Santa Cruz Parent

Zoppé An Italian Family Circus
2023-12-01 16:00 - 2023-12-11 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Monterey Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Zoppé An Italian Family Circus
December 1 – 11, Available times 1pm, 4pm, 6pm, 7pm
“Carnavale di Venezia” 2023 – 2024 theme. Circus connecting with Commedia, the oldest two performance artworks. Embodied in the heart of Italian performance, Venetian Carnaval.
“The Zoppé Family Circus welcomes guests into an intimate, 500 seat tent for a one-ring circus that honors the history of their old-world Italian circus tradition.
“Starring Nino the clown, the circus is propelled by a central story (as opposed to individual acts) that features acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowning and plenty of audience participation.
“Giovanni Zoppé, the director of the circus and a sixth-generation performer, says the show aims higher than what passes for circuses these days. ‘We try to touch every emotion during the show,’ he says. ‘They’ll laugh, they’ll cry, and they’ll feel for the characters. It’s more of an event than a show.’”
Choose Day, Time and Buy Tickets

The Art of Nature
2023-12-15, 2023-12-16, 2023-12-22, 2023-12-23, 2023-12-29, 2023-12-30, 2024-01-05, 2024-01-06 and 3 more dates | Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, 95062, United States
The Art of Nature
March 11 – May 14, Tuesday – Friday| 11am – 4pm; Saturday – Sunday | 10am – 5pm

Scientific illustration brings to life the wonders of nature, from diminutive sea slugs to vast habitats. Explore the beauty and fine details of the world around us in the special exhibit featuring works from over 40 local artists in a variety of mediums, all sure to inspire curiosity and deepen connections with science and nature.
The Museum has been exhibiting science illustration since 1989 and this beloved annual show is guaranteed to appeal to lovers of both science and art.
Adults: $4
Seniors (60+): $2
College Students: $2
Youth (under 18): Free
Members: Free
Admission is free the First Friday of every month.

Dive into our beloved ‘The Art of Nature’ exhibit, an annual celebration of scientific illustration. Featuring artwork from 46 local artists across various mediums, this exhibit brings the wonders of nature to life in remarkable detail.

This year’s showcase is one you won’t want to miss!

Learn more: https://loom.ly/qnLtC_Q

Saturdays in the Soil
2023-12-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, 95062, United States
Saturdays in the Soil
Third Saturdays, 10am – noon
We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s Garden Learning Center and Pilkington Creek.
Email volunteer@santacruzmuseum.org to RSVP. Space is limited.
What to Expect

This project requires volunteer support with general landscaping, occasional watering, weeding, and replanting.
Please let us know if you need special accommodations when you email to RSVP.
This program happens rain or shine, but we will cancel in the case of muddy conditions or inclement weather.
All ages are welcome; children under 14 require adult supervision. Volunteers under 18 require a parent/guardian to sign waivers.
Please follow latest guidelines for covid safety at the time of the program.

In Person Art Time for People with Disabilities
2023-12-17 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-12-24 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-12-31 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-01-07 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-01-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Claraty Arts, 1725 Seabright Avenue, Suite C, Santa Cruz, CA, 95062, United States
In Person Art Time for People with Disabilities
Sundays 2 – 4pm
Join our in person art class for people with disabilities at Claraty Arts Center in Santa Cruz. Adaptive art projects and space to work outside or inside and to share time with your family and work on a creative art project. It’s for the whole family – all are welcomed! This will be a great relaxing creative time adaptive to all needs, come out and express yourself! Caregiver must stay and help the participant – this is not a drop off!
Drop ins Welcomed!
$10 cash donation appreciated for art supplies

1725 Seabright Avenue, Suite C., Santa Cruz, CA

Click here to reserve your seat at art class

Teen Movie - The Nightmare Before Christmas - at the Advisory Council of Teens Meeting
2023-12-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Downtown Branch Santa Cruz Public Library, 224 Church St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Teen Movie – The Nightmare Before Christmas – at the Advisory Council of Teens Meeting
Sunday, December 17, 2 – 4pm
Join us for a special ACT (Advisory Council of Teens) day – a viewing of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
We will provide pizza, a hot chocolate bar, popcorn and other refreshments.
We will also have activities to do while watching the movie including painting, paper cutting crafts, sugar cookie decorating and bracelet making.
This event is FREE to attend, but we’d love for you to bring canned food to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank. You do not need to be an ACT member to attend.
Advisory Council of Teens (ACT) is the SCPL young adult advisory group. ACT is open to all Santa Cruz County young adults, ages 12-18. The main focus of the ACT is young adult services, including programs, events, spaces, and policies. This is a good opportunity for students to fulfill community service credits, obtain job skills, develop leadership abilities, and acquire college extracurricular experience.

