A New Pizza Spot Is Coming to SCV 🍕

Today’s Forecast

71 🌡️ 42 | ⛅️ | 💨 NE 8 mph

Good morning, SCV. This is The SCV Insider. April is Jazz Appreciation Month—so if things feel a little more unpredictable than usual, just call it improvisation. Missed a deadline? Syncopated rhythm. Forgot to respond to an email? Artistic pause. This month, life’s not messy—it’s avant-garde.

In today's SCV Insider:

• This weekend’s events 🤩 

• Jazz Night at The MAIN 🎷 

• The Cube looking for a new restaurant 🧊 

Let’s get into it.

— Kate

This Weekend’s Events

Friday, April 4

🆕 New Events

🐟 St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church 47th Annual Lenten Fish Fry | 4:30–8 PM | St. Clare’s Catholic Church, Canyon Country | $16+ | Enjoy crispy beer-battered cod dinners every Friday from March 7–April 11. Special culture nights: Hispanic Night (March 21) with folklorico & mariachi and Filipino Night (March 28) with live music. April 11 is drive-through only. Dinners include coleslaw, fries & roll.

🤠 Boots and Barrels Country Night | 7:00–10:00 PM | The Barrel Room at Pocock Brewing, Santa Clarita | Free | Dust off those boots and head to The Barrel Room for a rootin’-tootin’ night of country fun! Enjoy line dancing lessons, a live DJ spinning your favorite country hits, and ice-cold brews from Pocock Brewing. Whether you're two-steppin’ or just sippin’, this biweekly Friday night hangout is the place to be. Yeehaw!

🎷 Go Jazz Big Band in Newhall | 8:00–10:00 PM | The MAIN, Newhall | $32.77 | Enjoy an electrifying evening of jazz as Santa Clarita’s own Go Jazz Big Band takes the stage with special guests Wildfire Brass. From Count Basie classics to Beatles hits, this powerhouse ensemble will deliver a bold blend of big band brilliance and brassy flair. Don’t miss your chance to groove the night away in Old Town Newhall!

🎧 DJ Night Party at Monty’s Sports Bar | 9:00 PM–1:00 AM | Monty’s Sports Bar & Grill, Saugus | Free | Kick off your weekend with high-energy beats from DJ Flithe at Monty’s! Dance the night away under the neon lights, sip on your favorite drinks, and vibe with the local crowd. Whether you're out with friends or flying solo, this Friday night party is the move. 💃

🔄 Recurring Friday Events

🎵 Live Music at Lucky Luke Brewing | 6–9 PM | Lucky Luke Brewing | Start your weekend with great brews and even better tunes.

🎤 Fuel Pump Friday’s Karaoke at Route 66 | 8 PM | Route 66 Grill | Your shot at karaoke glory awaits.

Saturday, April 5

🆕 New Events

🚶‍♀️ Walk 4 MHF – Supporting Kids With Cancer | 9:00–11:00 AM | Central Park, Santa Clarita | $25 Adults / $15 Kids | Lace up your sneakers and join the Michael Hoffman Foundation for a morning of hope, help, and healing. This family-friendly event includes a 1.3-mile Unity Walk, stair climb, silent auction, and activities for all ages—rain or shine! All proceeds benefit local families affected by childhood cancer. Awards will be given to top fundraisers. Register or donate at Walk 4 MHF Registration.

♻️ Free Household Hazardous Waste & Electronic Waste Disposal | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM | College of the Canyons, Valencia Campus (South Parking Lot) | Free | Safely clear out your clutter at this free disposal event for Los Angeles County residents. Drop off household hazardous waste like paint, batteries, and cleaning products, plus electronic waste such as old TVs and computers. Business waste not accepted. Hosted by the City of Santa Clarita in partnership with L.A. County Public Works and Sanitation Districts. For a full list of accepted items, visit the L.A. County HHW Guide.

🎉 College of the Canyons Play Day – Week of the Young Child Celebration | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | COC Honor Grove, Valencia Campus | Free | Bring the whole family to this fun-filled, educational celebration for children of all ages! Enjoy hands-on science experiments, art stations, sensory play, music, and more. Over 30 local organizations will be on-site with resources for parents, and food vendors will keep everyone fueled. Bring a blanket for a shady picnic and donate to COC’s Basic Needs Center to earn a free raffle ticket. Free parking in lots 5, 6, and 7.

