Arts & Culture

WATSONVILLE—Throughout the pandemic, Watsonville-based organization Arte del Corazón has been staging open-air art shows to showcase local artists.  The idea for the shows came from Monica Galvan, who has teamed up with other artists and performers to plan events at Romo Park on Main Street,...

For the past decade, local author Joyce Oroz has steadily released volumes of her Josephine Stuart Mystery Series. And now the 12th book has joined the lineup. “Lost and Bound” follows the series’ titular character, Josephine Stuart, as she investigates the death of a woman...

Since the start of the pandemic, Cabrillo Gallery has had to adapt exhibits through its website and social media. But the gallery’s newest show, “Bearing Witness: Manifesting Black History from Photographic Archives,” is one that might not have existed outside a virtual format. “Honestly, it’s...

WATSONVILLE—Cafe Ella owners Erika Conrad and Jennifer DeVault say they are hopeful that their business will persevere through the COVID-19 crisis. The twin sisters, who took over the small cafe on East Lake Avenue from Ella’s at the Airport owner Ella King last year, said...

Pajaro Valley Arts had an opening reception for its “Pencas del Corazón” exhibit on Sunday at its gallery in Watsonville. “Pencas del Corazón” (Heart of the Cactus) was curated by two of PVA’s Artists-in-Residence, Yesenia Molina and Irene Juarez O’Connell. The work centers around...

WATSONVILLE—On Saturday the Watsonville Buddhist Temple will host a special benefit concert featuring Otonowa, a jazz-fusion ensemble led by world-renowned percussionist Akira Tana. In 2012 Otonowa, which translates to “sound circle,” began playing shows to raise money for survivors of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami...

WATSONVILLE—For the past year, a group of five local artists has held a series of virtual pop-up art sessions, where participants learned about the artists’ process and were given guidance on how to create their own work. Now, Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) is displaying the...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Author Buzz Anderson always dreamed of writing the great American novel. Born in San Jose and then moving with his family to Capitola, Anderson has remained in Santa Cruz County for most of his life, attending local public schools, Cabrillo College and UC...

APTOS—When tasked with choosing a production for Cabrillo College Theater Arts Department’s Fall 2022 season, Abel Cornejo knew he wanted to find something that celebrated Hispanic culture. After a long search, however, Cornejo still hadn't found just the right play. That’s when he had the...

The world of lowriders—fixed up, cherried-out, shiny, classic, early day cars and trucks—will hit center stage Sunday in Watsonville with the opening reception of the latest art exhibit, “More Than Cars: Celebrating Lowrider Culture,”  at the Pajaro Valley Arts – Porter Building. The show is...