Thursday, July 9
Bluegrass Breakthrough
Is there anything new in bluegrass music? Otter Opry answers in the affirmative by bringing in Barkley Cove, an East Coast student group featuring Jillian Dolan (guitar, vocals), Sila Gross (guitar, banjo, vocals), Yusuf Miller (mandolin, bass, vocals) and Robert Myers (bass). The group created a sound that blends folk, rock, country and bluegrass with original songwriting. This is the band’s (and bandmembers’) first trip to California. Otter Opry organizers invite everyone to give them a warm welcome to the West Coast. [PM]
7pm Thursday, July 9. Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $35; free/ages 15 and under. larry@otteropry.org, otteropry.org.
Friday, July 10
Into Gold
While the material goals of the alchemists of old consisted of seemingly impossible tasks like converting base metals such as lead or mercury into gold or silver with a philosopher’s stone, and creating an elixir of eternal life, among other lofty pursuits, the underlying aim of the alchemist was to transform the self in the process. New York-based author, artist and modern-day alchemist Eliza Swann will wax philosophical about alchemists throughout history and the practice of self-transformation, discussed in her latest work, The Alchemical Imagination: Alchemy and Radical Creativity at the Henry Miller Memorial Library, where all levels of alchemists and non-alchemists are welcome. [AS]
Noon-1pm Friday, July 10. Henry Miller Memorial Library, 48603 Highway 1, Big Sur. Free. (831) 667-2574, henrymiller.org.
Controlled Chaos
A good comedian is many things. They’re comfortable with awkward silence. They’re probably comfortable with being awkward themselves. They must be good storytellers – but with a twist – intertwining punchlines with a personal flair. But there’s also a secret sauce that truly seals a great act: the ability to improvise. Improv typically involves ditching the script and riding the vibes, relying on quick wit and, sometimes, even the audience to create a hilarious throughline or story. Controlled Chaos is exactly that, hosting a fast-paced, unscripted improv show presented by the Comedy Variety Showcase. [KR]
7-9pm Friday, July 10. Carmel Valley Athletic Club’s Mind and Body Studio, 27300 Rancho San Carlos Road, Carmel. $29. (831) 624-2737, shorturl.at/a6njo.
Saturday, July 11
Controlled Burn
That’s “muster” not “mustard,” although a barbecue is involved so we can see how that might be confusing. Squirting mustard on a fire is inadvisable, but you’ll have the opportunity to douse a dog or two with your favorite condiments at Big Sur Fire’s Annual Muster and BBQ. It’s part duty and part celebration since it’s a way to support the firefighters protecting some of the most difficult terrain in the country. They’ve certainly earned a barbecue and you can help them out by purchasing a ticket and enjoying a hot dog or burger with them. If you’re feeling like taking on a challenge, they’ll also have some firefighter games for attendees to try, although you’ll probably want to leave the hose dousing to them. [SC]
Noon-3pm Saturday, July 11. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, 47225 Highway 1, Big Sur. $15; free/ages 12 and under. (831) 667-2113, bigsurfire.org.
Under Water
Ocean life both big and small is mesmerizing, from the tiniest plankton to communities of octopuses. The team of scientists – and machinists and mechatronics technicians and pilots of remotely operated vehicles – at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute get to spend their day up close and personal with these creatures, discovering new species and exploring territory deep in the ocean. For one day of the year, they set up the most sophisticated science fair you’ve ever been to and invite the public over to meet the crew, check out their research vessels, and learn about the work they’re doing and how they do it. Meet the humans studying these animals, and get to know more about the animals too – and if you’re lucky, you might get a sticker of a flapjack octopus or something equally adorable at this family-friendly, interactive event. [SR]
Noon-5pm Saturday, July 11. MBARI, 7700 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing. Free. (831) 775-1700, mbari.org.
All’s Fair
Can there be too much to do in a day? Well, the Cachagua Country Fair responds with an emphatic yes. Really, can one family enjoy live music, take part in a silent auction, check out vendors, try some barbecue, visit the bar, play games, send kids to the petting zoo or horseback riding… there’s more, but you get the point. Enough goes on at this gathering that you can easily overlook the fact that the park sits on the Carmel River – so there is a cool bit of outdoors, too. Did we mention the horseshoe tournament? Or the other games? We dare you to cram everything into this fun day. Make that a double-dog dare. The event is a fundraiser for the Cachagua Community Center. [DF]
Noon-6:30pm Saturday, July 11. Cachagua Community Park, 37210 Nason Road, Carmel Valley. Free. cachaguacommunitycenter@gmail.com, facebook.com/cachaguacommunitycenter.