🎨 Flutterby Open Studio at ARTree | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM | ARTree Community Arts Center, Newhall | Free (Registration Required) | Unleash your family's creativity at this monthly open studio session! Enjoy hands-on art projects in a welcoming, inspiring space. Held every first Saturday, Flutterby Open Studio is a local favorite—but space fills up fast, so be sure to register in advance. Great for kids and adults alike!

🎭 "Cats" The Musical | 2:00–4:30 PM | Canyon Theatre Guild, Newhall | $15+ | Step into the whimsical world of the Jellicle Cats in this award-winning Broadway sensation! Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this beloved musical features unforgettable songs, captivating choreography, and a heartwarming tale of second chances. Don’t miss your chance to witness this theatrical masterpiece at the Canyon Theatre Guild.

🎨 Symphony of Colors 2 – Artist Reception with Zony Gordon | 3:30–6:30 PM | Canyon Theatre Guild, Newhall | Free | Celebrate the vibrant works of impressionist artist Zony Gordon at this special reception for Symphony of Colors 2. Enjoy 25–30 pieces spanning landscapes, abstracts, and florals in watercolor and mixed media. The event features wine, appetizers, a raffle, and live jazz/classical guitar by Manak. Held in the Vernon Gallery during the run of CATS, this is a perfect pairing of visual and performing arts.

🎶 Breaking Up is Hard to Do: A Musical Celebration of Neil Sedaka | 7:00–9:00 PM | The Olive Branch, Valencia Town Center | $20+ | Step back to 1960 for a heartwarming, toe-tapping tribute to Neil Sedaka! Olive Branch Theatricals presents Breaking Up is Hard to Do, a romantic musical comedy packed with 20 of Sedaka’s greatest hits—like “Calendar Girl,” “Oh Carol,” and “Laughter in the Rain.” Follow best friends Marge and Lois on a weekend getaway filled with love, laughs, and music at Esther’s Paradise Resort.

🔄 Recurring Saturday Events

🍅 Old Town Newhall Farmers Market | 8:30 AM–1 PM | Old Town Newhall | Fresh produce, artisan goods, and local vibes.

🏍️ Motorcycles & Coffee | 9-11 AM | Ken and Joe’s Powersports | Donuts, coffee, and motorcycles—what else do you need?

🎵 Live Music at Pocock Brewing Tasting Room | 7-10 PM | Pocock Brewing | Sip, relax, and enjoy live performances from local artists.

Sunday, April 6

🆕 New Events

🍷 16th Annual Wine Affair: Wine, Beer & Cheer Big Hat Bash | 12:00–5:00 PM | Main Street, Old Town Newhall | $99+ | Don your biggest, boldest hat and sip your way through more than 20 venues in Old Town Newhall at this lively street-style tasting event! Hosted by Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley, enjoy wine, beer, spirits, gourmet bites, and live music—all while supporting programs that empower women and girls through education. VIP and General Admission tickets available.

🎶 Acoustic Jam Session | 1:00–4:00 PM | Old Town Newhall Library | Free | Calling all local musicians! Bring your acoustic instruments and join a relaxed song circle at the library. Whether you want to lead a tune or just vibe along, this laid-back jam session is a great way to connect through music. Quiet bass amps welcome. Open to ages 18+.

🎶 Breaking Up is Hard to Do: A Musical Celebration of Neil Sedaka | 2:00–4:00 PM | The Olive Branch, Valencia Town Center | $20+ | Step back to 1960 for a heartwarming, toe-tapping tribute to Neil Sedaka! Olive Branch Theatricals presents Breaking Up is Hard to Do, a romantic musical comedy packed with 20 of Sedaka’s greatest hits—like “Calendar Girl,” “Oh Carol,” and “Laughter in the Rain.” Follow best friends Marge and Lois on a weekend getaway filled with love, laughs, and music at Esther’s Paradise Resort.

🎭 "Cats" The Musical | 2:00–4:30 PM | Canyon Theatre Guild, Newhall | $15+ | Step into the whimsical world of the Jellicle Cats in this award-winning Broadway sensation! Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this beloved musical features unforgettable songs, captivating choreography, and a heartwarming tale of second chances. Don’t miss your chance to witness this theatrical masterpiece at the Canyon Theatre Guild.

🔄 Recurring Sunday Events

🍓 Valencia FivePoint Farmers Market | 8:30 AM–1 PM | 27426 Navigation Ave, Valencia | Free Entry | Shop fresh seasonal produce, artisan breads, pastries, locally raised meats, and farm-fresh eggs from California’s family farms. Enjoy ready-to-eat foods while you browse! Happening every Sunday.

