Community Calendar

We offer special sunrise hours for our members and volunteers on the third Saturday of each month, as weather permits. Opening time is 7 a.m. Please bring your membership card for check-in at the front gate.

Early mornings are a wonderful time in our gardens, ideal for photography, birding, and quiet enjoyment of nature. If you would like to join us, become a member today!

Shake It Señora invites you to build community through joyful movement. Zumba workouts are offered T/Th&S begin August 5 at 8:30am at N Space Dance Studio, 170 Central Ave. Your first class is free when you mention this announcement. Learn more at ShakeItSenora.com or text Tracy at (919)995-55574.

This time of year, the Arboretum hosts both Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds, the two most common species in Northern California. “The density of hummingbirds—the number per area in the Arboretum—is ridiculously high,” says Bruce Lyon, professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCSC. “You can watch them feeding on flowers, you can watch their courtship, you can watch them chasing different species. It’s a great opportunity to see some pretty amazing hummingbird biology.”

In celebration of this special time of year, we invite you to visit the garden as much as possible! We will have presentations, workshops, and tours throughout the month. See our webpage for a schedule of activities and more information about hummingbirds and the abundance of plants at the Arboretum that attract them.
We will also feature hummingbird merchandise and hummingbird-attracting plants at our gift shop and nursery. Visit Norrie’s Gift & Garden Shop, Tuesdays thru Sundays from 10 - 4. For more information visit: https://arboretum.ucsc.edu/garden-shop/

All events are free with paid admission: Adults: $10, Seniors $8 and Youth 4-17 $5. Rain cancels outdoor activities.

Current members are always free and enjoy other great benefits year-round! Join Today at https://arboretum.ucsc.edu/get-involved/join-us/

Anna's Hummingbird photo taken by Brad Lewis (2017).

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History announces the presentation of “Tethered Light,” a sculptural exhibition by California-based artist Raphaele Cohen-Bacry, on view January 21 through April 26. The exhibition features a collection of sculptural works created from driftwood gathered along California’s rugged coastline.

Rooted in the landscapes and histories of California’s shores, Tethered Light transforms weathered, fire-marked and ocean-worn wood into expressive sculptural forms that speak to environmental change, endurance and renewal. Many of the materials used in the exhibition were collected from beaches where wildfire-scarred trees met the sea, carrying visible traces of both destruction and survival.

Bright marine ropes bind the sculptural elements together, referencing the maritime traditions of the Pacific Coast — from fishing vessels and buoys to migration routes and navigation systems that have long shaped life along the water. These luminous cords contrast with the aged wood, symbolizing the human impulse to connect, secure and preserve in an ever-changing environment.

Several pieces in the exhibition are suspended, appearing to hover and sway in space. These floating forms suggest motion, balance and the shifting relationship between land and sea — a reminder that California’s coastline remains in constant dialogue with wind, water and time.

“Tethered Light is a meditation on resilience and regeneration — sculptures shaped by the sea and bound by memory, inviting us to reflect on our deep connection to California’s coast and the shifting balance between nature, culture and change,”
— Raphaele Cohen-Bacry

Presented at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, the exhibition aligns closely with the museum’s mission to inspire discovery and stewardship of the natural world. Through sculptural storytelling, Tethered Light invites visitors to consider the fragile beauty of coastal ecosystems and the responsibility we share in protecting them.

Located on the edge of Monterey Bay, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History serves as a gateway to understanding the rich biodiversity and cultural history of California’s Central Coast. Tethered Light offers a contemplative artistic extension of that mission, blending science, environment and art into a single immersive experience.

Special Event

Virtual Artist Meet & Greet
February 22 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Join artist Raphaele Cohen-Bacry for a live virtual conversation exploring the inspirations, materials and stories behind Tethered Light. Details and registration information will be available via the museum.

Exhibition Details

Exhibition: Tethered Light
Artist: Raphaele Cohen-Bacry
Dates: January 21 – April 26
Venue: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Website / Artist Studio: Raphaele Cohen-Bacry Studio

For museum hours, admission and exhibition information, visit www.pgmuseum.org.

Our neighbor Rob discusses Shamergence, a book about his shamanic journey and the rise of the divine feminine energy. Pack a lunch!

Carmel/Monterey, CA – Monterey Symphony celebrates its 8th Annual Women’s Night Out on Saturday, March 21st, 2026, from 6:00-7:30 PM with a concert to follow at 7:30 PM and repeats the concert on Sunday, March 22nd, at 3:00 PM at Sunset Center in Carmel with Music Director Jayce Ogren.

Women’s Night Out: Escape to our 8th Annual Women's Night Out "White Lotus" inspired party at the Monterey Symphony!

Come dressed in your Maui, Sicily, or Thailand exotic resort chic attire and be transported to a vibey vacation inside Studio 105. Get lost in the tantalizing music of San Francisco based Axon Orkestra. This trip is all-inclusive: tropical cocktails (and mocktails!) from Pour Girl cocktails, light bites from Chic Charcuterique, tarot and palm readers, a photo booth, and more surprises await you. All this, plus a gorgeous Symphony concert to follow. Tickets are $35 with promo code: LOTUS Tickets include both the Symphony Concert and the Women’s Night Out Pre-Concert Party. (Limited to Tier 2 seats). This event sells out every year, so don't wait! All are welcome.

Concerts: “Our March program features star violinist Stefan Jackiw in Tchaikovsky’s delightful and virtuosic Violin Concerto. We’re thrilled that Jackiw will be making his debut with the Monterey Symphony. The concert opens with Moño by Marina López, a Monterey Symphony co-commission, and part of our 80th anniversary celebration featuring exciting new works. We’ll also play Sibelius’s Seventh Symphony, his greatest tribute to nature, humanism and spirituality," says Jayce.

