Events

UCSC Opera—Orpheus in the Underworld
2026-12-21 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-12-22 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-12-23 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-12-24 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-12-25 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-12-26 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-12-27 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-12-28 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Los_Angeles) and 21 more dates | Music Center Recital Hall, 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
A rollicking and irreverent spoof of the Orpheus myth, Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld is most famous as the origin of the “gallop infernal”—the music now strongly associated with the can-can dance. This operetta follows the unhappy (and unfaithful) union of Orpheus and Eurydice, as the latter’s love affair with the god of the underworld results in Eurydice relocating to hell. Cowed by Public Opinion, Orpheus makes an attempt to retrieve his wife from the underworld, but Jupiter’s involvement, along with many of the other gods of Olympus, complicates matters further.
The UCSC Orchestra ensemble and voice students are conducted by Bruce Kiesling, with direction by Sheila Willey.
Costumes by Brooke Jennings, wigs by Sharon Ridge, and set/lighting design by David Dunning.
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ADMISSION
– Attend in person at the UCSC Music Center Recital Hall.
– General admission opera tickets available online through Eventbrite.
– Free for UCSC students (ticket required).
– Follow the Music Department 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.
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FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
– Th., May 28, 7:30 p.m.
– Fr., May 29, 7:30 p.m.
– Sa., May 30, 7:30 p.m.
– Su., May 31, 3:00 p.m. matinee
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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)
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This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.

First Saturday Tour at the Arboretum
2027-01-02 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.
