Arts Council for Monterey County

LOCAL DIRECTOR JOHN KIM'S FEATURE FILM "REUNION" WORLD PREMIERE! WITH Q&A.
2026-03-15 12:30 - 14:15 (America/Los_Angeles) | California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose, 95113
A despondent Asian American funeral home worker, goes to his high school reunion with hopes of jump starting his bleak existence, only to be mistaken for the most successful alumnus of the wrong school, a mysterious Asian graduate whom no one has seen in twenty years. What this misidentification sets in motion is a comic farce and a modern twist on the classic Cinderella tale.

Avenue Q
2026-03-20 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-03-21 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-03-27 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-03-28 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-03-29 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-03 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-04-04 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-04-10 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!

Women’s Night Out: Escape to our 8th Annual Women's Night Out "White Lotus" inspired party at the Monterey Symphony!
2026-03-21 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-22 15:00 - 16:30 | Sunset Center, San Carlos St at Ninth Ave, Carmel by the Sea, CA, 93921
March Concerts and 8th Annual Women’s Night Out
Carmel/Monterey, CA – Monterey Symphony celebrates its 8th Annual Women’s Night Out on Saturday, March 21st, 2026, from 6:00-7:30 PM with a concert to follow at 7:30 PM and repeats the concert on Sunday, March 22nd, at 3:00 PM at Sunset Center in Carmel with Music Director Jayce Ogren.
Women’s Night Out: Escape to our 8th Annual Women’s Night Out “White Lotus” inspired party at the Monterey Symphony!
Come dressed in your Maui, Sicily, or Thailand exotic resort chic attire and be transported to a vibey vacation inside Studio 105. Get lost in the tantalizing music of San Francisco based Axon Orkestra. This trip is all-inclusive: tropical cocktails (and mocktails!) from Pour Girl cocktails, light bites from Chic Charcuterique, tarot and palm readers, a photo booth, and more surprises await you. All this, plus a gorgeous Symphony concert to follow. Tickets are $35 with promo code: LOTUS Tickets include both the Symphony Concert and the Women’s Night Out Pre-Concert Party. (Limited to Tier 2 seats). This event sells out every year, so don’t wait! All are welcome.
Concerts: “Our March program features star violinist Stefan Jackiw in Tchaikovsky’s delightful and virtuosic Violin Concerto. We’re thrilled that Jackiw will be making his debut with the Monterey Symphony. The concert opens with Moño by Marina López, a Monterey Symphony co-commission, and part of our 80th anniversary celebration featuring exciting new works. We’ll also play Sibelius’s Seventh Symphony, his greatest tribute to nature, humanism and spirituality,” says Jayce.
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 composer Marina López, and Sunday, 2:00-2:30 PM with Music Director and Conductor Jayce Ogren and composer Marina López, in the Sunset Center auditorium. Free and open to the public.
Saturday Night Talk Back – Immediately following the Saturday evening concert, all ticket holders are welcome to join Conductor Jayce Ogren, soloist Stefan Jackiw, and composer Marina López in the lobby for a Talk Back. Patrons will have the opportunity to ask questions about the concert in a Q&A style format and are offered a complimentary glass of wine.
Sunday Pre-concert Music – On Sundays, the Symphony offers Lobby Sessions with Live Music in the lobby from 1:45-2:00 PM & 2:30-2:45 PM. The March concert Lobby Session features Symphony principal horn Dan Nebel. Arrive early to hear our musicians up close while enjoying refreshments from the Sunset Center Café. 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

Controlled Chaos Improv at Stanton Center!
2026-03-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Monterey History & Art Association at Stanton Center, 5 Custom Plaza, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Come out for a night of fun with Controlled Chaos Improv at Stanton Center! 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+

The Art of Observation
2026-03-24 17:30 - 19:00 | Monterey Regional Airport
Monterey Regional Airport invites you to the opening of the
2026 Art Exhibit
March 24th at the Monterey Regional Airport off Hwy 68 & Olmstead Rd
Please join us at 5:30-7:00pm with a 6:00pm Monterey Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting to celebrate and enjoy the PG Museum’s new collaborative exhibit and the incredible artists, cultures, and natural wonders of Monterey County!

Mountains to the Sea
2026-03-25 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-25 10:00 - 2026-06-06 17:00 | Chesebro Wines, 19 East Carmel Valley Rd, Ste D, Carmel Valley, 93924, United States
Monterey Bay Plein Air Association and Chesebro Wines present:
Mountains to the Sea, Monterey County Landscapes.