Pre-Concert Lectures – Lectures are included with all concert tickets and are held on Saturday, 6:30-7:00 PM with Musicologist Christopher Anderson-Bazzoli and composer Marina López, and Sunday, 2:00-2:30 PM with Music Director and Conductor Jayce Ogren and composer Marina López, in the Sunset Center auditorium. Free and open to the public.

Saturday Night Talk Back - Immediately following the Saturday evening concert, all ticket holders are welcome to join Conductor Jayce Ogren, soloist Stefan Jackiw, and composer Marina López in the lobby for a Talk Back. Patrons will have the opportunity to ask questions about the concert in a Q&A style format and are offered a complimentary glass of wine.

Sunday Pre-concert Music - On Sundays, the Symphony offers Lobby Sessions with Live Music in the lobby from 1:45-2:00 PM & 2:30-2:45 PM. The March concert Lobby Session features Symphony principal horn Dan Nebel. Arrive early to hear our musicians up close while enjoying refreshments from the Sunset Center Café. Free and open to the public.

Tickets are $50 for Tier 3, $70 for Tier 2, and $90 for Tier 1 seats. Students, teachers, and military tickets are $12.

About the Monterey Symphony: The Monterey Symphony was founded in 1946 and presents double weekend performances during the academic calendar, opening the season at Forest Theater, followed by six more programs at the Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For each program, the Symphony orchestra is comprised of 80 professional musicians from throughout California. The Symphony is committed to bringing people together through music and using the healing power of music to transform lives. The Symphony actively engages patrons of all ages through a variety of partnerships and initiatives, including performances for thousands of local school children. The Symphony’s mission is to entertain and engage our community through musical performance and education. Monterey Symphony regularly receives national attention for the strength of its audience support, robust subscription renewals and audience retention.

Performances at Sunset Center, Carmel, San Carlos and 9th Ave.
www.montereysymphony.org

Come out for a night of fun with Controlled Chaos Improv at Stanton Center! Controlled Chaos Improv puts their own twist on traditional improvisational theatre. Quick wit and spontaneous energy are combined with truth in comedy to bring something fresh and fun to the stage! Fueled by audience suggestions, Controlled Chaos will create unpredictable and comedic scenes on the spot. So, grab your friends and join us for an evening you won't soon forget! A good time is guaranteed for all. You may pay for a whole seat, but watch as these improvisers keep you on the edge of it! 16+

General Admission: $25, VIP $35

Rhythms of Resistance showcases the full range of La Mecla’s cross-rhythmic dance and musical
repertoire, blending together Tap Dance, Son Jarocho (music and dance from Veracruz, Mexico),
and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Structured as a concert rather than a full-length production, the
performance highlights excerpts from La Mezcla’s acclaimed works Ghostly Labor and Pachuquismo, while offering cultural context and interactive rhythmic activities that engage audience members. The evening will also include a screening of Convivencia, an original film by La Mezcla directed by José Leaños.

Through vibrant choreography, live music, and community engagement, Rhythms of Resistance
offers audiences an unforgettable experience that celebrates cultural resilience, artistic
innovation, and the power of rhythm as a force for storytelling and social change.

Dancing at Lughnasa
By Brian Friel
Directed by Kurt Schweickhardt
Studio Theatre
March 12-22
Thursday through Saturday at 7pm
Sunday at 2pm

Brian Friel’s Tony and Olivier Award-winning play is a haunting and celebratory portrait of five unmarried sisters eking out their lives in a small Irish village in 1936.

This show runs 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.
Due to the intimate nature of the theater, there is no late seating. Please plan on arriving 15 minutes prior to the show to ensure you are seated in time.

Location
The Studio Theatre is located in the MPC Theatre Building on the MPC campus at 980 Fremont Street. You can find the building along Fishnet Road near parking lot B or by following the google maps link

Parking
Plentiful parking is available in Lot B. Parking is free for Spring 2026 performances.

Seating
All seats are general admission. It is recommended to arrive early, especially if you are coming in a group, as it is an intimate house.

ADA
The theater has ADA compliant seating. After purchasing your ticket, please contact the box office (mpcboxoffice@mpc.edu) if you need an ADA seat and it will be reserved for you.

Box Office Contact:
Shannon Dillon
sdillon@mpc.edu

DANCING AT LUGHNASA is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC,
servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)

Hidden Valley Virtuosi present "Happy Feet" a chamber music concert featuring works by Brahms, Rachmaninoff, Sibelius and Macy

Saturday March 21, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, violin. Hidden Valley Virtuosi artistic leader and violinist, Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, has been praised as “simply marvelous” and “astonishingly capturing the spirit of the music.” With an infectious charm and blistering dedication towards chamber music, Cindy is a beloved performer, artistic director, and educator throughout America, Europe, and Asia.

Tanya Tomkins, cello. Cellist Tanya Tomkins, Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Valley of the Moon Music Festival, is equally at home on historical and modern instruments. A dedicated chamber musician, she has appeared across the United States, Canada, and Europe

Ines Irawati, piano. Indonesian-born pianist, Ines Irawati is in demand as a solo recitalist, a chamber musician, and a vocal coach currently based out of San Diego. She is a member of the Aviara Trio, a piano trio described as the “highest level of instrumental perfection, intensity, passion and expression.”

Program:
Jean Sibelius: Mazurka from 5 Pieces for Violin and Piano Op. 81
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Two pieces for Cello and Piano Op. 2
Carleton Macy: Colors for Piano Trio (Premiere)
-Intermission-
Johannes Brahms: Piano Trio in C Major, Op. 87