Distilled in Santa Cruz—now that’s a seductive phrase for inquiring visitors. But those of us who live here are the real winners. Besides our obvious embarrassment of riches in other departments, we can now boast two makers of distinctive distilled spirits right here by the sea. A one-man crusade for local, organic, high-proof, hand-crafted, small-batch…
Sol and Soul: Santa Cruz Music This Week
The music bookers in this town love to keep Santa Cruz weird, and this week was no exception. Two Grammy-winning performers, a pornographically-inclined punk band from the UK, a huge festival in the redwoods, and a hilarious but undeniably creepy musical ventriloquist are all in town. Get out and embrace it. Thursday, September 15…
Santa Cruz Bike Party Takes to the Streets
You may have seen a traveling party of cheerful bicyclists around downtown Santa Cruz, complete with music, lights and sounds of revelry, including an occasional yell: “Bike Parrrrrtyyyy!” If this occurred on the second Friday of the month, then you were a witness to our local Bike Party, started by Steve Schnaar and Tawn Kennedy…
Food Tours Reveal the Secrets of Santa Cruz Restaurants
“The story of this town is the story of a jailbreak,” says Brion Sprinsock, the owner of Santa Cruz Food Tours, which just celebrated its 200th event. Sprinsock is sitting in the breakfast nook of the Hinds Victorian Guest House, which he owns, pointing out the window to the railroad tracks that run along Chestnut…
Weeknights Live: Monday to Friday Nightlife in Santa Cruz
It’s easy to find great live music, DJs and comedy on any given Santa Cruz weekend, and clubs like the Catalyst and Moe’s Alley get big touring acts every week. But Santa Cruz’s thriving nightlife doesn’t end there. If you’re looking for live music, dancing or laughs on a weeknight, here are some regular events…
Hiding Out at Hidden Peak Teahouse
Every time I visit Hidden Peak Teahouse in downtown Santa Cruz, an amazing thing happens. Inside the digital-free space, the vague separation anxiety that occurs when my phone is anywhere but in my right hand soon gives way to a palpable relief. With my phone powered down, the texts, emails, emoticons, tweets, Facebook notifications—the entire…
Open Studios Art Tour 2016 Magazine
A co-production of Arts Council Santa Cruz County and Good Times. Open Studios Art Tour is your opportunity to explore creativity in Santa Cruz County. For 31 years, our goal has been simple: connect artists with people who love art. For the first three weekends in October, artists from the redwoods to the bay open…
The Next Big Thing: Santa Cruz Music This Week
The first time David Bowie was on television wasn’t for his music—he was interviewed on BBC Tonight as the founder of The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Long-haired Men, which just goes to show that you never really know when or how the next international mega-star will be unearthed. It could even be…
Can I Borrow a Pencil?: Santa Cruz Music This Week
It’s everyone’s favorite time of year! No, not Burning Man—and raise your hand next time, please. It’s Back To School! While not everyone is buying binders and pencils or scheming about how to get the attention of their homeroom crush, we all have homework to turn in next week. Here’s your assignment: Assignment: Attend at…
A Musical Proverb: Santa Cruz Music This Week
A musical proverb for you this week… For want of a weekly, the patron was lost. For want of a patron, the show was lost. For want of a show, the band was lost. For want of a band, the venue was lost. For want of a venue, the music was lost. For want…
