THURSDAY, NOV. 21
Long Walk
Maybe you’ve heard somebody say, Why bother going on a hike when I can just take a walk in the neighborhood? There’s no shame in the neighborhood walk, but getting into nature, off the asphalt and away from the noise is a whole different deal, even if the basics – one foot in front of the other – are the same. Of course, enjoyment of the great outdoors is maximized if you come prepared. This guided hike with volunteer naturalist Sharon Osgood is part of Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District’s Let’s Go Outdoors program, and takes participants out on Fort Ord National Monument. Enjoy extraordinary views of the Salinas Valley while learning basic trail etiquette and hiking safety – a win-win. [SR]
9am-12:30pm Thursday, Nov. 21. Creekside Terrace Trailhead, Reservation Road and Portola Road, Salinas. Free. 372-3196, mprpd.org/let-s-go-outdoors.
THURSDAY, NOV. 21 – SUNDAY, NOV. 24
On Course
Pebble Beach plays host to critical stops on the PGA Tour, as well as the Tour Champions schedule. Especially at the AT&T Pro-Am, big money is at stake. Not so for the annual TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational, where a purse of just $300,000 is up for grabs. What makes this event unique… well, what doesn’t make it unique? It is the only tournament pitting pros from the PGA, LPGA, Champions and Korn Ferry tours against each other, with tees set up for equal competition. Plus it’s a charity pro-am, played over three courses. It also doesn’t count toward regular season points, so the golfers can take chances. Best of all, it’s free for spectators. That easily beats par. [DF]
8am Thursday, Nov. 21-Sunday, Nov. 24. Pebble Beach Golf Links, 1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. Free. (800) 877-0597, pebblebeach.com.
FRIDAY, NOV. 22
Tea Time
The Duchess of Bedford, Anna Stanhope, is credited with creating the afternoon tea, or high tea, around 1840. Far from England, on the other side of the planet in Monterey, Casa Serrano would soon be built in 1843. Here’s a chance to bring the two legacies together in the event High Tea at Casa Serrano, a fundraiser by the Monterey History and Art Association to preserve the historic adobe for the ages. London-born Dot Findlater, founder of Rosemary and Thyme High Teas, gives a brief presentation on the history and tradition of high tea as guests sip hot tea brewed in the English style and nibble on petit sandwiches and scones with authentic Devonshire cream. Raise your pinkie, along with some funds at the same time. [PM]
3-4:30pm Friday, Nov. 22/ Casa Serrano, 412 Pacific St., Monterey. $81.88. 372-2608, montereyhistory.org/events.
Banda War
Time to dust off your cowboy boots and get ready for a banda war to celebrate the Mexican Revolution (generally observed on Nov. 20). This means lots of dancing, with live music by several bandas from different parts of Mexico that will be in Salinas to play their biggest hits. Acts include La Combatiente Banda Guerreros and Banda La Irresistible. Their repertoire includes, boleros, cumbias, corridos and more. [CJ]
9pm Friday, Nov. 22. Salinas Fox Theater, 241 Main St., Salinas. $25; ages 21+. 758-8459, foxtheatersalinas.com.
FRIDAY, NOV. 22-SUNDAY, NOV. 24
Political Theater
Some themes from history become relevant again and again. The Crucible is a 1953 play by Arthur Miller, based on the notorious witch trials that took place in 1692 in the American town of Salem. The drama refers to the dark times of persecution and religious terror. It is a metaphorical response to McCarthyism, which prevailed in the U.S. in the 1950s. Abigail is a poor girl from the town. Wanting revenge on her former lover, she accuses him of occultism and corrupting innocent girls. Falsified evidence widens the circle of those convicted. The entire local community, led by spiritual leaders and local authorities, takes up arms against the atheists. Peaceful and ordinary people transform into a mob hungry for punishment and blood. Individual hysteria turns into a collective psychosis that destroys both victims and executioners. The play had its world premiere on Broadway in 1953, and now Monterey High School’s theater team takes it on. [AP]
7pm Friday-Saturday, Nov. 22-Nov. 23; 2pm Sunday, Nov. 24. Monterey High School Welch Theatre, 101 Herrmann Drive, Monterey. $15; $8/students with ID. mhsplayers.com
SATURDAY, NOV. 23
Unique Crafts
For those who love handcrafted items and unique gift ideas, Carmel is the place to be. The city is celebrating its 53rd Homecrafters’ Marketplace with over 70 vendors selling clothes, candles, jewelry and food. Additionally, three other craft shows are happening the same day within walking distance, including Craftapalooza with an array of handcrafted items; Carmel Woman’s Club’s annual artisan event with vintage Christmas decor, handcrafts and pumpkins; and the Church of the Wayfarer’s Annual Holiday Faire offers collectives, jewelry, baked goods and more. [CJ]
9am-3pm Saturday, Nov. 23. Marketplace at the north lot of Sunset Center, San Carlos Street and 8th Avenue, Carmel. Free to attend. 620-2020, bit.ly/3Z6oIU3.
