Thursday, Sept. 24
Jazz Night
MusicFest Monterey returns for its third year with a band of internationally touring and recording artists, performing one unique night of rock, R&B and light jazz, including Tony Lindsay, longtime lead singer of Santana, and local lead vocalist Zoe Alexander of the Money Band – who has performed withJourney, Steve Winwood, the Dixie Chicks, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Smash Mouth – alongside drummer Mike Shannon, Mike Renwick on lead guitar and others. All ticket sales for the jazzy evening benefit Monterey Peninsula Unified School District music and arts, and Meniere’s disease research, in partnership with the Fair Education Foundation so you can rock out for a good cause. [AS]
5-10pm Thursday, Sept. 24. TPC Monterey at Pasadera, 100 Pasadera Drive, Monterey. $150. (831) 647-2400, musicfestmonterey.com.
Fade In
There’s an old-school charm to Bud’s at La Playa on any old night, but when acclaimed vinyl DJs bring their audiophile sensibilities, the charm takes a particularly musical turn. The next installment of Fadeaway Sessions features Passionfruit (the DJ name for Tana Yonas), returning to spin more of the eclectic, international mix she is known for. Her record collection spans Ethiopia, Australia, Japan, Jamaica and beyond. So stop by a charming Carmel bar and go global. [SR]
6pm Thursday, Sept. 24. Bud’s at La Playa, Camino Real at 8th, Carmel. No cover. (831) 293-6100, fadeawaysessions.com.
Sonic Fusion
Soularium is a quartet of players who met as the rhythm section of their college big band. Jazz is their common foundation, but the group’s taste and sound reflects being raised in the late 1990s and early 2000s. From Los Angeles, with roots in Chicago, Monterey, Michigan and Oakland, Soularium offes a wide range of sound, from classics, often rearranged, and their own material. [AP]
7pm Thursday, Sept. 24. Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, 729 9th St., Carmel. $25. (831) 624-7491, tinyurl.com/soulariumatCherry.
Friday, Sept. 25
Aloha Vibes
When it comes to a Hawaiian community gathering, everyone is invited, and everyone is family. That means you are invited to join Hi’ilani ‘O Kei Kai for its annual ho’ike, or hula show, which is much more than a performance. It is, first and foremost, a community celebration, hosted by a cultural group devoted to practicing the traditions of hula dance and outrigger canoe paddling. Expect food vendors and a cash bar, makers selling crafts, live Hawaiian music by Ho‘omana Hawaiian Band and most of all, a festive experience uplifting the traditions this club preserves and practices. Aloha. [SR]
2-10pm Friday, Sept. 25. Sherwood Hall, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. $35. paddle.kekai.org.
Dress For Dolly
Tears are just rhinestones coming from your eyes – at least that’s probably what Dolly Parton would say to those mourning her death. But part of mourning is celebrating the extraordinary life she left us to remember, and Salt House Vintage plans to do just that for the unofficial Dolly Day on Sept. 25, which is 9/25, a nod to her hit single “9 to 5.” Salt House is staying open late for people to shop while enjoying cocktails or mocktails, light bites and to get a swag bag. For those in need of some Dolly Parton-inspired vintage threads, discounts are available for all purchases, whether it’s pink and bedazzled or not. [SC]
5-7pm Friday, Sept. 25, Salt House Vintage, 2000 Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove. $30. (831) 624-1525, salthousevintageca.com.
Seeking Fate
Florida writer Thomas Swick is visiting Salinas to give a talk about his new book, Falling into Place, a memoir of his quest to become a travel writer in the context of Poland’s struggle to regain its independence. Swick married his Polish wife in 1980 and witnessed the rise of Solidarity and the beginning of the end of the Cold War. The book captures the excitement – both political and literary – of those years. And it adds a love story to the mix. Swick is the author of four books and his work has appeared in various national publications. [AP]
6-8pm Friday, Sept. 25. Downtown Book and Sound, 213 Main St., Salinas. Free. (831) 477-6700, downtownbookandsound.com.
Saturday, Sept. 26
Magic Card
Dr. Seuss once said: “The more that you read, the more you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Think of a library as a launch pad to all the places you’ll go for free, thanks to the books and other reading materials available with just a simple library card. Pacific Grove Public Library Friends and Foundation hosts a “Freedom to Read” community event for all ages, in celebration of National Library Card Sign-Up Month. In addition to sign-ups for free library cards, the event includes book giveaways, live music, refreshments, a bookmark-making craft station and face painting and bubbles for kids. Oh the places you’ll go with such a simple, yet mighty, card. [PM]
10am-noon Saturday, Sept. 26, Jewell Park, Central and Grand avenues, Pacific Grove. Free. ffpgpl@gmail.com, ffpgpl.org.
Old Days
Travel back in time, without a time-travel machine, with a variety of reenactments; it will be safer and reduces the chance of getting stuck in the past. Attendees also have access to some modern-day amenities, including food trucks and resource tables. Rancho Day at the Adobe includes an array of activities from blacksmithing, soapmaking and spinning to a Charros exhibition. Some activities haven’t changed at all, while others have gotten a little easier. Any and all invite you to immerse in history. [CJ]
11am-4pm Saturday, Sept. 26. Boronda Adobe History Center, 333 Boronda Road, Salinas. Free. (831) 757-8085, mchsmuseum.com.
