Posts from — August 2010

Update 2: The Arcade Fire show is sold out. Some rumors say it sold out in 2/10 of a second; others say it took a whole 60 seconds.

Update: Arcade Fire tickets go on sale Wednesday August 18 at noon. More info on Arcade Fire ticket sales here.

If you’re an indie music fan, Big Sur will be the place to be the week of October 1! In the past 24 hours, two great acts have announced shows in Big Sur on October 1 and October 5.

On October 1, former Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst will appear at Fernwood Resort supported by moody Brooklyn rock-roots band The Felice Brothers. Special pre-sale tickets are available right now with a room or campsite at Fernwood by calling 831-667-2422; tickets will go on general sale on Monday August 16 at noon at folkyeah.com.

On October 5, Montreal legends Arcade Fire will play the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur. This show will be incredibly intimate compared to the rest of the tour; the Henry Miller Library has a maximum capacity of 400, as compared to other venues listed like Berkeley’s The Greek (capacity 8,000) and Seattle’s Key Arena (capacity 17,000+). Ticket sale dates for their Henry Miller Library show have not been announced; keep an eye on the official Arcade Fire site for more info. Animal Collective’s 2009 show at the Henry Miller Library sold out in 180 seconds, so stay glued to your computer the day tix go on sale!

If you like cars, you’re in luck! Monterey County is packed with car events from stem to stern as Monterey Auto Week leads up to the Concours d’Elegance. Click here to see a schedule of all the events of Monterey Auto Week, and see our Concours d’Elegance category for posts on and photos of the individual events.

If you’ve got kids, this weekend’s 16th annual KidFest at the Monterey County Fairgrounds will give you and your children an entire weekend of fun – and it’s free! The event includes live dance, rock, gymnastic and karate performances by kids, demonstrations by the Seaside Fire Department, live music by kid bands Malloway, Skeletal Puppies and Operation Rock, GT BMX Airshow demonstrations, games on Carnival Row, bounce houses, free face painting, food, arts and crafts, clowns, and way more. 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday, Monterey County Fairgrounds Gate 5, 2004 Fairgrounds Rd., Monterey. Free.

Not a car or a kid person? There’s still plenty to do around Monterey County.

Friday

Comic improv greats Mo Collins (former MADtv cast member) and David Razowsky (former artistic director of Second City) create unscripted comic theater at the Henry Miller Library tonight while the Warren Zevon-esque folk singer Al Rose brings irreverent, thought-provoking music. 7:30pm, Henry Miller Library, Highway One, Big Sur. Tickets are $15 if purchased online and $20 at the door.

San Francisco folk artist Sean Smith is well known both for his solo work and his tracks with the trio The Present Moment. Put him alongside deeply emotional Portland modern folk band John Heart Jackie and Fullerton should-be-signed-but-aren’t-yet heartfelt indie artists The Steelwells, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a bill at Jose’s tonight. Local low-fi rockers f***, im a ghost open. 9pm, Jose’s, 638 Wave Street, Monterey. $5.

Saturday

Award-winning children’s book A Day in the Salt Marsh now has an exquisitely illustrated sequel, titled A Day on the Mountain. Today, meet illustrator Erin Hunter as she talks about the book at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. 2pm-3pm, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. Free.

French jazz vocalist Laurent Forgo sings the kind of smooth jazz that sets the perfect tone for a romantic evening. Mix that with the great setting (the lobby at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa) and you’ve got the perfect start for date night. 5pm, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, 400 Cannery Row, Monterey. Free.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium fills with the sweet sounds of jazz keyboardist Bill Spencer tonight during Evenings by the Bay. (Don’t miss the cleverly-named “SwinginwithDaFishes,” the Twitter feed for this weekend event.) Enjoy wine, beer and light appetizers as you peruse the galleries. 6pm-8pm, Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. Included with admission.

Monterey County’s favorite latin R&B band, the Chicano All Stars, plays “Music in the Mall” at the Del Monte Center. 6pm-8pm, Del Monte Center, Highway One and Munras Avenue, Monterey. Free.

Los Angeles psychedelic indie band Dunes play Jose’s Lounge Underground tonight with Nevada City experimental folk act Lasher Keen (imagine Nick Cave and a pagan priestess making ritual music, backed by an acoustic Einsterzende Neubauten…no, really, we mean it) and CSUMB favorites Candyflip. 9pm, Jose’s, 638 Wave Street, Monterey. $5.

Santa Cruz psychedelic indie faves Harry and the Hitmen have spawned a new side project, the jazzy Afro-beat Sun Hop Fat, that includes several additional musicians. Tonight, they play a special show at Fernwood, in which one band will feature in each set but include guest musicians from the other band. Should be a blast. 9pm, Fernwood Resort, Highway One in Big Sur. $10.

