Hot Picks 10.15.26

 Friday, Oct. 16

Throw Backs

The Bay Area is coming down to the 831 with a night of hip-hop and R&B known as Broken Promises, brought to you by the Heartbroken Entertainment Group. After building up momentum in the San Francisco Bay Area, DJ Heartbreak brings a soundtrack of throwbacks to sing and dance along with, including classic breakup songs, love songs and jams from Usher, Rihanna, T-Pain, Mary J. Blige, TLC and many others. So gather your friends, pull on your dance shoes and get ready for a night of nostalgic hits from the 2000s and beyond. [AS]

8pm-12:30am Friday, Oct. 16. Deja Blue, 500 Broadway Ave., Seaside. $20-$250. (831) 324-0044, dejabluelive.com.

 Friday, Oct. 16-Sunday, Oct. 18

Poet in a Democracy

Celebrate Carmel’s most iconic poet this fall at the annual Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation Fall Festival. There are many ways to do it. If you are into some serious scholarly explorations, enjoy the whole day Saturday featuring free Jeffers seminars. This year, organizers chose Jeffers’ seemingly prophetic poem “Shine, Perishing Republic” as a theme. Considering the poem’s legacy and examining the fraught connection between art and politics is this year’s aspiration. The event starts with a sunset celebration at Jeffers’ Tor House in Carmel with poetry readings, live music and wine. A Saturday night banquet and Sunday poetry walk follow. [AP]

Sunset Celebration: 5-7pm Friday, Oct. 16 at Tor House, 26304 Ocean View Ave., Carmel; $35. Presentations: 8:30am-4pm Saturday, Oct. 17 at Carmel Woman’s Club, 907 San Carlos St.; free. Reception and banquet: 5-8pm Saturday, Oct. 17 at Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza; $100. Poetry/Geology Walk: 8am-1pm Sunday, Oct. 18 at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve; $50; sold out. (831) 624-1813, torhouse.org/events/robinson-jeffers-fall-festival.

 Saturday, Oct. 17

Bear Dance

Dugan Aguilar (1949-2018) was a Native American photographer known for documenting Native life in Yosemite and elsewhere in California. Influenced by Ansel Adams, Aguilar took a workshop with him in 1978, taking advantage of Adams’ technical recommendations. His work is now showing at the Monterey Museum of Art in the exhibit Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California. The artist’s son, Dustin Aguilar, joins curator Drew Heath Johnson for a discussion about the photographer’s life and work. [AP]

2-3:30pm Saturday, Oct. 17. Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific St., Monterey. $20; $5/MMA members, students, military, youth under 18, SNAP participants with EBT. (831) 372-5477, montereyart.org.

Story Song

Singer, songwriter and storyteller Cindy Alexander will not only perform, but also tell the tales behind her songs as part of the Portraits in Song concert series presented by the Carl Cherry Center. There, she appears alongside the acoustic duo, Two Rivers, who have performed with groups including the Doobie Brothers and others. Alexander, known as “Pnut” by her fans, is currently a Carmelite, after previously living in Los Angeles. She’s famous for her broad technical range. Her songs have been featured on TV shows like Dawson’s Creek and Here on Earth and she has shared a stage with Suzanne Vega and The Gin Blossoms, among others. [AS]

3-5pm Saturday, Oct. 17. Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, 729 4th Ave., Carmel. $25. (831) 624-7491, carlcherrycenter.org.

Spooky Night

Let the kids do what they do best: Ask for candy. The City of Monterey presents a walk-through trunk-or-treat on the Colton Hall lawn, where kids can grab Scooby Snacks – perhaps from the back of the Mystery Machine if it’s not out investigating clues – while dressed as Shaggy or Velma. Jeepers, that’s a lot of Scooby-Doo references. That’s because after the kids get their fill of candy, settle them down from the sugar high with the screening of the 2002 film Scooby-Doo. For more sustenance, there will be food trucks on site (hopefully some chocolate-covered hot dogs), alongside fire engines and other kid-friendly activities. Looks like Monterey’s got itself a fun time. [EC]

5pm (film begins at 6:30pm) Saturday, Oct. 17. Colton Hall lawn, 570 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. (831) 646-3866, monterey.gov/rec.

