Hot Picks 05.30.24

Thursday, May 30

Reggae Riches

If we said there was a night of live music, outdoor patio seating with fire pits and plenty of craft beer, you would say, “How much is this gonna cost?” The answer: Nothing… well, except the beer. Peter B’s Live Music Summer Series is free for all ages (and for dogs, when music plays on the patio). And they host performances every Thursday evening throughout the season. On May 30, the local roots reggae group Coastal Commission plays a mix of current and classic favorites outside, and the band’s motto might as well be “dance, drink and be happy.” The next week, June 6, DJ Fredo sets the beat indoors. [DF]

6-9pm Thursday, May 30. Peter B’s Brewpub, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey. Free. 290-2611, portolahotel.com.

All Shook Up

The King of Rock and Roll had all the dance moves, but he never did ballet. Talk about a missed opportunity. Smuin Contemporary Ballet will give us a glimpse of what could have been during its series of dance performances at the Sunset Center. Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s “Tupelo Tornado,” inspired by the life and music of Elvis Presley, is making its world premiere. The performance is followed by other pieces for the two-hour show. [EC]

7:30pm Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31. Sunset Center, San Carlos Street at 9th Avenue, Carmel. $65-$85. 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.

Friday, May 31-Saturday, June 1

Hit Songs

Think of this concert as a greatest hits repertoire – greatest hits of 1610, that is. The local group Madregalia has been around for 20 years, devoted to bringing 17th-century popular music to life. Expect eerily beautiful vocals that are the signature of this era, and old instruments including viola de gamba (the precursor to the cello), dulcian (a Renaissance bassoon) and a trio of sackbuts (ancient trombones) on short madrigals and slightly longer works by Monteverdi. Join this group in celebrating their 20-year anniversary, barely a blip compared to the lifetime of this music – and tune into something that has survived for more than 400 years. [SR]

7:30pm Friday, May 31 and 2:30pm Saturday, June 1. All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Dolores Street and 9th Avenue, Carmel. $25. pastyme@gmail.com, pastymemusic.com.

Saturday, June 1

Melting Pot

When different cultures connect, it can change the world, and what we’re biting into. Bahn mi, California rolls and even Taco Bell, to name a few, were all born out of cultural fusion. And in Monterey County, there is arguably no place more multicultural than the city of Marina. To celebrate that cultural diversity, the city is hosting the Marina Multi-Cultural Festival on June 1. Tasty international cuisine is just one facet of this festival, which also includes live performances, cultural booths, a DJ and, of course, a kids zone with inflatables and gaga ball, a friendlier version of dodgeball. In keeping with the festival’s theme, there’s something for everyone. [DS]

11am-3pm Saturday, June 1. Vince DiMaggio Park, 3200 Del Monte Blvd., Marina. Free. 884-1288, cityofmarina.org/1302/Marina-Multi-Cultural-Festival.

Pops Goes P.G.

There are no playoffs on the orchestra schedule, so if you want to see this year’s PG Pops Orchestra team at their finest, June 1 is the season finale. And they are worth it, not only because they are good, but also because of their mission. The nonprofit puts student musicians alongside professionals for a unique learning experience in which both the rookies and seasoned pros learn and grow. Under the baton of Art Director Barbara Priest, the concert features the works of Chuck Mangione, Dave Brubeck, Tower of Power and others. The PG Pops Jazz Combo opens for what should be a fantastic day. [DF]

2pm Saturday, June 1. Pacific Grove Performing Arts Center, 835 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. pgpopsorchestra.com.

Star Power

During the coming season, you’ll be able to see shows like Hamlet and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill produced by New Canon Theatre Company. But before the stars step out on stage, here’s an invitation to kick off the new season in style. This party includes a raffle, beverages and light bites, and live music from SEA LVL. The instrumental R&B duo has its own unique approach to the stage: a no-rehearsals policy. That’s certainly a different flavor than New Canon’s rigorously rehearsed approach to the stage (just try Shakespeare without practicing), but it’s a fitting pairing as the theater company is willing to try out new ideas. [SR]

6:30-9:30pm Saturday, June 1. Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center, 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey. $30. 275-1441, newcanontheatre.org.

Sunday, June 2

Palenke Got Talent

The eighth annual Palenke Arts Festival is part dance party, part community gathering (lakeside at Laguna Grande Park), part celebration of the arts. Featured performers include America’s Got Talent and TikTok icons The Curtis Family C-Notes (’60s and ’70s-inspired Bay Area funk), Jesús Díaz y Su QBA (Cuban Timba music), Na Haumana (local Polynesian dance ensemble) and Calpulli Ocelocihuatl (Mexika Dancers). This family-friendly event also features nonprofit Palenke Arts’ multi-talented student and professional performances, interactive art activities, artisan booths, food vendors and community booths. [AP]

11am-5pm Sunday, June 2. Laguna Grande Park, 1249 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside. Free. palenkearts.com.

Lady Behind The Organ

Organist Margaret Martin Kvamme performs a program of eight works by a wide range of women composers – including two contemporary musicians with Bay Area and Central Coast connections, and one who was a court musician in the 1600s. “‘Mixolydiance’ is the title of a jaunty piece written by the youngest member among the eight composers offered here, British organist Ghislaine Reece-Trapp, who co-chairs the Society for Women Organists,” Kvamme said in program notes. The afternoon includes music from the 17th century by Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre, who was court musician to Louis XIV. [AP]

4pm Sunday, June 2. St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 28005 Robinson Canyon Road, Carmel Valley. $25. 624-6646, saintdunstanschurch.org.

Tuesday, June 4

Hail The Monarchs

Pollinators like bees and butterflies are in decline but there is a way we can help, and that’s the point of “Monarchs: Small Size, Big Impact!” coming to El Gabilan Library. The local experts on monarch butterflies, the folks from the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, are coming to Salinas to share in this workshop for adults tips on how growing native plants in gardens can support migrating monarchs, as well as the other pollinating insects we need to keep food growing in the Salinas Valley and keep our local environment healthy. [PM]

4-5pm Tuesday, June 4, El Gabilan Library, 1400 N. Main St., Salinas. Free. 758-7311, salinaspubliclibrary.org.

Wednesday, June 5

Films at Sunset

Sunset Center, among big musicals, concerts, live comedy and author talks, also regularly shows free movies. This time the movie is a French production, 2022’s Kitchen Brigade, by director Louis-Julien Petit. It tells the story of Cathy, a sous-chef wanting to open a restaurant. With financial difficulties, Cathy accepts a job at a shelter for young migrants. At first she hates the job, then her passion for cuisine starts to change children’s lives. Think comedy combined with the exploration of French gastronomy, not without social issues raised. [AP]

7pm Wednesday, June 5. Sunset Center, 9th at San Carlos Street, Carmel. Free; reservations required. 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.

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