Goth Hair, Powdered Wigs & Ax Throwing… Obviously! 🖤🪓🎻🌊🎶🔥🐻
Santa Cruz County, your Memorial Day week has entered the chat… ☀️🌊
This week in Santa Cruz County somehow includes reggae legends 🎶, whale rescues 🐋, beach BBQs 🍔, goth dance parties 🖤, Bach cantatas 🎻, longboard contests 🏄♂️, ax throwing 🪓 and patriotic parades. 🇺🇸🥁 This is why we love it here! ✨
🌴Kick it all off with island vibes at Moe's Alley tomorrow, May 19 (doors: 7pm; show: 8pm), when legendary Jamaican reggae and dancehall pioneer Yellowman takes the stage with Drunken Starfighter. One of the artists credited with helping bring dancehall to an international audience, Yellowman remains one of reggae’s most influential and recognizable voices. 🎤🇯🇲
From Jamaican dancehall legends to dramatic whale rescues, Santa Cruz County’s week ahead covers some serious ground…and water. 🌊🐋 Marine Life Studies’ Whale Entanglement Team takes over the Sanctuary Exploration Center on May 20 (doors: 5:30pm; lecture: 6pm). The free event features dramatic whale rescue footage and a behind-the-scenes look at the high-stakes work of disentangling whales along the California coast.
Summer unofficially arrives at the harbor May 21 (5:30pm), when the Crow’s Nest launches the first of its free beach BBQ concert series with Sambada on Santa Cruz Harbor Beach. ☀️🏖️🔥 Dancing in the sand, Brazilian rhythms, delicious BBQ, frosty drinks and plenty of people pretending they don’t have work the next morning.
Indie-rock fans may want to circle Friday night in permanent marker. ✍️🎸 Cult-favorite California band Grandaddy brings its 25th anniversary tour for the landmark album The Sophtware Slump to the Rio Theatre on May 22 (doors: 7pm; show: 8pm). Known for blending atmospheric electronics with warped Americana, the Modesto-born band became one of the defining indie acts of the late ’90s and early 2000s, earning international acclaim, Glastonbury main-stage slots and a deeply devoted fanbase.
Also on Friday night, things take a gloriously darker turn 🖤 when Beach Goth Night arrives at The Blue Lagoon (9pm–1am) in celebration of World Goth Day. The touring dance party blends dark wave, classic goth and alternative club hits with a distinctly California beach-town twist, featuring an all-night DJ set from LA goth-club fixture JPEG. Black eyeliner, Aquanet hairspray and fishnet everything will definitely outnumber Patagonia fleeces.
We say, “only in Santa Cruz” a lot, but truly….where else can you go from spiky goth hair to powdered wigs in less than 24 hours? 🕯️🎼 If you’re into that, the Santa Cruz Chorale brings Bach to Holy Cross Church on Sat., May 23 (8–9:30pm) with “Why The World Loves Bach,” an evening devoted to some of Johann Sebastian Bach’s most emotionally rich and masterful cantatas. Tickets are $25–$40.
The Santa Cruz Longboard Union’s Memorial Day Club Invitational returns to Steamer Lane for its 40th anniversary celebration May 23–24 (6am-6pm), bringing two days of classic surf culture, 🌊🏄♀️ community vibes and some of the smoothest longboarding you’ll see anywhere. Widely considered one of the best longboard contests in the country – and the longest-running longboard competition in the U.S. – the free event also raises money for local nonprofits benefiting children.❤️
One minute you’re watching graceful noserides at Steamers, the next you’re in Felton and someone is throwing an ax at a tree stump. 🪓🌲Roaring Camp’s Lumberjack Days takes place May 23–24 (10am-5pm), bringing timber sports competitions, logging culture and plenty of redwood-mountain energy. The free, family-friendly event also features contestants battling for the title of King or Queen of the Woods.
If you’re making a full Memorial Day weekend out of Felton, start with the annual Felton Parade and Covered Bridge Festival on May 23 (11am-4pm) at Felton Covered Bridge Park. 🇺🇸🎺 The longtime mountain-town tradition features a patriotic parade, live music 🎶, food vendors 🌭, local artists 🎨, kids activities 🎈and plenty of classic small-town charm beneath the trees. 🌲
Still looking for more? Quick reminder… The Good Times Best of Santa Cruz 2026 🏆 issue is out now! Check it out.
