First Tuesday Free at the Seymour Center | May 1 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Visit our aquarium, exhibit hall, and touch tanks. Take a tour or explore on your own. Join us as we explore Monterey Bay with our hands-on family programs!

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

"Aspen Santa Fe Ballet" | May 1 (8 p.m.)

UCSC Art & Lecture series
Cabrillo College Theater, Aptos
Tickets: 831-459-2159, artslectures.ucsc.edu/performances.htm

Lecture: Plan Endemism in the Andes | May 3 (4 p.m.)

Lou Jost, plant researcher working in Ecuador, will give an illustrated lecture on the plants in the South American mountain ecosystem that are challenged by development, and how they might be preserved. Free.

Arboretum - UC Santa Cruz
1156 High St., Santa Cruz
831-427-2998, www.2.ucsc.edu/arboretum

John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" | May 3 - 6 (Tu-Sa 7:30 p.m., Su 2 p.m.)

Watsonville High School Drama Department
Mello Center for the Performing Arts
250 East Beach Street at Lincoln, Watsonville
Tickets: 831-728-6314, www.mellocenter.com

First Friday Free Admission at MAH | May 4 (11 a.m.- 6 p.m.)

The museum is open Tue-Sun, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.. Its store, located in the street front octagon building, is open Tue-Sat, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun, noon-5 p.m.

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

Chanticleer, "Love's Messenger" | May 4 (8 p.m.)

UCSC Art & Lecture series
Holy Cross Church, 126 High Street, Santa Cruz
Tickets: 831-459-2159, artslectures.ucsc.edu/performances.htm

MAH - Free Lunchtime Discussion Artist Talk | May 4 (noon)

Docents lead visitors on an up-close look at the current exhibition The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: A Century by the Sea.

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

Artist of the Year-Richard Deutsch | May 4 (7 p.m.)

Santa Cruz County Arts Commission presents its 23nd Artist of the Year award to sculptor Richard Deutsch. Award recipients are Santa Cruz Country residents who have gained national and/or international recognition for their work and contributed to the cultural enrichment of the local community. Deutsch will present a profile of his vision, creative process and works. Free.

Live Oak Community Center at Simpkins Swim Center
831-454-7901, www.scparks.com

Kite Classic at Capitola Beach | May 5 (11 a.m.-3 p.m.)

A fun event for the family. Open kite flying and judging in several categories. Prizes. All ages may participate and kite styles vary from homemade to elaborate commercial designs. Only restriction, the kites must be a tethered heavier-than-air craft that only depends on natural wind for its lift.

Capitola Village
831-475-6522, www.capitolachamber.com

Bug Day | May 5 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Come on kids, let's go buggy! Make new discoveries about a wide variety of bugs through interactive games, puppet shows, art projects, nature walks, and displays. Kids can earn a degree in "Bugology" as they find out about the diversity of wildlife found in this park.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Hwy 9 @ North Big Trees Rd., Felton
831-335-7077, www.santacruzstateparks.org