SANTA CRUZ

36 North collective’s summer season in full swing

The Santa Cruz Playwrights’ Collective, 36 North, presents its third summer show, “Solo Voices” July 14, part of “New Works Mondays” each month at 7 p.m. at the Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center St. There will be readings of new plays followed by a Q&A. Come early and enjoy refreshments and lively conversation.

The remaining Mondays include July 14, Aug. 11 and Sept. 8. These are free events, with donations gratefully accepted. Everyone is welcome to attend.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Nonprofit holds murder mystery play benefit

The Garfield Park Library Friends has produced murder mystery play “Final Checkout” to benefit its literacy programs. Come and see the traveling troupe of local actors, poets and musicians. You are invited to use your powers of deduction to guess; if correct, you may win a prize!

The performances will be held at 7 p.m. July 18 at the Downtown Library Community Room (224 Church St.), 7 p.m. July 19 at Satori Arts (815 Almar Ave.) and at 2 p.m. July 20 at Cabrillo College’s Aptos campus in Room 322 (right above Parking Lots A and B).

The suggested donation is $25. Tickets will be available at the door or can be purchased online by going to garfieldparklibraryfriends.com and using the QR code.

CORRALITOS

Sons & Daughters of Italy to hold barbecue

The Sons & Daughters of Italy Watsonville Lodge will be holding its annual Bob Moresco BBQ event from noon to 4 p.m. July 20 at 35 Browns Valley Road.

Come and dance to the music of the Anthony “Nino” Band, featuring Italian music that will send your heart back to the old country. There will be a raffle held, with amazing prizes. The menu features half chicken with pasta, salad, bread and butter, as well as desserts. Beverages will be available for purchase.

Tickets are $45 for adults and $15 for children ages 7-12. The last day to purchase tickets is July 14. There are no takeouts and no tickets will be sold at the door. Contact Janey’ Malatesta Leonardich at 831-722-7958 for tickets.

SANTA CRUZ

Bookshop to host Hive Live! poetry event

Join The Hive Poetry Collective as they host another Hive Live! July 15, at 7 p.m. at Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave. Featured readers for the evening are local poets Jessica Cohn and Kirk Glaser. For information and to register, go to the events page at hivepoetry.org or the events page at bookshopsantacruz.com. The event is free but donations are kindly encouraged.

SANTA CRUZ

Celebrate community at National Night Out

Mark your calendars for Aug. 5 and get ready to join the city of Santa Cruz for a free, exciting evening filled with community spirit, fun activities and treats at the Santa Cruz Wharf. National Night Out is just around the corner at the Wharf Stage Area, from 5-7:30 p.m., featuring games and activities like a dunk tank, corn hole and bocce ball, a live DJ, crafts, interactive demonstrations and free delicious treats at Marini’s Candies, from 5-6 p.m. Additionally, there will be a donut eating contest against a cop at 6:30 p.m. Sign up for the eating contest at the event.

There will be free 2-hour parking at the Wharf for Local Tuesdays, with a stamp validation from any Wharf Business or stamp table at the event. Find more details at tinyurl.com/2025NationalNightOut. Questions? Email klee@santacruzca.gov.

WATSONVILLE

Obon Festival coming this month

This year’s Watsonville Buddhist Temple Obon Festival will be held at noon July 20 at 423 Bridge St., Watsonville.

Obon is a joyous gathering to honor and remember ancestors who have provided a strong and lasting foundation. It is meant to show gratitude to those who came before us by celebrating with delicious foods, children’s games, arts and craft vendors, and entertainment. Watsonville Taiko will perform at 3 p.m. and the celebration concludes at 4 p.m. with Obon Odori (Japanese Folk Dancing) Everyone is welcome to the celebration and to participate in the dancing.

SANTA CRUZ

Homeless Garden Project to host benefit dinner

The Homeless Garden Project will be hosting the Sustain Supper, a farm to table dinner that benefits the Project’s employment and training programs for individuals experiencing homelessness. The supper will be held July 19, from 4-7:30 p.m., on the Homeless Garden Project’s organic farm, located at Delaware Avenue and Shaffer Road. Chef Katie Reicher of Greens Restaurant in San Francisco, will prepare the gourmet meal using produce from the farm.

Attendees will also enjoy a farm tour, drinks (including special wine pairings) and live music by trio the Quail Hollow Drifters. An engaging keynote about sustainability will be given by Manjula Martin, author of “The Last Fire Season.” Tickets are $195, with proceeds supporting the Homeless Garden Project’s programs. Purchase yours at homelessgardenproject.org.

To volunteer at the event, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Omar Guzman at omarg@homelessgardenproject.org. Tickets and books are also available at Homeless Garden Project’s Downtown Store, 1338 Pacific Ave. and Capitola Store, 222 Esplanade.

BOULDER CREEK

Portrait art exhibit to debut

Now open at the San Lorenzo Valley’s Grace Episcopal Gallery, 12547 Highway 9, is the portrait exhibition “FaceTime,” which features artwork and photographs of local residents spanning 100 years from the 1870s through to the 1970s. Also, on display for the first time, is a painted portrait of William Waddell, who came to California in the early 1850s. Waddell was a lumberman and sawmill owner, going on to be the namesake of Waddell Beach and Waddell Creek in Rancho Del Oso, which is now part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

The exhibition additionally showcases portraits of the beloved Lily the Cat Lady with works by Barbara Winner, photographic portraits by Fredda C. Carr, drawings by Historical Society founder John Holm, bubble glass portraits, daguerreotypes, family albums and more. A reception and guided talk are set for July 19 from 2-4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Visit slvmuseum.org for information.