Because many in-person events across Santa Cruz County have been canceled or postponed during the pandemic, Good Times is compiling a weekly list of virtual events hosted by local nonprofits, artists, fitness instructors and businesses. To submit your virtual event, send an email to ca******@go*******.sc.
ARTS AND MUSIC
UCSC’S AFRICAN-AMERICAN THEATER ARTS TROUPE: BUILDING COMMUNITY FOR 30 YEARS ONLINE EVENT Theater director Don Williams is joined in conversation by two alumni from UCSC’s African-American Theater Arts Troupe (AATAT): Ms. Niketa Calame-Harris (Porter, ’02 and voice of ‘Young Nala’ in Disney’s 1994 animated feature ‘The Lion King’) and Dr. Eric Jackson. Moderated by KZSC’s Luisa Cardoza. This event is presented with support from KZSC 88.1FM and is part of the Arts Division’s “Arts Lectures” series. Niketa Calame-Harris is an award-winning actress most noted as the voice of Young Nala in Disney’s original animated classic ‘The Lion King.’ She received her Master of Fine Arts degree from The Actors Studio Drama School in New York and her BA degree in theater from UCSC. During her time at UCSC she was a member of AATAT, CUIP intern, CoChair of BSU, A/BSA, ESOC, Take UCSC Home, DHE chaperone. Niketa has landed roles placing her on HBO, NBC, CBS, and Lifetime. She has continued her advocacy work as a project ambassador for the American Diabetes Association where she was awarded the Points of Light Award from President George H. W. Bush. Free and open to the public, live Zoom viewing. Register at: bit.ly/3fdUfuZ. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 4:30-5:30pm.
VIRTUAL HOLIDAY ART AND CRAFT FAIRE Santa Cruz County Park’s annual Holiday Art and Craft Faire is going virtual for 2020! For the month of December, join us online at scparks.com to find and support amazing local artists and craft-makers! Our webpage will feature over 40 artists who offer a broad range of holiday gifts ranging from glasswork, prints, cards, jewelry, and more!
POETS’ CIRCLE POETRY READING SERIES The Poets’ Circle Poetry Reading Series has resumed with the support of the Friends of the Watsonville Public Library. The reimagined event is now virtual! This month’s featured reader is longtime host Magdalena Montagne. She will be celebrating the release of her book of poetry, “Earth My Witness,” published by Finishing Line Press in October 2020. Joan Rose Staffen, local teacher, poet and visual artist, will host, along with staff from the Watsonville Library. To join the event, please see the library’s listing at: cityofwatsonville.org/348/Poets-Circle. Thursday, Dec. 3, 5-7pm.
CELEBRATING BEETHOVEN’S 250TH BIRTHDAY YEAR Beethoven’s 250th Birthday Year online Celebration features some of the world’s most acclaimed Beethoven interpreters and historians: Pianists Alon Goldstein, Jonathan Biss, Garrick Ohlsson plus cellist Tanya Tomkins with pianist Audrey Vardanega and moderator Dr. Erica Buurman of the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies. Tune in every night for lectures, conversations and sublime performances. Begins Sunday, Dec. 6, at 7pm. Learn more at distinguishedartists.org.
SALSA SUELTA IN PLACE FREE ZOOM SESSION For all dance-deprived dancers! Free weekly online session in Cuban-style Salsa Suelta for experienced beginners and up. May include Mambo, ChaChaCha, Afro-Cuban Rumba, Orisha, Son Montuno, Cuban-Salsa. Ages 14 and up. Thursdays at 7pm. Contact to get Zoom link: salsagente.com.
