26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY july 11-17, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Visiting Ancestors Obon is a Buddhist holiday meant to celebrate ancestors, and it’s during this time when their spirits are said to return to the physical world to visit their relatives. They will have plenty to do in Seaside, courtesy of the Monterey Peninsula Obon Festival. The 75th annual event features a lineup of performances, from Taiko drumming to Aikido of Monterey’s martial arts demonstrations, as well as displays of bonsai and ikebana. And of course, there will be plenty of Japanese foods to enjoy. Join in the festivities to expand your cultural knowledge. [EC] Noon-5pm Sunday, July 14. Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple, 1155 Noche Buena St., Seaside. Free. 394-0119, jaclmonterey.org. Blues Zone In the summertime, the northern lawn of Laguna Grande Park, just across the street from Seaside City Hall, comes alive with Sunday Blues in the Park. But to be clear, it’s a jubilant event, not a sad one—everyone there is kicking it in their lawn chairs or tapping their feet. And that’s what this event is about—a celebration, of whatever thing it is you want to celebrate. It’s good vibes, for free, for any who want them—it’s a welcome party. [DS] 1-4:30pm Sunday, July 14. Laguna Grande Park, 1249 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside. Free. ci.seaside.ca.us. Tuesday, July 16 Game Show It’s an old story. Two plumbers go on a job and end up separated—one in the Mushroom Kingdom, the other in a land ruled by the evil, fire-breathing Bowser. Pretty routine so far. A brother teaming up with a princess named Peach and an anthropomorphic mushroom that goes by Toad—that’s everyday stuff. It’s a wonder that Mario and Luigi became the world’s most famous plumbers. A chase scene in karts on the Rainbow Road? Why can’t Hollywood come up with something unique? But if you must know how the Super Mario Bros. Movie ends—and if you want an afternoon of animated fun and real popcorn—Monterey Public Library is the place to be. [DF] 2pm Tuesday, July 16. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 6463933, monterey.gov/library. Wednesday, July 17 BERCU IS BACK Romanian pianist Alina Bercu is back at SandBox and will perform within the Among Friends series. The program will include piano Sonatas by Beethoven and Prokofiev. Bercu will then be joined by international prize winning violinist, Nancy Zhou, principal violist of the San Francisco Symphony Jonathan Vinocour and Grammy-nominated cellist and the founder of SandBox, Michelle Djokic, for Piano Quartet of Robert Schumann. Bercu’s last concert in SandBox was sold out so hurry to purchase tickets. Additionally, the following day, 12:30pm on Thursday, July 18 Bercu will conduct a masterclass with several young pianists from the area in another free Bach’s Lunch — presented by Musikiwest. [AP] 7pm Wednesday, July 17. SandBox, 440 Ortiz Ave., Sand City. $40; students/military $25; free for age 16 and under. sandboxsandcity@ gmail.com. sandboxsandcity.com. Hot Picks by Erik Chalhoub, Dave Faries, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Agata Pope˛da, Sara Rubin and David Schmalz. Send ideas to calendar@montereycountynow.com HOT PICKS over 1,000 lavender plants in full bloom, as well as roses, rosemary and olive trees. Visitors can enjoy the view or a walk in the field or/and enjoy a glass or wine. Horticulturist Mark Marino leads the walk between the bushes and at the apiary where 180,000 bees produce local honey. [CJ] 11am Saturday, July 13. Bernardus Lodge & Spa, 415 West Carmel Valley Road. $125. 298-5389. bernarduslodge.com. FOREST JAZZ Another installment of the Music in the Forest Concert Series will take place at the Forest Theatre in Carmel. The event — also a fundraiser for Monterey Jazz Education Programs — features the Monterey Jazz Trading Fours Jazz Ensemble, the Monterey Jazz Regional All-Star Vocal Ensemble and Monterey Jazz Regional All-Star Big Band. AllStar Band and Vocal Ensemble performing students have the benefit of working with some of the county’s best jazz educators. Come see what they are capable of. [AP] 4:15-7pm Saturday, July 13, Forest Theatre, Santa Rita Street and Mountain View Avenue, Carmel. $20; $15 under age 18.622-0100. pacrep.org. Sunday, July 14 DAY MOON Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD) presents Moon Movement in one of the most beautiful local parks, Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley. The event is open to all ages. Enjoy family-oriented activities with a local astronomer that bring light to how we see and understand the moon. Guests will explore the moon and its motion across the sky through stories, drawings and movement. You will also enjoy a view of the daytime moon through a telescope. This event is perfect for all ages. [AP] 3-4pm Sunday, July 14. Garland Ranch Regional Park, 700 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. Free. 372-3196. mprpd.org. Sacred Dance This land is not my land and this land is not your land—most of us are immigrants to this area once populated by Indigenous people who lived here before they were invaded by others who sought to dominate both the land and its people. Long ago there was a village in Carmel Valley called Tucutnut, where Garland Ranch Regional Park is today, home to the Costanoan Rumsen people, today known as the Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe. The displaced tribe is making a pilgrimage to Tucutnut on July 14, to bring sacred fire and dance to the grounds of their ancestors. “We’re bringing that ember back, that fire with us to remind [our ancestors] that we’re still here and to also ensure that it’s not going anywhere because we’re bringing our future, our children and families,” said Carla Marie Muñoz, tribal council member of the tribe in a statement. The event is open to the public, and all dancers are welcome. [PM] 11am-1pm, Sunday, July 14, Garland Ranch Regional Park, 700 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. Free. costanoanrumsen.org. If you haven’t seen the sacred dance of the Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe, this is your chance. The Rumsen are one of eight groups of the Ohlone, an Indigenous people of California. Their historical territory is coastal and inland areas of Monterey County. Courtesy of Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe This is not the first time Alina Bercu performs in Monterey County. This Romanian pianist started learning the piano at the age of seven. She continued her education in Germany, where she teaches now at the International Music Academy “Phoenixsee” in Dortmund. Susanne Diesner
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