Thursday, August 15
Rolling on the floor
There are few things in this world where more is better, but laughter is one of them. Every Thursday night, anyone can come and laugh — and try their hand at making others laugh — at Deja Blue, a club and restaurant on Broadway Avenue at the base of downtown Seaside. The event is called “Jokes and Smoking,” hosted by Lemon Pepper Chicken. Registration to get onstage begins at 8 p.m., and the jokes start at 8:30 p.m. Come and laugh. It's literally good for your health. (DS)
Thursday, Aug. 15, 8:30 p.m. Deja Blue, 500 Broadway Ave., Seaside. Free. 324-0044, dejabluelive.com. Friday, Aug. 16
Camp atmosphere
A few years ago, long before the pandemic shutdowns began, there was a place along the coast to go on a summer Friday night to enjoy good food and good music in a beautiful outdoor setting. If the weather was nice, you could even catch a spectacular sunset. The Sunset Music Series held at Asilomar Conference Grounds had an atmosphere that evoked memories of sitting around a campfire with family and friends. Thankfully, the music series survives and can be enjoyed this summer. The featured performer on August 16th is guitarist and singer Shawn Yanez, whose music is best described as “soulful reggae.” The final event of the series on August 23rd will feature singer-songwriter Rory Lynch, whose music spans country, jazz and pop. Bring folding chairs and dress warmly for the fog. The outdoor grill offers dinner options that are much tastier than camp food, and beer and wine are available for purchase. No outside food or drinks are permitted. The music and community are free. (Afternoon)
6:30-9 p.m. every Friday through Aug. 23. Asilomar Conference Grounds, 800 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. 635-5310, visitasilomar.com/things-to-do/upcoming-events.
Jazz Wave
Scott Amendola's Sticklerphonics performs live at Wave Street Studios. Amendola plays drums/percussion/electronics, Raffi Garabedian on tenor saxophone, and Danny Rubin Laden on trombone. All three perform original compositions, and Sticklerphonics is an unsettling combo that draws on a wide range of jazz techniques, from traditional jazz polyphony and ambient soundscapes to funk and free jazz. The trio dives into immediate territory, opening up without the usual guidelines, “in a bass-less, chord-less situation,” Amendola said on the band's website. “The sound is constantly evolving. We're really settling in, but there's also a sense that there's somewhere to go.” (Associated Press)
Friday, Aug. 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave St., Monterey. $30. 655-2010, tinyurl.com/mwyr4cuy. Saturday, Aug. 17
Party for pets
Monterey Peninsula Pride knows how to support and unite the LGBTQ+ community, whether through various gatherings and parades or through providing resources. Inclusion and diversity are at the heart of what they do, and they extend that to our furry friends. Monterey Peninsula Pride and Animal Friends Rescue Project have joined forces for a Queer Pet Party. This social event is for both humans and pets, and if you have the room in your home (and in your heart), you'll have the chance to meet animals looking for adoption. Per City of Monterey regulations, dogs and cats are only allowed on leashes. (EC)
Saturday, Aug. 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans Memorial Park, 1200 Veterans Drive, Monterey. Free. animalfriendsrescue.org.
Hook and thread
For those who love crocheting and want to step up from the 2D to 3D level, this beginner's Amigurumi workshop is the place to start. Participants will learn how to knit Amigurumi, a Japanese word for a stuffed animal or doll made from knitting or crocheting. On Saturday, crocheters will work with instructor Lauren Wall to knit a mushroom. It's a simple shape, but learning the basics is key to getting the results you want in your upcoming projects. It's easy, just choose the right crochet hook, yarn, and stitches. No knowledge of crochet stitches is required. The workshop is open to people of all ages. (CJ)
Saturday, Aug. 17, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Monterey Art Museum, 559 Pacific St., Monterey. $35. 372-5477, montereyart.org.
Hartnell's Paris
“This year's Hartnell College Foundation Arts Festival will recognize outstanding individuals,” said Savannah Harris, philanthropy and marketing coordinator. “All of the recipients have ties to our community or are Hartnell alumni who have achieved remarkable success in the arts.” The foundation has selected 11 individuals to receive the award: Jose G. Ortiz as Distinguished Alumni in the Arts; Gail Higginbotham as Community Arts Hero; Jean and Laurie Dick, Mimi and George Niesen, Shirley and Tom Chiatta as Western Stage Distinguished Honorees; Linda Zinn and Pat Horsley for Contribution to the Arts; and Burrell Leonard, who will receive the Arts Legacy Award. The festival raises funds for scholarships and internship opportunities for arts students and nurtures the next generation of award recipients. (AP)
Saturday, Aug. 17, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Hartnell College, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. $150. 731-5981, [email protected]. Sunday, Aug. 18
Swiss
Come to the Swiss Picnic Celebration in Gonzales for a day of Swiss tradition and exciting competition. Witness the strength and determination of competitors as they vie for the title of strongest hand in the world. “This isn't just for athletes. It's a sport for everyone,” says Chris Garnett of Salinas, who came up with the idea. “Young or old, experienced or beginner, anyone can experience the thrill of grip strength at this event.” The event is not only a test of its power, but also a fun event for the whole family, blending culture, community and competition. Enjoy barbecue (including Swiss sausages), live music and dancing (Flat Rock Boys Band), Swiss merchandise, bounce houses for the kids, and more. The celebration marks the 733rd anniversary of Swiss independence. It is the largest Swiss family reunion held outside of Switzerland. (AP)
Sunday, Aug. 18, noon-4 p.m., Monterey County Swiss Rifle Club Park, 34241 Gloria Road, Gonzales. Free. Registration required, [email protected], swissrifle.club. Tuesday, Aug. 20
Dreaming
Carlos Nieto is a largely self-taught artist who is driven by his own creativity to define his own DIY aesthetic. And it's experiences that have led him to different places, specifically as a layout artist for the iconic TV shows “The Simpsons” and “King of the Hill.” Since then, he has started mentoring a new generation of artists and aspiring artists, traveling the country with his Anime Your Way workshops. His next stop is Pacific Grove, a session for 6th-12th graders to learn how to draw anime characters from scratch. Bring a positive attitude and a mindset to brainstorm. Pre-registration is required to secure a spot and materials, but the workshop and creative ideas are free. (SR)
Tuesday, Aug. 20, 4 to 5:15 p.m., Pacific Grove Public Library, 550 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. Advance reservations required. 648-5762, [email protected], pacificgrovelibrary.org. Wednesday, Aug. 21
Celtics Tip-Off
Solve the word puzzle: 2 guitars + bass + drums + vocalist? Yes, rock and roll. Take one guitar away and make the other acoustic? Correct, singer-songwriter. How about mandolin + banjo + guitar + fiddle? That adds some old-fashioned fun, especially when The Weeds (Tyler and John) team up with Adam Hendy of the Celtic trio The Fire. The performance has a traditional Celtic feel and features timeless songs, but also some contemporary tunes and some new originals. (DF)
7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21. St. Mary's by the Sea Episcopal Church, 146 12th St., Pacific Grove. $30 admission, $35 admission ($12 children, $15 admission). 373-4441, celticsociety.org.
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