A weekly guide to what’s happening.
ARTS AND MUSIC
BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL VIRTUAL FESTIVAL This year, bring the adventure home! Fluff up your couch cushions, grab a snack of choice, and make sure you have a good internet connection, because the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is going virtual! For the first time ever, travel to breathtaking destinations, embark on daring expeditions, and celebrate some of the most remarkable outdoor achievements, all from the comforts of your living room. The Covid-19 pandemic has created extraordinary circumstances around the world and many of our live World Tour screenings have been postponed or canceled. While we can’t replicate the experience of seeing the Banff films on the big screen of your local theatre, surrounded by friends and your community, these curated programs of amazing outdoor films will inspire you to live life to the fullest … however that looks these days! Please visit riotheatre.com for more information about the online programs and how you can support your local screening.
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!
NUTCRACKER THE MOVIE Agape Dance presents “2020 Nutcracker the Movie!” See a beautiful one-hour performance of the holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker Ballet,” in the safety and comfort of your car at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Drive-In Theater. Featuring gorgeous local alumna and professional dancers with fun community leaders in this amazing, locally filmed, family-friendly movie by Indigo Productions. A wonderful way to enjoy the holidays. A portion of the ticket sales benefits Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Services. Tickets only available at agapedance.com. Cancellations due to inclement weather will allow online viewing of the movie. Friday, Dec. 18, 5:30pm and 7:30pm. Saturday, Dec. 19, 5:30pm and 7:30pm. Sunday, Dec. 20, 5:30pm and 7:30pm.
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+. Contact to get Zoom link SalsaGente.com. Thursday, Dec. 17, 7pm.
TOY TRAINS WINDOW DISPLAY Get whisked away into the whimsical world of Toy Trains and enjoy the 15th year of this beloved annual pop-up exhibit at the MAH. Members of the Golden State Toy Train Operators will be on hand to once again share their amazing collection of toy trains through the windows of the MAH’s atrium. Watch from outside in the Secret Garden as the trains chug through the festive beach town in this new storefront display. We’re excited to continue this holiday tradition safely for both you and the train operators. Toy Trains will be on display Dec. 18-27. Toy Trains will run until 5pm with the exception of Dec. 24 at 3pm and Dec. 25 when the museum is closed. When outside, please keep at least six-feet distance and wear a mask.
COMMUNITY
2020 HOMELESS MEMORIAL GATHERING Join us for a gathering to remember and pay respect to all of our neighbors whom we have lost while homeless in 2020. On or about the longest night of the year–the Winter Solstice–communities across the country gather to remember neighbors who have died homeless in the past year. This year marks the 22nd year for the remembrance gathering in Santa Cruz County. Friday, Dec. 18, 10am.
WOMENCARE MINDFULNESS MEDITATION Mindfulness Meditation for women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets the first and third Friday, currently on Zoom. Registration required. 831-457-2273. Friday, Dec. 18, 11am-noon.
WOMENCARE: LAUGHTER YOGA Laughter yoga for women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets every Wednesday, currently via Zoom. Registration required. 457-2273. Wednesday, Dec. 16, 3:30-4:30pm.
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!. Sunday, Dec. 20, 9:05-10:15am.
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.
WOMENCARE TUESDAY SUPPORT GROUP WomenCARE Tuesday Cancer support group for women newly diagnosed and through their treatment. Meets every Tuesday currently on Zoom. Registration required: Call WomenCARE at 831-457-2273. Tuesday, Dec. 22, 12:30-2pm.
OUTDOOR
MYSTERY SPOT HOLIDAY TOURS Register for special Mystery Spot Holiday Tours, running Monday through Friday at 6pm from Dec. 21-25. We will be serving delicious coco, cider and coffee to enjoy either before or after your tour. You can also enjoy our beautiful Christmas lights in the garden while you sip on a hot drink and listen to holiday tunes. Our Mystery Spot guides will be giving out candy canes in addition to our famous Mystery Spot stickers at the end of every tour. Please make a reservation online if you would like to visit us during these holiday times. Come enjoy this special holiday event with us at The Mystery Spot and savor this joyous time of year. 831-423-8897. mysteryspot.com.
SATURDAYS IN THE SOIL Every third Saturday at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History: It’s time to get your hands dirty! We’re excited to relaunch Saturdays in the Soil, a monthly volunteer program in our native plant garden. Learn about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while coming together as a community (in a physically distanced manner!) to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. Email vo*******@sa*************.org to let us know you’re coming. Saturday, Dec. 19, 10am-noon.
WOMENCARE ARM-IN-ARM WomenCARE ARM-IN-ARM Cancer support group for women with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic cancer. Meets every Monday. Currently on Zoom. Registration required. All services are free. 831-457-2273. womencaresantacruz.org. Monday, Dec. 21, 12:30pm.
DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ MAKERS MARKET Come out and celebrate local art as Pacific Avenue between Water and Locust streets becomes a pedestrian mall for the Makers Market! Free admission and free live music! Now on the third Sunday of every month! Stroll beautiful Pacific Avenue while shopping local with more than 40 local Santa Cruz County artists and crafters! Plus, live music at Memorial Plaza (in front of Jamba Juice) from 12-3pm! Don’t forget to stop in and visit the downtown merchants. Check out our website, scmmakersmarket.com/markets to see the full lineup of artists. Sunday, Dec. 20, 10am-5pm.
