Dirty Cello Finds Unique Ways to Play During the Pandemic

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Dirty Cello Finds Unique Ways to Play During the Pandemic

Four years ago, Rebecca Roudman and husband Jason Eckl booked a night’s stay at a fully functioning buffalo ranch on California’s Central Coast. While there, the owner gave them a tour of the property. They noticed a beautiful outdoor stage that was used for church services. Roudman asked, “Would you consider having a concert here?”

The owner said, “Sure, why not,” and next thing Roudman knew, her cello-driven roots-rock band Dirty Cello—which will be playing Michael’s on Main on Aug. 15—were performing on that stage to hundreds of their fans. It became an annual tradition for the San Francisco five-piece band.

This year, after reeling from a canceled European and East Coast tour, and spending as much time as possible livestreaming concerts, the group thought it was time to get out and play some (safe) live shows again. What would be a better place to have a socially distant concert than at the buffalo ranch?

To keep things safe, they strategically spaced out hay bales for people to sit on and watch the show. And rather than having hundreds of people, they limited the engagement to around 50.

“I remember waking up the next morning, and my heart just felt full again,” Roudman says. “Everybody’s been feeling understandably upset with how the world is going. I think music is that piece of the puzzle that makes people forget about their troubles and feel happy.”

Before the show, the group had been extremely busy in the Zoom concert realm. Their livestreams were so popular that Facebook contacted Roudman to be featured in an ad starring Ken Jeong that encouraged people to shelter in place and learn new skills via Facebook Live. There’s a short clip of Roudman playing the cello as the song says, “Chilling with the cellist.” The production took half a day on April 30. She received a mobile film studio delivered to her home via courier, and had lengthy Zoom discussions with a tech support guy, a set designer, a costume designer, and the director, all guiding her to get the perfect setup so she could casually play a little cello in her house while she quarantines.

“It was a surreal experience,” Roudman says.

The Zoom performances were great—in late July they were also hired by Google to play two shows for their legal team remotely—but what really excited Roudman was playing for live audiences. That buffalo ranch show proved it could work. They set out to gig regularly again, without doing anything that wasn’t safe. That meant that they’d be playing outdoors a lot, and not always at standard venues.

One of their more unusual gigs was at the Oakland Zoo, where they played for the animals. Roudman heard that the animals were feeling down because they were used to having the clamor and noise of human beings coming through their environment, so she offered to do a zoo concert. A highlight for that show was a blues duet she sang with a green parrot named Brock.

“It was to see if it would make the animals happier,” Roudman says. “I don’t know if it did or not, but the zookeepers had a great time.”  

Their more typical shows these days involve outdoor theaters, backyard parties and performing on their flatbed truck in public spaces.

“We realized we needed to be creative during this time if we wanted to continue to play music in a safe way,” Roudman says. “We’re people that like to keep going no matter what’s going on.”  

The group has done several shows now, including two short, last-minute Oregon tours. Their socially distant show at Michael’s on Main will be fewer people than they’re used to playing for there, but in a way, it’ll be one of their most normal shows they’ve done in months. They’re looking forward to coming down and giving people a taste of some joy, by way of music.

“We’re going to keep booking safe shows as much as we can,” Roudman says. “A lot of people are focusing on what’s wrong in the world right now. At our show at Michael’s on Main, we’re going to do only positivity. Crazy amount of energy. And a whole night of fun, all done safely.”

Dirty Cello performs at 8:30pm on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Michael’s On Main, 2591 Main St., Soquel. $50. 831-479-9777. michaelsonmainmusic.com.

Santa Cruz in Photos: First Friday Chalk Art Event Highlights Local Artists

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Santa Cruz in Photos: First Friday Chalk Art Event Highlights Local Artists

Ten artists helped dress up a section of Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz last week during the first “Color Our Street! Chalk Art Event.”

As part of the monthly First Friday Art Tour, the project gave artists an open slate to create original art on the pavement on a section of Pacific Avenue, the main business street in Santa Cruz, which has been closed to vehicle traffic during the coronavirus pandemic.

“It just feels great to be able to share something positive and to leave something here for everyone in the community,” said Linda Cover, an artist who was a major player in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District for more than two decades. “The range of the art out here is wonderful; it’s a wide-open gallery. It’s fun to be youthful.”

