Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Raise the Roof! at the Corralitos Cultural Center

Tarmo Hannula — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 21:42:54 +0000

Why does the Corralitos Cultural Center (CCC) feel like a creative vortex? Could be it is what happens when musicians, artists, builders and scientists keep running into one another – Corralitos is literally a wide spot in the road. Could be it’s the back-to-the-land ethos where collaboration is the common coin. Regardless, the Corralitos Cultural Center has become one of those rare local institutions that has grown beyond being a venue into an expanding community experiment that thrives on imagination. They invite us to gather with them Saturday, June 6 from 5pm-8pm in their jewel of an outdoor theater, The Backyard, behind the CCC at 127 Hames Road, in Watsonville. Called Raise the Roof!, it’s a benefit to replace the roof; with a wide-ranging silent auction, free Corralitos Market and Sausage Company sausage with admission, and musical performances by Formerly Alien, Fox & Kail and Ripatti Rose. The silent auction offerings will range from guitars to four hours of log-splitting labor donated by CCC board vice president Tom Tatu Tatum says, “It was a Baptist church built around 1959. It needs repair. Lots of things need to be done, but the primary thing that needs to be done is the roof needs to be fixed.” The fundraiser is very Corralitos: save the gathering place, save the music, save the roof. Over the last ten years, the center has evolved from a beloved, modest open-mic venue into something much broader: part music hall, part community commons, part creative incubator. The stunning Backyard now hosts a weekly Farm & Garden Market, live music, drum circles, clothing swaps, art classes, youth camps, songwriter gatherings, and guitar classes for every kind of player, from beginning to accomplished. Tatum describes the transformation as a kind of cultural second act. “We survived Covid, but we were in the doldrums. Now, we’ve shifted into a different gear.” Part of that shift came from younger artists and organizers bringing in new energy. Among them are musicians Andy Barr and Amy, with Formerly Alien. Tatum credits Barr with modernizing the CCC’s online presence while helping expand its vision beyond the “friendly old guy with guitar” era that once defined the center’s open mic scene. Tatum says Andy and Amy will perform as Formerly Alien, who blend shimmering space-folk, Americana warmth, and dreamy cosmic storytelling. They’ll be joined by Scott Kail and JoJo Fox, Fox & Kail, who perform with powerful energy, exquisite lyrics, and delicate harmonies. The show will also include local favorite Ripatti Rose, that delivers a warm, road-worn blend of Americana, folk-rock, and roots music. Barr, speaking by phone while preparing for a performance in Pennsylvania with the band America, describes the CCC as a hidden cultural anomaly. “There’s some unexpected genius in the musicianship in Corralitos and in Santa Cruz in general,” Barr says. “We just fell in love with the CCC, particularly how welcoming it was and what a generous and loving atmosphere it is.” Barr says he and Amy first encountered the center through the Sunday farmers market and the Friday night open mic. “The audience support is incredible,” he says. “It has a special, open quality to it.” That openness has become central to the center’s identity. Artists are invited not just to perform there, but to experiment there. Barr says that after meeting local musician Scott Kail, Formerly Alien was invited to collaborate, rehearse and eventually produce its own shows at the venue. The spirit of collaboration extends beyond music. Barr says Amy’s increasingly popular Clothing Swap operates on a simple philosophy: “Bring what you have, take what you need.” That may excite one’s Marxist inclinations, and Amy’s Clothing Swap proves it works. Andy says, “I brought three shirts that I don’t wear anymore, and I took a shirt that I wear three times a week. We got involved because we love the place and we want more people to have a chance to experience it.” The June 6 fundraiser aims to preserve exactly that kind of improbable community chemistry. Tatum’s silent auction contribution may unintentionally capture the CCC better than any mission statement ever could. Amid the guitars and specialty items, he’s offering four hours of personal log-splitting labor. “I’ll show up and split your logs.” The Raise the Roof! benefit concert takes place Saturday, June 6, from 5–8 p.m. at the Corralitos Cultural Center. 127 Hames Road. Suggested donation is $20–$50 and includes Corralitos Market sausage barbecue and a beverage. corralitosculturalcenter.org/calendar/raise-the-roof

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Shows and Shoes

Brad Kava — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 21:36:19 +0000

Publisher Brad Kava discusses the Santa Cruz Symphony's family Pops concert and the vital importance of quality children's footwear for active kids.

