Art of Rehabilitation
2026-01-08 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-09 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-12 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-13 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-14 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-15 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-16 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-19 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 4 more dates | County of Monterey Building, 168 West Alisal Street, Salinas, 93901
What if art could change lives?
A powerful new exhibit at the County of Monterey Administration building in Salinas proves it can. The installation showcases work by inmates from Soledad Correctional Training Facility—videos, audio, poetry and visual pieces that reveal the transformative potential of creativity and rehabilitation behind bars.
Created through the Life on Art’s – Rehabilitation program, these works are more than art—they’re part of a proven strategy to reduce recidivism and prepare inmates for successful reentry into society. The program complements existing education and mental health services, giving incarcerated individuals a vital tool for self-expression and healing.
Each piece tells a story. Hear directly from the artists themselves as they share the thoughts, struggles, and hopes that shaped their work. This isn’t just an art show—it’s a window into the humanity of people often unseen, and a testament to the rehabilitative power of creative expression.

The Elephant Man
2026-01-09 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-10 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-16 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-17 19:00 - 21:00 | 1534 Fremont Blvd, 1534 Fremont Blvd, Seaside, 93955
In 1880s London, John Merrick is a horribly deformed young man – a victim of rare skin and bone diseases. Under the care of celebrated physician Frederick Treves, Merrick slowly evolves from an object of pity to an urbane gentleman, desperate to be recognized as a man like any other.

SPECIAL CONSENSUS WITH OTTER OPRY AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2026-01-10 15:00 - 16:30 | Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
“Music like this is the reason people come to love bluegrass,” says Folk & Music Exchange. “Special Consensus approaches this hallowed American musical art form with boundless energy and an aesthetic reverence that tickles the ribs, tugs at the heart, and puts a restless two-step into boots and bare feet.” This iconic bluegrass band is coming to Otter Opry on Saturday, January 10th for a matinee performance, which you truly will not want to miss!
Marking its 50th anniversary in 2025, Special Consensus continues to deliver a vibrant contemporary bluegrass sound deeply rooted in tradition. Led by founder Greg Cahill, the band has been a cornerstone of the bluegrass community for five decades, with 22 acclaimed recordings, eight International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards, and two Grammy nominations testifying to their enduring artistry and innovation.
With the foundation of Greg Cahill’s unique banjo playing style and the vocal prowess of Greg Blake (guitar), Nico Humby (bass) and Brian McCarty (mandolin), these musicians effortlessly support each other and consistently maintain their bluegrass center whether they’re playing a jazz-tinged instrumental or a song from any of their award-winning recordings. These four talented vocalists and instrumentalists follow their creative desires without straying too far from their roots.
3pm. Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free). Tickets and information at www.otteropry.org. Online ticket sales will end at 9am the day of the show.

Carmel Art Walk
2026-01-10 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.

Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium
2026-01-10 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.

Lysander Piano Trio
2026-01-10 18:30 - 21:30 | Sunset Center, San Carlos St at Ninth Ave, Carmel by the Sea, CA, 93921
The incredible Lysander Piano Trio, known for their “polished and spirited interpretations” (New York Times), will continue our 59th Season at Sunset Center on January 10, 2026. The Lysander has spent over a decade performing around the United States, with more than 100 highly-acclaimed appearances at notable venues. They are now performing for the first time in Chamber Music Monterey Bay’s concert series. Lauded by The Strad as exhibiting “[i]ncredible ensemble, passionate playing, articulate and imaginative ideas and a wide palette of colors,” we are thrilled to introduce this exciting ensemble to our Peninsula audience.
Chamber Music Monterey Bay shares the Trio’s dedication to inventive programming, finding connections between works from all over the world, and uncovering lesser-known gems of the repertoire from the past to the present. The program will include piano trios by Udi Perlman (a Lysander commission), MieczysławWeinberg, and Antonín Dvořák.
The Lysander ensemble displays what the Washington Post termed “an uncommon degree of heart-on-the-sleeve emotional frankness” – a quality Chamber Music Monterey Bay’s season artists are known for. We hope you will join us in welcoming them at their first appearance in Carmel.

