Hot Picks 07.23.26

 Thursday, July 23

Try Hard

Award-winning Arizona-based composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist MaryAnne Muglia will bring her genre-defying sound to Pacific Grove alongside special guest, the “sensitive punk” Luke Sweeney. Muglia recently dropped her debut album, Try Hard, which she describes as an amalgam of indie-folk lyricism, jazz sensibility and pop clarity. For those curious about Muglia’s unique sound, her original compositions, music videos and behind-the-scenes breakdowns are on her social media. [AS]

7pm Thursday, July 23. Pop & Hiss, 215 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. $5. (831) 275-3303, info@popandhiss.net, popandhiss.net.

 Friday, July 24

Marine Expedition

There are some odysseys many won’t be able to embark on (must be scuba-certified or able to visit Antarctica, for example), but there are ways for everyone to enjoy parts of the world Blue Green Expeditions visits. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is hosting a unique performance that involves different media, including film, dialogue, music and immersive storytelling. The feature of the event is an immersive video and musical performance created by Cristian Dimitrius, a wildlife cinematographer for the BBC, and Ragnar Ólafsson, an Icelandic composer and musician. [CJ]

6:30pm Friday, July 24. Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. Free; registration required; sold out. (831) 648-4800, info@bluegreenexpeditions.com.

 Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25

Light Bright

Summer Lights, the annual family-friendly festival organized by the Youth Ambassadors of Pacific Grove, is back with a large lineup of bands and entertainment. On the bill is The Akoustics, a big band based in the Central Valley, delivering strong grooves and soulful rhythms, blending Americana, soul and Latin jazz. Also playing are the duo Wolf Dog Walker, the ’80s tribute group The New Wave Band, and folk/rock band The Sea Dogs, as well as a performance by the local hula group from Hi’ilani ‘O Ke Kai. The fun begins on Friday with the annual Pet Parade. On Saturday morning the Kiwanis host a pancake breakfast, followed by games and entertainment until the sun goes down when a light show begins. [PM]

Pet Parade: 2pm Friday, July 24 on Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove, Free. Pancake Breakfast: 9-11am Saturday, July 25 at Lovers Point Park, 631 Ocean View Ave., $10. Festival: Noon-9pm Saturday, July 25 at Lovers Point Park, free to attend. yaopgpresident@gmail.com, facebook.com/YAofPG.

Welcome to Maui

Experience a 60-minute voyage alongside the courageous Moana, demigod Maui and a vibrant cast of island characters, as they share a story about family, bravery and the power to conquer adversity. With hit songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina, audiences will be pulled from the ocean tide and fully immersed in the “aloha spirit” of Disney Moana Jr. [AP]

7pm Friday, July 24; 2pm and 7pm Saturday, July 25. ARIEL Theatrical, 320 Main St., Salinas. $16; $14/students, seniors, military, children; free/children 3 and under. (831) 775-0976, arieltheatrical.org.

 Friday, July 24-Sunday, July 26

Indigenous Pride

Tenochtitlan was the largest city in the Americas in the 15th century. People are welcome to show their pride and appreciation for Aztec culture at this event, which includes community celebrations and an array of cultural performances, including Danza Azteca, sacred ceremonies and Mexican and Indigenous food. Calpulli Yaocuauhtli, a Salinas-based culture and dance organization, has organized the event for the past 19 years. [CJ]

2-8pm Friday, July 24; 10am-8pm Saturday, 25 and Sunday, July 26. Central Park, 420 Central Ave., Salinas. Free. elizabeth@tuereslamedicina.org, fundaciondemexico-tenochtitlan.org.

 Saturday, July 25

Back to the Roots

Filipino culture combines Southeast Asian heritage, Spanish colonial influence and Indigenous traditions. Filipino American culture adds the immigrant experience to this powerful mix – and their representatives are the third-largest Asian American group in the U.S. Celebrate this layered culture and history during an evening that brings the local Filipino American community together. Expect stories and high-energy performances, such as Sampaguita Filipino Dancers of St. Jude Church in Marina or a martial arts show by Ernie Reyes’ West Coast Demo Team. [AP]

1:30pm Saturday, July 25. Sherwood Hall, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. $30; $15/seniors, children. (831) 210-5270, fanhsmb.wordpress.com.

Feast for the Senses

In today’s world of screens and deadlines, many people often don’t have the time to unplug and immerse themselves in nature. Here in Monterey County, there are so many opportunities to do so if we put our mind to it. The Elkhorn Slough Reserve is a perfect place to unwind and live in the moment while surrounded by the natural world. That’s the theme of a monthly “mindfulness tour” led by docent Renate Funke. She’s been exploring this area for 30 years, and she is happy to share the wonders of the reserve with others while encouraging them to use their senses. The two-mile, easy- to moderate-grade trail offers a chance to see, touch, hear and smell the scenery. But don’t try to taste anything. [EC]

2-4pm Saturday, July 25. Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Royal Oaks. Free. (831) 728-2822, elkhornslough.org.

