A radically different approach to living and learning, Free Skool Santa Cruz is a grassroots educational project beyond institutional control. It is an opportunity to learn from each other and share what we know, to foster communities of mutual support and autonomy.
Our calendar kicked off on May Day/Beltane on Thursday May 1st and went until the Autumn Equinox on Monday September 22nd. More info about FSSC https://freeskoolsantacruz.org/home/
A google calendar version of the calendar is HERE! https://freeskoolsantacruz.org/free-skool-calendar/
And classes for the 2025 session were also ongoing! And here’s information about classes in the 2025 session that is now done.
NOTE: classes added for part 2 indicated with *** (added class info featured in this blog post)
-Art & Rebellion – Every 2nd & 4th Monday of the month / 6 – 8 p.m. with Brent Adams (facebook.com/groups/artandrebellion & IG: @artrebellionsc)
Location: The VESSEL 150 Felker St. Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Positioned playfully between polite protest and civil disobedience, we meet this dire political moment with creativity, irreverence, and community-building. Join us as we plan and engage in Creative Resistance, Culture Jamming, Street Theater, Clown Army and opportunities of Direct Action… and the ideas you bring.
Accessibility: Easy first floor building directly off the river levee – bikes welcome.
-At-Home Shoe Repair – Sunday July 20th / 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. with Elijah Dalley (Elijahgdalley@gmail.com, Instagram: @ghostboy.design)
Location: The Fábrica, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Learn how to perform basic shoe repairs at home to keep your sneakers on your feet. Will go over glueing, painting, and stitching/patching.
Accessibility: Masks are encouraged in The Fabricá space, and there will be some light tool use and handling of sharp objects in the workshop.
-Beginner Bluegrass Slow Jam – Sundays – June 1st, July 6th, Aug 3rd, Sep 7th / 10 – 11 a.m. with Bashi (scouter_caches0m@icloud.com)
Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Bluegrass standards for beginners, played at a very slow 60-90 bpm. If you can play a G, D, and A chord on your instrument, you’re able to take part in this group jam. If not, come and learn! Each class is drop-in – no need to attend previous classes to try it out.
Materials: BYO instrument
Accessibility: We will be outside.
-Bike Touring: an intro – Sunday May 4th / 10 – 11 a.m. with Bike Church Mechanics (thebikechurch@gmail.com)
Location: The Bike Church, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Curious about bikepacking and/or bike touring? The Bike Church wants to share all the oh-so-special parts of planning a bike trip (logistics, route planning/navigation, camping, bikes, storage, gear, maps, apps, etc)! Mountain and road will be reviewed. No previous experience required – catered to folks who want to go on a trip but not sure about next steps.
Bring your bike & any gear you might already have for mechanic input. The shop will open up @ noon so stick around after, talk ideas, browse for gear and even work on your bike!
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/yaqztjcaGrj8WQUj6
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, mask optional, workshop offered outside.
-Building a Practice of Community Care & Support – Saturday July 19th / 12 – 2 p.m. with Dave Brown (dave831brown@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Curious about mutual aid but not sure where to start? Join us for an interactive beginner-friendly workshop where we’ll explore what mutual aid means, how it differs from charity, why it matters, and how to put it into practice in our own lives and communities. We’ll dive into core principles, map our support networks, reflect on alienation and burnout challenges, and share real tools and resources to begin doing mutual aid, not just talking about it. This isn’t a lecture, it’s a guided space for thinking together, building connections, and starting the work of care, collaboration, and collective support. Let’s bring our questions, experiences, and intent to show up for each other.
Materials: No prep necessary. A link to a short zine will be made available. Pint copies will be shared at the class. Extra copies will be contributed to the zine rack at SubRosa. https://libcom.org/tags/josie-sparrow
Accessibility: We will meet outdoors in the courtyard. Masks are available, but not required.
-Car Maintenance DIY: Preventative Maintenance – Saturday June 21st / 2 – 4 p.m. with Ian Echo (ent.1138@gmail.com)
Location: 208 Blackburn Street
Description: Work on your own car, DIY! Many of us rely on our cars despite having complex relationships with car culture. But they are tools for us to use, and like any good tool it pays off to take good care of your machine! Introduction to the fundamentals of preventative maintenance. This class will go over some of the basics of car care, keeping an eye on & maintaining the multiple systems that make your car go (and stop!). We will look at various fluid levels, tire care & inspection, inspection intervals, diagnostic tools, etc.