Dover Quartet
2026-03-28 18:30 - 20:30 | Sunset Center, San Carlos St at Ninth Ave, Carmel by the Sea, CA, 93921
Chamber Music Monterey Bay is thrilled to present as our fourth concert of the season the extraordinary Dover Quartet, which BBC Music Magazine pronounced as “one of the greatest quartets of the last 100 years.” They have frequently been favorably compared to the great American string quartets of years past, such as the Emerson or Guarneri Quartets, for their depths of originality and musicianship. Their last appearance for CMMB was a streaming performance online during the pandemic, so we are overjoyed to welcome them back in person.
The Dover Quartet is currently the Penelope P. Watkins Ensemble in Residence at the Curtis Institute of Music, as well as Quartet in Residence at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. The Chicago Tribune described their performances as embodying “expert musicianship, razor-sharp ensemble, deep musical feeling and a palpable commitment to communication.” We are proud to have them here to share their amazing music making with our Peninsula audience.
They will perform an exciting and unusual program featuring works by Jessie Montgomery, Franz Joseph Haydn, Karol Szymanowski, and Felix Mendelssohn, timeless compositions spanning the years from 1772 to 2012. Each work is a masterpiece of the chamber music literature.
The New Yorker called them “the young American String Quartet of the moment,” and we are over the moon to be bringing them to our wonderful corner of the world with this spectacular program. You will want to buy your tickets early.

Chamber Music Monterey Bay Announces 59th Season: A Showcase of Masterworks, Innovation, and Cultural Stewardship at Sunset Center
2026-03-28 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. Dover Quartet Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Sunset Center, Carmel Free pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m. Recognized by BBC Music Magazine as “one of the greatest quartets of the last 100 years,” the Dover Quartet presents a deeply expressive program blending historical depth with contemporary brilliance. Jessie Montgomery – Strum Franz Joseph Haydn – String Quartet No. 27 in D Major, Op. 20, No. 4 Karol Szymanowski – String Quartet No. 1 in C Major, Op. 37 Felix Mendelssohn – String Quartet No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80 (“The Lick Quartet”) This concert affirms CMMB’s dedication to programming that challenges, inspires, and uplifts. 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.

First Friday Monterey Museum of Art
2026-04-03 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 Salinas
2026-04-03 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
2026-04-03 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 Pacific Grove Spring Celebration!
2026-04-03 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Pacific Grove, 612 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, 93950
Join us in downtown Pacific Grove, CA for an evening of Community, Art, Entertainment. Galleries, Shops, Restaurants and Service Businesses will be open late to offer you open houses, new exhibits, live music, grand openings, food & drink specials and more from 6:00-9:00 pm. Participants on Central, Grand & Lighthouse Aves. New art exhibit at Center for Spiritual Awakening, The French Baker & Entertainment at PG Masonic Lodge on Central Ave, 18th Business Anniversary Party at Artisana Gallery, Gallery Night at P.G. Art Center, Katherine Lavin Band at Monarch Pub, Grand Opening of The Block Wine Bar, Jazz at Wild Fish Restaurant, Loud & Local at PG Meetinghouse, Grand Opening of Paperscapes-Journey Through Motion on Lighthouse Ave, Artists Meet & Greet at 227 Grand Ave featuring the work of Diane Grindol & Nancy Donaldson and so much more!!!

Arts, Culture & Creativity Month Resolution Presentation
2026-04-07 10:30 - 11:30 | County of Monterey Government Building, 168 West Alisal Street, Salinas, 93901
April is Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month – a month of free events, resources, and advocacy opportunities across the state with the goal of engaging arts advocates and raising awareness of the impact of the arts within communities.
Join us on April 7th at 10:30 am at the County Board of Supervisors meeting at 168 W. Alisal in Salinas, as they present a resolution to honor Arts, Culture & Creativity Month! Let’s show up and get a group photo demonstrating that artists, arts leaders and creators are just as enthusiastic about our work – “Art Work is Real Work!”
Hope to see you there!

WATER TOWER WITH OTTER OPRY AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2026-04-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
You can almost feel the sizzle in the air already! On Thursday, April 9th, Water Tower will grace the Otter Opry stage, and this band is literally the talk of the town. At its core, Water Tower is a triumph of unlikely alchemy—three virtuosos from wildly different worlds, colliding to create a sound that defies genre.
Kenny Feinstein, the punk-bluegrass outlaw, wields banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and guitar like weapons, splicing Old Time grit with punk rock fury. Tommy Drinkard—audio engineer, rock frontman, and banjo prodigy—went from student to champion in a year, taking 1st place at the Topanga Banjo & Fiddle Contest before merging his reggae-rock swagger into Water Tower’s DNA.
But no sonic rebellion is complete without its rhythmic foundation. Taylor Estes (The Bass Lord) is a low-end warlock whose basslines don’t just hold down the groove, they command it. And John Seltzer is the band’s human metronome, a mandolin player whose precision and adaptability flow as naturally as his seltzer-water namesake from breakneck bluegrass to psychedelic jam explosions.
Bound by a love for bluegrass, Old Time, and jam-grass, yet electrified by their divergent influences, Water Tower is a sonic rebellion. This isn’t just a band, it’s a movement! Come see for yourself, and let the sizzle wrap its arms around you. A delicious taco bar dinner before the show ($15 in advance, $20 after April 4th) will add to the magic of the evening. See you there!
7pm. Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free). www.otteropry.org

