Halloween haunt is no more, and Great America has changed their Halloween event to be a lot more…read morelittle -kid friendly. There are different decor styles through-out the park with different themes. Their decor was super cute from huge tall skeletons, to large pumpkins, and everything in between. There are more spooky lands (not at all scary) to cute fun lands with pumpkins everywhere. They also have a really cute candy land theme called Sweet Tooth Acres and offer trick or treating. They provide orange Jack-o-lanterns bags for collecting candy. They also had activities for little ones set up throughout the park - pumpkin decorating and other small crafts. Not all rides were open when we went on 9/23, but all the major roller coasters were open and wait times weren't super long. It's no longer the scary event, but a great family-friendly option! Lots of kids came in costumes and there were small shows scattered throughout the park at various times.

I always look forward to Halloween haunt because there is just something about the thrill of being…read morescare and all the cool mazes. But this year the new event is a cool concept and the decorations are very appealing as well as the shows. It's drawn towards more younger crowd like under 10 year olds so it's a little disappointing

Cool art walk with free admission to a variety of art museums, galleries, and exhibits, as well as…read morelive music performances, this past Friday. Not all venues were within walking distance. Sure there was a cluster of them in the SoFA district, along South First and Second Street. But others were in the Martha Garden District, an inconvenient distance away. This included Machu Picchu Gallery of the Americas at the Citadel Art Studios ("Amazonian Rainforest Arpillera" 3D cloth appliques) and the Art Ark Gallery (featuring "The Last Set Before Dawn" by Lilly Horani). I viewed some amazing art pieces at Chopsticks Alley Gallery and Works SJ. Listened to Opera singers outside the California Theatre, as well as the sounds of the Michael Webster Quartet on the piano, drums, bass, saxophone, and clarinet in the SJZ Break Room. There was more art to explore at MACLA (current program "From Their Hands to Ours"), as well as live entertainment in the attached Castellano Playhouse, the talented musicians of Los Calderones putting on a show for the crowd. Also checked out "The Woven Pixel" exhibit at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, and was impressed by the beautiful displays of this unique art form. South First Fridays hosts more lively events throughout the year, such as the SubZERO festival which I've enjoyed before. But this past weekend, the kickoff to the new year was more mellow, no crowds to deal with, just appreciation of the arts. There were a couple food trucks outside some of the bars and entertainment venues too (Tacos El Cowboy, and Stinky Noodle), and no shortage of food options from local businesses in the area to enjoy a snack or meal on this lovely winter evening.

Visited August 1st, the first Friday of the month, for our very first time. We arrived around 6PM,…read moreexcited to see what the Art Walk was all about--but were immediately met with an overwhelming sewage odor. There were only a handful of booths and a few run‑down galleries, and honestly, I wasn't even sure if visitors were supposed to go inside some of them. The crowd was extremely sparse, with just a DJ playing in the background. Maybe things picked up later in the evening between 6 and 10PM, but based on what we saw, it was underwhelming and disappointing. I wanted to love this event--it has so much potential to be vibrant and inspiring--but as it is now, I'm not sure I'd go back. Very sad, because it really could have been awesome.

We travel from LA with 10 people just to come to the most famous Renaissance Fair :)…read more Such a a fun experience! You don't have to dress up but is part of the vibe, it is so fun, just do it. I give them 4 stars just because the lines for the food are crazy! The service is not fast. Maybe online orders will help, we wait on line 30min for the turkey leg and 15min for the drinks :/ Interesting Faire, I've never been in one. Definitely an experience. Bring cash and park in preferred parking, it's a long walk.

It's been nearly two decades since I've been to the Renaissance Faire and overall, it was okay…read more Traffic was disastrous and I felt like staff could have done a lot better making boundaries but it took over an hour from exiting the freeway to enter the fairgrounds because people were inventing roads or constantly trying to cut in. I mean, at one point, we had 4 cars near PERPENDICULAR like a 45 degree parking stall trying to cut in and when we chose not to let them in, we were flipped many a finger. Get in line. You don't deserve to cut in. Once in, we didn't have nearly as much time to explore as we wanted. Lines were everywhere but some did move faster than others. Some vendors also only took cash which was a bit of an annoyance but I get it, cell service is spotty at best. Food covered the gamut in culture which was cool but idk, would have rather have had more Renaissance inspired fare... Generally It was hot and dusty and water refill stations were not present so we were paying $4 for Costco waters. I admittedly was also feeling heat exhaustion after a while so thank goodness for the shows. The shows were pretty entertaining though. We really enjoyed the jousting one to end the day and Broon was also fairly funny. Perhaps we need to give it another go another year...