Materials: No materials needed. Bring your car questions!
Accessibility: Will be held outside. Masks encouraged. Level ground.
-Car Maintenance DIY 2: Next Steps – Saturday July 12th / 2 – 4 p.m. with Ian Echo (ent.1138@gmail.com)
Location: 208 Blackburn Street
Description: Work on your own car, DIY! Many of us rely on our cars despite having complex relationships with car culture. But they are tools for us to use, and like any good tool it pays off to take good care of your machine! The Next Steps of DIY Car Care. In this class we will go over a few of the basic common wear items in a car and how to fix or change them. We will go over changing oil, batteries, coolant, brake pads, and spark plugs.
Materials: No materials needed. Bring your car questions!
Accessibility: Will be held outside. Masks encouraged. Level ground.
-Collective Creation Games – Monday June 30th / 3 – 5 p.m. with Rami Chahine (346-235-9782)
Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Collective creation games creates a container for creative play, critical reflection, deep sharing, making, mindfulness practices, movement, performing and game conception and design. It’s a safe space where participants play art games then share & tell their personal stories, find points of connection amongst each other and transform them by working together into inclusive interactive games or experiential situations. They will try each others’ propositions, reflect on them and share feedback. It’s a space where video games or board games become models to think together and create real physical situations. In this sensorially stimulating space of experimentation, participants actualize their individual expression, build empathy, find group synergy and openly reflect about what makes collaboration work and what makes it fail.
NOTE: If participants are comfortable with it, the workshop can lead to participatory creative interventions on Pacific Avenue.
Materials: Bring a personal object, a sketchbook or paper and pen. Having junk and cardboard around can be very useful.
Accessibility: I’m parent to a newborn, so if someone feels under the weather it’s better to not show up.
*** -Collective Creation Games part 2 – Sunday September 14th / 3 – 5 p.m. with Rami Chahine (346-235-9782)
Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA and then going onto Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz
Description: We will be creating games/participatory experiences using the extensive anarchist library at SubRosa. Or coming up with simple interventions/participatory experiences on Pacific Ave to interact with the crowds regarding pressing topics we care about bringing up to play with. Or a combination of both let’s see 🙂
More info: The course will guide participants through a playful process for creating participatory experiences starting from the depth of our embodied experience, memories, pain and political thought. Through games we transform such instigators into thrilling dynamics of being together.
Accessibility: Open to all, refrain from coming if sick.
-RESCHEDULED: Complain and Hang – Wednesday June 4th / 5 – 6:30 p.m. with Ariella (ap73999@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
LOOK FOR MORE INFO SOON! Description: Join in for an hour long kvetch sesh with fellow community members! This will be an exercise in building communal space for bad feelings. Through a sharing circle, participants are encouraged to whine, gripe, and make a fuss without the fear of judgement. The last 30 minutes will serve to reflect on what type of solidarity is possible through this exercise, and how we can continue to show up for one another.
-Creative Fashion – Wednesdays June 4th & 25th / 3 – 5 p.m. with Asher and Nick (Asher: (408) 502-1600 Nick: (831) 246-2337)
Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Come learn to make or alter your own clothes and look sick as fuck! Make battle jackets, sew patch pants, knit sweaters, crochet cat beanies, etc. Our goal is to put fashion back into the hands of the people.
Materials: Bring anything specific you wanna work on (jackets to sew patches onto, a specific yarn you want to make something out of, etc) but we’ll provide supplies like fabric, needles and thread, yarn, crochet hooks/knitting needles, paint, etc.
Accessibility: We’ll be outside and won’t require masks.
-Crocheting for Beginners – Tuesdays in May – 5/6 & 5/13 & 5/20 & 5/27 / 3:30 – 5 p.m. with Pauli Monge (instagram @p4auli)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Introduction to crocheting for those who have no experience. All materials included. Materials would be provided but if people have a project in mind they can bring their own materials and inspiration.
