Arts & Culture

We spoke with Melissa West, printmaker and visual artist, about Watsonville’s arts ecosystem, what inspires her to create, and where you can see her work in the coming weeks. What do you love about Watsonville’s arts community and being an artist living and working here? A...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Author Buzz Anderson always dreamed of writing the great American novel. Born in San Jose and then moving with his family to Capitola, Anderson has remained in Santa Cruz County for most of his life, attending local public schools, Cabrillo College and UC...

Rapper and songwriter Kabwassa has released a new single entitled “In My Head.”  Born and raised in Watsonville, Kabwassa now lives in Los Angeles and has steadily gained a following in California. Much of his music features his hometown, and he often writes about issues...

Artists invited to apply for Open Studios tour Arts Council Santa Cruz County is inviting visual artists of all mediums to apply for the 2023 Open Studios Art Tour.  Every year more than 300 artists participate in this self-guided tour that runs over the first three...

"Try This" is a weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like.

WATSONVILLE—On Saturday the Watsonville Buddhist Temple will host a special benefit concert featuring Otonowa, a jazz-fusion ensemble led by world-renowned percussionist Akira Tana. In 2012 Otonowa, which translates to “sound circle,” began playing shows to raise money for survivors of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami...

A weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like.

Try This is a weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like. Food: Jack’s Cigars Sandwiches Since The Pajaronian moved downtown to Brennan Street in July I have enjoyed the wide range of businesses and other outlets that are now...

Group from Veracruz will teach baile folklorico

WATSONVILLE—For the second year running, a group from Watsonville’s Filipino community is releasing a calendar highlighting family histories.  The “Watsonville is in the Heart” calendar is part of the Tobera Project, an ongoing project aiming to preserve, honor and celebrate that history, especially those of...