Hot Picks 08.27.26

 Friday, Aug. 28

On The Terrace

Sunset Cultural Center is a huge complex with many spaces for cultural experiences hidden in various parts of the building, which turns 100 years old this year. As Indian summer weather comes to town, the outdoor upper terrace space of the center opens for free evening concerts of local music. The Bubba Pickens Band from Carmel plays everything from dynamic bluegrass classics and original songs, to their own takes on rock hits. The band opens the Friday night Terrace Hour series, which brings Rick Forschino Quartet on Sept. 4, Al James Band on Sept. 18 and Sabelle on Sept. 25. [AP]

6-7pm (doors open at 5:30pm) Friday, Aug. 28. Sunset Center Upper Terrace, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. Free; RSVPs requested but not required. (831) 620-2040, tinyurl.com/TerraceHour.

Dive In

There are cover bands. And then there is Shannon & The Night Divers. On stage, the band reengineers classic danceable hits with jazzy breakdowns, Latin elements and seamless mashups, often stretching out a groove on the fly when the dance floor is locked in. Transitioning effortlessly from sunny afternoon festivals like Pacific Grove’s Good Old Days to full-throttle evening sets complete with strobe lights and sequins, the Night Divers are having their busiest year yet. The band is looking forward to Asilomar. The Casapias have watched videos of the crowds the outdoor venue draws and are putting in several rehearsals before the show. The local band describes their approach with a Chilean saying: “Throw everything on the grill.” [TE]

6pm Friday, Aug. 28. Asilomar Conference Grounds, 800 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. (831) 372-8016, visitasilomar.com.

Centennial Kick-off

The Carmel Music Society was born in 1927, created by two women who dreamed of bringing the best classical music in the world to the tiny village. Since then the nonprofit has presented more than 600 concerts by some of the greatest artists and ensembles of all time. The Society is launching its 100th year with a Centennial Gala, featuring celebrated pianist Peter Dugan and Grammy Award-winning clarinetist Mark Dover. The two musicians, close friends and collaborators, are promising an evening of music from the classical canon, the American Songbook, as well as popular music standards and original compositions inspired by jazz and world music. [PM]

6:30-9pm Friday, Aug. 28. SandBox, 440 Ortiz Ave., Sand City. $52. (831) 625-9938, sandboxsandcity.com.

Tidal Tunes

With albums titled Green World and Ocean Rose, it’s apparent that the folky, soft rock band Wildflower draws inspiration from the natural world. Hailing from the Atlantic coast, the Portland, Maine-based band consists of singer and guitarist Adrian O’Barr and a rotating cast of talented musicians, who combine powers to create meditative and ethereal cuts such as “Spencer the Rover,” and “Open Ocean” from the band’s March 2025 album Live by the Sea. Wildflower bring their unique sound to Pacific Grove, along with special guests Chris Seeds and Ricky Crano. [AS]

7pm Friday, Aug. 28-Saturday, Aug. 29. Pop & Hiss, 215 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. $5. (831) 275-3303, popandhiss.net.

 Friday, Aug. 28- Saturday, Aug. 29

Laughs with Dracula

What’s so bloody funny? It’s Count Dracula (played by actor Justin Gaudoin) and his adventures in Transylvania – globally famed for vampire folklore, and potent country for musical comedy. Written by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is a “90-minute, gender-bending, quick-changing, laugh-out-loud reimagining of the Gothic classic, perfect for audiences of all blood types,” according to its original creators. It first debuted during the pandemic as a podcast radio play in May 2020, and premiered Off-Broadway in 2023. Now it comes to Monterey; garlic is optional. [AP]

7:30pm Fridays and Saturday, Aug. 28-Sept. 19, 3pm Sundays Sept. 13-20. Paper Wing Theatre & Supper Club, 711 Cannery Row, Suite I, Monterey. $35-$79. (831) 905-5684, paperwing.com.

 Saturday, Aug. 29

Stories To Tell

Do you have a story to tell? After the success of the two editions of Porchlight Stories, a Moth Radio Hour-inspired storytelling program, the Carl Cherry Center is offering a workshop for would-be storytellers. It’s an all day workshop with dinner, led by director, producer and performance coach Robin McKee. She guides a small group of storytellers through crafting, editing and live presentation on stage. It’s a chance to get ready to submit ideas for the next edition of Porchlight Stories, set for Oct. 29. [AP]

10:30am-8pm Saturday, Aug. 29. Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, Guadalupe and 4th, Carmel. $75. (831) 624-7491, carlcherrycenter.org.

By A Roper

Three’s Company is a 1970s sitcom best forgotten. Truly. Don’t believe us? Well, here’s a typical exchange: “Men are so unsympathetic.” “Baloney.” “Oh yeah? Then how come there are more women nurses than men?” “Because there are more men who get sick because of women.” Yet somehow the show has given us something useful: Roper Romps. That’s where people dress like Mrs. Roper (or Stanley, Krissy, Janet or Jack) and go on an embarrassing pub crawl. Such events have happened elsewhere, and one is coming to Pacific Grove, starting at The Vague Collection (705 Lighthouse Ave.) and winding through The Block, Monarch Pub, Pop & Hiss and Hops and Fog. Wear your best muumuu and cheapest costume jewelry. [DF]

3-8pm Saturday, Aug. 29. Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove. Free to crawl. (831) 215-1658, hopsandfog.beer.