MPC Asian Student Association's Annual Culture Show
2026-01-10 19:00 - 21:30 | CA
To maintain the diversity cultural enrichments and to share one to another culture among Monterey local communities, the Monterey Peninsula College Asian Student Association students will hold their 21st MPC ASA Annual Culture Show on Saturday, 10 January 2026 at 7pm – 9:30pm in MPC Theater. The MPC ASA Culture Show not only provides local institutional students and local cultural performers to display their cultural enrichments in Monterey, but it also brings all local cultural supporters together while celebrating the upcoming Lunar New Year, the year of the Horse. Thus, the MPC ASA Culture Show is only the culture show to build a strong relationship between Monterey Peninsula College and local communities in Monterey County.

Chamber Music Monterey Bay Announces 59th Season: A Showcase of Masterworks, Innovation, and Cultural Stewardship at Sunset Center
2026-01-10 19:30 - 21:30 | Sunset Center, San Carlos St at Ninth Ave, Carmel by the Sea, CA, 93921
Chamber Music Monterey Bay (CMMB) announces its 59th season, presenting five evening concerts by world-class ensembles at the historic Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Concerts will be held on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., preceded by complimentary pre-concert lectures at 6:30 p.m., offering audiences deeper engagement with the repertoire and performers. The 2025–2026 season continues CMMB’s mission to enrich the cultural life of the Central Coast by presenting exceptional chamber music performances, commissioning new works, and supporting community education and outreach initiatives. This season reflects CMMB’s dual commitment to preserving the legacy of chamber music while advancing its evolution through contemporary voices. CONCERT II Lysander Piano Trio Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Sunset Center, Carmel Free pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m. Described by The New York Times as offering “polished and spirited interpretations,” the Lysander Piano Trio returns with a vibrant program of emotionally charged 20th- and 21st-century works alongside a beloved Romantic masterwork. Udi Perlman – Nostos (2022) Mieczysław Weinberg – Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 24 Antonín Dvořák – Piano Trio No. 3 in F Minor, Op. 65 This concert illustrates chamber music’s global reach and emotional depth, from modern reflection to Romantic grandeur. TICKETS AND ACCESS Season subscriptions and individual concert tickets are available now at www.chambermusicmontereybay.org or by calling (831) 625-2212. CMMB’s Kids Up Front & Free! program welcomes students in grades 3–12 to experience professional performances from premium center seats at no cost, fostering a lifelong appreciation for chamber music. Accessible seating, pre-concert talks, and printed program notes are provided at every performance to deepen audience experience and inclusion. About Chamber Music Monterey Bay Founded in 1966, Chamber Music Monterey Bay is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to presenting a world-class concert series, commissioning new works, and offering education and outreach that makes chamber music accessible to diverse communities. Its programming reflects a commitment to artistic excellence, cultural stewardship, and education for audiences of all ages.

Nominate a Champion of the Arts!
2026-01-16 - 2026-01-27 | CA
Nominations for Champion of the Arts are closing soon!
We know there are many amazing individuals, organizations, and businesses making a powerful impact on the arts in Monterey County. Now’s the time to recognize their inspiring work!
The Champions of the Arts™ award, presented by Arts4MC, honors those who foster creativity, promote cultural engagement, and strengthen our community through the arts.
Nominations close January 20, 2026 — don’t wait!
Awards ceremony: Friday, April 17, 2026, 9 AM at Monterey Marriott Ferrante Room.
Help us celebrate the leaders shaping the future of arts in Monterey County. Nominate your Champion today: bit.ly/Champion2026

