Events

Visualizing Abolition Screening Series: Beyond Access
2026-06-07 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-06 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-04 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-03 12:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Institute of the Arts and Sciences, 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz, United States
On view in the IAS Screening Room is a selection of short films curated by Visualizing Abolition Visiting Faculty Fellow Dr. Pooja Rangan.
Prisons deny and censor the access of those trapped inside them—to information, to intimacy, to community, to meaningful work, to nourishment of all kinds, and perhaps most cruelly, to care. This program assembles a series of films, including works by filmmakers incarcerated in California as well as others without that lived experience. Together, these works confront the debilitating impacts of these restrictions and reveal how the disabling logic of the prison is extended to other institutional spaces (the hospital, the university), turning access into a scarce commodity by enclosing what should be held in common. Questioning the carceral and state-sponsored productions of disability and accessibility, the short films together reveal the courage of people working despite limitations to produce collective access for one another, described simply and beautifully by disability justice activist Leah-Lakshmi Piepzna Samarasinha as “revolutionary love without charity.”
Thanh Tran
Dying in Prison, 2022
HD Video (color, sound), 3 minutes
Courtesy of the artist
Carolyn Lazard
Pre-Existing Condition, 2019
HD video (color, sound), 6 minutes
Courtesy of the artist and Trautwein Herleth3
Anthony Alejandrez
Another Rainy Day, 2023
Phone video (color, sound), 3 minutes
Courtesy of the artist
Jordan Lord
After…After… (Access), 2018
HD Video (color, sound), 16 minutes
Courtesy of the artist
Rahsaan “New York” Thomas
Friendly Signs, 2023
Video (color, sound) 21 minutes
Courtesy of Tommy Wickerd, Empowerment Ave & System Impact Media

Spring Exhibitions at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences
2026-06-07 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-06 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-05 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-04 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-03 12:00 - 17:00 | Institute of the Arts and Sciences, 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz, United States
Visit the IAS, UCSC’s premier art galleries, for our spring exhibitions. On view April 10–August 16, 2026 are three diverse and interdisciplinary shows: Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right, the first US solo exhibition by the Colombia-based artist and medical doctor; Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj, a site-specific and immersive exploration of the Haitian kreyol conception of rasanblaj; and Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies, a mixed-media exhibition emerging at the intersections of Black poetics, performance, and visual art.
The IAS Galleries are open Wednesday-Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm. Admission is free to the public.
Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right
Libia Posada’s first solo exhibition in the United States features installations, sculptures, and drawings meticulously constructed from surgical instruments, gauze bandages, crutches, used books, and domestic picture frames. The new and existing works in the exhibition powerfully stitch together the personal, social, and political disorders and afflictions that currently trouble the world, from the wars that resonate across the globe to the violences of aging in US prisons.
Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj: Origins & Disentanglements
The internationally-lauded work of humanities professor Gina Athena Ulysse is on view as a premier Faculty Spotlight Exhibition. The site-specific installation, produced in community from things collected, found, purchased and donated, centers on the Haitian concept of rasanblaj, a form of assembly and collage that transcends the formal use of materials to draw together people, spirits, and ideas.
Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies
Collage is both a material practice and a structural interrogation in the Faculty Spotlight Exhibition artworks by literature professor Ronaldo V. Wilson. In video, painting, and installation, layers and folds conceal and reveal, delving into the experience, both bodily and emotive, of living in times of violence.

UCSC Jazz Big Band
2026-06-06 19:30 - 21:00 | Music Center Recital Hall, 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join the UC Santa Cruz Jazz Big Band for a spring concert. Directed by Charles Hamilton.
—
ADMISSION
– General admission.
– Free for UCSC students (ticket required).
– Tickets available through Eventbrite only.
– Follow the Music Dept on Eventbrite for notices and updates.
– Doors are scheduled to open 30 minutes prior to event start time.
– Ticket holders not seated at least 5 minutes before the advertised start time may forfeit their ticket/seat and no refund will be issued.
—
PARKING
– Parking by permit, ParkMobile, or $11 cash/credit via the on-site parking attendant
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event
– Visitors with DMV placards or plates may park for free in DMV spaces, Medical spaces, or ParkMobile spaces without additional payment, or in timed zones for longer than the posted time.
– UCSC affiliates must purchase their permits before arriving at the event in order to receive their discounted UCSC rate. Attendants will only sell the non-affiliate-priced permits.
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS)
—
This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.

