January 1: Rio Resolution Run, Rio Grill Restaurant Crossroads Shopping Village Rio Rd., Carmel - (831) 624-9492 Cross country run/walk on scenic trails. Benefits Suicide Prevention.

January 1-28: "Buddy"- The Buddy Holly Story by PacRep Golden Bough Theater, Carmel - (831) 622-0100. Time 7:30 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. on Sundays.

January 1: 17th Annual Rio Resolution Run, Carmel - (831) 645-4777. This 6.8 mile foot race and 3-mile family fun run is set on a breathtaking, cross country course of trails, beach and roads, in and around Carmel-By-The-Sea. Benefits local nonprofit agencies.

January 4-February 6: Carmel Art Association January Show, Carmel Art Association Dolores Street between 5th & 6th Carmel Tel: (831) 624-6176 www.carmelart.org The Carmel Art Association presents two all-member shows: The "Wall of Opportunity" will be featured in the Segal Room (artists will offer the work displayed on this wall at reduced prices) and "Figures", figurative paintings and drawings from portraits to nude studies in a variety of media and styles in the gallery's Entry Room. Time: 10 am - 5 pm.

January 5: Tokyo String Quartet, Sunset Center Theater, Carmel - (831) 625-2212. This Grammy Award-winning quartet has been regarded as one of the supreme chamber ensembles in the world for more than 30 years.

January 10: The Torme Sings Torme, Sunset Cultural Center San Carlos between 8th & 10th Carmel. Time: 8 pm.

January 11-15: Monterey Swingfest 2007, Monterey - (805) 937-1574. Social Dance Galore. Jack & Jill Contests. 3 Pro-Am Contests and open dancing until 5am. Fee: $109 Per person if received by Dec. 28, 2006. $125 Per Person at the door. Presented by Central Coast Swing Dance.

January 12: This...Is...Now!!! Performance Salon, Monterey, MPC. A community-oriented arts exhibition where artists in the Monterey Bay area can perform their music, poetry, drama and dance and share their artwork. The exhibitions occur monthly on select Fridays at MPC (Monterey Peninsula College) dance studio.

January 13-27: 9th Annual Wine & Food Festival, Salinas - (831) 775-4721. Enjoy 2 weeks of wine tastings, wine-pairing sessions, and wine auctions, plus gourmet dinners and much more, including a gala finale at the National Steinbeck Center featuring gourmet food sampling from over 20 local restaurants and wine tasting from more than 35 Monterey County wineries, silent auction, reverse draw and more. Attire is Dressy Casual. Prices and venues vary. Call or visit the website for details.

January 16: The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, Sunset Cultural Center San Carlos between 8th & 10th Carmel Tel: (831) 620-2048. Time: 8 pm.

January 19-21: "Mastering Cooking Techniques" 3-Part Series, Hands-On Classes, Cannery Row, Monterey - (831) 333-2133. The Culinary Center of Monterey is offering this 3-part series focused on cooking techniques ranging from the most basic to the more difficult. Students may take one or all three classes. Each participant will receive a certificate of completion at the end of this series. Minimum 2-day advanced notice. Fee: $110 per class, or $330 for the series.

January 20-22: Gray Whale Celebration, Monterey - (831) 901-0013. Many species of cetaceans - including the trio of "great whales," the gray, the blue and the humpback - make their way through the ocean currents not far from Monterey Bay. This new educational festival all about gray whales, held on Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf, will be packed with information and fun.

January 20-22: Monterey Symphony presents Concert Three - From Russia With Love, Sunset Center San Carlos & 9th Carmel - (800) 698-1138/(831) 624-8511. Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev captured the spirit of Russia in the 19th and 20th centuries respectively. Four acclaimed dancers from the American Ballet Theater in New York City will join the orchestra for the pas de deuxs from The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

January 20-22: Monterey Symphony Concert III: Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Carmel - (831) 624-8511 Tchaikovsky: Waltz of the Flowers, The Nutcracker. Act II, Pas de Deux, The Nutcracker. White Swan, Pas de Deux, Swan Lake. Black Swan, Pas de Deux, Swan Lake. Dancers from the American Ballet Theater.Prokofiev: Symphony No.5.

