26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 14-20, 2024 www.montereycountyweekly.com MUSIC There’s a new music venue in town. Wendi Kirby Music in Monterey has been giving occasional concerts since November 2023, but the official opening concert takes place Saturday, March 16. Its creator is Wendi Kirby, a California pianist and composer, but also a lifelong piano teacher. Kirby moved to Carmel after 30 years in the Central Valley, attracted by the artistic community. “Indie classical, New Age or contemporary jazz,” Kirby says when asked how people describe her music. Her absolute favorite pianist was George Winston, who died last year after a long career. But the venue is not a place for just Kirby to perform. “I watched so many musicians playing background music at the weddings,” she says. “But we do have an audience here. We can honor musicians and help them to promote themselves. We are sharing profits.” Proclaimed as “Monterey Peninsula’s Most Creative Space,” Wendi Kirby Music is hard to find on the first go, as it fits between many suites of the Paseo Zabala building in Monterey. It’s even harder to believe that a sizable music venue hides in one of the suites—a large performing space that fits a grand piano and audience; there’s also seating in the second floor balcony running around the performance hall. But that’s not all. The venue serves Kirby as a studio, a space where she (or others) can give music classes. It has recording booths, a new sound system and a multimedia projector. A former architect’s office, the space was not conceived for music, but its quirks—such as a purely ornamental round window opening inside the building—somehow give it a fantastic acoustical quality. The space would look absolutely minimalistic if not for the warmth of the instruments and small work stations everywhere. Kirby sits down to the grand piano and plays a few notes. The effect is mesmerizing, especially with the trees dancing to the music, looking in through cathedral-length windows. Kirby played a concert here in January, following singer-songwriter Casey Frazier playing in November, as well as a couple of other fall concerts. What kind of music to expect? Anything that’s good, from singer-songwriters to jazz. Concert at 7:15pm Saturday, March 16. Wendi Kirby Music, 550 Hartnell St. # F, Monterey. $50. info@wendikirbymusic.com, wendikirbymusic.com. DANIEL DREIFUSS Inner Space A new venue by Wendi Kirby is a versatile and surprising location for concerts, lessons and music appreciation. By Agata Pop˛eda Wendi Kirby will introduce her new album Wings on March 16. British American singer-songwriter Sarah Gillespie is also introducing her album, Half Cut. made in italy new arrivals sport coats soft coats knitwear trousers jackets shirts 831-625-8106 • carmel plaza & ocean ave • khakisofcarmel.com STUDENTS, REGISTER FOR FREE TODAY JOIN US AT THE HARTNELL COLLEGE STEM TALENT EXPO! WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024 1:00 5:00 PM HARTNELL COLLEGE STEM CENTER Presented by Visit our website for full details: www.mcstemtalentexpo.com MARCH 20 Hosted by JOIN US AT THE HARTNELL COLLEGE STEM TALENT EXPO! 146 12TH STREET • PACIFIC GROVE Advance tickets available at www.celticsociety.org $30 adv/35 door Kids (12 and under) $12 adv/15 door THE PARTY FOR PADDY! Father/son duo John ad Tyler Weed and Stuart Mason will delight with their saucy rhythms and sweet Irish riffs. Marissa Gilman will awe us with her soaring dance steps. SUN. MARCH 17•3PM Doors Open at 2:30 with pre-concert music featuring The McMonarchs (St. Mary’s fantastic teen band) and Banish Misfortune. St. Mary’s bistro will be in full swing with our famous “tatties with toppings” and other seasonal treats and libations. d Justice Center ., Seaside, CA 93955 Crockett (831) 915-7257 cm_crockett@sbcglobal.net “ x 3.65 $171.00 (per paid contact for 12 monthly ads) mmerman, March 24, 2024, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Doors open at 7:00 pm More info: (831) 899-7322 1364 Fremont Blvd, Seaside Monterey Peace and Justice Center 7:30 - 9:30 pm Purchase Advance Tickets on Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/RoyZ-Monterey-2024-tickets Sunday March 24 IN CONCERT: ROY ZIMMERMAN An evening of music, laughter, and political satire
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