Hot Picks 05.22.25

 Thursday, May 22

Laugh Track

Natasha Chandel has lived in Dubai, Mumbai, Toronto, New York and Los Angeles. That gives her comedy perspective, right? She can dig on Indian mothers and American politics and more. Her take on Joe Biden bowing out of the presidential race? It teaches us a valuable life lesson: “bullying works.” As for the anti-vaxxer logic of not knowing the chemicals being injected or their long-term effects? “We all drink alcohol, and that’s poison.” Most women are mothers, she reasons, “because boyfriends and husbands are overgrown children.” Chandel drops by Carmel as part of the XYZ Comedy Series. [DF]

8pm Thursday, May 22. Sunset Center, San Carlos Street and 9th Avenue, Carmel. $35-$59. 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.

 Saturday, May 24

Let’s Talk Art

In relation to their current exhibit, artists Heidi Hybl and Dennis Peak meet with the public at the Carmel Art Association. Hybl is a Big Sur painter; her works are abstract but rooted in landscapes. Born in Chicago, she studied art at the UC Santa Cruz and Monterey Peninsula College. Her early professional life in the field of medicine and biology continues to inform her work. Peak, an abstract painter, pursued art at UCSC with a focus on ceramic sculpture. Eventually, he sold his kiln and clay tools and began painting with acrylics on canvas full time. His abstract compositions are influenced by his life-long interest in structure and a curiosity about what holds things together. The joint exhibit, Motion and Stillness, will remain on display until June 2. [AP]

2-3pm Saturday, May 24. Carmel Art Association, Dolores Street between 5th and 6th avenues, Carmel. Free. 250-3347, carmelart.org.

Sex on the Road

In Sex Western, audiences witnessed Big Sur writer Jake Luce’s erotic poetry on stage in all its raw glory. But it was only for one night in one place – a one-night stand, if you will. Luce, with the help of the Henry Miller Memorial Library, wants to take this show on the road, with its bedrooms, bathtubs and all (but not much clothing). The library hosts a fundraiser that aims to make Luce’s wildest dreams come even more true, complete with performances by DJ Cactus Man and Rosalia Webster of Big Surcus. Sex Western is based on the third volume of Luce’s poetry chapbooks. If you haven’t seen the play, consider checking out the poetry that’s available at Henry Miller Memorial. Either way, prepare for a titillating experience. [EC]

4-9pm Saturday, May 24. Henry Miller Memorial Library, 48603 Highway 1, Big Sur. $25. 667-2574, henrymiller.org.

Dance It

Since 1926, Chautauqua Hall Dance Club has been hosting dancing every Saturday night, from bachata (a social dance from the Dominican Republic), samba, foxtrot and salsa to cha-cha-cha, tango and rumba. This Saturday, on the 3,500-square-foot dance floor, one can practice ballroom, Latin and swing dancing. Chautauqua offers classes and has experienced instructors. Sergei Panchenko is a professional ballroom dancer and is the owner of Top Peninsula Dance in Pacific Grove. Natasha Zakrevskaia is a professional ballroom dancer born in Russia; Rene and Jennifer Filzen own The West Coast Swing Dance Company. Letitia Capili brings over 20 years of expertise in salsa. There are many other instructors to help you. [AP]

6pm lessons, 7-9pm dance Saturday, May 24. Chautauqua Hall Dance Club, 16th Street and Central Avenue, Pacific Grove. $10 (cash only). pgdance.org.

Goal Oriented

Monterey Bay FC is locked in a battle with San Antonio for the top spot of the USL Championship’s Western Conference, so every point is important. Saturday night, the Union hosts Louisville, which is also challenging for the lead of the Eastern Conference. Fortunately, MBFC has Nico Campuzano, the entire league’s leading goalkeeper with 39 saves heading into the weekend. Fans get an extra treat next week, as the squad hosts Spokane in a USL Jägermeister Cup match on Wednesday, May 28 at 7pm. [DF]

7pm Saturday, May 24. Cardinale Stadium, 4111 2nd Ave., Seaside. $20-$61. 324-2560, montereybayfc.com.

Get Ready

The Motown sound has been the soundtrack of our lives for over 60 years. From “Please Mr. Postman” and “Shop Around,” the record label’s first top hits, to “Tears of a Clown,” “I Want You Back,” “What’s Going on” and “Superstition” – the classic tunes we loved that changed the face of American music are too numerous to list. They take us back to our childhoods and special moments throughout our lives. Journey through some of the most beloved hits during “The Magic of Motown,” featuring tributes to The Temptations, The Jackson 5, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and more. What’s going on? Nothing but pure magic. [PM]

7:30pm Saturday, May 24. Fox Theater, 241 Main St., Salinas. $19-$74. 758-8459, foxtheatersalinas.com.

Water Ways

For thousands of years, Polynesian people navigated in handmade canoes across thousands of miles of ocean, traveling between islands. Hi’ilani ‘O Ke Kai is a local club celebrating these ancestors, and their influence on Hawaiian culture and history, with a focus on hula and outrigger canoeing. This event includes a paddling competition, hula performance, tributes to military service members and more. The Hoe Wa’a canoe race begins at 8am with hundreds of paddlers ages 12 to 70 competing in two-mile, four-mile and eight-mile routes. [SR]

8am-2pm Saturday, May 24. Del Monte Beach, across Del Monte Boulevard from Lake El Estero, Monterey. Free. info@kekai.org, paddle.kekai.org.