January 28-May 7: In Celebration of Light, Monterey - (831) 372-5477. New exhibit at the Monterey Museum of Art features 125 photographs, vintage and modern, from the collection of Cherye R and James F Pierce. Images by Robert Mapplethorpe, Diane Arbus, Imogen Cunningham, Andre Kertesz, Alfred Stieglitz, Ansel Adams, among many others.

January 27: 18th Annual Great Taste of Pacific Grove, Pacific Grove - (831) 649-3200. Sample food and wine presented by the area's finest restaurants and wineries at this gala evening event to benefit Pacific Grove schools.

January TBA: Chamber Music in Colton Hall, Monterey - (831) 646-3991. Classical music is a perfect fit with the restrained colonial architecture of Colton Hall. Reservations required as space in this historic venue is limited.

January TBA: Kickstart Your Creativity, Monterey - (831) 236-0473. Anyone who writes anything more creative than a grocery list can "refill the well" with this full-day workshop that juices the imagination in a Monterey Bay-side setting. Bring paper, pen or laptop and be ready to write!

February 2-28: Golden Gathering Retrospective, Carmel - (831) 624-6176, ext 12. Artists active in the Carmel Art Association since the 1950s will be honored in a special retrospective exhibition at the CAA gallery; they include Don Bloom, Virginia Conroy, Gene Elmore, Beth Garcia, Ellwood Graham, Sam Harris, Mary Landsdowne, John LaPierre, Rip Matteson, Emile Norman, Rollin Pickford, James Vance, Gerald Wasserman and the late Eldon Dedini.

February 3: Art Start Art Walks, Salinas - (831) 758-9126. Explore the galleries and informal exhibit spaces of Oldtown Salinas - complete with live music and light snacks - during this free monthly open house. Held 5-8pm the first Friday of every month.

February 3: Carmel Music Society presents "Arnaldo Cohen, Piano", Sunset Cultural Center San Carlos and 9th Carmel Tel: (831) 625-9938. Arnaldo Cohen returns by popular demand.

February 3 - March 5: The Odd Couple, Salinas - (831) 675-0521. Neil Simon's hilarious play about the consequences of pairing the polar opposites of Mr Neat and The Ultimate Slob is given a rousing treatment by Paper Wing Theatre Company at the old FOX Theater.

February 3-5: Non-Fiction Writing Workshop, Big Sur - (831) 667-2574. The Henry Miller Library hosts a weekend-long workshop for non-fiction writers that puts them face-to-face with editors, agents, and other writers who can help, inspire, and facilitate the progress of your book.

February 4: Quilt Day, Salinas - (831) 775-4721. As part of its special exhibition on quilts and quilt-makers of the Great Depression, the National Steinbeck Center presents Merikay Waldvogel, an authority on Depression-era quilt. After her lecture and slide program, attendees are welcome to display quilts from their family collections.

February 4: Eric Burdon and the Animals, Carmel - (831) 620-2048. Restless, phenomenal, distinctive: these are the voices of Eric Burdon, one of the most enduring rock musicians of the British Invasion of the 1960s. Catch him with The Animals at Sunset Center.

February 5: Super Fun SuperBowl Party, Monterey County Fairgrounds - (831) 372-5863. If your family is visiting Monterey on SuperBowl Sunday and don't want to miss any of the action, just make an end run to the 50 big-screen televisions at the Monterey County Fairgrounds and their huge SuperBowl party, starting at 3pm.

February 5: Knuckles SuperBowl Party, Monterey - (831) 372-1234. Prefer a sports-bar atmosphere for your Superbowl celebrations? Try Knuckles Historical Sports Bar at the Monterey Hyatt Regency, with two 10'x10' screens, an all-day buffet, drink specials, and pre-game festivities.

February 5-11: AT & T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Pebble Beach - (800) 541-9091. The AT & T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is a 72-hole PGA Tour golf championship with 180 top tour professionals and 180 star-studded celebrity amateurs competing head-to-head at this year's event. The 2005 champion, Phil Mickelson, returns this year, as do Mark O'Meara, Vijay Singh, and Davis Love III. Celebrities range from crowd-pleaser Bill Murray to Justin Timberlake and Donald Trump.

