Thursday, Jan. 22
Tune In
The Cooper-Molera Adobe was built in 1827, and eventually came to comprise multiple structures on 2.5 acres surrounded by a wall in what was then part of Mexico. At that time, it’s unlikely any of its inhabitants or guests could have imagined that today, almost 200 years later, we might be invited to pop in for a midday reset to the soothing sounds of singing bowls. But this is 2026, and the adobe is now owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for public benefit. That includes a museum with historic interpretation, lovely gardens and a restaurant and cafe, but also this midday invitation to reset and listen to crystal singing bowls by ValiAnna, who promises “heart-centered sound alchemy.” [SR]
11am-noon Thursday, Jan. 22. Cooper-Molera Adobe, Skylight Room, 506 Munras Ave., Monterey. $40. (831) 259-4513, coopermolera.org.
Dance Off
Belly dancing is considered one of the oldest dance traditions, practiced across numerous cultures in the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean. It’s also a great low-impact cardio workout that’s been proven to improve flexibility and strength, help with posture and balance, as well as relieve stress and boost confidence. Dance teacher Jamilla Al Wahid introduces students to the world of classical Egyptian belly dance in fun, social classes – shimmy on over every Thursday for an introduction. [PM]
6-7pm Thursday, Jan. 22. American Legion Post 512, 8th and Dolores, Carmel. $25/drop-in; $80/set of four classes. (323) 540-2711.
Dimly Lit
Not that you need any particular reason to kick back in the cool, speakeasy vibe that is Bud’s at La Playa – but we found one for you. A live music series, Fadeaway Sessions, has emerged as a way to support environmentally focused nonprofits through 1% for the Planet. Events in the series are community-focused, with a laid-back, living-room-style feel. The next one is a vinyl session by David J, hosted by folkYEAH!. Grab a bite, get a beverage, maybe even bring your backgammon board, and enjoy some sweet tunes. [KR]
6pm Thursday, Jan. 22. Bud’s at La Playa, Camino Real and 8th, Carmel. Free. (831) 293-6100, fadeawaysessions.com.
Still Tempting
Back in 1961, The Temptations formed in Detroit, Michigan, and went on to produce some of the most popular Motown hits like “My Girl” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” They perform at the Golden State Theatre on Jan. 22.
Your favorite soul, rhythm and blues group is coming to town. In the 1960s, members of two local Detroit bands – The Distants and The Primes – came together to form the standout vocal group known as The Temptations. Their smooth harmonies went on to help shape R&B and soul music, they signed with Motown Records and went on to score massive hits with songs like “My Girl,” “Cloud Nine” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Over the years, the group has evolved (but their style remains pristine), with founding member Otis Williams remaining the sole original member still performing today. The band have earned five Grammy Awards, including the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2013. [KR]
8pm Thursday, Jan. 22. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $65-$124. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.
Friday, Jan. 23
Stories of the Sea
The benefits of reading aloud to children are numerous. Studies show that when children are read to, it helps them develop their literacy skills and language capabilities, critical tools they will carry with them throughout their lives. It’s also fun, which is what the children really care about anyway. How about combining storytime with the wonders of the ocean? The Monterey Public Library welcomes guests from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to share stories through books and songs. Expect to get up and move, too. This is geared toward children ages 2-5, but all ages are welcome. [EC]
10:15-11am Friday, Jan. 23. Monterey Public Library community room, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. (831) 646-3933, monterey.gov/library.
Lucky Again
Salinas-based Miguel A. Hernandez has been serving as a defense attorney in Monterey County for almost 50 years. In 2023, he published The Lucky Lawyer: Dreams of Hope and Justice, a work of nonfiction, in which he shares stories he encountered at work. For example, he has defended the driver in a car shooting accused of second-degree murder, people suffering from drug addiction, robbers and a man who was charged with attempted first-degree murder. Through it all, he has tried to provide unwavering access to justice. Now, Hernandez is back with The Lucky Lawyer II: More Dreams of Hope and Justice. Get the book and meet the author. [AP]
5:30-7:30pm Friday, Jan. 23. One Main Street, 1 Main St., Salinas. Free. RSVP by texting yes to (831) 794-4927, steinbeck.org.
Swifties Time
What’s the best thing besides a Taylor Swift concert in town? How about a tribute concert to Taylor Swift? With Christina Shaw on vocals, Legends: A Tribute to Taylor Swift Music is a performance that will undoubtedly gather Swift’s fans to sing and dance along to their favorite hits. If you want more bonding, join a friendship bracelet-making party before the show. Shaw is a Las Vegas tribute singer who specializes in performing not only as Swift, but also as Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. [AP]
6pm bracelet-making party; 7:30pm show Friday, Jan. 23. Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $45-$75; $25/ages 12 and under. (831) 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.
Saturday, Jan. 24
Fungus Times
The Big Sur Foragers Festival features a flurry of locally-sourced fungi varieties on the plate. The event takes place Saturday, Jan. 24.
