On the bill this week: a film festival, a comedy festival, a monster festival and a live musical performance accompanying the 1931 film Frankenstein.
It’s life on steroids in our community.
I want to do it all.
If you go to any or all of these, drop a review on our website or Facebook page to let us know what we missed and what your highlights were.
I say this week after week, but there is so much more going on here than virtually any other city of this size or even 10 times bigger. Despite the problems and costs, it’s what keeps us living here. That and the people and nature and the food and, and, and…
How do you make these choices? What are your favorite activities in town? How do you have time to do these things and doesn’t it suck when you have to miss some?
Thinking back a few years, it’s even more amazing that we survived the pandemic and have come back with such a passion for the arts and culture.
We’ve got our critics’ recommendations in this issue to help guide you along. On other fronts: our newest music writer, James Durbin, picks a show you can see tonight, if you are reading this Wednesday. It sounds like one you shouldn’t miss.
On another front: the Simpkins Swim Center keeps coming up with new ideas. First they had the swim-with-dogs event in August and now they have one where you can swim to claim a floating pumpkin. Details in our Dining column, where writer Mark C. Anderson is always coming up with unusual events.
In the same column, you should check out a charity event featuring music by the much-loved Ripatti Rose Band—the Rotary Club of Freedom’s fifth annual Uncork Corralitos that gathers local food, wine, beer, cider and spirits at Aladdin Nursery and Gift Shop (2905 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville) Saturday, Oct. 17, from 1–4pm. There will also be goodies from Pana, My Mom’s Mole, Chubby Tacos and Parker’s Picks oyster operation and tastings from 10 wineries, three breweries, two cideries and one distillery.
The VIP version adds an 11:30am–1pm tasting at neighboring El Vaquero Winery, with select wines, small bites, charcuterie and a Santa Cruz appellation presentation by winegrower Prudy Foxx.
Organizers aim to raise $40K for Youth Resource Bank Santa Cruz, Hospice of Santa Cruz County’s Camp Erin and Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation’s “A Safe Start” program.
This week’s issue features so many events you won’t find anywhere else. Every page this week has great tips.
Enjoy this favorite fall season.
Brad Kava | Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
LINE UP Stand-up paddler watching a line of cormorants fly by at Seabright Beach jetty. Photograph by Bob von Elgg
GOOD IDEA
It’s time to register for the annual Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade taking place on Saturday, December 5, 2026 from 10am to noon.
Deadline to register is November 6. As of October 9, they are at 60% capacity.
If your organization, business, or group would like to participate in the Holiday Parade, sign up is at eventbrite.com. Thousands of people come Downtown each year for the Holiday Parade.
GOOD WORK
Last week, Governor Newsom signed California Senate Bill (SB) 1124 into law. Authored by Senator Bob Archuleta, SB 1124 requires tobacco retailers to display information about lung cancer screening and tobacco cessation resources at the point of sale. It is the first law in the United States to require lung cancer screening information to be provided where tobacco products are sold.
An advocacy team of 20 high school, college, and medical students worked for five years on the legislation. The team initially drafted this bill and worked with Senator Archuleta to advocate for it throughout the legislative process.