Match Maker

With only two matches remaining in the 2026 campaign, Monterey Bay FC is fighting for a measure of pride. Locked in last place in the USL Championship’s Western Division, there is still a possibility to close out the season on a winning streak after knocking off Orange County SC 2-1. The Union play host to Colorado Springs, which needs a win to secure a playoff spot. Keep in mind that MBFC has been solid at home and the contest becomes even more interesting. [DF]

7pm Saturday, Oct. 17. Cardinale Stadium, 4111 2nd Ave., Seaside. $20-$74. montereybayfc.com.

Cozy Up

If you want some autumn vibes despite the heat, maybe try contemporary singer Ingrid Michaelson’s cozy fall trio tour with guitarist Allie Moss and vocalist Hannah Winkler. While she’s best known for her singles “The Way I Am” and “Girls Chase Boys,” Michaelson also has seven albums under her belt. She just released her latest single, “Funny,” this year. [CO]

7pm Saturday, Oct. 17. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $49–$275. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.

Comedy Night

Laugh until your belly hurts as comedian Willie Barcena takes the stage. A veteran of the comedy scene, Barcena has built a reputation for his sharp, energetic style and relatable takes on family, culture, relationships and everyday life. He has made 10 appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and has performed at major comedy festivals and venues across the country. With decades of experience and a fearless approach to comedy, a night of laughter is promised. [RH]

8pm Saturday, Oct. 17. Fox Theater, 241 Main St., Salinas. $25-$50. (831) 758-8459, foxtheatersalinas.com.

 Saturday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 18

Musical Wonderland

Are you ready to go down the rabbit hole? Hosted by Sol Treasures and Central Theatrical Productions, this junior show brings Wonderland’s madness and imagination into a musical reality filled with adventure for the curious mind. Alice: A New Musical Adventure includes music for all ages. Directed by Jeff Hinderscheid; choreographed by Beau Rodriguez. [RH]

7pm Saturday, Oct. 17 and Friday, Oct. 23; 2pm Sunday, Oct. 18; 1pm Saturday, Oct. 24. Robert Stanton Theater, 128 N. Mildred Ave., King City. $17. (805) 235-5821, soltreasures.com.

Spring Into Fall

The Monterey Symphony is opening its new season with what it’s calling “European iconoclasts meet American masters,” performing pieces by Swedish composer and violinist Franz Berwald and Russian composer/pianist/conductor Sergei Prokofiev, combined with American composers Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber. The Symphony will play Copland’s iconic Americana ballet, “Appalachian Spring,” considered to be one of his best works. Violinist Alexi Kenney will perform with the Symphony for the first time. He’s a much lauded and sought after young artist, originally from Palo Alto. In a review, the New York Times called his performance “spellbinding.” [PM]

7:30pm Saturday, Oct. 17; 3pm Sunday, Oct. 18. Sunset Center, 908 San Carlos St., Carmel. $12-$90. (831) 646-8511, montereysymphony.org.

 Sunday, Oct. 18

Nature Bike

It’s easy to miss the intricacies of nature and lose out while whizzing by in a car. Walking gets you up close, but you can only cover so much ground. The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has the perfect solution: a natural history tour of Monterey Bay by bike. “Naturalists on Wheels” is led by experts who will take participants from Lovers Point in P.G. to the Fort Ord Dunes in Sand City along the Recreation Trail. The tour comes with four stops at iconic landscapes where you’ll learn about marine life, geologic history, waves, weather and the dune ecosystem. All that and lunch, too. Bring your own bike and helmet, and get ready to gain a deeper appreciation for the area’s natural history. [PM]

9am-2pm Sunday, Oct. 18. Meet at Lovers Point, 17th Street, Pacific Grove. $40. (831) 648-5716, education@pguseum.org.

Ride Home

In all the discussion of John Steinbeck’s observations on the plight of farmworkers, of migrants to California, of the folks who populated Cannery Row, people often miss that he would mention the important cultural role of the Model T or a Cord passing by on the highway. So it is fitting that the East of Eden & Engines Car Show recognizes his use of cars (or pickup trucks). The event features more than classics and customs. There is also food and music, as well as activities for kids. Take a car ride to the Steinbeck House for a tour, too. After all, the event benefits the property. [DF]

10:30am-3pm Sunday, Oct. 18. Salinas City Heritage Park, 1 Station Place, Salinas. Free to attend. (831) 424-2735, steinbeckhouse.com.

