Local women launch new series at Viva Monterey.

Photo: Linda Arceo will join Nancy Jones on Friday night at Viva; on Saturday, she opens for Lauri Hofer.

Viva Monterey''s owner Vince LaRocca is using this weekend to test out a concept called Divas at Viva''s, a showcase for female performers, by bringing together three local singer-songwriters. If everything works out, LaRocca plans to bring down some female-fronted Bay Area acts in the near future.

The inaugural Divas at Viva''s weekend will feature Linda Arceo and Nancy Jones on Friday night, with Arceo opening for Lauri Hofer on Saturday night.

LaRocca hopes that each artist''s unique style will make for two diverse evenings. "Nancy Jones has a classic rock sound. Linda Arceo sounds more contemporary, while Lauri Hofer is bluesy and funky," he says.

LaRocca says that each artist will perform their own material and, he hopes, jam together on a few songs at the end of the evening. "It is really about them mixing it up," he says.

This should be no problem for Jones and Arceo, who have played together before in the defunct Group Therapy. Jones seems very excited about the possible prospect of playing with her former bandmate. "We have such an electric vibe," Jones says. "There is some serious power between the two of us."

LaRocca also looks forward to the two performing together again. "Nancy mixing it up with Linda Arceo should make it real interesting," he says.

It seems that Jones'' new band is currently striking out in a new direction. On a recent trip to her native state of North Carolina, she rediscovered southern traditional music, which she hopes to incorporate into her current group''s sound.

Lauri Hofer, the last performer at the two-night event, is there to make sure the crowd gets on its feet. She plays a variety of cover tunes from artists like Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt. "What I do is generally groove-oriented or soulful," she says.

Even though she has never played with Arceo, there is a possibility the two will try a spontaneous cover song. "I''m hoping it''ll happen; don''t see why it shouldn''t," Hofer says.

Both Jones and Hofer think that Divas at Viva''s is a great idea, but Jones gets a chuckle from the event''s title. "I am very honored to have been asked by Vince to do this show, but I am as far from a diva as I can get," she says.

The ladies rock Viva''s on Friday and Saturday night starting at 9pm. Call 646-1415 for information.

Comic Pete George

Up-and-coming comic Pete George comes to town. By Stuart Thornton

Comedian Pete George has been called a sitcom waiting to happen. Like all great comedians, George uses humor to convey a distinct worldview. "His unique style and viewpoint is showcased through an adult body with an adolescent outlook," his Web site brags.

George is not just a comedian; he is also a musician. George, the son of the first solo accordionist for the West Point Army Band, was first noticed as an accordionist before his comic career began...His current act features heavy-metal accordion tunes.

He has performed his shtick at the Vail Comedy Festival, Catch a Rising Star and the Montgomery Federal Prison.

Pete George will be at Doc''s on Fri. and Sat. nights at 9pm. 649-4241.