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Summer Reading Program Kicks Off

growingupsc — Mon, 11 May 2026 23:42:14 +0000

Santa Cruz Public Libraries is excited to kick-off summer with the 2026 Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is Plant a Seed, Read! This theme is rooted in the concept of farm-to-table. A farm grows food that nourishes our bodies; a library grows ideas that nourish our minds. Both food and stories connect us to our family, culture, economy, and ecology. Reading transports us to magical worlds sparking our imagination and creativity. The Summer Reading Program encourages children to explore the world of books and reading during their summer break. Participation in the Summer Reading Program fosters love for reading and learning, and prevents the “Summer Slide” —a term used to describe the loss over the summer months of academic skills and knowledge students gain through the school year. Engaging in reading activities during this time helps prevent the ‘slide’ and enhances children’s literacy skills, ensuring a smoother transition to the new school year in the fall. Adults are also encouraged to participate in the Summer Reading program; this serves as a strong model for children, as they see their parents enjoying reading, or participating in the many programs offered, enhancing family connectedness and strengthening parent-children bonds. Beyond preventing the ‘slide’, the Summer Reading Program offers a wide range of additional benefits for kids. It allows them to discover the joy of reading for pleasure, without the pressures of school assignments or exams. When children choose books based on their interests and preferences, they immerse themselves in captivating stories, explore new worlds that spark their imagination. Reading during the summer also enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, while expanding their knowledge on various subjects. As part of the Summer Reading Program, kids, teens, families and adults are encouraged to track how much they read to earn gift certificates to Atlantis Fantasy World and the Boardwalk Bowl, scoops of ice cream from The Penny Ice Creamery, and raffle tickets for the grand prize. Grand prize for kids is a $500 gift certificate to Book Shop Santa Cruz, teens can win a $500 gift certificate to local businesses. Adults signing up by June 22 enter a raffle for a Family pack of 2 adult +2 youth tickets for Santa Cruz Shakespeare summer 2026 season, and as they read, they earn seed packets from Renee’s Garden, raffle tickets for the Silver Prize, which is a Museum of Art and History Fan Membership, or the Gold Prize, which is a Monterey Bay Aquarium Family Membership. The library also offers a variety of FREE programs to make the summer even more engaging and interactive. Join us for special events featuring Jungle James, Happy Birds, Cascada de Flores, and Perry Yan, to name a few! We also have workshops, virtual author talks, family crafts, movie nights, and weekly storytimes for toddlers and preschoolers. These activities not only foster a sense of community among young readers but also promote creativity and collaboration. The Santa Cruz Public Libraries Summer Reading Program is a valuable opportunity for children to continue their reading journey during the summer months. We encourage you to read for fun, to learn a new skill, to make a new friend, and plant a seed, read at the Santa Cruz Public Library this summer! Visit any of the ten open branches of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries to sign up for the Summer Reading program or go online. Participants can log their Summer Reading hours to win prizes by using the reading log on the back of the program brochure, additional copies of the log are also available, or can be logged by using the Beanstack App. For a complete list of all the Summer Reading Program activities and locations, visit the Santa Cruz Public Libraries Summer Reading Program page at SantaCruzpl.org/SRP/ By Ana Maria Treadwell, Community Relations Specialist, Santa Cruz Public Libraries

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Don’t Turn Your Back on the Ocean

growingupsc — Mon, 11 May 2026 23:35:05 +0000

Never turn your back on the ocean. Author Richard Stockton shares safety tips for the Pacific coast after a harrowing personal encounter with a rogue wave.

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Celebrating Mothers in Santa Cruz County

Brad Kava — Mon, 11 May 2026 23:23:01 +0000

Publisher Brad Kava celebrates the unique spirit of Santa Cruz County mothers and highlights local Mother's Day events, from the redwoods to live music.

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What Your Toddler Is Really Learning During a Meltdown

Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy — Mon, 11 May 2026 23:21:36 +0000

Learn how to turn toddler meltdowns into valuable teaching moments that foster emotional intelligence and communication skills rather than power struggles.

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Values Over Rules

growingupsc — Mon, 11 May 2026 23:19:50 +0000

Shira Coleman Hagar shares how shifting from rigid household rules to a set of core values can empower children to make healthy and respectful choices.

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Before Learning Comes Safety in the Body

Tovah Petra Kolodinski — Mon, 11 May 2026 23:16:33 +0000

Understanding how the nervous system impacts behavior and why internal safety is the critical foundation for learning, connection, and emotional growth in children.

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New Exhibit at Aptos Library Showcases Animal Portraits

Tarmo Hannula — Mon, 11 May 2026 23:15:06 +0000

Aptos artist Diane Levin showcases her figurative/abstract animal portrait paintings at the Aptos Public Library through June 30.

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What Moms Really Need This Mother’s Day

Jamie McFaden — Mon, 11 May 2026 23:13:09 +0000

Jaime McFadden explores what mothers truly need for Mother’s Day: real support, intentional time, and self-care instead of just commercial gifts.

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