Block Party - Monterey Museum of Art
2026-04-11 11:00 - 16:00 | 559 Pacific St, Monterey, CA, United States, California
Get ready for Monterey Museum of Art’s 4th Annual Block Party! This vibrant arts festival, free and open to all, transforms downtown Monterey into a bustling hub of art and creativity.
Discover local artisans, community organizations, and historic hotspots, alongside dazzling performances and a variety of delicious food and drink options. Participate in interactive arts activities designed for all ages, and enjoy free admission to our latest exhibitions.
Guests 21+ are invited to return in the evening for a Dance Party under the stars.
Vendor Lineup
Artisans: Alexa Ortiz Creative, Chris Powers Silkscreen Printing, Johnny Wicks Candle Co., Mayari Metaphysical, Peninsula Potters, The Colorful Kayak, and Wholehearted Tattoo
Food and Beverage: Acai Boys, Oli’s Cheesesteaks, Taevada Treats, The Coffee Corner 831, Watsonville Munchies Y Mas, and Whiskd
Community Organizations: Alisal Center for the Arts, Art Abilities, Arts Council for Monterey County, Artists Ink, Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County, Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, Center for Photographic Art, ImageMakers, Japanese American Citizen League of Monterey County, Monterey Public Library, MPC Women in STEM, MY Museum, ReGen Monterey, Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation, and Youth Arts Collective
Historic Hotspots: Big Sur Land Trust, Cooper-Molera Adobe, Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association, and Monterey State Historic Park Association – Casa Gutierrez & Larkin House
Performance Schedule
Main Stage
11:00 – 11:45: Bubba Pickens Band
12:00 – 1:00: J.A.M. and the Buttered Biscuits
1:30 – 2:30: Alex Lucero Band
3:00 – 4:00: Sensory Tribe
Inside MMA
11:00 – 12:00: Dan Frechette and Dan Cioper Do Dylan
12:30 – 1:30: Al James Duo
2:00 – 3:00: Adria Castiano w/ Jesse De Carlo
With pop-up performances by Guitars United and Samba Legal.

Carmel Art Walk
2026-04-11 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
2026-04-11 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.

Dance Party - Monterey Museum of Art
2026-04-11 20:00 - 22:00 | 559 Pacific St, Monterey, CA, United States, California
Dance the night away at Monterey Museum of Art’s Dance Party—a 21+ event filled with music, art, and entertainment. As an evening continuation of MMA’s Block Party arts festival, the Dance Party transforms the outdoor gardens into an immersive experience, featuring a stunning light installation, vibrant energy, and electric dancing. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind night of music, movement, and creativity!
Guests will enjoy:
Music and light experience
Local craft beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and non-alcoholic refreshments
Delicious bites
Free museum admission
Buy Tickets
Ages 21+
Tickets available for purchase | $25
Tickets include Dance Party admission and after-hours Museum access.
Your contribution supports the Museum’s exhibitions, collections, education initiatives, and public programs for the benefit of students, families, and adults from across Monterey County and beyond.

Anza Expedition Talk at First Theater
2026-04-15 18:00 - 19:00 | California’s First Theatre, 439 Scott Street, Monterey, 93940
Anza Expedition Talk at First Theater
Monterey, Calif.—To acknowledge the 250th anniversary of the Anza Expedition, Monterey State Historic Park is hosting a free talk about the journey titled “Outfitting the Expedition: The Dress and Equipment of the Anza Party 1775-1776” in California’s First Theater on April 15th at 6pm by acclaimed historian, illustrator and author David Rickman.
Between 1775 and 1776, Juan Bautista de Anza led an expedition of 240 settlers including women and children from New Spain, which is now Mexico, into California and up to San Francisco to establish a mission and a presidio. On March 10, 1776, the Anza Expedition arrived in Monterey on horseback, mule and foot before heading north. The whole 1,200-mile journey opened California up for Spanish colonization and is now commemorated by the National Park Service’s Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.
The talk will take a close look at what the expedition members wore, what they carried, and how they rode, based on original documents and images from the time. Rickman is the author of the Sutter’s Forst Costume Manual and the upcoming Where Worlds Met, a two-volume history of dress in California from 1822 to 1860 published by California State Parks.
