• Student Recital—Isabella Walsh, Soprano

    Isabella Walsh, soprano, accompanied by Luke Shepherd, piano, presents works by Isabella Colbran, Johannes Brahms, Reynaldo Hahn, Amy Beach, and others in a Bachelor of Music recital. — ADMISSION – FREE and open to the public – Doors open 30 min. before the scheduled event start time. — PARKING – Parking by permit or ParkMobile […]

    FREE and open to the public
  • 42nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation

      The Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation honors and celebrates Dr. King’s legacy while addressing the ongoing struggles for equity, justice, and freedom. This year’s keynote will feature Larry McDonald, a legendary reggae percussionist whose life and career have been defined by rhythm, culture, and the power of music to unite people. McDonald has been a […]

  • Ancestral Algorithms: Indigenous Virtual Realities & the Ethics of AI

    This talk explores how Indigenous analytic and ancestral technologies, rooted in technē as craft, knowledge, and skilled practice, inform contemporary digital forms such as Virtual Reality and AI. It traces how ancestral memory is transferred, adapted, and sustained across generations through decolonial and anti-colonial frameworks, while critically engaging both the generative possibilities and the structural […]

    FREE and open to UCSC affiliates
  • Lunar New Year First Friday with Santa Cruz Mahjong Club

    Celebrate the Year of the Horse on Friday, February 6, at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences for a night of student-led craft activities and (beginner-friendly) mahjong play hosted by the Santa Cruz Mahjong Club. Craft materials and light refreshments will be provided at this family friendly event. — ADMISSION – FREE and open to […]

  • Ben Verdery, classical guitarist—with the UCSC Guitar Ensemble

    Audiences are invited to Some Towns and Cities, a concert with internationally-recognized classical guitarist, composer, and educator Benjamin Verdery. The concert includes original compositions such as “Ellis Island,” featuring the UCSC Classical Guitar Ensemble, directed by Chris Mallett, and the world premiere of a composition called “Santa Cruz,” with William Coulter and Chris Mallett. Learn […]

    FREE and open to the public
  • Exhibition—The One with the Manes, works by Yasmine Benabdallah

    A multimedia exhibition by Yasmine Benabdallah, Film and Digital Media PhD candidate, explores a shared history between Morocco, Brazil, and Portugal through video installations, photographs, and watercolors. More information about the artist. Admission – FREE and open to the public. – Gallery hours are Mon.–Sat., noon–5:00 p.m. – More Gallery information here. Full schedule of […]

    FREE and open to the public
  • Dreamgirls—Presented by the African American Theater Arts Troupe (AATAT)

    Move into the spotlight with Dreamgirls, the electrifying musical sensation that brings the soul, sparkle, and spirit of Motown to the stage. Follow the unforgettable journey of three talented young women as they rise from hopeful dreamers to international superstars. With powerful vocals, stimulating choreography, and hits like “And I Am Telling You I’m Not […]

    Free – $20
  • Random With A Purpose (RWAP) XXXlV—The Experiment

    Random With A Purpose is a popular annual student-directed and -choreographed dance showcase. Per directors Lydia Wallman and Brennah Lyons, this year’s production, The Experiment, “serves as a platform for collaborators to develop work that does not yet exist in the physical world and to investigate elements of community and features a cast that reflects UC […]

    Free – $20
  • The Rite of Strings— “One Night Only” concert with UCSC Music Department faculty and special guests

    Audiences are invited to a concert featuring Christopher Mallett, guitar; William Coulter, guitar; Robert Miller, guitar; and Grijda Spiri, violin. — ADVISORIES – Seating is first-come, first-served – No intermission — ADMISSION – FREE and open to the public – Open seating (no ticket required) – Doors are scheduled to open 30 minutes prior to […]

    FREE and open to the public
  • UCSC Family Opera—Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”

    UCSC Family Opera

    Voice students, accompanied by Luke Shepherd on piano, perform an abridged version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. This is a family-friendly production of Mozart’s most famous fairytale. Duration is approximately 1 hour with music and dialogue presented in English. The two matinee performances showcase two different casts. — ADVISORIES – Loud noises (thunder sound effects) […]

    FREE and open to the public.
  • Barn Dance at the Hay Barn

    Hay Barn 94 Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    The UCSC Celtic Music Ensemble performs live during a beginner-friendly, gender-neutral, darn good barn dance. Attendees are invited to dance, and partners are not needed. — ADMISSION – Open admission; tickets/registration not required. – FREE and open to the public. – Donations of any amount are welcomed and appreciated to support to support live music […]

    FREE and open to UCSC affiliates
  • The Trial of Spock—An Opera Workshop

    The Trial of Spock

    The creators of The Trial of Spock—An Opera In Three Acts present concert performances of five scenes from an opera-in-progress at the UC Santa Cruz Music Center Recital Hall.  Captain Christopher Pike is gravely injured. Lieutenant Spock is behaving strangely. Charged with protecting Pike in his state of extreme need,Vulcan Commodore T’or suspects that Lieutenant […]

    FREE and open to the public
  • “The Cigarette Surfboard” screening with filmmaker Ben Judkins (Kresge ’17)

    Join Banana Slug alumni filmmaker Ben Judkins (Kresge ’17, film and digital media) and “ciggy board” creator Taylor Lane for a screening of their award-winning documentary, The Cigarette Surfboard (presented by the California Coastal Commission’s Whale Tail Grant). 5:00-6:00 PM | alumni meet & greet with light refreshments 6:00-7:35 PM | film screening 7:35-8:30 PM | filmmaker discussion 8:30-9:00 PM | mingle REGISTER ABOUT […]

    Free
  • A Musical Journey with UCSC Music Ensembles —Percussion, Celtic, Classical Guitar, Horns, Central Asian, Experimental

    Audiences are invited to the free winter quarter chamber concert at the Music Center Recital Hall at UC Santa Cruz to hear selections from multiple ensembles, including the following: UCSC Percussion Ensemble William Winant, director UCSC Celtic Chamber Music Ensemble Bill Coulter, director UCSC Classical Guitar Ensemble Christopher Mallet, director William Coulter, steel string guitar […]

    FREE and open to the public