Arts Council for Monterey County

Central Coast Reflections
2026-05-01 12:00 - 2026-06-25 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
MBPAPA (Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association) Annual Membership Show 2026.

First Friday Monterey Museum of Art
2026-05-01 17:00 - 19:00, 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!

First Friday at the Miller Adobe Garden
2026-05-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, 93940
Join us for First Friday at MMA and celebrate community, creativity, and culture! Enjoy FREE after-hours access at the Museum and explore the Museum’s newly renovated Miller Adobe Garden, with beer and wine available for purchase and live music by Peter Barnes Martin.
Get creative with our turmeric sun print art activity—an all-ages, hands-on experience where you’ll use sunlight and natural pigments to create vibrant, one-of-a-kind prints inspired by the world around you.

First Friday Salinas
2026-05-01 17:00 - 20:00, 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).

Night Market 831
2026-05-01 17:00 - 21:00, 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.

Illustrating Nature Returns to the PG Museum on May 1
2026-05-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove,, CA, 93950
A long-standing partnership between CSU Monterey Bay and the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History continues May 1 with the 16th Annual Illustrating Nature Exhibition. Showcasing the talented work of graduates of CSUMB’s Science Illustration Program, Illustrating Nature is a tour de force in the ways scientific illustration and art take form. Thanks to the Arts Council for Monterey County and the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, the show will be bigger than ever, featuring an expanded display reaching across both floors of the Museum. This year will also see the return of audience favorites, including the artist’s field journals on display. “Illustrating Nature is our most popular annual exhibit,” says Maya Sosa, the Museum’s Exhibitions Coordinator. “The art these graduates create showcases their talent and creativity and reminds us of the many ways beauty can be found in nature.”
The show will run from May 1 through June 7th, with a special free opening reception at the Museum on Friday, May 1, from 6-8pm. The reception will feature the opportunity to meet the artists and their instructors and explore the artwork in its expanded spaces. “As with recent years, our upcoming exhibit continues to highlight newer applications of Science Illustration, including infographics and comics in addition to paintings and illustrations guests are used to seeing,” says Reid Psaltis, head of the Science Illustration Program and former graduate. “Our current group of students has worked hard to find ways of communicating the scientific subjects they’re passionate about.”
Guests at the opening reception excited to discuss the art with the artists will have the opportunity to receive a sticker of their work. Visitors interested in more will also have plenty of opportunities to purchase, learn about, and create their own art over the course of the exhibition run with a variety of events including artist demonstrations from current students on 5/16 and 5/30, classes with the Museum taught by program graduates for all skill levels, and a special artist market on May 22 where visitors can purchase art prints, stickers, originals, and more from participating graduates. “The artist market is so much fun,” says Noelle Fletcher, the Museum’s Marketing & Events Manager. “The students have been working all year on incredible works, and we only get to see a subset in the show, but the market gives an opportunity to see much more and support them as they move into this next career chapter.”
Illustrating Nature will run May 1 through June 7 at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. Get a sneak peek after April 10th at www.pgmuseum.org and sign up for events at www.pgmuseum.org/events. The talent will continue in June with a new exhibit in the Museum’s popular Beyond Illustrating Nature space by program graduate Amy Koehler, also funded by the Arts Council for Monterey County and the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.

CALIDORE STRING QUARTET Chamber Music Monterey Bay
2026-05-02 18:30 - 21:00 | Sunset Center, San Carlos St at Ninth Ave, Carmel by the Sea, CA, 93921
Chamber Music Monterey Bay will present the highly acclaimed Calidore String Quartet for the final concert of our 2025-2026 Season. The Washington Post wrote of the Calidore, “Four more individual musicians are unimaginable, yet these speak, breathe, think and feel as one.” As was true for our previous ensemble, the Dover Quartet, this spectacular ensemble has appeared for CMMB only virtually, in 2020. We are thrilled to present them in person.
The Calidore Quartet brings a big program to their performance in Carmel: A beautiful quartet by Haydn (Op. 76 no. 5), a powerful work by Shostakovich, his String Quartet No. 8, which we haven’t presented in over 20 years, and Beethoven’s immense and profoundly moving String Quartet Op. 131. Writing of the Calidore, The New York Times said: “Deep reserves of virtuosity and irrepressible dramatic instinct.” The Los Angeles Times noted that the Calidore are “Astonishing …shockingly deep… [with] the kind of sublimity other quartets spend a lifetime seeking.”
We hope to see you at Sunset Center to hear CMMB’s fifth and final concert, with an extraordinary ensemble and a powerful closing for our 59th Season.
The concert will be preceded by a 30-minute talk by Bay Area musicologist Ian Scarf. These informative and entertaining talks begin at 6:30 and will provide ticket-holders with deeper insight into the evening’s program.
Individual tickets are available for $30–$75. CMMB’s Kids Up Front & Free! program offers free tickets for young music lovers (grades 3–12) and music teachers. Discounted tickets ($15) are available for chaperones. Active members of the military and full-time students are eligible for discounts.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.chambermusicmontereybay.org or by calling the CMMB office at 831-625-2212, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information and to stay updated on all events and ticket sales, visit the website.
Contact: Chamber Music Monterey Bay
Phone: 831-625-2212
Email: info@chambermusicmontereybay.org
Website: www.chambermusicmontereybay.org