Local acoustic group Jon Rubin Group are an unusual combo; Deanna Lynn’s viola is heartwrenching when played side by side with guitar and bass. Catch the sound that’s created a buzz on KPIG tonight at London Bridge Pub. 9:30pm, London Bridge Pub, Wharf #2, Monterey. No cover.

Sunday

Seaside’s Sunday Blues series wraps up with the “Summer of Love Music Festival,” featuring the Motown stylings of Ryze and Beatles tribute band the Sun Kings. Noon, Laguna Grande Park, Seaside. Free.

Jazz flutist Kenny Stahl and Tropical Jazz liven up the patio this afternoon at the Big Sur River Inn. 1-5pm, Big Sur River Inn, Highway One in Big Sur. No cover.

Boston’s The Pixies were the leaders of the alternative scene in the late 1980s, and lead singer Frank Black made an alt-rock name for himself in the 90s as solo artist Black Francis. Today, catch him at an afternoon acoustic show at the Henry Miller Library, which we’re sure will be quieter but no less intense than his ’90s shows. 2:30pm, Henry Miller Library, Highway One in Big Sur. Tickets are $25 plus fees and can be purchased online.

Amazing jazz trumpeter Dave Hoffman plays tonight at the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Evenings by the Bay. 6pm-8pm, Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. Included with admission.

It’s Monterey Auto Week, when Jaguars and Ferraris are a dime a dozen and even Lamborghinis inspire yawns instead of awe. Today we cruised the cars on display at the Russo and Steele holding pens to find cars that were truly unusual, outrageous, and sensational. Here’s our five favorites.

5. The 1958 BMW Isetta

The BMW Isetta may be a surprising sight on this side of the Atlantic, but in Europe this car (alongside its sister vehicles the Iso Isetta and VELAM Isetta) was probably the most successful microcar sold. The front end of this car swings open to admit passengers. This is one of two BMW Isettas up for auction this weekend in Monterey.

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For car enthusiasts, it’s not the December holidays that are the most wonderful time of the year – it’s this week, when Monterey County fills up with classic cars to celebrate the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Rolls Royces, Porsches, Ferraris and Jaguars become a dime a dozen on roads throughout Monterey County as the creme de la creme of the auto world converges on this region.

Concours d’Elegance by Simon Davison

Though the Concours d’Elegance is the crowning event of Monterey Auto Week, it is by no means the only event! The entire week is packed with auctions, auto shows, and the historic auto races of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. For a full listing of all the events taking place during Monterey Auto Week, see our page on the Concours d’Elegance and Monterey Auto Week.

Concours d’LeMons by Mike Rainey

If you’re wallet’s a little too thin to set foot on the hallowed 18th Green of the Pebble Beach Golf Links during the Concours d’Elegance, don’t fret! There’s many ways to see breathtaking (and sometimes freaky, as shown at the Concours d’LeMons, above) classic cars for free or cheap during Monterey Auto Week. See Concours on a Shoestring for the lowdown on all the low-cost events during Monterey Auto Week.

Show us your photos! Submit your photos to the SeeMonterey photo pool on Flickr! We’ll feature the best photos taken during Monterey Auto Week right here on this blog in our wrap-up post next Monday.

There’s three big all-weekend events in Monterey County this weekend.

First is the 30th Annual Steinbeck Festival, held at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas. This year’s festival, which began on Thursday and extends throughout the weekend, focuses on the theme of travel as it threads through John Steinbeck’s work. The festival features over 30 panels and tours, many of which are free to the public; see the schedule PDF for details.

The second is the Carmel Valley Fiesta, a full-weekend celebration of the Carmel Valley community that has taken place since 1989. Events include pancake breakfasts, a classic car show, arts and crafts, rides, fair food, free concerts, a 7.7 mile trail race through Garland Ranch Regional Park (register online), a kids’ race and the famous Carmel Valley Doggie Show. The concerts feature several Monterey County favorite bands; Saturday’s headliner, playing from 3-6pm, is Mike Beck and the Bohemian Saints, while Sunday’s headliner, playing from 3-5pm, is the Cachagua Playboys. Most events are free for the public; see this PDF for a full schedule of events.

The Monterey Scottish Games and Celtic Festival return for the 43rd year! Held Saturday and Sunday, the festival features piping, drumming and dancing competitions, historical reenactments, Celtic arts crafts and foods, sheepdog demonstrations, and performances by the Monterey Harp Ensemble, Tempest, 1916 and the legendary Seamus Kennedy. 9am-6pm Saturday, 9am-4:30pm Sunday, Toro Park, Highway 68, Salinas. Tickets are $20 at the gate per day, or $30 for the weekend; seniors, military and youth age 13-16 pay $18 for one day or $28 for the weekend, children 7-12 $10/15, children 6 and under are free. Parking is $5.

