Arts Council for Monterey County

Avenue Q
2026-06-13 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-06-12 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-06-06 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-06-05 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-30 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-29 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-23 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-22 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 3 more dates | Paper Wing Theatre 711 Cannery Row Suite I Monterey, Ca. 93940, 711 Canner Row Suite I, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Avenue Q is the outrageously funny, Tony Award–winning musical that’s part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart. Set on a down-on-its-luck New York block, this smart, adults-only comedy follows Princeton, a recent college grad who moves to Avenue Q in search of his purpose, only to find a hilarious mix of quirky neighbors, wisecracking puppets, and songs you’ll be humming for days.
With show-stopping numbers like “It Sucks to Be Me,” and “The Internet Is for Porn,” the show blends nostalgia, satire, and genuine warmth in a way that’s utterly unforgettable. Beneath the humor is a relatable story about growing up, finding your people, and embracing the chaos of adulthood.
If you love witty comedy, bold musical theatre, and puppets behaving badly, Avenue Q is the must-see show of the season. Grab your tickets now and get ready to laugh, cringe, and cheer your way through one of the most unique musicals ever to hit the stage!

Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium
2026-06-13 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-05-09 17:30 - 18:30 | Pacific Grove Public Library, 550 Central Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Pacific Grove Public Library hosts a monthly reading by poets from Central California and beyond, organized by the Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium. Enjoy all styles of poetry, created fresh by local poets. Sept. 13: Avery Burns and Lee Knight Jr.; Oct. 11: Chrissy Hernandez and Brandi Kary.

Carmel Art Walk
2026-06-13 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-09 16:00 - 19:00 | Throughout Carmel by the Sea, CA, 93921, United States
Founded and run by local artists, the Carmel Art Walk is a free and family-friendly event. Support our local artists and keep the HEART of Carmel beating strong! Carmel Art Walk is the second Saturday every month from 4pm-7pm and is open to the public. Tour artist-owned galleries and meet the artists who carry on the Carmel-by-the-Sea artist colony legacy. Follow the blue lanterns at each gallery.

Level Up Your iPhoneography Summer Camp: 2026 Summer Camps at the Lyceum
2026-06-08 09:30 - 2026-06-12 14:30, 2026-06-08 08:00 - 17:00 | The Lyceum of Monterey County, 1073 Sixth Street, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
This 1-week camp will cover the fundamentals of taking a great photo, special effects apps, lighting techniques, and editing and post production that can be applied to a full range of subject matter: portraits, action, landscapes, close-up/macro, architecture, abstract, etc.
• Take better photos with your iPhone than most people take with a DSLR.
• Go beyond simple snapshots and start taking outstanding photos.
• Learn from an international award-winning photographer and iPhotographer.
• Get in on the fastest growing field of photography.
• Get new ideas and inspiration to take your iPhoneography to new levels.
• Monday: Environmental portraits, selfies and group photos.
• Tuesday: Landscape, nature, and close-up/macro.
• Wednesday: Studio portraits and still life.
• Thursday: Architecture, street and candid.
• Friday: Gallery exhibit and critique, and photo scavenger hunt.
Required equipment: Smart phone camera (iPhone 10 minimum or equivalent)
Suggested equipment: tripod with phone holder, selfie stick, flashlight or light cube
Ages: 11 – 15
Dates: June 8 – 12, 2026
Hours: 9:30am – 2:30pm
Location: Lyceum
Instructor: Steve Zmak
Class Size: Limited to 10 Students
Fee: $365

Summer Art Camp: From Caves to Canvases Ages 8–10
2026-06-08 09:00 - 2026-06-12 12:00 | Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, 93940
Monterey Museum of Art offers safe, creative experiences and tons of fun for children at our downtown Pacific Street location! Summer Camps are taught by professional educators, offering a wide range of skill-building and creative outlets for children ages five through fourteen.
Join MMA at the $175 Contributor Membership level to receive a 20% discount per class and MMA member benefits for one year. Visit our Membership Page for more information on membership options.
From Caves to Canvases
Become an Art Time Traveler! Jump into the world of creativity from long ago to today! Each day, campers visit a new era of art, make fun hands-on projects, and collect “passport stamps” as they explore how art has changed over time. Perfect for curious campers who want to create, discover, and go on art adventures!

The Big Weekend: Members' Morning MMA Member Benefit
2026-06-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, 93940
The Big Weekend
Join the Museum for a weekend-long celebration of the Winter 2026 Exhibition Season! FREE admission all weekend, beginning Friday at 5 PM.
Members’ Morning
Enjoy The Art of Place Exhibition Season during exclusive member access hours! All membership levels are welcome to explore the galleries before the Museum is open to the public. This event is open to Museum members only. For more membership information, visit our Membership page.

