26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 4-10, 2024 www.montereycountyweekly.com CULTURE It’s already dusk as we follow the sounds of guitar and some rhythmic percussion up the stairs at the Pacific Grove Art Center. In a large gallery room, surrounded by colorfully painted interpretations of California landmarks, sits a gathered group—mostly older, many strumming guitars. “First time here?” a man asks. We nod. “Well, grab a songbook and sit anywhere you’d like.” This is the bimonthly hootenanny—a loose but devoted group that meets to sing and play their instruments (if you don’t bring one there’s a stash of small percussion instruments and bongo drums up for grabs) in a low-stakes, for-the-joy-of-it environment. This evening’s hootenanny is the 160th edition, organizer Vic Selby announces, to cheers from the group. It began in 1996 drawing just five to 10 people each time; now, attendees say, it can attract a crowd of 30-40 on a good night. The event is free, but the group does take donations for the Art Center. Selby, a retired Carmel High math teacher, sits at the front of the semi-circle of musicians and singers and leads the evening, directing us from song to song in the group’s 300-plus-song songbook. Genres include country, blues, show tunes and rock ‘n’ roll—“anything that’s really an example of American music,” Selby says. The night begins with an abridged version of Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon Over Kentucky,” then Bob Dylan’s “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” and James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain.” Everyone claps as each song concludes. Between songs, Selby, who plays guitar and harmonica and sings, will ad-lib a little, offering short stories or promoting upcoming concerts. This is his song with his wife, Selby explains, before launching into Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl.” “I better say this is my favorite song—or else I’m in big trouble,” he jokes. Even with the songbook, it’s clear not everyone in the group is equally familiar with the chords or words to every song. But that really doesn’t matter, Selby says. There are no rules or roles to follow—you just sing (or listen, if that’s what you’d prefer). “Some people say, ‘Oh, I’m tone deaf,’” Selby says. “But we don’t care. We try to involve everyone in one way or another.” Hootenanny #161 happens 7-9:30pm Saturday, Jan. 13. Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. For more information contact Vic Selby at 9179159 or vselby@sbcglobal.net. INSTAGRAM.COM/VIK.K The Joy of Music Grab your guitar and sing along—Pacific Grove’s bimonthly hootenanny is still going strong after 28 years. By Tajha Chappellet-Lanier Vic Selby (center-right), organizer of the bi-monthly Hootenanny at the Pacific Grove Art Center, leads the group of casual but devoted singers and musicians. 10% OFF your order with this ad Valid until 1/31/24 Taste of the World sweet & savory crepes • paninis • bagels • tea • 11th Hour coffee THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ @ @ @ @ 1123 Fremont Blvd, Seaside 831-901-3900 Mon–Fri 7am–4pm (Sat & Sun 8am–4pm) Explore our expanded coffee menu featuring drinks from around the globe • Café Bombon (Spain) • Lagrima (Argentina) • Turmeric Latte (India) • Yuanyang (Hong Kong) • and more! Showroom DiSplayS for Sale 70% OFF! Cabinets • Appliances • Hardware Accessories • Decorative Plumbing Visit our showroom Monday-Friday 10am-4pm 1368 S. Main St C, Salinas www.cabinetsandsuch.com P.S. We are NOT going out of business! Inquiries: please email info@cabinetsandsuch.com or call (831) 422-9900
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