26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY august 15-21, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com and Tom Kiatta as The Western Stage distinguished honorees; Linda Gin and Pat Horsley for service to the arts; and Burrell Leonard, who will receive the arts legacy award. The gala raises funds for scholarships and internship opportunities for arts students, cultivating the next generation of awardees. [AP] 4:30-7:30pm Saturday, Aug. 17. Hartnell College, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. $150. 731-5981, cdewald@hartnellcollegefoundation.org. Sunday, August 18 SWISS STUFF Come to the Swiss Picnic Celebration in Gonzales for a day of Swiss traditions and exhilarating competition. Witness the strength and determination of competitors as they vie for the title of the World’s Strongest Hands. “It is not just for athletes; it’s a sport for everyone,” says Chris Garnett of Salinas, who came up with the idea. “Whether you’re young or old, seasoned or novice, this competition welcomes all to experience the thrill of grip strength.” Beyond that test, this is an event for the whole family to enjoy, offering a blend of culture, community and competition. Expect barbecue (including Swiss sausage), live music and dancing (featuring the Flat Rock Boys band), Swiss merchandise and a bounce house for kids. The celebration marks the 733 years of Swiss independence. It’s the biggest Swiss family reunion outside of Switzerland. [AP] Noon-4pm Sunday, Aug. 18. Monterey County Swiss Rifle Club Park, 34241 Gloria Road, Gonzales. Free; registration required. MoCoSRC@gmail.com, swissrifle.club. Tuesday, August 20 Drawing Dreams Carlos Nieto is mostly a self-taught artist, motivated by his own creativity and defining his own DIY aesthetic. And it took him places—specifically, to jobs as a layout artist for iconic TV shows The Simpsons and King of the Hill. It’s since taken him to teaching a new generation of artists and aspiring artists, and he travels the country with Anime Your Way workshops. His next stop is in Pacific Grove with a session for sixth- through 12th-graders on learning how to draw your own anime characters from scratch. Bring a good attitude and readiness to brainstorm. Advance registration is required to secure your spot and supplies, but the workshop—and creative ideas—are free. [SR] 4-5:15pm Tuesday, Aug. 20. Pacific Grove Public Library, 550 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. Free; RSVP required. 648-5762, mbispo@cityofpacificgrove.org, pacificgrovelibrary. org. Wednesday, August 21 Celtics Tip Off Let’s do some word problems. Two guitars + bass + drums + vocalist? Yes, that equals rock ’n’ roll. Subtract a guitar and make the remaining one acoustic? Right again—singer-songwriter. How about mandolin + banjo + guitar + fiddle? That adds up to good old-fashioned fun, especially when The Weeds (Tyler and John) team up with Adam Hendy of the Celtic trio The Fire. The performance will have a traditional Celtic flair and feature songs that are timeless, plus some contemporary numbers and throw in some new and original compositions, as well. [DF] 7pm Wednesday, Aug. 21. St. Mary’s by the Sea Episcopal Church, 146 12th St., Pacific Grove. $30; $35/at the door; $12/child; $15/ child at the door. 373-4441, celticsociety.org. 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 cussion/electronics, Raffi Garabedian on tenor saxophone and Danny Lubin-Laden on trombone. With all three players contributing original compositions, SticklerPhonics is a volatile combo that draws on a vast continuum of jazz practices, from traditional jazz polyphony and ambient soundscapes to funk and free jazz. The trio has plunged into the unmediated terrain that opens up in the absence of the usual guidelines, “a situation where there’s no bass and no chords,” Amendola said on the band’s website. “The sound is ever evolving. We’re really settling in, but there’s also the feeling like there are places to go.” [AP] 7-8:30pm Friday, Aug. 16. Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave St., Monterey. $30. 6552010, tinyurl.com/mwyr4cuy. Saturday, August 17 Party for the Pets Monterey Peninsula Pride knows how to support and bring together the LGBTQ+ community, whether it’s through various get-togethers and parades, or by providing resources. Inclusion and diversity is at the center of what they do, and they’re extending that to our furry friends. Monterey Peninsula Pride and Animal Friends Rescue Project are joining forces for a Queer Pet Party. This socializing event is for both humans and pets, and if you have more room in your home (and heart) for another, you’ll have the opportunity to meet some adoptable animals. Per the City of Monterey regulations, only dogs and cats on leashes are allowed. [EC] 11am-2pm Saturday, Aug. 17. Veterans Memorial Park, 1200 Veterans Drive, Monterey. Free. animalfriendsrescue.org. Hooks and threads For those who enjoy crocheting and want to jump from level 2-D to 3-D, this beginners’ amigurumi workshop is a pathway. Attendees will learn how to crochet an amigurumi, a Japanese word for stuffed animals and figures created with crochet or knitting. On Saturday, crocheters will work on a mushroom with instructor Lauren Wall. It is an easy shape but learning the foundations is key to getting the results you want on future projects. It’s as simple as choosing the right hook, thread and stitches. Crochet stitch knowledge is not needed, and the workshop is open to all ages. [CJ] 1:30-4:30pm Saturday, Aug. 17. Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific St., Monterey. $35. 372-5477, montereyart.org. Paris in Hartnell “Exceptional individuals will be honored at this year’s Hartnell College Foundation Gala for the Arts,” says Philanthropy and Marketing Coordinator Savanna Harris. “These honorees, all with ties to our community or as Hartnell alumni, have gone on to achieve remarkable success in the arts.” The foundation has selected 11 individuals to be recognized: José G. Ortiz as a distinguished alumnus in the arts; Gail Higginbotham as a community arts hero; Jeanne and Rollie Dick, Mimi and George Niesen and Shirley Scott Amendola’s new trio SticklerPhonics brings together long-time collaborators Raffi Garabedian on tenor saxophone and trombonist Danny Lubin-Laden, seasoned improvisers who’ve worked together since their formative years in Berkeley. lenny gonzalez No matter if your dog is gay or straight or has no discernible sexual identity, bring it to the Queer Pet Party. Cats are welcome too, but only on a leash (good luck with that). Daniel Dreifuss
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