Arts Council for Monterey County

J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion
2026-04-25 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
Bach’s St. John Passion Comes to Carmel and Santa Cruz in Intimate Chamber Performances
This April, the Central Coast Chamber Choir (C4), the chamber ensemble of I Cantori di Carmel, presents J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion under the direction of Daniel Henriks. Performed with a chamber choir and an ensemble, these concerts bring Bach’s dramatic retelling of the Passion story into a more immediate and human scale. The result is direct, present, and deeply sincere.
Two performances will take place:
Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 7:30 PM
All Saints’ Episcopal Church | 9th Street & Dolores Avenue | Carmel
Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Calvary Episcopal Church | 532 Center Street | Santa Cruz
Tickets are available at www.icantori.org
About the piece:
Rather than presenting the work with large forces, C4 approaches the St. John Passion at a more intimate scale. This allows the text and music to come forward with clarity and immediacy, placing the listener closer to the unfolding story.
Under the direction of Daniel Henriks, the performance reflects a deep engagement with both the musical structure and the human drama of the work. A conductor with a background as an international opera singer, Henriks brings a strong sense of narrative, pacing, and vocal understanding to this repertoire.
The performance features a cast of distinguished soloists:
Steven Caldicott Wilson (Evangelist), praised by The New York Times for his “powerful, polished and moving” interpretation.
Morgan Balfour, soprano, recently featured with the San Francisco Symphony and known for her luminous tone and expressive range.
Gabriela Estephanie Solís, mezzo-soprano, an in-demand interpreter of Baroque repertoire with major early music ensembles.
Matt Peterson, baritone, is recognized for his commanding presence and versatility on both operatic and concert stages.
They are joined by the Central Coast Chamber Choir and a baroque ensemble drawn from Central Coast musicians, performing on period instruments. This ensemble reflects a growing focus on historically grounded performance practice within the region.

Avenue Q
2026-04-25 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-01 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-02 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-08 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-09 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-15 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-16 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-22 20:00 - 22:00 and 2 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!

Panel Discussion: Photography’s Role in Wildlife Conservation & Cultural Preservation
2026-04-29 14:00 - 15:30 | Middlebury Institute for International Studies, 499 Pierce Street, Monterey, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
How can photographs change minds and protect what matters most? Join four acclaimed image‑makers for a dynamic conversation on how visual storytelling shapes public perception, influences policy, and preserves cultural memory.
What You’ll Learn
• How images drive conservation outcomes and cultural preservation
• Ethical guardrails in the digital era—editing, authenticity, and trust
• Collaborating with NGOs to educate, fundraise, and advocate
• Real-world case studies where photographs shifted awareness, empathy, or policy
Featured Panelists:
Bob Talbot
Filmmaker • Photographer • Marine Conservation Advocate
Bob Talbot is renowned for his stunning marine photography and award‑winning cinematic work that has brought audiences face‑to‑face with whales, dolphins, and fragile ocean ecosystems. His imagery has not only mesmerized viewers but also galvanized public support for marine protection. Talbot’s lifelong commitment to ocean advocacy makes him a powerful voice in conversations about how photography can inspire stewardship of the natural world.
Kevin Osborn
Nature Photographer • Software Engineer • MFA, Brooks Institute
Growing up among the forests and peaks of the San Bernardino Mountains instilled in Kevin Osborn a deep love for the outdoors—one that guided him to Humboldt State University, where he earned a B.S. in Natural Resources. After establishing a successful career as a software engineer, Osborn pursued his passion more formally by earning an MFA in Photography from Brooks Institute. Now based in Santa Cruz, where mountains, ocean, and redwoods converge, he continues to explore how nature photography can deepen environmental appreciation and awareness. His work reflects both technical mastery and an enduring sense of curiosity: “Three more years of school have taught me much about photography, but mostly it has reminded me of how much more there is to learn.”
Craig Lovell
Photographer • Cultural & Environmental Documentarian
Craig Lovell’s diverse body of work spans landscapes, world cultures, sacred sites, performing arts, and environmental subjects. Known for his ability to blend artistry with cultural sensitivity, Lovell has spent decades photographing traditional communities and natural spaces threatened by modernization and ecological change. His images reveal beauty while honoring authenticity, making him a compelling storyteller in the realms of both conservation and cultural preservation.
Rick Murai
Photographer • Educator • Specialist in Sacred Sites Documentation
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Rick Murai recently concluded 35 years of teaching creative photography in Northern California’s Central Valley. His lifelong fascination with sacred sites has taken him across Asia, India, South America, the Middle East, Russia, Western Europe, and Oceania. Murai’s award‑winning work has appeared in LensWork, Camera Arts, Silver Shotz International (AU/NZ), and other respected publications. He has received multiple honors, including Travel Photographer of the Year (UK) awards (2008, 2011) and the Jurors Award at the California State Fair (2010). In addition to exhibiting internationally, he leads workshops around the world, from Italy and Ireland to Morocco and Southeast Asia, while mentoring photographers seeking deeper meaning and purpose in their work.
Moderated by Dr. Megan McKenna
Marine Scientist • Educator • Policy Expert • Specialist in ocean science, conservation, and public policy
Megan earned her Ph.D. from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She began her policy work at the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission in Washington, D.C. She later served as a lead scientist at the U.S. National Park Service, integrating remote sensing into natural resource management. Back in California, she has focused on ocean conservation and sustainability through big data analytics and cross-sector collaborations addressing solutions from local to global scales. At the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, she teaches in multiple programs, including the graduate Environmental Policy and Management program, the online Master of Public Administration in Sustainability, and undergraduate initiatives like the California Coast and Climate Semester and the Middlebury School of the Environment. Her teaching highlights applied science, systems thinking, and the link between local actions and global change. In 2025, she was honored with the Faculty Excellence Award at MIIS for her outstanding teaching.
Free and open to the public. Whether you’re a photographer, environmental advocate, student, artist, or simply someone who cares deeply about our planet and its people, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
This event is part of PhotoCarmel 2026: A Celebration of Photography on the Central Coast.
Where: Irvine Auditorium (next to the Atrium Gallery) • 499 Pierce Street, Monterey, CA
☕ Coffee & cookies served before and after the discussion

