Thursday, July 23 TRY HARD Award-winning Arizona-based composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist MaryAnne Muglia will bring her genre-defying sound to Pacific Grove alongside special guest, the “sensitive punk” Luke Sweeney. Muglia recently dropped her debut album, Try Hard, which she describes as an amalgam of indie-folk lyricism, jazz sensibility and pop clarity. For those curious about Muglia’s unique sound, her original compositions, music videos and behind-thescenes breakdowns are on her social media. [AS] 7pm Thursday, July 23. Pop & Hiss, 215 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. $5. (831) 275-3303, info@popandhiss.net, popandhiss. net. Friday, July 24 MARINE EXPEDITION There are some odysseys many won’t be able to embark on (must be scuba-certified or able to visit Antarctica, for example), but there are ways for everyone to enjoy parts of the world Blue Green Expeditions visits. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is hosting a unique performance that involves different media, including film, dialogue, music and immersive storytelling. The feature of the event is an immersive video and musical performance created by Cristian Dimitrius, a wildlife cinematographer for the BBC, and Ragnar Ólafsson, an Icelandic composer and musician. [CJ] 6:30pm Friday, July 24. Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. Free; registration required; sold out. (831) 648-4800, info@bluegreenexpeditions.com. Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25 LIGHT BRIGHT Summer Lights, the annual family-friendly festival organized by the Youth Ambassadors of Pacific Grove, is back with a large lineup of bands and entertainment. On the bill is The Akoustics, a big band based in the Central Valley, delivering strong grooves and soulful rhythms, blending Americana, soul and Latin jazz. Also playing are the duo Wolf Dog Walker, 24 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 23-29, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com GEORGIA ALEXAKOS Some of the most provocative visual art in Monterey County is being created by a cohort of youngsters from the Youth Arts Collective in downtown Monterey. One of them is Georgia Alexakos, whose “Twins” (shown above) is part of the YAC’s 2026 Summer Show—available in person or online for the next couple of months. Alexakos “loves experimenting with pastels and honors strong femme characters in her work,” says Marissa Serna, program director at YAC. “The YACsters always create truly authentic work, but this year they’ve grown to become comfortable with the power of their voices.” The opening is at 6-9pm Friday, July 24. YAC is located at 472 Calle Principal, Monterey. Visit yacstudios.org/exhibits. [AP] 23-29 JULY HOT PICKS To see more local events, and add your own, visit montereycountynow.com/events GEORGIA ALEXAKOS VISUALS MURRAY WAGNON Signature members of the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association are presenting their selected works in the Annand Gallery of the Pacific Grove Art Center. Painterly Perspective is a collection of plein air pieces which capture iconic images of this area. In the above piece by one early member of the MBPAPA, Murray Wagnon, we see the bridge at Pearl Street and Lake El Estero in Monterey. The juror for this show was Pebble Beach impressionist Brian Blood. On display until Aug. 27. 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. Open noon-5pm Wednesdays to Saturdays; 1-4pm Sundays. [AP] Taiko drumming is just one type of music performed at the Obon Festival in Salinas (on July 26, see p. 27). This powerful style of percussion has its roots in an ancient tradition. The acclaimed classical guitarist Emilia Díaz Delgado is returning to Pacific Grove Art Center. At 17 years old, she’s made quite the splash in the classical guitar world. CARLIN MA MURRAY WAGNON TOM YAMASHITA
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