Hot Picks 01.11.24

Brain Space

How does the built environment impact our mental experience of the world – and vice versa? What’s the cognitive impact of the way in which buildings are designed? These questions, and others like them, exist at the intersection of architecture and neuroscience. And if they’re interesting to you, you’ll want to tune into this upcoming lecture. Neuroscientist Michael A. Arbib joins the Carmel Public Library Foundation for a community night lecture and conversation at Carpenter Hall to talk about his 2021 book When Brains Meet Buildings. There will be time for an audience Q&A after the presentation so that you can ask your own questions of the expert. [TCL]

7pm Thursday, Jan. 11. Carpenter Hall at the Sunset Center, San Carlos Street and 9th Avenue, Carmel. Free ($10 suggested donation to benefit Carmel Public Library). carmelpubliclibraryfoundation.org.

Thursday, Jan. 11 – Sunday, Jan. 14

Swing State

The Monterey Swing Fest is more than a celebration of swing dancing, but it is indeed that. Founded in 1994, the event was revolutionary in carving a new path for the aesthetic and social structure of a swing dance festival, and that legacy continues in the 31st iteration, coming to Monterey this weekend. Days are packed with bootcamps and workshops to finetune your skills. There is plenty of competition from a high kick contest to swing dancing championships at various skill levels, from novice to master. And there’s an invitation to the community at large to observe and soak it all in. Each night concludes with a DJ providing tunes until late night (or the next morning) so you can just let loose, no leader required – and a note that leaders may be of any gender; this is, first and foremost, about sharing the love of dancing with anyone and everyone. [SR]

11am-11pm Thursday, Jan. 11-Sunday, Jan. 14; late-night dancing after each day’s program. Hyatt Regency, 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey. $189/full weekend pass; $155/student or international attendee; $75/youth under age 18; $75/spectator pass; $20-$100 packages for one event of one day. info@montereyswing.com, montereyswing.com.

Friday, Jan. 12

Grass is Greener

Monterey’s Otter Opry provides bluegrass and Americana music experiences locally, organizing bimonthly shows. This time, the Otter Opry is bringing Special Consensus, a Chicago bluegrass band that has been performing for over 40 years, to Monterey. The band is led by Greg Cahill and includes Greg Blake (guitar), Dan Eubanks (bass) and Michael Prewitt (mandolin). Special Consensus received two Grammy nominations. One of their most famous songs is “Chicago Barn Dance.” [AP]

7pm Friday, Jan. 12. Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $35; $30/members; free/ages 15 and under; $12.50-$17.50/optional pre-show dinner. otteropry.org.

Wizard School

For seven years, a certain boy wizard went to a certain wizard school and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs… who just happened to be there too. Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic is for anyone who has never been destined to save the world. The 2015 play was written by New York-based playwright Matt Cox. The play is a parody of the Harry Potter book series by J. K. Rowling, but from the perspective of the Puffs, who were inspired by the Hogwarts house, Hufflepuff. The original play was nominated for the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for “Best Unique Theatrical Experience” in 2017. Santa Catalina’s Performing Arts Center now takes up the challenge – bringing the Puffs and their world to life on stage. [AP]

7:30pm Friday, Jan. 12. Performing Arts Center at Santa Catalina School, 1500 Mark Thomas Drive, Monterey. $10-$15. 655-9340, santacatalina.org.

Saturday, Jan. 13

Rock On

Neighborhood favorite Other Brother Beer Co. is rocking on into the new year, kicking off 2024 with some punk shows. This weekend’s lineup includes San Jose’s One Vote for Violence, death metal group Broken Glass Sanctuary, 13 Thrones and Headsick 831. Salinas’ own beatdown hardcore group Cruel Idols headlines. It’s sure to be a night packed with local (and local-ish) talent – one not to miss for punk fans. [TCL]

6pm Saturday, Jan. 13. Other Brother Beer Co., 877 Broadway Ave., Seaside. $10/presale; $15/at the door. 747-1106, otherbrotherbeer.com.

Saturday, Jan. 13  – Sunday, Jan. 14

Feelin’ Groovy

Remember the psychedelic scene of the ’60s? Floating on the dreamlike, mesmerizing sound, unconventional art and liberating thought – and perhaps a few tabs – would bring us to an enlightened consciousness… or something like that. If you were part of the scene then, it may be hard to remember it all now. Anyway, it was meant to be positive. And that’s what Fernwood Resort brings us with A Weekend of Psychedelic Music & Art. On Saturday night, the polyrhythmic band Flat Sun Society plays, with music set to a groovy liquid light show. The next afternoon, artist Jason “Cavey” Salter exhibits his redwood and jade dream pieces, accompanied by a celestial soundscape crafted by Jake Padorr. In the spirit of the psychedelic era, it’s all free. [DF]

10pm Saturday, Jan. 13; 4pm Sun., Jan. 14. Fernwood Resort, 47200 Highway 1, Big Sur. Free. 667-2422, fernwoodbigsur.com.

Sunday, Jan. 14

King, For A Day

In the spring of 1968, a crew from Public Broadcasting Laboratory – a short-lived program of experimental reporting and educational entertainment – followed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his travels around the South as he organized the Poor People’s Campaign. He took a break to go to Memphis, making plans to meet up with the film crew again afterward. That never happened. But the director quickly put together a cinema-verite documentary that aired a week after King’s assassination. It won an Emmy. Free at Last  – Martin Luther King, Jr. takes us back to those tragic times, and may remind us of where we are now. The film shows this weekend at Sundays at Stanton: A Classic Film Event. [DF]

1pm Sunday, Jan. 14. Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center, Monterey. $5. 372-2608, stantoncenter.org.

Monday, Jan. 15

March for it

Some moments in history have so much to teach us that we can look back again and again, year after year, and each time gain new insights. Such is the case with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which Seaside marks with the 37th annual march and celebration. The theme this year is “It Starts with Me: Shifting the cultural climate through the study and practice of Kingian nonviolence.” A worthy mission to march for, and to meditate on. [TCL]

11am-4pm Monday, Jan. 15. March begins at Obama Way and Noche Buena Street, Seaside; concludes with a program at Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave. Free. MCblackcaucus@actioncounci.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 16

Greene on Green

One odd paradox about algae is that someone might add chlorine to their pool to kill it, while in the same day drink a health beverage like kombucha or a smoothie that has algae as a featured ingredient. The salutary effects of humans consuming algae – certain types of algae, that is – have long been known, but it has yet to gain widespread popularity. Can that change, and if so, what are the greater implications? Can it help humanity inch closer to living on the planet sustainably? Such are the broader questions addressed in a lecture by Chuck Greene, formerly director of the Ocean Resources & Ecosystems Program at Cornell, and currently a research and planning director at the University of Washington. Attend in person or via Zoom to hear what Greene thinks the answers are. [DS]

7-8pm Tuesday, Jan. 16. Hopkins Marine Station, 120 Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove. Free (registration required for virtual attendance). bit.ly/algaeFTW.

HOT PICKS by Tajha Chappellet-Lanier, Dave Faries, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Agata Popęda, Sara Rubin and David Schmalz.