First Friday Santa Cruz collaborated with MeloMelo Kava Bar and Downtown Santa Cruz to bring the project to fruition, said First Friday director Bree Karpavage.

“We simply wanted these artists to express where they’re at today,” she said. “The topic is a free range. It can be Black Lives Matter, masks or a flower—the artists chose their own direction.”

From Wednesday through Friday last week, the artists took to the pavement with chalk and, in some cases, pastels. The public was welcome to get a glimpse of art in progress. Karpavage said Downtown Santa Cruz provided the chalk while MeloMelo Kava Bar pitched in gifts for the winners. The winning artwork was chosen through a vote on Instagram.

Dennis Scott of Santa Cruz created a giraffe as his central topic.

“I started chalk art creations once the coronavirus lockdown went into effect,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun and I’m happy to be able to participate out here today. People really seem to enjoy watching this go on.”

Sarah Jane of Aptos painted a portrait of a young woman, in profile, with  a tear coming from her eye. 

“I wanted to do something to express some of the craziness that is going on right now,” Jane said. “It feels good to be able to bring this out into the public. It feels good to reminisce about times before this Covid-19 thing took over and to be a part of something meaningful when you’ve been locked away for so long.”

Aptos artist Sarah Jane works on a large chalk painting Friday on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz. PHOTO: TARMO HANNULA
Artists were given an open slate to create art on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz. PHOTO: TARMO HANNULA

See more from the Santa Cruz in Photos series.

Clash Over Food Cart Captures Community Attention

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Clash Over Food Cart Captures Community Attention

A recent clash between a Santa Cruz restaurant and a mobile hot dog vendor has drawn countywide attention, forcing one restaurant to close its doors and prompting demonstrations that have drawn hundreds.

According to Santa Cruz Police spokeswoman Joyce Blaschke, the hot dog vendor was set up on the ocean side on the 300 block of Beach Street around 5:30pm on Saturday when she became involved in a confrontation with a man who owns the Falafel Hut, located at 309 Beach St.

Blaschke said that the Falafel Hut owner knocked over the hot dog cart, and the two got into a shoving match in which the hot dog vendor fell. Supporters of the vendor then went to the Falafel Hut, where they knocked over tables and chairs set up in front of the restaurant.

The hot dog vendor, identified as Linda Garcia, says that she sets up her cart every weekend through the summer. She says the money helps support her and her four children.

When the owner came over, Garcia said, he was hostile.

“He told me, ‘Get out of here. I don’t want you here. We don’t want you here. Get out,’” Garcia said.

He then pushed her cart over, and pushed her to the floor as she was trying to pick up her stuff, Garcia said. Her daughter, who was helping her sell the hot dogs, got into a shoving match with the owner. 

Garcia then went over and pushed him to the ground because he was shoving her daughter, she said.

“It’s a grown man pushing my daughter,” she said. “How do you think I’m going to feel? I was sad, mad, terrified. I felt everything.”

Garcia estimates she lost roughly $400 due to the confrontation.

She said that she and other food vendors set up at 5pm after, she said, the restaurants across the street close for the day.

But employees at the Falafel Hut and El Hermoso Mar, the Mexican restaurant next door, said they close around 7pm.

Garcia says she has a vendor permit from the city of Santa Cruz. But she does not have a permit from the Santa Cruz County Health Department, because she still needs an $1,100 pushcart in order to qualify for it. That push cart comes with cold storage and a hand wash station, she said.

“I’m working to that,” Garcia said. “I’m saving up money to buy it so I can get the permit, because I know I need it.”

County spokesman Jason Hoppin said that Garcia has not yet applied for the permit, but said that code enforcement personnel have responded to complaints about her unsanctioned stand, which is set up on top of a hardware cart.

“That is not a food cart by any stretch of the imagination,” Hoppin said.

The incident, and the ensuing demonstrations, have impacted nearby businesses.

Facebook posts describing the event said that the owner of South Beach Pizza Co. was also harassing Garcia.

But owner Steve Mendoza said on Monday that he has never done so, and that he does not support the actions of the other restaurant’s owner.

“Beach Street Pizza and its employees do not condone this type of acts of harassment of any kind, to any people,” he said. “None of my staff were involved, nor would we support such acts of hate. Me and my staff work hard to keep our doors open through these trying times. We hope the vendor who was harassed is doing well, and that she recovers her losses.”

