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

    Creative Interventions (CI) Series

    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
  • Pesticide Impacts in and around Monterey Bay lecture

    Intersections of Climate Change
    Institute of the Arts and Sciences 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz, United States

    The short- and long-term health impacts of pesticide use for local communities on land as well as in the ocean are addressed in a conversation with Yanely Martinez, Katherine Gabriel-Cox, Adam Scow and Logan Pallin. This event is presented as part of as part of the Intersections of Climate Change series, and is organized with […]

    FREE and open to the public
  • VMCC Series: Yiman Wang

    Porter College D-Building, Santa Cruz, CA

    Yiman Wang lecture

    FREE and open to the public
  • Lunar New Year First Friday with Santa Cruz Mahjong Club

    Institute of the Arts and Sciences 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz, United States

    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 […]

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

    Music Center Recital Hall 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA

    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

    Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery Baskin Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA

    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)

    Theater Arts Mainstage 411 Kerr Road, Santa Cruz, CA

    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

    Second Stage Second Stage, Santa Cruz, CA

    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

    Music Center Recital Hall 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA

    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
    Music Center Recital Hall 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA

    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

    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; […]

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

    The Trial of Spock
    Music Center Recital Hall 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA

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

    Music Center Recital Hall 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA

    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
  • UCSC Jazz Combos

    Music Center Recital Hall 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA

    UCSC Jazz Combos present a fall quarter concert

    Free – $12
  • Winter 2026 Open Studios

    Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center Baskin Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA

    Art Department students exhibit their art work throughout studios and classrooms at the Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center at UC Santa Cruz. The Open Studios event features student art work in a variety of media, including: – Drawing – Painting – Print media – Sculpture – Photography – Environmental art – Electronic art/new media — […]

    FREE and open to the public.