Rules Are Not Neutral: Play As Sense-Making, Acts Of Resistance, And Imagining Otherwise
2026-06-06 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-05 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-04 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-03 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-02 12:00 - 17:00 | Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery, 11 Cowell Service Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
This exhibition brings together a range of analog games – including board, card, role-playing, and other participatory works – that engage social and political realities in different ways. The works span widely circulated commercial games to independently produced projects, one-of-a-kind artworks by artists, faculty, alumni, and students, and materials drawn from UC Santa Cruz Special Collections and Archives.
In part, the exhibition challenges the persistent assumption that games and play are detached from social and political life. On the contrary, game designers and artists across diverse perspectives and positions have long used play to engage questions of social systems, lived experience, and how power operates. The works are encountered in multiple ways: as objects, as systems, as artworks, and as experiences that unfold unpredictably through interaction.
Ultimately, the exhibition asks us to consider not only how games represent the world, but how they shape our engagement with it – and how through play, the social and political systems they model might be understood, challenged, and reimagined.
“The imagination is an instrument of change.”
– Ursula K. Le Guin, author
Gallery reception: May 15, 2026 — 1 to 4pm.
Art Friday is available every Friday from noon to 4pm.

First Saturday Tour at the Arboretum
2026-06-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Arboretum, 122 Arboretum Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
First Saturday Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your knowledge of the Arboretum’s plant collections. Each tour is a little different depending on the time of year, the interests of the tour guide, and the people who join in. For example, you might learn about the birds and mammals that make this land their home or about the amazing physical adaptations that plants have evolved to better deal with our extreme weather and climate conditions. Tours are free with paid admission.

Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours
2026-06-06 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-06-04 10:30 - 12:00 | Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
Younger Lagoon Reserve tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Call 831-459-3800 or sign-up online. Virtual tours are available online.

52nd Annual Print Sale—a two-day event
2026-06-06 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-05 10:00 - 18:00 | Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center, Baskin Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
The 52nd anniversary of the UCSC Print Sale runs in conjunction with the Art Department’s Spring Open Studios. Hundreds of original prints will be for sale in a variety of media at this two-day event, including:

Woodcuts
Lithographs
Etchings
Photo-based prints
Screen prints
And more!

All proceeds benefit art students: 80% of proceeds go to the individual artists, and 20% goes to support the Print Studio (thereby back to printmaking students). This once-a-year event presents an extraordinary opportunity for students to display and sell their work to the public. The event also offers an opportunity to see the exceptional quality of the printmaking program and facilities at UC Santa Cruz.
—
ADMISSION
– FREE and open to the public.
—
FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
– Print Sale: Two-day event scheduled for Fri. June 5 & Sat. June 6 from 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
– Open Studios: One day only, in conjunction with the Print Sale, on Fri. June 5 noon–4:00 p.m.
—
PARKING
– Parking by permit or ParkMobile
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event.
– Visitors with DMV placards or plates may park for free in DMV spaces, Medical spaces, or ParkMobile spaces without additional payment, or in timed zones for longer than the posted time.
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS)
—
This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.