New Monarch Butterfly Documentary to Screen at Pacific Grove Museum
2026-01-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove,, CA, 93950
The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has been studying numbers of Western monarch butterflies since 1997, and that work, along with work of other organizations, is featured in a new full-length documentary by filmmaker Ian A. Nelson. Screening at the Museum on January 16 the film, titled Western Monarch Butterflies: Protecting Our Pollinators, follows the work of conservation organizations attempting to save this beloved and beleaguered invertebrate who scientists say have lost over 95% of their historic populations.
“The main takeaway from this film is that small actions can have a large impact, especially when we choose to act together.” says Nelson, “I hope viewers feel encouraged to create habitat for monarchs and other pollinators in their backyards and to get involved in conservation efforts working to protect these spaces on a larger scale.”
The film follows monarchs over the course of a year, interweaving their life cycle with the human efforts supporting them along their migratory journey. The result is a layered portrayal of the interconnectedness of humans and monarchs that demonstrates our reliance on each other and ways in which humans can help the ecosystems they are part of.
The screening will take place Friday, January 16, from 5:30-7:30pm and will feature a Q&A with Ian after the 70-minute film has completed. All purchases from tickets sold will benefit monarch conservation, and Museum Members of all levels will receive a discounted admission price. Tickets can be purchased at the Museum website at: www.pgmuseum.org/events
Upcoming Events at the Museum:
January:
Documentary Screening: Western Monarch Butterflies: Preserving Our Pollinators, 1/16, 5:30-7:30pm
LiMPETS RIM teacher training: 1/17
Bird Walk with Amanda Preece: 1/30, 9am-12pm
Science Saturday: Migration Celebration! 1/31, 10am-3pm
February:
Book Talk: Amphibians of California, 2/6, 5:30-7pm
Animal Painting Party, 2/7, 10:30am01:30pm
Science on Tap: Great White Sharks, 2/12, 5:30-7:30pm
Science Saturday: Reptile Revelry, 2/28, 10am-3pm
About the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
In 1883, the Museum opened its doors among the first wave of natural history museums in America. Naturalists of this era began a national tradition of hands-on science education and nature preservation, a tradition the Museum has continued for over 140 years. The Museum’s mission is to inspire discovery, wonder, and stewardship of our cultural and natural world. The Museum supports conservation, scientific literacy, co-curation, and deep learning towards a resilient community and sustainable future. Their work is made possible, in part, by the following generous donors: American Water Charitable Foundation, City of Pacific Grove, Community Foundation for Monterey County, Harden Foundation, Helen Johnson Endowment Funds, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, and Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund. The Museum is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm. For more information visit www.pgmuseum.org.

Gutenberg! The Musical
2026-01-16 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-01-17 20:00 - 22:00 | Paper Wing Theatre 711 Cannery Row Suite I Monterey, Ca. 93940, 711 Canner Row Suite I, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
A hilarious love letter to Broadway
Get ready for big laughs, bigger dreams, and two actors playing ALL the roles!
Gutenberg! The Musical is a fast-paced, absurdly funny show about two hopeful writers who perform their epic musical for an audience, hoping it’s their big break.
With nothing but enthusiasm, imagination, and a whole lot of hats, this clever comedy celebrates creativity, ambition, and the joy of live theater.
Performance Dates:
Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 PM
January 16 – February 15
Sunday Matinees at 3:00 PM on the last two weekends
Saturday VIP Dinner Option Available
Includes:
• Buffet-style dinner
• One non-alcoholic beverage
• Dessert
• First choice of general admission seating
• A special keepsake photo from our themed photo booth
Whether you’re a Broadway fan or just looking for a night of nonstop laughter, Gutenberg! The Musical is the feel-good event you don’t want to miss.
Tickets available now, grab yours and join us for this side-splitting theatrical adventure!

Artist Talk for Refuge III
2026-01-17 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-17 15:00 - 18:00 | Luna Gallery, 107 B The Alameda, San Juan Bautista, 95045
Asian American artists talk about work in an exhibition curated by Judy Na Omi Shintani at Luna Gallery in San Juan Bautista. Followed by reception for the artists.

