Free street party for Lower Seabright

Join Think Local First and the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce for Boots ‘N Brews, a free, family-friendly celebration, Oct. 12 from 3-6 p.m. along Murray Street at Seabright Avenue. Lace up your boots for line dancing led by Surf City Line Dance and show Harbor pride while rallying support for Lower Seabright businesses during the Murray Street Bridge retrofit.

This pop-up street event turns Murray Street into a community dance floor — come for the two-step, stay for great food and takeout from nearby favorites, meet local merchants and reconnect with neighbors. It’s an easy way to celebrate what makes Seabright special while boosting the businesses that call it home. For event details and updates, visit thinklocalsantacruz.org/events/boots-n-brews.

SANTA CRUZ

Unhinged Spelling Bee to take over Lúpulo

Think you’ve got the chops to spell your way through a storm of absurdity? Forget the quiet classrooms and polite applause — Unhinged Spelling Bee is bringing a non-traditional, adult-version twist to the classic competition. Mature teens are welcome to attend.

On Oct. 8 from 7-9 p.m., Lúpulo Craft Beer House, 233 Cathcart St., will transform into a stage for hilarious, high-stakes spelling mayhem. Contestants will tackle words that are outrageous, inappropriate and downright unhinged, while the audience cheers (or jeers) them on.

Admission is free for spectators and contestants. Those bold enough to compete can sign up at the bar the day of the event — just grab a beverage and get ready to spell your way through chaos. Prizes await the most fearless participants.

SANTA CRUZ

Genealogy virtual lecture scheduled

Sign up to attend the online lecture “Azores Naming Practices,” hosted by the Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Public Libraries at 1 p.m. Oct. 7. Professional genealogist João Manuel Diniz da Silva Ventura will be the guest speaker.

Ventura will present a program on naming practices in the Azores, Portugal. He will explore how given names are shaped by a variety of influences, including religious, political and cultural factors. Family names also reflect the values and customs of the surrounding community.

For more details and to register via Zoom, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/14614794. Online registration via the SCPL website is necessary for viewing this event from home. Join the livestream in person (no registration needed) in the upstairs meeting room of the downtown library at 224 Church St. Additional information can be found at scgensoc.org.

SANTA CRUZ

Welcome Back Monarchs Day at Natural Bridges

Celebrate the 45th annual Welcome Back Monarchs Day at Natural Bridges State Beach, a free family event Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day features the tradition of raising the monarch flag, the Grand Parade with wings and having live music by the Wave Tones including Patti Maxine and the 5M’s band (Mostly Mediocre Musical Monarch Mariposas).

There will be interpretive/hands-on tables to view live insect life cycles, see butterfly collections, learn about monarch migration and the Mexican cultural connection, and more. Superheroes Monarch Man and Monarch Woman will be in attendance once again as well as crafts, activities, poetry and hand painting. There will be some plants and treats for sale such as hand-cranked, homemade butterfly ice cream (pumpkin), butterfly sugar cookies (including vegan and gluten-free options while they last), brownies, drinks, popcorn, food vendors and free cake.

Bring a picnic or support the local vendors. Vehicle day-use parking is $10 and helps Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks support local state parks and beaches.

APTOS

Nonprofit to host weekend fall retreat

Nonviolent Communication Santa Cruz is hosting a full weekend of enriching workshops at The Community Foundation, 7807 Soquel Drive, Oct. 11-12. Workshops are geared to beginners through experienced practitioners. Highlights include intro to mediation, practicing self-connection in times of strife, conflict improv and more. NVC is using compassionate pricing to meet their needs for generosity and your needs for contribution. This means you are welcome to register to attend for any amount that works in your budget. For more info and to register, see nvcsantacruz.org or eventbrite.com/e/fall-retreat-2025-nvc-santa-cruz-tickets-1677084327369.

SANTA CRUZ

Double program of piano concertos

The Distinguished Artists concert series will be presenting pianists Alexander Tutunov and Alon Goldstein in a double program of Piano Concertos featuring Beethoven’s majestic “Emperor” and Gershwin’s jazzy “Concerto in F” Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. hosted at the Peace United Church, 900 High St.

The musicians will be alternating between solo and orchestra. General admission is $40 online. At the door suggested donation is $40 or pay what you can. For tickets, visit distinguishedartists.org.

SANTA CRUZ

Banff Film Festival Adventure Night

The Rio Theatre announces the fall screening of the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Adventure Night, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Rio, 1205 Soquel Ave. Proceeds support the Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship.

Hot on the heels of the festival that is held every fall in Banff, Alberta, Canada, the tour celebrates amazing achievements in outdoor storytelling and filmmaking. Traveling to remote vistas, analyzing topical environmental issues and bringing audiences up close and personal with adrenaline-packed action sports, the 2024-25 world tour is an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world. Please check any advisory before purchasing tickets. For list of films and information, visit riotheatre.com/events-2/2025/10/11/banff.

Domestic violence tally

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Each day, the Sentinel will document the domestic violence calls in Santa Cruz County received by emergency dispatchers.

Figures are compiled by the District Attorney’s Office and include reports of domestic violence, restraining-order violations and other domestic disputes.

The 24-hour domestic violence hotline is 888-900-4232.

Calls for Friday: 12.

Total for month: 21.