Still, the pizza restaurant’s Yelp page was bombarded with bad reviews and one-star ratings, and on Wednesday it was listed as permanently closed.

Meanwhile, an unidentified vandal was arrested Tuesday spray painting the words “racist” on the front of the Falafel Hut. That restaurant’s Yelp page has garnered so many negative reviews that Yelp posted an “Unusual Activity Alert” and temporarily blocked new reviews.

Calls to Falafel Hut rang without being answered. The number for South Beach Pizza Co. goes directly to a fax machine.

Garcia said she plans to keep operating her mobile vending business.

“Of course,” she said. “I love what I do and I need to support my kids.”

She also says she wishes the man who pushed over her cart well.

“God bless him,” she said. “We’re all human. We all make mistakes. I don’t know what was going through his head that day. I’d like to think he is not that person.”

Program Provides Donated Bicycles for Essential Workers

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Program Provides Donated Bicycles for Essential Workers

Amid the ongoing health crisis, essential workers who do not own cars have remained reliant on public transportation and carpooling—two options that are both limited and not always safe.

Bike Santa Cruz County (BSCC) hopes to alleviate that dependence. In June, the organization was contacted by Stephen Braitsch, a founder of the Bike Match Network, a national program that matches donated bicycles to essential workers.

Braitsch and fellow transportation activist Sam Sadle were inspired to start the Bike Match Network by a similar nonprofit in New York City. The program is now in 13 cities and counties across the United States.

“As this pandemic drags on, some people have no choice but to keep going to work,” said Chloe Ortiz, an intern at BSCC who has been coordinating the project locally. “Helping people do so in a safe way … that should be a priority. Biking is an important alternative.”

Donors and requesters are asked to fill out the required forms online. BSCC will use the information to match a donated bike to a recipient. All types of bicycles—but especially cruisers and road bikes—are welcome. 

Bikes that are donated should also be ready-to-ride, Ortiz said.

“At first we reached out to local shops to help us with bikes that would need repairs, but all of them are so overwhelmed right now,” she said. “Ideally we want the bikes to be in good condition when we get them.”

When applying for a match, requesters are asked to share their current situation, such as where they work and how having a bicycle will help them. Some answers have been surprising, Ortiz said.

“One woman was in Bonny Doon, where bus service is limited. But she also worked at a women’s shelter, which can be emotionally taxing,” Ortiz said. “She explained how having a bike could be good for her mental health, as well.”

For information on how to donate or request a bicycle, visit bikematch.network/santa-cruz.

Santa Cruz in Photos: Downtown Coming Back to Life

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Santa Cruz in Photos: Downtown Coming Back to Life

A man saunters past a massive mural on Cathcart Street in downtown Santa Cruz, where foot traffic is slowly picking up during the coronavirus outbreak.

The mural depicts a few of Santa Cruz’s popular spots: the Beach Boardwalk, the beach and the popular Cooper House—all places that saw huge reductions in crowds during the past few months of sheltering in place due to the pandemic.

Outdoor dining is now giving some spots in Santa Cruz, like Cathcart Street, a new feel and an uptick in visitors.

Indoor dining is not allowed under current state guidelines, but many eateries across Santa Cruz County have adapted to offer outdoor dining and takeout options. Be sure to check out the GT guide here to support the local food and drink scene.

See more from the Santa Cruz in Photos series.

Watsonville Touts Equity Program as Boon for Small Cannabis Businesses

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Watsonville Touts Equity Program as Boon for Small Cannabis Businesses

By Abigail Acosta

The City of Watsonville is hoping recent additions to its Cannabis Equity Program will spark a time of opportunity for the city’s minority cannabis business owners.

First approved by the City Council in 2019, the equity program was put in place to help and support small business owners in the competitive cannabis industry.

It gives those who have been wrongfully incarcerated, minorities and women business owners an opportunity to break into the industry. Approved applicants have the advantage of omitting certain fees, delaying a property acquisition for business operations and the benefit of not having to compete against regular applicants in the highly-competitive field.

In order to apply for the program, a person must meet three of nine requirements. Requirements include: having attended a Pajaro Valley Unified School District school for at least five years, having been negatively impacted in a disproportionate way by cannabis criminalization or being “economically disadvantaged.”

