Community Calendar

An Evening of Food, Music, and Community Spirit Honoring Small Business Successes

Watsonville, CA – October 17, 2024 – El Pájaro Community Development Corporation (El Pájaro CDC) is thrilled to announce the celebration of its 45th anniversary with a festive Tacos & Tapas Fundraising Party, presented by Wells Fargo. The event will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the El Pájaro CDC Kitchen Incubator, located at 412 E. Riverside Drive, Watsonville, CA.

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the incredible impact of El Pájaro CDC over the past four and a half decades. This vibrant event will showcase the best in local food and drink, featuring over 20 food entrepreneurs who have launched their businesses through El Pájaro CDC’s Commercial Kitchen Incubator Program.

Guests will enjoy an exclusive selection of tacos and tapas, each crafted by talented local food producers, alongside brews, wines, and ciders from local breweries and wineries. Dance to the lively sounds of Flor de Caña, whose energetic beats will keep the atmosphere buzzing all evening long.

“We are excited to celebrate this important milestone with our community,” said a representative of El Pájaro CDC. “This event is a testament to the strength of our local businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit that has driven El Pájaro CDC’s mission for 45 years. We look forward to reflecting on our journey and envisioning a future full of opportunities for many.”

Event Highlights:

Tacos and Tapas: Sample an exclusive variety of savory bites from over 20 local businesses.
Beverages: Enjoy locally crafted beers, wines, and ciders.
Live Music: Dance the night away to the vibrant sounds of Flor de Caña.
Community Impact: Learn about El Pájaro CDC’s 45 years of supporting local entrepreneurs and fostering small business growth.
This event goes beyond a night of great food and entertainment – it is an opportunity to support El Pájaro CDC’s mission of providing resources and training to help small businesses thrive. Since its founding in 1979, El Pájaro CDC has played a crucial role in nurturing the local economy by empowering entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.

Ticket Information:

Price: $75 per person
Includes: Admission plus five food and/or drink tickets (additional tickets available for purchase at the event)
Purchase Tickets: Available through https://tinyurl.com/tacosandtapas
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, please contact marketing@elpajarocdc.org.
About El Pájaro CDC: Founded in 1979, El Pájaro Community Development Corporation supports economic development and entrepreneurship through training, technical assistance, and access to resources. Their Kitchen Incubator program has launched numerous successful food businesses, contributing to the economic and cultural vibrancy of the region.

Join us in celebrating 45 years of impact and community empowerment. Your support will help ensure that El Pájaro CDC continues to provide essential services to the next generation of local business owners.

Calendar Listing

El Pájaro CDC's Tacos & Tapas Fundraising Party

Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: El Pájaro CDC Kitchen Incubator, 412 E. Riverside Dr., Watsonville, CA 95076
Details: Celebrate El Pájaro CDC's 45th anniversary with an evening of tacos, tapas, local brews, wines, and live music by Flor de Caña. Tickets are $75 and include five food and drink tickets.
Contact: For sponsorship or ticket information, email marketing@elpajarocdc.org
Website: https://tinyurl.com/tacosandtapas
Enjoy a night of delicious food, lively music, and support for local entrepreneurs!

Discover the music and lives of unknown Baroque women composers through a series of cocktail-style music history classes. Featuring Guest Speakers, Immersive Experiences, Pairings, and Salon-Style Performances, so you can rewrite your your experience with music herstory while having a good time.

NIGHT TWO: Where Are Our Creative Social Circles?

Featured Composers: Barbara Strozzi and Leonara Duarte

Where do creative people gather? What local social creative experiences are unknown here in Monterey? Join us for the second night of the Baroque & Unknown series on Thursday, October 17th, where Musicologist, Charissa Noble, will help us explore the fascinating question: What happens when we decentralize the composer and recognize the inherently social nature of music?

The evening will take you into the world of a Courtesan and a Converso as we explore the lives and works of Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677) and Leonora Duarte (1610-ca. 1678). Strozzi, a Venetian composer who studied under Cavalli, and Duarte, a composer from a Jewish Portuguese family in Antwerp, will be spotlighted in this immersive event. Women of The Creative Voice and Wendi Kirby Music, along with other Surprise Guests will highlight a brief program of Strozzi’s Cantatas, as we engage in a salon-style conversation on social creativity. Food and beverage tastings provided and seating is limited.

Date: Thursday, October 17th, 2024
Location: Wendi Kirby Music, 550 Hartnell Street
Time: 6:30PM - 8:30PM
Guest Speaker: Charissa Noble
Featured Artists: Women of The Creative Voice & Wendi Kirby Music + Surprise Guests!
Pairings By: Chic Charcuterique and Uncle Nearest and more!

Save the Date! Don’t miss the First Annual Firefighters Charity Ball with a special Firehouse Cooking Competition Awards.

At a Glance:

What: First Annual Firefighters Charity Ball with special Firehouse Cooking Competition Awards

Benefiting the Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation

Event Chair: Tene Shake

Where: Monterey Marriott Hotel, 350 Calle Principal, Monterey, CA

When: Saturday, October 19, 2024

5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Semi-formal attire

For Sponsorships and Donations, please contact Sarah Ward at sarah@sarahwardevents.com or call (831) 641-9067.

Tickets: $225.00 per person if purchased before September 19, 2024.

After September 20, 2024, tickets are $250.00.

