Thursday, Jan. 2
Cabaret Nights
Start off the first Thursday of 2025 with a First Thursday tradition of cabaret at Pearl Hour, a live performance of music, burlesque and unique je ne sais quoi.
Consider the interplay of sense and sensibility as a lens through which we engage, connect and observe the world and environments around us. Pearl Hour taps into just this with many of the bar’s events, especially a cabaret show held the first Thursday of every month – an evening infused with sensual dance and sultry music. The quirky yet refined cocktail bar, known for its character and class, invites patrons to indulge in their “Dirty Martini Cabaret.” This monthly show is a feast for the senses, blending live jazz, burlesque performances and of course aromatic craft cocktails for an unforgettable experience. [KR]
8:30-10:30pm Thursday Jan. 2. Pearl Hour, 214 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. $7 cover. 657-9447, pearlhour.com.
Thursday, Jan. 2-Sunday, Jan. 5
Beat Street
Sure, Travis Kelce’s girlfriend is a big name. But there was a time when dozens of superstars filled the pop music charts. We’re talking about Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Roy Orbison, Linda Ronstadt, the Mamas and the Papas and, of course, the king himself – Elvis. Starting on Jan. 2, you can revisit this platinum age as PacRep presents Legends of Rock ’n’ Roll. It is like the greatest musical lineup of all time, re-created on a Carmel stage. Musicians cover 40 classic hits in one concert, and guaranteed, none of them are going to be “I’m Henery the Eighth, I am” (yes, there were some duds, even in the best of musical eras). The performance runs for two weekends. Then Elvis leaves the building and we’re once again left with Taylor Swift. [DF]
7:30pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 2pm Sundays, Jan. 2-12. Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde Street between 8th and 9th, Carmel. $9-$52. 622-0100, pacrep.org.
Friday, Jan. 3
In the Spotlight
Did you make a New Year’s resolution to share your creativity with the world? Maybe you spent the holiday season writing poetry or stand-up jokes, or practicing and perfecting a song. Wherever you are in that journey, performance requires a stage – and every Friday night, The Beerded Bean in downtown Salinas provides a stage. This recurring open mic night is an invitation to perform or just to listen and participate in this creativity community. Bring your instrument, bring an open mind, order hot tea or cold beer, and show your appreciation for wherever your fellow community members are in their own creative journeys. [SR]
7-11pm Friday, Jan. 3. The Beerded Bean, 210 S. Main St., Salinas. No cover. 202-0966, thebeerdedbean.com.
Saturday, Jan. 4 – Sunday, Jan. 5
Do The Locomotion
You hear the train a comin’? Unfortunately, trains don’t roll around the bend much anymore, although they do still stop at the Salinas train station. You can get an idea of what it was like in the rail heyday at the Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum. The facility at the Salinas train station welcomes the new year with an open house. So in addition to looking at the equipment outside, you can watch the model trains roll inside. They travel around a scaled-down replica of Monterey County. Trains chug through Moss Landing, into Castroville and Salinas and then along Highway 183, passing fields and towns. So get on board. [DF]
10am-4pm Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 4-5. Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum, 26 Station Place, Salinas. Free. 424-4694, msvrr.org.
Sunday, Jan. 5
Standard Issue
Local musicians (from left to right) Patrick Tregenza (drums), Charlie Lindner (piano) and Tony Bianchini (bass) together comprise the Charlie Lindner Trio, playing everything from jazz standards to reimagined pop songs.
Some genres hold up over time no matter what else develops in the world of music. Jazz is a category that is always evolving and pushing boundaries, but there’s something about the iconic jazz standards of the last century: They’re classic, they’re poetic and they’re as fresh as ever. The Charlie Lindner Trio plays the standards – and also reimagined pop tunes with a modern edge and originals. This group of locals comprises Charlie Lindner (lead in the Pickle Mafia) on piano, Patrick Tregenza (founder of Along Came Betty) on drums and Tony Bianchini on bass. Wave Street Studios also now includes a full bar, part of a recent update. Join for some toe-tapping tunes and, if you wish, a cocktail at this venue-turned-jazz-club for the evening. [SR]
7pm Sunday, Jan. 5 (doors at 6pm). Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave St., Monterey. $40. 655-2010, wavestreetstudios.com.
Tuesday, Jan. 7
Digital Dive
Using a computer can certainly be solitary, but the Salinas Public Library hosts an introductory event to get you digitally oriented – and it’s a group activity.
Whether we like it or not, computers have infiltrated every aspect of our lives. Shopping, making doctor’s appointments, connecting with friends – all require some tech know-how. But what about those who are unfamiliar with computers? Do they just get left behind? No, says the Salinas Public Library. The library presents a self-paced course where people can expand their computer skills and get the support they need to meet their digital goals. The process can be daunting, but don’t worry – an orientation will help you decide where you should start. You’ll be clicking away in no time. [EC]
3-4pm Tuesday, Jan. 7. John Steinbeck Library, 350 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free; register in advance. 758-7916, salinaspubliclibrary.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 8
Fellow Travelers
You do not need to be a guest at Monterey Hostel to join in regular Wednesday morning hikes. Get outside, get your steps in, explore local places through the eyes of visitors, and perhaps even make some new friends.
When the Monterey Hostel was shut down and put up for sale in 2020 in the wake of the pandemic, it wasn’t clear it would ever again be a hostel. But buyers stepped in to keep it that way, while also doing several renovations, which is in part why it didn’t reopen until this summer. But now that it’s back, it’s once again providing an affordable way for travelers to spend a few nights on the Monterey Peninsula and see some of the Central Coast’s wonders. And one way new ownership is doing that is by leading weekly hikes on Wednesday mornings, the location of which isn’t planned beforehand – it’s dependent on weather, and the number of attendees, which can include anyone, regardless of whether one’s staying there. Volunteers shuttle hikers to and from the trailhead, and it’s a great way for locals to mix it up with travelers, who are quite often interesting folks with stories to tell. [DS]
9am Wednesday, Jan. 8. Monterey Hostel, 778 Hawthorne St., Monterey. Free. 677-6060, info@montereyhostel.com.
On the Big Screen
How about a movie on a Wednesday night? Yes Man is a 2008 American-British-Australian romantic comedy film directed by Peyton Reed. The film was loosely based on the 2005 book written by Danny Wallace. Bank clerk Carl Allen (played by Jim Carrey) is a born pessimist and his life is filled with emptiness. One day, he joins an association whose idea is to think positively about yourself, your surroundings, and the future. The man gives in to this idea. He soon gets involved in a series of funny situations. His love object is Allison, played by charming Zooey Deschanel. An additional attraction is Bradley Cooper who plays Peter, Carl’s best friend. Whether or not you love the cast or the plot, there’s good news every movie fan can get behind: It’s part of a free film series. [AP]
7pm Wednesday, Jan. 8. Sunset Center, San Carlos St., Carmel. Free. 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.
Two Step
Arya Stark probably knew the saying, “never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.” Kudos to her for not only breaking gender stereotypes, but also breaking age barriers as well. Hopefully your child will not have a fate like hers, although (spoiler alert) the end of Game of Thrones did bode well for her, but what a journey. If your child does want to learn to dance – sans swordplay, that is – then the Carmel Youth Center has the perfect set of classes starting up on Wednesdays in early 2025. Nadia Eftedal teaches all types of dance including hip-hop, swing, salsa and more, so you can feel confident if you do need to one day trust your kid with some fancy fencing too. [SC]
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