www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 2-8, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 33 MUSIC After almost 30 years of working with the Monterey International Blues Festival, lifelong Seaside resident and business owner Darryl Choates has taken on two local projects. He first transformed the old Dunes Bar on lower Broadway in Seaside into Deja Blue. It has since become a popular venue for soul food and live music. Five years later, Choates has set his sights on a new concept. “Seaside is the only city in the county that doesn’t have a festival,” he says. “And [local business owners] thought, ‘Why not us?’” On Saturday, Oct. 4, that question will be expanded—and directed toward residents of the area, as in, “Why not come out to watch us?” The first Seaside Music Festival, cleverly titled, “It’s All About Us,” will feature four musical acts, drawing from local and Bay Area performers. “These are artists that I know,” Choates adds. Most of them have played at Deja Blue. “Al James is a local guy—a dominant performer. Rjae Haas is a very up-and-coming B.B. King type of player. I always say he looks a like little Richie Valens.” The other two acts—Women of Blues and Aki Kumar—will be making their Monterey County debuts. As their name suggests, Women of Blues is an all-woman band. Choates is familiar with several of the musicians. “Aki Kumar is the author of what’s called the Bollywood Blues,” he adds. “He takes regular blues music and Indian Hindu music and he infuses them to make a song.” In addition to the music, also featured will be a range of food selections. Choates, who claims to be something of a barbecue connoisseur himself, emphasized the desire to attract Seaside businesses as vendors. “I think I’m going to be too busy with the festival, but my own operation will have something out there,” he adds with a chuckle. The festival will occupy the space between Contra Costa and Elm, as well as the parking lot across the street from Deja Blue. “I think it’s a wonderful start for a festival,” Choates says. He hopes to make it an annual event. “I’m doing this [festival] for the community. I mean, I could pass away tomorrow and if this thing got started and was successful, then it can always do something.” The Seaside Music Festival takes place noon-6pm Saturday, Oct. 4. Near 490 Broadway Ave., Seaside. Free. DARRYL CHOATES Sound Decision The inaugural Seaside Music Festival brings four bands for an afternoon of community. By Jesse Herwitz Blues guitarist Rjae Haas and his band are part of the lineup for a new music festival in Seaside. The organizer compares him to B.B. King.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==