🐮 Farm Visits at Gilchrist Farm | 9 AM–2 PM | Gilchrist Farm | $5 | Meet animals, try axe throwing, and milk a goat.

🐷 Visits at The Gentle Barn | 10 AM–12 PM | The Gentle Barn | Spend the morning cuddling cows and pigs for a peaceful start to your day.

Local Stories

Community

🚨 Eyes on the road, not your phone! April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the California Highway Patrol is cracking down with a statewide zero-tolerance enforcement campaign from April 7–14 (that’s next week, friends). This comes after CHP kicked things off with a Maximum Enforcement Period earlier this month, issuing nearly 14,000 citations—3,200 of which were just for hands-free violations. Whether it's texting, scrolling, or snacking behind the wheel, distractions can wait. Drive safe, stay focused, and remember: no message is worth a life. (SCV News)

Entertainment

🎷 Swing into the weekend with Go Jazz Big Band! TONIGHT at 8:00 PM, this Santa Clarita-based jazz ensemble is bringing the brass to The MAIN in Old Town Newhall for a toe-tapping night of big band classics and bold arrangements. Expect everything from Count Basie to the Beatles—with a little Wildfire Brass flair mixed in. Tickets are $32 and can be snagged online! They are selling fast! 🔥 

Business

🍽️ Big news for foodie entrepreneurs: The Cube is looking for a new MVP to take over its second-floor restaurant and bar space! With over 450,000 visitors in 2024 and a nonstop lineup of hockey games, figure skating comps, and open skate sessions, The Cube in Valencia is a built-in crowd magnet. The available space includes a full kitchen, bar, and seating area—and they're hoping to find a partner who can serve up breakfast, lunch, dinner, and rink-side vibes (plus birthday party bites and bevvies). Think you’ve got the recipe for success? Proposals are due by May 15! Each Request for Proposals (RFP) can be accessed by visiting TheCubeSantaClarita.com. Proposals must be submitted via email to The Cube’s General Manager, Darin Mathewson at [email protected]. (City of Santa Clarita)

Education

🎨 Dreaming of a summer gig in the arts? The nation’s largest paid summer arts internship program is back! LA County’s Arts Internship Program (AIP) is offering 228 paid positions at 170+ nonprofit organizations this summer—think theater, film, social justice through art, and more. Open to college and community college students living in or attending school in LA County (and graduating after May 1), AIP is a one-of-a-kind gateway into the creative world. Applications are open now and new positions will roll out monthly through July, so keep your eye out! (SCV News)

Our Staff’s Weekend Picks

Watch

📺 Top Gun (Amazon Prime Video)

“With the news of Val Kilmer’s passing this week, it felt right to rewatch Top Gun. He was iconic as Iceman—cool, sharp, and somehow stole scenes even standing next to peak Tom Cruise. It’s the perfect mix of '80s action, killer one-liners, and nostalgia. Fire it up this weekend and raise a toast to a legend.”

—EJ Gullett, Ad Partnerships Lead

Eat

🍜 Pho Sure

“We finally tried Pho Sure, and wow—it absolutely lives up to the hype. The broth is rich, flavorful, and basically feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s no surprise they were voted SCV’s Best Vietnamese Restaurant. If you’re a pho fan (or just really into comfort food), you’ve gotta check this place out.”

—Anne Baker, Head of Content

Read

📖 Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghese

“This book (one of my top reads from last year 🙌) takes place in Ethiopia where twin boys are tragically orphaned at birth and adopted by two doctors. The story follows the brothers as they grow up in a country on the brink of revolution, study medicine, and learn to navigate their developing identities as individuals and relationships as adults. This book made me laugh, cry, and shed light on the reality of healthcare not only in emerging countries, but on home turf as well. A great read if you love family sagas like me!”

—Nina Morrison, Contributing Editor

Nina’s Resources for Readers

• How to Read More 

• Get a Library Card

• Libby - audiobooks and e-books - for free! 

• Silent Book Club - set up a local chapter!

• Events at Santa Clarita Public Library

Thanks for reading today.

Whether you’re crushing it or just taking it slow, remember: it’s allllll part of the journey.

Until next week,

P.S. If you were forwarded this email and loved what you read, subscribe below and get The SCV Insider delivered straight to your inbox! ✉️