Accessibility: Masks are welcome.
-Ecological Psychology: Relational Foundations of Self and World – Mondays June 9th & 30th & July 14th / 6 – 7:30 p.m. with Lilli Specter (lilli.specter@viridis.edu
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: This course explores the dynamic interplay between ecological processes and our psychological experience. By examining five core ecological principles, students will gain insight into how these same patterns shape human narratives, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Ecopsychology invites us to move beyond the isolated self and into a deeper, more relational understanding of our place within the living world. Through this lens, we engage with both the beauty and the complexity of life on Earth—psychologically, ecologically, and ethically.
Materials: I will send papers for preparations as the date gets closer.
–RESCHEDULED -Exploring Feminist Rage – Wednesday June 25th / 6 – 8 p.m. with Ariella (ap73999@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: This class will explore the idea of feminine rage through both theory and practice. We will spend the first half of class discussing the concept of feminine rage as taken up by various feminist writers such as Audre Lorde, bell hooks, Maria Lugones, etc. and within social movements like the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo in Argentina and the Zapatistas in Chiapas as we explore questions such as: how do women get to express anger? Which women can express anger? Where can this anger be expressed? What does feminine rage open up? and more. The second part of this class will be a collective engagement with our own experiences of rage through participating in improvisation techniques and mutual screaming.
Note: This class is open to anyone who identifies as fem, non-binary, and gender non-conforming.
Materials: I will have a google forms sign up sheet for students to register a week in advance for readings. Email ap73999@gmail.com for form. Please bring a notebook, water, and a snack if you would like!
-Extreme states discussion group with Rebecca and Baerie – Saturday July 26th / 12 – 2 p.m. with Rebecca and Baerie (grigly@proton.me)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Have you gone through periods of time when your inner experience was so different from your usual that it interrupted how you had been living and required a different kind of attention, and/or have you accompanied other people through such times? Have you turned to, or been forced into, the county mental health system and/or found other ways through? In this session, we’ll gather to tell whatever parts of our stories we want to share (if any), to hear from each other about our experiences, and to learn from those experiences about how we might create more robust community infrastructure for responding to future moments like these.
Accessibility: Masks appreciated but not required. Please don’t come if you’re sick.
*** -Fuck Fast Fashion! Fix your Fit! – Thursday August 21st and Thursday September 4th / 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. with Jae Wilde (they/them) (wildeflower_sc on Insta, jaestitch.com, and jaesews612@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Please bring a simple sewing kit- needle, thread, pins, and scissors. If you have fabric scissors at home, that’s great! If you don’t already have any of these materials, go to Harts Fabric or Beverly’s, they’ll set you up. If you have a specific garment or item that needs mending, bring that, too, and we can discuss how to spruce it up.
Note: class size limited to 10. RSVP at jaesews612@gmail.com to reserve a spot!
-Guinea Pig Care with Lady Guinea Pinks – Sunday June 8th / 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. with Lady Guinea Pinks (junipercavybrown@icloud.com)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: You want to know how to care for cavies? Well, Lady Guinea Pinks is a drag queen with over 9 years of experience with Guinea pigs! At this class, they will be ready to share with you their wealth of Guinea pig knowledge. This is including the foundations of Guinea pig husbandry; habitat, diet, and socialization, in the most beginner friendly form possible. With this knowledge, you can determine whether or not Guinea pigs are the appropriate animal for you to keep, or just learn some fun, new information to share with friends.
Accessibility: Masks are advised but optional. The space will be accessible to all users of mobility aids and there is no requirement for physical engagement or activity during the class.
*** -Handspinning (an introduction) – Wednesday August 13th / 4 – 6 p.m. with Marlene Burgess (instagram @marlene.muscaria and email – marlene.muscaria@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: An introductory class in how to spin yarn on a drop spindle, as well as some history of spinning and textile work. Spindles and wool will be provided.
Accessibility: Masks are recommended, and I will be masking.
-Herbal First Aid – Wednesday July 9th / 6 – 8 p.m. with Santa Cruz Herbal Mutual Aid (scherbalmutualaid@gmail.com)
Location: clock tower in downtown Santa Cruz
Description: We’ll share a zine with several common local herbs and some recipes to help you establish a basic herbal first aid kit. We’ll prepare 1 item in class together to take home.
