Feb. 10 Pop Rock Mat Kearney is coming to the Golden State Theatre for one of his final shows in The Acoustic Trio tour, where fans have been enjoying his fusion blend of soft rock, folk and hip-hop music. Kearney has received critical acclaim and widespread recognition for his Columbia Records debut, Nothing Left to Lose. So far, he has five Top 20 hits on the Adult Top 40 Chart. Kearney’s music has been featured on an array of television shows including 30 Rock, One Tree Hill and The Vampire Diaries. His latest album January Flower, which came out in 2021, hit number 29 on the top album sales chart. [KH] 7pm Friday, Feb. 10. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $35-$128. 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com. Love Hammer You gotta go to this thing because…well, let’s string some words together to explain. Babydizzle presents Love Sux, with tunes by Flaco el Jandro, Roxy Ortiz, Pak Joko and Ruca Records. That’s what the poster says. We think, however, that promoter Babydizzle is having us on. Sux? With the indie-pop bounce of Flaco el Jandro’s Latin rhythms, it’s hard to imagine that anything would suck (which we believe to be the proper singular of sux). And with the likes of Solshine behind Ruca Records, spinning and spreading love—and power, let’s face it—through music, nothing could be further than sucking…or is it suxing? We’re just laying down words here. They are bringing the pre-Valentine’s party vibe. [DF] 8pm Friday, Feb. 10. Other Brother Beer Co., 877 Broadway Ave., Seaside. $10; $5/students. 747-1106, otherbrotherbeer. com. Feb. 11 so succulent Maybe you have already figured out that succulents are basically magical plants that can thrive with little attention. In this way, they are a terrible metaphor for love. But they make a perfectly nice Valentine’s gift for whoever you love (and however you love them—romantically, as a friend, as a sibling, as a parent, etc.). This workshop invites participants to create heart-shaped succulent wreaths that make unique 26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY february 9-15, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com Ismael Ruelas Ismael Ruelas is an abstract painter from Castroville who specializes in repetitive colored brush strokes. The work he creates overlaps and piles up, creating a visual sense of abstraction that can be seen in nature. Ruelas explores different mediums, from acrylic to watercolor to oil. His inspiration comes from past struggles and his current motivation is his daughter. Although his signature “strokes” might seem the same from afar, they are all different up close and worth the watch. In an artist statement, Ruelas talks about how art helped him to overcome anxiety and self-doubt. He was raised by a single mother on food stamps, moving from “garage to garage” to manage. The piece he is holding in the picture above is a custom rug made in Los Angeles, with his artwork in it. His work hangs in various California businesses. For more, visit instagram.com/ruelasism. [AP] 9-15 February HOT PICKS To see more local events, and add your own, visit calendar.montereycountyweekly.com Courtesy of Ismael Ruelas Courtesy of Leonard Han VISUALS Leonard Han Driven by world culture, myth, history and existential concerns, Leonard Han’s paintings shift in representation between depictive imagery and abstraction with mythic images from everyday experience. His paintings and monotypes,Tales, Traditions and Hidden Secrets, are now on display at Luna Gallery and Eco Art Studio in San Juan Bautista (107 The Alameda, Suites B). Alongside painting, Han has been devoted to producing, teaching and performing two cultural art disciplines, Taiji and Chinese lion dance. He formed the Monterey Bay Lion Dance Team 25 years ago. Han will perform Taiji and lion dance with Jayson Fann on percussion at 5pm during a reception for the exhibit that takes place from 4-7pm on Saturday, Feb. 11. It remains on display until March 12. [AP] Nashville-based Mat Kearney wrote his latest album January Flower between a remote retreat in Joshua Tree, California, and his home studio. He plays the Golden State Theatre on Friday, Feb. 10. Flaco el Jandro is one in a lineup of musicians who bring tunes to a pre-Valentine’s Day show at Other Brother Beer Co., but feel free to interpret “love” however you want to. Hector Hurtado
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