Info: Learn more and purchase tickets at:  Montereyfirefighterscommunity.betterworld.org

Event Contact:  Tene Shake - phone: 831-224-4874 or email: teneshake.realty@gmail.com

About the Event

According to Tene Shake, Event Chair, “Monterey's firefighters are the epitome of heroism and selflessness, embodying unwavering dedication in protecting our community, which is why we're hosting this charity ball to honor their bravery and support their very important cause and work that benefits us all.”

About Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation

Since 2014, the Monterey Firefighters Association, serving as the official collective bargaining and labor representation for the dedicated men and women of the Monterey Fire Department, has tirelessly organized fundraisers and community events. Recognizing the growing importance of our non-profit endeavors, in late 2020, they proudly established the Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation—a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation was created for the benefit of our community, and they greatly encourage the participation of our community. Their mission is to protect and strengthen our community through continued stewardship, education and outreach.

Comprising of 78 members, including Captains, Engineers, and Firefighters from the Monterey Fire Department, their foundation is a beacon of compassion and service. Their mission extends beyond traditional roles, as they strive to educate, engage, and empower the community in fire prevention and safety. They serve the residents and visitors of the City of Monterey, City of Pacific Grove, Carmel by the Sea, Monterey Airport, City of Sand City, and the Naval Post Graduate School.

Through impactful activities such as fundraising, organizing community events, distributing emergency relief funds, and providing accurate and up-to-date fire information and resources, the Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation members are woven into the fabric of our beloved community. This is not just an organization; it's a collective of passionate individuals committed to the well-being of our neighbors.

For more information, go to http://www.montereyfirefighterfoundation.org/

Our biggest community event hosted the last Friday of each month at Skypark.  Food Truck Fridays features a beer and wine garden 100% benefiting SVEF, live music, face painting by Brenda, a great variety of food trucks and desserts! 
Something for everyone, come out and play! 
Food Truck Line-up and bands shared here: https://fb.me/e/1ZxUcX7NS

Our biggest community event hosted the last Friday of each month at Skypark.  Food Truck Fridays features a beer and wine garden 100% benefiting SVEF, live music, face painting by Brenda, a great variety of food trucks and desserts! 
Something for everyone, come out and play! 
Food Truck Line-up and bands shared here: https://www.foodtrucksagogo.com/upcoming-events

Join us for our annual Oktoberfest Fundraiser!

This festive evening promises delicious food, live music, and a chance to support your local symphonic choir.

Delicious German Cuisine: Indulge in traditional dishes, featuring our favorite grandmothers’ recipes, including bratwurst, cabbage salad, and Swabian potato salad. Don’t forget to raise a glass with our selection of German beers! Prost!

Live Music & Dancing: Dress up in your dirndl or lederhosen and dance the night away to lively German polka performed by some of our favorite musical friends. Start practicing your yodel!

Support a Great Cause: All ticket sales and proceeds of our auction will go towards funding I Cantori di Carmel’s symphonic choir, ensuring that we can continue to share the joy of music with our community.

Don’t miss out on the best party on the Peninsula while supporting a gret cause! Grab your friends and get your tickets today! Join us for an unforgettable night of food, fun, and music. Prosit!

NIGHT THREE: Where Are Our Local Composers?

Featured Composers: Sor Juana Inez De La Cruz, Isabella Leonarda, Lady Mary Dering, and Stephanie Valadez
How did Baroque music vary by region? Where are our local composers now? Come celebrate Dia De Los Muertos and third night of the Baroque & Unknown series, as we travel from Italy to England to Mexico to Monterey, highlighting Isabella Leonarda (1620-1704), Lady Mary Dering (1629-1704), Sor La Juana Inez De La Cruz (1651-1695), and local living composer, Stephanie Valadez. Stephanie Valadez, Executive Director of Xicameri Productions, will also be our featured Guest Speaker, sharing insights into both Sor Juan’s life and compositions while finding ties to the Central Coast. We’ll highlight the sole-surviving works of two featured composers and feature a new work from Stephanie’s ensemble, Mecate. This is going to be a one-night only experience. Paired food and beverage tastings available and seating is limited.

Date: Friday, November 1, 2024
Location: Wendi Kirby Music, 550 Hartnell Street
Time: 6:30PM - 8:30PM
Guest Speaker: Stephanie Valadez
Featured Artists: Stephanie Valadez & The Mecate Ensemble
Pairings By: Uncle Nearest, Chic Charcuterique, and More!

Heinrich Brooksher Hosts an evening fundraiser in support of veterans' transition Center of California.

NIGHT FOUR: From Baroque to Now

Featured Composers: Elisabeth Claude Jacquet de la Guerre, Belle Von Zuyllen, and all prior featured composers in series.

President & CEO of the Monterey County Symphony, Nicola Reilly, joins us as the featured Guest Speaker for the fourth and final night of Baroque & Unknown series, with Special Guest Composer (TBA). Together the two will chat about their own musical heritage and what it means to move forward as a music organization post-2020. Select members of the Monterey County Symphony will present a brief program of Instrumental works highlighting composers in the series, while the event will welcome you into the world of Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre and Belle von Zuyllen. Paired food and beverage tastings supplied by local small businesses and seating is especially limited for the series finale.

Date: Thursday, November 14th, 2024
Location: Wendi Kirby Music, 550 Hartnell Street
Time: 6:30PM -8:30PM
Guest Speaker: Nicola Shangrow Reilly, President & CEO, Monterey County Symphony
Artists: Select members of Monterey County Symphony
Pairings By: Uncle Nearest, Chic Charcuterique & More!