Accessibility: More accessible info to come. Please reach out with any specific access needs or to brainstorm how to accommodate!
– NOT HAPPENING: Homemade Kombucha – Saturday June 14th / 2 – 4 p.m. with Santa Cruz Herbal Mutual Aid (scherbalmutualaid@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa (inside) 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: We will learn the basics of making your own kombucha, including supplies, materials. There will be different flavoured samples to try. And you will get your own scoby to take home!
Materials: Bring a favorite herb or juice.
-How to Mediate a Conflict – Tuesday June 24th / 2 – 6 p.m. with Alaya Vautier (mediate831@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: In this practical, step-by-step workshop, you’ll learn the basics of how to mediate a conflict from setting the stage and guiding storytelling to reaching mutual agreements. Through a balance of instruction and hands-on practice, you’ll gain foundational skills in facilitative mediation. While not comprehensive, you’ll leave with some essential tools and a straightforward outline for mediating conflicts.
I will hopefully have e-materials I can share prior so folks can access via a device or print if they are able.
Accessibility: Covid: feel free to wear a mask if needed. Please ask if you need any accommodations.
*** -Identity and Knowledge: Intro to Feminist Epistemology 1 – Wednesday August 13th / 6:30 – 9 p.m. with Minh-Tu (minhtuv9@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: My class introduces the idea that you are a philosopher in virtue of living! I am here to provide space and some guidance on how to conceptualize and understand these experiences. In particular, this class will go over why philosophy is important and how our identity (or lived experience) shapes the knowledge we encounter, believe, value, and disseminate. This is an important tenant within feminist philosophy, and so this course could also be seen as a short introductory course to feminist epistemology.
Materials: I have a course syllabus that has access to all readings via Dropbox and supplementary readings! If anyone wants the readings beforehand or the syllabus, please provide an email for me to send stuff to! Something to write with and take notes would be good if they wanted too. ! Contact at minhtuv9@gmail.com
Accessibility: The space is accessible and plans to be outdoors! Masks are encouraged but not mandatory, I will have a few available!
-Intro to Bikes – Every Second Sunday, May 11th, June 8th, July 13th, August 10th, September 14th / 10 – 11:30 a.m. with Bike Church Mechanics (thebikechurch@gmail.com)
Location: The Bike Church, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Come learn about basic bike mechanics and maintenance! We will go over the fundamental systems of a bicycle (e.g., wheels, drive train, brakes) and practice basic repairs. Facilitators will tailor the session based on the interests of who shows up, so bring questions, or even better, your bike!
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, mask optional, workshop offered outside.
-RESCHEDULED Introduction to Bookbinding – NOT Sunday May 18th / 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. with Roman Gioglio (RomanGioglio83@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: This course is an introduction to the magic process of creating a book with your own two hands. We will be embarking on the creation of two simple binding styles that you can replicate at home with fairly basic materials. You will learn basic concepts like signature folding, poking holes, sewing, planning a book’s layout, and more. The first time I created a book with my own hands it opened up a whole world of possibilities, and I hope it can do the same for you. In our hands, our words, and our collective story lies a path forward, and book making can be a step towards our joy, our liberation, and our love for this world.
Come with an idea about what the pages of your book may come to hold! Making a book with an intention can be a wonderful process. If it’s a journal or scrapbook or poetry book or song writing tablet, I believe this informs much of the book’s design–size, color, shape, cover design, type of paper, etc. You can also come with no idea and let the process unfold. or song writing tablet, I believe this informs much of the book’s design–size, color, shape, cover design, type of paper, etc. You can also come with no idea and let the process unfold.
Accessibility: This course / activity requires small motions with your hands and sitting at a table for an extended period of time. If these are tasks you are unsure about, please reach out to my email so I can work with you. Masks are not required for the course, but if you are sick please take care of yourself and stay home, make a soup, and snuggle into a blanket.