Pacific Grove Museum Opens 2026 with Major Slate of Exhibits and Events - LiMPETS RIM teacher training
2026-01-17 10:00 - 16:45 | Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove,, CA, 93950
The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has an ambitious plan for its 2026 exhibits and events schedule, with the first six months of the year encapsulating everything from driftwood sculpture to great white sharks. Under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Rachel M. Miller, the Museum has seen unprecedented growth in exhibits, outreach, and programming, which will be on full display in the coming year.
January will begin with current exhibitions Wings of Wood and Beyond Illustrating Nature with Lindsay Newey and Iffat Karim cycling out to introduce two new exhibits: Tethered Light by LA-based artist Raphaele Cohen-Bacry on January 21 and Beyond Illustrating Nature with Calene Luzco on January 7. A special virtual meet-and-greet with Raphaele will be held on February 22 at the Museum for anyone interested in meeting her and discussing her work.
January will also see a number of exciting events, including a screening of a new documentary Western Monarch Butterflies: Preserving Our Pollinators with filmmaker Ian Nelson, a bird walk with local guide Amanda Preece, and a special Science Saturday celebrating Sandy the Whale and animal migrations.
Featuring a reptile and amphibians theme, February will host a special book talk about the amphibians of California with Dr. Emily Taylor of Cal Poly San Louis Obispo, a herpetological painting party with Nicholas Ta, artist and founder of Reef Renders. That month’s Science on Tap will take a deviation into the world of fish with a night about great white sharks with Hopkins Marine lab scientists led by Dr. Barbara Block before circling back to the theme with a Reptile Revelry Free Science Saturday.
March will be the Museum’s Member Month and will introduce a new rotating exhibit by artist Lynn Butler, with a meet and greet taking place that First Friday, 3/6. The night before, 3/5, the Museum will host a History on Tap about the Women who Saved Pacific Grove featuring local scientist and author Steve Palumbi (The Death & Life of Monterey Bay, The Extreme Life of the Sea). That week will end with a Women in Science Tea on Saturday, 3/7, which will feature a special panel of local women scientists discussing their work and paths in their careers. There will also be a variety of special member-only events including brown bag lectures, special science walks, and more. The month will close with a special Science Saturday celebrating the Museum’s founder Mary B. Norton on 3/28.
April will feature more science walks and brown bag lunches, and close out with the Museum’s annual Student Research Symposium, a special event open to the public showcasing the work and accomplishments of studies conducted by students working with the Museum’s LiMPETS and Watershed Guardians programs.
May’s First Friday will bring with it the opening of Illustrating Nature, the Museum’s most popular annual exhibit. A long-standing partnership with CSU Monterey Bay’s Science Illustration program, Illustrating Nature features the work of graduating artists and will hang for six weeks, during which time there will be several associated events including paint and sips with program graduates, field workshops, and demo days. There will also be a special market with featured artists on June 5 for those interested in purchasing art prints or originals. The following weekend will feature the Walk of Remembrance in Pacific Grove, celebrating the history and contributions of the fishing village community and their descendants, as well as AAPI community members.
June at the Museum will feature a special Science on Tap around creatures of the land, sea, and air, and continue with brown bag lunches, science walks, and artist workshops. The departure of Illustrating Nature will see the introduction of a photo exhibit by local photographer Jason Bradley, with a special event to celebrate its opening tentatively scheduled for July 10.
Listed Events:
January:
Documentary Screening: Western Monarch Butterflies: Preserving Our Pollinators, 1/16, 5:30-7:30pm
LiMPETS RIM teacher training: 1/17
Bird Walk with Amanda Preece: 1/30, 9am-12pm
Science Saturday: Migration Celebration! 1/31, 10am-3pm
February:
Book Talk: Amphibians of California, 2/6, 5:30-7pm
Animal Painting Party, 2/7, 10:30am01:30pm
Science on Tap: Great White Sharks, 2/12, 5:30-7:30pm
Virtual Meet and Greet with Raphaele Cohen-Bacry, 2/22, time TBD
Science Saturday: Reptile Revelry, 2/28, 10am-3pm
March is Member Month!
History on Tap: The Women Who Saved Pacific Grove, 3/5, 5:30-7:30pm
First Friday: Lynn Butler Exhibit Opening, 3/6, 5:30-7:30pm
Women in Science Tea, 3/7, 2-3:30pm
