Send ideas to montereycountynow.com/events 28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 6-12, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com bines a rapid tournament format open to all players (ages 5 to 105, novice to master) and a blitz tournament limited to chessplayers experienced with the chess clock. We feel the pressure just thinking about it. The event is sponsored and hosted by Salinas Valley Chess Club. [AP] 9:15am rapid tournament; 5pm blitz Saturday, Aug. 8. Salinas Valley Community Church, 368 San Juan Grade Road, Salinas. $12; free/students in grades K-12, SVCC members. (831) 524-4488, new.uschess.org/ salinas-valley-chess-festival. HAPPY 113TH BIRTHDAY It was 1913 when the Young Women’s Christian Association founded its permanent summer campgrounds, Asilomar. Now within the purview of California State Parks, Asilomar Day celebrates the founding of the conference grounds with a party, cake and all. In the morning, ride in a vintage car provided by the Salinas Valley Horseless Carriage Club. Throughout the day get a look at never-before-seen personal effects of architect Julia Morgan who designed Asilomar’s iconic buildings. There are also guided tours of the historic buildings, a swing dance workshop, live music from Ricketts Folly and a wildflower tour in the dunes. And of course birthday cake, served at 2pm while it lasts. [PM] 10am-4pm Saturday, Aug. 8. Asilomar Conference Grounds, 800 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. (831) 646-6440, bit.ly/ AsilomarDay2026. FIGHT NIGHT Although it may seem counterintuitive, those that have studied martial arts or combat sports like boxing discover that learning to fight also teaches one how to avoid physical confrontations outside of a ring or off the mat. Learning to temper one’s temper and gain confidence through training and discipline can be life-changing, for young people especially, which is what MXN Boxing Center in Salinas is all about. The gym is hosting its “Gloves for the Youth,” amateur boxing night this August to allow its youngest fighters a chance to show off their skills and compete for glory in front of a cheering crowd. [AS] Noon Saturday, August 8. Fox Theater, 241 S. Main St., Salinas. $20/presale, $25/at the door. (831) 758-8459, foxtheatresalinas.com. LISTEN TO THE LIGHT Ricki Byars is a singer-songwriter, an inspiring leader, an activist and the founding choir director and music director at Agape International Spiritual Center in LA. But her expansive resume does not quite convey what she offers musically in a genre you might think of as modern spiritual—moving and relatable to churchgoers or people of any denomination (or no denomination) seeking something transcendent and connective in music. Byars brings her inspirational music and famously captivating stage presence to Pacific Grove for what is sure to be an uplifting, soulful experience. [SR] 4-6pm Saturday, Aug. 8. Center for Spiritual Awakening, 255 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. $55. (831) 372-1942, centerforspiritualawakening.com. KICK STAND After early season struggles, Monterey Bay FC has shown some life. The USL Championship side is still stranded in last place in the Western Conference, but has gone from 2 points to 15 points over the last two months. They host a tough New Mexico United club that put together a three-win run to climb to 5th in the standings. [DF] 7pm Saturday, Aug. 8. Cardinale Stadium, 4111 2nd Ave., Seaside. $25-$65. montereybayfc.com. HOT PICKS Row this walking tour pinpoints the exact locations where Doc and the other characters roamed. It will help you understand Steinbeck’s inspiration and the world that he experienced. Best of all, the 90-minute tour is free. Unfortunately, the walk is limited to 25 people, but that means everyone can interact with the guide. The daily summer schedule ends this week. [DF] 10am Thursday, Aug. 6-Saturday, Aug. 8. Cannery Row Plaza, Prescott Street and Cannery Row, Monterey. Free; registration required. steinbeckexperience.org. Friday, Aug. 7 TO THE LIGHTHOUSE “A silvery, misty-looking tower with a yellow eye, that opened suddenly, and softly in the evening.” That’s how author Virginia Woolf described the mystery of the lighthouse, as seen by a child who longs to come closer. The fact that we, on Aug. 7, observe National Lighthouse Day speaks volume about our idyll of the lighthouse, these days mostly symbolic. It is associated with hope, endurance and loneliness—of both those who see its light and those who cast it. Point Pinos Lighthouse hosts a book talk for the occasion with local historian and author Stuart McDowell, who discusses his titles The Sinking of SS Montebello and The Last Lightkeeper, followed by a book signing. [AP] 11am-noon Friday, Aug. 7. Point Pinos Lighthouse, 80 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove. Free (lighthouse tours are $7; $3/children). acolony@cityofpacificgrove.org, tinyurl.com/ PointPinos. MODERN POETICS Can one learn to become a poet? Some say you have to be born with it. That said, it’s worth a try. Every other Friday, a poetry-writing workshop at the most independent of independent bookstores, Old Capitol Books, has been nurturing poets for years. Currently it is run by poet Brian Sheffield. The same cohort of poets are at the heart of the annual Monterey Poetry Festival, which takes place every spring. Try your hand, and maybe you can join them. [AP] 7pm Friday, Aug. 7. Old Capitol Books, 482 Alvarado St., Monterey. Free. (831) 747-1322, oldcapitolbooks.com. SMOOTH SOUNDS Singer Sammy Johnson has made a name for himself as a defining voice of contemporary Pacific reggae, although that may be putting him in a box—his style of music encompasses so much more, including R&B, soul, jazz and music influenced by the Pacific Islands. Johnson comes by it naturally, with Maori and Polynesian roots, having been born in Fiji and raised in Australia. His smooth sound has been called both exhilarating and intoxicating. His song “Don’t Say Goodbye” was his big break on YouTube, with over 10 million views, landing him a record deal. [PM] 8pm Friday, Aug. 7. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $37-$43. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com. Saturday, Aug. 8 CHESS, MATE The Salinas Valley Chess Festival comCalifornia State Parks is celebrating 113 years of Asilomar with rides in vintage autos, an exhibit of Julia Morgan artifacts, guided tours, live music by Ricketts Folly, swing dance lessons and cake on Saturday, Aug. 8. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS Whether you’re a Steinbeck newbie or you’ve reread his books several times, John Holland can put actual places of significance along Cannery Row to Steinbeck’s words in a walking tour. The summer season of daily tours ends this week (see details, p. 26). STEVE SOUZA
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