I was curious to see if the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse had been reviewed yet, and was…read moresurprised to see only "1" review so far. I can't believe it has taken me so long to review this great theater. Coincidentally, the first show that my son played in (as Pete Bailey), was the first show the first reviewer had seen at this theater :) When told, "there isn't a bad seat in the playhouse" -- I was skeptical. After my son having roles in 7 shows with SVCT now, I can confirm that there seriously is "not a bad seat in the playhouse" -- I've almost tried them all ;) A great community theater, in a great community -- if you haven't been you should check out www.svct.org, and get tickets to the next show!! :) Also, tons of fabulous restaurants within walking distance - so it makes for a great date night :) Thai restaurant across the street is EXCELLELNT -- very friendly owners, and incredibly good thai food. And, Bubbles Wine Bar across the main road... very nice place as well. Plus, several more great dining opportunities to choose from down the street.

Tonight I had the pleasure of joining my good friend to see "It's a Wonderful Life" at the MH…read moreCommunity Playhouse. What a beautiful theater and such a warm and inviting cast that performed! I truly loved it! I was really shocked that this place has not been Yelped yet! This theater is very easy to get too. Right off of Dunne and Monterey Road where there is a huge parking lot and plenty of little restaurants to eat at before hitting up a show at the theater. This theater is definitely a small close knit community which is really nice! The theater is small but not tiny. Our seats were perfect and it was nice being so intimate with a stage and a cast of characters. There were people old and young there enjoying the performance and it was pretty obvious that most of the audience knew someone on stage with the array of flower bouquets to greet their friends with after the show. The sound and lighting was professional and that of a big time theater. The cast was phenomenal in "It's a Wonderful Life" and I applaud (literally) each and every one of them for taking their talents to entertain so many people and bring smiles to so many faces. Such an inspirational show and I teared up a bit. There were cast members in the show as young as 7 who were so cute and did such a great job saying their lines. I didn't see anyone screw up their lines! Hooray for such a great cast!! After the show we were able to mingle with the cast members and talk to my friend's friend Dave (who played Ernie). He encouraged us to come out and audition for a future show which I might consider for fun (like I have sooo much time right? hehe) Who knows...maybe one day I will be on stage under the lights and makeup on in this theater! I encourage you to come out and support local community theater. This is a great theater which is very easy to get to and park and not to mention a really inexpensive date with your loved one. The show was $17 for 2 hours of pure entertainment. They definitely have made me a fan and I plan to become a subscriber so I don't miss one show in 2009!

We were fortunate enough to stumble upon this absolute gem of a theater company last night…read more What a STUNNING performance of The Other Place from start to finish. The cast was excellent but I must afford a huge shout out to Roberta V who frankly carries the entire production herself. I judge performances by how invested I become watching, and Roberta had me from the first moments and never let go. Beyond that, her ability to shift perspectives on a dime, emotional outbursts and overall believability was well beyond the typical playhouse efforts. We loved every moment, and were shocked at how fantastic the entire production was. Please plan to see this before it closes, and we will see all of others as the season marches on.

This is a four star because of the intimate setting and the friendliness of the volunteers and…read moreowners. It's nice to be so close to the actors and see everything that's going on with them - facial and other physical gestures. I think there were only about 20 tables for seating. Half of the Community Center was for the stage and the other half was art on display. The play itself wasn't that great. Most of the actors (5/6) were awesome, but it just wasn't that great of a story line. It is a local theater that doesn't receive sponsors or grants. If you're in Gilroy/Morgan Hill, please support them.