Applicants will then be scored by city staff for how well they meet the criteria, which also includes having 25% of their daily operations run by women. 

The application process has not yet opened, but Watsonville’s Community Development Department Director Suzi Merriam said there are already two business owners ready to apply when the city gives them the green light.

Merriam said the program’s requirements are broad enough to give opportunity while being confining enough to make sure those who are qualified applicants are chosen. 

Asked whether or not the program would ultimately benefit Watsonville’s minorities, Merriam said, “I would like for that to be so and that is the intent of the regulations: to really give an advantage to small business owners.” 

In June the City Council took the program a step further. It not only OK’d the addition of 16 new cannabis permits and licenses distributed through the industry’s various fields, but it also set aside one license in each field for equity program applicants. 

Lisa Tollner, co-founder and chief of sales and marketing for Sensi Products, which sells cannabis-infused edibles, said the equity program is a big win for small businesses.

Tollner expressed her support for the program and stated how it is important because of the number of lives that were devastated by the war on drugs. She plans on applying through the program, but still has more research to do to see if she meets the qualifications.

Tollner said even though the program is a beneficial tool for people who have taken a hit for minor cannabis crimes, they have to be ready to take advantage of the equity program and work hard to find success in the ultra-competitive field.

City Councilman Felipe Hernandez said the program was “very important” to him because people of color were disproportionately targeted during the war on drugs and many were incarcerated for low-level cannabis crimes.

“It’s important that this equity program supports people impacted by these inequities and seek to reduce barriers entering the legal cannabis industry by providing support for business ownership and employment opportunities,” he said.

The City of Oakland was one of the first to get off the ground with its equity program in early 2019. According to its city website, Oakland just received a $6.5 million grant for its cannabis equity program, which is the largest grant received in the state. The $6.5 million is only a fraction of the $30 million that the state has in stock for cities implementing equity programs. 

Jessie Grundy, a resident of Oakland, is now a successful cannabis business owner, according to Black Enterprise. Grundy mentioned in an interview with the publication that all of his business ventures were failing and he was constantly getting in trouble. In 2018, his hometown created their Social Equity Program, which ensured natives from the inner city or people from Oakland with cannabis convictions were able to get priority licensing.

Grundy was one of the first to get licenses and after a year he began operations and selling products for his company, Peakz Company.

When asked if minorities and those with convictions will benefit from the program Grundy said, “I believe people in cities with social equity programs can thrive in this industry, especially programs that offer loans and grants. Money is the main reason minorities are struggling to enter the field. You need money for employees, raw product, packaging, labeling—and that’s just the surface.”

While Oakland’s equity program has seen success, other cities’ programs have struggled. When the City of Los Angeles first launched its equity program in September of 2019 applicants were applying and not hearing back for a month or longer. According to Marijuana Business Daily, this had “many hopeful applicants outraged and threatening to take drastic action.” Hundreds of people appeared at a Cannabis Regulation Commission meeting and made claims of the city being “corrupt, incompetent and unfair.”

Tollner said she is passionate about women-owned businesses and making sure that women’s voices are heard. She noted that when she first got involved in the cannabis industry in 2013, it was an equal playing field as businesses were 50/50 male- or female-owned. She said that this is no longer the case and that she sees a much more male-dominated field nowadays.

According to Marijuana Business Daily, in 2015, only two years after Tollner got involved in the industry, around 36% of C-suite positions were occupied by women. 

Over the course of two years, the number fell to 27%. Marijuana Business Daily attributes the falling number to a lack of funding to women-owned companies and social conceptions. As Tollner mentioned from her personal experience as a woman business owner, she has found that she often does not get the same respect and legitimacy as her male counterparts.

“I want to fight for women and having a seat and being respected,” she said.

Santa Cruz Symphony Changes Tune to Support Artists During Pandemic

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Santa Cruz Symphony Changes Tune to Support Artists During Pandemic

When the county’s first shelter-in-place order went into effect on March 16, the Santa Cruz Symphony (SCS) immediately took action.

Recognizing that it was unlikely that spring performances could be held, SCS set up a Musician Relief Fund, seeded by $20,000 from its general operating budget.

“At first we didn’t know if we would make enough,” said Executive Director Dorothy Wise. “We just knew we had to find a way to support our musicians. It was the least we could do.”

