Thursday, April 30 SEXY TIME When you think “sex ed,” you might think of pubescent kids sitting uncomfortably in a health classroom. But seriously, we’re wondering: Why does sex ed largely stop after that awkward phase? It doesn’t have to, and Dr. Kyle Hartman, a physical therapist and sex counselor at Monterey Pelvic Health, is invested in keeping the education going. She hosts drop-in sex education chats at Pearl Hour, inviting anyone to listen (no sharing required) and learn, cozied up at the fire pit. One thing you will not do is practice pelvic thrusts; the focus of this workshop is communication. Learn about why many people struggle to ask for what they want, and how to give feedback in a way that feels natural and empowering. [SR] 7pm Thursday, April 30. Pearl Hour, 214 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. Free; ages 21+ only. (831) 264-7286, montereypelvichealth.com. DOLCE VALLEY Monterey County can make people feel like they’ve accidentally stumbled into Italy, thanks to that lovely Mediterranean climate. And Monterey County also has some serious Italian street cred, all the way back to Sicilian fishermen and their families. A little slice of la dolce vita comes to Carmel Valley in the form of an evening concert titled “Serenata Italiana: An Evening in the Barrel Room” with musicians including Mike Marotta, Dave Marzetti, Erasmo “Orazio” Aiello, Dave Dally and the Monterey String Quartet. They’ll be playing opera, sad Neapolitan songs, some classy Rat Pack and more. Expect a night that’s warm, nostalgic and stuffed with enduring tradition (and a glass of California—not Italian—wine). [AP] 7pm Thursday, April 30. Folktale Winery, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. $44-$56. (831) 293-7500, folktalewinery.com. PLAY ON Michelle Djokic is the force behind curating live music at the SandBox, but she is also a musician herself. For this appearance, Djokic pairs up with Romanian pianist Alina Bercu for a night of cello/piano duets, playing varied works by Arvo Pärt, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Lucas Foss and more. The performance is also about more than the notes on the page—it is about the community of musicians (and listeners) who come together to create, and to support 26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 30-MAY 6, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com JANET BEATY PhotoCarmel 2026, the six-week-long series of photography exhibits and events, continues—until May 10. Visit the Marjorie Evans Gallery at Sunset Center, the immediate neighbor of the Center for Photographic Art, housed just across the wall, whose director, Ann Jastrab, curated A Light Exists in Spring. The show features work by the CfPA’s incredible team of artists who also happen to be volunteers, trustees and staff members at the long-running photography nonprofit gallery organization in Carmel. The artists are Debra Achen, Janet Beaty (whose “Deep Reflection” is shown above), Jerry Takigawa, Eduardo Fujii, Simona Martin, Andrew Chasin, Mary Aiu, Matt Connors, Dennis Segers and Marty Cohen. Through June 23. Located in the north wing of Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. Hours are 10am-4pm Monday through Friday. [AP] HOT PICKS APRIL 30–MAY6 To see more local events, and add your own, visit montereycountynow.com/events JANET BEATY GINA LAMB VISUALS COSTANOAN RUMSEN A meaningful new exhibit has arrived at Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center. Eme Ka Uko: To All My Relations tells the rich story of the Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe, whose people called the Carmel River Valley home for thousands of years. One of the Indigenous tribes in the region when Spanish colonialists arrived, they played a vital role in the construction of the Carmel Mission before relocating to Southern California in 1864 to escape enslavement. Today, the tribe thrives with more than 2,000 members, carrying forward a vibrant cultural heritage. The exhibit is on display through February 2027 at 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey. Open noon-4pm Thursdays through Mondays. [AP] Revamped First Fridays bring Main Street in downtown Salinas to life with performances and visual art. Stroll around on Friday, May 1 to immerse in the creativity (for free—food and artworks are available to purchase). See p. 28. ARTS COUNCIL FOR MONTEREY COUNTY Dr. Kyle Hartman is ready to talk about sex. Bring questions and curiosity, but mostly just a willingness to learn during her fireside chat at Pearl Hour on April 30. JE LAU PHOTOGRAPHY
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