Send ideas to calendar@montereycountynow.com 36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY november 28-december 4, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com suggest avoiding stress when you can. Another is that it’s a community activity. This is the winning strategy, thanks to events like Marina Holiday Market, which is as much a celebration of the season as it is an opportunity to shop, stress-free. Peruse offerings from over 25 vendors, or just enjoy the festive atmosphere; there are food trucks, live music, a holiday photo backdrop and good vibes at this gathering, cohosted by the Marina Chamber of Commerce and Marina Youth Arts. [SR] 10am-4pm Saturday, Nov. 30. Filipino American Community Club of the Monterey Peninsula, 192 Paddon Place, Marina. Free entry. marinachamber.com. Funny Business For most of us, if we so much as squeeze a balloon, it’ll pop and cause everyone to jump in terror around you. Kynisha Ducre, however, has a unique skill: She can twist and pull balloons into unique shapes and characters, much to the delight of others. Ducre is perhaps better known as Daisy the Clown, who has performed throughout the world, published an interactive children’s book on balloon twisting, and even placed in the top 10 for Best All Around Clown at the World Clown Association Convention in Malaysia. She’ll be at the Monterey Public Library for a short storytime and to teach kids how to make their own balloon animals. There will be plenty of clowning around. [EC] 10:30-11:30am Saturday, Nov. 30. Monterey Public Library, Community Room, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 646-3933, monterey.gov/ library. Light It Up You would think the busiest night of Santa Claus’ year is Christmas Eve, but you would be wrong. Santa’s schedule is overflowing in the days after Thanksgiving—he’s got to make it to all of the tree lightings happening throughout the world, and in Monterey County. The jolly man in a red suit will be in downtown Salinas for the Tree for Peace lighting ceremony, taking photos with attendees and enjoying seasonal performances from YOSAL, ARIEL Theatrical and others. Before the tree is lit, shop at local businesses for Small Business Saturday, which offer various promotions, and let your kids craft some holiday magic. [EC] 2-6pm Saturday, Nov. 30. Downtown Salinas. Tree lighting takes place at 5pm at Steinbeck Center, 1 Main St., Salinas. Free. salinascitycenter.com. Sunday, Dec. 1 LIGHTS ON The Salinas Holiday Parade Of Lights is back on the calendar, after some back-and-forth drama (see story, p. 41). The parade needed at least 100 volunteers to keep the event organized and safe, and as of Nov. 19, had registered 106 volunteers. “What I love the most about this event,” Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig says, “is that it attracts all ages. We have marching bands, dancing troupes, low-riders and seniors.” Add to that cookies, government dignitaries and ugly holiday sweaters, and you get the gist. Craig cannot wait to wear her LED-jacket. Don your finest (or ugliest, up to you) and join in the community cheer. [AP] 6pm Sunday, Dec. 1. Downtown Salinas. 9051466, salinasholidayparadeoflights.org. Tuesday, Dec. 3 Winter Queen Carmel’s artist-in-residence’s works are easy to spot. Her signature patterns inspired by the California Arts and Crafts movement and medieval themes almost feel like they could (and perhaps should) adorn modern-day HOT PICKS listening to “Comfortably Numb,” and many bong rips taken before watching The Wizard of Oz synched up to Dark Side of the Moon. (It’s a thing, in case you haven’t heard, and it’s incredible.) Pete Floyd, a Bay Area-based Pink Floyd cover band with eight members, recreates the magic of that singular sound, and they can jam, hitting all the hits with inspired talent. And if one can no longer see Pink Floyd, Pete Floyd is the next best thing. Their songs will put listeners in a reverie, bringing you back to moments of your life you may not have remembered for years. Golden State Theatre is the perfect place to see them, and it should be a lively, rocking night, though it being indoors and all, there might not be smoke in the air. [DS] 8pm Friday, Nov. 29 (doors at 7pm). Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $35-$42. goldenstatetheatre.com. Friday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Dec. 1 Pick and Choose In case you need one more reminder, the holidays are here. For those who partake, choosing the right gift can feel a lot like picking the perfect avocado—it seems just right at first, only to go terribly wrong. While we at the Monterey County Weekly can’t guarantee the perfect gift, we can point you to local options that are personal, meaningful and crafted with care by your community. This Thanksgiving weekend, head to the Big Sur Harvest and Craft Fair to find your perfect “avocado”—straight from the source. [KR] 2-5pm Friday, Nov. 29 (pre-show); 10am-5pm Saturday, Nov. 30; 10am-4pm Sunday, Dec. 1. Big Sur Grange, 47090, Big Sur. Free to attend. BigSurGrangeHarvestFair@gmail.com. Saturday, Nov. 30-Sunday, Dec. 1 Nose So Bright Were there any other decades that pumped out such classic animated holiday television specials as the 1960s? Sure, the 1980s had A Garfield Christmas, but that fizzled out by the end of the ’90s. What about the aughts? Um, Shrek the Halls? Yes, the 1960s reigned supreme: A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer—there’s no competition. PacRep Theatre and the Garner-Whitt School of Dramatic Arts bring the latter back on stage in musical form, featuring Johnny Marks tunes such as “A Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Spoiler alert: Rudolph saves Christmas thanks to his oncemocked glowing red nose. The message of inclusivity remains timeless. [EC] 3pm Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 30-Dec. 22. Outdoor Forest Theater, Santa Rita Street and Mountain View Avenue, Carmel. $11-$28. 6220100, pacrep.org. Saturday, Nov. 30 ’Tis the Season There are a few ways to think about holiday shopping. One is that it’s a chore—that means stress, and we If you can’t travel in time to see Pink Floyd, here’s the next best thing. Pete Floyd will charm you with its devotion to one of the most famous bands in the world. One way to get into the seasonal holiday spirit is by crafting something. Carmel artist-in-residence Marie-Clare leads a workshop for children ages 3-11 (adults welcome too) on how to get into your artistic zone, holiday crown-making included.
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