Show and Tell

All year long, the nonprofit Sol Treasures offers classes and produces shows and cultivates the arts scene in South County. Once a year they throw an outdoor art party to celebrate all of that creativity (and, let’s be real, work) at an event that also serves as their biggest annual fundraiser. The outdoor event features pieces by visual artists in the region, live music, food, a silent auction and good company. Of course, there are also opportunities to buy artwork; this is a chance for artists to connect with collectors, and for anyone to become a collector. Whether or not you’re in the market to own a piece of original art, you can join in this uplifting celebration of the arts. [SR]

4-8pm Saturday, Aug. 29. Sol Treasures, 519 Broadway St., King City. $100. (831) 386-1381, soltreasures.com.

Make the Pitch

Monterey Bay FC’s struggles continue. The team remains mired in last with a 4-4-13 record. But there is also the beer garden, food trucks and a fun group of fans. MBFC plays host to Sacramento Republic FC, currently sitting fifth in the USL Championship Western Conference. And you never know, this could be the Union’s day. [DF]

7pm Saturday, Aug. 29. Cardinale Stadium, 4111 2nd Ave., Seaside. $25-$79. montereybayfc.com.

 Saturday, Aug. 29- Sunday, Aug. 30

Turkish Travel

You don’t need to travel across the planet, just down to Custom House Plaza, to experience flavors of Türkiye. The 26th annual Monterey Turkish Arts & Cultural Festival is a family-friendly event that offers something for everyone from fortune-telling and meditation to crafting and performance. The festival features a new community contest: “What’s Your Favorite Turkish Food and Why?” in which people are invited to share in less than 50 words about their favorite Turkish dish. Submit entries to info@turkfestca.org. [CJ]

11am-7pm Saturday, Aug. 29; 11am-6pm Sunday, Aug. 30. 20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey. Free to attend. turkfestca.org.

Decisions, Decisions

A contemporary musical is coming to the Western Stage’s intimate Studio Theater. The Mad Ones by Kait Kerrigan takes its title from Jack Kerouac’s novel On the Road (the “mad ones” passage, specifically). Locally, Michelle Vera stars as 18-year-old Sam, who faces crossroads in her life. It is directed by Andrea L. Hart. [AP]

7:30pm Fridays-Saturdays; 2pm Sundays, Aug. 29-Sept. 20. Hartnell College Main Campus, Center for Performing Arts Studio Theatre/Building K-116, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. $28. (831) 755-6816, westernstage.com.

 Sunday, Aug. 30

Small Town Living

It’s a day dedicated to Aromas, with a capital “A.” But there will be plenty of aromas, with a lowercase “a,” to enjoy – because cooking defines small town hospitality. The residents of the tiny rural town that sits near the convergence of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties get together to celebrate all things Aromas in this annual event sponsored by the Aromas Eagles. There will be food, of course, starting with a breakfast at the Aromas Grange, as well as nonprofit booths and other vendors lined up on the main drag of the town. Rock out to local bands. Aromas Day lives up to its name. [EC]

9am-4pm Sunday, Aug. 30. Carpenteria Road and surrounding streets, Aromas. Free. aromasday.org.

Coastal Art

Practice your creativity while learning about local marine ecology with Seaside-based marine conservation researcher and educator Emily Gottlieb at Dream Lab. Make art out of seaweed while chatting about civic engagement, color theory, algae, AI, ecosystem engineers, education – and everything in between. As for Dream Lab, the plan is to have many more gatherings within a series called Coastal Conversations, launched with a conviction that not all learning requires a class. Sometimes, it begins with a conversation. [AP]

2-4pm Sunday, Aug. 30. Dream Lab at Play Full Ground, 550 Lighthouse Ave., Suite E, Monterey. Free. playfullground.com.

Alligator Is Back

Wayne Cloukey aka Alligator is a legend, disappearing and reappearing from the local music scene. He grew up on the Choctaw Reservation on the Louisiana/Texas border and first appeared in Monterey in 1990, performing regularly at Sly McFly’s. “On stage, the 72-year-old Gator jumps instruments as much as he jumps genres,” the Weekly wrote in 2014. Alligator still rocks. “I don’t have email or a website,” he shares by phone. “But I want to let them know that Alligator is back.” So now you know. [AP]

5-7pm Sunday, Aug. 30. Cuz’s Sportsman’s Club, 594 Broadway Ave., Seaside. (831) 394-2666.

Silent Waves

You see the musician, you see the instrument, but you don’t hear the notes said musician is playing on said instrument. What’s going on? You’re missing a set of headphones, that’s what. Composer and pianist Murray Hidary is the founder of the unique musical experience, MindTravel, where he plays the piano on the beach, yet the music can only be heard through headphones. The “silent” concert is meant to complement the rhythm of the ocean for a meditative experience. Hidary brings the piano, while nature brings the ensemble. [EC]

6:30pm Sunday, Aug. 30. Del Monte Beach, 588 Del Monte Blvd., Monterey. $59. mindtravel.com.

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