Berry U-Pick at the UCSC Farm
2026-06-06 09:00 - 12:00 | UCSC Farm, 152 Farm Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Come enjoy picking your own organic strawberries and/or blueberries at the campus farm! Our delicious, organic berries will be plentiful this spring and we hope you can come enjoy the bounty.
When: U-picks will take place on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm while supplies last. Blueberries will be available approximately through June, and strawberries will be available into the summer season. PLEASE NOTE that u-picks will not occur on Saturday, June 13 due to campus commencement ceremonies that will impact traffic and parking.
Where: Free parking will be available in the Hay Barn lot or lot 115/116 during u-pick hours. Please do not park in the dirt lot at the farm’s back gate. Please walk to the pinned location at the farm to pre-pay and collect your u-pick container(s). We will have directional signage displayed. There is one ADA parking spot on the farm. The UCSC Farm has uneven, hilly terrain. If you require accommodations to fully participate, please email agroecology@ucsc.edu and we will do our best to accommodate.
Payment: Credit card payments only (you will need a smartphone to scan a QR code and enter your card info manually).
Dogs are not allowed on the UC Santa Cruz campus (service animals are OK).

The Very Persistent Slug - AA/PI/SWANA Year-End Ceremony
2026-06-05 18:00 - 21:30 | Merrill Cultural Center, 200 McLaughlin Dr, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Save the date and join the Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center (AA/PIRC) on Friday, June 5th from 6-9:30pm at the Merrill Cultural Center! Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with our ceremony beginning at 6 p.m.
Come celebrate the graduating students who have contributed to the Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Southwest Asian & North African (AA/PI/SWANA) community at UCSC.
Our ceremony will include faculty and student speakers, awards, FREE cultural stoles for graduates as they cross our stage, and a food reception.
Inspired by Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this year’s YEC theme is “The Very Persistent Slug” to celebrate the growth and determination of our graduating students. The Class of 2026 is nourished with the knowledge of their academic studies and life experiences, grounded in community, and is now breaking out of the slug-equivalent of their UCSC cocoons, ready to take on the world.
Graduates! Register at bit.ly/aapirc-yec26 to secure your FREE cultural stole!
You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

Science in the Neighborhood: The earthquake problem
2026-06-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Coastal Biology Building, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
Science In the Neighborhood
A public lecture series hosted quarterly by the UC Santa Cruz Science Division
The earthquake problem
Presentation by Emily Brodsky, Professor, UC Santa Cruz
Q&A with Stefano Profumo, Associate Dean of Science, UC Santa Cruz
Register here.
Earthquake prediction has simultaneously remained both the central, unsolved problem in seismology and the issue that communities care about most—especially here in Northern California. Earth & Planetary Sciences Professor Emily Brodsky will discuss what we do and do not know about when earthquakes will happen. She will explain what we understand about the basic mechanics of faults and how drilling into faults has transformed our understanding of how earthquakes happen. Her talk will also explore how the machine learning revolution is powering a transformation in forecasting aftershocks, as well as look ahead toward the kind of instrumentation and approaches that offer the most promise for the next big advances.
The event is in-person only. Register here.
Friday, June 5, 2026 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Coastal Biology Building. Rm. 110
UC Santa Cruz Coastal Campus
130 McAllister Way
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
The screenshot below shows where to find the entrance of the Coastal Biology Building.

GCH190 Taskforce Showcase
2026-06-05 15:00 - 17:00 | Stevenson Event Center, Stevenson Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Please join us in celebrating the past year’s offerings of the Global and Community Health Task Force! There will be student ambassadors presenting on each topic, along with faculty giving a sneak peek on their courses for next academic year. This will be a great way to both honor the research from this year and orient incoming seniors to what the Task Force is all about.
The showcase will be held at Stevenson Event Center on Friday, June 5th from 3:00 – 5:00 PM. There will be hot and cold appetizers, along with refreshments. It’s going to be a great time!

Spring 2026 Open Studios
2026-06-05 12:00 - 16:00 | Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center, Baskin Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
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
—
ADMISSION
FREE and open to the public.
—
PARKING
– Parking by permit or ParkMobile: Purchase a permit in advance at the TAPS office or use the ParkMobile app
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event.
– Visitors with DMV placards or plates may park for free in DMV spaces, Medical spaces, or ParkMobile spaces without additional payment, or in timed zones for longer than the posted time.
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS)
—
This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.