February 7: Chamber Music Series, Carmel - (831) 626-9938. The Carmel Music Society presents Corey Cerovsek, the brilliant Canadian violinist, accompanied by Julien Quentin on piano.

February 7: Robert Pinsky Poetry Reading, Carmel - (831) 626-9938. Robert Pinsky, three-time Poet Laureate of the United States, reads from his collected works at a special one-night appearance on the Morgan Stock Stage of Monterey Peninsula College.

February 9: Mendelssohn String Quartet with Baritone Stanford Sylvan, Sunset Center San Carlos between 8th & 10th Carmel Tel: (831) 625-2212. Chamber Music Monterey Bay presents Mendelssohn String Quartet with Baritone Stanford Sylvan. Ticket Prices: $27-$41, Students: $15 Kids are free. Time: 8 pm.

February 10: Carmel Gallery Crawl, Carmel - (831) 624-6176. Take an evening stroll to discover 24 "off-the-beaten-path" art galleries in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Start at the Center for Photographic Art at Sunset Center, then grab a map and go exploring. Free.

February 10-28: Treasure Island, Monterey - (831) 646-4213. Not far from the rocky coves that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's settings for his blockbuster novel, the SRO/Studio Theatre presents a dramatization that should enthrall all ages.

February 11: A Day of Romance in Old Monterey, Monterey - (831) 647-6204. "Living History" presentations at Larkin House, Cooper-Molera Adobe, Diaz Adobe and the Sherman Quarters. Featuring romantic stories presented by historic characters from 19th-century Monterey. Food, music and period dancers.

February 11: John Cleese in "Seven Ways to Skin an Ocelot", Carmel - (831) 620-2048. John Cleese, comedic genius of Monty Python, Fawlty Towers and cinematic fame, brings a new live show to Sunset Center, which "pushes the envelope of acceptable behavior in new and disgusting ways." Or so he says...

February 12: 20th Annual Together with Love Run and Walk, Pacific Grove - (831) 373-3389. This 10k run/5k walk on a mostly flat, looped course along Alsilomar State Beach and Monterey Bay is the 10th largest race in California; it's open to competitive and noncompetitive runners plus wheelchair racers.

February 14: Little Feat, Carmel - (831) 620-2048. The fusion of sunny California rock and Dixie-inflected funky good-time music made Little Feat one of the greatest, but perhaps least famous, rock'n'roll bands in America. At Carmel's Sunset Center.

February 16-19: 20th Annual Masters of Food and Wine, Carmel - 800-401-1009. The world's leading international summit of the best food and wines. Rare wine tasting and food prepared by the best chefs in the world, including Roy Yamaguchi of Roy's and Charlie Trotter, plus cooking demonstrations, great meals and more.

February 17-19: Wine Passport Weekend, Countywide - (831) 375-9400. Explore the wineries of Monterey County equipped with a 'passport' that entitles you to tastings, special offers and great prizes. The Monterey Wine Auction & Gala on the 18th benefits local charitable organizations.

February 18: Forbidden Broadway, Carmel - (831) 620-2048. Sunset Center's dignified rafters are sure to be raised by the hilariously outrageous, wickedly clever, national tour of "Forbidden Broadway," presenting 31 Broadway shows in 97 breathless minutes.

February 18-19: Native American Crafts Show, Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey - (650) 856-6622. The Monterey Room at the Fairgrounds is the setting for this weekend exhibit of Native American arts and crafts.

February 18-20: Monterey Symphony, Salinas (2/18), Carmel (2/19-20) - (831) 624-8511. Christophe Campestrini, returning guest conductor, leads the orchestra in Glinka's Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, Mozart's Symphony No. 34 in C major, and the Kaiser-Walzer by Strauss.

February 22: Ailey II, Carmel - (831) 620-2048. The youthful performers in Ailey II, the 'second company' of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, combine sterling technique with spirited energy in this one-night performance at Sunset Center.

