Thursday, Aug. 20- Sunday, Aug. 23 DANCE MARATHON The passionate partner dance that originated in the 1880s in South America is coming to the Monterey Peninsula for a four-day marathon of dances, workshops and much more, with participants from all over the world. There are several milongas scheduled for Tango Monterey Bay Marathon, social gatherings where tango is danced, including one on the beach at Window on the Bay, plus night milongas where dancers are encouraged to wear the thematic colors of each night—the colors are beachy on Friday and Sunday nights, while Saturday night is glitz and glamor with gold, silver and black. The marathon weekend includes yoga and local hikes in addition to workshops. Drop in on a workshop or milonga—there are separate prices for individual events—or buy a day pass or full pass for all four days to experience the magic of tango with other enthusiasts. [PM] 5pm Thursday, Aug. 20-11:50pm Sunday, Aug. 23. Main venue: Hyatt Regency Monterey, 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey. $200-$350/four-day pass; $75/day pass. montereytangomarathon. com. Friday, Aug. 21 LAUGHTER FIRST Controlled Chaos is coming to California’s First Theatre’s old but absolutely charming and functional stage—perfect for the spoken word. “A day without a laughter is a day wasted” is the motto of the group, led by Monterey Peninsula-born and raised Maria Dawson, who has been practicing and teaching improv for three decades. Meet the bravest of local actors and comedians, twisting in the cruel claws of the unexpected. [AP] 7pm Friday, Aug. 21. California’s First Theatre, Pacific and Scott streets, Monterey. $25. (831) 646-1188, comedyvarietyshowcase.com. SWING OF THINGS We keep coming back to vintage jazz, swing and Western swing. This soundtrack of the 1920s through World War II is simply compelling. Why does it have such staying power? The Silver Lining Serenaders have the answer, and they give it in song from the era 26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 20-26, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com WENDY CHIDESTER Oil painter Wendy Chidester represents contemporary realism. She puts old, venerated objects — typically well-made, beautiful and solid—in the aesthetic and physical center of her pieces, paying homage not only to the sentiments those objects invoke (a pair of old-fashioned blue leather boots, an exquisite orange kid’s bicycle with training wheels), but also to the sheer quality of things made in the past. See Chidester’s Halcyon Days, a solo exhibit of 14 of her newest paintings, now on display at Gallery MAR Carmel. It’s a “collection of paintings of objects that have endured,” Chidester wrote in an artist statement. “I am drawn to objects that carry history.” Located at Dolores between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. Hours are 10am-5pm Monday-Thursday; 10am-7pm Saturdays; and 11am-5pm Sundays. [AP] 20-26 AUGUST HOT PICKS To see more local events, and add your own, visit montereycountynow.com/events WENDY CHIDESTER VISUALS BEK COLLECTIVE Work on Imjin Parkway in Marina is complete, a $40.5 million project that added four roundabouts, more lanes and other infrastructure from Imjin to Reservation roads. Standing in the middle of each roundabout are metal panels, 32 in total, representing everything that Marina is known for. The project, titled “Marina Love,” was designed by the BEK Collective, led by artist Bianca Koenig, and fabricated at Coastal Fabrication Company in Sand City. Pictured here are two panels, showcasing nature scenes common in Marina, including snowy plovers on the dunes and coyotes roaming oak woodlands. Dolphin statues manufactured by Prunedale-based Signs By Van were also installed along Imjin Parkway. [EC] Tango is a passionate partner dance that originated in South America but is now popular all over the world. The Tango Monterey Bay Marathon is welcoming enthusiasts for three full days of dances, workshops and activities like yoga and hiking. Kadiri Vaquer Fernandez is a local bilingual poet. She is leading a free, bilingual creative writing project which kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 22 (see details on p. 28). COURTESY OF KADIRI KADIRI VAQUER FERNANDEZ ERIK CHALHOUB
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