Send ideas to montereycountynow.com/events HOT PICKS the heat, maybe try contemporary singer Ingrid Michaelson’s cozy fall trio tour with guitarist Allie Moss and vocalist Hannah Winkler. While she’s best known for her singles “The Way I Am” and “Girls Chase Boys,” Michaelson also has seven albums under her belt. She just released her latest single, “Funny,” this year. [CO] 7pm Saturday, Oct. 17. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $49–$275. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com. COMEDY NIGHT Laugh until your belly hurts as comedian Willie Barcena takes the stage. A veteran of the comedy scene, Barcena has built a reputation for his sharp, energetic style and relatable takes on family, culture, relationships and everyday life. He has made 10 appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and has performed at major comedy festivals and venues across the country. With decades of experience and a fearless approach to comedy, a night of laughter is promised. [RH] 8pm Saturday, Oct. 17. Fox Theater, 241 Main St., Salinas. $25-$50. (831) 758-8459, foxtheatersalinas.com. Saturday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 18 MUSICAL WONDERLAND Are you ready to go down the rabbit hole? Hosted by Sol Treasures and Central Theatrical Productions, this junior show brings Wonderland’s madness and imagination into a musical reality filled with adventure for the curious mind. Alice: A New Musical Adventure includes music for all ages. Directed by Jeff Hinderscheid; choreographed by Beau Rodriguez. [RH] 7pm Saturday, Oct. 17 and Friday, Oct. 23; 2pm Sunday, Oct. 18; 1pm Saturday, Oct. 24. Robert Stanton Theater, 128 N. Mildred Ave., King City. $17. (805) 235-5821, soltreasures. com. SPRING INTO FALL The Monterey Symphony is opening its new season with what it’s calling “European iconoclasts meet American masters,” performing pieces by Swedish composer and violinist Franz Berwald and Russian composer/pianist/conductor Sergei Prokofiev, combined with American composers Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber. The Symphony will play Copland’s iconic Americana ballet, “Appalachian Spring,” considered to be one of his best works. Violinist Alexi Kenney will perform with the Symphony for the first time. He’s a much lauded and sought after young artist, originally from Palo Alto. In a review, the New York Times called his performance “spellbinding.” [PM] 7:30pm Saturday, Oct. 17; 3pm Sunday, Oct. 18. Sunset Center, 908 San Carlos St., Carmel. $12-$90. (831) 646-8511, montereysymphony.org. Sunday, Oct. 18 NATURE BIKE It’s easy to miss the intricacies of nature and lose out while whizzing by in a car. Walking gets you up close, but you can only cover so much ground. The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has the perfect solution: a natural history tour of Monterey Bay by bike. “Naturalists on Wheels” is led by experts who will take participants from Lovers Point in P.G. to the Fort Ord Dunes in Sand City along the Recreation Trail. The tour comes with four stops at iconic landscapes where you’ll learn about marine life, geologic history, waves, weather and the dune ecosystem. All that and lunch, too. Bring your own bike and helmet, and get ready to gain a deeper appreciation for the area’s natural history. [PM] 9am-2pm Sunday, Oct. 18. Meet at Lovers Point, 17th Street, Pacific Grove. $40. (831) 648-5716, education@pguseum.org. RIDE HOME In all the discussion of John Steinbeck’s observations on the plight of farmworkers, of migrants to California, of the folks who populated Cannery Row, people often miss that he would mention the important cultural role of the Model T or a Cord passing by on the highway. So it is fitting that the East of Eden & Engines Car Show recognizes his use of cars (or pickup trucks). The event features more than classics and customs. There is also food and music, as well as activities for kids. Take a car ride to the Steinbeck House for a tour, too. After all, the event benefits the property. [DF] 10:30am-3pm Sunday, Oct. 18. Salinas City Heritage Park, 1 Station Place, Salinas. Free to attend. (831) 424-2735, steinbeckhouse. com. HARVEST SEASON Harvest may make you think of work, but at this community celebration, the focus is all on fun—sugar, flowers and colors. Downtown Greenfield streets are closed to cars so that the annual Harvest Festival can be in full swing with live music, folklórico dances, tasty food and goods for sale. It’s a family-friendly event for all ages, with kids’ areas, tractors on display and a car show. [CJ] Noon-5:30pm Sunday, Oct. 18. El Camino Real between Walnut and Oak avenues, Greenfield. Free. (831) 674-5591, greenfieldca.gov/529/Harvest-Festival. ON THE HORN A surefire way to wake yourself up: Listen to a live brass band concert. Horns are light on subtlety, big on powerful sound, and always deliver a particular kind of energy. The Pacific Brass Band is a British-style ensemble that performs all the classic styles— marches, musical theater, American folk songs and rags—but for this free concert focuses on Spanish music. The program includes pieces by Spanish composers, as well as pieces about Spain, such as “Man of La Mancha” from the eponymous musical and parts of the opera “Carmen” by Georges Bizet. [SR] 3:30pm Sunday, Oct. 18. Hidden Valley Music Seminars, 104 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. Free. (831) 659-3115, pacificbrassband.org. Tuesday, Oct. 20 GOURD GATHERING Succulents can grow just about anywhere. Indoors, outdoors, cold, hot, dirt…pumpkin? Yes, you can stick succulents on top of a pumpkin and they’ll do just fine. The question is, how will you design them? Gennifer Millington from Bees Knees Sustainable Home and Garden is here to guide succulent/ pumpkin designers in crafting their autumnal centerpieces. Being at a winery, of course there will be wine to sip to get the creative juices flowing. The pumpkins, succulents, moss and accents are provided; all you need to bring is imagination. [EC] 5:30-7:30pm Tuesday, Oct. 20. Folktale Winery and Vineyards, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. $80. (831) 293-7500, folktalewinery.com. RESILIENT CORALS Danny Collins’ research is all about giving coral an edge against climate No, it’s not too early to get your Halloween costume on and ask for candy—and for kids to partake in a Trunk-or-Treat event in Monterey on Oct. 17. (See details, p. 25.) CITY OF MONTEREY RECREATION DIVISION Violinist Alexi Kenney is joining the Monterey Symphony for the first time as a guest artist on Oct. 17 and 18. Originally from Palo Alto, Kenney is a talented and much soughtafter young performer. MIKE GRITTANI 26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 15-21, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com
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