So far the fund has raised $92,000 to financially support out-of-work artists during the Covid-19 pandemic. All of the proceeds go directly to the musicians. 

Wise said that many symphony members are not only struggling financially but emotionally, too.

“We had several people … some who have been with the symphony for decades, who were so down that they didn’t touch their instruments for weeks,” Wise said. “Some are just now getting back into playing again. It’s been pretty devastating.”

SCS made the decision to refund season ticket holders and not sell subscriptions for its next season. Instead, it will wait to see if things improve and sell single-show tickets when possible.

“At this point, we have no idea when this is all ending,” Wise said. “So we can’t really put a plan in place. And that is not a great feeling. For now, we’re just trying to stay connected and help everyone as much as we can.”

SCS was founded in 1958, aiming to inspire and educate through music. Every season the symphony holds a series of concerts in Santa Cruz, Aptos and Watsonville.

Current Musical Director and Maestro Daniel Stewart took the helm in 2013, and since then SCS has been partnering regularly with artists from around the world, gradually earning them a reputation as a premier orchestra of the greater San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas.

Stewart had the idea for the ongoing Symphony At Home digital series, which released its third episode in late July on YouTube. Each episode reflects on a past work the group has performed, including footage from rehearsals and concerts, as well as interviews with musical collaborators.

Wise recognized others who have helped make Symphony At Home possible, including editor Britt Broadwood and photographer/videographer Kevin Monahan, who has been volunteering his time to help compile footage.

SCS has continued its education outreach, as well. The County Office of Education has been helping support its LinkUp program, albeit in an online format, by organizing lessons and purchasing recorders for students.

“We’re finding ways to get [students] some music education, as much as we can,” Wise said. “That is our end goal.”

Wise, who has been involved with SCS since 1991, will be retiring from her position in September and welcoming a new executive director to the organization.

“I just want to thank all of our patrons and supporters during this difficult time,” she said. “What makes music so special is the live reaction of audiences—that connection. Not having that has left a huge void for many of us. But we’re going to get through this. Music will be back.”

For information and to donate to the Musician Relief Fund visit santacruzsymphony.org. Symphony At Home can be viewed on the group’s YouTube channel.

Two More Residents Die of Covid-19; County Reports Case Undercount

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Two More Residents Die of Covid-19; County Reports Case Undercount

Two Santa Cruz County residents died Tuesday due to complications from the novel coronavirus, Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel announced during a Wednesday press conference.

The fatalities bring the county’s death toll to six. Newel said Covid-19 was the leading factor in the latest deaths—unlike two previous reported deaths in which the disease was a contributing factor. 

Newel said one of the county residents who died did not seek medical care while they had the disease. She did not release any other details about the deaths.

“Don’t take any risks with this disease,” Newel said. “It can be fatal.”

According to the county’s data dashboard, there were 825 known active Covid-19 cases as of Wednesday morning. But Newel said the current count is not accurate because of a “glitch” with the state’s reporting program, CalREDIE. The online platform, Newel said, has had problems with uploading the mass volumes of Covid-19 test results over the last seven to 10 days. In the meantime, all positive Covid-19 lab results will instead be sent via fax to local county health offices.

In a Tuesday press conference, the state’s Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said the state is missing up to 30% of positive results from the last seven to 10 days because of the technical error. 

Newel said that number is much lower in Santa Cruz County because many testing and processing sites in the county do not use CalREDIE to report their results. She guessed that roughly 100 cases have gone unreported in the county.

Before she was informed of the error in an emergency call with state officials on Monday night, a recently-flattening case rate curve had given her optimism that the county was on the right track.

“Now we know that’s probably because of the faulty data that we’ve been receiving,” she said.

Local health officials are following more than 20 “outbreaks” across the county, Newel said. Six of the seven skilled nursing facilities have had at least one case, which fits the county’s definition of an outbreak for those facilities.

Newel said two shelters, three first responder units, five residential care facilities and five businesses—including three in the agricultural industry—are also dealing with outbreaks. Also, two inmates in the county jail system have tested positive—both of them new intakes into the jail—and are now in isolation.

To help protect the ag industry during its summer season, Newel said the county has leased the Roadway Inn—a 90-room hotel in Watsonville—to help isolate farmworkers and their families who have tested positive for or been exposed to Covid-19 if they cannot do so in their homes.