Chamber Music Monterey Bay Announces 59th Season: A Showcase of Masterworks, Innovation, and Cultural Stewardship at Sunset Center
2026-05-02 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.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. SEASON FINALE Calidore String Quartet Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Sunset Center, Carmel Free pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m. Closing the season is the Calidore String Quartet, described by The New York Times as possessing “deep reserves of virtuosity and irrepressible dramatic instinct.” Franz Joseph Haydn – String Quartet No. 65 in D Major, Op. 76, No. 5 Dmitri Shostakovich – String Quartet No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 110 Ludwig van Beethoven – String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 131 An evening of musical gravity and brilliance, this finale offers a masterclass in the enduring power of the string quartet. 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.

I Cantori di Carmel presents Carmina Burana
2026-05-07 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-29 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-31 15:00 - 17:00 | Indoor Forest Theatre, Carmel
Carmina Burana: Under the Open Sky
I Cantori di Carmel at the Forest Theater
Forget everything you think you know about classical music. Join I Cantori di Carmel and Music Director Daniel Henriks at the historic Forest Theater for an evening of raw power and cinematic wonder. Featuring over 130 musicians, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana is a bucket list musical experience set under the stars and towering trees of Carmel.
Why You Can’t Miss This
The Music You Already Love: Even if you have never stepped foot in a symphony hall, you will recognize the pulse-pounding “O Fortuna.” Heard in countless movies, commercials, and sports anthems, hearing it live with an intense choir and orchestra is a physical experience you have to feel to believe.
A Masterpiece Made in Carmel: While Carmina Burana is performed on the world’s biggest stages, this is a uniquely local production. There is a special kind of energy that comes from a homegrown chorus of our neighbors and friends taking on a work of this magnitude. Our ensemble will lead the performance alongside world class soloists Ashley Fabian, Chris Mosz, and Ethan Vincent, with a special debut by our youth chorus, I Cantorini.
A Medieval Festival Atmosphere: We are turning the Forest Theater into a lively 13th-century carnival. Arrive 90 minutes early to wander through a world of traveling minstrels, song circles, and fortune tellers. These festivities bring to life the world of the “Goliards,” the wandering poets who wrote the rowdy and romantic verses that make up the text of the show.
Picnics and Pinots: This is not a “sit still and hush” event. Pre-order a gourmet grazing box from Chic Charcuterique, bring your favorite beverage, and enjoy a picnic in the forest while the music sweeps through the trees.
Plan Your Evening
Dates and Times:
Friday, May 29 at 7:30 PM (Pre-show at 6:00 PM)
Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 PM (Pre-show at 6:00 PM)
Sunday, May 31 at 3:00 PM (Pre-show at 1:30 PM)
The Menu:
Elevate your evening with pre-ordered treats ready for pickup at the venue:
Charcuterie Grazing Boxes: $32
Chocolate Covered Strawberries: $14
Tickets for Everyone
General Admission: $57
Reserved/VIP: $77 (Includes premium seating and an exclusive post-concert reception)
Young Adults (Under 30), Students, Teachers, and Military: $21
Children (Under 12): $10
Secure your spot under the trees at icantori.org
Pro-Tips for the Forest Theater
Dress in Layers: Carmel nights are beautiful but can get chilly, so bring a blanket or your favorite cozy sweater.
Seating: General Admission is first-come, first-served. Arrive early to snag your favorite spot and enjoy the pre-show festivities.
Parking: Give yourself extra time to park and stroll into the woods.

