28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 4-10, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC When she appears in the door of Café Mia in Marina, Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu’s appearance is as unassuming as the venue she chooses for an interview. Wu seems relaxed and unhurried, wearing a yellow T-shirt and simple black pants, long dark hair falling down her back. No sign she is a mother of twins, now 16 months old. But she also carries her violin. The founder and the artistic director of Sunkiss’d Mozart and its Summerfest, now on its third edition, is an incredibly active musician, who in addition to running her own growing chamber music festival, mastered 50 pieces for violin just for the summer festival season. And even that didn’t deter her from preparing “Destined,” the theme of this year’s Summerfest— five different music experiences in five different venues. “Last summer I realized that I’m not superhuman,” Wu says. She was playing, planning, booking, getting copyrights and creating mailing lists, all on her own. Now she has a team. “We continue with the same narrative of bringing people to beautiful places in Monterey Peninsula and playing good music,” she says. The second concert of the festival is always the most special for her. That would be Kismet at the Asilomar Conference Grounds that will include such pieces as “The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind” by Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov. “We all pray for the same things,” Wu says, invoking the need to look for comfort and direction, regardless of one’s religion. “Religions are like different genres in music, but we all pray for health and healing, safety and protection, guidance and wisdom.” Wu will be joined by nine other musicians—two more violins, four cellos, two violas and one clarinet. Among the names are Wu’s regular collaborator Tanya Tomkins, Owen Dalby and Felix Fan. Among the venues activated for Summerfest, there is Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Library in downtown Monterey and Corral Wine Estate Vineyard in Carmel Valley. “I’m just rolling with it, accepting chaos,” says Wu, finishing her almond croissant and throwing the violin case back over her shoulder. She is on her way to a concert in Santa Cruz. “It’s a great thing that my kids sleep well.” Sunkiss’d Mozart Summerfest runs Tuesday, June 9-Sunday, June 14. Various times and locations. $30- $220. hello@skmozart.com, skmozart.com. GRITTANI CREATIVE Mo(zart) Better Violinist Cindy Wu has big plans for the summer, with dozens of new pieces. By Agata Popęda Sunkiss’d Mozart musicians performing in the Asilomar Conference Grounds’ Seascape Room, one of the five memorable venues picked for this year’s Summerfest. The Peninsula’s Downtown Shops, restaurants, hotels and businesses Spend some time with us Downtown… oldmonterey.org 11:30am-close, 10am Sat & Sun 484 Washington Street Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 www.melvilletav.com WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SALADS & SANDWICHES INDOOR, PATIO DINING & TAKEOUT HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS DAILY 4-6PM WEEKEND BRUNCH Family-Owned. Locally Loved. Since 1980. Open Daily from 8am 1992– 2025 VOTED BEST Comfort Food Family Restaurant Desserts Now Open in Sand City! 434 Alvarado St. Monterey 831.375.1400 rosinesmonterey.com 2160 California Ave., Sand City 831.291.5182 caffebyrosines.com 447 Alvarado St • Monterey • 375-5332 www.gaspersjewelers.com 20 years Voted Monterey’s Best Jewelry Store GRADS & DADS BULOVA’S AUTOMATIC COLLECTION ’25 Celebrating 12 years in Downtown! Sunday–Thursday 11:30am-10pm Friday–Saturday 11:30am-11pm 426 Alvarado St. Monterery 831-655-BEER asb.beer Monterey County’s Best Local Beer/Brewery Best Bar for Gen X Best Server-Chelsea Dalhamer Best Place to Eavesdrop Best Podcast - KRML’s ‘Pub Talk” “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY
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