-Introduction to Ecological Psychology – Part 1: Saturday August 16th, Part 2: Saturday August 23rd, Part 1: Saturday September 6th (THIS SESSION NOT HAPPENING), Part 2: Saturday September 13th (ALSO NOT HAPPENING) / 3 – 4:30 p.m. with Lilli Specter (lilli.specter@viridis.edu)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: This course explores the dynamic interplay between ecological processes and our psychological experience. By examining five core ecological principles, students will gain insight into how these same patterns shape human narratives, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Ecopsychology invites us to move beyond the isolated self and into a deeper, more relational understanding of our place within the living world. Through this lens, we engage with both the beauty and the complexity of life on Earth—psychologically, ecologically, and ethically.
*** -Knots 101 – Tuesday September 16th / 3:30 p.m. with Phoenix
Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Learn the basics of knot tying, with opportunity to practice. Introduction will also include basic terms and further learning/reference material.
Materials: If you have it, bring rope or heavy cordage to practice with. I have a limited amount that I can provide.
Accessibility: Masking recommended.
-Lei Po’o Wili Workshop: Flower Crown Making – Sunday July 13th / 3 – 5 p.m. with Sangita Yolanda Diaz-Houston
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
About the teacher and information about the class: With deep roots in California, and inspired by the islands, Sangita has been leading lei making workshops since 2023, beginning under the mentorship of the late Kumu Lorraine Kaleiokalaua’e Kinnamon. At SubRosa, she will be guiding participants through the process of creating flower crowns using a traditional Hawaiian technique with locally sourced flowers and plants. In Hawaiian, this is called “lei po’o will” meaning a lei that you wear on your head created by wrapping or twisting. This experience is contextualized within traditional ecological knowledge that centers our reciprocity with nature. The intention of the workshop is to instill a sense of connection and humility for the gifts of mother earth that we are used to naming and imagining as inanimate. As we work with and recognize these gifts, in the form of leaves and blossoms, we reaffirm our dependence upon and responsibility toward the land and all beings.
This workshop is open to everyone and requires no prior experience with lei making. Please RSVP via text to (831) 750-4403 to participate and limited to 15 people.
Materials: All materials are provided, although students can bring flowers and greens to share if they would like. Donations accepted for materials cost and no one turned away for lack of funds (for real!).
Accessibility: This workshop is available to everyone with no prior experience needed in lei making.
-Medicinal Plants of Santa Cruz & Intro to Bioregionalism – Thursday June 5th / 5 p.m. with Magic (madeleinelkeller@gmail.com)
Location: Ocean View Park
Description: This plant walk class is a short intro to medicinal plants growing locally and thinking about how our local climate impacts our health needs.
Materials: Field guides or foraging guides specific to the Santa Cruz area.
Accessibility: Do not attend if sick/experiencing symptoms. Masking not required, distancing encouraged.
*** -Mutual Aid in Action: Designing Real Projects Together – September 20th / 2- 4 p.m. with Dave Brown (dave831brown@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: This interactive workshop is all about rolling up our sleeves anddesigning mutual aid projects that we can implement. We’ll begin with a quick dive into what mutual aid looks like in action and how groups move from ideas to impact—but most of our time will be spent hands-on, collaboratively shaping project concepts into real plans. Through guided exercises and small-group work designed to give each other constructive input, we’ll identify needs, sketch out workflows, identify resources, consider logistics like space and storage, and co-develop simple, low-barrier ways to launch or support mutual aid efforts.
Whether you’re starting from scratch, building on an existing idea, or just want to be part of the design process, this session is a chance to co-create practical pathways for mutual support in our communities. Come with your curiosity, your half-formed ideas, and/or your deep readiness to make something happen. People that are experienced with mutual aid and just want to provide helpful input on project ideas are encouraged to attend.
-Preparing for The Pandemicene – tbd with Nat and Metalia, with Mask Bloc Santa Cruz (smallsotong@proton.me)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA – “Subrosa – would love to talk about options for maximizing airflow while having access to visual slides”
Description: How do we keep ourselves and each other safe amid ongoing and future pandemics, and the continuing failure of our public health systems? We will share community-curated research, tools, and resources for navigating COVID-19, Bird Flu, and other contagious diseases, including: effective masking and how to choose a mask that fits, air filtration, disinfectants, antigen vs. PCR tests, and contingency planning. We will have a limited quantity of mask sample packs, COVID tests, and HOCl disinfectant samples for participants to take home.
