Friday, May 2
Tom Cats
Petty Theft is a theft indeed, but it’s hard not to appreciate the artists’ humor. This Tom Petty tribute band does a job that is certainly not petty. See them at Golden State Theatre.
Any tribute band that takes their craft seriously must have a clever name, and Petty Theft – a Bay Area-based band that covers songs by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers – delivers. More importantly, their music captures the singular, rocking rapture of Petty’s sound, and is the next best thing to the real thing. Petty Theft swings into Monterey this Friday night as part of their 2025 Swingin’ tour, and promises to bring some raucous, joyful energy we could all use more of right now. [DS]
7pm Friday, May 2. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $34. 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.
Friday, May 2-Saturday, May 3
Little Musical
Come on down to the farm. There, if you are lucky, you can meet a little red hen with educational ambitions. She teaches her barnyard friends about hard work, cooperation and sharing – and she is good at it, too. The cast of The Little Red Hen consists of local children ages 5 to 11, and the music is fun and won’t challenge your patience, since the show is short and sweet – a perfect event for families. This American fable was first printed in 1874. Don’t let the little hen do it all: harvest and grind the wheat to make her bread and now, chase you into the theater. [AP]
7pm Friday, May 2; 2pm Saturday, May 3. ARIEL Theatrical, 320 Main St., Salinas. $6; free/children ages 3 and under. 775-0976, arieltheatrical.org.
Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4
Keep it Civil
The Civil War continues to rumble and swell through American culture. Some conservatives try to frame the conflict as one over “states’ rights” (it was, only in that the South demanded the right to keep slaves). And some hold dear the statues honoring those who fought against the United States. For the second year, Woodbury Historical Tours hosts “Seldom Heard History of the Civil War Era,” a conference featuring presentations by distinguished scholars, this year including Stanford law professor William B. Gould, author of Diary of a Contraband: The Civil War Passage of a Black Sailor and Victoria Bynum, whose The Free State of Jones: Mississippi’s Longest War was turned into a 2016 Hollywood hit. A short program on Friday is followed by two full days of presentations. [DF]
6pm Friday, May 2; 9:15am Saturday-Sunday, May 3-4. Stanton Center, 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey. $285; $100/students. whtours.org.
Saturday, May 3-Sunday, May 4
Party Time
Pacific Grove is happy being Pacific Grove. That includes a classic celebration, the Good Old Days, with music, local vendors, games and food. (Hint: The good days are very much present tense at this two-day festival.)
As the saying goes: Neighbors who play together stay together. Pacific Grove is shutting down Lighthouse Avenue for one of its biggest events of the year – the Good Old Days Street Festival, now in its 66th year. A few stats to show the scale of the celebration: two days, five stages, over 50 bands and shows, more than 200 art, craft and food vendors, a pancake breakfast and parade (at 10am on Saturday). Enjoy a beverage in the beer and wine garden, bring the kids to the carnival or petting zoo, or check out Quilts by the Bay inside Chautauqua Hall. This feast for the senses is free for all. [KR]
9am-6pm Saturday, May 3; 9am-5pm Sunday, May 4. Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove. Free. 373-3304, pacificgrove.org.
Saturday, May 3
Wine Time
John Steinbeck grew up looking at ranges of the Gabilan Mountains to one side and the Santa Lucia Mountains on the other – what scenery for wine tasting.
What’s that? Flowers in the hills? Sunsets stretching later into the evening? Is that you, summer, just around the corner? It’s that time of year to sip some wine, enjoy some bubbles at the bar and listen to live music at the Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind and Wine Festival. Hundreds of wines will be available for the tasting, poured by Monterey County’s growers and vintners from the Santa Lucia Highlands and beyond. To complement the pours, some of the region’s best chefs and restaurants will be on hand with gourmet bites, including Estéban, The Meatery, Grasing’s and more. [KR]
11am-2:30pm Saturday, May 3. Mer Soleil Vineyards, 1290 River Road, Salinas. $155 and up. santaluciahighlands.com.
Secret Gardens
Residential architecture and indoor/outdoor design? Yes, please. This adventure adds music to the package, courtesy of the Carmel Bach Festival.
The Carmel Bach Festival presents Cottages, Gardens & Cantatas, a musical self-guided tour of five different homes and gardens – all filled with live music for the occasion. See a cozy “treehouse” overlooking Pescadero Canyon, a house filled with artifacts and artwork collected over six decades and a beautifully remodeled childhood home. Discover the mosaic art of one homeowner, admire the architectural significance of a mid-century modern gem and step inside a Christmas-themed chalet nestled in the pines. [AP]
11am-3pm Saturday, May 3. Locations throughout Carmel (exact addresses shared with ticketholders). $45; $50/at the door. 624-1521, bachfestival.org.
Women’s Voices
Here’s a not-so-fun fact: While women’s voices are ever-present on the airwaves, songs composed by women account for just 10 percent of those in the public domain. That data point comes from the team behind a nonprofit called She Writes Songs, dedicated to closing the songwriting gender gap. The group’s launch in Monterey features London-based Sarah Gillespie, a cofounder, and local artists Anne Sibley, Julie Capili, Jeni Keszler and Wendi Kirby. A Q&A with music executive Stephen Budd reveals some behind-the-scenes workings of the industry, all accompanied by wine and light bites. This event precedes a European launch on May 25 – it’s a chance to be there when it all began. [SR]
6-8pm Saturday, May 3. Wendi Kirby Music, 550 Hartnell St., Suite F, Monterey. $55. info@wendikirbymusic.com, shewritessongs.org.
