www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 25 Send ideas to montereycountynow.com/events HOT PICKS Sunday, Aug. 30 SMALL TOWN LIVING It’s a day dedicated to Aromas, with a capital “A.” But there will be plenty of aromas, with a lowercase “a,” to enjoy—because cooking defines small town hospitality. The residents of the tiny rural town that sits near the convergence of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties get together to celebrate all things Aromas in this annual event sponsored by the Aromas Eagles. There will be food, of course, starting with a breakfast at the Aromas Grange, as well as nonprofit booths and other vendors lined up on the main drag of the town. Rock out to local bands. Aromas Day lives up to its name. [EC] 9am-4pm Sunday, Aug. 30. Carpenteria Road and surrounding streets, Aromas. Free. aromasday.org. COASTAL ART Practice your creativity while learning about local marine ecology with Seaside-based marine conservation researcher and educator Emily Gottlieb at Dream Lab. Make art out of seaweed while chatting about civic engagement, color theory, algae, AI, ecosystem engineers, education—and everything in between. As for Dream Lab, the plan is to have many more gatherings within a series called Coastal Conversations, launched with a conviction that not all learning requires a class. Sometimes, it begins with a conversation. [AP] 2-4pm Sunday, Aug. 30. Dream Lab at Play Full Ground, 550 Lighthouse Ave., Suite E, Monterey. Free. playfullground.com. ALLIGATOR IS BACK Wayne Cloukey aka Alligator is a legend, disappearing and reappearing from the local music scene. He grew up on the Choctaw Reservation on the Louisiana/Texas border and first appeared in Monterey in 1990, performing regularly at Sly McFly’s. “On stage, the 72-year-old Gator jumps instruments as much as he jumps genres,” the Weekly wrote in 2014. Alligator still rocks. “I don’t have email or a website,” he shares by phone. “But I want to let them know that Alligator is back.” So now you know. [AP] 5-7pm Sunday, Aug. 30. Cuz’s Sportsman’s Club, 594 Broadway Ave., Seaside. (831) 3942666. SILENT WAVES You see the musician, you see the instrument, but you don’t hear the notes said musician is playing on said instrument. What’s going on? You’re missing a set of headphones, that’s what. Composer and pianist Murray Hidary is the founder of the unique musical experience, MindTravel, where he plays the piano on the beach, yet the music can only be heard through headphones. The “silent” concert is meant to complement the rhythm of the ocean for a meditative experience. Hidary brings the piano, while nature brings the ensemble. [EC] 6:30pm Sunday, Aug. 30. Del Monte Beach, 588 Del Monte Blvd., Monterey. $59. mindtravel.com. Hot Picks by Sloan Campi, Erik Chalhoub, Tonia Eaton, Dave Faries, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Agata Popęda, Katie Rodriguez, Sara Rubin and Aric Sleeper. A bucket of fresh seaweed, wet paper and some utensils are enough to create art. Join one of the cozy gatherings at Dream Lab and try it yourself—on Sunday, Aug. 30. AGATA POPEDA Image credit: Rex Ray (1956–2015), Placidium, c. 2003, collage with mixed media over canvas, 54 x 54 in. Courtesy of Gallery 16. VISIT MONTEREY MUSEUM OF ART Thursday – Sunday 11 am – 5 pm 559 Pacific Street Monterey, CA 93940 montereyart.org Rex Ray: We Are All Made of Light August 27, 2026 – January 17, 2027 Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar's Photographs of Native California September 10 – December 20, 2026 Luminaries October 23, 2026 – January 17, 2027 Let’s Sparkle Together! 4:30pm Cocktails & Charcuterie 5:30pm Program 6:00pm Dinner with steak, scallops or fusilli Live Auction * Raffle Drawing Money Band Duo https://www.joininghandsbenefitshops.org /about/beneath-the-crystal-sky-2026 $125 per person Reserve Your Tickets Now! Call 831-293-8140 or visit: Woody’s Del Mesa, 500 Del Mesa Drive, Carmel
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