Brian Vernor's bike photographs are on display at MAH starting Friday, May 4.
Every once in a while a weekend rolls around that is so crammed with goodness we have to tell you about all of it. This is one of those weekends—so good luck deciding how to spend it!
Thursday, May 3
Jewel Theatre Company presents Blithe Spirit, Noel Coward’s comedy about a man who hosts a séance not because he believes in ghosts but because he needs material for a book—and is then bedeviled by the mischievous spirit of his first wife. Thursday–Saturday 8pm and Sunday 2pm through May 20; $28 general at jeweltheatre.net.
Friday, May 4
Bike Night at MAH kicks off First Friday in downtown Santa Cruz with a two-wheeled theme in honor of Bike Month.html. That means bike-blended margaritas, bicycle chain jewelry and more bikey stuff than you can shake a spoke at. 5pm; free. Over on the Westside at the R. Blitzer Gallery, 34 of Santa Cruz’s most accomplished artists join forces in their annual ART for ARTshow to benefit struggling or ill artists. Interactive art, TV photo booth and no-host bar by Hula’s. 5pm; $5 donation. Over in Midtown, Funktivation sees Santa Cruz funk sensations Funkranomicon and the Inciters join Little John the DJ for an art reception with Samantha Sage and performance of Balinese-funk–fusion dance by Annika Johnson at Divinitree Yoga, 1043b Water St. 8pm–2am $15 at the door or $10 beforehand.
At the 418 Project, dancer Per Holland and Friends present But I Will Stay, an exploration of repressed male emotion, along with three other modern dance and theatrical pieces. Friday–Saturday, 8pm; $15 general.
Saturday, May 5
Atlantis Fantasyworld hosts Free Comic Book Day!Everyone who walks in the store gets 10 free comics—that’s Peanuts, Avengers, Spider Man, Yo Gabba-Gabba—no questions asked. Enter the raffle for the free Thor cookie jar. Gadzooks! 10am–7pm. Free.
An annual tradition since 1987, the Bluegrass Fair sets up one Saturday each year at the Duck Pond in San Lorenzo Park and gives away tasty bluegrass jams for free while raffling off tickets to the Strawberry Music Festival and other goodies. This year’s lineup includes Harmony Grits, the amazing Abbott Brothers Band (pictured), Earthquake Country and Bean Creek, which will be playing songs from its new CD. Saturday, May 5, noon–5pm, San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz. Free.
Sunday, May 6
Rainbow Theater at UCSC hosts its sixth annual Birth of Word Festival at the Stevenson Event Center with spoken word artist Sunni Patterson as the special guest. Lunch is served, too. 1pm; free.
