Thursday, Jan. 1 TRIO TIME Whether you’re just waking up from a raucous New Year’s Eve night out, or you spent an early evening in, perhaps listening to harpsichord music, this annual New Year’s Day tradition provides an opportunity to hear music from 17th-century France and Germany performed by the Cherry Trio (harpsichord, viol and baroque violin). A reception follows. [SR] 3pm Thursday, Jan. 1. Carl Cherry Center, 4th and Guadalupe, Carmel. $40. (831) 624-7491, carlcherrycenter.org. Friday, Jan. 2 NEW GROOVE For those wanting to get a start on that New Year’s resolution, dance is a wonderful way to do it. Even if you’ve never danced before, the Freestyle Dancejam Monterey Bay is the place to get your body moving just for the sake of movement. Need a prop? That’s no problem because hula hoops and bubbles are provided at this substance-free dance party. What will definitely get you grooving is DJ Paul, who will be there to ensure you can move exactly how your body was meant to. So bring yourself, because that’s all you’ll need to have some fun. [SC] 7-9pm Friday, Jan. 2. Chautauqua Hall, 159 17th St., Pacific Grove. $10-$20; free/children under 10. (831) 601-0427. Saturday, Jan. 3 FIRST HOUSE The first mayor of Salinas was Isaac Julian Harvey, a merchant from Saint Joseph, Missouri, who moved west during the Gold Rush in 1853. About 15 years later, he brought his family to what was originally known as “Salinas City,” a barren settlement with only 12 buildings and no nearby railroad—the closest one being in San Jose. The house he first lived in while helping shape the Salinas we know today still stands and is the oldest building in Salinas, built in 1868. It has become a culturally significant site rich in history, open to visitors on the first Saturday of every month. Docents guide visitors through the home, sharing stories about the development of Salinas and the Salinas Valley. Near the house are the railroad museum and regional heritage center, making it easy to turn a visit into a full day of exploring local history. [KR] 10am-4pm Saturday, Jan. 3. First Mayor’s House, 20 Station Place, Salinas. Free. (831) 214-8661, firstmayorshouse.org. DAY TRIP Pop & Hiss poses a dilemma, which we will get to in a moment. In the meantime, just know that Pete the Drifter takes the stage from 2-4pm, playing sounds that meander through the decades. In other words, songs you want to hear and sway to. The day becomes much livelier when DJ Leo launches into his “We Got Soul” set from 7-10pm. And if you are thinking Aretha, understand that his version of soul is at a danceable tempo with an electric vibe. And if that all sounds like a day, ponder this problem. What do you do between 4pm and 7pm? [DF] 2pm and 7pm Saturday, Jan. 3. Pop & Hiss, 215 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. popandhiss.net. Saturday, Jan. 3-Sunday, Jan. 4 RAIL TIME If you secretly wanted a train set for Christmas but Santa didn’t come through—or know a kid who just loves choo choo trains—head over to the Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum to get your model train fix. Over two days the volunteers of the MSVRR 20 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 1-7, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MUSEUM GIFTS Did you know that the Monterey Museum of Art in downtown Monterey now has a gift shop? MMA’s Laurie Iwami accurately describes it as “small yet delightful” and adds, “I already did some of my holiday shopping there.” Holiday gift season is over, but unique pieces are still available. The shop is located right by the entrance to the museum and is now fully stocked with catalogs, jewelry and MMAbranded merch, including beautiful wall calendars. The above silk wrap was made by Domini Anne, one of the artists who collaborated with the museum on building this year’s Iluminado installation (still on view until Jan. 18). Anne used MMA artist-in-residence Joe Ramos’ photographs to create Iluminado-exclusive satin and silk scarves and ponchos. The gift shop is open 11am-5pm Thursday to Sunday. MMA is located at 559 Pacific St., Monterey. [AP] 1-7 JANUARY HOT PICKS To see more local events, and add your own, visit montereycountynow.com/events JOE RAMOS MARIANNA GUNTHER VISUALS BIG SUR BLANKET There is a Big Sur-inspired blanket on the market, produced by design studios Electric Bowery and Bien Mal. Called “HWY 1,” the blanket is made of Egyptian cotton and designed with a pattern inspired by abalone shells. “Its fluid geometry can also be read as wood bark, the winding curves of Highway 1 or the layered textures of the Big Sur landscape, where Electric Bowery’s co-founder Cayley Lambur calls home,” the designers wrote in a statement. Elements that inspired this blanket include the layered, mosaiclike bark of sycamores, the luminous quality of abalone shells and the purple sands exposed during low tide at Pfeiffer Beach. Bien Mal’s blankets are not just beautiful, but cozy and washable—perfect for people who like to spend time outdoors. More information is at electricbowery.com. [AP] Everyone is invited to Tipsy Putt’s neighbors night, where the neighborly vibes and tabletop golf are available for free. (See details, p. 22.) Andy Z is kind of a big deal, with 280,000 listeners on Pandora radio at any given time. He’s also been a voting member of the Grammy Awards since 1999. (See p. 22.) DANIEL DREIFUSS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==