Thursday, July 10
Tea Time
There is a magic to tea: It can be warming, refreshing, soothing, invigorating. The magic works by combining tea leaves, herbs, other botanicals and water to conjure up the perfect brew. The Summer Tea Alchemy Workshop shows you exactly how to do that from an expert at Lady of the Wood Botanicals. Iris Brooke will show you how to create your own custom summer tea blend that’s perfect for relaxation, energy and warm-weather wellness. You’ll leave with your own personalized tea brews along with the skills to create more at home. [PM]
5-7pm Thursday, July 10. Folktale Winery, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. $90. 293-7506, folktalewinery.com.
Friday, July 11
Summer Vibes
Local bands, local food, local people, local wine. It’s time for Carmel Plaza’s Summer Live Music Series to return for the season, bringing back the vibes locals have come to love. For three Fridays this month (July 11, 18 and 25), the plaza comes to life with music from The Money Band and Chicano All Stars. Carmel Plaza establishments and other local favorites will also be serving up bites and wine to enjoy as you rock. It’s also for a good cause: $5 from every $25 food and drink package benefits a local nonprofit. Summer is back – now is the time to feel it. [EC]
5-7pm Friday, July 11. Carmel Plaza, Ocean and Mission, Carmel. Free; food and wine packages available for $25. 624-0138, carmelplaza.com/summer-live-music-2025.
Art Of Handwriting
The Sea Scribes Monterey Bay Calligraphy Guild is back with an exhibit titled For the Love of Poetry. But it’s only partly about poetry – it’s also about how the words themselves appear. Celebrate the beauty of the written word, with each piece offering a visual journey through language and art. This collection honors poetry’s timeless power to move, inspire and connect. A reception offers a change to connect with the artists; the exhibit will be on display until Sept. 27. [CJ]
5:30pm Friday, July 11. Pacific Grove Public Library, 550 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. 648-5760, pacificgrovelibrary.org.
Sunny Rhythm
Going to the park to enjoy warm weather is part of summertime. It’s even better if, on top of hanging out with family and friends, one has a chance to enjoy live music and sing or dance with a crowd. To build community and have fun, the City of Soledad is kicking off its Music in the Park series. Each session brings a different local performing artist. This Friday, attendees will enjoy reggae from the Salinas band The Rudians, and food is available for purchase from local vendors. [CJ]
6-8pm Friday, July 11. Cesar Chavez Park, 555 Front St., Soledad. Free. 678-3745, cityofsoledad.com/event.
Mid-Season Form
The USL Championship Western Conference race is tight, to say the least. Only 11 points separate first place New Mexico United and 12th place Lexington SC. Smack in the middle, and clinging to a playoff spot, is Monterey Bay FC. At 5-4-6 on the year with 19 points, MBFC is just 3 points clear of the post season cutoff line, yet only 6 points down from the leaders. That makes every game crucial. On Friday night, Orange County SC – sitting in ninth place – pays a visit to Cardinale Stadium. Despite a difficult stretch, a win would tentatively vault MBFC into second, while a loss would have them teetering on the cutoff line. And just in time for Big Week in Salinas, the theme is ag and country, so wear your best hat and fringe. [DF]
6pm Friday, July 11. Cardinale Stadium, 4111 2nd Ave., Seaside. $24-$74. 324-2560, montereybayfc.com
Jane is Back
Devised by Hartnell College theater arts and cinema students and co-facilitated by artist collaborator Estrella Esparza-Johnson and instructor River Navaille, Get with the Times, Jane!–A Sufragista Play, is back. First shown in 2024, this original and bilingual production is heading to the BorderLight Theatre Festival in Cleveland, Ohio, a major international event that celebrates bold, experimental and independent theater. But first, it’s time for another local performance. Written and performed by an all-female cast of students of color, Get with the Times, Jane! is a time-traveling comedy that explores feminism across generations, the messy progress of social change and the power of female solidarity. [AP]
7pm Friday, July 11. Media Center for Art, Education and Technology, 901 Blanco Circle, Salinas. Free. 755-0300, tinyurl.com/TimesJane.
Friday, July 11 - Sunday, July 13
Best in Show
If you go to a dog show, ask yourself: What would Buck Laughlin – the TV commentator from Best in Show – ask? For instance, while judging the hounds, he famously wondered, “Now tell me, which one of these dogs would you want to have as your wide receiver on your football team?” Perhaps such questions may arise for you when you attend the Del Monte Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Show, where dogs are judged on athleticism, obedience, conformation and rally. Founded in 1908, the Del Monte Kennel Club hosts this annual show, bringing in spectators and competitors from across the U.S. This year marks their 101st show, held over three days at Carmel Middle School. Come see all kinds of dog breeds (and puppies) compete for the best in show. [KR]
8am-3pm Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13. Carmel Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. Free; $10/parking fee. dmkc.org/allbreed.