Monterey Symphony Announces 2026-2027 Season at Sunset Center
2026-05-01 08:00 - 2027-05-01 17:00 | Sunset Center, San Carlos St at Ninth Ave, Carmel by the Sea, CA, 93921
Monterey Symphony Announces 2026-2027 Season at Sunset Center
and Love Letter to New York at the Forest Theater
Performances at Sunset Center, Carmel, San Carlos and 9th Ave.
Carmel/Monterey CA – Monterey Symphony announces its 81st season with two Love Letter to New York performances at the Forest Theater and six concert sets at the Sunset Center.
“We are bringing world-class, dynamic soloists to the Symphony, and this season’s line up is absolutely stellar. Making their Monterey Symphony debuts, Jonathan Biss is one of America’s greatest living pianists, and Alexi Kenney is a young superstar of the violin. Ran Dank and Soeyon Kate Lee—husband and wife, and both outstanding piano soloists in their own right—return to the Monterey Symphony as a powerful piano duo with Dvorak’s tuneful Slavonic Dances and the world premiere for two pianos and orchestra by Chinese-American composer Chen Yi,” says Music Director Jayce Ogren.
“In May, our collaboration with the San Francisco based chorus VOLTI continues with Verdi’s dramatic Te Deum and Mahler’s epic Symphony No. 2, Resurrection, the first ever Monterey Symphony performances of this beloved, overwhelming work,” says Ogren.
“In addition to iconic favorites like Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and in March we’ll present something very special. Brahms wrote just four symphonies, considered by many to be the greatest works in the orchestral repertoire. In one weekend, the Monterey Symphony will play them all. It’s a beautiful opportunity to hear these sublime works in close proximity to one another, and I very much hope you’ll join us,” says Ogren.
2026-2027 Season Tickets: SUBSCRIPTIONS on sale starting MAY 1, 2026. SINGLE TICKETS on sale JULY 31, 2025. For questions, call the Symphony ticket office at (831) 646-8511, Mon-Fri, 10 AM – 4 PM. Tickets: $50-$90, $12 for students, teachers, and military.

Central Coast Reflections
2026-05-01 12:00 - 2026-06-25 17:00 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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.

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

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

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.
