You know those weeks when there is absolutely nothing going on? When binge-watching television shows that are no longer on air seems an acceptable way to pass the time? Well, this is not one of those weeks. Actually, this week is the polar opposite of that kind of week. If you do not end up with a nose bleed after this week, you will not have fully appreciated being alive. Here are some of the things you should be doing.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
Save Our Shores ‘Marine Debris & Art’ at Allterra Solar Warehouse
Bottles, cans, plastic bags—the list of things polluting our ocean is heartbreakingly long. But for some, like artist Shannon McCarthy, it’s an opportunity to create. This Thursday, Oct. 8, Save Our Shores presents its Sanctuary Speaker Series, with McCarthy discussing her creative process and how plastic pollution so greatly damages the health of the oceans. Whether it’s dirtying beautiful beaches or killing ocean animals, plastic pollution is a danger, which is why McCarthy creates her mosaic art pieces. Learn how to keep a cleaner ocean and enjoy free pizza from Pizza My Heart and beverages from Ninkasi Brewing Company. 5:30-8 p.m. 207 McPherson St., Santa Cruz.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
Pappas & Dancers at Motion Pacific
How do we process our history? Rebecca Pappas chooses dance. With Pappas & Dancers, she’s bringing collective memory to the fore with movement—and a karaoke dance party! The 10-year veteran of the California dance world pushes her audiences to look within, digging through the understanding that we all have a past. Called “mesmerizing” and “compelling” by the Los Angeles Times, Pappas’s work breaks down the wall between performer and audience. For this show, Pappas collaborated with choreographers Genevieve Carson and Jesse Saler and performer Alexx Shilling. 8 p.m. Tickets: $12.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
Hard Core Cider Tour at San Lorenzo Park
With 30 of the world’s top hard cider makers— that’s more than 75 different types of craft ciders—who can resist the Hard Core Cider Tour? Then there are the food trucks, jumbo lawn games, and live music. This year’s event is raising funds for LifeLab, a nonprofit which teaches young people through garden-based learning workshops and consultations. Ages 21 and over. Noon-4 p.m. Tickets: $10-$45.
Jacob’s Heart Benefit Family Concert at Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Ariel Thiermann has been a singer and performer in Santa Cruz for more than 15 years. This Saturday, Oct. 10, Ariel joins her mother, Linda Arnold, for a mother-daughter CD release party to benefit Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services. The family-friendly show will feature old favorites like “Popcorn” and songs from their new CD, Love You to the Moon and Back, along with a live puppet show to accompany the guitar, bass and drum trio. Both mother and daughter have extensive musical backgrounds—Arnold is an award-winning, nationally acclaimed children’s recording artist and Thiermann is a singer/songwriter and expressive arts coach who specializes in voice and creative empowerment. All proceeds benefit Jacob’s Heart. 11 a.m. Tickets: $8-$10.
ArtSmart Family Concert at Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building
With Tandy Beal and Company’s ArtSmart Concert Series, families will be able to engage with dance in an entirely new way. Micah Scott Dances! kicks off the season of shows with her high-octane and interactive movement style. The show will feature award-winning artists in circus, music and dance. Scott was a founding teacher at Garth Fagan School and has been featured in Time, Essence, and Dance magazines. 11 a.m. Tickets: $7-$15.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11
Welcome Back Monarchs Day at Natural Bridges State Beach
Fall is slowly returning, and with it, our magical winged visitors. Take part in welcoming them back to our sunny shores for their wintering habitat with a day of arts and crafts, activities, games, music by the 5Ms, information sessions on how to make your own butterfly garden and “monarch ice cream”—don’t worry, it’s not made from the butterflies, but it is orange. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Oktoberfest Santa Cruz at Messiah Lutheran Church
Wienerschnitzel, sauerkraut, wurst, klopse and bier—oh, the bier. Even without counting Halloween and National Coffee Day, October has got some pretty decent celebrations, and this year’s local celebration of all things Bavarian is no exception. Dust off the dirndls and the lederhosen, it’s time again to toast to Oktoberfest with drink and eats, dance and song—including, of course, the traditional “Schnitzelbank Song,” which was brought over to America in the late 1800s by German immigrants. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., 801 High St., Santa Cruz.
