Send ideas to montereycountynow.com/events 28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 23-29, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com FREE SPEECH This story starts in 2021 in Texas, where a state representative released a list of books to be removed from school libraries. In response, a national movement of librarians began organizing to resist legislative and cultural efforts that included restricting content centering LGBTQ+ or racial themes. Most of us take public libraries and their immense free resources for granted. But in recent years, librarians have become first responders in the assault on the freedom of speech and attempts to ban books seen as controversial. During National Libraries Week, libraries around the country are celebrating by screening a 2025 documentary, The Librarians, devoted to those preserving your freedom to read. Monterey Public Library joins in with a screening. [AP] 2pm Saturday, April 25. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. (831) 646-3933, monterey.gov/library/events. MOONLIT MUSIC From Ludwig van Beethoven’s haunting “Piano Sonata No. 14,” or as it’s commonly known, “Moonlight Sonata,” to Franz Liszt’s “Mephisto Waltz No. 1,” Frederic Chopin’s “Nocturne No. 20” and Earl Wild’s “Grande Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess,” Russian pianist Ilya Yakushev’s performance is bound to give listeners chills of the welcomed variety. The award-winning performer has entranced audiences all over the world with his captivating style and strong stage presence. He brings that bold energy and wide-ranging musical selection to the Carmel Music Society. [AS] 7pm Saturday, April 25. Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $45-$60. (831) 6202048, carmelmusic.org. FEEL THE PASSION This is a story you probably know (Pope Leo sure does; Donald Trump, we aren’t so sure). Jesus is arrested and faces Pontius Pilate for a trial. As told in the Gospel of John, Jesus—he of divine origin—already knows how the story will end. It’s probably not a spoiler alert for us to tell you how it ends— he will be put to death via crucifixion. Yes, this is probably the story best known and most retold in the West, but there is no telling quite like J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion, which operatically puts this dramatic story on stage. This work premiered on Good Friday in Leipzig in 1724. Three-hundred years later, it is still poignant, and local baroque group I Cantori di Carmel takes on this masterwork with a small choir and period instruments. [SR] 7:30pm Saturday, April 25. All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 9th and Dolores, Carmel. $45; $25/students, teachers, military, youth under 30; $10/children 12 and under. (831) 644-8012, icantori.org. CHAOTIC FUN Maybe you feel like you need to reduce stress, boost your immune system or simply have a fun time. A good old belly laugh can help achieve all of the above. Getting in your laughs during a live performance—one in which the story is made live, on the spot—is even more exhilarating. Controlled Chaos is a local improv group, and these comic performers will take the stage and riff. The audience actively participates, aiding comedians with words, plot twists and places to incorporate in the show. Get ready to laugh out loud. [CJ] 7-9pm Saturday, April 25. California’s First Theatre, Pacific Street at Scott Street, Monterey. $29. (831) 646-1188, comedyvarietyshowcase.com. Sunday, April 26 GET EARTHY Life on our planet has taken several death blows. Remember the dinosaurs? HOT PICKS Peninsula Voices hopes becomes a series benefitting the choir. [SR] 7-9:30pm Friday, April 24. Lighthouse Cinema, 525 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. $15. (831) 717-3124, mpvoices.org. Friday, April 24-Sunday, April 26 TO THE BEET Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beet…woah, wait. The ghost-with-the-most isn’t quite ready to be summoned just yet. Better wait until it’s showtime. The Peppy Garner and Darnell Whitt School of Dramatic Arts presents Beetlejuice Jr., a musical adaptation of the hit 1988 movie starring Michael Keaton. Grieving teen Lydia Deetz moves to a house haunted by a recently deceased couple and the demon himself. Chaos ensues, with plenty of dark humor, true to the source material. The cast of young performers bring the energy and comedy unique to this classic. [EC] 7pm Fridays-Saturdays; 2pm SaturdaySundays, April 24-May 16. Founders Theatre, Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde between 8th and 9th, Carmel. $11-$31. (831) 622-0100, pacrep.org. Saturday, April 25 CULTURAL SHOWCASE Asian heritage, history and local traditions are to be celebrated. The nonprofit ACES (Asian Cultural Experiences of Salinas) is hosting its 17th annual fair to honor the multicultural identity of Salinas Chinatown, with a focus on the Chinese, Japanese and Filipino immigrant communities. The day will be filled with performances and interactive experiences, think Chinese lion dances and martial arts demonstrations, as well as Filipino folk dances featuring bamboo pole performances and traditional instruments. And for your appetite: a world of amazing foods—from Filipino dishes like lumpia and pancit to Chinese noodles and dumplings, along with Japaneseinspired rice bowls. Enjoy the full experience trying the food, watching performances and learning more about Asian Americans in our area. [KR] 11am-4pm Saturday, April 25. Buddhist Temple of Salinas, 14 California St., Salinas. Free; free parking and shuttle access at Salinas Adult School, 20 Sherwood Place. salinasace.org/acf. HIPPIE LIT Brita Ostrom is a longtime Esalen Institute practitioner, psychotherapist, somatic educator and founding member of the Esalen Massage School. She is also the author of a newly published memoir titled Steeped: A Big Sur Elixir of Sulfur and Sage. She reads from her book, reflecting on when she began teaching at Esalen in the 1960s. The memoir chronicles her journey to Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco and ultimately to the Esalen Institute, where she focused on self-discovery, alternative relationships and body awareness. The event includes snacks, music and a Q&A session. [AS] 1-3:30pm Saturday, April 25. Henry Miller Memorial Library, 48603 Highway 1, Big Sur. Free. (831) 667-2574, henrymiller.org. The Chinatown neighborhood in Salinas is a geographic place, but also a cultural landmark. That culture and history comes alive with the annual Asian Cultural Fair, held this year on Saturday, April 25. ASIAN CULTURAL EXPERIENCE OF SALINAS The improv comedy troupe aptly named Controlled Chaos delivers both (that is, chaos and control) to the stage in Monterey on Saturday, April 25. TIMBRE DAWSON
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