Thursday, Jan. 22 TUNE IN The Cooper-Molera Adobe was built in 1827, and eventually came to comprise multiple structures on 2.5 acres surrounded by a wall in what was then part of Mexico. At that time, it’s unlikely any of its inhabitants or guests could have imagined that today, almost 200 years later, we might be invited to pop in for a midday reset to the soothing sounds of singing bowls. But this is 2026, and the adobe is now owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for public benefit. That includes a museum with historic interpretation, lovely gardens and a restaurant and cafe, but also this midday invitation to reset and listen to crystal singing bowls by ValiAnna, who promises “heart-centered sound alchemy.” [SR] 11am-noon Thursday, Jan. 22. Cooper-Molera Adobe, Skylight Room, 506 Munras Ave., Monterey. $40. (831) 259-4513, coopermolera.org. DANCE OFF Belly dancing is considered one of the oldest dance traditions, practiced across numerous cultures in the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean. It’s also a great low-impact cardio workout that’s been proven to improve flexibility and strength, help with posture and balance, as well as relieve stress and boost confidence. Dance teacher Jamilla Al Wahid introduces students to the world of classical Egyptian belly dance in fun, social classes—shimmy on over every Thursday for an introduction. [PM] 6-7pm Thursday, Jan. 22. American Legion Post 512, 8th and Dolores, Carmel. $25/drop-in; $80/set of four classes. (323) 540-2711. DIMLY LIT Not that you need any particular reason to kick back in the cool, speakeasy vibe that is Bud’s at La Playa—but we found one for you. A live music series, Fadeaway Sessions, has emerged as a way to support environmentally focused nonprofits through 1% for the Planet. Events in the series are community-focused, with a laid-back, living-room-style feel. The next one is a vinyl session by David J, hosted by folkYEAH!. Grab a bite, get a beverage, maybe even bring your backgammon board, and enjoy some sweet tunes. [KR] 30 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com PEGGY HARTMAN Self-taught mixed media artist Peggy Hartman’s work is featured at ArtWorks @Salinas, where her solo exhibit, Art from the Aromas Backroads, is hanging until the end of March. Hartman is an admirer of nature. She lives and creates in the Aromas area. Often, she paints images of houses and barns, but her most eye-catching works are those made on wood—pine rounds, old dressers and salvaged doors. She uses wax pencils, colored inks and watercolors, and also experiments with oil, acrylic, chalk and oil pastels. ArtWorks @Salinas is located at 262 Main St., Salinas. The gallery is open noon-2pm Tuesdays and 10am-4pm Fridays through Sundays. [AP] 22-28 JANUARY HOT PICKS To see more local events, and add your own, visit montereycountynow.com/events PEGGY HARTMAN RAPHAELE COHEN-BACRY VISUALS RAPHAELE COHEN-BACRY The ocean is a great sculptor, as the bold forms that shape the Central Coast prove. It also plays with smaller forms—shaping driftwood, for example. Los Angeles artist Raphaele Cohen-Bacry used driftwood as material for her most recent project, sculptural pieces. She had gathered it along California’s coastline and transformed it into art, such as the one shown above, “Suspended Bouquet.” This work is now on display at Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in an exhibit titled Tethered Light. CohenBacry describes it as “a meditation on resilience and regeneration.” The museum is located at 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove; hours are 10am-4pm WednesdaySunday. The exhibit is viewable until April 26. [AP] Back in 1961, The Temptations formed in Detroit, Michigan, and went on to produce some of the most popular Motown hits like “My Girl” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” They perform at the Golden State Theatre on Jan. 22. Marie Butcher (left), is co-founder of the International Poetry Gathering. She is the county’s poet laureate, shown here next to her predecessor, Rachelle Escamilla. (Details p. 34) COURTESY OF ARTS COUNCIL FOR MONTEREY COUNTY
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