Yes We Can
Artapalooza is back. Artists of all abilities are joining forces again, thanks to Art Abilities, a nonprofit that connects people with serious mental and emotional challenges to art activities, leading to beautiful and surprising results. Join the “joyful fusion of music, dance and visual art” that is Artapalooza 2026, according to the organizers. The day includes is a choreographed dance performance prepared by Art Abilities artists, a silent auction featuring their amazing new artwork and interactive live art painted by Paul Richmond. The proceeds fund what’s next for Art Abilities: a full-day program for adults, as well as a van to transport artists to their studio in Pacific Grove and throughout the community. [AP]
2-4pm Saturday, Sept. 26. Chartwell School, 2511 Numa Watson Road, Seaside. Free. (831) 915-4611, artapalooza.org.
Start It Up
According to the organizers of the Juneteenth Coalition, the last celebration was a revival and now the journey to June 19 begins again with a fundraising event called Ignition. True to form, whenever this organization celebrates, it comes with live music, a golf skills challenge and a themed menu this time featuring a signature cocktail called the Timbuktu. Juneteenth 2027 may be nine months away, but that’s about as long as it would take to walk from Timbuktu to Mecca, similar to the path that Mansa Musa took in the 14th century. There are parallels drawn to that, but you won’t have to haul as much salt and gold as the caravan took, unless you want to. [SC]
6-10pm Saturday, Sept. 26. Carmel Mission Inn, 3665 Rio Road, Carmel. $65. (831) 624-1841, juneteenthcoalition.org.
Foot Soldiers
Despite languishing at the bottom of the USL Championship Western Conference standings, Monterey Bay FC draws a loyal following. And why not? All four of the soccer club’s wins and three of its six draws have come at Cardinale Stadium. So local fans get to see the team at their best. The Union play host to Eastern Conference rival Lexington SC. [DF]
7pm Saturday, Sept. 26. Cardinale Stadium, 4111 2nd Ave., Seaside. $19-$55. montereybayfc.com.
Creative Corridos
Listening to their latest album, you wouldn’t know that the men in the música Mexicana band Línea Personal didn’t even know each other before the band formed. A Rolling Stone feature noted despite all growing up around Stockton, the band members met through DMs and a couple introductions. The band’s music is closest to corridos bélicos, but they’ve defined themselves by challenging the genre; their sophomore album Todo ø Nada melds together corridos, trap, hip-hop, R&B and blues. Best known for “Holanda” and “Hennessy,” the up-and-coming group visits downtown Monterey on Saturday night. [CO]
8pm Saturday, Sept. 26. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $32-$73. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.
Sunday, Sept. 27
Be Authentic
There is a big Oaxacan population in Seaside and the city wants everyone from the eight regions to feel welcome. To do that, they’re holding the sixth annual Oaxaca By The Sea celebration featuring food, music and dance from one of Mexico’s Indigenous cultures. Organizers recognize that many Oaxacans have limited resources for returning, so in addition to bringing home to Seaside, officials from the Mexican Consulate in San Jose, as well as dignitaries from Seaside’s sister city Oaxaca de Juárez, also make a visit. [SC]
11:30am-4pm Sunday, Sept. 27. City Hall, 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside. Free. (831) 899-6800. ci.seaside.ca.us.
Soul Music
Gospel is open to interpretation. And before any Christian fundamentalists stamp their “unalterable word of God” feet, we’re talking about music. The Monterey Peninsula Gospel Community Choir takes the opportunity to honor the work of Grammy-winning composer Richard Smallwood, who gained fame by adapting gospel tradition to the expansive classical genre. The concert also features a number of guest artists, including John Wineglass and Dottie Jones, as well as a couple of opera singers, traveling from Seattle and Chicago. The entire affair is hosted by Johnny L. Nash Jr. And in case your finery is at the dry cleaner, black tie is optional. [DF]
5pm Sunday, Sept. 27. Sunset Center, 908 San Carlos St., Carmel. $23-$206. (831) 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.
Redwood Nights
Maybe you’ve heard of The Moth Radio Hour – it’s a live open-mic event that invites speakers to come up and tell their stories. Simple idea, massively popular. Why? Because storytelling quenches that deep human craving for connection and for wonder. Now, you have a chance to absorb such stories in person. Acclaimed storytellers from The Moth, NPR, PBS Broadway and beyond are coming together for a night of storytelling at Folktale Winery. The lineup includes Don Reed, an NPR Snap Judgement Storyteller of the Year, and Kristen Cosby, an award-winning writer, editor and performer. No screens, just stories and stars. [KR]
7-9:30pm Sunday, Sept. 27. Folktale Winery & Vineyards, 8940 Carmel Valley Road. $50. (831) 293-7625, folktalewinery.com.
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