Encore, Emilia

Emilia Díaz Delgado is an acclaimed classical guitarist based in San Francisco. An award-winning performer, she has appeared with Omni Concerts and NPR’s From the Top, a popular one-hour weekly live concert radio program. She’s organized charity performances benefiting organizations such as the National Audubon Society and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and partnered with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. And she is just 17 years old. “I think I was 5,” she said in an interview with the Omni Foundation when asked how early she remembers playing the guitar. She was 11 at that time, and first performed at the P.G. Art Center at age 15. Now, as a rising star in the classical guitar world, she returns for her second performance with Carmel Guitar Society. [KR]

7-8:30pm Saturday, July 25. Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. $40. bit.ly/EmiliaDelgado.

Sitting, Waiting, Watching

Jack Johnson has been surfing his entire life, and that laid-back attitude carries over into his music. Anyone who listened to pop radio in the mid-2000s still has the opening riff of “Upside Down” and images of the beach stuck in their heads. Johnson combined three of his passions into the appropriately named film, SURFILMUSIC. As expected, it showcases how surf influenced his music that crafted his filmmaking. The documentary is being screened at more than 100 theaters in nine countries. [EC]

7pm Saturday, July 25. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $21. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.

Net Asset

Things are always wild in the USL Championship Western Conference. Monterey Bay F.C. is in 12th place – that’s last – playing host to Orange County, currently in first. Yet MBFC sits just 4 points out of playoff contention. And should a three-game win streak materialize while the frontrunners struggle, the Union would have a shot at the top. [DF]

7pm Saturday, July 25. Cardinale Stadium, 4111 2nd Ave., Seaside. $22-$75. (831) 324-8184, montereybayfc.com.

 Sunday, July 26

Gather Moss

You might think Moss Landing is a good place to go on any day. Well, this is one of those occasions where you can be right and terribly wrong at the same time. Because if you don’t go to Moss Landing on Sunday, July 26, you’ll miss the community’s biggest day of the year. Not only will there be some 200 vendors selling everything from crafts to food at the annual Street Fair, a new live-fire culinary festival joins the fun. The Black Smoke Invitational is a barbecue competition featuring some of the nation’s top pitmasters like Kevin Bludso (a James Beard award winner) and Matt Horn (just Food & Wine’s Best New Chef, that’s all). Chef Tyler Florence hosts, even though it’s not a food truck thing, plus cooking demonstrations, vendors, live music and, most likely, barbecue. If so, go to Moss Landing on Saturday, you’re going to miss out. [DF]

Street Fair: 8am-3:30pm Sunday, July 26 throughout Moss Landing, $5, (831) 633-4501, mosslandingchamber.com. Black Smoke Invitational: 10am-8pm at The Antique Shop, 8071 Moss Landing Road. $92. houseofblacksmoke.com.

Ancestral Spirits

There are many ways we might define “culture,” but often it’s a list of the many elements that combine into a feeling about what makes us who we are: Food, religious traditions, dance, music, fashion. All of these elements and more come together at the Salinas Obon Festival, and all are welcome to learn and celebrate. The program opens with a tea ceremony at 12:30pm and an ikebana floral demonstration follows from 1-2pm, then bonsai at 2:15pm. On the performance stage, watch Chinese dance, taiko drumming, odori dance and a kendo demonstration (the martial art of samurai-style swordfighting). Food is for sale but the aromas (and good vibes) are available for free. [SR]

Noon-5pm Sunday, July 26. Buddhist Temple of Salinas, 14 California St., Salinas. Free. (831) 424-4105, btsalinas.org.

Chili Today

Prefer your meat from a pot rather than a smoker? The Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook-Off is back, featuring local chefs and home cooks preparing their best chili (if you’re from Texas, you can pick out the beans). At the same time, bartenders and people with a thing for lime and salt compete in a margarita competition. And at the same time as all of that, bands play for your entertainment – as if great chili and strong (hopefully) cocktails weren’t enough. When you think about it, Sunday is a really good day to be in Monterey County if you’re a foodie. [DF]

1-4pm Sunday, July 26. Folktale Winery, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. $65; $50/chamber members. (831) 624-3877, carmelchamber.org.

Back at the Library

Jazz guitar virtuoso Phil deGruy returns to the Henry Miller Library, where he last played a decade ago, according to staffer Mike Scutari. “One of the best guitarists I’ve ever seen and one of the funniest guys ever,” Scutari notes. He is not the only one who adores deGruy. The unique style of this New Orleans native was described by guitarist Steve Vai as “John Coltrane meets Mel Brooks at a party for Salvador Dali.” DeGruy is famous for using a custom seven-string guitar, “The Guitararp,” with a unique, fan-fretted neck. [AP]

2-3pm Sunday, July 26. Henry Miller Memorial Library, 48603 Highway 1, Big Sur. Free. (831) 667-2574, henrymiller.org.

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HOT PICKS by Sloan Campi, Erik Chalhoub, Dave Faries, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Agata Popęda, Katie Rodriguez, Sara Rubin and Aric Sleeper.