Harvest Season

Harvest may make you think of work, but at this community celebration, the focus is all on fun – sugar, flowers and colors. Downtown Greenfield streets are closed to cars so that the annual Harvest Festival can be in full swing with live music, folklórico dances, tasty food and goods for sale. It’s a family-friendly event for all ages, with kids’ areas, tractors on display and a car show. [CJ]

Noon-5:30pm Sunday, Oct. 18. El Camino Real between Walnut and Oak avenues, Greenfield. Free. (831) 674-5591, greenfieldca.gov/529/Harvest-Festival.

On the Horn

A surefire way to wake yourself up: Listen to a live brass band concert. Horns are light on subtlety, big on powerful sound, and always deliver a particular kind of energy. The Pacific Brass Band is a British-style ensemble that performs all the classic styles – marches, musical theater, American folk songs and rags – but for this free concert focuses on Spanish music. The program includes pieces by Spanish composers, as well as pieces about Spain, such as “Man of La Mancha” from the eponymous musical and parts of the opera “Carmen” by Georges Bizet. [SR]

3:30pm Sunday, Oct. 18. Hidden Valley Music Seminars, 104 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. Free. (831) 659-3115, pacificbrassband.org.

 Tuesday, Oct. 20

Gourd Gathering

Succulents can grow just about anywhere. Indoors, outdoors, cold, hot, dirt… pumpkin? Yes, you can stick succulents on top of a pumpkin and they’ll do just fine. The question is, how will you design them? Gennifer Millington from Bees Knees Sustainable Home and Garden is here to guide succulent/pumpkin designers in crafting their autumnal centerpieces. Being at a winery, of course there will be wine to sip to get the creative juices flowing. The pumpkins, succulents, moss and accents are provided; all you need to bring is imagination. [EC]

5:30-7:30pm Tuesday, Oct. 20. Folktale Winery and Vineyards, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. $80. (831) 293-7500, folktalewinery.com.

Resilient Corals

Danny Collins’ research is all about giving coral an edge against climate change. He’s a third-year PhD student in Stanford University’s Oceans Department, whose research focuses on how corals can recover in an ocean that’s changing rapidly. Warming ocean temperatures are driving coral bleaching, threatening the ecosystems they support. Collins zeros in on how for some corals, bleaching does not always lead to its end, and some are able to recover in the midst of these stressful conditions. He’s giving a talk about his research, what he’s learned about how healthy corals can help accelerate the recovery of bleached ones, and how this information can lead to new approaches to rebuild these ecosystems in the face of climate change. [KR]

6pm Tuesday Oct. 20. Hopkins Marine Station, 120 Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove. Free. hopkinsmarinestation.stanford.edu/events.

 Wednesday, Oct. 21

Vine Times

Celebrating hump day is best with a glass of wine. Now picture yourself enjoying that in vivid color: a sunkissed glass of sparkling rose as the sun begins to set, lounging among soft indistinct buzzing conversations while a musician takes the stage to serenade you. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Here are some details to add to that vision: The musician is Rory Lynch. The vineyard is Folktale Winery. And the vibes are perfect. Lynch makes the circuit with wine tasting music at other tasting rooms around Monterey County, so he’s a professional when it comes to these types of events. If you listen closely, he’ll play along perfectly to the effervescence in your glass too. [SC]

4-6pm Wednesday, Oct. 21. Folktale Winery & Vineyards, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. No cover; reservations recommended. (831) 293-7500, folktalewinery.com.

Melting Pot

Carol McKibben is a historian, and she’s a local – lucky for us, she’s trained her scholarship on her own backyard, with books about Monterey, Seaside and Salinas. Even luckier for us is that her historical analysis is not just a list of facts and dates. It is about telling the stories of people and communities, bringing humanity to the generations that came before us. And McKibben’s work focuses squarely on the diverse immigrant communities that shaped our history, and continue to shape our present. In this talk, “How immigrants made the Monterey Peninsula,” she shares expert insight into how the community we know and love today has always been shaped by people from all over the globe. [SR]

7pm Wednesday, Oct. 21. Carpenter Hall, downstairs at Sunset Cultural Center, 908 San Carlos St., Carmel. Free; also available virtually. (831) 624-2811, carmelpubliclibraryfoundation.org.

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