Thursday, Aug. 13
Jingle Jangle
This is beach music by beach people – in other words, a local band with groovy, pleasant (dare we say jangly) tunes. The Janglers formed in 2024 covering some classics like Fleetwood Mac and The Beach Boys (naturally) in addition to originals. They call themselves a band of songwriters, with frontman Bo Jacobson and drummer John Bruce writing music, relying lyrically on recognizable Monterey Bay imagery and motifs (“trying to swim the tide / I’m only trying to survive”). With guitarist Scott Mayhew and bassist James Perry, they’ve been rocking out privately for a couple of years, and this performance marks their first public show for a hometown audience. [SR]
7pm Thursday, Aug. 13. Pop & Hiss, 215 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. $5. popandhiss.net.
Thursday, Aug. 13- Friday, Aug. 14
Movie Cars
Drive-in movies were cool. The cars were cool. Remember? Well, you can either relive the experience or check out what old-timers are yammering on about when they mention the good old days at Monterey Touring Vehicles’ Drive In Movie Night, which (bonus) is actually two nights. Sit in one of the classic cars with the top down and watch Lamborghini: The Man Behind The Legend on Thursday or Ford v Ferrari on Friday – or both. The theater is actually in a garage, but there are some amazing classics lined up to face the screen. A concession stand is stocked with popcorn, soda, hot dogs and other movie food from the day for purchase. And there are photo ops with the cars. Dig? [DF]
7pm Thursday, Aug. 13-Friday, Aug. 14. Monterey Touring Vehicles, 2228 Del Monte Ave., Monterey. $45/person. (831) 337-8800, montereytouringvehicles.com.
Friday, Aug. 14
Lost Manuscripts
Traveler, explorer and author James Michael Dorsey returns to the Monterey Public Library with his famous travelogues. This one takes the audience to “libraries beneath the sand” in the Sahara desert outside Timbuktu in Mali. Thirty years ago, Dorsey was recruited by the Tuareg nomads to help with the evacuation of those hidden collections – thousands of manuscripts buried by the nomads for safekeeping. Dorsey’s fascinating experiences around the world has long been a reliable staple in the library programming. [AP]
5-6pm Friday, Aug. 14. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free; registration recommended. (831) 646-3933, monterey.gov/library/events.
Glass Act
Singer-songwriter Linda Arceo has performed on some pretty big stages. She has opened for Martha Davis and The Motels and was the headline act at Henry Miller Memorial Library. But with her flair for indie rock, country, Latin and other influences, as well as acoustic guitar sets, Arceo is also suited to intimate settings, perhaps one where audiences kick back with glasses of wine. So the Puma Road wine tasting room is a perfect setting. Try a wine tasting, order by the glass or bottle and listen. And don’t worry, although she can hit the right notes, Arceo tries not to break the glass. [DF]
6pm Friday, Aug. 14. Puma Road, Portola Plaza, 281 Alvarado St., Monterey. Free. (831) 747-1911.
Music Book
Music can tell a story, and this evening is dedicated to both the music part and the story part in equal measure. Musicians/singers Dixie Dixon and Steve Mortensen offer up the tunes, and poet/educator Doug Borer provides the words and context to reveal stories about Carmel’s local history. Expect to learn about the origins of the Abalone Song (courtesy of George Sterling, Carmel’s OG bohemian and developer), the Forest Theater and other cultural touchstones that still resonate today. Expect it to be entertaining and informative – for those who are already in the know. This show is sold out. [SR]
7pm Friday, Aug. 14. Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, 4th and Guadalupe, Carmel. $25; sold out. (831) 624-7491, carlcherrycenter.org.
Saturday, Aug. 15
Walk of History
If there’s a Monterey history question you have, ask Tim Thomas. One of the region’s top historians is a treasure trove of information about the city, with an emphasis on its maritime history. He’s the author of several books, including The Japanese on the Monterey Peninsula, and has worked with various organizations such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Every month, Thomas leads a walking tour of Monterey’s Nihonjin-gai neighborhood (also known as Japantown). He’ll also give a tour of the Japanese American Citizens League Heritage Center, which celebrated its 100th anniversary earlier this year, further bringing to light the contributions of the Japanese on shaping Monterey. [EC]
10-11:30am Saturday, Aug. 15. Japanese American Citizens League, 424 Adams St., Monterey. Free; registration required. bit.ly/JACLTourAug15.
Color Fusion
Metal, heat and powdered colors are some of the ingredients you need to create a unique piece of jewelry. The Pacific Grove Art Center is offering an enamel workshop where jewelry and craft lovers can create their own earrings, necklaces, and more. Jewelry instructor Abby Rose Bettencourt will guide attendees to learn the basics of enamel jewelry, including how to make patterns, explore color combinations and firing techniques. [CJ]
3-6pm Saturday, Aug. 15. Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Ave. $75. (408) 710-9747, AbbyRose.Art.
