Thursday, Aug. 21
Pick Your Pleasure
Nashville-based bluegrass artist Rebecca Frazier plays in Monterey Thursday, Aug. 21. To date, Frazier has released two albums as a solo artist, When We Fall, released in 2013, and Boarding Windows in Paradise in 2024.
Grammy-winning producer Alison Brown has described bluegrass singer-songwriter Rebecca Frazier as a “triple threat” who “sings, plays, and writes with fire and grace.” But if she does all three with both fire and grace – which are two different things – doesn’t that make Frazier a double-triple threat? In any case, the native Virginian, seasoned by a life of boarding up windows after hurricanes, sounds like she’s well-adapted to our current cultural moment. She is, after all, the first woman to ever appear on the cover of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine. Otter Opry, which is hosting the concert, will be serving a smoked tri-tip dinner before the show at 5:30pm. You’ll want to get it while it’s hot. [DS]
7pm Thursday, Aug. 21. Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $35; $30/members of California Bluegrass Association; Free/children under 15; $20/pre-show dinner. 375-8285, otteropry.org.
Friday, Aug. 22
One Person’s Trash
When was the last time you sorted your trash? You may not know the answer to that, but the Alliance on Aging might. Their models will be showcasing some of the finest trash they can find. And it’s for a good cause – all proceeds go to support services that seniors in Monterey County receive for free. Those include tax prep, Medicare enrollment assistance and even dance lessons. So come out to see the designs, and who knows, you may even recognize something. Maybe they’ll give you a designer’s credit. [SC]
5:30pm Friday, Aug. 22. The Inn at Spanish Bay, 2700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. $200-$225. 655-7564, allianceonaging.org.
Summer Sounds
The simple act of blending certain instruments can be a powerful experience. Dave Koz, an American smooth jazz saxophonist with nine Grammy nominations and a dozen No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Current Contemporary Jazz chart, is renowned for his ability to weave instruments into beautifully balanced melodies. At the Golden State Theatre, he’s hosting a show with friends to showcase some of the most beloved horn instruments. The lineup includes Mark Anderson and Leo P on saxophone, Jeff Bradshaw on trombone, Evan Taylor on trumpet and Marcel Anderson on vocals. As Esquire once said of the platinum-selling artist: “A man who digs Dave Koz is a man who digs life.” [KR]
7pm Friday, Aug. 22. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $45-$124. 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.
Friday, Aug. 22-Sunday, Aug. 24
Drama School
A teenage outsider, Veronica Sawyer (Michaela Velasco), strives to join a powerful high school clique known as the Heathers. The musical opens Friday, Aug. 22 at Paper Wing Theatre & Supper Club in Monterey.
We know what it’s like to work in an office where multiple people share the same first name. We can’t imagine being in a high school class where not two, but three have matching names. Poor Veronica Sawyer is stuck in the middle of it all, even if her name is different. Such is the dilemma Sawyer faces in Heathers: The Musical, as she is part of a popular group of girls with the names Heather Duke, Heather McNamara and Heather Chandler, and all the drama and angst that can only ensue in high school. Paper Wing Theatre presents the musical based on the 1989 film that starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. [EC]
8pm Fridays and Saturdays, 3pm Sundays, 6pm Saturdays (dinner) Aug. 22-Sept. 14. Paper Wing Theatre & Supper Club, 711 Cannery Row, Suite I (upstairs), Monterey. $36/general, $80/dinner and show. 905 5684, paperwing.com.
Saturday, Aug. 23
Senior Serving
The senior life can be a parade of daily joyful activities, especially if you have the Carmel Foundation in your corner. Learn more at an open house Saturday, Aug. 23.
Where in the world can you play ping-pong, do jigsaw puzzles, learn woodcarving, practice qigong and have fun line dancing all in one fell swoop? At The Carmel Foundation’s 75th anniversary celebration. The nonprofit is now as old as some of the senior members it serves, but it hasn’t slowed down even a little – it’s busier than ever with meals, classes, lectures and building a thriving community. Learn what it’s all about, see the campus and be among the first to check out the brand-new Sheffield Wellness Studio with offerings like yoga and meditation. Enjoy food, an oracle card reading and hear live music at this 75th birthday party for a community institution. [SR]
10am-2pm Saturday, Aug. 23. The Carmel Foundation, 8th and Lincoln, Carmel. Free. 624-1588, carmelfoundation.org.
Let it Show
Call it the Car Day that happens after Car Week. At the 10th annual Salinas Police Activities League Car Show in downtown Salinas, you never know what is going to show up, but there will be classics, customs, cars and trucks, along with vendors and music and more. And it’s all free. Bonus: Proceeds from participants’ registration fees benefit PAL youth programs. [DF]
10am-4pm Saturday, Aug. 23. Main Street, Salinas. Free. 512-1900, salinaspal.org.
Get Your Kicks
As the season winds down, Monterey Bay FC is staying alive. Yeah, we know. Now the song is in your head. They entered last weekend in 9th, one spot below the playoff cut line, yet only 3 points out of 5th place. That’s why they call it the USL Championship’s wild, wild Western Conference. They take on visiting San Antonio. [DF]
7pm Saturday, Aug. 23. Cardinale Stadium, 4111 2nd Ave., Seaside. $22-$59. 324-2560, montereybayfc.com.
