Easter falls on Sunday, April 20 this year. In addition to Christian celebrations, there are many fun secular activities going on in the county – especially for the young ones. Choose among many egg hunts and meetings with the bunny.
Thursday, April 17
Peace Out?
To understand the scope and the importance of the Peace Corps, watch the 2019 documentary
A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps at Middlebury Institute of International Studies. This award-winning movie tells the story of this independent organization, born from a 1961 executive order issued by President John F. Kennedy, who encouraged young Americans to provide aid abroad. Founded at the time when few American troops were on the ground in Vietnam, the Peace Corps survived through wars and presidential elections. It might not survive the DOGE intervention; last week its representatives showed up at the Peace Corps headquarters, considering cuts. Perhaps it’s the best time to think and talk about its importance. [AP]
6pm Thursday, April 17. Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (Irvine Auditorium), 499 Pierce St., Monterey. Free. Register at tinyurl.com/4en6prye.
Listen In
Is there a path to calmness through your ears? Immerse yourself in healing, restorative sounds at this second installation of a series on wellness modalities at Pilgrim’s Way. This installment features Kathleen Lawrence, who has long used vocalizations (along with Jungian shadow work, guided visualizations and more) in dealing with trauma, and Kiana Siino, a certified, trauma-informed sound and vibrational wellness practitioner. Siino found her way out of debilitating burnout after a series of doctor visits didn’t help but a sound bath did, and now she’s sharing the revelatory effects with others. Expect the sounds of chimes, singing bowls and trickling water during this one-hour guided meditation. Arrive 10 minutes early to get settled in. Happy listening. [SR]
6-7pm Thursday, April 17. Secret Garden outside Pilgrim’s Way Books, Dolores Street between 5th and 6th avenues, Carmel. $25. 624-4955, pilgrimsway.com.
Friday, April 18- Saturday, April 19
Mary Poppins Forever
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is the word with which Salinas High School Theatre is fittingly promoting the Disney Broadway musical, Mary Poppins. Re-live your childhood with the iconic, eccentric nanny who promises adventure and magic. The musical is based on eight children’s books written by Australian-British writer P. L. Travers; the first one in the series was published in 1934. There is no online ticketing; purchase tickets at the box office before the show. [AP]
7pm Friday, April 18; 2pm and 7pm Saturday, April 19. Salinas High School Performing Arts Center, 726 S. Main St., Salinas. $12; $8/children. 796-7400, tinyurl.com/3zzr9384.
Saturday, April 19
On Point
With Earth Day right around the corner, California State Parks is hosting a family friendly celebration at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve on April 19, aimed at helping visitors connect with nature and learn how conserving it can help in the fight against climate change. Stations set up throughout the Reserve will have artifacts and brochures to inspire conversations about how the crisis is affecting Point Lobos, and the planet as a whole. It’s an event intended to inspire hope, and help visitors feel empowered to do their part, however small it may be – to tackle climate change, every effort counts. [DS]
10am-2pm Saturday, April 19. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, three miles south of Carmel, Highway 1. $10. 624-4909, parks.ca.gov/pointlobos.
Eggs and Bunnies
Bunnies hop so fast and eggs are so well hidden that it’s not possible to track all the Easter festivities happening in Monterey County this weekend. So let’s try to skim. Saturday is filled with them: 8:30am Breakfast with the Bunny at Devendorf Park in Carmel (pancakes, games and Easter activities); at 9am, a Springtime Family Fun day starts at Rocky Han Community Center in Marina (pancake breakfast, crafts, a bunny march and an egg hunt for kids ages 10 and under); at 9:30am a community egg hunt kicks off at Pacific Grove Golf Links; at 10am is a community egg hunt with the Salvation Army in Seaside; from 10am-4pm celebrate Easter on the Ranch at the Marina Equestrian Club; 10am-4pm is the Spring Jamboree at Hacienda Hay & Feed in Carmel Valley (with an egg hunt for little ones and a beer hunt for adults); 11am is the King City Lions egg hunt at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds; 11am-1pm is the Golden Egg Hunt at Oldemeyer Center in Seaside (with face painting, a special needs room and a bounce house) – and more. [AP]
Spring Market
If you are in for a hunt for local goods while also helping high school students, attend Everett Alvarez High School’s spring pop-up market. It’s a family-friendly event where people can purchase sweets, food, arts and crafts, organic produce and more from over 25 vendors including Mimi’s Treats, Baked in the 831 and Aubry’s Closet. The event also includes an egg hunt at 12:30pm, for those looking for a more literal seasonal hunt. The market is a fundraiser benefiting school clubs. [CJ]
10am-2pm Saturday, April 19. Everett Alvarez High School, 900 Independence Blvd., Salinas. Free. ehhspopup@gmail.com.