For the Love of DANCE
2026-06-06 16:00 - 18:00 | CA
Join Carmel Dance Festival for an intimate evening of wine, art, and dance at acclaimed artist Simon Bull’s new private painting studio. (Address disclosed to ticket holders.)
The evening will feature a curated auction of fine paintings by Simon Bull, Jennifer Perlmutter, Elizabeth Murray, and other distinguished artists, alongside bronzed sculptures by Tom Bennett. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on exceptional experiences, including vacation getaways, fine dining at Chez Noir, and restorative spa packages.
Enjoy thoughtfully selected wines, artisanal fare, and a special live dance presentation — all within an inspiring creative space that is rarely open to the public. The highlight of the evening will be the opportunity to mingle with the artists themselves.
Most importantly, this gathering supports the future of Carmel Dance Festival.
Guests will learn about our upcoming productions and two full-scholarship initiatives that expand access to the arts in meaningful ways. The Terpsichore Project brings aspiring dancers into hospitals, residential care facilities, and community centers to perform and uplift patients, families, and staff. The Dance & Choreography Fellowship Program provides full scholarships to emerging dancers and production support to choreographers shaping the future of dance.
Your presence directly sustains artistic excellence, broadens opportunity, and brings dance into spaces where it has the power to inspire and heal.
We look forward to welcoming you for an unforgettable evening of connection, creativity, and purpose.

The Big Weekend: Free Family Fun Day
2026-06-06 11:00 - 15:00 | Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, 93940
The Big Weekend
Join the Museum for a weekend-long celebration of the Winter 2026 Exhibition Season! FREE admission all weekend, beginning Friday at 5 PM.
Free Family Fun Day
Join the Museum for an afternoon of art and creativity for the whole family!

Night Market 831
2026-06-05 17:00 - 21:00 | sand city art park, 525 Ortiz Ave, Sand City, CA, 93955, United States
Inspired by the vibrant open-air street bazaars from around the world, Night Market 831 is a lively gathering where friends and families can sip, savor, socialize, dance, shop, and explore. Held in the colorful Sand City Art Park, surrounded by stunning murals, the market creates a unique and inviting atmosphere. We are committed to fostering a safe, fun, and inclusive community space, featuring a rotating lineup of local performers, creatives, and entrepreneurs who bring their talents to life each month.

First Friday Salinas
2026-06-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Salinas, 100-300 Blocks Main Street, Salinas, CA, 93901, United States
First Friday Salinas is a monthly tradition designed to transform Downtown into a consistent, positive space for community and culture to thrive.
Come and enjoy an evening of local art, live entertainment, delicious food, and shops open late. Bring your friends and family to Salinas City Center and discover something new every First Friday of the month — you won’t want to miss it!
When & Where:
Every First Friday of the Month
Starting at 5:00 PM
Location: Downtown Salinas in 100 – 300 Blocks of Main Street
Opening Ceremony: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, at the One Main Street Stage (in front of the Steinbeck Center).

The Big Weekend: First Friday
2026-06-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, 93940
First Friday
Enjoy FREE after-hours access at the Museum on the first Friday of every month. Join us for an evening of art, community, and live music!
The Big Weekend
Join the Museum for a weekend-long celebration of The Art of Place Exhibition Season! FREE admission all weekend, beginning Friday at 5 PM.

First Friday Monterey Museum of Art
2026-06-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, 93940
FREE after-hours access to the Museum on the First Friday of the month. Join us for an evening of art, music, and community gathering!

Afternoon with the Curator: Robert W. Edwards
2026-05-23 14:00 - 15:30 | Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, 93940
Join MMA in the galleries for an inspiring afternoon with guest curator Robert W. Edwards as he shares his insights into Mary DeNeale: Doyenne of the Carmel Art Colony.
Advance purchase is required. Seating is limited, so we recommend reserving your tickets early.
$5 MMA Members, Students, Military, Under 18, and SNAP Participants with EBT
$20 General Admission. Includes an admission pass to MMA – Pacific Street.

