MAH Exhibit - Elaine Badgely Arnoux: Once Upon a Time | Aug. 1-31

Elaine Badgley Arnoux has been an active artist for over 60 years. An honored SF artist, she has had exhibitions in the US, France, Spain, Germany.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org

Noon at the Nick - The Playboy of the Western World | Aug. 3 (1 p.m.)

FREE Shakespeare Santa Cruz lecture series. Bring your lunch and take advantage of this rare opportunity to meet the festival directors, actors, designers and artisans.

Nickelodeon Theatre
210 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz
831-426-7500, www.thenick.com

Weekend with Shakespeare | Aug. 10-12

This popular conference is an opportunity to hear well-known scholars and artists share their insights into the genius of Shakespeare and other featured playwrights. The weekend consists of lectures and discussions exploring the different aspects of the season's plays.

UCSC Shakespeare Festival
Tickets: 831-459-2159, www.shakespearesantacruz.com

Summer Gathering of Mountain Men | Aug. 11-12

Wander through wilderness encampments of trappers and traders at this 1830s summer rendezvous of wild and wooly mountain men is re-created.

Roaring Camp, Felton
831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.com

Musical Saw Festival | Aug. 12

Listen to old time fiddlers play Blue Grass, Classical and Country music on musical saws at workshops, open mic and jam sessions. Musicians perform on washboards and spoons, harmonicas and accordions, guitars, banjos and other folk instruments from around the world family gatherings.

Roaring Camp, Felton
831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.com

Shakespeare Fringe - The Mock-Temest | Aug. 14 (7:30 p.m.)

SSC's Fringe production is an opportunity for the season's interns to perform in a thematic play of their own. The seasons Fringe production is a "mash-up of Tempest-related materials" taking its cue from the spirit of The Mock-Tempest by Thomas Duffett. One of the earliest parodies of Shakespeare's play.

UCSC Festival theater, Santa Cruz
Tickets: 831-459-2159, www.shakespearesantacruz.com

Aloha Celebrity Outrigger Races and Polynesian Festival | Aug. 19 (9 a.m - 3 p.m.)

A fun event for new and novice paddlers as well as those with experience. The Celebrity races launch at 9 a.m. and offer a chance to discover the excitement of outrigger canoe racing. The Polynesian Festival begins at 11 a.m. with a taste of the tropics, fresh flower leis, Hawaiian shaved ice, Maori face painting, print making and dance performances. Free event.

Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
831-420-5273, www.santacruzwharf.com

Grizzly Bear Festival | Aug. 19 (1-4 p.m.)

Come discover the culture and history surrounding grizzly bears in our area. Learn more about the myths and truths about California bears. Watch as the stories unfold with local actors. There will be children's games, storytelling, and crafts.

Waddell Creek and Rancho del Oso Nature/History Center
Hwy. 1, 16 miles north of Santa Cruz
831-427-2288, www.santacruzstateparks.org

Shakespeare Fringe - The Mock-Temest | Aug. 21 (7:30 p.m.)

SSC's Fringe production is an opportunity for the season's interns to perform in a thematic play of their own. The seasons Fringe production is a "mash-up of Tempest-related materials" taking its cue from the spirit of The Mock-Tempest by Thomas Duffett. One of the earliest parodies of Shakespeare's play.

UCSC Festival theater, Santa Cruz
Tickets: 831-459-2159, www.shakespearesantacruz.com