The Artist’s Mind
Art can provoke different feelings, questions and even riddles; many of them stay at the exhibition we view the work, but sometimes we have the opportunity to submerge our mind into the artist’s perspective. Carmel Valley artist Will Bullas brought a curated collection of his paintings to the Carmel Art Association’s walls, and now people have an opportunity to get insight into what’s behind the quirky and humorous paintings where he plays with words and imagery. He prepared about 100 images for his artist talk titled “Just Exactly What Are You Thinking?” He will try to answer said question and share how he views the world. [CJ]
2pm Saturday, April 19. Carmel Art Association, Dolores Street between 5th and 6th, Carmel. Free. 250-3347, carmelart.org.
Rockin’ Reads
Charged Particles (shown above) play in the next installment of Rhythms & Reads, a new-ish concert series sponsored by the Pacific Grove Public Library Friends and Foundation.
As the Pacific Grove Public Library closes for the day, it doesn’t get (even more) quiet. Once a month, the exact opposite happens. Rhythms & Reads is a new concert series sponsored by the Pacific Grove Public Library Friends and Foundation that kicked off in March with indie rockers Casey Frazier Duo. This month, Charged Particles and their funky Latin jazz improvisation bring the party to the bookshelves. The trio – keyboardist Murray Low, bassist Aaron Germain and drummer Jon Krosnick – are known for their spontaneity during performances, so you never know what they’ll bring. But one thing’s for sure: they’ll bring the energy level up wherever they go. [EC]
5:30-6:30pm Saturday, April 19. Pacific Grove Public Library, 550 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. 648-5760, pacificgrovelibrary.org.
Untold Origins
Tamara de Lempicka touches up a model. The artist known for painting nudes is the subject of a film making its Monterey debut on Saturday, followed by a Q&A.
Tamara de Lempicka was one of the foremost portrait and fashion artists of her time. A Polish painter who spent much of her life in France and the U.S., she became known for her distinctive Art Deco style and later, her highly stylized nude portraits of aristocrats. Lempicka eventually rose to become the world’s third-most expensive female artist. On April 19 at Lighthouse Cinema, filmmaker Julie Rubio will screen the first feature film ever made about the artist, followed by a Q&A. The documentary explores a life of glitz and glamour – Lempicka’s rise in the worlds of high fashion and celebrity culture – but also dives into her early years shaped by the aftermath of World War II, including her decision to obscure her heritage out of fear of persecution. The film pays homage to one of the most iconic artists of her generation, adding new dimension and depth to her story. After a series of sold-out screenings across the country, The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival makes its local debut. [KR]
7pm Saturday, April 19. Lighthouse Cinema and Event Center, 525 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. $20. 641-0747, lighthousecinema4events.com.
Monday, April 21
Success on Six Strings
Vietnamese classical guitarist An Tran will play at the SandBox in Sand City. His 2023 album Napoleon Coste: Guitar Works, Vol. 6 gathered much acclaim around the world.
“V” words are used a lot in reviews describing classical guitarist An Tran: “virtuoso,” “vibrant,” “graceful virtuosity,” etc. Seems appropriate, given that his home country also starts with a “v”: Vietnam. Tran, named one of the 10 rising stars of classical guitar by Acoustic Guitar Magazine, continues to build upon his momentum, and brings his instrument to a performance in Sand City presented by the Carmel Guitar Society. He’s performed throughout the world, and is currently the guitar professor at a trio of universities in Illinois. Tran is also the co-founder of Chicago Artopia, which works to bring art to southwest Chicago. [EC]
7-9pm Monday, April 21. SandBox, 440 Ortiz Ave., Sand City. $40; $25/student and military. sandboxsandcity@gmail.com, sandboxsandcity.com.
Tuesday, April 22
Rug Burn
In popular culture, Jeff Bridges will be always remembered as The Dude. The Golden State Theatre screens The Big Lebowski and holds a talk with The Dude.
Golden State Theatre in Monterey will be transformed into a temple. There, true achievers can hear the abiding wisdom of the Church of the Latter Day Dude, and not just from any bishop, but from His Dudeness himself. Bask in 3,000 years of beautiful tradition, from Moses to Sandy Koufax. Listen to revelations about the importance of a league game. Repeat the litany “That rug really tied the room together.” If you must, confess to the sin of nihilism. And if none of this makes sense, neither will a screening of The Big Lebowski, with Jeff Bridges in attendance to tell stories and perhaps answer questions about the cult classic – and fans probably have a briefcase full of them. And remember, calling him El Duderino is fine if you’re not into brevity. [DF]
5:30pm Tuesday, April 22. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $126-$200. 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.
Cool Collab
Architecture and photography go together like peanut butter and chocolate. Hear us out: Architects and photographers have a long history of collaboration in order to capture the essence of a building’s design in an eye-catching image – separately they’re satisfying, together they can take the combination to a delectable artform. The American Institute of Architects Monterey Bay, in partnership with the Monterey Museum of Art, are presenting a panel lecture and conversation featuring prominent architectural photographer Joe Fletcher to discuss the integral partnership between photographer and architect. Panelists include Greg Faulkner, Joe Dangara and Mary Ann Schicketanz, moderated by Erik Dyar. It’s a collaborative platform for a fascinating conversation incorporating design and art. [PM]
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