Monterey County is so serious about artichokes that each year, since 1948, Artichoke Festival names a new Artichoke Queen. The first one was Marilyn Monroe herself, who visited Salinas to promote a diamond ring at a local jewelry store.
Thursday, June 6
Good Intentions
You’ve heard the saying, “no good deed goes unpunished,” meaning sometimes a good deed backfires on the do-gooder. When it comes to “voluntourism” – travel coupled with volunteering, a $3 billion global industry – the unfortunate reality is that those good deeds don’t punish the one volunteering, they punish the very people they think they are helping. Such is the case with orphanage voluntourism, as uncovered in the film Volunteers Needed by Carmel Valley economist-turned-filmmaker Barak Laub. The 2023 film details how the practice plays into child trafficking in Nepal, where of the 18,000 estimated children in Nepalese orphanages, only 3,000-5,000 are actually orphans. Join Monterey County Weekly Staff Writer Celia Jiménez in the Mic’d Up at the Press Club series as she interviews Laub about his film and efforts to bring attention to the dangers of voluntourism. [PM]
12:30pm Thursday, June 6. The Press Club at The Creperie Cafe, 1123 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. Free. 901-3100. The film is shown at 6:30pm Friday, June 7, at Lighthouse Cinema, 525 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. $10/suggested donation. VolunteersNeededScreening.eventbrite.com.
Kamasi Washington is known for his stellar jazz saxophone playing, but the inspiration for his new album, Fearless Movement, comes from dance.
Jazz Cat
There are musicians who play what they’re good at, and there are musicians who play what they love. Kamasi Washington – a jazz saxophone player, composer and bandleader – merges both his skill and his passion to bold effect. He’s appeared onstage at the Monterey Jazz Festival, has collaborated with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Michelle Obama (on the documentary Becoming), Andre 3000 and jazz star Thundercat. His talents and curiosity have most recently turned to dance, and his latest album, Fearless Movement, embodies that. “Dance is movement and expression, and in a way it’s the same thing as music – expressing your spirit through your body,” Washington said about the new record. “If you try to do something that isn’t what you’re hearing or feeling, will you be happy?” He’s listening to what he loves, and making music that he loves – and that is good news for all prospective listeners. [SR]
7pm doors, 8pm show Thursday, June 6. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $40-$100. 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.
Friday, June 7
Gravitate Here
As summer approaches, we see more and more free shows like this. But then, maybe not exactly like this. The Suborbitals have been performing steadily in Monterey County for the past decade or so – and there is good reason for the band’s popularity. Their music balances a calm meditative ambiance with catchy melodies. They have a way of bringing people in without being intrusive. Their music also seems to make perfect sense for a Friday evening, something that could work well enough on a first date or for a small family gathering. We readily suggest this show – especially at the going rate of free. [JH]
6pm Friday, June 7. Sunset Cultural Center terrace, San Carlos Street at 9th Avenue, Carmel. Free. 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.
Friday, June 7 – Saturday, June 8
Longtime local band The Suborbitals comprise, from left: bassist Heath Proskin, saxophonist Ben Herod and guitarist/lead vocalist Ryan Masters. They next appear outdoors on the terrace at Sunset Center.
Winging It
We’ve all heard the phrase “controlled chaos,” where things may appear disorganized and frantic, yet everything turns out alright in the end. Kind of like running a weekly newspaper. Sometimes, though, it might not all go to plan. But that assumes there was a plan in the first place. Such is the case with Comedy Variety Showcase’s upcoming shows, “Controlled Chaos.” The group, which was established in 2023, puts its own spin on improvisational theater. Expect plenty of spontaneity and quick wit on stage. Nothing will go to plan, except that is the plan. [EC]
7:30pm Friday, June 7. Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave St., Monterey. 7pm Saturday, June 8. Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. $15-$20. comedyvarietyshowcase.com/controlledchaos.
Saturday, June 8
Whitman’s Queer Legacy
The Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium has a long and unusual history. It was born out of the National Writers Union. The founder of the consortium was poet John Laue, who is still involved and known as “the Dean” of the group. In 2021, Laue passed coordinating responsibilities to poet Kent Leatham, a Carmel Valley native. For the past 30 years, the group has been meeting monthly and reading original poetry in various local venues. This time the consortium welcomes you to an evening of poetry: All Their Looks and Words: Kent Leatham & the Queer Legacy of Walt Whitman, featuring artwork by Paul Richmond. Leatham is a poet, translator, educator, and proudly pansexual member of the LGBTQ+ family. He owns multiple copies of Leaves of Grass. [AP]
5:30pm Saturday, June 8. Pacific Grove Public Library, 550 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. 648-5760, pacificgrovelibrary.org.
