By Carrie Arnone
Art, wine, music, dance, and good vibes … all in the enchanting beach-side setting of Capitola Village…summer’s last hurrah, and truly a weekend in paradise!
Festival artist Brittany Costanzo at work
Stroll the 38th Capitola Art & Wine Festival Sept. 11-12, sipping exceptional wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains while admiring the artistic talents of more than 100 fine artists.
Sway on Saturday to the rock ’n roll sounds of The Lost Boys featuring James Durbin, and funky grooves Sunday afternoon from Extra Large.
Be inspired by local dance groups, and keep a look out for The Great Morgani, the always-costumed accordionist extraordinaire.
A 20th anniversary commemoration featuring a procession led by Santa Cruz Pipes & Drums followed by first responders, and a special performance by James Durbin will take place 2 p.m. Saturday to remember the victims of 9/11, and honoring first responders, our heroes on the front lines.
Festival hours: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The festival is hosted by the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce. More info at capitolaartandwine.com.
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This photo illustration of Capitola Village was created by Carrie Arnone.
Editor’s note: Carrie Arnone, who became the chamber’s executive director two weeks before the 2020 pandemic shutdown, has eight weeks to do what is normally is done in nine months, and she’s giving her all because she didn’t want the festival, a major fundraiser for chamber operations, to go dark two years in a row. She needs 400 volunteers. Ordinarily, she would reach out to schools, tapping students who are athletes, musicians and in leadership roles to assist, but school is not in session until Aug. 11. Readers, please call Carrie at 831-475-6522 and offer your help, whatever you can do, to make this festival this best ever.
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Poster Artist Brittany Costanzo
The 2021 Capitola Art & Wine Festival poster features the colorful Capitola Venetian Hotel mere steps from the beach, a glass of wine and a seashell, and a pelican peeking out over flowers in bloom. The artist is Brittany Costanzo, a maker, artist, designer, and muralist based in Santa Cruz.
She paints for commercial and individual clients. Much of her work is inspired by the beauty that is the Central Coast, as well as her love of animals, family and community.
Born in Santa Cruz County, she grew up in a big family of outdoor enthusiasts, artists, and craftsmen. She earned a bachelor’s degree in the history of art and visual culture from UC Santa Cruz and went on to teach art for a private studio in Los Gatos. Today she focuses on pet portraiture and freelance work. She has 1,700 followers on Instagram. She is enrolled at CSU Monterey Bay and will begin the Scientific Illustration program this fall. More info: www.costanzocreative.com.
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Thank You For Your Support!
The Great Morgani, always entertaining, will be at the Capitola Art & Wine Festival.
The Capitola Art & Wine Festival is a community event, and the No. 1 fundraiser supporting the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, as well as local nonprofit school and community groups that assist with set-up, recycling, break-down, and more.
We are grateful to our faithful volunteers that help in more ways than we can count. It takes a village, and we’re thankful for ours.
— Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce
James Durbin will perform at this year’s festival.