Thursday, Oct. 9
Watershed Moment
The Carmel River watershed begins at higher than 4,000 feet on Miller Mountain in the Ventana Wilderness and spans 256 square miles, with the river winding 41 miles to the sea. It provides water for drinking, agriculture and recreation, and is home to several threatened species, including the California red-legged frog, South-Central California steelhead and Smith’s blue butterfly. The Carmel River Watershed Conservancy’s mission is to protect and improve the health of this watershed for the benefit of the public and the preservation of the natural environment. On Thursday, Oct. 9, the Conservancy celebrates its 25th anniversary with the River Music Gala. Come show your support for those working to protect our precious water sources and natural spaces. [KR]
5:30-8:30pm Thursday, Oct. 9. The Quail Lodge Clubhouse, 8000 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel. $175 and up. carmelriverwatershed.org.
Friday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 12
Ya Bird?
It’s all about birds during the three-day Monterey Bay Festival of Birds from Oct. 10-12. The Bird School Project returns with this series of events, including early-morning birding and bird trivia over beers, no binoculars required.
The Monterey Bay Festival of Birds is back, starting Oct. 10. Through the weekend, there are all sorts of organized birdwatching events around the county, from Rana Creek Preserve, a sprawling property in eastern Carmel Valley, to Ensen Community Park in Salinas, all around the Peninsula and up to Moss Landing and Elkhorn Slough. The festival is about the birds, whatever the species – the cormorants or quails, the merganser or magpies. It’s also about the people and how we can observe and appreciate these creatures. There are multiple times at multiple locations, and many are already sold out, so check the website for the deets. The birds are always partying – the Festival of Birds is an invitation for you to join. [DS]
Various times and locations Friday-Sunday, Oct. 10-12. Most events are free. Find details and the full itinerary at birdschoolproject.org/festival.
Friday, Oct. 10
Americana Blends
There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when talented musicians and singers come together, drawing from their Americana roots and artfully layering stringed instruments with soulful vocals to create sweet harmony. The Tony Furtado Trio – made up of Tony Furtado, Luke Price and Simon Chrisman – are masters of such magic, blending soul, jazz and pop into a unique and captivating rhythm. A few fun facts: Price is a five-time Grand National Fiddle Champion. Furtado, who juggles the banjo, cello-banjo, slide guitar and ukulele, is also an accomplished sculptor. And Chrisman brings a fresh, innovative approach to the hammer dulcimer, an instrument once thought to have limited range and technique. Feeling hungry? Enjoy a chicken dinner available for purchase. Come experience the best in Americana roots music, and a community built around appreciating it. Online ticket sales end at noon on the day of the performance. [KR]
7pm Friday, Oct. 10. Otter Opry at Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $33-$54; $30/California Bluegrass Association members; free/youth ages 15 and under. larry@otteropry.org, otteropry.org.
The Legend
Fox Theater must have invented time travel, because it’s about to look and sound like 1969. Legend Zeppelin pays tribute to a certain influential band that should be obvious from the name. It’s headed up by August Young, who performs the role of lead singer Robert Plant. Unlike traditional cover bands, Legend Zeppelin dives deep into the iconic band’s repertoire – there’s no “Stairway to Heaven,” but maybe you’ll hear “Dazed and Confused” and other live favorites. Expect the clothes, the sound, and yes, the hair in this show. Time travel must be possible. [EC]
9pm Friday, Oct. 10. Fox Theater, 241 Main St., Salinas. $37-$63. (831) 758-8459, foxtheatersalinas.com.
Saturday, Oct. 11
Musical Gift
Classical guitarist Hao Yang performs at the Sunkiss’d Mozart season opener on Saturday, Oct. 11 at a private home in Corral de Tierra.
There’s something about chamber music as a form that inherently invites intimacy. The musicians really look at each other (and the audience members, if the venue is right – prepare for eye contact). The Sunkiss’d Mozart series is all about this kind of immersion for listeners and performers, and the next installment features the right kind of venue (a private home) and two musicians prepared to challenge what you might expect from a classical music series. Violinist (and series creator) Cindy Wu is joined by classical guitarist Hao Yang. The program for the season opener is themed “Madness,” and includes a piece written for flutist Eugenia Zukerman amid her journey living with Alzheimer’s. There’s more to the story, of course, that will be shared at the concert. “People might wonder about the repertoire,” Wu says. “As usual we serve it omakase-style… they will experience the music like unwrapping a present.” [SR]
4pm Saturday, Oct. 11. Private home in Corral de Tierra; address provided upon RSVP. $40. skmozart.com/madness.
Art Stars
It’s easy to get starstruck in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Plenty of celebrities love to visit, so visitors can always be on the lookout for a sighting. But imagine if those celebrities were there welcoming you to talk with them. While Taylor Swift may not be available, makers of Carmel will be at the sixth annual “Meet the Makers” gallery tour and wine tasting. One could even say that these artists are the real celebrities of the village because they make it the charming place that it is. Second only to the amount of galleries that will have their doors open for you to come for a meet and greet are the number of wine purveyors that will be pouring favorites from their tasting rooms. A sip or two usually takes the edge off meeting famous people. [SC]
4-7pm Saturday, Oct. 11. Various locations (starts at Devendorf Park), Carmel. $50. (800) 550-4333, visitcarmel.com.