A Light Exists in Spring Exhibition
2026-05-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Sunset Center, San Carlos St at Ninth Ave, Carmel by the Sea, CA, 93921
A Light Exists in Spring is the title of an Emily Dickinson poem. It is also the title of our exciting PhotoCarmel exhibition in the Marjorie Evans Gallery at the Sunset Center in Carmel! This exhibition will feature works by the Center for Photographic Art’s incredible team of artists who also happen to be volunteers, trustees, and staff members at our organization. They are not just talented photographers, but also devoted members of our community. This group of nearly 50 local artists pursues a variety of photographic media, but one of the things that unites them is their vision and their love of the landscape, of light, of change, of the glorious medium of photography. This exhibition’s title references the season of hope. Spring, with its magical light, its promise of renewal, flora and fauna alike emerge, the days grow longer, there is a shift in the air!
A Light Exists in Spring, like many of Emily Dickinson’s poems, explores the ephemeral nature of beauty and the human experience. It captures a specific moment in spring, when a unique light and color appear in fields. This sensory experience is both fleeting and profound, leaving a lasting impression on the observer. And this exhibition, curated by the Center for Photographic Art’s executive director, Ann Jastrab, will also leave a lasting impression on visitors to the Marjorie Evans Gallery. From early historical photographic processes like platinum palladium printing and cyanotypes to contemporary digital photography to mixed media photography, this show will have something for everyone, lovers of the handmade print, lovers of light, lovers of the wonders of nature and spring. It will be a chance to highlight the best of us, when we slow down and listen to the earth’s heartbeat, and also our own.
Featured artists:
Debra Achen, Mary Aiu, James Atherton, Janet Beaty, Lauren Brown, Ron Brown, Andrew Chasin, Ginger Chih, Charles Clarke, David Clarkson, Marty Cohen, Matt Connors, Tony DeVarco, Stan Dunlap, Allyson Ely, David Fagan, Dani Foster, Eduardo Fujii, Sylvia Gardner, Anna Mae Gazo, Helaine Glick, Lillie Grossman, Arvian Heidir, Noelle Hetz, Tom Hierl, Jacki Horton, Susan Hyde Greene, Robert Kastigar, Domini Kelly, Susan Kingsley, Maria Isabel LeBlanc, Jeanne Marino, Ruben Martin, Simona Martin, Phil Miller, Carolyn Moore, Rick Murai, Rinské Perkins, Maria Prince, Huve Rivas, Michelle Robertson, Robin Robinson, Lesha Rodriguez, Jacque Rupp, Dennis Segers, Nancy Sevier, Jerry Takigawa, Patrice Taylor, Jacqui Turner, Robert Watt, Jan Watten, Gregg Weissman, Janet Whitchurch, Frank Yamrus, Jonas Yip.

MPC Guest Authors Series presents Amy Gerstler
2026-05-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom, Monterey County Theatre Alliance Hybrid Theatre, CA, United States
Monterey Peninsula College is pleased to present Amy Gerstler, author of over a dozen book of poetry and two novels. She will be reading from her poetry and talking about the writing of poetry and fiction with attendees.

