Dawan Muhammad, a renowned jazz artist and community activist, has a deep connection to Santa Cruz. He resided in the city during the late 1960s and early 1970s as a student and staff member at UCSC. Muhammad has been a long-time supporter of Kuumbwa Jazz and continues to return for special events and presentations. The Ole Dawgs New Tricks ensemble, a group of experienced jazz musicians, collaborates with Muhammad to create innovative and spiritually inspired music. Check them out this Thursday, November 21.Knife enthusiasts are invited to celebrate Wusthof Day at Toque Blanche this Saturday, November 23. Free knife sharpening is available from 9AM to 11AM (limit of 3 knives per person.) Hone your culinary skills with free knife skills workshops from 10AM to 2PM (space is limited). Enjoy 10% off Wusthof products and a free honing steel with a purchase of $100 or more, while supplies last. The event also features a giveaway for a Wusthof steak knife set and complimentary pastries with coffee in the morning. Don't miss this exciting day for home chefs at Toque Blanche!Sample a variety of delicious dishes, each crafted with herbs known for their health benefits. Learn how to enhance your meals, boost your immune system for the cold season, and improve cognitive function using superfoods, medicinal mushrooms, and herbs that support digestion, anti-cancer properties and more. Each participant will receive a free herb of their choice, along with recipe cards to help you recreate the dishes at home.Santa has lost his reindeer, but you can help find them! Pick up a map at the Downtown Santa Cruz Information Kiosk or Pacific Cookie Company to find participating businesses, and then visit them all to search for the beautiful hidden reindeer. Find just 12 of the reindeer and return your map to the Info Kiosk for a small prize!Santa Cruz Shakespeare (SCS) debuts a new holiday tradition for the whole family with its production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, starring Mike Ryan as Ebeneezer Scrooge. The production will run from November 23 through December 24, 2024, at the Veterans Memorial Hall at 846 Front St in Downtown Santa Cruz. There will be 28 performances, including shows at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.The Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade tradition is the official kickoff for the winter holidays. On Saturday, December 7 come celebrate the season with Santa Cruz County school groups, youth based organizations and local nonprofits. Kicking off at 10AM, the Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade draws 1,200 participants and over 3,000 spectators. Rain or Shine!Santa Cruz Dance Theater invites you to experience the magic of The Nutcracker at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. This year's production features a special guest performance by Lucien Postlewaite, a Santa Cruz native and principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet. Join Clara on a dreamlike journey filled with stunning costumes, captivating choreography, and Tchaikovsky's iconic score. Performances on December 21 & 22, at 1PM & 4:30PM.
