Kristen McLaughlin

Santa Cruz County senior and social centers offer dances, tech help, fitness classes, gardens, meals, day trips and community for adults 50 and older.

The Medicine Buddha Festival returns to Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel with Tibetan music, monks chanting, Mongolian performances, a thangka procession, free lunch, family activities and a full community celebration.

After three years on Portola Drive, And Friends Art Gallery is moving into a larger, more visible Pleasure Point location, expanding its role as a showcase for local artists, handmade goods and community connection.

After three decades of building Soquel High’s music program into an award-winning powerhouse, beloved band director Jim Stewart will take his final bow this spring.

A wave of pink hits West Cliff as 6,000 runners take part in the She Is Beautiful 5K & 10K, a high-energy Santa Cruz race celebrating women and community.

Indie-rock trailblazers Throwing Muses hit Moe’s Alley on April 18, bringing decades of raw, poetic sound and songs from their new album Moonlight Concessions.

Goth-rock pioneer Lol Tolhurst brings stories, hits and mentorship to Santa Cruz as Legends Live & Local pairs music icons with hometown bands.

Anthropologie’s grand opening on Pacific Avenue marks another step in downtown Santa Cruz’s retail resurgence, with vacancies dropping and new businesses on the way.