Shakespeare Santa Cruz | July 16-Aug. 31

July 16 - Aug. 31: Romeo & Juliet, William Shakespeare at Festival Glen theater
July 27 - Aug. 31: All’s Well That Ends Well, William Shakespeare at Festival Glen theater
July 15 - Aug. 31: Bach at Leipzig, Itamar Moses at Mainstage theater
July 30 - Aug. 31: Burn This, Lanford Wilson at Mainstage theater

UCSC Festival Glen and Mainstage theaters, Santa Cruz
Tickets: 831-459-2159, www.shakespearesantacruz.com

Star Parties at Quail Hollow - Jupiter & Deep Space | July 17 (8 p.m.-midnight)

Indoor video presentation followed by outdoor hands-on activities and telescope viewing. Rain and cloudy skies cancel the program. Free. All ages.

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Ben Lomond
831-454-7930, www.scparks.com

Twilight Concert at Esplanade Park | July 18 (6-8 p.m.)

Free concert featuring Orchestra Gitano - Salsa Orchestra. A family event. Bring your own beach chairs and picnic. No alcohol.

Esplanade, Capitola Village
831-475-6522, www.capitola.com

Youth Carnival | July 18 (1-4 p.m.)

BBQ, games, crafts, face painting and educational presentations from community businesses, service groups and government.

Brommer Park, Live Oak
831-454-7930, www.scparks.com

California Rodeo Salinas | July 18-22

This is the state's oldest rodeo and one of the top five rodeo money events in the world. There are pre-rodeo activities which includes "Grand Bulls on Fire," 7/18 at 7 p.m.. This is a PBR USSTC Challenger Tour Event, paying a $40,000 winner purse. The rodeo opens each day with a traditional horse parade through downtown Salinas, there is entertainment, a cowboy poetry event on Sat. night at Sherwood Hall, and a carnival open 7/13-22 from 4 p.m.-closing.

Salinas Sports Complex
(Info.) 800-771-8807, (Tickets) 800-549-4989. www.carodeo.com

Thursday Night Downtown | July 19

Free outdoor fun: live music, dancing, performances, classic cars, evening shopping, children's activities and more.

Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
831-429-8433, www.downtownsantacruz.com

Car Races at Ocean Speedway | July 20 (Gate 4:30 p.m. Race 6 p.m.)

Golden State 410 Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds, 4 Bangers.

Santa Cruz Country Fairgrounds
2601 E. Lake Ave, Watsonville
831-476-9466,. www.oceanspeedway.com

Poetry Readings | July 20 (8-10 p.m.)

Local poets read their works in an atmosphere of warmth and encouragement surrounded by visual arts in the art center gallery. Suggested donation $3.

Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
9341 Mill Rd. Ben Lomond
831-336-3513, www.mountainartcenter.org

106th Annual California Open Women's (tennis) Championships | July 20-23

USTA members complete in singles and doubles matches. Prize money is offered.

Seascape Sports Club
1505 Seascape Blvd., Aptos
831- 688-1993, www.seascapesportsclub.com

Noon at the Nick - Much Ado About Nothing | July 20 (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