Bowl Game
Chili cookoffs are pretty self-explanatory, so there pretty much isn’t anything more to say than date, time and place – except that in this case, there is. The fifth annual Chili Cook-Off Competition hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club features eight teams battling for chili supremacy. But there are also auctions, games, wine tasting and more entertainment. When all they need is chili, they bring something more for everyone. Added bonus: Some of the proceeds benefit Toys for Tots. [DF]
5-8pm Saturday, Oct. 11. YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula, 600 Camino El Estero, Monterey. $55; $350/table for eight. montereysunriserotary.org.
Quince Night
It’s all about fashion – and yes, visibility, pride and celebrating LGBTQ+ identities – at Salinas Valley Pride’s 15th annual gathering on Saturday, Oct. 11.
Salinas Valley Pride is turning 15, so it’s celebrating in the most festive way possible for its age: by throwing a quinceañera. Come dressed to impress in a way that embraces your true identity – gowns, suits, tiaras and plenty of glitter are the theme of the night. The divas will bring the energy and the sparkles, and emcee Yosimar Reyes, the poet laureate of Santa Clara County, will keep the party going. For those who never got a quinceañera because of their identity, here’s your chance to be celebrated. All are welcome, whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or an ally. That’s something to be proud of. [EC]
5-8pm Saturday, Oct. 11. Live @ Heirloom Pizza, 344 Main St., Salinas. Free. RSVP at bit.ly/SVPC2025. salinasvalleypride.com.
Give a Hoot!
How about a night in the museum? All night owls are invited to the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History to celebrate “the creatures of the night” and help to raise funds on Saturday, Oct. 11.
It’s time for the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History’s annual Night Owl fundraiser, and this year’s theme is a little creepy – or rather, features creepy crawlies – but is 100-percent fun. “Creatures of the Night” plunges guests into the nocturnal world of local animals, including snakes, tarantulas and bats. Too creepy for you? The fundraiser also includes dancing to DJ Ice Cream Adventure, blacklight tattoos, a chance to solve a murder mystery for prizes and even crafting a ring using physics. Drinks are available for purchase from Alvarado Street Brewery and Scheid Wines, food will be available outside the museum from Krusty Dogz, Julia’s Vegetarian and La Pizza Piccolo Mobile Pizza, with a percentage of purchases going to support the museum’s programs. Cheers to the night. [PM]
7-10pm (VIP access starts at 5:30pm) Saturday, Oct. 11. P.G. Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. $45-$125. (831) 648-5716, pgmuseum.org.
Still Reelin’
There are tribute bands and then there is Reelin’ in the Years, a super band of talented musicians who love the ’70s band Steely Dan as much as we all do. Even if you weren’t around back then you’ve heard their hits: “Peg,” “Hey Nineteen,” “Deacon Blues” and, of course, “Reelin’ in the Years.” The band is led by legendary drummer Jerry Marotta, who’s played with Peter Gabriel and Paul McCartney. It includes other elite talent that have backed up big acts, including vocalists Joey Eppard and Lyndsey Skeye, guitarists Peter Calo and Matt Finck, bassist Jennifer Maidman, keyboardist Dr. David Jameson and a four-piece horn section: Jay Collins, Bill Harris, Chris Pasin and Annie Whitehead. Together the powerhouse band brings Steely Dan’s legacy to life. [PM]
7:30pm Saturday, Oct. 11. Sunset Center, San Carlos at 9th, Carmel. $40-$65. (831) 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.
Sunday, Oct. 12
180 Turn
Since it was first built 180 years ago, Fisherman’s Wharf has been the heart of the activity in Monterey, the bridge between land and sea that was first a hub for fishing and shipping and then later, tourism and hospitality. The Wharf’s birthday celebration has everything the Wharf usually does, plus a whole lot more – the famed Western Flyer boat will be docked and open for tours from 11am to 3pm, as the well as the General Pershing, a historic Monterey fishing boat built in the 1930s. There’s cutting a maritime-themed birthday cake at 3:30pm, costumed marine animals out and about, and wharf history tours from Tim Thomas, who knows more about this local history than anyone alive. Money Band starts playing tunes at 1pm, and hopefully, some marine life perks up nearby and joins the party. [DS]
10am-5pm Sunday, Oct. 12. Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey. Free. (831) 238-0777, montereywharf.com.
Nothing But String
The Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay is bringing Alasdair Frasier, aka “the Michael Jordan of Scottish fiddling,” and Natalie Haas to the stage on Sunday, Oct. 12.
Imagine Michael Jordan playing the fiddle. How can you? After all, what is the musical equivalent of other players being whistled for a foul because they approached within a few feet of him? Or of Jordan running five steps with the ball? Yet they call Alasdair Fraser “the Michael Jordan of Scottish fiddling” – and not because he has a shoe contract. No, when Fraser is allowed to play unimpeded, he nails every snap and arrow stroke. That’s why he is a two-time Scottish fiddling champion and – like Jordan – is a hall of famer. Meanwhile Natalie Haas should be known as the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of cello. She is in her prime, yet is so good at her craft that one can easily wonder – as ESPN did of SGA – if it’s even possible for her to improve. And yet she makes everyone she plays with that much better, including hall of famers. [DF]
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