Annual Walk of Remembrance Celebrates Impacts and Legacy
2026-05-09 10:00 - 13:30 | Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove,, CA, 93950
Annual Walk of Remembrance Celebrates Impacts and Legacy of Fishing Village Residents & AAPI Community Members on May 9th
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. — “Change Through Kindness” was always the motto of Gerry Low Sabado, a descendant of Quock Mui, the first Chinese woman born in California, who spoke multiple languages including Rumsen and Ohlone, and was a resident of the Fishing Village of Point Alones. Growing up, Gerry didn’t know much about her family’s history until she read Chinese Gold, a book by Santa Cruz historian Sandy Lydon, which detailed the story of her great grandmother, the impacts of the fishing village community on the Monterey Bay, and their tragic dispersal in the early 1900s after being driven out of their homes due to fire and looting. Gerry, a Monterey teacher who often worked to do good and stand up for various communities, wanted to bring this knowledge to our community, and approached the PG Museum in the hope that they might team up to shed light on this important history.
Together, Gerry and the Museum founded the Walk of Remembrance, which commemorates both the anniversary of the village burning down and the positive impacts the members of the Fishing Village community, their descendants, and the broader AAPI community have had on Monterey County and beyond. Though Gerry sadly passed away in 2021, her legacy lives on in many ways, including through the Quock Mui Foundation, founded by her husband Randy and other members of her family.
“May 16, 2026 is the 120th anniversary of the burning of the Pt. Alones/Pt Almeas Chinese fishing village once located in Pacific Grove.” says Randy Sabado, Chair of the Walk of Remembrance Committee and President of the Quock Mui Foundation. “Please help celebrate AAPI Heritage month by attending events that honor and remember the sacrifices and contributions that the Chinese community has made and continues to make to the Monterey Bay area.”
This year’s Walk of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Starting at the PG Museum and ending at Hopkins Marine Station, the walk is just under 2 miles roundtrip on a primarily flat and accessible surface. The Museum will also serve as a learning hub for anyone interested in learning more about the history of the Fishing Village and its community with an updated and expanded exhibit about the Fishing Village, Gerry, and the Walk.
The day will start at 12:00pm with a discussion in the Museum’s Bird Gallery, followed by a Chinese lion dance at 1:00, some brief remarks, and the Walk itself starting around 1:45. To get more inspired and learn about this incredible history, Chinese Gold is available for sale in the Museum store.
Upcoming Events at the Museum:
April:
Garden Work Bee: 4/4, 10am-11am
Garden Unveiling: 4/4, 11am-12pm
Free Summer Camp Preview: 4/11, 10-11:30am
Monarch Society Event: 4/22, 4:30-6
Student Research Symposium: 4/25, 10am-3pm
Family Tidepool Bioblitz: 4/26, 1:15-2:15pm
May:
Illustrating Nature Grand Opening: 5/1, 6-8pm
Garden Work Bee: 5/2, 10am-12pm
Walk of Remembrance: 5/9, Lion Dance followed by Walk: 1:00pm
Illustrating Nature Artist Demonstration: 5/16, 11am-2pm
Illustrating Nature Artist Market: 5/22, 6-8pm
Member Brown Bag: A Tall Drink of Water, Redwood Trees & Ecosystems, 5/29, 12:15-12:45pm
Illustrating Nature Artist Demonstration: May 30, 12-3pm
Science Saturday: Discover Dinos & Fossils, May 30, 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.

Carmel Art Walk
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.

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.

Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium
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.

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.

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

Poetry & Art Celebration
2026-05-13 11:30 - 13:00 | Steinbeck Hall, Hartnell College, 411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901, 411 Central Ave, Salinas, CA, 93901, United States
Join us for a celebration of creativity, storytelling, and cultural expression. Admission is free! Books will be available for purchase.
Enjoy live readings from two new, powerful publications and connect with the writers and artists behind the work:
Poems, Pixels, and Pages, a vibrant, student-led literary magazine showcasing the voices and artistry of Hartnell students.
I Carry My Ancestors in My Bones by Dr. Hortencia Jimenez – a moving poetry collection rooted in identity, memory, and heritage.
Come celebrate the power of words, arts, and community – and support the next generation of Hartnell scholars.
50% of proceeds from I Carry My Ancestors in My Bones support the Mariposa Rising Scholarship, a new fund helping undocumented Hartnell students transfer to four-year universities.

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

Reception for CCAA Member Exhibit
2026-05-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Walter Lee Avery Gallery at Seaside City Hall, 440 Harcourt Avenue, Seaside, CA, 93955
The Central Coast Art Association invites you to our semi-annual member exhibit at the Avery Gallery. Come view a wonderful selection of art, meet artists, and celebrate the winners of this juried show. Held at the Avery Gallery in Seaside City Hall.

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.

Chalk the Block
2026-05-30 10:00 - 14:00 | CA
CHALK THE BLOCK is a sidewalk art competition for all ages and all skill levels. There will be prizes for category winners! Art, music, and free fun for all. Sign up using the QR code on our flyer. We hope to see you there!

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.

Controlled Chaos Improv at Wave Street Studios!
2026-06-05 19:30 - 21:30 | Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave Street, Monterey, 93940
Come out for a night of fun with Controlled Chaos Improv at Wave Street Studios! Controlled Chaos Improv puts their own twist on traditional improvisational theatre. Quick wit and spontaneous energy are combined with truth in comedy to bring something fresh and fun to the stage! Fueled by audience suggestions, Controlled Chaos will create unpredictable and comedic scenes on the spot. So, grab your friends and join us for an evening you won’t soon forget! A good time is guaranteed for all. You may pay for a whole seat, but watch as these improvisers keep you on the edge of it! 16+