February 22: 2nd Annual International Flavors of Marina - Food, Wine & Beer Tasting, Marina - (831) 883-1207. Taste fresh creations from local restaurants and Monterey County wineries and breweries, and enjoy live entertainment and silent and live auctions from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The Marina Hospitality Association, Marina Chamber of Commerce and city of Marina sponsor this annual event, held at the UC MBEST Center.

February 23: Amgen Tour of California, Countywide The world's top professional cycling teams compete for the highest prize purse in North America. Stage 4 of the eight-day, 700-mile race throughout California begins at 10am from Cannery Row and travels south along scenic Highway 1 through Big Sur.

February 24-25: Common Ground, Marina - (831) 384-1050. A dance/media project exploring the complex issues in California agriculture past, present, and future. SpectorDance and Alisal Center for the Fine Arts will join together to present Common Ground in a "fiesta-like" atmosphere with Mexican folkloric dancers, mariachi music and Mexican food.

February 24-26: East of Eden Cat Show, Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey - (831) 372-7018. Just in time for John Steinbeck's birthday: the East of Eden Cat Club holds its annual show of fabulous felines, at Monterey County Fairgrounds.

February 25-26: Shark Days, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey - (831) 648-4888. Ever dreamed you could get up-close-and-personal with a shark? This weekend event at the Monterey Bay Aquarium offers the perfect opportunity, with special auditorium programs and shark-feeding shows.

February 26: ODC San Francisco, Seaside/CSUMB - (831) 582-4580. One of the Bay Area's most dynamic companies. Under the direction of founder and choreographer Brenda Way, the company consistently brings audiences to their feet with its virtuoso technique, athleticism and deeply moving choreography.

February 26: Steinbeck's Birthday Celebrations, Salinas - (831) 775-4721. The National Steinbeck Center celebrates the life and works of native son and Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Steinbeck. Events include a poetry workshop, a book-signing with Dr. Susan Shillinglaw, and a book sale to support the Salinas library system.

February TBA: Chamber Music in Colton Hall, Monterey - (831) 646-5640. Enjoy an evening of chamber music at Colton Hall, setting of California's Constitutional Convention. Reservations required as space in this historic venue is limited.

February TBA: Art on the Plaza, Monterey - Tel: (831) 625-0931. Fine contemporary arts and crafts, including raku, glass, wood, garden accessories and 'wearable art,' fill Monterey's Custom House Plaza (10am-5pm), sponsored by the Carmel Art Guild.

March 1: The Russian-American Children's Circus, Sunset Center San Carlos & 9th, Carmel - (831) 620-2040. An exhilarating performance brings a unity and synthesis of circus arts, theater, dance, music and comedy.

March 2: Chamber Music Series, Carmel: (831) 626-9938. The Salzburg Chamber Soloists, official representatives of the Austrian city of Salzburg, offer a special program celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth, presented by the Carmel Music Society.

March 2- 4: Dixieland Monterey Presents The Jazz Bash By the Bay, Monterey - (888) 349-6879. Discover a world of jazz on the waterfront at the 27th annual celebration of American classic jazz at the Portola Plaza, Fisherman's Wharf and the historic State Theater.

March 3-5: Dixieland Monterey, Monterey - (888) 349-6879. Three days of Dixieland, swing, and other forms of classic jazz at venues in downtown Monterey and along Fisherman's Wharf. Featuring top national jazz bands, local youth bands and more.

March 3-19: The American Musical, Monterey - (831) 646-4213. Jerry DeBono's broad survey of the American theater's tuneful native art form is brought to the Morgan Stock Stage at MPC.

March 4: National Marine Sanctuary Annual Symposium, CSUMB/Seaside - (831) 647-4255. Special, free, annual symposium features speakers from MBARI, Moss Landing Research Station, and more, presenting case studies and community reports. This year's theme is "Marine Protected Areas: New Strategies for Healthy Oceans."

March 4: Melissa Manchester in Concert, Carmel - (831) 620-2048. Singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester, known especially for her tender duets with Kenny Loggins and Peabo Bryson, brings her solo tour to Carmel's Sunset Center.