Accessibility: Masks are required and will be available from Mask Bloc Santa Cruz. (we will update to add more access info once specifics of location are confirmed).
-Punks and Queers in Recovery – Second and Fourth Wednesdays, 5/14 & 5/28 & 6/11 & 6/25 & 7/9 & 723 & 8/13 & 8/27 & 9/10 & 9/24 / 7:30 – 9 p.m. with Bxrii
Location: project space at Hub (next to the Bike Church) – 703 Pacific Ave (downtown Santa Cruz) – enter on Spruce St
Description: No Gods. No Masters. No Addictions.
This is a space for folks who are ready to face the compulsive behaviors that are throwing off balance and creating toxicity in our lives—whether you’re just starting, in the middle of the journey, or have been working on it for a while.
THIS. IS NOT AA.
This is about open conversations, sharing our struggles, and supporting each other through the process of healing and growth. While we focus on breaking free from compulsive behaviors, it’s not just about alcohol or drugs. If you’re tackling any compulsive behavior—be it work, food, gaming, or anything else—we’re here for you.
You don’t have to have it all figured out or be “sober” to join. We’re here to share tools, skills, and approaches that have worked for us in the hope that they’ll work for you too. Let’s build a supportive community where we can grow together.
-Queer Birding – Saturday May 10th and Saturday July 19th / 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. with Nico Hodgson (IG: @plantago.projects, Signal: @plantagomajor.64)
Location: May 10th – Pogonip Open Space (meet at Spring St. entrance; 36.98449”N, 122.04728”W) and July 19th – Natural Bridges State Park (meet at Swanton Blvd x West Cliff Dr; 36.949701”N, 122.055826”W)
Description: A space for queer folks to enrich their knowledge, curiosity, love for others in their community – both human and feathered friends alike. No prior bird-related experience required.
Materials: Required: 1 functional eyeball OR functional ear. Recommended: The rest of your sensory organs, an extra layer, sun protection, binoculars, any other birding resources. If you have a surplus of the last two items, please consider bringing extras to share with others during the event!
General Info: We typically travel about 1-2 miles over 2 hours. Terrain, weather, incline, and access to resources (like benches, food + water, restrooms) varies depending on where we meet and the expressed needs & goals of those attending. We will be outside in large, open spaces the entire time, so masks aren’t required but are always welcome. If you have specific questions about accessibility or support needs, please reach out to the host before or at the start of the event you are attending.
Location-specific Info: Pogonip Open Space – May 10th – Entrance at the end of Spring Street. There are places to lock up bikes, free 2-hour parking in the area, and the Hagar x Coolidge bus stop at UCSC is ¼ mile away). Dirt trail is mostly flat and maintained but has rocky outcrops that can pose a tripping hazard. Closest restrooms, benches/tables, and food/water for purchase is ~¼ mile away at UCSC. Natural Bridges State Beach – July 19th – Free parking available on Swanton Blvd, the closest bus stop (Natural Bridges Dr. x Delaware Ave.) is ~¼ mile away from our meeting place. Paid parking and free bike parking are available inside the park. Paved & dirt trails are available. Ample shade, water, bathrooms, and benches/tables available.
-Queer/Femme Handyperson Skillshare – Saturday May 24th / 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with Trinity (trinityrlc@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Maintenance, repair, and being handy can be expensive, intimidating and cis-male dominated areas of expertise. The good news is that a lot of it is more accessible than you might think! Let’s get our hands dirty and fix some shit in a non-judgmental low stakes environment. We’ll do some projects, run some tools, teach each other what we’ve learned and leave feeling empowered to tackle more projects at home!
Hands-on mini workshops are TBA but may include things such as patching drywall, running basic power tools, changing electrical appliances, etc.. I would love to receive suggestions of things you’d like to learn if you’d like to email me at trinityrlc@gmail.com. Bring your questions as well, we’ll have time to knowledge share. Finally, bring your gayest handy person outfit (that can get dirty)!
Materials: We will provide materials.
Accessibility: Please test and mask if you are feeling sick. Class will be held outdoors. Masks not required.