Fungi Fundamentals Mushrooms of the Bay Area
2024-01-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, 95062, United States
Fungi Fundamentals Mushrooms of the Bay Area with Christian Schwarz and POST

Thursday, January 11, 7 – 8:30pm, Free | Registration Required
The unique ecosystem of the Bay Area’s coastal redwoods provides an ideal setting for mushrooms to flourish. Join us for a cap-tivating online event as we explore and uncover more about the fungal landscape.

Register

In collaboration with Peninsula Open Space Trust, we invite you to a special online event featuring guest speaker Christian Schwarz, co-author of “Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast.” Whether you’re a fungi first-timer or fanatic, Christian will guide us through the fundamentals of mushroom science and share his insights on these remarkable organisms. This event will be tailored for audiences in high school and beyond.
Join POST, SCMNH, and mushroom scientist Christian Schwarz for an informational tour through the fungal landscape in the Bay Area. This 90-minute webinar will be interactive and provide the audience with many opportunities to spore their curiosity by asking our speaker your fungi-est questions. We can’t wait for you to come along with us on this journey to uncover all the mysteries about mushrooms. Register to receive instructions on how to join us for this fantastic fungal virtual event.
Eager to start learning about mushrooms? Check out POST’s blog about 9 Wild Mushrooms Worth Remembering to get you started – there might be a pop quiz during the event!
Cover photo by Christian Schwarz

About the Speaker
Christian Schwarz studied Ecology and Evolution at UC Santa Cruz, where his interest in the world of fungi became irrevocable – their seemingly endless forms (from the grotesque to the bizarre to the sublime) feed his curiosity. He is co-author of Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast, and now spends his time seeking, photographing, collecting, teaching about, and publishing research on the macrofungi of California and Arizona. He is Collections Lead for the California Fungal Diversity Survey, and is a research associate of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. He has also served on the IUCN Red List Working Group for North American Fungi, advocating for habitat conservation focused on fungi. He is passionate about biodiversity in general, and especially in the philosophy and practice of community science (especially through the use of iNaturalist).

Santa Cruz Fungus Fair 2024
2024-01-12 14:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-13 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-14 10:00 - 17:00 | Londen Nelson Community Center, 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Santa Cruz Fungus Fair 2024
January 12 – 14, Friday 2:00-5:00 pm. (After-hours dinner event 5:30-9:30 pm), Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5pm

50th Anniversary Santa Cruz Fungus Fair

The wait is over! After a three-year hiatus, we are thrilled to announce that the Santa Cruz Fungus Fair is returning to London Nelson this January. The Museum is proud to be co-presenting this 50th Anniversary celebration with the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz who helped us launch the inaugural event at the Museum in 1974. Together we’re bringing back this unique Santa Cruz institution for what we hope is its best year yet!

Come to Santa Cruz and explore the fascinating world of Fungi. Learn interesting and fun facts about the hundreds of beautiful and fascinating species of mushrooms found in the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Area. Fungi will be beautifully displayed in a re-created woodland habitat. This unique Santa Cruz tradition features three days of fantastic fun, informative speakers and demonstrations, with fungal activities for the whole family.
The Fungus Fair is held each year in January in Santa Cruz at the London Nelson Community Center. This three day event features hundreds of species of local fungi presented in a unique fashion, and draws thousands of visitors each year. The Fair showcases speakers, a special Kids’ Room, and a taxonomy panel for identification of fungi you find. Many books and mushroom-related items are available for sale, as are wild mushroom delicacies.
Did you know that without fungus, we’d have no bread, cheese, beer, or wine? Or that anti-cholesterol medicine was developed from mushrooms? Come to the Santa Cruz Fungus Fair to learn all there is to know about the fascinating world of mushrooms.
This unique Santa Cruz tradition features fantastic fungus fun for the whole family. Bring the kids and stroll through a re-created woodland forest displaying hundreds of wild mushrooms; the Fungus Fair also features a special room full of hands-on activities for the kids, including fungus exploration tables, clay mushroom building, face painting, and more!
Download fungi coloring page #1.

More information ->
ADMISSION
Friday admission – $10
Saturday / Sunday admission – $15
Students & Seniors (60+) – $10
Main Room Speakers (room 3) – $5 add on
Kids under 12 – free
Advanced Ticket Sales

Martin Luther King Day Film and Discussion
2024-01-14 15:00 | Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola, CA, 95010, United States
Martin Luther King Day Film and Discussion
Sunday, January 14, 3pm
In celebration of the Life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we will explore the continued fight for equality and justice through film and discussion. Light refreshments will be provided and registration is recommended, but not required.
In celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we will screen and discuss the film King in the Wilderness. This documentary follows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the last few years of his life, from the vital role he played in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to his assassination in 1968. Light refreshments will be provided and registration is recommended, but not required. Register below.
King in the Wilderness
2018; 115 min; Rated TV-14
King in the Wilderness chronicles the final chapters of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, revealing a conflicted leader who faced an onslaught of criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. While the Black Power movement saw his nonviolence as weakness, and President Lyndon B. Johnson saw his anti-Vietnam War speeches as irresponsible, Dr. King’s unyielding belief in peaceful protest became a testing point for a nation on the brink of chaos.
The documentary debuted at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and is directed by Peter Kunhardt. Drawing on conversations with those who knew Dr. King well, including many fellow members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), King in the Wilderness reveals stirring new perspectives on Dr. King’s character, his radical doctrine of nonviolence and his internal philosophical struggles prior to his assassination in 1968. The documentary also features archival footage, behind-the-scenes video of Dr. King’s private moments, intimate archival photographs and phone conversations recorded by President Johnson, who was both ally and adversary in King’s fight for civil rights.