Scope It Out
To see stars at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, you must wait for a race weekend – unless we mean the word literally, which in this case we do. Astronomers from the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (MIRA) bring their telescopes to the track so you can spot stars. Planets, too. Maybe even a spy satellite or killer asteroid. Or bring your own scope and they can offer advice on how to set it up, which is probably not as simple as turning a focus nob. Even if there is just a bit of clear sky, you’ll see stars and all that the heavens have to offer. The organizers just ask that you keep your headlights pointed away from the telescopes, which kinda makes sense. [DF]
5:30-8pm Saturday, Nov. 23. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 1021 Highway 68, Salinas. Free. 242-8201, weathertechraceway.com.
Boots and Barrels
Strap on those boots and kick up those heels. Galante Family Winery is putting together a night of swing dancing to the backdrop of the Johnson Brothers and special guest drummer Eddie Guzman. Wine will be poured and toes will be tapping for this fun community affair benefiting Hidden Valley Music Seminars, which also hosts this festive evening. [KR]
6:30-9pm Saturday, Nov. 23. Hidden Valley Music Seminars, 104 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. $30/in advance; $35/at the door. 624-3800, galantevineyards.com.
Season of Dreams
Now in its 32nd season, Ensemble Monterey is drawing on its past for its second performance of the series. Titled “A Dream Fondly Remembered,” the chamber orchestra is pulling out tunes from its repertoire performed many years ago and bringing them to audiences for the last time. The lineup includes Górecki’s “Little Requiem for a Polka,” Stephen Tosh’s “Chamber Symphony” and Edgard Varèse’s “Octandre.” It’s also Artistic Director John Anderson’s final season with the orchestra. Come say farewell on multiple fronts. [EC]
7-9pm Saturday, Nov. 23. First Presbyterian Church of Monterey, 501 El Dorado St., Monterey. $10-$60. ensemblemonterey.org.
Jukebox Money
Over a decade ago, pianist Scott Bradlee came up with a novel idea down in his Queens basement: What would today’s hits sound like remade in the classic sounds of yesterday? He turned Miley Cyrus into The Platters, Bruno Mars into Frank Sinatra and The Spice Girls into The Andrews Sisters. Postmodern Jukebox was born and it’s still going strong in concerts all over the world and YouTube videos – more recently PMJ morphed Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!” into a 1960s Leslie Gore-style pop song to great effect. The group describes itself as “one part celebration of vintage music and culture, one part Saturday Night Live for singers.” It’s a fund trip back in time that’s worth your time. [PM]
8pm Saturday, Nov. 23. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $55-$188. 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.
SUNDAY, NOV. 24
CELTIC Mystery
The next production in St. Mary’s Celtic music series is Kalos. Ryan McKasson, Eric McDonald and Jeremiah McLane are masters of tradition who purposefully explore the dark corners floating on its edges. Their individual artistry is enhanced when they come together. The result is an alluring complexity, full of spontaneous musicality. Pulling from parallel strands of influence, they set the standard for traditional repertoire with an underlying drive and pulse charged with rhythmic electricity, culminating in a swirling level of intensity. An air of mystery and adventure pervades a sound compelling enough to transcend boundaries and appeal to music lovers of all stripes. [AP]
3pm Sunday, Nov. 24. St. Mary’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 146 12th St., Pacific Grove. $30/in advance; $35/at the door. 373-4441, celticsociety.org.
THURSDAY, NOV. 28
Lap It Up
The average American loads up on well over 3,000 calories during Thanksgiving dinner. Fortunately, it’s a scientific fact – we think – that a lap on foot around WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca burns just as many calories. So two laps, and you’re well into diet territory (if we’re right, that is). And for Thanksgiving Turkey Trot at the famed track, you can do as many laps as you want, walking, jogging – you won’t be running once you hit the Rahal Straight (but you might be, involuntarily, as you careen down the Corkscrew). Even if we have nutritional science all wrong, a few laps can’t hurt before the caloric onslaught to come. Two things make it even better: It’s family – and dog-friendly (dogs on a leash), and the required donation of a non-perishable food item or $10 goes straight to the Food Bank for Monterey County. So it’s all good. [DF]