UCSC MEIP XXIII, May 29, 30, and 31st, at 7:00 PM in the Stevenson Event Center-Performances in French, Japanese and Spanish. FREE-ALL WELCOME
2026-06-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Stevenson Event Center, Stevenson Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
UCSC Free Performance Miriam Ellis International Playhouse

UCSC – STEVENSON EVENT CENTER (Stevenson College)

MEIP XXII
May 29, 30, and 31st, at 7:00 PM
Stevenson Event Center at UCSC

FREE STAGE PERFORMANCES IN FRENCH, JAPANESE, AND SPANISH WITH ENGLISH TITLES
FROM STUDENTS OF UCSC!
For its 23rd season, the Miriam Ellis International Playhouse will present fully-staged performances in French, Japanese, and Spanish, with English super-titles projected above the stage. The program will be directed by Language lecturers and performed by Language students.
French: Dur dur la torture (Pure Torture), written by the students, directed by Renée Cailloux.
Japanese: “きぼうのうた” (Song of Hope), directed by Naoko Yamamoto.
Spanish: “Noble campaña” (A Lofty Cause), Based on a short story by Gregorio López y Fuentes directed by Carolina Castillo-Trelles and Sandra Malone.
Event Location: Stevenson Event Center, UCSC – FREE
For more information, contact Renée Cailloux at meip@ucsc.edu

Queer Connections: Reflective Art
2026-06-04 11:00 - 12:30 | Lionel Cantú Queer Center, Crown Lane, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
CAPS & Cantú Collaboration: Queer Connections.
Join us at the Lionel Cantú Queer Center for conversations facilitated by CAPS Providers.
Reflective Art: Discover your strengths through art while reflecting on the people, resources, and community that uplift you. Through creative expression, you’re invited to share, listen, or simply reflect—connecting with others in whatever way feels right for you.
You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

UCSC Jazz Combos
2026-06-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Music Center Recital Hall, 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join the UC Santa Cruz Jazz Combos for a spring concert. Directed by Charles Hamilton.
—
ADMISSION
– General admission
– Free for UCSC students (ticket required).
– Tickets available here online through Eventbrite only.
– Follow the Music Dept on Eventbrite for notices and updates.
– Doors are scheduled to open 30 minutes prior to event start time.
– Ticket holders not seated at least 5 minutes before the advertised start time may forfeit their ticket/seat and no refund will be issued.
—
PARKING
– Parking by permit or ParkMobile
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event
– Visitors with DMV placards or plates may park for free in DMV spaces, Medical spaces, or ParkMobile spaces without additional payment, or in timed zones for longer than the posted time.
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS)
—
This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.

Global Cafe: Spring 2026
2026-06-03 14:00 - 16:00 | Classroom Unit, Classroom Unit, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, Select a Country:
International Student Services & Programming invites you to our monthly Global Cafe, a space for all international-minded community members to connect. Swing by for some refreshments and an opportunity to meet other international students and scholars, as well as Global Engagement staff. Feel free to drop in at any time between 14:00 – 16:00 and stay for as long as you’d like.
Our spring Global Cafe dates:

Wednesday, April 8
Wednesday, May 6
Wednesday, June 3

Chamber Music Concert with UCSC Music Ensembles —Percussion, Celtic, Classical Guitar, Horns, Central Asian, Experimental
2026-06-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Music Center Recital Hall, 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Audiences are invited to a free spring quarter chamber music concert featuring a variety of student ensembles.
—
ADMISSION
– Attend in person at the Music Center Recital Hall at UC Santa Cruz
– UCSC Affiliates only
– Open seating (no ticket required).
– Doors are scheduled to open 30 minutes prior to event start time.
—
PARKING
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event
– Visitors with DMV placards or plates may park for free in DMV spaces, Medical spaces, or ParkMobile spaces without additional payment, or in timed zones for longer than the posted time.
– UCSC affiliates must purchase their permits before arriving at the event in order to receive their discounted UCSC rate. Attendants will only sell the non-affiliate-priced permits.
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS)
—
This program is open to UCSC affiliates only.