CATAMARAN ART SHOW AT R. BLITZER GALLERY Starved for real live artwork? Then don’t miss the Seventh Annual Catamaran Show at the R. Blitzer Gallery, featuring a curated array of original artwork from Linda Christensen, David Ligare, UCSC alumna Julie Heffernan, Frank Galuszka, Noah Buchanan, Joao De Brito and Philip Rosenthal. While you’re there don’t miss artworks by Robert Blitzer, Alan Sonneman, Rand Launer and handmade stringed instruments by luthier Charles Sutton. Open now through Nov. 27. Tuesday and Thursday noon-5 pm or by appointment. Strict Covid-19 protocols followed (masks, five or six people at a time, social distancing). R. Blitzer Gallery, 2801 Mission St., Santa Cruz. 831-458-1217.
COMMUNITY
SHELTER IN FAITH: HOLIDAYS EDITION The popular virtual series, Shelter in Faith, is back with a special Holidays Edition. Learn from local faith leaders representing diverse spiritual traditions about different holiday customs, celebrations, and their deeper meanings. Take the opportunity to hear their thoughtful perspectives, relevant experience, and practical solutions for navigating the stresses of the holiday season. There will also be time for Q&A to get your unique questions answered. Register for this free Library virtual event: santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/7274313. Dec. 8, 10am.
BOOK SALES AT THE CAPITOLA MALL Thanks to the generosity of the management of the Capitola Mall, we have reopened our bookstore in a new, spacious location in the mall. We offer thousands of used items: books, CDs, and DVDs. Most items sell for $1 or $2 each. All funds will be used to enhance the new Capitola library. Cash or check only. Open Saturdays and Sundays, noon-4pm. We are located in the Capitola Mall next to Hallmark and across from Express. Masks and social distancing are required. Please do not take donations to the bookstore. We will pick up donated materials from you. Contact Karen Scott at ka***@sp*****.com to schedule a pick up.
SUPPORTING SURVIVORS COMING FORWARD How can we better listen to, empower and support survivors of sexual abuse when they come forward? How can we promote healing? Part of the Imagine Healing Online Workshop Series. A way that I believe we can empower those who have been victimized by sexual abuse is by educating individuals on what they should do when someone discloses to them that they are a victim of sexual abuse. In this workshop participants will have a safe place to hear survivors’ stories, ask questions and receive resources. Saturday, Dec. 5, 10-11:30am. Learn more at: eventbrite.com/e/supporting-survivors-coming-forward-tickets-125405103039.
ADOPT A FAMILY PROJECT As our days grow shorter, many of us shift our thoughts to the joy of the holiday season. Unfortunately, for those families in our community struggling to make ends meet, this can be a worrisome time. Many Santa Cruz County families struggle to meet their basic needs and may go without enough food and warm clothing, let alone toys or other holiday gifts. With your help we can make the holiday brighter for families who are struggling– including those who lost their homes in the CZU fire, were impacted by Covid-19 layoffs, and those facing a variety of economic and social hardship. This year we will serve 500 families and independent teens. All of our adoptees have been referred and screened by our 25 partner organizations to ensure that your gift is reaching those most in need. You can choose to adopt via our hotline or online, donate funds, or purchase just one gift. Learn more at scvolunteercenter.org/programs/adopt-a-family. Additionally, volunteers are the engine that make this project happen each year. Connect with us to help make this project a success!
RESTORATIVE SELF CARE FOR CZU WILDFIRE SURVIVORS The CZU fire has wreaked havoc on our community. Even now, weeks later, you may notice that you’re still experiencing a disruption to your sleep patterns, being in emotional pain, suffering from incessant worry, feeling unsafe or easily startled, or just completely overwhelmed with all that you are dealing with. If so, you are not alone. Since the fires broke out in August, our community has suffered greatly, yet we’ve also shown the ability to come together to support one another, confide in one another, and encourage one another. This six-week series is a time to meet with other community members to help begin the healing process. Each evening we will explore different practices to help you manage the impact of the upheaval you’ve been through, using breathing, gentle stretching, guided meditation, journaling and time for connecting with each other. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 7-8:30pm. Luma Yoga And Family Center, 1010 Center St., Santa Cruz.
