Thursday, July 30
Celebration Time
Bay Area-based hip-hop artist Jason Smith, better known as Lil Bean, is having his official new record release party in Salinas. Hear the songs from his upcoming album, YEAH BOP! This 30-year-old artist has been in the rap scene since 2018 and has already worked with well-known rappers including G-Eazy, Karri and ALLBLACK. Lil Bean was raised in San Francisco’s Geneva Towers housing project and became popular for such hits as “Side of Me” “Investments” and “Swervin.” DJ Neato plays music throughout the night. [RH]
9pm-3am Saturday, Aug. 1. Hacienda Mexican Grill, 1449 N. Davis Road, Salinas. $29-$34; ages 18+. (831) 424-6400, tinyurl.com/LilBeanSalinas.
Friday, July 31
Paint the Town
Summer is a season for whatever you want it to be – some families might spend it at the beach, others diving into a big stack of books, others learning a new skill with a little extra free time. City of Monterey officials at the public library, Parks and Rec Department and Sports Center each contributed their skills and inspiration to help thousands of people along those various paths, and now they wrap it up with a party. Join this all-ages party with music, crafts and interactive activities that are all fun any time – it’s never too late to bring some summer spirit to your life. [SR]
5-7pm Friday, July 31. Jacks Park, 451 Adams St., Monterey. Free. (831) 646-3866, monterey.gov.
Three B’s
For those that enjoy barbecue, beer and belly laughter, look no further than the Spreckels Comedy Showcase, hosted at the T&A Cafe. The monthly night of up-and-coming comedians from across the Central Coast and Bay Area is free to attend but you’ll have to fork over some dough for the beer and award-winning barbecue from the Kleinfeldt Family, who took over the T&A Cafe in 2020 following a successful run slinging their barbecue from a custom trailer. Because the show is free, the space fills up fast, so get there early before it’s standing room only. [AS]
6:30-7:30pm Friday, July 31. T&A Cafe, Home of Kleinfeldt Family BBQ, 1 Harris Road, Salinas. Free. (831) 225-0447, kleinfeldtfamilybbq.com.
Saturday, Aug. 1
House Hunting
Todd Hido is a prolific photographer, recognized for his images of suburban and urban homes. His exhibit is coming to Carmel with an opening preceded by an artist talk. Currently based in San Francisco, Hido hails from Ohio. He obtains his images while wandering endlessly. “I drive a lot,” he said about his artistic process. Hido’s work has influenced multiple Hollywood productions, including Spike Jones’ Her, Sam Levinson’s Euphoria and Issa López’s True Detective: Night Country. He also appears as a subject in On The Roam, Jason Momoa’s HBO Max documentary on creative makers. [AP]
3pm lecture; 4pm exhibit opening Saturday, Aug. 1. Sunset Center, 9th and Carlos, Carmel (lecture at Carpenter Hall, opening at the Center for the Photographic Art gallery). Free. (831) 625-5181, photography.org.
In the Pink
Members of the band Continuous Signal - A Pink Floyd Affair make it their mission to deliver the sights and sounds of a Pink Floyd concert, including a light show and lasers. Archival clips of the bestselling British band are also included.
Pink Floyd is one of the bestselling rock bands of all time, with seminal albums like The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall, and theatrical performances that thrilled audiences for decades. Enter Los Angeles-based band Continuous Signal - A Pink Floyd Affair, which seeks to recreate the enormous sound of the original band, as well as the concert experience, with lasers, lights, archival video clips and other visual effects. The tribute band focuses on Pink Floyd’s popular works from the 1970s, along with some of the band’s tracks from the ’80s. Besides a passion for Pink Floyd’s music, Continuous Signal members also have a passion for animals – a portion of the proceeds from every concert are donated to local animal charities. [PM]
7pm Saturday, Aug. 1. Fox Theater, 241 Main St., Salinas. $44-$61. (831) 758-8459, foxtheatersalinas.com.
Kid Rocks
When The Fabulous Thunderbirds ask you to help give them a more forceful sound, you must be a blues rock powerhouse. And that is the case with the legendary SoCal singer-songwriter Kid Ramos, who has spent his career giving bands a distinct power while releasing his own material – and this from a musician whose parents were opera singers. Now he teams with Johnny Main & The 44s for a thunderous blues performance, his first ever in Carmel. In this intimate setting, it will be all too easy for Ramos and company to blow the audience away. [DF]
7:30pm Saturday, Aug. 1. Founders Theatre, Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde between 8th and 9th, Carmel. $56-$156. (831) 622-0100, pacrep.org.
Saturday, Aug. 1- Sunday, Aug. 2
Summer Flyers
The famed Western Flyer fishing vessel is rich in history. Learn about what makes it special, and retrace John Steinbeck’s steps, during weekly tours and other sea-related activities in Moss Landing.
It’s time to “Seas the Summer” – pun courtesy of the Western Flyer Foundation. Every Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 6, the public can explore the wonders of the ocean and tour the Western Flyer, the historic fishing boat made famous by John Steinbeck in The Log from the Sea of Cortez. On Saturdays, take part in a rotating mix of art, science and vendors, where there’s a different family-friendly activity every week as well as seminars aboard the boat. Then, on Sundays, in addition to tours of the Western Flyer, you can check out the Sunflower Star Laboratory, which is growing the nearly extinct sunflower stars to reintroduce them back into the wild. [EC]
11am-3pm Saturdays-Sundays, Aug. 1-Sept. 6. In front of Woodward Marine Market, 10932 Clam Way, Moss Landing. Free. (831) 220-8047, westernflyer.org.