She Adventures Film Tour
2024-01-14 15:00 - 17:30 | Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, 95062, United States
She Adventures Film Tour
Sunday, January 14, 3 – 5:30pm
The She Adventures Film Tour is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated return for another year of celebrating and honoring adventure women around the world. Join us in a celebration of the inspiring women of the adventure world.
Born out of a desire to showcase the strong, inspirational, adventurous women of the outdoor world, the She Adventures Film Tour presents a carefully curated selection of short films that will entertain, enthrall and enlighten. Showcasing a 2 1/2 hours program of the most heartfelt, inspiring and entertaining films celebrating adventurous women from independent film makers around the globe.
The 2024 She Adventures Film Tour will embark on an exciting journey, captivating audiences with a diverse selection of adventure films. From Olympic athletes Rebecca Wardell, Emma Twigg and Sarah Van Ballekom’s cycle journey from Switzerland to New Zealand to one woman’s dream to run the 620 mile Bibbulmun track in Western Australia in the fastest known time. Ski speeds in excess of 50 miles an hour with a blind speed skier, mountain bike at breakneck speed with Georgia Astle and embrace the freedom of skiing the backcountry in nothing but your birthday suit. Each film tells a unique story of perseverance, courage, and the joy of pushing boundaries.
This year’s film festival is a must-see event for everyone, offering inspiration, entertainment, and a fresh perspective.
Join in on this extraordinary journey and witness the power of women pushing boundaries, igniting change, and inspiring others to live their own adventures. Gather your adventure buddies and grab your tickets now!
BUY TICKETS

MLK Youth Day
2024-01-15 12:00 - 15:00 | Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
MLK Youth Day
Saturday, January 13, 12 – 3pm
MLK Youth Day is an opportunity for student leaders and organizations from local schools to inform the community about their mission and accomplishments.
The desire to provide young people a platform to showcase and share what they are doing in regards to student activism.
The day will also include music, dancing, and opportunities for community engagement and networking.

Free Days California State Parks
2024-01-16 | National Parks, CA, United States
Free Days California State Parks

January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 22: First day of National Park Week
August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
September 23: National Public Lands Day
November 11: Veterans Day

Include a park free day in your future! Some of these are nearby!
The national park sites in California included on this list are:

Cabrillo National Monument
Death Valley National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lava Beds National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument
Pinnacles National Park
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Yosemite National Park

To find a participating park by state visit here.

Build a Poetry Portfolio
2024-01-16 04:00 - 17:00 | Downtown Library, 224 Church St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Build a Poetry Portfolio
Tuesday, January 14, 4 – 5pm & Tuesday, January 23, 4 – 5pm

Exciting opportunity for young poets! Part of the Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate, this workshop with poet Dion O’Reilly will guide young poets in building their poetry portfolio.
The first workshop will be in our Downtown Branch, Santa Cruz.
The second workshop will be in the Watsonville Public Library.
No prior experience with writing poetry required.

SC County Youth Poet Laureate Series: Putting a Poetry Portfolio Together Workshop
2024-01-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Downown Branch Library, 224 Church St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Youth Poet Laureate Series: Putting a Poetry Portfolio Together Workshop
Tuesday, December 16, 4 – 5pm
Are you a teen who is interested in writing poetry? Did you know that you could become the next Youth Poet Laureate? Join us for this Youth Poet Laureate Workshop!
Today’s workshop will focus on Putting a Poetry Portfolio Together with poet Dion O’Reilly.
PLEASE NOTE: There will also be a workshop at the Watsonville Public Library with the same topic on January 23rd from 4:00-5:00pm.

Contraceptives and Their Options
2024-01-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola, CA, 95010, United States
Are you considering contraceptives for the first time or looking for alternatives to your current method? This workshop explores the most common contraceptive options with special attention to choosing the method that is right for you. We’ll cover the many different kinds of hormonal contraception (oral, injectable, insertable, and transdermal), IUDs, condoms and other barrier devices, and the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). We will also talk about how emergency contraception (the “morning after” pill) works, and when it is and is not a good option for emergency contraception. This session welcomes folx of ALL genders and bodies ages 12 and up.
This is the final event in our comprehensive and inclusive workshop series led by Dr. Megan McNamara, instructor in the Sociology Department and an affiliate with the Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning and UCSC’s Institute for Social Transformation. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the sexual and reproductive body in a supportive and educational environment.