March 5: Oscar Night Gala at Quail Lodge, Carmel Valley - (831) 646-0910. A glamorous evening celebrating the Academy Awards. Dinner plus big screen telecast.

March 7: Carmel Music Society presents "Janaki String Trio", Sunset Cultural Center San Carlos and 9th Carmel - (831) 625-9938. One of today's fastest rising young ensembles.

March 9: Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, Seaside/CSUMB - (831) 582-4580. Dressed in ornate costumes of flowing, colorful fabrics and silver jewelry, the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble uses an exacting and elaborate vocabulary of movement to tell stories based on ancient myths, folk tales and love ballads.

March 9 - April 15: The Full Monty, Carmel - (831) 622-0100. Pacific Repertory opens its 100th season with a hilarious and tuneful live stage version of Britain's sleeper comedy film that smashed records and became the most profitable British film ever. At the Golden Bough Playhouse.

March 10: Concertante, Carmel - Tel: (831) 620-2048. Cnamber Music Monterey Bay presents an evening of masterworks performed by pianist Adam Neiman and an ensemble of gifted young artists.

March 10-12: A1 Grand Prix, Monterey - (800) 327-SECA. A brand-new open-wheel event comes to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in March, with the A1 Grand Prix, a 12-race series designed to bring together 25 national teams in exciting competition.

March 10-12: Fiction for Adults Workshop, Big Sur - (831) 667-2574. The Henry Miller Library presents its second winter workshop for writers, focusing on fiction. Speakers include agents, editors, educators, and writers such as Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of Pay It Forward.

March 11: Songs of Sinatra with Steve Tyrell, Carmel - (831) 620-2048. Back at Sunset Center by popular demand, Steve Tyrell, a long-time producer of hit records, steps into the spotlight with an evening of favorite Sinatra standards.

March 16: Eartha Kitt in Concert, Carmel - Tel: (925) 275-9255. Shrugging off lesser singers as mere cubs, the lioness personality of Eartha Kitt has wowed audiences in smokey jazz joints and concert halls, movie theaters and home television screens for decades. Catch her sensational live performance as the Monterey Jazz Festival opens its spring concert series at Sunset Center.

March 11-May 28: "My California" Art Exhibit. National Steinbeck Center, Salinas - (831) 775-4721. Artists explore their own California dream and what California means to them in this special juried exhibition. Opening reception March 10, 5:30pm.

March 16: Mozart Society of California Presents Timoth Fain & Rina Dokshinsky, All Saints Episcopal Church Dolores Street & 9th Street Carmel. The Mozart Society of California presents Timothy Fail, violin, and Rina Dokshinsky, piano. Time: 8 pm.

March 17: Ain't Misbehavin': Carmel - (831) 620-2048. Journey to the Cotton Club and Harlem in its heyday via the songbook of Fats Waller. Vivian Jett from the original Broadway production leads the cast, including Martine Allard, Tony Award nominee for "Tap Dance Kid."

March 17: Jon Nakamatsu, Piano, Special Benefit Performance. Sunset Center San Carlos between 8th & 10th Carmel - (831) 625-2212. Chamber Music Monterey Bay Presents Jon Nakamatsu, Piano, Special Benefit Performance. Ticket Prices: $27-$41, Students: $15 Kids are free. Time: 8 pm.

March 17-19: Monterey Symphony presents Concert Five - Spring to Life. Sunset Center San Carlos & 9th Carmel - (800) 698-1138/(831) 624-8511.

March 18: 49th Annual Cuttings Day, Monterey - (831) 646-3860. Plant a little bit of Monterey in your own garden: gardening buffs are invited to exchange softwood cutting materials, seedling plants, bulbs, potted plants, etc. The Parks Division will have free seedling trees available for the public. Participants are encouraged to bring cuttings and plants for the exchange.

March 18-20: Monterey Symphony, Salinas (3/18), Carmel (3/19-20) - (831) 624-8511. Music Director Max Bragado Darman leads the orchestra in an all-Mozart program, including the Overture to Idomeneo, two symphonies (No. 29 in A major and No. 39 in E flat major), and songs with Tatiana Monogarova, soprano soloist.