Latin Melody
For a melodic night and enjoyment of popular music from Mexico and Latin America, Palenke Arts is the place to be. Manuel Aquino, a Mexican pianist known as El Piano de Mexico, will fill the venue with songs that are a staple in many Latin American homes. He’ll interpret classics from tango, through bolero to ranchera. Aquino is a pianist who has toured around the world and has shared space with renowned Mexican artists such as Consuelo Velázquez, Roberto Cantoral and Armando Manzanero. [CJ]
7-9pm Saturday, Aug. 23. Palenke Teen Art Center, 530 Elm Ave., Seaside. $30. 899-9909, palenkearts.com.
Saturday, Aug. 23- Sunday, Aug. 24
Turkish Delights
The Monterey Turkish Arts & Culture Festival returns for two-day festivities Saturday, Aug. 23 and Sunday, Aug. 24. Traditional Turkish dances are one of many attractions.
The richness of Turkish culture is not to be underestimated. If not for the Turks, there would not be yogurt, kiosks, divans or pastrami, just to name a few treasures of Türkiye. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the 25th year of the Monterey Turkish Arts & Culture Festival and share the vibrant traditions, flavors and spirit of Turkey with our community,” said Executive Director Saime Matsu. Come see whirling dervish performances, hear Turkish music and see vibrant folk dancing, learn the Turkish wedding dance, and get to know the difference between Adana kebap and doner kebap. This is a family-friendly event full of children’s activities – folk dancing, face painting and such. [AP]
11am-7pm Saturday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Aug. 24. Custom House Plaza, Monterey. Free to attend. 224-6501, info@turkfestca.org, turkfestca.org.
Burn Bright
Alice Murphy is a successful literary editor who harbors a deep and sad secret of a child she lost in her youth in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She meets a young soldier named Billy Cane and the connection takes her on a journey of self-discovery and a hunt to find out what really happened to her child. The Broadway musical Bright Star takes the audience on an emotional yet sweet ride, featuring bluegrass-inspired songs by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, with the book by Martin. It’s a story of love, loss, redemption and the power of the human spirit. It runs at The Western Stage weekends through Sept. 14. [PM]
7:30pm Saturdays; 2pm Sundays Aug. 23-Sept. 14. The Western Stage, 411 Central Ave., Salinas, $30/adult; $24/senior; $12/child. 755-6816, westernstage.com.
Laugh Out Loud
Homegrown Humor by Humans (HHH) celebrates its first-year anniversary with a show at XL Public House in Salinas. This community of local comedians and influencers is spearheaded by The Jayster, aka Jay Cohen (far left).
Here are some alliterative tongue-twisters for you. Homegrown Humor by Humans (that’s HHH) is hilarious. The Triple H of Comedy, as the group is known, is celebrating one year of silliness in Salinas, or cultivating comedy in their cerebral cellar. “We’re growing up,” says Jay “The Jayster!!!” Cohen. After monthly shows (the fourth Saturday of the month) for a year, Cohen and James “The Menace!!” (only two exclamation points) Mena are on a roll. Their shtick includes the audience, so prepare not only to laugh but to chime in – prepare a joke if you’ve got a good one. This comedy scene is as local as it gets: In honor of the 831, the show starts right on time at 8:31pm, and fear not, they’ll be back with a follow-up on 8/31 (Sunday, Aug. 31). “That’s our theme,” Cohen says. “Salinas-style humor.” [SR]
8pm (doors), 8:31pm showtime Saturday, Aug. 23. XL Public House, 127 Main St., Salinas. $10. homegrownhumorbyhumans@gmail.com, ticketleap.com.
Sunday, Aug. 24
Small Town, Big Time
When an event is well-attended, some might say the entire town showed up, an old adage that speaks to the crowds of people. But when Aromas throws its annual party, that saying is essentially a factual observation. Aromas Day is the biggest event of the year in the tiny town, a celebration of (you guessed it) Aromas and its people. Start the day with a breakfast at the Aromas Grange and then head out to the main drag of Aromas, where nonprofits set up booths and treasure hunters will be sure to find something among the many garage sales. Kids activities, live music, a car show and more round out the fun. [EC]
9am-4pm Sunday, Aug. 24. Carpenteria Road, Aromas. Free. aromasday.org.
Into the Gray
As a poet should be, Kelly Gray is enigmatic. All we know about her is that she lives among redwoods, “nine miles and seven fence posts away from the ocean,” as she likes to say. Otherwise, all we have of her are her beautiful words. Gray has four volumes of poetry published, the most recent one titled Dilapitatia, 2025. When she is not writing, Gray is teaching in public schools. Pack a lunch, lay out a blanket on the lawn and enjoy a reading from an acclaimed poet. [AP]
Noon-2pm Sunday, Aug. 24. Henry Miller Memorial Library, 48603 Highway 1, Big Sur. Free. 667-2574, henrymiller.org.
Tuesday, Aug. 26
Compassionate Fashion
Sure Project Runway has high fashion combined with drama, but how about combining style with philanthropy for the greater good? The Fashion & Compassion event by the Hospice Giving Foundation features chic outfits by Debra C of Carmel worn by some high-powered women of Monterey County. Featured runway models include former county supervisor Mary Adams, District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni and Superior Court Judge Carrie Panetta. Other models include singer-songwriter Julie Capili, artist Sarah Grandcolas and attorney Jennifer Rosenthal. Enjoy lunch, drinks and exciting raffle prizes, all while supporting the foundation’s mission to provide compassionate and dignified end-of-life care. [PM]
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