Poetry Readings | May 18 (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

Cabrillo College Jazz Singers & Jazz Combo | May 18-19 (8 p.m.)

Big Bands and Jazz Combos.

Cabrillo Jazz Series, Mainstage Theater
Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos
831-479-6331, www.cabrillo.edu

Ukulele Jam and Sing Along | May 19 (7-9 p.m.)

Although this jam is ukulele-centric, players of all acoustic instruments and singers of all levels are welcome. When the weather is fine the group meets at the Art Center campfire at the back of the Art Center. Limited seating so bring your own chair. Visiting musicians welcome.

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

IAB Taste for the Cure at Bargetto Winery | May 19 (4-7 p.m.)

The Institute for Applied Biomedicine welcomes visitors in an effort to help raise money for AIDS research. There is a wine tasting, gourmet food and live music in Bargetto's Cellars and Courtyard. Also, a silent & live auction featuring donated items from local retailers and artists. $20 advance tickets, $25 at the door.

3535 North Main St., Soquel
800-422-7438, www.bargetto.com

Free Family Festival: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Centennial Celebration | May 19

Children and adults enjoy musical performances and take part in hands-on arts activities that have a seaside Boardwalk theme. There are carnival fare, gallery tours, historical artifacts from the 100-year-old amusement park and other activities. Fee.

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

Salute to Beach Boardwalk Centennial | May 19

Beach bandstand has ongoing free performances. Thee are featured performances including a Papa Doo Run Run concert, acrobatic trampoline acts and thrilling high diving acts from an 80 foot tower, and other surprises.

400 Beach St., Santa Cruz
831-423-5590, www.beachboardwalk.com

Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony's Galaxy of Talent | May 20

Larry Granger, Musical Director, Cheryl Anderson, Choral Director, pianist Aaron Miller, and Jozseph Schultz. Program features pieces by Gershwin, Beethoven, Rimsky-Korsakov, and the world premiere of Graham Akeson's "Barry's Departure." A post-concert Gala follows at Manfre Manor. Ticket prices: $10, $8, $5. Gala: $20/individual, $50/family

Mello Center for the Performing Arts
250 East Beach Street at Lincoln, Watsonville
Tickets: 831-426-3238, www.sccys.org

"How I Learned to Drive" | May 25 - May 27 (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun.)

1001 Center St., Santa Cruz
Tickets: SC Civic Box Office: 831-420-5260
831-425-1003, www.sccat.org

Concert: Lynn Harrell, Cello | May 25 (7 p.m.)

UCSC Art and Lecture series
First Congregational Church, 800 High St., Santa Cruz
Tickets: 831-459-2159, artslectures.ucsc.edu/performances.htm

Santa Cruz Blues Festival | May 26-27

This festival takes place in a natural amphitheater surrounded by Red Wood trees. in Aptos Village Park. Entertainment line up has: Saturday: Los Lonely Boys, Indigenous, Jackie Greene, Sonny Landreth, Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings. Sunday: Etta James & the Roots Band, Little Feat, Robben Ford, Tommy Castro and Nina Storey. Tickets available in advance or at the gate.

Aptos Village Park
831-479-9814, www.santacruzbluesfestival.com