Send ideas to calendar@montereycountynow.com 32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 14-20, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com party. Ensen Community Park is a project of the Big Sur Land Trust, transforming 73 acres of agricultural land to 68 acres of habitat with trails (still in progress) and a six-acre park. The park is complete and opens on Aug. 17 with fun for all. Expect zumba, food trucks, live music and a chance to check out the new basketball court, playground, barbecue pavilions and more. Walk up to the top of Kite Hill, home to a seriously steep slide. Bring your pup to run in Henry’s Park of Frolic (yes, the dog park is named for a canine supporter—or technically, the dog’s human is the supporter). Remarks and a ribbon-cutting take place at 12:30, but the fun lasts for much of the day—and from here on out, the park will be open from dawn to dusk daily. Go play. [SR] 11am-3pm Sunday, Aug. 17. Ensen Community Park, 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas (parking at Mount Toro High School, 10 Sherwood Place). Free. 625-5523, bigsurlandtrust.org. FEELING CRAFTY In a world of mass-produced goods, handmade objects stand out. This craft fair brings together a variety of local makers, giving attendees a chance to shop, or just to browse, meet the artisans and get inspired by a creative spark. Ten percent of proceeds go to support Marina Youth Arts, a nonprofit helping cultivate the next generation of makers. Come get inspired, raise a glass and connect with the community. [SR] 11am-3pm Sunday, Aug. 17. English Ales Brewery, 223 Reindollar Ave., Marina. Free to attend. 883-3000, englishalesbrewery.com. OAXACAN FLAVOR A fun, colorful cultural event is returning to Salinas. La Guelaguetza is a traditional Oaxacan celebration that has been around for more than 500 years. The whole family is welcome to enjoy folklórico dances, banda music, traditional food and Oaxacan handicrafts. This festival has become a regular celebration in various communities across California, including Salinas and Seaside. This fiesta serves as a celebration of indigenous roots and strives to tackle discrimination through positivity and understanding. Salinas’ Guelaguetza is one of the few such events on the calendar since similar festivals in San Jose, Los Angeles and Bakersfield didn’t happen this year, due to the increase in immigration enforcement across the state. [CJ] Noon-5pm Sunday, Aug. 17. Natividad Creek Park, 1395 Nogal Drive, Salinas. Free to attend. 800-6115, organizacion.vc@gmail. com. Tuesday, Aug. 19 CHINESE WAY Qigong is an ancient practice that combines gentle movements, breathing techniques and meditation to cultivate and balance the body’s vital energy. Now you can try qigong, the Chinese tradition of “air practice,” in the lovely gardens of Cooper-Molera Adobe. These weekly hour-long sessions are led by Michelle Polkabla. No experience is necessary and all physical levels are welcome. Participants should arrive 10 minutes before the start time to get situated; entrance is through gates on either Munras Avenue or Polk Street. Classes will take place also on upcoming Tuesdays so you have a chance to build upon your skills. [AP] 11am Tuesdays, Aug. 19-Sept. 16. CooperMolera Adobe, 506 Munras Ave., Monterey. Free; donation encouraged. 259-4513, coopermolera.org. Hot Picks by Sloan Campi, Erik Chalhoub, Dave Faries, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Agata Popęda, Katie Rodriguez, Sara Rubin and David Schmalz. HOT PICKS 10am Saturday, Aug. 16. Manzanita County Park, 17100 Castroville Blvd., Prunedale. Free for first-time riders; $5/members. 6631269, bit.ly/ManzanitaParkBMX. MOD POD Admit it, you’ve thought about what it would be like to host your own podcast. But how exactly do you do it? The staff at KSQD Community Radio are here to teach you. They offer Broadcast and Podcast Workshops, led by Peabody Award-winning radio show host Nikki Silva, along with other radio hosts and podcasters from KSQD. You’ll learn interviewing techniques, equipment for optimal sound and editing and how to list your podcast on streaming networks. All experience levels are welcome, so even if you’re new, you’ll be set on the path to becoming a successful broadcaster or podcaster. Two separate two-hour sessions are available in Salinas and Marina. [PM] 1:30-3:30pm Saturday, Aug. 16 at El Gabilan Library, 1400 N. Main St., Salinas; 6-8pm Wednesday, Aug. 20 at Marina library, 190 Seaside Circle, Marina. Free; registration required via email. 900-5774, oguzman@ ksqd.org. BOHEMIA RHAPSODY Since its founding in 2008, Noche Bohemia has been a Latin cultural event that gives space to a number of forms of artistic expression, including poetry, music and visual art. “Noche Bohemia is more than an event—it’s a cultural movement that celebrates the beauty and depth of Latino heritage while embracing the multicultural fabric of our region,” co-founder Adela Castillo said in a statement. The folklórico group Tonatiuh Danzantes Del Quinto Sol is performing this year, as is Mariachi Muratalla, plus many singers, musicians and poets. Authors and artists will be displaying their work outside the theater. The program is mostly in Spanish but the music and passion need no translation. [PM] 6pm Saturday, Aug. 16. Sherwood Hall, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. Free. 244-0411, nocheboehiadesalinas@gmail.com. ROCK REVIVAL Sometimes, you just need a night of rock and roll. The type of rock and roll that’s hard, edgy and takes you back to the ’70s heyday of blues-rocking guitar heroes. Leave it to Pat Travers—who’s been playing guitar in bands since his early teens and known for his rowdy tone, and barroom boogie aesthetic. The Canadian singer, guitarist and keyboardist might be best known for his hits “Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights),” Snortin’ Whiskey” and “I La La La Love You” from the Valley Girls film soundtrack, and he’s coming to Salinas, accompanied by special guest Bad Machine, for a show you won’t want to miss. [KR] 8:30pm Saturday, Aug. 16. Fox Theater, 241 Main St., Salinas. $25-$51. 649-1070, tickets831.com. Sunday, Aug. 17 BACK TO THE LAND It’s the culmination of a decade of planning, permitting, fundraising and building—and now it’s time to have a The long-awaited Ensen Community Park in Salinas opens on Sunday, Aug. 17. Children will be delighted to try new swings, seesaws, a climbing structure and an epic slide. SARA RUBIN Guitarist/keyboardist/singer Pat Travers is a lifelong touring musician, and brings his latest act to the Fox Theater. Expect some of his greatest hits from a variety of eras. COURTESY OF PAT TRAVERS/PT STRANGEWAYS
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