Friday, May 17 All Americana Songs follow Casey Frazier. They appear when he is traveling down some lonesome road or ducking into a coffee shop, drawn and weary from work. They drift along as he wanders a forest trail, reconnects with an old friend or weeps over a loss. Frazier’s experiences become his lyrics, his music—rich with life as we know it. He may be the purest singer-songwriter, because Frazier tells us stories in song in a tone that is American and a voice that embraces. And really, do we need to say any more than that? Don’t think so. A Casey Frazier performance is a must. Especially when it happens in an inviting, intimate venue like the new Wendi Kirby Music. [DF] 7pm Friday, May 17. Wendi Kirby Music, 550 Hartnell St., Monterey. $35. wendikirbymusic.com. Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19 Hip Check Miracles—the good kind—can still happen. Despite the landslide disasters along Highway 1 in Big Sur, the Hipnic music festival is on, bringing three days of camping and much-needed music. Robyn Hitchcock, Jonathan Richman, hosts The Mother Hips and more are bringing good vibes. Like all Hipnics before, this one is sold out. However, because of conditions, tickets may be available on the secondary market (the legal one). [DF] Noon Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 18. Fernwood Campground & Resort, 47200 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2422, fernwoodbigsur.com. Saturday, May 18 on the trail The exquisite property now protected as Ishxenta State Park, formerly known as Point Lobos Ranch, has mattered deeply to humans for a long time. This Indigenous ancestral land, located along San Jose Creek, has long been understood to be a sacred place. Now under State Parks management, it is open to the public on a limited basis only for guided hikes. This is an opportunity through the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District’s Let’s Go Outdoors! program 22 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY May 16-22, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Gloria Thompson This powerful image (“She is Loved,” in mixed media) by artist Gloria Thompson is part of the Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage exhibition now on display at the Walter Lee Avery Gallery in Seaside, until June 27. (The gallery is located inside City Hall, 440 Harcourt Ave.) After putting out a call to artists in early May, the exhibit displays more than 100 visual art pieces, proudly presented by the City of Seaside and JEDI in the Arts, a program coordinated by Arts Habitat. A number of prizes were awarded by a panel of jurors, in categories such as best representation of the exhibition’s theme of cultural heritage and best in medium. Cash prizes were awarded to help artists afford to make art and prepare their work for future exhibits. [AP] 16-22 may HOT PICKS To see more local events, and add your own, visit calendar.montereycountynow.com Courtesy of Arts Habitat Courtesy of Pacific Grove Art Center VISUALS Alana Leonard You can now see Pacific Grove High School capstone portfolios at the Boyer Gallery Small Halls at the Pacific Grove Art Center (568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove). The above piece by Alana Leonard is titled “Dish of Dopamine.” This exhibit features work by Pacific Grove High students who have had an advanced level of instruction in visual arts. Art students instructed by Matt Kelly are exhibiting works from their AP Studio Art class portfolios and photography students instructed by Celia Lara are showcasing a body of work from their Weston portfolios. [AP] Dan Frechette and Laurel Thomson offer more than music (though they offer music too—with violin, guitar and vocals). Expect storytelling and unmatched performance skills in their appearance at Music in the Forest on Sunday, May 19. Courtesy of Dan Frechette and Laurel Thomson Casey Frazier, a longtime Monterey-based singersongwriter, is now based in Nashville, a music capital, and returns to town this week with his signature sound. Noah Mead
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