SANTA CRUZ

CODA exhibit closing ceremony

The public is invited to attend the closing event of the Community of Digital Artists Members Exhibition at the Blitzer Gallery, 2801 Mission St., 1-4 p.m. April 26. The event will feature an artist talk, book signing and pop-up exhibition by award-winning photographer and author Oliver Klink, who will discuss and share images from his new book, “Poetry in Motion.” The book features 104 artistic photographs of horses that Klink took from all over the world. The book presentation is at 1:30 p.m. The work of 40 CODA members continues to be exhibited on the walls of the Blitzer Gallery through April 26 until 4. Normal gallery hours are 1-4 p.m. Thursday to Saturday or by appointment by calling 831-458-1217.

WATSONVILLE

Wine, Beer and Art Walk 2025

Celebrate the great local wines, craft beers, food and artwork made by talented local artists while strolling historic downtown Watsonville from 1 to 5 p.m. May 31 for the 6th annual Wine, Beer and Art Walk. Event goers will be able to sample several wineries and breweries, and will receive a sampling and souvenir cup as well as a passport featuring all downtown locations for one tasting at each site. Admission is $49.87. A valid photo ID is required for check-in, 12:30-2 p.m. Featured wineries and breweries include Alfaro, Hillside Brewing Co., Left Bend Winery, Serventi, Watsonville Public House and Windy Oaks, among others. If you have any questions, please email jessica.beebe@watsonville.gov.

CAPITOLA

Mid County Senior Center benefit dance

The Mid County Senior Center will host a benefit dance and concert featuring the The Plateau Jazz Band, a Prohibition Era jazz band, 7-9 p.m. Friday at 829 Bay Ave.

Cost of admission is $10. A Santa Cruz Swing instructor will teach a beginning swing dance class at 6:30, free with admission. Mid County Senior Center provides a variety of programs and activities for the local community. Ages 18 and over are welcome to participate in the dances.

SOQUEL

Third Friday Community Drumming Sessions

Percussionist and educator Jim Greiner continues his Community Drumming series through 2025 at the Congregational Church of Soquel, 4951 Soquel Drive, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Doors open at 6:30. Cost is $10.

Greiner provides hand drums and other percussion instruments, but feel free to bring your own favorites. All levels of experience are welcomed. There will be a few fun and easy tips on playing the instruments for beginners, as well as how to use rhythm as a playful life practice to reinforce positive powerful life rhythms and patterns of attitude and action to ground, focus and empower ourselves.

Contact Greiner through SantaCruzDrumLessons.com.

APTOS

Guided local history walk at Seacliff Beach

Learn about the unknown and interesting history of Aptos and Seacliff State Beach. Join a State Parks docent for a guided history walk at 11 a.m. Friday to hear stories about the past, present and future of the area, meeting at the Seacliff State Beach Visitor Center, 201 State Park Drive. The walk is about 1 mile on flat ground to the Aptos Creek Bridge. Please register at SantaCruzStateParks.as.me/historywalk. For more information, call 831-685-6444 or email seacliff@ports-ca.us.

BEN LOMOND

Good Friday community prayer service

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 101 Riverside Ave., is hosting a community prayer service on Good Friday, from noon to 1 p.m. All Christian churches in the San Lorenzo Valley are invited to share in this service for the community at large. This year’s theme is “Our Need of Grace and the Gift of Grace.”

There are six co-sponsors this year: Boulder Creek United Methodist Church, Cross Road Biker Church, Felton Presbyterian Church, Mount Cross Lutheran Ministries, Redwood Christian Center and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The service will include familiar hymns, bible readings and meditations by Christa Garcia of Mt. Cross and Pastor Martin Yabroff of St. Andrew’s. Many churches will also offer their own services that evening.

WATSONVILLE

Hospital to host first ‘State of the Hospital’

Watsonville Community Hospital will host its inaugural “State of the Hospital” event, marking a pivotal moment since the hospital returned to public ownership. The free event will take place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Friday at the Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main Street, 6th Floor. Complimentary parking is available via the Rodriguez Street garage entrance.

The gathering will bring together community members, healthcare professionals and civic leaders for an inside look at the hospital’s transformation under community ownership. Hospital leadership will share updates on recent achievements, ongoing challenges and strategic initiatives aimed at improving the growing healthcare needs of the area. Please register for this free event at watsonvillehospital.com.

SANTA CRUZ

Classical guitar concert at UC Santa Cruz

Attend an evening of classical guitar, featuring acclaimed artist Connie Sheu at the UC Santa Cruz Music Center Recital Hall, 1156 High St., at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Known for her expressive performances, and deep commitment to the guitar’s rich tradition, Sheu brings a dynamic program showcasing works from the classical repertoire. Sheu serves on the faculty of the Colburn School and Pomona College. The concert is free and open to the public. For more info, go to arts.ucsc.edu.

SANTA CRUZ

Vets 4 Vets holding its annual chili cook off

Join Vets 4 Vets to taste the best chili in Santa Cruz at the VFW Post 7263, 2259 7th Ave., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. There will be great chili, live music and fun games. Minimum donation of $20. No donations are required for veterans. All are welcome. For tickets and to RSVP, visit givebutter.com/VetsChilicookoff.

APTOS

Presentation on hospice care at the library

Join an insightful talk by Cathy Conway, CEO of Hospice of Santa Cruz County, about beyond end-of-life support Saturday at the Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Drive, starting at 10:15 a.m. Conway will cover HSCC expansion of the county’s only nonprofit hospice services, as well as showing the strong leadership and compassionate care of women within the organization. This is a free event.