JACKET AND BLANKET DRIVE For November and December, the Scott’s Valley High School Junior Class is hosting a jacket and blanket drive to help supply jackets and blankets to people who are homeless in Santa Cruz County. It is very important to make sure everyone has jackets and blankets because of how cold the weather has been. All items must be washed and can be dropped off at Four Points Sheraton Scotts Valley, located at 5030 Scotts Valley Drive. Items will be donated to Food Not Bombs Santa Cruz.
TALES TO TAILS GOES VIRTUAL SCPL’s early childhood literacy program, Virtual Tales to Tails, has moved to a new time slot: Fridays at 10:30am. At the end of your school day, hop online and have fun reading at your own pace to an audience of therapy dogs, cats and other guest animals. Have math homework? Good news! Your furry audience would also love to learn how to count, add and subtract. Register online. Registrants receive reminders, links to the live program, and fun (educational) activities to complete and have showcased on future sessions Learn more at santacruzpl.libcal.com/calendar.
GROUPS
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS All our OA meetings have switched to being online. Please call 831-429-7906 for meeting information. Do you have a problem with food? Drop into a free, friendly Overeaters Anonymous 12-Step meeting. All are welcome! This meeting is bilingual, English and Spanish. La nueva hora de las 6:30pm comienza el 6 de mayo de 2020. Todas nuestras reuniones de OA han pasado a estar en línea. Llame al 831-429-7906 para obtener información sobre la reunión. ¿Tienes algún problema con la comida? Participe en una reunión gratuita y amistosa de 12 pasos para comedores anónimos. ¡Todos son bienvenidos! Esta reunión es bilingüe, inglés y español. 6:30-7:30pm. Watsonville Volunteer Center, 12 Carr St. Watsonville, Santa Cruz.
VIRTUAL YOUNG ADULT (18-30) TRANSGENDER SUPPORT GROUP A weekly peer support group for young adults aged 18-25 who identify as transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, agender, or any other non-cisgender identity. This is a social group where we meet and chat among ourselves, sharing our experiences and thoughts in a warm, welcoming setting. Our meetings will be held on Discord during the shelter-in-place order. For more info, contact Ezra Bowen at tr***@di*************.org.
LGBTQNBI+ SUPPORT GROUP FOR CORONAVIRUS STRESS This weekly LGBTQNBI+ support group is being offered to help us all deal with stress during the shelter-in-place situation that we are experiencing from the coronavirus. Feel free to bring your lunch and chat together to get support. This group is offered at no cost and will be facilitated by licensed therapists Shane Hill, Ph.D., and Melissa Bernstein, LMFT #52524. Learn how to join the Zoom support group at diversitycenter.org/community-calendar.
OUTDOOR
WEST CLIFF HOLIDAY OUTDOOR MARKET Enjoy a socially distanced holiday outdoor market with unique artisans and food trucks while taking in the spectacular view of the ocean. This one of a kind market will be held in two parking lots along West Cliff Drive. This is always a popular spot for locals and tourists, as it overlooks the famous Steamers Lane surf spot. The market will feature one of a kind gifts and a chance to do some holiday shopping. The market will follow all social distancing guidelines and all vendors and attendees will be wearing face masks. Please come and join us and enjoy this outdoor holiday shopping experience! Friday, Nov. 27, 10am. Lighthouse Field State Beach, W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz.
SEASIDE SHOPPING AT THE SEYMOUR CENTER Enjoy in-person, seaside shopping this holiday season! The Ocean Discovery Shop at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center is now open, outdoors, on Saturdays through Dec. 19 (weather permitting). Browse an array of apparel, books, games, pottery, eco-friendly items, and so much more. The Ocean Discovery Shop has gifts for everyone! Proceeds support the Seymour Center’s education programs. Members receive a 10% discount on purchases. Only outdoor shopping is available at this time; credit cards only; masks and social distancing required; no returns due to Covid-19. Thank you for understanding and for your support! Saturday, Nov. 28, 11am-3:30pm. Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz.
