Send ideas to montereycountynow.com/events 28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 9-15, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com violinist Giuseppe Tartini dreamt he made a pact with the devil for his soul. In the dream, he handed the devil his violin and the Evil One subsequently played the most awe-inspiring and technically difficult sonata the composer had ever heard. Upon waking, Tartini attempted to recreate the piece, which he called the Devil’s Trill. On Saturday, April 11, violinist Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu performs the forbidden sonata alongside Ines Irawati on piano for Sunkiss’d Mozart’s first concert in its Peninsula Series, “Virtuosus.” [AS] 3pm Saturday, April 11. Spyglass Garden House, 1062 Spyglass Woods Drive, Pebble Beach. $50; $15/youth. skmozart.com. IN HARMONY Starting in 2012, a group of women decided to sing together, focused on music meant for the stage, best heard in a live performance. They created the auditioned Aria women’s choir, which is back for its spring concert tradition fittingly titled “She Sings!” This seasonal appearance, one of three each year, emphasizes newly composed or arranged music that resonates with contemporary ears. The choir’s Tuesday evening rehearsals in Pacific Grove are open to the public, but this concert is a chance to hear their polished performance on a beautifully remodeled stage. [SR] 7pm Saturday, April 11. Founders Theatre, Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde between 8th and 9th, Carmel. $21-$36. (831) 622-0100, ariamonterey.org. STRING THEORY What if an emerging artist is emerging—as in studying music at the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of Music—but is already an award-winning performer with enough accolades that you could say he has already made it? Well, you would have classical guitarist Kaz Hudson. While a lot of musicians can make the six-string speak, in Hudson’s hands it can inquire, caress, encourage, sing, dance, explore the ages, places and languages of the world. He performs as part of the Carmel Guitar Society’s 2026 concert series lineup. [DF] 7pm Saturday, April 11. Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. $40. (831) 316-3230, carmelguitarsociety. org. LATIN PARTY For those itching for a fun night on the dance floor, Los Portales is a must-stop this Saturday night. DJ Tino and El Tpo de Mexico, a musical group based in Los Angeles, play an array of Latin rhythms, from modern and classic Mexican regional music to cumbia, including hits such as “En Tu Pelo” and “La Reynalda.” Live music on weekends has become a staple at Los Portales. Enjoy a vibrant music scene and fill up on Mexican food. [CJ] 8pm-midnight Saturday, April 11. Los Portales Mexican Food, 1022 Broadway Ave., Seaside. $41. (831) 394-7294, bit.ly/4c2NZ78. Saturday, April 11-Sunday, April 12 WHALE TIME In the middle of the 19th century, around the time Herman Melville wrote Moby-Dick (1851), whaling was an important industry in Monterey. Back then, Portuguese whalers had been known to pursue gray and humpback whales for oil and baleen—whalebone used to make corsets and umbrellas. Today, Monterey Bay is a place to see whales year-round and learn about these remarkable creatures. To celebrate this, Whalefest, is a two-day festival devoted to all things whale, this year is its 16th edition. On offer are a HOT PICKS sitting on lazy Mayzie’s egg. And things only get worse for the faithful Elephant, who first ends up in the circus and then on trial for loitering on said egg. Then think that Judge Yertle the Turtle finds him guilty. Now think that there is more to the story, that it is narrated in part by the Cat and that it’s all set to song. Such is Seussical, the Broadway hit on stage at Monterey Peninsula College, directed by Todd Siff. [DF] 7pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 2pm Sundays, April 9-19. Monterey Peninsula College, Morgan Stock Stage, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. $22; $12/students, staff, seniors, military; $7/children. (831) 645-1360, mpc.edu. Friday, April 10 CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN Have you planned a fun outing with a 2-and-a-half-year-old? Maybe you go to the playground. Some people, like dads Jakob and Konne, take toddlers Emil and Karl on a six-day bikepacking trip through the Swiss Alps. And that’s pretty tame for the stories unfurled in the Banff Mountain Film Festival, an annual compilation of short films documenting stories of humans doing wild and wonderful (and sometimes risky) things in wild and wonderful places. Ultimately these are stories about people. The intergenerational story above is told in the German film Emil Und Karl; in a Canadian short A Baffin Vacation, a love story is put to the test in a land of ice. Visit Patagonia, Japan, France and beyond in this evening of stunning scenery and tales of amazing human feats—and as a bonus, it’s a benefit for the nonprofit Habitat Stewardship Project. [SR] 6pm Friday, April 10. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $41. (831) 582368, habitatstewardshipproject.org. OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD Dorothy and Co. were thrilled when the Wicked Witch of the West uttered the words: “I’m melting, melting!” But in this instance, they would be terrified. That’s because they’ll all be skating during Wizard of Oz on Ice, so no melting here. Presented by Ice Creative Entertainment, the classic story finds new life with high-flying Olympic skaters, elaborate costumes and a fresh soundtrack. Who knew the Tin Man was so flexible? [EC] 7:30pm Friday, April 10. Sunset Cultural Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $49-$79. (831) 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org. Saturday, April 11 ON THE BLOCK The Monterey Museum of Art is bringing its creative energy to the community with its fourth annual block party, free and open to all, transforming Monterey into a vibrant gathering space where you can discover local artisans, see performances, make your own creations and more. Guests ages 21-and-up can keep the celebration going with a dance party under the stars later in the evening. [KR] 11am-4pm,Saturday, April 11. In and around Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific St., Monterey. Free; $25/dance party. (831) 3725477, montereyart.org. DEVIL MUSIC One night in 1713, Italian composer and After 33 years of failed attempts, a group of four climbers made history in 2024 with the first free ascent of Riders on the Storm in Patagonia. The literal and figurative storms they endured are recounted in a short film in the Banff Mountain Film Fest on April 10. DREW SMITH/REELROCK Follow the yellow brick road to Oz, but be careful not to slip and fall. Wizard of Oz on Ice brings Olympic skaters putting a new twist on the classic in Carmel on April 10.
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