Mycophiles and foodies of Monterey County will unite for the 2026 Big Sur Foragers Festival, where 10 acclaimed chefs show off their skills in the Fungus Face Off. Attendees are presented with one-of-a-kind foraged dishes that showcase the bounty of Big Sur. And 20 local wineries feature offerings to pair with the fungus-filled dishes. The unique culinary competition is limited to 200 guests, so get tickets while you can. Proceeds go to support the nonprofit Big Sur Health Center, which means attendees can indulge knowing that they are also helping out the community. [AS]
Noon-3pm Saturday, Jan. 24. Big Sur Lodge, 47225 Highway 1, Big Sur. $125. (831) 667-3100, bigsurforagerfestival.org.
Ocean Voyager
Shymala Dason is not so much a survivor but a thriver. It wasn’t easy to get there though: she survived cancer, got a culture shock in the form of a New York City winter blizzard and even worked for NASA. What do you do with a life like that? Write, of course – her medium is poetry. The award-winning, first-generation immigrant from Malaysia is coming to Monterey and bringing her book Carrying the Ocean with her for signing. [SC]
2:30-4pm Saturday Jan. 24. Cooper-Molera Adobe, 506 Munras Ave., Monterey. Free. (800) 944-6847, ext. 9183, shymaladason.studio.
Acts of Piracy
Before he was Dread Pirate Roberts, he was just Westley, a lowly farm kid. And before that – bear with us while we break the fourth wall here – he was an actor named Cary Elwes, who found his way to enduring fame for his role in The Princess Bride. Elwes himself appears onstage. “Inconceivable!” you say? Anything but. He responds to questions following a screening of the 1987 movie, giving fans – and anyone trying not to be a Humperdinck – a chance to hear some behind-the-scenes lore. [SR]
7pm Saturday, Jan. 24. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $40-$185. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.
Soul Journey
Diana Gameros is a Mexican singer who considers herself a social activist promoting social justice for the immigrant community. She plays in Seaside on Saturday, Jan. 24.
Diana Gameros, a Mexican singer-songwriter from Ciudad Juárez who lives in San Francisco, returns to Seaside to hypnotize audiences with her soothing voice. Gameros sings primarily in Spanish, but listeners in any language can connect to the music. She blends Latin folk, jazz, indie-pop and world music. In her lyrics, Gameros talks about the border and the transborder experience; she was born and grew up in a border city, navigating two languages and cultures. She’s promoting her latest album, Volver a la Luz (English: Return to the Light) where she sings about loss, longing, hope and joy. [CJ]
7-9pm Saturday, Jan. 24. Palenke Teen Art Center, 530 Elm Ave., Seaside. $30. (831) 899-9909, bit.ly/Diana012426.
Sunday, Jan. 25
Swan Song
The Choral Artists of Carmel, led by Robin McKee Williams (front row, center) will perform the world premier of an opera by Composer in Residence Heather Green (next to Williams on the left), The Metamorphosis of the Swans.
There are few things as exciting as witnessing something new being born, including the opportunity to listen as a new composition is launched into the world. The Choral Artists of Carmel is about to do just that, performing the world premier of The Metamorphosis of the Swans, an opera written by Composer in Residence Heather Green. Green is a Wagnerian soprano who performs in Europe and the U.S., she’s also a sought after lyricist. She wrote the opera inspired by the fairy tale “The Wild Swans” by Hans Christian Anderson, in which 11 brothers are turned into swans by their wicked stepmother. Green will solo during the performance directed by Robin McKee Williams, joined by local soprano Jody Lee and San Francisco soprano Emily Schuck. [PM]
3pm Sunday, Jan. 25. First Presbyterian Church of Monterey, 501 El Dorado St., Monterey. $30/suggested donation. choralartistsofcarmel@gmail.com, choralartistsofcarmel.org.
Language Games
Marie Butcher (left), is co-founder of the International Poetry Gathering. She is the county’s poet laureate, shown here next to her predecessor, Rachelle Escamilla.
Every last Sunday of the month, International Poetry Gathering comes together at East Village Cafe in Monterey to share in poetry and community. All poets are invited and all languages are welcome. The group is a loose coalition of poets and poetry fans, founded at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Its mission is to regularly provide safe space for poetry, even – or perhaps especially if – when it relates to difficult issues, including social and political matters. [AP]
3-5pm Sunday, Jan. 25. East Village Cafe, 498 Washington St., Monterey. Free. ipgmonterey.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 28
Feeling Dirty
Most people who love Dirty Dancing are obsessed with the music and dancing in this 1987 production. Both represent that raw sexuality that upset the social order in the story, and made some audiences uncomfortable. It was a generational experience. Teenagers watched it with burning cheeks, then practiced the jump scene with Patrick Swayze (a bad boy with a golden heart) and Jennifer Grey (a girl from a so-called good house). Isn’t it the most important scene of the movie, after all? Dirty Dancing in Concert offers a different way to relive the story, emphasizing the iconic soundtrack. It’s an elevated-movie experience; a live band performs during the screening. The collection of artists and songs for the soundtrack has the same mix of innocence and sensuality the story has, mixing straight-laced pop with soul, rhythms and sweet tunes from the 1950s. [AP]
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