Arts & Culture

SAN JUAN BAUTISTA—In 2013 Galeria Tonantzin, one of San Juan Bautista’s few art galleries, closed its doors after more than 20 years. Its absence, said artist and gallery co-founder Jennifer Colby, has been noticeable in the small community. “I know how much people have missed having...

Santa Cruz’s NewMusicWorks (NMW) on Saturday will host its annual showcase of chamber music featuring songs by living composers from across the U.S. “Night of the Living Composers” will be held at the Samper Recital Hall in Aptos and will feature the NMW Ensemble, led...

WATSONVILLE—Work began over the weekend on a major restoration of a long-standing outdoor mural at the La Manzana center. Muralist Guillermo “Yermo” Aranda, who is the creative drive behind scores of murals around Santa Cruz County, Salinas and San Diego, said it was time to...

SOQUEL—The County of Santa Cruz is searching for an artist to create a new public art piece for the Heart of Soquel multi-use parkway. Jason Hoppin, Communications Manager of the County of Santa Cruz, said the Heart of Soquel Plaza County Park links a walking...

Daisy Fernandez has loved music since she was a child. She began singing when she was barely 3 years old, encouraged by her musically inclined family.  But despite this passion, Fernandez had not had much teaching or performance experience. “I always wanted to take classes and...

Summer is in full swing along the Central Coast, and with it comes a surge in outdoor activity and recreation. From mountain biking to horseback riding, fishing to swimming, the Pajaro Valley in particular has plenty to offer.  Hiking is perhaps the most popular and...

For rapper and singer Kabwasa, staying connected to his hometown of Watsonville is a priority—even as he makes waves in the music scene in Los Angeles. Raised in a house just off Rodriguez Street, Kabwasa was surrounded by music from an early age. He attended...

A group of bikes enter turn 2, also known as "the hairpin" during the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. (Photo by Robert T. Higaki)

WATSONVILLE—A new exhibit will soon open at Studio Judy G in Downtown Watsonville, featuring alumni and former instructors of the recently shuttered San Francisco Arts Institute. “Foment: An exhibition of artwork by San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) alumni and staff” opens next week, with an...

Author Barbara King was holding an event at Kelly’s Books for her novel “The California Immigrant” when inspiration for her next project, “The Apple King,” struck. A woman approached her and recommended that King read a book called “Blossoms Into Gold,” which follows the history...