Send ideas to montereycountynow.com/events 32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 25-31, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com dance performances (folklórico, hiphop and contemporary dance). Among arts experiences, look for an opportunity to try one’s skills as a muralist. Local vendors will be on site with food to keep the community going until midnight. To see a detailed event program, look for a special insert inside this week’s issue of the Weekly or visit the event website. [AP] 3pm-midnight Wednesday, Dec. 31. Various venues in Monterey. $35; $20/youth ages 6-15; $110/family pack. (831) 373-4778, firstnightmonterey.org. CAT CALL As the countdown to 2026 approaches, there’s a lot to be anxious, angry or fill-in-the-blank about. But there’s also a lot of cause to celebrate, both globally and hyper-locally. One cause for celebration: Paper Wing Theatre is the theater company that could and is celebrating 25 years of performance and community this year. If that’s not enough to cheer you up, their New Year’s party is themed as a black-andwhite pussycat ball (benefiting SPCA Monterey County) so wear your kitty flair, tuxedo cat inspiration obviously encouraged. Expect performances by your favorite Paper Wing actors from seasons past, fabulous black-and-white fashion, a silent auction, a Champagne toast and light bites and a spirit of celebration. [SR] 7pm Wednesday, Dec. 31. Paper Wing Theatre and Supper Club, 711 Cannery Row, Suite i (upstairs), Monterey. $42. (831) 9055684, paperwing.com. HOUSE PARTY Victoria Rawlins is a Los Angeles native, so the music and nightlife scene is second nature to her. The DJ and producer got her start at punk rock dive bars in Hollywood that grew into throwing major parties across Southern California. Rawlins will be in Monterey for a more intimate, but just as impressive, party. Compact Disco rings in 2026 with a DJ lineup headlined by Rawlins, along with She Lost Control, Loloh and Ed.E. In the midst of thumping house anthems throughout the night will be giveaways and a countdown to the new year. [EC] 8pm Wednesday, Dec. 31. Compact Disco, 420 Tyler St., Monterey. $30/advance, $40/ door. bit.ly/CompactDiscoNYE2026. PIANO WOMAN Award-winning pianist and composer Tammy Hall has worked with some of the best vocalists and instrumentalists over her 40-year career—Etta Jones, Loretta Devine, Marcus Shelby, Regina Carter, Laurie Anderson, Mads Tolling, to name just a few. She’s traveled the world playing her fusion of jazz, gospel and classical music but chose Seaside as her homebase in 2021, which is lucky for us. This supremely talented musician is playing an intimate New Year’s Eve concert with Kent Bryson on drums and Kevin Goldberg playing contrabass to welcome 2026. The performance includes special requests with bubbles and chocolate for all. [PM] 8-10pm Wednesday, Dec. 31. Wendi Kirby Music, 550 Hartnell St., Monterey. $55. info@ wendikirbymusic.com, wendikirbymusic.com. THE BRITISH ARE COMING For lovers of all things British rock circa 1950s to 1970s this New Year’s Eve party is for you—40 hits from the days of the “British Invasion,” an homage to groups and solo performers like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who, Herman’s Hermits, Elton John and many more, re-created by favorite Pacific Repertory Theatre performers. The show comes with an open bar, a dessert buffet at intermission and Champagne at midnight. So get into something good, grab a ticket to ride HOT PICKS Reservations are not required; attendees can simply check in at the Reserve’s Visitor Center 10 minutes before the 2pm start time. Tours are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. [KR] 2-4pm Saturday, Dec. 27. Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Free. (831) 728-2822, elkhornslough.org. NOT SO PETTY If I were to sing to you something along the lines of, “It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down, I had the radio on, I was drivin’… Little Runaway, I was flyin’,” do you think you’d be able to sing along? How about, “There’s a freeway runnin’ through the yard, and I’m a bad boy ’cause I don’t even miss her…and I’m free, free fallin.’” There you go—you might even be singing now. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers need little introduction, their songs and spirit are baked into some of America’s greatest rock and folk anthems. Petty Theft, a tribute band from San Francisco, does their songs justice, sticking to the spirit of the real deal and playing their original songs in their live shows. They are on tour and coming to Monterey—so come sing your heart out. [KR] 7pm Saturday, Dec. 27. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $32-$34. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com. RAINBOW DISCO BALL There should be a holiday between Christmas, the start of Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve. One can only take so much family, right? Fortunately, the folks at Pop & Hiss must feel the same way. Before the ball drops, DJBADDJ will be there to drop some records onto the turntable. You may have seen him out before, but this time he’ll want to see you in some bell bottoms and sequins because this is a disco dance party to benefit Monterey Peninsula Pride. One-hundred percent of the proceeds go to the nonprofit so when you hear Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family,” you’ll feel welcome and like you gave back. [SC] 7pm Saturday, Dec. 27. Pop & Hiss, 215 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. $10. popandhiss. net. Wednesday, Dec. 31 LAST NIGHT Every year, downtown Monterey turns into a big playground for all ages on on Dec. 31. First Night Monterey is a big New Year’s Eve celebration for the whole family, with Kids’ Night Out festivities kicking off at 3pm. Prepare for nine hours of fun, six interactive art stations and 25 live performers playing at multiple Monterey venues, such as Golden State Theatre or the Monterey Conference Center. Attend a Twilight Procession, make your own celebratory hat and stay for the countdown-to-midnight. “We are so proud and joyful to celebrate with the community for the 33rd time,” Executive Director Ellen Martin says. “I experienced the event for the first time 22 years ago and I was amazed.” The amazement continues and this year’s theme is “We’ve Got the Beat!.” Live music includes jazz, Latin rhythms, folk, blues and rock; there are also Bixby the cat is always dressed to impress in his tuxedo, and even tolerated a party hat to promote some fashion-forward inspiration for Paper Wing Theatre’s black-and-white pussycat ball to celebrate New Year’s Eve. SARA RUBIN Which one of Monterey County’s dancefloors will you be dancing on the last night of 2025? Fortunately, there are countless options for Wednesday, Dec. 31. We picked a few for you to consider. SHUTTERSTOCK
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==