Once again-"Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras" does not fail!!!...I love this festival. Good food,…read moredrinks and good times. A great way to kick off the summer. A fun way to spend all or part of your Memorial Day Weekend. This festival that takes up several blocks off of downtown Morgan Hill, had found its home starting at the Community's Cultural Center Amphitheater and working its way down Depot St. to Munchkinland. I have traveled to visit this event many times since its start years ago at the old Hill Country(where it started). This event does not disappoint. The mushroom display and mushroom foods have been clearly marked with purple banners, so they are easy to find throughout the festival. A great selection of micro-brews, beers and wine. There is even a wine tasting area where one can try a premium selection of local wineries. The entertainment is top-notch for this free event. I spend some time checking out the arts and craft vendors. Take-a-break; walk downtown, then come back to end with some great headliners in one of the two stages at both ends of the festival. This is wonderful way to spend the weekend with the family. There are rides for the kids of all ages and they seem to change them up year after year. When you decide to go, don't forget to see the celebrity chef demonstration inside. As far as food vendors go-steak sandwiches are my favorite(with mushrooms). Bring a friend/partner to share things with as I always walk away full. The best part is that all the funds raised at this event go to help local schools with mini-grants and a larger portion to Scholarships for high school seniors. They do an event in the afternoon that recognizes each of this years Mardi Gras scholarship recipients. At least 50 go on to college having benefited from the numerous volunteers and community members that help put this event on. This event is well organized, has plenty of booths to see, arts and crafts to view. Parking is readily available. The lines for food are sometimes long but worth the wait. I feel safe enough to let my kids walk around alone as there are plenty of things to do. It is worth going out-of-your-way to spend a day or two of your Memorial Day Weekend in Morgan Hill.

Unfortunately, 2026 may be the last MH Mushroom Festival I attend…read more The added security was nice but inconsistent. Bag searches were done differently depending on what line you were in. Smoking was prohibited at this event so all cigarettes, cigars, vapes, etc were confiscated upon entry, but there were people who still had their vapes or e-cigs. How do I know? They were vaping in the port-a-potties. The $25 ticket price was steep considering the only thing included with the ticket price was the limited entertainment. Shane Dwight, who usually does some great, upbeat covers and original music, was feeling his country bone with some slower tunes and the dance floor was empty for most of his set. There was a good variety of food but, if not for Fungi Farms, the veg-heads would be out of luck. Lots of carnival-fare with fried foods, ice cream and beverages. Most food and drink was very expensive (I paid $15.63 for 6 small sesame balls and $15 for one large agua frescas). BUT Mansmiths was there and they (rightfully so) had the longest line. Their tri tip sandwiches are legendary but very pricey at $18 for a 4 inch sammie on garlic french bread. As you entered the festival, the row you had to walk down were all the home improvement/bank/club/business affiliates/etc who tried to grab your attention as a potential customer. Since the festival is no longer an open street plan, you're confined to walk down past the "hey, you got a minute to talk" folks and it could feel very uncomfortable for some people. The rest of the vendors were *just okay* at best. Brown Butter Babe and The Coconut Hut were two of the best (in my opinion), and should be at every festival. The awesome Mardi Gras has slumped into a very underwhelming Festival.

Went here with my daughter and partner…read more All we have to say is... if you want weird and funky, this is where you go. And Definitely in a good way. I mean we're giving it 5 stars. They have everything from belly dancers to handmade soap to henna tattoos to off-the-wall awesome live bands, food trucks, street art, handmade jewelry, pottery, candles, and even a light up dance floor! This festival only happens once a year. And if you're ever in the South Bay area around this time of year, it is a must go to!

