Founded in 1981, Shakespeare Santa Cruz is the professional theater company in residence at UC Santa Cruz. Every summer, the group explores the plays of Shakespeare and other, often contemporary, works. The summer 2010 season included the Bard's "Othello" and "Loves Labor Lost" with James Goldman's "The Lion in Winter." The group was named by USA Today "one of the nation's top ten most influential" Shakespeare companies. Shakespeare Santa Cruz also offers a winter show of original works based on holiday fairy tales.
Parking on the UC Santa Cruz campus requires a permit. For the lot near the performing arts center, permits cost $3 and are available in the lot.
Home to the oldest frame shop on the Central Coast, Lenz Arts is a shopping paradise for the fine artist. There are demonstrations from professional painters, showing techniques and product lines. A full range of artist supplies can be found here, a Santa Cruz hallmark business for over 40 years.
Batish's is a music store that specializes in Indian music. It offers lessons, CDs, videos and musical instruments such as sitars and tablas. From the friendly and talented teachers, you can learn to play the sitar, tabla, tanpura, dholak and harmonium as well as Indian vocal instruction. Check Batish's website for the schedule of owner Ashwin Batish's and other artists' local performances.
Ocean View is the only card room left in the county. For poker enthusiasts in the area, this place is definitely the spot to check out for your next tournament. The business also provides guests with complimentary refreshments, snacks and fresh fruit.
Check out the website for details about upcoming Texas Hold 'em Tournaments.
Mobius specializes in the conservation and restoration of oil paintings, painted objects and artifacts, gilded frame restoration and framing in museums. Established in 1988, Mobius prides itself on quality antique replica frames or contemporary fine art picture frames.
Wooden Expressions is a custom wood carver that sculpts and creates signs, cabinetry, furniture, entertainment centers, mantels and more. In the words of owner and carver Luis Villareal "I love to bring wood back to life."
Email [email protected] if you'd like something sculpted out of wood or visit www.woodenexpressions.net.
The Santa Cruz Art League offers support to area visual and performing artists, students and their community. It offers art shows, classes, workshops, as well as children's theater classes, productions and book readings. Consult the website for a recent schedule.
Kicking off its 2010-11 season in October, the Santa Cruz County Symphony performs at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Offering a four-concert series as well as special guests and youth program, the symphony brings a wide variety of music into the community. From Gershwin to Beethoven, each concert will explore a musical theme. The last concert of the season is geared for families. Check its website for ticket information.
Santa Cruz Bingo operates every Saturday, offering players 14 games as well as snacks, refreshments and coffee. Games have a maximum of 100 players. A variety of game packages are available and start at 25 cents for pull tabs and $1 for early-bird and flash games. Santa Cruz Bingo is based out of the New Life Community Services building and proceeds benefit the organization which provides support services including a family shelter and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
The Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium was built in 1939 and dedicated in 1940. The entrance's brick walkway is flanked by granite columns. The auditorium is a regular venue for large Santa Cruz events, including the Cabrillo Music Festival and bouts by the Santa Cruz Derby Girls. Luminaries who have spoken or performed at the Civic Auditorium include the Dalai Lama, Bob Dylan and Ray Charles.
Discovered in 1939, the Mystery Spot still eludes explanation of its defiance of the rules of physics and gravity. Be prepared for mind-numbing visual and physical effects on the guided 45-minute tour. Watch objects roll uphill and have your sense of depth skewed in the unique structures. A hot spot on the must-see list for locals and tourists alike. Check their website for details and entrance information, as it varies per day and season.
Angelo Grova is a custom sculptor who provides corporate, private and gallery exhibits of original art through his Michael Angelo Studio. You can check the website for a gallery of the artist's artwork and his résumé.
The 418 project is vital to the community of Santa Cruz, providing a space for people to host events. It also offers a wide range of ethnic and cultural activities including capoeira and African drumming.
Petroglyph ceramics lounge offers a unique kind of entertainment. Started by a frustrated artist who dreamed of a place where one can enjoy art projects with friends outside of a class setting, Petroglyph brings people together. Choose a piece from among the many plates, bowls and nick-knacks, paint this piece any way you wish and Petroglyph will fire and glaze it for you. Come back at a later date to pick up your art. With such a unique experience, almost anyone can enjoy Petroglyph's fun and comforting setting.
Clay Creation caters to DIY types looking to stoke their creative juices by throwing a pot or two. This full pottery studio offers classes for all levels and one-on-one tutoring, as well as open studio time for experienced crafters. Clay Creations welcomes budding artists who want to learn both the wheel-throwing and hand-building methods of making pottery. It's located toward the back of a slim alleyway.
Moe's Alley is Santa Cruz's premier venue to see and hear your favorite blues performers. The place also book bands that play salsa, rhumba and reggae. The music hall is small enough that any seat in the house provides a good view of the stage, or you can get up and dance the night away on the dance floor that leads right up to the stage. For certain shows on Moe's outdoor patio, customers can order food provided by Conscious Creations, which specializes in dishes made with local organic ingredients.