Getting a test and receiving timely results remains a problem, Newel said, as supplies to conduct and process tests remain scarce. But the county recently made a $1 million investment into UCSC’s processing site, which could increase that site’s daily capacity from 250 tests to roughly 900, according to Newel. However, the equipment purchased with the allocation has not yet arrived and will still need to undergo quality testing before it is utilized.

The county’s contact tracers are struggling to keep up with the number of positive test results—roughly 50 a day—that the county is recording. So Newel said the county is using some of its federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act so that county clinics and health partners such as Salud Para La Gente in Watsonville can hire contact tracers who will begin case investigations.

The county’s contact tracers will focus on the most vulnerable populations such as those in a shelter, elder care and migrant housing, Newel said.

County employees also continue to deal with furloughs because of mass revenue lost as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Newel brushed off questions asking about the impact the furloughs have had on staff’s response to the pandemic, but was critical about the numerous gaps in the public health landscape that have arisen since Covid-19 started its spread.

“If we spent our health care dollars in different ways, in prevention, in public health, we would be in a very different situation with this pandemic than we are,” Newel said.

UPDATED Aug. 6, 5:30pm: This story was updated to reflect that the county’s previous report of all seven skilled nursing facilities having cases was incorrect. Valley Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center in Watsonville has not had a Covid-19 positive case.

Stockwell’s Luscious 2013 Syrah Riverstar Vineyards

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Stockwell’s Luscious 2013 Syrah Riverstar Vineyards

There’s always a party atmosphere at Stockwell Cellars—a happening spot to have some fun and drink some good wine. Head inside their industrial-chic tasting room to get your wine, and enjoy it on the outdoor patio. Food trucks pull in at the weekends, and talented musicians play regularly, including the popular local Mike Hadley Band. Rotating art exhibits are held, too.

Stockwell’s 2013 Syrah Riverstar Vineyards ($35) is a luscious mouthful of blackberry, black plum, cinnamon and clove spices. There’s a touch of cedar on the nose, along with ripe cherry and toasted almond. Root beer, soft spice and warm earth mid-palate herald a complex finish of cinnamon, clove and tobacco—a potpourri of enticing aromas and flavors captured in this robust and earthy Syrah.

Winemaker Eric Stockwell and his wife Suzanne will warmly welcome you when you enter the portals of Stockwell Cellars. “While we know this is still far from our previous definition of normal, we can’t tell you how thrilled we are to be able to see you all again,” says Eric, “even from a distance. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s raise a glass to it, and get there safely and responsibly.”

Stockwell Cellars, 1100 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz. 831-818-9075, stockwellcellars.com.

Boardwalk Blonde Ale

The Boardwalk Blonde is one of four commemorative beers produced by local Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing in collaboration with the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. This golden honey-tinged brew is celebrating all things Santa Cruz as well as famous local Marilyn Matthews. 

Matthews was chosen to promote the Boardwalk in the 1950s and rose to fame when her image was posted on billboards all over northern California. That same wonderful image now decorates a can of beer by Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. Matthews still lives in Santa Cruz and still visits the Boardwalk now and then—where she loves to eat a corn dog! Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing recently celebrated 15 years of making terrific beer for us all. Cheers!

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, 402 Ingalls St., #27, Santa Cruz. 831-425-4900, scmbrew.com.

Things To Do (Virtually) in Santa Cruz: Aug. 5-11

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Things To Do (Virtually) in Santa Cruz: Aug. 5-11

Because many in-person events across Santa Cruz County have been canceled or postponed during the pandemic, Good Times is compiling a weekly list of virtual events hosted by local nonprofits, artists, fitness instructors and businesses. To submit your virtual event, send an email to ca******@*******es.sc. 

ARTS AND MUSIC

CABRILLO MUSIC FESTIVAL The virtual Cabrillo Music Festival runs July 27-Aug. 9. All events are free and accessible on the festival’s website, cabrillomusic.org.

GHOST LIGHT THEATER Mountain Community Theater presents a digital festival, “Ghost Light Theater,” named for the safety light that theaters place on the stage between performances. The festival so far has posted five productions, with new ones being added almost every week. They include short plays, monologues, and videos of past productions. Future works will include radio plays, musical performances, behind-the-scenes interviews and panels with theater professionals, and even a participatory writers’ workshop. You can see everything at mctshows.org and on MCT’s YouTube channel. To receive notifications of new productions as they are posted, go to mctshows.org and sign up for the mailing list. We hope to see you again in person in 2021!