Monterey Symphony Season Finale Concerts in May
2026-05-16 19:30 - 21:30 | Sunset Center, San Carlos St at Ninth Ave, Carmel by the Sea, CA, 93921
Carmel/Monterey, CA – Monterey Symphony concludes its 80th season with concerts on Saturday, May 16th, 2026, at 7:30 PM and on Sunday, May 17th, at 3:00 PM at Sunset Center in Carmel with Music Director Jayce Ogren.
Concerts: ““We close the Monterey Symphony season by commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, in a program that highlights the wondrous diversity and richness of our nation. Highlights include the professional premiere of the Monterey Symphony co-commissioned work Marmoris by acclaimed composer Sarah Kirkland Snider; Bernstein’s raucous and romantic Symphonic Dances from West Side Story; and Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, with a surprise guest narrator reading from Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address,” says Music Director Jayce Ogren.
Pre-Concert Lectures – Lectures are included with all concert tickets and are held on Saturday, 6:30-7:00 PM with Musicologist Christopher Anderson-Bazzoli, and Sunday, 2:00-2:30 PM with Music Director and Conductor Jayce Ogren, in the Sunset Center auditorium. Lectures are free and open to the public.
Sunday Pre-concert Music – On Sundays, the Symphony offers Lobby Sessions with Live Music in the lobby from 1:30-1:50 PM. The May concert Lobby Session features Symphony concertmaster Christina Mok and Principal Timpani, Eric He. Arrive early to hear our musicians up close while enjoying refreshments from the Sunset Center Café. Lobby Sessions are free and open to the public.
Tickets are $50 for Tier 3, $70 for Tier 2, and $90 for Tier 1 seats. Students, teachers, and military tickets are $12.
About the Monterey Symphony: The Monterey Symphony was founded in 1946 and presents double weekend performances during the academic calendar, opening the season at Forest Theater, followed by six more programs at the Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For each program, the Symphony orchestra is comprised of 80 professional musicians from throughout California. The Symphony is committed to bringing people together through music and using the healing power of music to transform lives. The Symphony actively engages patrons of all ages through a variety of partnerships and initiatives, including performances for thousands of local school children. The Symphony’s mission is to entertain and engage our community through musical performance and education. Monterey Symphony regularly receives national attention for the strength of its audience support, robust subscription renewals and audience retention.
Performances at Sunset Center, Carmel, San Carlos and 9th Ave.
www.montereysymphony.org

SHELBY MEANS WITH OTTER OPRY AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2026-05-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Somebody extra special will be taking center stage at Otter Opry on Tuesday, May 12th – none other than Shelby Means herself! Born in Kentucky and raised on Wyoming’s high plains, Means is one of the foremost bassists in bluegrass, with nearly two decades of experience in bluegrass, folk, rock, Americana, and country outfits. Together with Joel Timmons on guitar, Jacob Means on mandolin, and George Guthrie on banjo, she’ll be making some mighty fine music right here in Monterey.
Means grew up playing bluegrass with her family, moved to Nashville after college, and has made a life and a living off her singular, self-possessed approach to the upright bass. During her dozen years in Nashville, she performed most notably as a member of the GRAMMY®-nominated all-women bluegrass band Della Mae. She later joined Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway on bass and vocals, earning her first GRAMMY® win for their 2023 album, City of Gold.
Shelby Means is a driving player with a singular stage presence and a magnetic, centered approach to the upright bass. Beyond her work on the instrument, she’s also an accomplished songwriter and a heartfelt vocalist whose voice is rooted in tradition while authentically her own. With her debut solo music, Means invites listeners to experience the same soulful presence and adventurous spirit she has built her career on.
This is a bluegrass experience you won’t want to miss, and you can make it even more special with a ranch chicken dish dinner before the show ($15 in advance, $20 after May 9th). Online sales will end at 11am the day of the performance.
7pm. Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free). www.otteropry.org

Film Screening of “Sitting Still”: a 90-Minute Documentary Film Featuring Laurie Olin
2026-05-12 18:00 - 20:00 | SandBox, 440 Ortiz Ave, Sea, 93933
Laurie Olin is responsible for designing many of the most beloved parks, gardens and public spaces in the country, including the Washington Monument grounds, the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, the Getty Center gardens, Battery Park City Masterplan, Columbus Circle, Bryant Park, and Independence National Historic Park, to name a few. His imprint on cityscapes extends all over the world, most notably Canary Wharf and Bishop’s Gate in London, Villa Olimpica in Barcelona, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin.
Artist, scholar, landscape architect, and fine artist, Olin is one of the most significant urban designers of our time, winning him many notable distinctions, including the National Medal of the Arts from President Obama. The film uses Olin’s original paintings and drawings as a visual thread throughout the film. These works of art establish a rhythm, creating moments of stillness within the movement of the piece. Just as parks in the city become tranquil spaces in all the flurry, Olin’s artwork establishes critical pauses in the film, reminding us that one of the best methods to learn from the world is to observe it by sitting still.
Gina M. Angelone directed, produced and wrote the film.

First Friday Pacific Grove Good Old Days Kick-Off Party!
2026-05-09 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pacific Grove, 612 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, 612 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, 93950
Join us in downtown Pacific Grove as we kick-off Good Old Days weekend with Art Openings, Live Music, Open Houses, Shopping, Great Food and Community. Participants located on Lighthouse, Grand, Forest, Central & Cypress Aves.
