Thursday, Dec. 11 COUNTRY CHEER Santa Claus’ pointed red hat with white trim is iconic, but let’s face it, that style is so overdone at this time of year. Santa with a red cowboy hat? Now that’s stylish. Cowboy Santa will be in town for the California Rodeo Association’s third annual Country Christmas Celebration to pass out toys, pose for photos and enjoy festive treats with guests. The first 1,500 children ages 2 to 12 will get free toys, but of course they will want more for the season, so a letter-writing station for Santa will be on hand for them to share what toys they want to unwrap. Hot cocoa, candy canes, live music and ornament-making activities round out the event. [EC] 5-7pm Thursday, Dec. 11. Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main St., Salinas. Free. (831) 775-3100, carodeo.com. Friday, Dec. 12 SEASON’S GREETINGS Holiday music is here, whether you love it or not. Here’s an opportunity to warm every listener’s heart: Children in grades 1-12 performing seasonal songs for a festive, free concert titled “A Magical Winter Evening” that is partly about the sounds of winter, but mostly about the power of musical education to inspire and focus young players. The nonprofit Youth Orchestra Salinas (YOSAL) showcases the work of more than 200 students this year, led by Music Director Jeff De Seriere and Program Director Diana Ramirez-Rosales. Expect beginner and intermediate groups, choral and instrumental groups, and more. Attendees will hear selections of everything from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” to “No Me Se Rajar” by José Carmen Frayle Castañon, performed by the mariachi group. [SR] 5pm Friday, Dec. 12. Fox Theater, 241 Main St., Salinas. Free. (831) 756-5335, yosal.org. DELIGHTFUL PAIR A glass of wine pairs nicely with a variety of things, included walls covered with colorful art—what a nice 30 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 11-17, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE TEMPLE SISTERS Sand City’s Temple Sisters (Holly and Ashlee Temple) have a new show in their studio space, inspired by a French salon-hang, where many pieces of different sizes and shapes are gathered closely in a dense collage-like arrangement. The show, titled What’s in a Frame, focuses on framing as a way to create art out of old family heirlooms or everyday and found objects. “A simple border can elevate, protect, celebrate or quietly declare that something matters,” the sisters wrote. “The exhibition explores the stories we cherish and the frames we choose to hold them.” Original artworks, “vintage ephemera” and prints are part of the show, as well as Christmas tree lighting, ornaments and holiday cards. Temple Garage Arts Studio is located at 542 Ortiz St., Unit 5 in Sand City; gallery hours are 11am-2pm on Thursdays and 5-9pm on Fridays. On display until Dec. 21. [AP] 11-17 DECEMBER HOT PICKS To see more local events, and add your own, visit montereycountynow.com/events LISA STAPRANS VISUALS LISA STAPRANS Bay Area interior designer Lisa Staprans will talk about and sign her book, The Soul of Design, at Carmel Modern, one of the newest galleries in Carmel. Staprans has been in the field since 1990, designing interiors at private homes and for organizations via Staprans Designs. Her book celebrates the beauty interior design can create in a homespace, combining luxurious illustration with personal history and thoughts on the neuroscience of beauty. Two local artists, Tracey Adam and Lucas Blok, will join her in a conversation about an artistic process. The event takes place at 2:30pm on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Carmel Modern, located at 6th between Dolores and Lincoln in Carmel. RSVP; seating is limited. (831) 250-7540, carmelmodern.art. [AP] Al Jardine, a founding member of the Beach Boys, brings his Endless Summer Band to Carmel for two performances in Founders Theatre at the Golden Bough Playhouse on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17. (Details on p. 34.) STEVEN ROOD Two musicians, one instrument, centuries of music—hear four-hands operatic songs on harpsichord played by Caitlyn Koester and Elliot Figg. (Details on p. 32.) HOLLY TEMPLE
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