CLASSES

GROW YOUR SELF-LEADERSHIP FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING Join us for a one-hour event to learn five simple tips you can use any day to help yourself feel great, manage your stress response and continue to lead yourself in a positive direction even in this unusual time. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 1-2pm. For more info visit: gatherinsantacruz.com.

SALSA SUELTA IN PLACE: Free weekly online session in Cuban-style Salsa Suelta for experienced beginners and up. Contact to get a Zoom link. Thursdays at 7pm. salsagente.com.

COMMUNITY

LUMA YOGA SIDEWALK SALE We’re havin’ a yard sale! With this new round of county guidelines we are cleaning out our closet, and making (physical, mental, and emotional) space for our virtual offerings only. This is good news! We are offloading the incredible, unique, and lovely Luma boutique inventory at 50% off! Everything is on sale, from jewelry and apothecary goods to apparel and yoga props! Aug. 7-9. 

LUMA BOOK CLUB This is a time of seismic shift, and yet also one of opportunity. Luma Yoga is a community center operating on principles of inclusion, compassion, and, yes, reflection, but make no mistake—also of action. The first step in effective action is gaining knowledge. To this end, Luma is hosting a book club on the topic of racism and social justice issues. The reading groups will be held remotely (for now) over Zoom Thursday nights 7-8:15pm. The purpose of the groups is to learn the endless shapes oppression can take in the world, to recognize our own biases within ourselves, and to move from discomfort to action in support of Black and non-white POC. The groups will be facilitated by Steven Macramalla, a professor of psychology at SJSU. The Club will work on a 3- to 4-week cycle, reading one book per cycle, with several chapters covered each week. For more info visit lumayoga.com. Thursdays at 7pm. 

2020 SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM Children and youth age 18 and under can get free lunches this summer at 12 sites throughout Santa Cruz County! The annual Summer Lunch program, sponsored by La Manzana Community Resources, a program of Community Bridges, combats food insecurity and supports good nutritional habits. The Summer Lunch program serves lunch Monday through Friday from 12-1pm. Free meals will be provided to all children, without eligibility documentation, who are 18 years of age and younger. For more info visit communitybridges.org/lmcr. 

TALES TO TAILS GOES VIRTUAL Tales to Tails goes virtual to create a comfortable, neutral, and fun reading experience. Bring some books, a stuffed animal or your own pet, and come read with us! This is a YouTube livestream event so you might be reading to up to six animals at once. Woo hoo! Caregivers, you can post your child’s first name and city in the comments section, along with the book they are reading, and we’ll read off as many of those names as we can, live, during the break we need to give the dogs. Each week you register we’ll send you your dog bone “punch cards.” These will be dated dog bones your child can color and email to us. The following week, we’ll display them live on the feed. This will also be recorded so if you can’t make it live, the dogs will still be there for you. Every Wednesday, 10-11am. Learn more at santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/6764929.

GROUPS 

SUNSET BEACH BOWLS Experience the tranquility, peace and calmness as the ocean waves harmonize with the sound of Crystal Bowls. Every Tuesday at 7:45pm. Moran Lake Park. 

VIRTUAL YOUNG ADULT (18-30) TRANSGENDER SUPPORT GROUP A weekly peer support group for young adults aged 18-25 who identify as transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, agender, or any other non-cisgender identity. This is a social group where we meet and chat among ourselves, sharing our experiences and thoughts in a warm, welcoming setting. Our meetings will be held on Discord during the shelter-in-place order. For more info, contact Ezra Bowen at tr***@*************er.org.

LGBTQNBI+ SUPPORT GROUP FOR CORONAVIRUS STRESS This weekly LGBTQNBI+ support group is being offered to help us all deal with stress during the shelter-in-place situation that we are experiencing from the coronavirus. Feel free to bring your lunch and chat together to get support. This group is offered at no cost and will be facilitated by licensed therapists Shane Hill, Ph.D., and Melissa Bernstein, LMFT #52524. Learn how to join the Zoom support group at diversitycenter.org/community-calendar. 

