Send ideas to montereycountynow.com/events 28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com versatile gatherings that are great for any occasion, from bridal and baby showers to unbirthday parties or creating art. Partygoers, besides sipping tea and dining on pastries, will have a chance to make crafts or decorate their own candles. And while the Mad Hatter may be disappointed that no one will be blowing out any candles, and making a “A very merry unbirthday,” at least attendees can congratulate each other “with another cup of tea!” while their tea tower disappears. And if it’s too hot outside, don’t worry, hot tea in hot weather will cool you down, and don’t ask us why, but there is science behind it. [CJ] 2pm Saturday, March 28. Artists Ink Creative Studio, 1 Midtown Lane, Salinas. $45-$170. (831) 287-0407, artistsink.org. STRONG WOMEN As Women’s History Month comes to a close, Cooper-Molera Adobe is hosting author Mary Smathers who has written two historical fiction novels set in old California, Unfamiliar Territory and This Land of Plenty. She will read from the books and discuss with the audience, sharing her reflection on stories of powerful women that shaped California and the American West. The program will also highlight the mothers, daughters and caretakers who shaped Cooper-Molera Adobe, one of the most important historical sites in Monterey and California from the Mexican Republic and early American era. Smathers’ books will be available for purchase at the event. [PM] 2:30-3:30pm Saturday, March 28. Skylight Room, Cooper-Molera Adobe, 506 Munras Ave., Monterey. Free; first come, first served. (831) 259-4513, coopermolera.org. STRING TOGETHER There is a special kind of magic that happens with a string quartet—each musician must be confident enough to be a soloist, but they need to listen closely to each other. With no conductor, each player must use their own instrument, body language, eye contact and breath to communicate. There is precision but also feeling. And the Dover Quartet is known as one of the great contemporary string quartets for their combination of both of the above. At this performance, they play works from a century old (Karol Szymanowski’s String Quartet No. 1 in C Major, op.37, composed in 1917) to 250 years old (Franz Joseph Haydn) to contemporary (with Jesse Montgomery’s “Strum” from 2006). Put it all in context as you listen with guidance provided in a pre-concert talk at 6:30pm. [SR] 7:30pm Saturday, March 28. Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $25-$75. (831) 625-2212, chambermusicmontereybay.org. LOST CAUSE James Durbin and The Lost Boys bring energy to a brand of music that you didn’t know needed a boost: dance rock favorites from the 1970s and ’80s—the heyday of the genre. The Santa Cruz-based cover band is fronted by Durbin, an American Idol finalist known for his powerful vocal range. That means he can cover the pitch of disco. You know it’s going to be a rollicking time when the floor is for ages 21 and up only (younger fans can dance on the balcony). [DF] 8pm Saturday, March 28. Fox Theater, 241 Main St., Salinas. $41; $51/VIP; $31/balcony. (831) 758-8459, foxtheatersalinas.com. Hot Picks by Sloan Campi, Erik Chalhoub, Dave Faries, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Agata Popęda, Katie Rodriguez, Sara Rubin and Aric Sleeper. HOT PICKS Tower of Power, Chuck Mangione and Ella Fitzgerald. In other words, this is going to be good. Too bad the red hat and tech bro crowd is going to miss out. [DF] 7pm Friday, March 27. Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave St., Monterey. $25; $30/at the door; $15/outdoors. (831) 655-2010, wavestreetlive774.com. GLEEFUL GUY Emmy? Check. Tony? Check. Golden Globe? Check. With talent like Matthew Morrison, one is left wondering about the limits of charisma. What’s next? Perhaps a run for political office? If he did, every stump speech would be song-and-dance enough to enamor even the nastiest of political rivals. Morrison is bringing his flair to Carmel in a show that he says is from his heart. He’s taking off the masks for this one and leaving all of the characters he’s played behind to bring his authenticity to the stage. Fortunately for us, that includes Broadway ballads, pop and rock anthems. [SC] 7:30pm Friday, March 27. Sunset Cultural Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $45-$75. (831) 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org. BY CANDLELIGHT Turn down the lights and add a collection of candles, and you’ve instantly created a romantic, dream-like atmosphere. Add a string quartet inside a winery among the casks and a glass of wine and you’ve amplified the dreaminess. Folktale Winery is hosting the Monterey String Quartet inside its Barrel Room for a “Candlelit Concert: Classical Favorites” performance, with wine and small bites available for purchase. Sit back, relax and dream on. [PM] 7:30-9:30pm Friday, March 27. Folktale Winery, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. $50-$61. (831) 293-7500, folktalewinery.com. Friday, March 27- Sunday, March 29 A.I. LOVE STORY Something is a little “off” about a guest’s girlfriend…or so it seems. Maybe it’s that she’s a bit too agreeable, or her features are a little too smooth, or she simply feels…customizable? A dinner party erupts into chaos when that uncanny feeling is revealed to be something far more unsettling: The too-perfect girlfriend is actually an A.I. creation, with powers that begin to exceed her designer’s intentions. PacRep’s Community Voices program presents the world premiere of The Perfect Woman: An A.I. Love Story—a funny, dark, and compelling play that explores human beliefs about love, sex and the meaning of life. [KR] 7:30pm Fridays-Saturdays, March 27-April 4; 2pm Sunday, March 29; 7:30pm Thursday, April 2. Circle Theatre at the Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde and 8th, Carmel. $31; $18/student. (831) 622-0100, bit.ly/ AIWoman. Saturday, March 28 TEA TIME “Let’s gather here to cheer” with Artists Ink and its Teas & Tales: The Jane Eyre Tea Party. Tea parties are Enjoy wine and music by candlelight, as the Monterey String Quartet performs inside the Folktale Barrel Room. The group, formed in 1983, plays a wide range of classical music, from European ballads and waltzes to Latin compositions. MANNY ESPINOZA Not content with his seven previous albums, Stevie Heger performs at a release party for his latest, Songs for Smart Adults—maybe that means you? (See details, p. 26.) COURTESY OF STEVIE HEGER
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