Member Brown Bag, 3/20, 12:15-12:45
Science Saturday: Mary B. Norton & Women in Science, 3/28, 10am-3pm
April:
Special Member Walk: 4/1 Time TBD
Member Brown Bag Talk: 4/24, 12:15-12:45pm
Student Research Symposium: 4/25, 10am-3pm
May:
First Friday: Illustrating Nature Opening-5/1, 6-8pm
Walk of Remembrance: 5/9, Events start at 11am
Illustrating Nature Workshop: 5/22
Free Science Saturday: 5/30, 10am-3pm
June:
Illustrating Nature Workshop: 6/2
Illustrating Nature Artist Market: 6/5, 5:30-7:30pm
Science on Tap: Creatures of the Land, Sea, & Air, 6/11, 5:30-7:30pm
Member Walk: 6/19
About the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
In 1883, the Museum opened its doors among the first wave of natural history museums in America. Naturalists of this era began a national tradition of hands-on science education and nature preservation, a tradition the Museum has continued for over 140 years. The Museum’s mission is to inspire discovery, wonder, and stewardship of our cultural and natural world. The Museum supports conservation, scientific literacy, co-curation, and deep learning towards a resilient community and sustainable future. Their work is made possible, in part, by the following generous donors: American Water Charitable Foundation, City of Pacific Grove, Community Foundation for Monterey County, Harden Foundation, Helen Johnson Endowment Funds, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, and Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund. The Museum is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm. For more information visit www.pgmuseum.org.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Presents “Tethered Light” A Driftwood Sculpture Exhibition by Raphaele Cohen-Bacry On view January 21 – April 26
2026-01-21 10:00 - 2026-04-26 16:00 | Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove,, CA, 93950
The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History announces the presentation of “Tethered Light,” a sculptural exhibition by California-based artist Raphaele Cohen-Bacry, on view January 21 through April 26. The exhibition features a collection of sculptural works created from driftwood gathered along California’s rugged coastline.
Rooted in the landscapes and histories of California’s shores, Tethered Light transforms weathered, fire-marked and ocean-worn wood into expressive sculptural forms that speak to environmental change, endurance and renewal. Many of the materials used in the exhibition were collected from beaches where wildfire-scarred trees met the sea, carrying visible traces of both destruction and survival.
Bright marine ropes bind the sculptural elements together, referencing the maritime traditions of the Pacific Coast — from fishing vessels and buoys to migration routes and navigation systems that have long shaped life along the water. These luminous cords contrast with the aged wood, symbolizing the human impulse to connect, secure and preserve in an ever-changing environment.
Several pieces in the exhibition are suspended, appearing to hover and sway in space. These floating forms suggest motion, balance and the shifting relationship between land and sea — a reminder that California’s coastline remains in constant dialogue with wind, water and time.
“Tethered Light is a meditation on resilience and regeneration — sculptures shaped by the sea and bound by memory, inviting us to reflect on our deep connection to California’s coast and the shifting balance between nature, culture and change,”
— Raphaele Cohen-Bacry
Presented at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, the exhibition aligns closely with the museum’s mission to inspire discovery and stewardship of the natural world. Through sculptural storytelling, Tethered Light invites visitors to consider the fragile beauty of coastal ecosystems and the responsibility we share in protecting them.
Located on the edge of Monterey Bay, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History serves as a gateway to understanding the rich biodiversity and cultural history of California’s Central Coast. Tethered Light offers a contemplative artistic extension of that mission, blending science, environment and art into a single immersive experience.
Special Event
Virtual Artist Meet & Greet
February 22 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Join artist Raphaele Cohen-Bacry for a live virtual conversation exploring the inspirations, materials and stories behind Tethered Light. Details and registration information will be available via the museum.
Exhibition Details
Exhibition: Tethered Light
Artist: Raphaele Cohen-Bacry
Dates: January 21 – April 26
Venue: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Website / Artist Studio: Raphaele Cohen-Bacry Studio
For museum hours, admission and exhibition information, visit www.pgmuseum.org.