Art Works
Maybe you find trees to be friendly members of your neighborhood, or maybe you can’t stop eyeing that one branch hanging precariously over a roof, or maybe you let them fade into the background. Carmel photographer Jane Olin sees trees – really sees them, as shown in the exhibit fittingly titled Some Trees that is on display at the Monterey Museum of Art until Aug. 23. Her works “invite the viewer to interpret trees’ kinship with humankind, alongside the individuality, complexity, and imposing nature of trees as a poetic and meditative dialogue with the nature that defines our landscape,” according to the show notes. Learn about the selection of these works at a talk by guest curator Cydney Payton, who will be joined by the artist herself. Reserve in advance; admission includes access to the museum. [SR]
2-3:30pm Saturday, July 11. Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific St., Monterey. $20; $5/MMA members, students, military, youth under 18, EBT card-holders. (831) 372-5477, montereyart.org.
All-Star Forest
Jazz in the Forest comes back to Carmel for an outdoor feast for the ears – courtesy of the Monterey Jazz Regional All-Star Vocal Ensemble, Regional All-Star Band and Trading Fours Ensemble, a community-based group which unites local musicians – a testimony to the power of Monterey Jazz’s educational programs and its deep roots in the community. Hear a new iteration of local students perform before leaving for colleges and universities around the country and the world. Some of them will become professional musicians; others will remember the music programs as lessons in leadership and teamwork. Directed by veteran local jazz educators, they sound amazing together on this stage, whatever direction they take next. [AP]
4-6:30pm Saturday, July 11. Outdoor Forest Theater, Santa Rita and Mountain View, Carmel. $20-$25. (831) 373-3366, montereyjazz.org/calendar.
Night Gazers
July is one of the best times to look up at the early evening sky and see our neighboring rock. Venus shines bright this month, a glowing speck that represents the planet that is close in size to ours, yet has a crushing atmosphere with a temperature that’s even more so. Get a better look at this world beyond the naked eye at a star party hosted by the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy Club. Venus may not be an actual star, but it will be a star of the show. What else can you spot in the sky? [EC]
8:45pm Saturday, July 11. Garland Ranch Regional Park Visitor Center, 700 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. Free. (831) 372-3196; register at bit.ly/StarPartyJuly11.
Sunday, July 12
Making Memories
The first of a series of Obon festivals is upon us. Join the Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple to celebrate the ancestors and strengthen the community spirit. The celebration is a moment to show gratitude, commemorate those who came before you and create new memories with family and friends. The festival has cultural displays, Japanese food and activities for all ages. Cultural demonstrations include a tea ceremony, bonsai art and Shorinji Kempo, a modern Japanese martial art. [CJ]
Noon-5pm Sunday, July 12. Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple, 1155 Noche Buena St., Seaside. Free. (831) 394-0119, mpbt.org.
Blues Clues
Seaside’s annual Blues in the Park summer series is back for its 39th season with a bang, featuring Lydia Pense and her band Cold Blood. Pense’s style has been compared to such powerhouse singers as Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin. Along with the band, Pense delivers classic R&B and blues songs, twisting them into “something that doesn’t have a label,” their biography states. They’ve been at it for 40 years, making them tried-and-true touring performers. Joining them on the bill is local favorite Chicano All Stars. [PM]
1-4:30pm Sunday, July 12. Laguna Grande Park, 1249 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside. Free. (831) 899-6700, ci.seaside.ca.us.
Troubadour Tour
Like a present-day troubadour, composing and performing songs as he travels, Paul Sprawl has toured all through North America and Europe since he decided to quit his day job and perform professionally circa 1997. Sprawl describes his work as a “rootsy Americana of sorts” and “coming from a country blues space.” Sprawl currently has numerous full-length albums including the 2000 release, Lucky Hand, recorded in Santa Cruz, while others like Wreckage were recorded outside of California and subsequently mixed and mastered in a studio in Atascadero. The ambling singer-songwriter is on the road with dance artist Leralee Little this summer – with a stop in Pacific Grove. [AS]
6pm Sunday, July 12. Pop & Hiss, 215 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. $5. (831) 275-3303, popandhiss.net.
Wednesday, July 15
The More Things Change
Carmel-by-the-Sea is the kind of place where the rollout of street addresses creates a hullabaloo. Any change here might be viewed as progress – like making it easier to get a package delivered or receive a paramedic call, in the example above – but it might also be viewed as an attack on “village character.” Keeping a town with a century-old reputation for eccentricity imbued with that character (and defining what it even means) is not a new conundrum. It was examined in the 1994 documentary Don’t Pave Main Street, which was narrated by Clint Eastwood (mayor of Carmel from 1986-88). This screening reminds us of how little things change. Doors open at 5pm and Mayor Dale Byrne delivers remarks before showtime at 5:30pm. [SR]
5:30pm Wednesday, July 15. Founders Theatre at the Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde between 8th and 9th, Carmel. $10. (831) 587-6178, pacrep.org.
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