Hot Picks 04.03.25

`Thursday, April 3`

Break Bread

If there’s one positive thing the pandemic seemed to elevate in homes across the country, it was the joy of baking bread. Sourdough skyrocketed first, in terms of popularity; the trend even led to yeast shortages at one point, and became a gateway for many to explore the wonders of their very own homemade doughs. Rancho Cielo instructor Alyssa DeRuosi is coming to the Cesar Chavez Library to kick off a new tasting series. Come sample DeRuosi’s favorite homemade bread recipes, hear about her family’s legacy of bread baking and learn how to make them yourself. No registration is required, but only 30 seats are available – first come, first served. [KR]

3:30-4:30pm Thursday, April 3. Cesar Chavez Library, 615 Williams Ave., Salinas. Free. williams@ci.salinas.ca.us, salinaspubliclibrary.org.

Truth be Told

Jevin West is an expert on how to call bullshit. That’s taken straight from the course catalog at University of Washington in Seattle where he teaches a class titled “Calling Bullshit in the Age of Big Data,” among many others in data science, misinformation, artificial intelligence and related topics. He even co-wrote a book titled Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World. Those are some of the bonafides he brings to the local stage for a presentation on media literacy in the age of misinformation and disinformation, which travel faster than, say, a Signal chat about war strategy in Yemen. West is an academic, but also invested in bringing the public along on his investigation of how to identify and understand the truth, through a range of games and presentations. [SR]

6:30pm Thursday, April 3. Carmel High School Performing Arts Center, 3600 Ocean Ave., Carmel. Free; RSVP required. 624-2811, carmelpubliclibraryfoundation.org.

Ancient Routes

The Silk Road was a complex network of commercial and cultural exchange paths the world relied on throughout the first 15 centuries of our era. It spanned the whole of Eurasia reaching Africa – 4,000 miles of established trade roads that gave Western civilization not only silk, but also paper, iron and, most importantly, cultural influences. With this tradition in mind, Grammy Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble was founded in 1998 by French-born American cellist of Chinese origins, Yo-Yo Ma. These days, Silkroad Ensemble continues under artistic director and folk musician Rhiannon Giddens. The upcoming concert showcases a synthesis of global musical traditions and contemporary innovation. [AP]

7:30pm Thursday, April 3. Sunset Cultural Center, San Carlos Street and 9th, Carmel. $55-$95. 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.

`Friday, April 4`

Check It Out

Since its founding in 1948, the Padre Trails Camera Club has been bringing local photographers together, fostering an artistic community through sharing images, offering critiques, group outings and regular meetings free to the public. The common thread uniting its members – photography aside – is a singular muse: the Monterey Peninsula. From March 29 to April 28, the Pacific Grove Public Library hosts an exhibit, The Monterey Peninsula, Naturally, featuring images taken by Padre Trails members, with an artists’ reception on April 4 that kicks off with a talk from professional nature photographer David Gubernick. Nature, as they say, is healing. [DS]

5:30-7pm Friday, April 4. Pacific Grove Public Library (Nancy & Steve Hauk Gallery), 550 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. 648-5760, pacificgrovelibrary.org.

Seeing The Light

When Barbara Ramos was a student at the San Francisco Art Institute starting in 1969, she discovered her intuition for documenting people and scenes of everyday life on the street. She had a gift, but moved on with her life. Nearly 50 years later, during the pandemic, she began going through boxes and boxes of negatives, finding a valuable trove – and she turned it into a book titled A Fearless Eye. Ramos will be in Salinas to talk about her work and her journey, and to sign copies of her book. [CJ]

6-8pm Friday, April 4. Downtown Book & Sound, 213 Main St., Salinas. Free to attend; $35/book. 477-6700, downtownbookandsound.com.

Double Treat

Which is more fun, burlesque or karaoke? Why choose? A live burlesque karaoke show is coming to Pacific Grove. Get ready for a night of glitz, glamour and two bold performances. Hosted by Polar Bear Entertainment, this event blends the sultry world of burlesque with the high-energy fun of karaoke for a show-stopping experience. There will be trivia prizes, local food trucks and an open mic karaoke finale to sing your heart out. This is a night of music, tease and entertainment. [AP]

8pm Friday, April 4. Lighthouse Cinema, 525 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. $20. 641-0747, lighthousecinema4events.com.

`Saturday, April 5`

Power of the Purse

When you think of how to understand economies, do you think of winners and losers? What about considering a different framework? The Grassroots Economics Foundation advocates for systems of mutual aid and shared resources that empower rather than exploit, and their model – inspired by ancient economic traditions adapted for modern technological times – is working in various places around the world. Will Ruddick, founder of the foundation, speaks about the organization’s vision and execution, with examples of how resource coordination is working to uplift people into prosperity. [SR]

10:15-11:15am Saturday, April 5. Carmel Valley branch library, 65 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. Free. 647-7760, focvl.org.

Bean There

No, Bean Creek is not a reference to a scene from Blazing Saddles. And in this case, it’s not the actual stream that flows into Scotts Valley. Bean Creek is a band – and not just any old bluegrass band. They are so steeped in old-time music that the Northern California Bluegrass Society has named them Best Band on four occasions. Singer Billy Patrone earned Best Vocalist laurels eight times. And Rob Horgan is a former Best Banjo Player award winner. All of which is a long-winded way of saying that this group is pretty damn good. And when they launch into a traditional piece of mountain music, there’s no way you can prevent your feet from stompin’ and your hands from slappin’. It’s an Otter Opry presentation. [DF]

3pm Saturday, April 5. United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad St., Monterey. $25; $20/members California Bluegrass Association; free/15 and under. 375-8285, otteropry.org.

Night Party

A playground night party is what every parent deserves after countless days of supervising their children’s fun. This adults-only evening is organized to support Tatum’s Treehouse playground in Carmel Valley. Relive your childhood with playground and carnival games while helping Carmel Valley Community Youth Center reach its final fundraising goal and fill the maintenance fund for this stunning new all-abilities playground, already beloved by local children. Enjoy local beer and wine, barbecue, live music and a cornhole tournament. The space is open to all ages, but tonight, no supervision of kiddos is required. [AP]

5-9pm Saturday, April 5. Tatum’s Treehouse, 25 Ford Road, Carmel Valley. $72. tatumstreehouse.com.

`Sunday, April 6`

Yeehaw!

Break out the cowboy hats and boots and come on down for the 2nd Annual Hoedown Party for the Carmel Valley Women’s Club and Foundation. A hoedown is defined as a community gathering where lively folk and square dancing, often to fiddle music, takes place. At this hoedown there’s line dancing called by Michael Wong – who regularly oversees the line dancing at Hacienda Hay and Feed in Carmel Valley – with music by guitarist Fred McCarty. The fundraiser to support scholarships for women in the valley, plus for emergency efforts and other good works, includes a barbecue, silent auction and no-host bar. [PM]