The SubZERO festival is an event presented by South First Fridays (but this took place on both…read moreFriday and Saturday evening this past weekend in June). It's basically 2-3 blocks of streets closed off to vehicles, lined with booths and stands presenting art and music exhibits and selling colorful and quirky creations to the public. There's a beer garden, and stages at each end with live music (lots of slowcore music on the main stage, a sort of indie rock). The real entertainment was the art itself coming from the various vendors and artists. There was an interesting musical exhibit (giant instrument), the Space Palette, that apparently would only run after sundown. Even booths that were just selling items had really great paintings and sculptures to view, making it feel like an outdoor art museum in the streets. Then of course some of the actual venues on 1st Street were showcasing pieces of art and culture as well, at no cost to visitors, such as the MACLA, a contemporary arts space focused on the Chicano/Latino experience. There were about 6-7 food trucks at one end, extremely spaced out. Earlier in the evening only one had a line and it was very short... El Bombero 408 (looked like a fire truck), serving yummy mexican food, including shrimp quesadillas! Another truck, De La Tierra, served plant-based vegan food. I recall Fresh Catch Poke truck as well. So, yeah several different options, but nothing that really stood out that much to me. For a festival on a Saturday evening, I'd say the place wasn't very busy, I guess that's good in the covid era, with lots of open air to roam around comfortably. I hear it's been a lot busier in the past and had a lot more to offer. Later at night it did get more crowded, but not too much. To me, it was a cool low-key thing to do as we transition from spring to summer season. And the temperature was perfect outside, a comfortable 72 degrees in the evening and mid 60's later at night. Pretty ideal for an enjoyable night out. Also, in an ideal and fitting location, in the SoFA district, where we were able to check out the new Mama Kin venue as well for some drinks and live jazz before our night ended, since it's one of the many businesses on the block (formerly known as Cafe Stritch). I'm sure parking's been worse in previous years when the event was busier, but I was able to find free street parking just around the corner... might have gotten lucky though, plus I arrived early like 6pm.

The Fringe Festival is fabulous. We saw creativity in all shows and acts. There are so many things,…read moreit's hard to comment on the "Festival" as each act is it's own experience. Overall, a wonderful experience. Described here are two notable performances; Ouroboros Shadow Pictures http://www.santacruzfringefestival.com/index.php/tickets/by-artist/item/201-ouroboros Save your money! It's not only that this was slow or boring, but consider that people in the audience were sleeping. Many walked out. The images were confusing and repetitive. The music was markedly uninteresting. They worked hard to set up a show, but the content was weak. A group of four of us went together, and there was not a single comment of appreciation amounts us. It was a really sad, sad waste of time. But the evening was saved by a trip to the ice cream store* and dancing to the Singing Wood marimba group! * The Penny Ice Creamery 913 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 http://goo.gl/maps/G1OR2 Flex Dance http://www.santacruzfringefestival.com/index.php/tickets/by-artist/item/35-flex-dance-company Fabulous, fabulous performance! Even including fun audience participation, this group knows how to entertain. Mainly a dance show, seductive, attractive and energetic, this group thrills and excites. The lead dancer was funny and creative and knew how to work with the audience. Even impromptu humor was spectacular. There was a "hat" of suggestion cards to pull from, where the guests wrote "fantasies" that the dance group acted out. We would love to see this group again. Congratulations on such a brilliant performance!

This past week has been the premiere of the Santa Cruz Fringe Festival. Other cities have had the…read moreprivilege to host such events before, and Santa Cruz artists courageously took the step to make it happen here! Like any new creation with many moving parts, there have been some hiccups, but overall, the quality of organization and performance has been truly inspiring. I was happy to get the chance to see multiple shows. Perhaps a bit surprisingly, many of the performances I was aiming to see sold out completely. Being one who plans ahead, that should not have been a problem since I bought tickets ahead of time for almost every show I attended. Unfortunately, one of the shows I bought an advanced ticket to sold out, and though I arrived at most five minutes after "start time", I was informed at the box office that my ticket had been sold. This is very poor form and extremely disappointing. Considering that the giant line still awaiting news of their entry-fate was at a standstill when I arrived, I imagine that my ticket was sold even before the actual show time came around. There should be a disclaimer when purchasing tickets, or somewhere on SC Fringe's website, stating to arrive at least "x" minutes in advance of showtime or your ticket will be sold to someone else. Sadly, that was one of the hottest shows, and the last performance, so I missed it entirely. Still, I've spent the week laughing, cheering, applauding, and feeling spectacular about all the live theater I've patronized. I look forward to next year, and congratulate this year's performers for making this festival a hit.