What is the next hit musical? The Sunset Cultural Center in Carmel claims to have an answer. Watch Broadway’s Next Hit Musical (and even help the show along) on May 23.
Thursday, May 23
The Stage is Yours
What will be Broadway’s Next Hit Musical? Maybe it’ll be yours. Sunset Center Theater brings the unscripted theatrical awards show, which has been performed throughout the U.S., to local audiences. As the show begins, audience members will be asked to write down their own song titles. The cast will then gather those suggestions and improvise songs and scenes throughout the duration of the show, as they vie for the “Phony Awards.” If you go, here are some song titles we suggest you submit: “Muskrat Love,” “Welcome to the Road Crew,” “Disco Inferno” or “Scoopski Potatoes.” Or get creative in your own way. [EC]
7:30pm Thursday, May 23. Sunset Center Theater, San Carlos Street at 9th Avenue, Carmel. $39-$59. 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.
Thursday, May 23 – Sunday, May 26
Smoking Start
On May 5, Monterey’s Wave Street Studios made a bold proclamation, stating the event venue was “ready to change the face of live music on the Monterey Peninsula.” That mission starts on Memorial Day weekend “with three nights of powerful live music.” The first of those is “Reggae on the Row” on May 23, featuring Jamaica-born Donavan “I-taweh” Cunningham, whose music effuses good vibes. I-taweh has two albums and two singles to his name, the latest being the single “Reality Check,” released last November. Should get real. There’s a bonus day on Sunday, as Just Jazz Monterey presents Coexist. The band plays a mesmerizing cocktail of R&B and jazz fusion that doesn’t just touch the soul, but seduces it. A third show in the lineup for this week – featuring former Santana lead singer and repeat Grammy winner Tony Lindsay – is already sold out on Saturday night. [DS / AP]
7-10pm Thursday, May 23; 8:30-10pm Sunday, May 26. Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave St., Monterey. $30/indoor seating; $15/patio seating. 655-2010, wavestreetstudios.com.
Coexist is the San Francisco Bay’s sultry fusion of R&B and jazz. Seductive beats and multifaceted drumming are done by Sheldon Alexander (pictured). They appear on May 26 at Wave Street Studios in Monterey.
Friday, May 24
Yard Rock
Sol Treasures is kicking off its backyard concert series, giving South County music fans a space to come together, form community and maybe shake some hips while listening to tunes from Paradise Road, a ’70s rock ’n’ roll style band who put on a show the whole family can enjoy. The event is free, and all are invited. The nonprofit hosts a variety of arts events, and kicks off the day with the grand opening of the Hermie Robles Creation Station, a space for teens to make art and explore creativity, from 4:30-5:30pm. [DS]
4:30-5:30pm and 6-8pm Friday, May 24. Sol Treasures, 519 Broadway St., King City. Free. 386-1381, soltreasures.com.
Seeing Chinatown
Local author and playwright Carol Marquart presents Chinatown Before & After the 1906 Earthquake. In this staged reading, Arnold Genthe, an immigrant to California from Germany, takes up a new hobby in 1900: photography. He wanders through the neighborhoods in San Francisco with his folding Kodak camera and stumbles upon a place called Tangrenbu, known by outsiders as the Chinese quarter. With the help of a Chinese interpreter and guide, Hong Yen, the story of an early Chinese American community begins to unfold. With Genthe performed by actor/former Hollywood screenwriter Mark Baer, audience members view these very rare and authentic photographs taken before, during and after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. This performance is based on a book published by John Kuo Wei Tchen. [AP]
5:30pm Friday, May 24. Pacific Grove Public Library, 550 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. 648-5760, pacificgrovelibrary.org
Saturday, May 25
Dance Revolution
Watch expert level salsa dancers do the footwork, and it might look impossible. But salsa is inviting to beginners, and this salsa party kicks off with a one-hour lesson, welcoming to all. Two hours of dance tunes follow with not just salsa tunes, but also ballroom and swing, so put on your dancing shoes, partner up, and prepare to do a twirl or three. (No partner is needed, all dancers are welcome.) [SR]
6-9pm (lesson 6-7pm) Saturday, May 25. Chautauqua Hall, 16th Street and Central Avenue, Pacific Grove. $10. pgdance.org.
Sunday, May 26
No Horsing Around
Exploring Monterey County on your own two feet is a joy. Think about how much more you could see – and how much less tired your own feet would be – if you could instead cruise around on horseback. The Marina Equestrian Center invites riders of various skill levels from beginner to expert, at all ages, to improve their horsemanship skills. This open house invites the public to meet the gentle steeds here, take a tour, ask questions and learn more about offerings. Ride on. [SR]
10am-2pm Sunday, May 26. Marina Equestrian Center, 2830 5th Ave., Marina. Free. 331-3787, marina.chaparralcorporation.com.
Jazz Hot
There’s so much to say about the classic jazz stylings of Dick Whittington. After all, he has worked alongside… no we can’t start the impressive list. Sometimes we’re accused of packing too many words into these Hot Picks, so they want us to keep it short. So here goes: Whittington is great, a nationally renowned pianist. He is joined by bassist Dan Robbins and drummer Billy Jones for an unforgettable afternoon of greats like Duke, Cole and more. The ticket price is a steal for this level of jazz. [DF]
2pm Sunday, May 26. Carl Cherry Center, 4th Avenue and Guadalupe Street, Carmel. $35. 624-7491, carlcherrycenter.org.
Are you ready for the next Carmel Bach Festival? How about a special show this weekend to set the tone. Violinist Simone Slattery and cellist Anthony Albrecht are The Bowerbird Collective.
Sound of the Skies
As countless birds undertake their annual spring migration north, the Carmel Bach Festival asks: What is the soundtrack of the movement? The festival welcomes Australian ensemble The Bowerbird Collective and vocalist Majel Connery to answer that question. “A Season on the Wind” is a musical storytelling extravaganza, immersing attendees with a combination of live music and visuals to celebrate the birds’ journey, based on conservationist Kenn Kaufman’s book of the same name. The Bowerbird Collective was founded by cellist Anthony Albrecht and violinist Simone Slattery with the goal of telling stories of conservation through multimedia work. They’ll be joined by Connery, a composer and vocalist who has been described as combining classical influences with electronic vibes. [EC]
7:30pm Sunday, May 26. Carmel High School Center for Performing Arts, 3600 Ocean Ave., Carmel. $45/adults; $20/students. 624-1521, bachfestival.org.
Monday, May 27
Pop To It
Stirring marches, sentimental classics, rousing crescendos. If that doesn’t set the tone for Memorial Day, then put away the grill. Actually, do it anyway, because Monterey County Pops! is performing their annual Memorial Day concert and it’s free. No need to toil over hot coals. Just kick back under hopefully sunny skies and honor America and those who fell in its defense – as well as the amazing catalog of American scores. Latin Jazz Collective opens. Did we mention it’s free? [DF]
1pm Monday, May 27. Colton Hall lawn, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. montereycountypops.org.
Wednesday, May 29
Big Ballers
Monterey Bay F.C. faces a tough challenge on May 29 as they welcome Charleston Battery to Cardinale Stadium for a rare midweek encounter. Charleston is unbeaten in 11 matches heading into weekend play as the team sits atop the Eastern Conference. The Union have struggled with consistency, but have remained in the chase through the USL Championship campaign’s early going. MBFC enters the weekend at 4-3-4, holding the fourth spot in Western Conference play. The team uses the occasion to celebrate the county’s hospitality workforce. [DF]
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