SANTA CRUZ

Jazz at the downtown library June through August

Santa Cruz Public Libraries invites the community to join the Downtown Library at 224 Church St. and enjoy free jazz music by West Coast musicians with multiple shows running June through August. In memory of her husband, a bassist and jazz singer, Betty Nadeau has created the William H. Nadeau Memorial Fund promoting and rewarding excellence in jazz performance. In partnering with the library, the memorial fund is able to bring the wonderful sounds of live jazz music to the community. All concerts are from noon to 1 p.m. The next Jazz at the Library shows are as follow:

July 5 stars the George Gershwin Songbook, presenting virtuoso pianist Martan Mann and saxophone and flute artist Paul Contos. Musical highlights include “American In Paris,” “Summertime,” “But Not For Me,” “The Man I Love,” “Oh, Lady Be Good!” and “Someone To Watch Over Me.”

Aug. 1 presents “Jazz Guitar’s Renaissance Cowboy” Bruce Foreman and Gary Meek, saxophone and flute artist, both musicians from the Monterey area. They have performed at Kuumbwa, Monterey Jazz Festival and throughout the U.S. as well as internationally.

Mark your calendar and join for a music-filled afternoon of melodic ballads and joyful jazz. For additional information contact Betty Nadeau at 831-438-2242 or the Downtown Branch at 831-427-7713.

WATSONVILLE

Buddhist Temple holds Obon Festival dance practice

The Obon Festival is coming, and the Watsonville Buddhist Temple is holding Japanese folk dancing practice for anyone who would like to participate in the festival, which takes place July 20. Practices to learn the dances will be held every Monday and Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. June 23 through July 9 at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, 423 Bridge St., Watsonville. Call the temple office at (831-724-7860, email at buddhist@wbtemple.org, or visit the website www.wbtemple.org for information.

The Obon Festival will be held July 20 and will feature food, games, arts and craft vendors, Taiko and Japanese tradition and contemporary folk dancing.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Sign up for the library summer reading program

Santa Cruz Public Libraries is thrilled to welcome the summer season with the launch of their 2025 Summer Reading Program and invites adults, children and their family members to visit their local library, Bookmobile or the SCPL website to sign up for the program, which begins June 1.

The theme of this year’s Summer Reading Program is: Color Our World, a message inviting participants to embark on a journey of art and creativity, celebrating the myriad ways in which art and reading enrich our lives. Participants can win prizes for reaching each of the reading milestones set by the program. The last day to log reading minutes will be July 31, and the last day to sign out and redeem prizes is Aug. 9.

During the next two months, every branch in the 10-library system and Bookmobile will host a range of free activities for children, teens and adults to encourage and support a love of reading. To learn more, please call 831-427-7713 or visit santacruzpl.org/srp.

SANTA CRUZ

Tickets on sale for Santa Cruz Shakespeare

Tickets are now on sale for Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s 2025 Summer Festival which includes four plays: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare, the musical “Into the Woods” by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, “Pericles” by Shakespeare and George Wilkins, and “’Master Harold’ …and the Boys” by Athol Fugard. The 2025 season theme is “No One is Alone.” Performances will take place July 13 through Sept. 20 at the Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Road. Tickets are available at santacruzshakespeare.org/season-2025.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Registration open for summer Italian language classes

Learn the language of “la dolce vita” with the Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz’s native Italian-speaking instructors. Whether you are new to the Italian language, totally fluent or everything in between, the summer 2025 classes are for you! All classes are conducted in Italian by instructors who are university qualified native speakers. These instructors provide training in all basic communication skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing, with a systematic study of grammar.

The summer session begins July 7, so register now to secure your spot and take advantage of the early bird pricing (ends June 8). Pricing and location (online and in-person) varies by class; see individual class descriptions for more information. The last day to register is July 3. For further details, visit dantesantacruz.com/classes or email dantesantacruz1265@gmail.com.

CAPITOLA

Mid County Senior Center to host benefit dance

The Mid County Senior Center will be hosting a benefit dance and concert featuring the Ten O’Clock Lunch Band from 7-9 p.m. Friday at 829 Bay Ave.

Cost of admission is $10. Bob Folker will teach a Basics of East Coast Swing Class at 6:15 p.m., free with paid admission to the dance. 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.

SANTA CRUZ

Bike Santa Cruz County to host community ride

Following the success of two community rides held in Watsonville in April and May, Bike Santa Cruz County is gearing up for another family-friendly community bike ride in Santa Cruz from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The free family-friendly group bike ride will be staged at Frederick Street Park, 168 Frederick St. Enjoy bagels, juice and coffee, and socialize with fellow Bike Santa Cruz County members and supporters. Learn about cycling safety basics prior to the ride. Members can pick up their member schwag. The ride will descend the Arana Gulch Trail into the west harbor area, travel south to Atlantic Avenue and over to the Santa Cruz Natural History Museum, where riders will be greeted by docents to discuss the renovated gray whale sculpture. From there it’s back to Frederick Street Park.

Go to bikesantacruzcounty.org for information.