co-op. Today it’s owned by Linnaea Holgers James, who’s worked at the gallery since she was 16. She purchased it in 2009 at the age of 32.
- Linnaea and husband Peter opened Agency, dedicated to to modern home goods, down the street in 2015, allowing more space for art, jewelry and other items..
- Artisans was the first place to feature the work of Doug Ross, who passed away last December and is featured in this issue.
- One section of Artisans is devoted exclusively to kids, where parents can find unique toys, games and clothing—for instance, puppets made from recycled sweaters. There’s also a playhouse where kids can play while their parents shop.
- It’s not uncommon for customers to see the local artists featured by Artisans in the store, as they frequently drop in to discuss ideas with Linnaea. AC
Artisans has been through many phases since its opening in 1976, when it started as a co-op. Today it’s owned by Linnaea Holgers James, who’s worked at the gallery since she was 16. She purchased it in 2009 at the age of 32.
Best Festival (Music)
Santa Cruz American Music Festival
- Begun in 1993 by Phil Lewis and Bill Welch as the Santa Cruz Blues Festival, the Santa Cruz American Music Festival is one of the longest-running music festivals in the area.
- The festival changed its name to the Santa Cruz American Music Festival in 2015, also broadening its scope to include Americana acts.
- The festival has introduced locals to many up-and-coming acts who later found success; for instance, the first time Trombone Shorty played it in 2008, he was unknown on the West Coast. He’s since played the festival several times.
- Things can get … spontaneous, like in 2012, when blues guitarist Chris Cain attended the festival as an audience member, with no intention of performing. He later found himself on stage—drunk, dressed in coveralls, and playing Debbie Davies’ pink guitar while lying on his back.
- The lineup for this year’s festival (May 27 and 28) includes Melissa Etheridge, the Devil Makes Three and The Rides (pictured), featuring Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Barry Goldberg. AC
Begun in 1993 by Phil Lewis and Bill Welch as the Santa Cruz Blues Festival, the Santa Cruz American Music Festival is one of the longest-running music festivals in the area.
Best Movie Theater
The Del Mar
- Originally opened in 1936, and then closed in 1999 after struggling financially for years, it was extensively restored and reopened in 2002. Today the theater hosts a combination of indie and mainstream films.
- The theater has had many configurations, starting as a single screen theater with a balcony and temporarily serving as a fourplex. Today it has three screens. It’s also hosted live shows—the Grateful Dead even played there.
- Comedian Andy Samberg worked at the theater as a ticket taker from 1996 to 1998, while attending UCSC.
- Del Mar hosts the Secret Film Festival, which is in its 12th year. The movies airing in the festival remain a secret until show time, which last from midnight till noon the next day. It’s a mix of genre and indie films, primarily ones that have never been shown in Santa Cruz.
- The theater’s newest owner Landmark is currently in the process of restoring the neon on the marquee. It should be completed later this year. AC
Originally opened in 1936, and then closed in 1999 after struggling financially for years, it was extensively restored and reopened in 2002. Today the theater hosts a combination of indie and mainstream films.
Art Event
First Friday
firstfridaysantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Open Studios Art Tour
Art Gallery (Retail)
Artisans Gallery
1368 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz,
423-8183, artisanssantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Felix Kulpa Gallery, Many Hands Gallery
Artist (Local)
Doug Ross
dougross.com
RUNNERS-UP Joe Cosentino, Marie Gabrielle
Author (Local)
K.M. Rice
kmrice.com
RUNNERS-UP Jonathan Franzen, Laurie King
Dance Studio
Pacific Arts Complex
1122 Soquel Ave ., Santa Cruz,
471-8142, pacificartscomplex.com
RUNNERS-UP Agape Dance Academy, Tannery World Dance
Festival (Art/Film)
Capitola Art & Wine Festival
capitolaartandwine.com
RUNNERS-UP Santa Cruz Film Festival, Watsonville Film Festival
Festival (Music)
Santa Cruz American Music Festival
santacruzamericanmusicfestival.com
RUNNERS-UP Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, Santa Cruz Music Festival
Festival (Street)
Greek Festival
facebook.com/santacruzgreekfestival
RUNNERS-UP Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Pleasure Point Street Fair
Kids’ Art Program
Studio Sprout
studiosproutsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Kaiwa Art and Play Space, Seven Directions
Movie Theater
The Del Mar
1124 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz,
469-3220, landmarktheatres.com/santa-cruz
RUNNERS-UP CineLux Capitola, Nickelodeon
Mural/Public Art
Capitola Trestle
62 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
423-1398, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP E.A. Hall Middle School, Shopper’s Corner
Museum
Museum of Art & History
705 Front St., Santa Cruz
429-1964, santacruzmah.org
RUNNERS-UP Capitola Historical Museum, Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Photographer
Devi Pride
devipridephotography.com
RUNNERS-UP Alexandra Rice, Shmuel Thaler
Poet (Local)
Ellen Bass
ellenbass.com
RUNNERS-UP Max Goodwin, Gary Young
Radio Personality (Local)
Rosemary Chalmers
KSCO
RUNNERS-UP Laurie Roberts, “Sleepy” John Sandidge
Radio Station
KPIG-FM
107.5
RUNNERS-UP 1080 AM KSCO, 88.1 KZSC
Television Personality (Local)
Dan Green
KSBW
RUNNERS-UP Lee Solomon, Phil Gomez
Television Newscast (Local)
KSBW
RUNNER-UP KION
Theater Company
Jewel Theatre
jeweltheatre.net
RUNNERS-UP CYT Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Shakespeare
Congrats on another GOOD TIMES Best of Reader’s Poll! Santa Cruz has no lack of interesting people representing many fascinating catagories. While all of these catagories and winners are important and of benefit to the community, I ask why is the catagory “Best DJ” never a consideration in these best of the best polls?
DJ’s often times, entertain hundreds of people for hours at a time… alone!
We promote the event, prepare for hours to stay current, bring gear, show up first and leave last and generally get paid far less than our musician friends.
DJing is an artform. This has been established for a very long time. I think it is time to include DJing into the list of creative contributors who deserve recognition. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
DJ Don-ette G (DJ/Promoter/Booking Agent)
– 5 year weekly Resident DJ @ Motiv
– Creator of Rasta Cruz Reggae (Almost 10 year long event, possibly the longest running weekly DJ night in Santa Cruz history, of any genre)