March 21-April 22: Fully Committed, Carmel - (831) 622-0100. If you've ever had a hard time getting a table at the hottest restaurant in New York or LA, you'll recognize the harried star of Becky Mode's sparkling comedy: the man who faces the red-hot reservation line every day. At PacRep's Circle Theater.

March 25: Chamber Music Series, Carmel - (831) 626-9938. The Carmel Music Society presents pianist Olga Kern, co-Gold Medal winner at the 2001 Van Cliburn competition (and the first woman to have achieved the honor in 30 years).

March 29: The Flying Karamazov Brothers, Carmel - (831) 620-2048. The FKB present "Life - A Guide for the Perplexed," their newest romp through the stages of life while juggling an assortment of objects, jokes, and songs.

March 29 - April 2: Pebble Beach Spring Horse Show, Pebble Beach - (831) 624-2756. Level A horse show featuring hunter jumping and other classes; the Stirrup Cup Horse Show takes place on the 1st and 2nd of April.

March 30 - April 1: Monterey Wine Festival, Monterey - (888) 814-WINE. Enjoy the finest wines from California and beyond at the 30th annual festival. Tastings, educational seminars, and cooking demonstrations at sites in Monterey.

March 31: Robin and Linda Williams, Carmel - (831) 620-2048. Perhaps you've heard their sweet harmonies on A Prairie Home Companion or The Grand Ole Opry: now you can hear one of America's best folk-meets-bluegrass duos in person at the Sunset Center, Carmel.

March TBA: Colton Hall 157th Birthday, Monterey - (831) 646-5648. Birthday celebration of one of Monterey's most historic buildings. Free and open to the public, 2-4pm.

April-September: Historic Garden Tours, Monterey - (831) 649-3364. The Historic Garden League leads 90-minute guided walks of several Old Monterey gardens Thursdays and Fridays (meet at 10:30am at Casa del Ora garden, Pacific and Scott Streets). Reservations required; groups can be accommodated with advance notice on other days as well.

April 1: April Fools Concert, Carmel (831) 333-1283. Brace yourself for a fit of giggles at Ensemble Monterey's spring concert. Pieces they'll admit to include Bach's Coffee Cantata, Barney Oldfield's Race for Life from film-maker Mack Sennett's comedy, and the world premiere of Stephen Tosh's Concerto Grosso for Cell Phones, Pagers, Breath Mints & GameBoys.

April 2: Intricacies of Taste, Carmel Valley (831) 624-2600. Enlighten your tastebuds with this afternoon class in wine-pairing, including cheese and chocolate, held at Chateau Julien.

April 2, 22: Birding Excursions, Moss Landing (831) 633-5555. Tour Elkhorn Slough by nearly-silent pontoon boat, guided by expert naturalists, to observe spring migratory and nesting birds.

April 5-9: Pebble Beach Spring Too Show, Pebble Beach (831) 624-2756. Level A horse show featuring hunter jumping and other classes; the Stirrup Cup Horse Show takes place on April 8-9.

April 6: Don McLean in Concert, Carmel (831) 620-2048. His gentle, country-tinged voice is instantly recognizable from platinum-selling hits like "Vincent (Starry, Starry Nights)" and rock's greatest story-song, "American Pie." Don McLean, inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2004, appears in concert at the Sunset Center.

April 6-9: Sea Otter Classic Cycling Festival, Laguna Seca, Monterey. Called the Bikestock of North America, this massive cycling event features fun rides, road racing, mountain bike racing, BMX, kids' events, and a consumer tradeshow that highlights the latest in cycling hardware, clothing and goods. Racers range from first timers to Olympic champions. All kids' events are free. Camping is available.

April 7: Performance Carmel Presents the Theater of Illusion, Sunset Cultural Center San Carlos between 8th & 10th Carmel. Time: 8 pm.

April 7: Breakfast with the Bunny, Devendorf Park Carmel - (831) 646-4535. Hosted by the Carmel Host Lions Club. This is not an Easter egg hunt.

