Thursday, March 20 FOOL US Jen Kramer knows all the tricks: palming, sleightof-hand, force, misdirection, you name it. She can choose the card you’re thinking of without looking at it, all the while making you laugh as she works her magic (a classic misdirection technique). Kramer, who headlines her own show in Las Vegas, brings the seemingly impossible to Golden State Theatre. She’s enjoyed numerous awards, including Female Magician of the Year by the International Magicians Society, and been featured on many television shows. Unless you’re one half of the famous magician duo Penn and Teller, you won’t be able to figure out Kramer’s techniques—and that is magical. [EC] 8pm Thursday, March 20. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $27-$95. 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com. Friday, March 21 MOVIES IN THE PARK It’s spring, and that means it is not too soon to bring back a family-friendly outdoor tradition—Movies in the Park. The first one this year is Moana 2, featuring the beloved, intrepid title character in ancient Polynesia. In this 2024 sequel, she receives an unexpected call from her ancestors; being Moana, she rises to meet the call and faces challenges on an adventure that ensues. Beyond the movie itself (running time of 100 minutes, rated PG—and, notably, selected via a public nomination process), this event series is about bringing the community together. Bring your own blankets, chairs and picnic (no alcohol permitted) and post up on the grass to soak in a quality film from the big screen. [SR] Dusk (about 6-6:30pm) Friday, March 21. Laguna Grande Park, Canyon Del Rey Boulevard, Seaside. Free. 899-6803, ci.seaside.ca.us. PUZZLING IT Puzzle lovers will have a chance to work against the clock and complete a 500-piece puzzle in under twoand-a-half hours. If you don’t get a spot in the competition, you can still have some fun watching participants sweat and battle it out while putting the pieces together. Or if you are a slower-paced puzzler, you can still participate in a puzzle exchange, swapping a puzzle or picking one from the available options 24 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 20-26, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com EKATERINA DE LA TORRE Deep questions about the universe are not new for artist Ekaterina De La Torre. In fact, she loves those types of questions and usually always has some kind of literature on astrophysics at the ready. She is a sculptor, art historian and author of art publications, as well as a member of the Carmel Valley Art Association, where she teaches mosaic classes. Her new exhibit at the Marjorie Evans Gallery at Sunset Cultural Center (San Carlos Street and 9th Avenue, Carmel) features her colored mosaic pieces and celebrates Women’s History Month—they are dedicated to the Monterey Peninsula. The exhibit, titled Absolute and Relative: Experience at The Edge of the Earth, is on display until April 30, and a free public reception with De La Torre happens at 5-7pm Friday, March 21. [SC] 20-26 MARCH HOT PICKS To see more local events, and add your own, visit calendar.montereycountynow.com COURTESY OF EKATERINA DE LA TORRE COURTESY OF PACIFIC GROVE ART CENTER VISUALS SHAHEEN SCHMIDT One of five new exhibits at the Pacific Grove Art Center (568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove) is New Beginnings by Shaheen Schmidt hanging at Dyke Gallery (until April 24). Her colorful paintings (oils and acrylics) are a true celebration of the upcoming spring, full of sprouting flowers, blooming trees and awakened ocean life. “Nature is in a continuous rhythm of transformation, each change being the start of a new beginning,” Schmidt wrote in an artist statement. “Our inner nature is deeply connected to those natural cycles outside.” Schmidt was educated first in Iran and moved to California in the 1980s to continue her art education at Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey. The gallery is open noon-4pm Wednesday to Sunday. [AP] How does she do it? Jen Kramer is a professional magician and won’t say, but you’re invited to attend her Monterey show to try to figure out the tricks—or just take them in and accept that you’ve been outsmarted. RICHARD FAVERTY Ensemble Monterey’s “A Dream of Tomorrow” will be the last concert conducted locally by Cheryl Anderson, as she retires. Hurry to hear and see her in action. COURTESY OF ENSEMBLE MONTEREY
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