*** -Queer writing circle – Saturday September 13th / 12 – 2 p.m. with Jesse Kathan (Signal: 510-666-5364)
Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Circle will include a quick prompt and one or two longer prompts for fiction, memoir, poetry or whatever. Follow provided prompts or work on your own thing. Opportunities for sharing and positive feedback.
Materials: Notebooks/pens suggested; extras will be available.
Accessibility: Masked encouraged inside building.
-Really Really Free Market – Every second Sunday, May 11th, June 8th, July 13th, August 10th, September 14th / 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. with the Really Really Free Market Crew (SubRosa@riseup.net)
Location: SubRosa Courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Tianguis Realmente Gratuito. Todo es gratis. No money. No trades. Everything is free. This gathering is not about the “stuff” we give and take, but more about how we can freely give and receive from each other. This is a form of anti-capitalist mutual aid where everyone is invited to participate and share care. ¡Todo gratis! No intercambio de dinero, no negocios, no trueques. Trae lo que gustes, toma lo que necesites. Este mercado gratuito es basado en una economía de regalar. Learn more about the Santa Cruz Really Really Free Market (RRFM) and RRFMs in general – go to linktree in bio https://instagram.com/rrfm_
*** -Santa Cruz Queer Soccer – Practice + Scrimmage! Schedule – Thursdays in May, 1st, 8th, 22nd & 29th and July and August and September etc! / 6 p.m. – sunset / (meowkitten@duck.com)
Location: Delaveaga Soccer Field – 1238 Branciforte Drive
Description: Day usually starts with a short warm up, a bit of footwork practice then a scrimmage! All are welcome! No experience needed! Ample parking and bathrooms available! Bring water 🙂 Hope to see you there!
-Sew Your Own Bike Frame Bag Workshop – Sunday June 1st / 2 – 6 p.m. with Fábrica folk & Bike Church mechanics (thebikechurch@gmail.com)
Location: The Fábrica, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Learn how to sew your own bicycle frame bag! Experienced biker-sewers will provide a pattern, instruction, and assistance as you sew your own custom frame bag. BYO-bike.
Limited to 6 people max for sewing machine station (first come first serve for station, others can watch instruction). All materials will be provided. Donations welcome, but not required. Brought to you by The Fabrica and The Bike Church.
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Materials/preparations: A bike with space for a frame bag (e.g., no rear suspension), and experience with a sewing machine (visit Fabrica open hours before event for intro).
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, workshop will be outside, masks required inside Fabrica.
-Stop the Bleed – Managing life-threatening bleeding – Tuesday, July 15th and Thursday, August 14th (these are individual events, not a series) / 6 – 8 p.m. with Alicia (with Alicia – alicia@outerlandsmedics.com; (831) 216-8846; IG: OuterlandsMedics)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death after a traumatic accident. This 2 hour class will teach you the lifesaving skills of direct pressure, wound packing, and tourniquet application. This course will provide visual aids, live demonstrations from a professional, and hands on practice using tourniquets and wound packing training tools that empower you to be an immediate responder in an emergency.
No experience is required and all materials will be provided. Please bring a notebook, pencil, and layers/snacks to keep yourself comfortable.
Masking not required, but please wear a mask if desired and do not come if you are feeling sick. If you have any accommodation requests please send an email to Alicia beforehand.
Alicia is a local Wilderness EMT who regularly teaches first aid for backcountry and austere environments.
-RESCHEDULED: Theatre of the Oppressed: Improv Exercises in Collectivity – Sunday, July 6th / 2 – 4 p.m. with Ariella (ap73999@gmail.com)
MORE INFO TO COME! Description: Explore what collectivity means through embodied practice! This class will draw on improvisational acting exercises that focus on collective engagement, rather than individual practice. This class will utilize the body in a variety of activities, so please check in with your physical self before joining! Please also reach out if there are any accommodations that you think could make the class more accessible!
-Theoretical Intro to Downloading/Pirating Media – Sunday June 1st / 11 a.m. with teddy (noworriesifnot1312@proton.me)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Can’t find your ex’s mom’s ex’s hulu password?! Have no fear, allegedly there is another way! In this class we will be going over how to theoretically download/pirate TV, Movies, and Music! If there is interest, we can also go over setting up a Plex server to be able to watch downloads on a “smart” TV.