Chemistry
Catalyst Quartet comprises (from left to right) Carlos Rodriguez, cello; Karla Donehew Perez, violin; Abi Fayette, violin; and Paul Laraia, viola. The group is coming to Sunset Center this weekend.
The Catalyst Quartet, with Todd Palmer on clarinet, returns thanks to Chamber Music Monterey Bay. The ensemble was founded in 2010 by the Sphinx Organization, a Detroit nonprofit dedicated to diversity in the arts. One of the Catalyst Quartet’s records won the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album. This concert opens with “Suite del Ángel” by Astor Piazzolla and “Gumboots” by David Bruce. The final composition is “Clarinet Quintet in F-sharp Minor, op. 10” by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Sit down 30 minutes before showtime for a presentation by expert musicologist Ian Scarfe. [AP]
6:30pm Saturday, May 3. Sunset Cultural Center, San Carlos Street and 9th Avenue, Carmel. $30–$75; $15/adult chaperones with a child; free/children ages 8-18, music teachers; $15/military, students. 625-2212, chambermusicmontereybay.org.
May is for Tacos
Kick off Cinco de Mayo with good tacos – and tons of other culinary offerings. What’s Grubbin’ Salinas celebrates with food trucks, promising the best local and regional vendors all in one place. It’s the food truck gathering’s second family-friendly event with live music and fun games, with the potential to become a monthly festivity. It starts in the late afternoon and continues throughout the sunset – yes, they have a beer garden; have a taste of Salinas nightlife. The event offers much more than traditional Mexican food, with 25 trucks serving Thai, pizza, clam chowder, sushi and beyond. [AP]
2-9pm Saturday, May 3. Salinas Train Station, 26 W. Market St., Salinas. Free to enter. 682-6554, instagram.com/whatsgrubbinsalinas.
Saturday, May 3-Wednesday, May 7
Sing Out
This spring marks a milestone for I Cantori Di Carmel, founded in 1981 with a mission to bring outstanding choral music to the region, making classical music accessible to all. For the first time the chorus and orchestra made up of local musicians is debuting inside Sunset Center, bringing to the stage a powerful program entitled “Songs of Destiny,” with works by classical greats Brahms, Debussy, Ravel and English composer Vaughan Williams. I Cantori is also staging a free concert in King City. Music Director Daniel Henriks says they are “proud to bring our sound to even more people – and to celebrate the incredible talent we have right here in our communities.” Something indeed worthy of celebrating. [PM]
7:30pm Saturday, May 3 at Stanton Theater, 720 Broadway St., King City; Free with RSVP. 7:30pm Tuesday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 7 at Sunset Center, San Carlos at 9th, Carmel; $20-$75. 644-8012, icantori.org.
Sunday, May 4
Party Time
Are you dreaming about your big event this year, maybe a wedding, quinceañera or another life milestone? Details matter, from floral arrangements to table settings to dresses that will wow your guests. Take a look at the latest trends and meet vendors who can talk you through dreams vs. reality and help make fairytale visions come to life at this event. Even if you just want inspiration for your home dining room, it’s free to walk through if you register in advance. Happy party planning. [SR]
1-4pm Sunday, May 4. Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey. Free; $5/at the door. 372-5863, montereycountyfair.com.
In the Garden
These days, Tor House and Hawk Tower are open to visitors just during limited hours for docent-led tours. But the spirit of 20th-century poet Robinson Jeffers, his wife Una, and their many creative visitors come to life once a year for a garden party. Yes, there is poetry and a sprinkling of history, but also live music, painting, refreshments and a party vibe. [SR]
2-5pm Sunday, May 4. Tor House, 26304 Ocean View Ave., Carmel. $25; $10/students; ages 10 and up. 624-1813, torhouse.org.
Tunes of the Centuries
When you think of a sports team, you may think of the players, the coaches, maybe some of the front office people. But a starting pianist? That’s the role Ian Scarfe played for the San Francisco 49ers, during a five-year stint when he would perform in the former Candlestick Park’s restaurant during home games. Scarfe’s career has taken him throughout North America and Europe. He’s wrapping up his residency in Big Sur at the Emile Norman Arts Foundation with a concert showcasing centuries of piano music. Expect to hear masterpieces from the names that need no introduction – Bach and Beethoven – as well as some contemporary works by Philip Glass and others. [EC]
3-5pm Sunday, May 4. Henry Miller Memorial Library, 48603 Highway 1, Big Sur. $23. 667-2574, henrymiller.org.
Net Profit
After being stuck in the cellar the past three years, Monterey Bay FC is battling for the lead of the USL Championship Western Conference. At 4-2-2 on the young season, MBFC is just 1 point in arrears of leader San Antonio. The offense boasts four players with multiple goals scored and the league’s best goalkeeper – Nico Campuzano, with 22 saves – takes on everything between the posts. MBFC hosts Eastern Conference foe Miami FC in a rare Sunday afternoon match on a day that is Star Wars themed – May the Fourth be with you. [DF]
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