Mindful Saturday

How about a free mindfulness tour? Treat yourself to a two-hour walk through the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve that takes place every fourth Sunday of the month. Explore the slough’s diverse habitats and cycles on a walk with reserve docent Renate Funke, who has enjoyed this area for three decades. Engage your senses on this easy-to-moderate two-mile trail, home to numerous species, and perhaps discover a new connection to nature. No reservations are needed; check in at the reserve visitor center five to 10 minutes before the tour. [AP]

2-4pm every fourth Saturday of the month. Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Free. 728-5939, elkhornslough.org.

 Saturday, May 24- Sunday, May 25

Female Power

Founded in 2012, Aria Women’s Choir is an auditioned group of female vocalists who live on the Central Coast. They sing recent and historic choral works. The group has been hailed as one of the best women’s choirs in California; in 2016, they made their solo ensemble debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Typically, Aria has three main concerts per year. In the upcoming concert, Aria sings what is new and relevant in the world of choral music, and this concert, titled “She Sings!,” features a diverse selection of new and relevant choral works. In June, Aria will bring out popular, jazz and musical theater works. The ideals of the group are to celebrate women and their voices. “We want to give women an artistic voice to bring loud and proud,” is the group’s mission. [AP]

3pm Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25. Pacific Grove United Methodist Church, 915 Sunset Ave., Pacific Grove. $29; $24/seniors, military; $13/students. ariamonterey.org.

 Sunday, May 25

Jig’s Up

Did you know there are different types of accordion? That’s like knowing there are different types of bagpipe – it puts you in the rare company that understands the captivating quality of the instruments in traditional music. Johnny B. Connolly plays the button accordion. The Dublin (that is the one in Ireland) master is teamed with Carmel’s John Weed on fiddle and Cary Novotny out of Portland on guitar and together – as Tradmill – they perform jigs, reels and old-time favorites with a zest that stands the test of time. Even doubters will leave saying, “I want more accordion in my life.” [DF]

3pm Sunday, May 25. St. Mary’s by the Sea, 146 12th St., Pacific Grove. $30/advance; $35/door. 224-3819, celticsociety.org.

Showing Talent

For those who enjoy music and dance, and celebrating the progress young dancers have made throughout the year, attend The Dance Center’s showcase this weekend. See dances for different ages, skill levels and musical genres: tap, hip-hop, ballet and jazz. Among the performances are Sleeping Beauty, When I’m Older and Pop, Drop & Roll. They will captivate viewers with their moves and theatrical presence. [CJ]

Advanced teens 9:30am-12:30pm; pre-k/kinder 1:45-2:30pm; beginning teens 3:30-5:30pm. Sunday, May 25. Sunset Center, San Carlos Street and 9th Avenue, Carmel. $23-$38. 625-3262, dancecarmel.com.

 Monday, May 26

Memento

There are many ways and places to celebrate Memorial Day and honor those who sacrificed their lives for the country. It will be observed with a ceremony followed by a race at 8:30am at Lower Presidio Historic Park on Corporal Ewing Road in Monterey. This open-to-all event welcomes strollers and dogs on leashes; join the “wear blue, run to remember” initiative for a 5K run or walk. Another celebration, Memorial Day Avenue of the Flags Ceremony, takes place at the Castroville Public Cemetery, 8442 Moss Landing Road in Moss Landing, where breakfast is served at 9am, followed by a ceremony from 10am-noon. American Legion Auxiliary Monterey Cypress Unit 694 (3307 Marina Drive in Marina) holds a ceremony at 11am; lunch will follow. At 11am, the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery (2900 Parker Flats Road, Seaside) hosts a ceremony to honor the fallen. Main Street in Salinas is decorated with flags for the occasion. Monterey County Pops! celebrates Memorial Day with a concert at 1-3:30pm on the lawn at Colton Hall, 580 Pacific St., Monterey, offering sounds of patriotic pride. [AP]

Wednesday, May 28

The Masters

One of the simple pleasures of life is to watch people who have mastered their craft, no matter what it happens to be, in music, art, sports, fashion, cooking, you name it. Two masters of their musical craft are cellist Mark Kosower and Robert Walters, an English hornist, both soloists with The Cleveland Orchestra. They are coming to Hidden Valley Music Seminars for a Masters Concert, accompanied by world-renowned pianist Reiko Uchida and Melivia Raharjo, collaborative pianist at the Indiana Jacobs School of Music. Watch, listen and enjoy the artistry of true masters. [PM]

7:30pm Wednesday, May 28. Hidden Valley Theatre, 104 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. $25. 659-3115, hiddenvalleymusic.org.

HOT PICKS by Sloan Campi, Erik Chalhoub, Dave Faries, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Agata Popęda, Katie Rodriguez, Sara Rubin and David Schmalz.