April 7: Paul Taylor Dance Company, Seaside/CSUMB (831) 582-4580. A dominant force in modern dance for over five decades, Taylor's imaginative choreography, rare sense of beauty and superb musicality - not to mention the brilliance of his dancers - are beyond

April 7: John Pizzarelli Trio, Carmel - (925) 275-9255. The Monterey Jazz Festival presents one of the masters of the American songbook in its spring concert series. Pizzarelli's warm, husky voice evokes Nat King Cole, while his guitar artistry matches the great Les Paul.

April 7-9: Bouquets to Monterey, Monterey (831) 372-2608. Twenty works of art and artifacts from the Maritime Museum of Monterey will challenge and inspire florists and designers to create floral arrangements that are equally beautiful or intriguing. Lectures about the artifacts and the creative process complement the event.

April 7-23: The Reluctant Dragon, Monterey (831) 646-4213. The SRO/Studio Theatre presents Mary Hall Surface's adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's beloved story of a dragon who prefers poetry and tea parties to fire-breathing, and the boy who befriends him.

April 8: Brunch with the Bunny, Monterey (831) 646-5665. Tots through 10-year-olds are invited to brunch with the Easter Bunny, with story-telling, crafts and a grand finale egg hunt.

April 8-9: 49th Annual Good Old Days Celebration, Pacific Grove (831) 373-3304. Celebrate a bygone era with a parade, a Victorian fashion show, numerous contests, street dance, and the California Police Motorcycle Competition. It's one of the county's largest arts and crafts shows, with more than 225 arts and food vendors.

April 8, 30: Sea Otter Focus Tours, Moss Landing (831) 633-5555. Learn all about the cutest critter in Elkhorn Slough - the threatened sea otter - as you tour by pontoon boat, guided by expert naturalists. Reserve early!

April 9: Clairemont Piano Trio, Carmel (831) 625-2212. Chamber Music Monterey Bay presents the first winners of the KLR International Trio Award in a special matinee performance.

April 11: Carmel Music Society presents "John Williams/John Etheridge duo Guitar", Sunset Cultural Center San Carlos and 9th Carmel - (831) 625-9938. "Unmissable"

April 12-16: Foundation of American Show Horse Show, Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey - (805) 969-9812. Superb showmanship encourages these elegant horses to strut their stuff in the Pattee Arena.

April 12-15: Sea Otter Classic, Laguna Seca Monterey - (831) 373-1839. Well known and attended celebration of cycling for all!

April 14-16: 45th Annual Wildflower Show, Pacific Grove (831) 648-5716. Prepared with the collaborative efforts of the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, presenting over 600 species and varieties of Central California wildflowers at PG's Museum of Natural History.

April 14-16: Monterey Symphony presents Concert Six - The Joy of Music, Sunset Center San Carlos @ 9th Carmel - (800) 698-1138/(831) 624-8511. Italian guest conductor Giampaolo Bisanti leads the orchestra in Donizett's rollicking Overture to his comedic opera, Don Pasquale.

April 17-18: 100 Years of Broadway with Rita Moreno, Sunset Cultural Center San Carlos between 8th & 10th Carmel - (831) 620-2048.Time: 8 pm.

April 20: Mozart Society of California Presents Gustavo Romero, All Saints Episcopal Church Dolores St & 9th St Carmel. Time 8 pm.

April 20: Kurt Elling in Concert, Carmel - (925) 275-9255. As part of its Next Generation Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival showcases the talents of Kurt Elling, its artist in residence for 2006. Recent reviewers raved: "a musical tour de force, incorporating swing and scat, philosophy and funk, and topped by a heaping dose of vocalese."