Funny Voice
Dubbed the “Funniest woman in the world” by director and producer Judd Apatow, with television host Stephen Colbert calling her his “favorite comedian on Earth,” Maria Bamford has a knack for making people laugh. If you don’t recognize Bamford, who, in addition to her standup, is a best-selling author and actor, you may recognize her voice from shows like BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth and Adventure Time, among a slew of other voice acting roles. To prepare yourself for her upcoming show at the Golden State Theatre, check out her Netflix specials and her web series, “Noooo-CD!” on her eponymous website. [AS]
7pm Saturday, Aug. 15. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey, $44-$67. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.
Ghost Adventure
If you’ve ever watched a paranormal investigation show on television and wished you were right there in the middle of it, here’s your chance. Danielle Nicole, the owner of Vegas Afterlife, is coming to Monterey with ghost-hunting equipment in hand, and she’s looking for budding and experienced investigators to join her. Nicole and the group will be investigating Colton Hall and the Old Monterey Jail, two locations dripping in history with plenty of unexplained activity being reported throughout the decades. Nicole has investigated paranormal hotspots in Las Vegas, and now she’s branching out to California. “I have a lot of people come to my events as skeptics and they leave as believers,” she says. Whether you believe or not, the opportunity to explore an historic building after hours and learn about the past is worth the price of admission. [EC]
7pm Saturday, Aug. 15 and Aug. 29. Colton Hall, 570 Pacific St., Monterey. $80. Ages 14-plus. (702) 577-2705, vegasafterlife.com.
Buenas Noches
For 18 years Noche Bohemia has served as a showcase for Salinas culture, bringing together artists, singers, dancers, musicians, authors and poets for one night of celebration. “Noche Bohemia is more than an event – it’s a cultural movement that celebrates the beauty and depth of Latino heritage while embracing the multicultural fabric of our region,” said co-founder Adela Castillo. Beyond giving creatives a place to shine, the goal of Noche Bohemia is to inspire hearts, uplift minds and awaken the soul. [PM]
7-10pm Saturday, Aug. 15. Sherwood Hall, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. Free. nochebohemiadesalinas@gmail.com, nochebohemiadesalinas.com.
Saturday, Aug. 15- Sunday, Aug. 16
Forever New
Everybody knows the opening song. “The New World” is the soaring opening number that sets the tone for the entire show. With beloved music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, directed for the Western Stage by Jeff Hinderscheid, Songs for the New World come to Salinas, with John G. Bridges, Leticia Candelaria, Melissa Podczaszy, Brennan Whitaker and Jacquelyn Villena Whitake as cast. A song cycle rather than a traditional book musical, the show doesn’t have a traditional plot or named characters. Four performers move through songs unified by the common experience – that of being on a crossroads, in a decisive moment in life, about to make a choice about to change everything. Brown wrote it in his mid-20s, and it draws on a mix of styles – pop, gospel, jazz and Broadway balladry. Favorite songs include “Stars and the Moon,” “Just One Step,” “I’m Not Afraid of Anything,” “Surabaya-Santa,” “The Flagmaker, 1775,” and “King of the World.” [AP]
7:30pm Saturdays; 2pm Sundays, Aug. 15-Sept. 6. The Western Stage, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. $12-$30. (831) 755-6816, westernstage.com.
Sunday, Aug. 16
La Guelaguetza
For the last 17 years the Oaxacan community has come together to celebrate its culture and history at La Guelaguetza in Salinas. The festival draws about 2,000 attendees every year and brings together local and visiting folkloric dance groups representing Oaxaca’s eight regions, each sharing traditional dances, music, attire and regional harvests like bananas, pineapples and bread. Beyond performances, the event functions as a welcoming space for Indigenous and mixed Oaxacan communities, offering cultural pride, community connection, and access to resources such as immigration information, consular services, and potentially food distribution for families in need. [RH]
2-5pm Sunday, Aug. 16. Natividad Creek Park, 1395 Nogal Drive, Salinas. Free. (831) 800-6115, Salinas.gov/Events.
Tuesday, Aug. 18
Rock Stars
Who are the best rockers in Monterey County? The Salty Seal is here to find out at its first-ever Battle of the Bands since new ownership took over. Three to four judges will assess the band’s stage presence, performance and audience-reactions for each of the 11 music groups that signed up. The musicians are tasked with two original songs and one cover song each. But the stakes are pretty high, since judges include veteran musicians and musical thinkers in Monterey County, but the grand prize is $1,000 plus a year-long residency at the bar. The contest will be held weekly until one band is crowned the winner. [SC]
7-10pm Tuesday, Aug. 18. The Salty Seal, 635 Cannery Row, Monterey. Free. (831) 920-2327, saltysealpub.com.
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