Friday

Jazz on the Plaza continues at the Carmel Plaza with San Francisco Latin jazz great Derek Smith, wines from Ventana Vineyards and food from Bistro Beaujolais. 5-7pm, Carmel Plaza, Ocean Avenue and Mission Street, Carmel-by-the-Sea. $15.

See great art and live entertainment for free at over 50 venues during the Salinas First Fridays Art Walk. 5pm-8pm, 100-300 blocks of Salinas and surrounding area. Free.

Local blues star John “Broadway” Tucker was the Monterey Bay Blues Festival’s local “Artist of the Year” in 2006, and he’s just gotten better since. Catch him tonight at Schooners Bistro on the Bay at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa. 5:30pm, 400 Cannery Row, Monterey.

Lazy sounds like a mix of very early X and the first Sisters of Mercy EP, only with live drums. They play Jose’s tonight along with quirky indie-roots-acoustic locals White Dogs and energetic Latin-influenced ska band The Great Tortilla Heist. 8pm, Jose’s Lounge Underground, 638 Wave St., Monterey. $5.

Local party favorites Cheeky Spanks play tonight at Captain Bullwacker’s. 8:30pm, 653 Cannery Row, Monterey. No cover.

Comedy and burlesque troupe Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad (get a taste of their humor and music above with the Hamantaschen gangsta rap) brings wild, risque, ribald fun to Fernwood Resort tonight. The troupe features Susannah Perlman (previously seen at the Edinburgh Fringe), Ophira Eisenberg (who has appeared on Queer as Folk and VH1′s Best Week Ever), poet Vanessa Hidary (featured on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam), Rena Zager (who has performed standup around the country and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival), and 14 more performers. 9pm, Fernwood Resort, Highway One, Big Sur. $15.

Saturday

Taste 200 wines from over 40 wineries at the Winemakers’ Celebration in Monterey’s Custom House Plaza! The event includes live music by the Dennis Murphy Band, a silent auction, and a raffle with a grand prize trip to Pueblo Bonito Resorts in Cabo San Lucas. 1pm-5pm, Custom House Plaza, Monterey. $45 in advance (tickets available online) or $50 on the day of the event.

Flash back to the ’60s at the Sunset Center! Psychedelic favorites Big Brother and the Holding Company and Country Joe McDonald are the center of a full-on replay of the Summer of Love. In addition to the great bands, there will be a 60′s themed party featuring food vendors, art and live entertainment. The party is at 5pm, the concert is at 8pm. Sunset Center, San Carlos Street and Ninth Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea. Tickets are $29, $38 and $45 and can be purchased online.

Local jazz musical duo Dizzy Burnett and Grover Coe provide a slinky atmosphere for tonight’s Summer Concert Series at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa. 5pm, 400 Cannery Row, Monterey. No cover.

Evenings by the Bay continues at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Spend a couple more hours with that adorable baby sea otter while enjoying a wine and beer bar and smooth jazz from Roger Eddy. 6pm-8pm, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. Included in price of admission.

Punk rock legend John Doe has carved a reputation as a songwriter and actor. If you’re used to his old punk-rock music, his set tonight at the Henry Miller Library may be a surprise; he’s just recorded a country album and is playing with Folkband featuring Cindy Wasserman (previously with Dead Rock West). Local alt-country artists Matt Denman and Mira Parfitt open. 7pm, Henry Miller Library, Highway One, Big Sur. Buy tickets online for $15 or at the door for $20.

Local metal favorites Pride Subject and Granted Earth thrash tonight at Jose’s Lounge Underground alongside San Francisco metallers One Punch Machine Gun and Santa Cruz’s The Devil Himself. 8pm, Jose’s Lounge Underground, 638 Wave St., Monterey.

Up and coming party band Boom Daddy play tonight at Captain Bullwacker’s. 8:30pm, 653 Cannery Row, Monterey. No cover.

Edgy LA alt-country band The Evangenitals are a favorite of freeform music channel KPIG. They play Fernwood Resort tonight. 9pm, Highway One in Big Sur. No cover.

Sunday

Latin R&B favorites Chicano All-Stars and outstanding blues vocalist Sista Monica play today at Sunday Blues at Laguna Grande Park in Seaside. 1pm-4:30pm, Laguna Grande Park, Canyon Del Rey Boulevard, Seaside. Free.

The Pacific Grove Summer Festival premieres at Lovers Point Park in Pacific Grove. Watch artists paint, enjoy street food, and watch performances by local bands The Lost Boys, Cachagua Playboys, Red Beans and Rice and the very busy Chicano All Stars. 9am-6pm, Lovers Point Park, Pacific Grove. Free.

Tonight at Evenings by the Bay at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, see jazz woodwinds artist Stu Reynolds, sip a glass of wine or beer, and enjoy the chance to see the galleries with fewer crowds. 6-8pm, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. Included in price of admission.