Getting to the Heart
“Where Fun Blossoms.” That’s the theme of this year’s Artichoke Festival, which has some of most everything. There’s a Friday night comedy show, “Thistle Be Funny,” live music, wine tasting, and of course, artisan and nonprofit booths. But let’s not kid ourselves, the star of it all promises to be the food – it is a festival named after California’s official state vegetable, after all – and along with culinary demonstrations, and there’s a new culinary bazaar with five pop-ups headlined by Chef Todd Fisher and his Bear + Flag Roadside eatery and wine shop. Nom. [DS]
11am-9pm Saturday, June 8; 11am-6pm Sunday, June 9. Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey. One day passes $10/kids (6-12); $15/seniors, military; $20/ages 13 and up. Multi-day packages also for sale. artichokefestival.org.
Night Magic
Have you ever felt Peninsula nights? Of course you have. You’re here. But you’ve never seen Peninsula nights. No one has – until now. The cinematic premier of the film Peninsula Nights involves wine, a chance to mingle, a Q&A with director Devin Thomas and the movie itself. Filmed in Carmel and Monterey (sorry P.G.; at least you get to show the thing), it’s a romance that begins when a real estate agent with a hidden passion (pickleball?) bumps into a hopeful artist from back east. They learn about each other and linger in the embrace of local nightlife (you know, until 9pm). Will it last? Mysteries blow in the night in Peninsula skies. PG-13. [DF]
6:30pm Saturday, June 8. Lighthouse Cinema and Event Center, 525 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. $20. 641-0747, lighthousecinema4events.com.
Saturday, June 8-Sunday, June 30
Western MLK
The Mountaintop was first shown in a small theater in London, then moved to the West End. It premiered on Broadway in 2011. Now you can see the powerful story in Salinas, courtesy of The Western Stage. This two-actor play was written by Katori Hall, a young writer from Tennessee, who envisioned the last night of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, not unlike Jesus Christ’s Last Supper. The entire play takes place in Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis on the night before the civil rights leader was assassinated. The fictional King meets his angel, embodied by a beautiful maid, who tells him about the fact that he will die tomorrow. [AP]
7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, 2pm on Sundays, June 8-30. The Western Stage at Hartnell College (Studio Theater), 411 Central Ave., Building K, Salinas. $28. 755-6816, westernstage.com.
Sunday, June 9
Saddle Up
The first Junior Rodeo at Salinas Sports Complex offers young people an opportunity to “connect with the spirit of the Wild West”… Hang on. We’ve seen Deadwood. Are we sure about this? Absolutely. Between all the saloon brawls and gunslingin’, there was work to be done. That meant riding and roping. In other words, rodeo. The event features barrel racing, steer riding, team roping and other traditional events for boys and girls up to age 18. For those 5 and under there are stick horse races (Clint Eastwood hopping along the high plains). And for spectators, it’s a chance to see future stars of the rodeo hone their skills. [DF]
9am Sunday, June 9. Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main St., Salinas. Free. 775-3100, carodeo.com.
Irene Tu is a Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian, actor and writer who honed her chops in San Francisco. She’s performed in the Netflix Is A Joke comedy festival, among other stages, and brings her jokes to Sunset Center’s XYZ Comedy series.
Joke’s On
Irene Tu is not afraid to say what you might be wondering about. “I’m a girl,” she has proclaimed onstage. “Some of you are staring at me like, is that a teenage Asian boy on stage? Nope, just a lesbian.” Her comedy is intimate and honest, her stage presence relaxed so it feels like you’re sitting around together in the living room. While her jokes are largely about herself – her gender presentation and sexuality, expectations of her Asian parents and her life as a stand-up comic – but in that, audiences will find universal accessibility to themes of life and family and culture that apply to all of us. Tu appeared locally last year to open for Ilana Glazer at Golden State Theatre, and now headlines in the XYZ Comedy Series at Sunset Center, which transforms into a comedy club vibe with drinks for sale. Tu’s adult content means this show is recommended for ages 18 and up. [SR]
7:30pm Sunday, June 9. Sunset Cultural Center (first floor), San Carlos Street at 9th, Carmel. $35; $25/students; $45/table seating; $59/VIP. 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.
Tuesday, June 11
Family Time
We remember back in the day when summer reading programs were strictly about reading, and just for kids. These days, libraries are bending the unwritten rules of what the program should be. As part of its summer reading program, the Monterey Public Library is screening Hollywood hits every Tuesday. Fast X, Five Nights at Freddy’s, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and other flicks will be shown weekly through July 30. Grab a bucket of popcorn and cheer on your favorite heroes. Just make sure the door is closed behind you so you don’t bother those reading among the books. [EC]
2pm Tuesday, June 11. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 646-3933, monterey.gov/library.
Wednesday, June 12
Arts in Progress
Join Arts Habitat and JEDI in the Arts (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) at an Arts in Progress presentation titled “Artistic Influences of Cultural Heritage.” Photographer Samantha Nunes and poet Garland Thompson engage in a lively conversation moderated by Kenji Tanner, arts educator and lead teacher for the Arts Council for Monterey County. Nunes and Thompson will focus on how their cultures and backgrounds have influenced their work, the ways in which their artwork has progressed, and the barriers they’ve overcome to making a living as artists in our community. Refreshments will be served, and expect networking opportunities before and after the presentation. Doors open at 5:30pm. [AP]
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.