Speed Zone
It’s difficult enough for drivers traversing WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca’s famed Corkscrew and its five-and-a-half-story drop. But at least their vehicle has four wheels to help keep their balance. Try it on two wheels at a high speed. The MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest returns with 190mph Superbikes and plenty of family entertainment. The top Superbike riders across the nation will battle it out, but the action is not just confined just to the 11-turn, 2.2-mile road course. Stunt and bike shows will take place throughout the grounds, as well as a kids’ area with carnival games. You’ll also get the chance to meet riders in the open race paddock. [EC]
8:30am-4:30pm Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 1021 Highway 68, Salinas. $30/Friday general admission, $70/Saturday and Sunday. motoamerica.com/laguna-seca.
Saturday, July 12
Fire Power
Big Sur Fire has been on the move this year. They’ve trained another round of volunteer firefighters, expanding their team to be ready when the next wildfire hits Big Sur’s rugged, vegetated landscape. They’ve also trained a 20-person hand crew, now out of training and working directly with local residents to create defensible space around homes – often the difference between a home lost and one that survives. Needless to say, Big Sur Fire does a whole lot. This weekend, you can come celebrate and support their work at the annual Muster and Community BBQ at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. There will be live music, games and free meals for kids under 12. [KR]
Noon-3pm Saturday, July 12. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, 7225 Highway 1, Big Sur. $15; free/children under 12. 667-2113, bigsurfire.org.
Jazz Al Fresco
Monterey Jazz is presenting its educational programs and their achievements during a big outdoor jazz concert, titled Jazz in the Forest. It’s a chance to hear young musicians from the 2025 Regional All-Star big band, middle school combo and the vocal ensemble. Additionally, community-based jazz group Trading Fours will demonstrate its skills. Expect jazz standards from such composers as Herbie Hancock or Mercer Ellington and such songs as “Willow Weep For Me” by Ann Ronell or “Fly Away Birdie” by Carol Welsman, with lyrics by Mark Jackson and Jeremy Fox. [AP]
4-7pm Saturday, July 12. Outdoor Forest Theater, Mountain View and Santa Rita, Carmel. $22; $17/youth 18 and under. 622-0100, pacrep.org.
Live Love
Love Creek is bringing their psychedelic rock from one mountain to another. The band that hails from the Santa Cruz Mountains makes their way to Big Sur with a repertoire of classic rock covers as well as original work. Seeing Love Creek live is the way to experience the band’s music – improvisation is a big part of their jam. [EC]
9pm Saturday, July 12. Fernwood Resort, 47200 Highway 1, Big Sur. Free. 667-2422, fernwoodbigsur.com.
Sunday, July 13
Spirited Celebration
The Monterey Peninsula Obon Festival – a time to celebrate, remember and express gratitude to the ancestors who live on in spirit – is still going strong after 76 years. The celebration features Japanese food, entertainment, ikebana and bonsai exhibits, children’s games, plus Japanese goods and crafts for sale. Indulge in tempura, sushi, teriyaki, udon and gyoza. Watch an authentic tea ceremony and martial arts demonstrations and experience the rhythms of Taiko drumming. Later in the afternoon, be swept up in the colorful Obon Odori, community Japanese dancing, to cap off a day of celebration, togetherness and remembrance. [PM]
Noon-5pm Sunday, July 13. Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple, 1155 Noche Buena St., Seaside. Free, donations accepted. 394-0119, facebook.com/montereypeninsulaobonfestival.
Laguna Tunes
The summer of 1987 was a banner season for the arts: Les Miserables opened at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo, Guns & Roses released Appetite for Destruction, and Sunday Blues in the Park debuted in Seaside. Now in its 38th season, it’s that time of year again when Laguna Grande Park comes alive on Sundays with music and good cheer. So bring a lawn chair, a blanket and a cooler – it’s a party for the people, paid for by the people. Kaye Bohler opens for Chris Cain. It promises to be a delightfully chill afternoon. [DS]
1-4:30pm Sunday, July 13. Laguna Grande Park, 1249 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside. Free. 899-6700, ci.seaside.ca.us.
Wednesday, July 16
Spray Away
Discover the roots of graffiti and develop your own style through free Cepanoa Arts Summer Spray, a six-week-long aerosol art workshop.
Dive into the world of graffiti, exploring the roots, evolution and impact of street art culture. From black book sketching to stencil techniques, the program guides participants through foundational elements of graffiti while encouraging individual creativity and style. By the end of the program, participants will have a deeper understanding of graffiti’s cultural significance and a portfolio of original works that reflect their growth and voice as emerging aerosol artists. [AP]
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