Materials: Bring your laptop, and bonus points if you already have a vpn!
Accessibility: We will be meeting inside Subrosa with the door open for airflow. Entrance and bathroom are wheelchair accessible.
-NOTE UPDATE! 2ND SESSION NOT HAPPENING! Using Workers’ Inquiries to Organize Your Workplace – Wednesdays June 25th and July 9th / 11 a.m. with Robert Ovetz (Rfovetz@riseup.net. )
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: We will learn about how to use a workers’ inquiry in your workplace organizing. Whether you are starting a union or trying reinvigorate one, an inquiry will help you understand the boss and how work is organized to identify new tactics, strategies and objective to fight the boss. (See Ovetz, Workers’ Inquiry and Global Class Struggle, 2020; and Notes From Below magazine).
*** -What Can We Learn From the Rojava Revolution – Tuesday August 26th / 6 p.m. with Rojava Solidarity Santa Cruz (Instagram @rojavasc1)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: It’s been 13 years since the Rojava Revolution began in Northern Syria, yet it remains largely unknown due to censorship. We will provide a brief history and background on this struggle, which aims to build a decentralized society rooted in democracy, feminism, and communal life. Concrete examples of women’s freedom, restorative justice, and critical reflection will be provided. With this foundation we invite discussion on what we can learn from Rojava and how we might apply those lessons in our own communities. Organized by Rojava Solidarity Santa Cruz, founded in 2018.
Accessibility: Masks preferred, class may be held outside depending on weather.
-What’s in a story?: Community literary analysis – Tuesday June 10th / 6 – 7:30 p.m. with Camille Zaug (camille.zaug [at] gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: The aim of this class is to practice thinking critically about media to flex the muscle of recognizing and challenging propaganda, as understanding narrative can help us fight division and unify against oppression. We will choose and read a short story together. The work is to be selected from Octavia Butler, Ursula K. Le Guin, James Baldwin, or another radical thinker. After reading, we will have a loosely guided discussion with the goal of uncovering potential biases, hidden messages, and political implications of the text. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just dipping your toes in, all folks with interest in lovingly criticizing stories in community are invited to attend.
Materials: No materials are required, but recommendations include tablet/phone, fidget toys, writing materials.
Accessibility: Story will be read aloud; some printed copies available. If the event is hosted at SubRosa, the space is accessible for those with mobility-related disabilities. Attendees encouraged to be considerate of others regarding scents/allergies and to stay home if feeling ill/exposed to Covid.
-RESCHEDULED: What to do when you’re in a bad mood: exploring collective care in hard times – Tuesday June 3rd / 7 – 9 p.m. with Ariella (ap73999@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa courtyard, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
LOOK FOR MORE INFO SOON! Description: Can being in a bad mood be revolutionary? This class will explore what collective care looks like in times of crisis. By focusing on negative emotions like grief, pain, anger, and more, we will explore what it means to have community when you are not at full capacity. We will explore various writings on negative affect to imagine the potential of our networks of care. What type of resources are available? What does it mean for community to witness one’s bad mood? Is there a way to practice bad moods safely, without the risk of harming others?
-RESCHEDULED! Look for updates soon! Write On: Co-working space for writers – Wednesday May 21st / 2 – 4 p.m. with Ariella (ap73999@gmail.com)
Location: SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Description: Get connected with fellow writers through joining a community co-working session! Focusing on our independent work, we will write collectively, taking short breaks to check in with one another. There will be an optional workshopping session at the end that offers the opportunity to reflect and ask for feedback on what you were able to accomplish! All are welcome, music and good vibes encouraged. Bring writing supplies, snacks, headphones, and anything else you need to tap into your inner author!
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***Members of the SubRosa collective are involved in this revived and not entirely new, not all too different version of Free Skool Santa Cruz – a project in mutual aid learning and sharing. And SubRosa/the Hub is a site of a significant amount of classes (although not all!). More info about SubRosa at http://www.subrosaproject.org/ and the Hub at http://www.santacruzhub.org/
Free Skool Santa Cruz 