Send ideas to montereycountynow.com/events 32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 4-10, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com But that’s not all that happens during the annual Christmas on the Wharf celebration. There is live music, a tree, displays and more. On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Monterey Police and Fire departments will be on hand from 1-4pm. On Sunday, Dec. 7, the colors fill the bay, as the Lighted Boat Parade takes place from 5:15-7pm. And, of course, there are all the shops and restaurants on the Wharf, as well as the ice skating rink nearby at Custom House Plaza daily. [DF] All day Fridays-Sundays, Dec. 5-21. Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey. Free to attend. (831) 238-0777, montereywharf.com. VOICES CARRY Gabriel has a message for us. Just what, you ask? Well, we could tell you, but it is so much more fun to have the Camerata Singers perform it. The message is festive, told through the voices of the 40-member choir performing holiday music ranging from traditional favorites to contemporary pieces, accompanied by violin, cello, oboe and piano. And if that doesn’t get you into the holiday spirit, Scrooge, nothing will. [DF] 7:30pm Friday, Dec. 5 at Compass Church, 830 Padre Drive, Salinas. 7:30pm Saturday; 2:30pm Sunday, Dec. 6-7 at First Presbyterian Church, 501 El Dorado St., Monterey. $20-$25; free/students. (831) 642-2701, camerata-singers.org. Saturday, Dec. 6 THE LEGEND Some of singer Etta James’ big hits are still universally known today. With versatility crossing genres from jazz to gospel, her voice spoke to everyone, but it was her R&B hits in the 1960s that cemented her fame (“At Last,” “Something’s Got a Hold on Me”). These timeless classics are part of the lineup at an Etta James tribute show, featuring the essential powerhouse vocals of Kaye Bohler backed by a nine-piece band, including a necessary horn section. Bohler is known for her vocal range; expect her to hit all the high notes. [SR] 6pm doors, 7pm showtime Saturday, Dec. 6. Deja Blue, 500 Broadway Ave., Seaside. $39. (831) 324-0044, dejabluelive.com. SALSA BEAT Salsa adds a tone of flavor in both food, as a sauce, and on the dance floor. From experts to novices, everyone is welcome to learn basic steps and show off at the upcoming salsa event at Palenke Arts—from forward-andback to side-to-side, from turns to dips. Attendees will learn with Andrea León from Baila Baila Studios. There will be live music by La Familia, a Latin-fusion band from Santa Cruz. All ages are welcome. [CJ] 7-10pm Saturday, Dec. 6. Palenke Arts, 1713 Broadway Ave., Seaside. $20. (831) 8999909, bit.ly/salsa120625. Sunday, Dec. 7 GIVE PEACE A CHANCE Can the gifts you purchase change the world? Maybe not, but maybe, just maybe, they can make the world just a little bit better—or at least our own community. The Monterey Peace and Justice Center is hosting its Holiday Bazaar and Open House, featuring handcrafted items, vintage jewelry, ceramics, art pieces and baked goods. Enjoy live music and a joyful community spirit as you browse for unique gifts for everyone on your list. [PM] 1-4pm Sunday, Dec. 7. Monterey Peace and Justice Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. Free to attend. (831) 899-7322, peacecentral.wordpress.com. HOT PICKS 5-7:30pm Thursday, Dec. 4; 11am-6pm Friday, Dec. 5. Monterey Peninsula College (Art-Ceramics Building), 980 Fremont St., Monterey. Free to attend; free parking in Parking Lot B. abettencourt@mpc.edu, mpc. edu. Thursday, Dec. 4- Sunday, Dec. 7 BOOK WORM Yes, we know you can listen to an audiobook or pull up anything you want to read on your e-reader. But let’s agree that there is something special about a physical, paper book, one that you hold in your hands. Books also make excellent holiday gifts, and ’tis the season. A book crawl hosted by the nonprofit Friends groups at four local libraries gives you a chance to make shopping for gently used books fun. Whatever your mission is—treasure hunting for something obscure for yourself, browsing for new titles or gift shopping—this string of local libraries has you covered. There will also be snacks to power you through all four destinations, supporting Harrison Memorial Library (Carmel), Marina Branch Library, Monterey Public Library and Pacific Grove Public Library. [SR] 3-5pm Thursday, Dec. 4 and 11am-2pm Saturday, Dec. 6 at Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. 10am-5pm Friday-Saturday, Dec. 5-6 and 10am-1pm Sunday, Dec. 7 at Marina library, 190 Seaside Circle, Marina. 3-6pm Thursday, Dec. 4 and 10am-4pm Friday-Saturday, Dec. 5-6 at Monterey Public Library community room, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. 10am-noon Thursday-Friday, Dec. 4-5 and 10am-2pm Saturday, Dec. 6 at St. Mary’s-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 146 12th St., Pacific Grove. Free entry. (831) 2776477, investinmpl.org. Friday, Dec. 5-Saturday, Dec. 6 CHRISTMAS POETRY “The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word,” said Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan Mata Hari, a stage name for Margaretha Geertruida Zelle. Ballet is one such poem, where emotion exudes through precise movement, extravagant body language and incredible strength. Smuin’s The Christmas Ballet, “an ever-growing tradition” according to the San Francisco Chronicle, returns to spread yuletide cheer across the Bay Area and stops in Carmel. Michael Smuin—a ballet dancer, choreographer, co-founder and director of the Smuin Ballet in San Francisco—has new works this year by Julia Adam, Amy Seiwert and San Francisco Ballet soloist Myles Thatcher. [KR] 7:30pm Friday, Dec. 5; 2pm Saturday, Dec. 6. Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $75-$105. (831) 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org. Friday, Dec. 5- Sunday, Dec. 7 PIER REVIEW Santa is a busy elf this time of year. But when Old Fisherman’s Wharf calls, Santa makes himself available. The Jolly Old Elf meets with good children (he knows who you are) every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Dec. 5-Dec. 21 (check website for times). The holiday season is the time when the audience seems ready to give ballet its annual chance. Smuin Ballet will perform at Sunset Center on Dec. 5-6. MAXIMILLIUM TORTORIELLO Pacific Grove wouldn’t be itself without its annual Parade of Lights. Join the communal cheer on Thursday, Dec. 4. (Details on p. 30.) PAM MARINO
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