A collaborative effort fills the Pacific Grove Art Center with a night of music, dance, art – and out-of-this-world vibes.

It’s not everyday that an extraterrestrial ball takes place in sleepy Pacific Grove. But things are changing with a new generation joining the board of the Pacific Grove Art Center. Jameson Paull and Sam Al-Maqtari are activating their artist friends via social media and bringing new vibes to Lighthouse Avenue.

The ball is hosted by Mephistopheles Music Co., a collaboration of young people, such as Stephan Sams and Amanda Ausonio, known for hosting the regional Ghostland Music Festival that kicked off in 2023 and goth nights at Pop and Hiss in P.G. Women-owned Oddities Tattoo and Antiques from Monterey and theater group Exchantrix are involved as well, as are Monterey Peninsula Pride and the regional Burning Man group MPYRE.

“It’s an art party,” says Sams, who leads the hardcore band The Scalps and recently played Jesus in a recent production of Jesus Christ Superstar by Enchantrix. “We love a theme and we love to have an opportunity to dress up.”

The theme – an extraterrestrial ball – draws inspiration from the 1960s pop art movement, ’70s glam and the New York club kid scene. It also serves as a fundraiser to upgrade equipment and art supplies for the nonprofit culture center that has been around since 1969.

PGAC boasts four gallery rooms and the entertainment will be divided accordingly. Rock out at the Enchantrix Stage (Gill Gallery), enjoy indie and acoustic sets at the Oddities Stage (Annand Gallery) and dance with DJs at the MPYRE party (Dyke Gallery).

“There are three stages and different genres on each,” Ausonio says. “You can dance or listen to music surrounded by visual art, which is cool.”

Each stage fits 80-150 people; attendees can spill out into the hallways.

With Monterey Pride on board, the ball also serves as a Pride event. “I was reflecting on the word queer and how it fits with the idea of extraterrestrial,” says Eric Diaz of Monterey Pride. “To be queer means to be an outsider, not fitting to societal norms, not feeling you belong. It’s a great addition to the roster of events we have this month.”

“All this plays into a narrative the P.G. Art Center is trying to build,” Paull adds. “The community needs to know that we are open to events like this and to whatever you want artistically.”

THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL BALL takes place at 6pm (doors at 5pm) Saturday, June 14. Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. $15; $10/costumed attendees. 375-2208, pgartcenter.org.