OUTDOOR

MOUNTAIN LIONS DON’T MAKE GOOD PETS You probably shouldn’t cuddle with these cats, but what can we learn about their importance to the Santa Cruz Mountains? This interactive program will be broadcast as a Zoom webinar. Registration is required. To register, visit tinyurl.com/SantaCruzJuniorRangers. Free event. California State Parks in Santa Cruz County are offering virtual junior ranger programs for children ages 7-12 during the Covid-19 pandemic. These fun, free Zoom webinars are scheduled Friday through Monday at 10am each week in August. Children receive a digital stamp for each program they attend; after receiving a certain number of stamps, they can earn prizes! Friday, Aug. 7, 10am. 

PLANT POWERED Plants provide people and animals with many things that help us survive. Learn how plants at the park provide shelter, food, and oxygen for animals and people. This interactive program will be broadcast as a Zoom webinar. Registration is required. To register, visit tinyurl.com/SantaCruzJuniorRangers. Free event. California State Parks in Santa Cruz County are offering virtual junior ranger programs for children ages 7-12 during the Covid-19 pandemic. These fun, free Zoom webinars are scheduled Friday through Monday at 10am each week in August. Children receive a digital stamp for each program they attend; after receiving a certain number of stamps, they can earn prizes! Saturday, Aug. 8, 10am. 

ROCKS ROCK Join us on an adventure through time as we learn about how these unique mountains and rocks were formed! This interactive program will be broadcast as a Zoom webinar. Registration is required. To register, visit tinyurl.com/SantaCruzJuniorRangers. Free event. California State Parks in Santa Cruz County are offering virtual junior ranger programs for children ages 7-12 during the Covid-19 pandemic. These fun, free Zoom webinars are scheduled Friday through Monday at 10am each week in August. Children receive a digital stamp for each program they attend; after receiving a certain number of stamps, they can earn prizes! Sunday, Aug. 9, 10am. 

OUTDOOR GREENWOOD ARTS Inspiring ourselves and our world through song, music, dance, free-form movement, with colored materials, pastel drawing, writing and sharing circle. Directions given with your RSVP to sh*********@***il.com. Kindly sign up soon as limited to eight participants. Includes all art and writing materials. Hand sanitizer available for use by everyone! No previous experience necessary. Juliet Goldstein has led Greenwood Arts groups for over 20 years. Qualified as a movement and drama teacher, she also practices Angel Healing and learned from the Wellsprings program, a Healing Center for the Arts. Sunday, Aug. 9, 2-4pm. 

SHARK SCIENCE WEEK For a full week, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center will virtually celebrate Shark Science Week by revealing fascinating facts about these cartilaginous fishes. Explore amazing shark adaptations including their extraordinary senses, the unique ways in which they reproduce, and so much more—all online! Shark Science Week crafts, activities, and videos will be available on the Seymour Center’s website Aug. 9-15. Learn more at: seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/learn/family-activities/family-events/#shark-science-week. 

CALIFORNIA’S UNDERWATER PARKS The wonders of California don’t stop at the water’s edge. Take a virtual dive into our coastal Marine Protected Areas, home to giant kelp forests, octopuses’ gardens, and big, old fish. This interactive program will be broadcast as a Zoom webinar. Registration is required. To register, visit tinyurl.com/SantaCruzJuniorRangers. Free event. California State Parks in Santa Cruz County are offering virtual junior ranger programs for children ages 7-12 during the Covid-19 pandemic. These fun, free Zoom webinars are scheduled Friday through Monday at 10am each week in August. Children receive a digital stamp for each program they attend; after receiving a certain number of stamps, they can earn prizes! Monday. Aug. 10, 10am. 

NATURALIST NIGHT: SANTA CRUZ HABITATS AND HISTORY Santa Cruz Public Libraries and the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History have partnered to bring you Naturalist Night! Join fellow nature enthusiasts for monthly explorations of the biodiversity of Santa Cruz County. Each month, Marisa Gomez from the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History will share the stories of a specific Santa Cruz habitat as we develop our skills as naturalists. This series will feature a presentation as well as an interactive session. This program occurs monthly on the fourth Tuesday from 6-7 pm, with upcoming events Aug. 25 and Sept. 22. Registration is required for Zoom access link. Your registration confirmation email will have the Zoom link in it. Register online: santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/6857442. 

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Things To Do (Virtually) in Santa Cruz: Aug. 5-11

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