Free Kids' Story Hour - The store holds this event weekly; children of all ages welcome. Fridays, 10:15am. Free. Bookworks Aptos, 36 Rancho Del Mar Center, Aptos (Santa Cruz), 831.688.4554.

Chess Club - Led by Dana Mackenzie. Ages 6 and up. Fridays, 3:30pm. 831.420.5309. Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos (Santa Cruz), 831.688.5688.

4th Annual Cabaret by the Bay - Frank Duncan of Aptos' DanceSynergy assembled this four-show entertainment featuring professional local performers including himself, Mindy Pedlar, Bruce Daniels and the ever-energetic JoAnne Bailey; not only will there be stagecraft galore, but a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Santa Cruz AIDS Project. Fri., Nov. 20, 7:30pm, Sat., Nov. 21, 6 & 8:30pm and Sun., Nov. 22, 2:30pm. $30-$6-. Seascape Resort, One Seascape Dr, Aptos (Santa Cruz).

To See the Stars - Cynthia Mercati wrote this play about the 1909 NY Ladies' Garment Workers Unions Strike, and the Aptos High theater department is putting it on as a reminder of what it took to get even basic workplace rights. Call the school for ticket prices. Fri., Nov. 20, 7:30pm and Sat., Nov. 21, 3 & 7:30pm. Aptos High School, 7301 Freedom Blvd, Aptos (Santa Cruz).

The Grapes of Wrath - The new Crocker Theater's first production, this Steinbeck classic offers special effects, live music and additional events such as a Fri Nov 13 special performance for schoolchildren at 10am, a post-performance discussion of the work's cultural context on Sun Nov 15, and a Fri Nov 20 6:30pm Black Box Theater discussion of farmworker history. Call for more info on these at 831.477.3257. Plays Nov 6-21 Fri and Sat 8pm and Sun 3pm except Sat Nov 21, 3pm, no evening show. Through Nov. 21, 8pm. $12-$18. Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos (Santa Cruz).

Annual Home and Hearth Holiday Fair - Farmers and vendors offer a wide variety of handmade artisan products as gifts. Saturdays, 8am-12pm Continues through Dec. 19. Free admission. Aptos Farmer's Market, Cabrillo College, Aptos (Santa Cruz).

Frank French in Concert - The oft-praised pianist and composer takes his audiences on journeys through the various musics of the Americas, showing out how many have incorporated Creole traditions, in his concert "Pan-Americana." Sat., Nov. 21, 8pm. $12-$20. Erica Schilling Forum, Room 450, Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos (Santa Cruz).

A Trio of Influences: Music for Viola, Clarinet, and Piano - Featuring four master works for an unusual instrumental combination, this half-classical, half-romantic performance offers pieces from Mozart, Devienne, Bruch, and Schumann. Sat., Nov. 21, 8pm and Sun., Nov. 22, 3pm. $20 general; $15 senior; $10 students. Christ Lutheran Church, 10707 Soquel Dr, Aptos (Santa Cruz), 831.688.5727.

Wine Tasting - Every Monday night, local winemakers pour wine, along with appetizers and a jazz trio to set the mood. Mondays, 6-8pm. 831.688.8654. Bayview Hotel, 8041 Soquel Dr, Aptos (Santa Cruz).

Ray Brown’s Great Big Band - Brown, former jazz trumpet player with Stan Kenton and revered music instructor, has assembled a coterie of all-star jazz musicians from the Bay Area and beyond to put on a rip-roaring concert of big band jazz. Tix: Cabrillo's Community Education office, 2100-A Building, or call 831.479.6331. Mon., Nov. 23, 7:30pm. $15-$20. Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos (Santa Cruz).

Auditions for Foolish Tales - Beth El Repertory Theatre is staging "Foolish Tales," based on comic Romanian and Jewish folk stories, in Feb 2010, and needs women and men ranging between their twenties and fifties and one tween/teen aged 10 –15. Bring a monologue of 3 minutes' maximum length. Mon., Nov. 30, 7-9pm and Tue., Dec. 1, 7-9pm. Free. Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Rd, Aptos (Santa Cruz), 831.479.3444.

Great Decisions Lecture Series - The SC branch of American Association of University Women sponsors this series based on material from the Foreign  Policy Association; Dr. Laina Farhat-Holzman will lead; Dec's topic: global crime. For study booklets, call 831.688.0541. Dec. 7, 7-8:30pm. St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 125 Canterbury Dr, Aptos (Santa Cruz), 831.475.2894.

Open Mic - Open mic for musicians, poets, magicians and other artists of all ages to perform before a live audience. Refreshments are provided. Second Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Donations accepted., 831.689.0670. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Santa Cruz County, 6401 Freedom Blvd, Aptos (Santa Cruz).

Monthly Gardeners' Club Meeting - General second-Thursday club meeting and information exchange; the clubs' monthly plant sale offers economical plants, books and gardening-related items. Second Thursday of every month, 7-9pm. Free; $12 to join Gardeners' Club, 831.475.0991. Aptos Grange Hall, 2555 Mar Vista Dr, Aptos (Santa Cruz), 831.688.3974.

Irish Jam Sessions - Medium speed. Second Sunday of every month, 7-9pm. Free. Britannia Arms, 8017 Soquel Dr, Aptos (Santa Cruz), 831.688.1233.

Writing Group - A drop-in ongoing group open to all levels of writers, this community group offers in-group writing exercises and review of writing attendees bring in; the third Wed of each month. Third Thursday of every month, 12:30pm. Free, 831.475.4221. Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos (Santa Cruz), 831.688.5688.