Now over to the news… Have a good one and thanks for reading! 💛
News Highlights:
8 Rescued After Being Trapped by Rising Tide
Hernandez Skipped Years of Financial Disclosures
Prescribed Burns Planned for Henry Cowell
Homeless Camp Residents Get Eviction Notices
Laird Bill Could Help Watsonville Community Hospital
Capitola City Council Won’t Pursue Roundabouts
Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground on 13 Homes
Santa Cruz County Sees Increased Housing Inventory
Plus a New Vision from the MAH, Saving Languages, a Secret Film Festival, Steps to Finding Happiness, a Wild Dream of Gelato……and Much More!
TOP STORIES
8 Rescued After Being Trapped by Rising Tide
Eight people were rescued Sunday evening after becoming trapped by a rising tide in a cave near Panther State Beach, according to CAL FIRE CZU.
Hernandez Skipped Years of Financial Disclosures
Felipe Hernandez, one of the candidates for the hotly contested 4th District seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, has filed his financial statements late for three years, a violation of campaign law.
Prescribed Burns Planned for Henry Cowell
California State Parks and Cal Fire are planning to conduct prescribed burns in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park beginning May 18. Depending on weather conditions, burns in the area may continue between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. for up to two weeks. Smoke may be visible in Felton, Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz, as well as to drivers on Graham Hill Road or Highway 9.
Homeless Camp Residents Get Eviction Notices
“Notice to vacate” fliers were handed out to a clutch of people last week at a longstanding homeless encampment on Airport Boulevard in Watsonville.
Laird Bill Could Help Watsonville Community Hospital
Watsonville Community Hospital could receive millions in emergency state funding under a budget measure signed this week by Gov. Gavin Newsom aimed at helping financially distressed hospitals avoid closure. The funding comes through Assembly Bill 108, an emergency appropriations measure that creates a one-time grant program for nonprofit and public hospitals facing severe financial hardship.
Capitola City Council Decides Against Roundabouts
The Capitola City Council proceeded with safety improvements on Bay Avenue between Capitola and Soquel, including lighting and an additional crosswalk, but decided against roundabouts at Bay's intersections with Hill Street and Capitola Avenue.
Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground on 13 Homes
Housing advocates, city leaders and elected officials gathered last week to celebrate the groundbreaking of Evan Circle, a new 13-home affordable housing development in Watsonville.
The project by Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay is intended to help the city meet affordable housing goals.
Santa Cruz County Housing Inventory Climbs
For the first time since October 2025, there are more than 400 properties available in the Santa Cruz County housing market. Real estate experts say the jump is partly seasonal, but steady mortgage rates and buyers’ apparent willingness to endure geopolitical and economic turmoil also played a role.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History’s (MAH) director wants to make the impossible possible.
Good Times writer Mat Weir tells us everything we need to know about the Del Mar’s annual Secret Film Festival.
In an effort to help save languages at the university, UC Santa Cruz’s Center for the Middle East and North Africa (CMENA) held a free concert at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing that showcased a part of the world that doesn’t get enough attention.
Good Times’ John Koenig’s question of the week: What should we be talking about more? Read on to find out what Santa Cruzans think.
In this week’s Wellness column, Elizabeth Borelli shares some unusual steps to finding happiness.
Switch’s gluten-free glory, monster deals in Scotts Valley, beer, blowback and more in this week’s column by food writer Mark C. Anderson.
In this week’s Foodie File, Andrew Steingrube tells us that opening Gran Gelato Caffe is the actualization of what husband and wife team Luciana and Sandro Costanza call a “wild dream” since going to gelato school in Italy eight years ago.
😳 Wait, What?! 🐻🕵️♂️🚘😂🤦♀️
In further proof that Northern California remains the smarter half of the state, three men from L.A. have been sentenced after allegedly attempting one of the dumbest insurance scams imaginable: dressing up in a bear costume and pretending the “bear” attacked luxury cars. Investigators say the furry fraudsters damaged multiple vehicles before authorities reviewed the footage and noticed the “bear” moved suspiciously like… three guys in a bear suit. Somewhere, actual California black bears are furious that this level of amateurism is being associated with their brand.