Load of A-baloney
It was abalone that first brought the Japanese to Monterey, and it was the profits made from abalone that built the Monterey Wharf and the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Hall – the latter exactly 100 years ago. The Monterey Abalone Festival is your chance to explore the natural, cultural and culinary history of this local delicacy. If you want to learn how to sing the infamous “The Abalone Song” written by early boho representative George Sterling, your chance comes at 2pm on Saturday. Enjoy presentations, lectures, a tour of the Monterey Abalone Farm (1-2pm Sunday), and performances by the Monterey Bay Lion Dance Team and Rumsen Ohlone Tribal Community Dancers. [AP]
12:30-4pm Saturday, Aug. 1; 10am-2pm Sunday, Aug. 2. Monterey JACL Hall, 424 Adams St., Monterey. Free. (831) 648-8830, jaclmonterey.org.
Sunday, Aug. 2
Wrath of Kahn
OK, it’s spelled Kahn Ranch, not Khan, but we couldn’t resist throwing in a Star Trek reference. Just like battling this fictional supervillain, you’ll feel this strenuous hike the next day. Sharon Osgood, a volunteer with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, leads this four-mile hike through the southeastern end of Garland Ranch Regional Park. You’ll traverse a steep, one-mile climb up the Hitchcock loop, down Manzanita and up to Fern Falls. Maybe when you get to the end, you can channel your inner Captain Kirk and yell “Kahn!” But the waterfall might muffle the echo. [EC]
9am-noon Sunday, Aug. 2. Garland Ranch Regional Park, Kahn Ranch, Hitchcock Road, Carmel Valley. Free; advanced registration required. (831) 372-3196, tinyurl.com/MontereyParks.
Go to the Dogs
What is aerodynamic, low to the ground, can be a little noisy at times, but fast on a straight track (although a little awkward in turns)? Top fuel dragsters? Yeah, we’ll grant you that. But the description also fits wiener dogs. And there is nothing like a Sunday race day at Lucy’s on Lighthouse when the long little doggies take off. You can settle in with a few dogs – hot dogs, which are Lucy’s specialty – and enjoy a fun afternoon of entertainment unlike any other. Gambling is probably frowned upon, but a tip: the one who just used the outhouse – that’s the one. There is also live music as you munch on dogs while watching dogs run. [DF]
11:30am-3pm Sunday, Aug. 2. Lucy’s on Lighthouse, 1120 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. (831) 920-2006, lucyspg.com.
Tuesday, Aug. 4
Community Policing
National Night Out means police officers in many local cities (including Salinas, above) are out and about on Aug. 4 - with fun and community in mind.
Let’s face it, most of us interact only with law enforcement officers in dark moments – maybe we’re the victim of a crime, a witness or (gulp) a suspect. But cops are part of our community too, and in the spirit of making themselves approachable in a positive, welcoming forum, many local agencies join in the annual tradition of National Night Out. Expect kid-friendly activities, music, K-9 demonstrations from some of the best-trained dogs in the world and a chance to celebrate the people who commit their jobs to keeping our communities safer. Get to know them, and what your role (as a member of the public) in public safety can look like. All events are free to attend. [SR]
Tuesday, Aug. 4, various times: 4-7pm at City Hall lawn, 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside, (831) 899-6748; 4-7pm at Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, 625 Division St., King City, (831) 385-8311; 4:30-7pm at Marina PD, 208 Palm Ave., Marina, (831) 884-1278; 5-7:30pm at Salinas Sports Complex, 1040 N. Main St., Salinas, (831) 758-7122; 5-8pm at Soledad Community Center, 560 Walker Drive, Soledad, (831) 223-5120; 5-7pm at Caledonia Park, 141 Caledonia Ave., Pacific Grove, (831) 648-3143; 6-8pm at Gonzales PD, 109 Fourth St., Gonzales, (831) 675-5010.
Heat Of July
Brisco is an Austin-based duo of childhood friends who have their own take on Americana. Hear them in the idylliic scenery of the Folktale Winery on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
The Live in the Vines summer concert series brings together a beautiful setting, Folktale wines and live music. Briscoe, the Austin-based indie-folk duo of childhood friends Truett Heintzelman and Philip Lupton, kicks off the season. The pair first met at a summer camp in the Texas Hill Country, performing at a camp talent show. Their music combines classic folk with elements of rock, Americana and modern indie. They are influenced by Texas folk-rock and 1960s and 1970s folk and roots music. Their breakout first single and introductory track was “The Well,” released in 2023; two studio albums followed. Singer-songwriter Alec Shaw opens the evening. [AP]
7pm Tuesday, Aug. 4. Folktale Winery, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. $40-$140. (831) 293-7625, folktalewinery.com.
Wednesday, Aug. 5
Hot Stuff
Things heat up when the Quintet of the Hot Club of San Francisco brings gypsy jazz to SandBox. Catch their concert on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
The Quintet of the Hot Club is returning to tiny Sand City with big city sounds. Think: jazz, but with an energetic tempo and a blend of folk and swing, heard in a smoky jazz club in a Parisian lounge. Their signature style is categorized by “Gypsy jazz,” following the classic all-string tradition pioneered by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli of the famed Quintette du Hot Club de France. The ensemble, led by Paul Mehling on solo guitar, has developed a deep and versatile musical style that captures the spirit of 1930s Paris with contemporary flair. And, staying true to the genre’s tradition, they rely exclusively on stringed instruments in precise configuration that includes three guitars, violin and bass. Sold out, but some open seats will be available at the door. [KR]
7-9pm Wednesday, Aug. 5. SandBox, 440 Ortiz Ave., Sand City. $50; $30/students and military. sandboxsandcity@gmail.com, sandboxsandcity.com.
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