A weekly guide to what’s happening
Green Fix
Namibia: Land of the Cheetah
The cheetah is the most endangered cat in Africa. Due to loss of habitat, human-wildlife conflict and the illegal wildlife trade, there are now less than 8,000 left in the wild. Filmmaker Richard Weise traveled to Namibia, the cheetah capital of the world, to learn more about these big, fast kitties and make a movie about it. Following the screening, local cheetah expert Laurie Maker, founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, will talk about her work to save cheetahs from extinction and participate in a Q&A.
INFO: 6:30pm. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. cheetah.org. $20.
Art Seen
‘ArtSmart Concert Series’
Tandy Beal’s Art Smart Concert Series is starting with a bang featuring Grammy-award winning artists playing a … wooden box? Ka-Hon shares music, songs and global rhythms from the artists’ homelands of Peru, Mexico, Cuba, Spain, and Venezuela. This interactive concert takes us on an adventure in Latin percussion, featuring an array of songs and rhythms from around the world that can be played even on a simple wooden box called the cajón. Can’t make this one? The ArtSmart series runs monthly. Check online for other concerts.
INFO: 11am. Veterans Memorial Building, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz. tandybeal.com. $15 adults/$10 children.
Saturday 10/5-Sunday 10/20
34th Annual Open Studios
It’s like a farmers market, but with art. Open Studios is a free, self-guided tour that invites the public into 300 artist studios across Santa Cruz County. There are seasoned artists who’ve participated since the ’80s and talented newcomers working in every medium imaginable. Neighbors, friends, collectors, and art lovers are invited to meet the artists, see their creative processes up close and personal, and buy art directly from the source. Keep in mind that Open Studios is spread across three weekends, so if you can’t make this weekend there are plenty of other opportunities. Image: Jasper Marino.
INFO: North County artists Oct. 5-6; South County artists Oct. 12-13; All-county weekend featuring select artists Oct. 19-20. santacruzopenstudios.com. Free.
Saturday 10/5
Gourmet Grazing on the Green
Celebrating the unique culinary flavor, local fresh ingredients and diversity of Santa Cruz County, Gourmet Grazing on the Green brings together local community farmers, chefs, winemakers, brewers, and distillers to celebrate community in the best way they know how: with seriously good eats. This foodie fest features an afternoon of tasting local wines, handcrafted beers, delicious food from top local chefs, and live music. More than 75 local food and drink purveyors will be there, plus all proceeds support the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living with cancer in the community.
INFO: noon-4pm. Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Rd., Aptos. sccbg.org. $65/$70.
Sunday 10/6
Squid-Fest West
Picture a room full of squids of all sizes. Some large, some teeny tiny, each wriggling around, flopping back and forth like a—well, squid out of water. Sound like fun? No? Good, because that’s not what this is. Squidfest is a celebration of “The Squid,” as in KSQD. Squid-Fest West is a live concert benefit for KSQD community radio, with local talent including Tammi Brown, the Coffis Brothers, Keith Greeninger, and more. There will also be food, wine and a silent auction.
INFO: 4-8pm. Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. squidfestwest.brownpapertickets.com. 900-5773. $25.