April 21: Spring 2007 Wellness Fair Carmel, 11am - 6pm at Pilgrim’s Way Bookstore & The Secret Garden, Dolores between 5th & 6th, Carmel-by-the-Sea - (831) 624-4955. You are warmly invited to attend the first Wellness Fair in the beautiful Secret Garden at The Pilgrim's Way. Health and Wellness expertise for body, mind and Spirit are represented here by our featured experts for this one-day Fair; ready to offer information, guidance with questions and create new connections. Our guests will be presenting for 10 minutes, every 20 minutes: Aromatherapy 11:00 & 3:00 (Free Demo), Nutrition & Acupuncture 11:20 & 3:20 (Free Mini Consultation), Yoga 11:40 & 3:40 (Free Yoga Flow Demonstratio), Chair Massage 12:00 & 4:00 ($20/15 minute session), and Palmistry 12:20 & 4:20 ($20/15 minute session).

April 21: Andreas Vollenweider, Carmel (831) 620-2048. How many harpists can perform as comfortably in jazz nightclubs as on stage at Carnegie Hall, or collaborate as happily with Bobby McFerrin as Luciano Pavarotti and Carly Simon? Only one: Andreas Vollenweider, now in his 25th year composing and performing his unique music.

April 21-23: Next Generation Jazz Festival, Monterey. The Monterey Jazz Festival turns the spotlight on the young up-and-coming musicians that will form the vanguard of jazz music in the coming decades, with a newly expanded event that includes performances and activities. This year's artist-in-residence: Kurt Elling.

April 22: Music from Copland House, Sunset Center San Carlos between 8th & 10th Carmel - (831) 625-2212. Chamber Music Monterey Bay presents Music from Copland House.Ticket Prices: $27-$41, Students: $15 Kids are free. Time: 3 pm.

April 22: Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Carmel (831) 620-2048. In a timely performance coinciding with the Next Jazz Fest, the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs at Carmel's Sunset Center. They're the essence of New Orleans trad-jazz: don't miss it!

April 22-23: Spring Home Show, Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey - (800) 237-0551. This year's Spring Home Show, displaying everything from fixtures to furnishings for the perfect home, coincides with the Northern California Alpaca Show, so there's something for the whole family at the Fairgrounds this weekend!

April 22-24: Monterey Symphony Salinas, (5/22), Carmel (5/23-24) (831) 624-8511. Guest conductor James Paul directs the orchestra in a romantic program including Smetana's Overture to The Bartered Bride, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major with Philippe Bianconi at the keyboard.

April 23: Vintage Affair, Carmel Valley (831) 624-2600. Chateau Julien's barrel room doors swing open for a full day of special wine-tasting opportunities, including vertical tastings, library wines, and much more.

April 23: Dia del Nino, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey (831) 648-4888. With Cinco de Mayo just over the horizon, the Monterey Bay Aquarium honors both the Spanish and Mexican heritage of Monterey with a day of cultural events and crafts for kids.

April 23: Wine and Art Festival, Chateau Julien, Carmel Valley (831) 624-2600. Local artists display their works, from ceramics to oils, throughout the cobblestone garden courtyard, an eye-filling complement to the wine-tastings.

April 26: Quetzal, Seaside/CSUMB (831) 582-4580. Proclaimed by no less an authority than Los Lobos as ready to carry the torch for Los Angeles' Chicano community, Quetzal embodies the soul and the struggle at the heart of the Mexican-American legacy.

April 29: David Sedaris Live, Carmel (831) 620-2048. Sardonic wit and incisive social critique, marbled into one humorous package: that's David Sedaris, NPR humorist and author of Me Talk Pretty One Day. On stage at Carmel's Sunset Center.

April 29: Big Sur International Marathon, Hwy 1, Big Sur to Carmel (831) 625-6226. This marathon, consistently named the Best Marathon in North America by The Ultimate Guide to Marathons, is set along one of the most breathtaking routes in the world. Also includes a 21-mile power walk, 5K run, 9-mile walk, 10.6-mile walk, and marathon relay.

April TBA: Eggstravaganza Breakfast with the Bunny, Carmel (831) 521-5958. The 8th annual Spring Celebration takes place in Devendorf Park on Carmel's Ocean Avenue, 8:30am to noon.

April TBA: Old Monterey Plein Air Painting and Art Promenade, Monterey (831) 655-8070 www.oldmonterey.org On Saturday, see painters of all ages busy at work in the lanes and byways all around Old Monterey. Sunday, the art is on display and for sale following a juried competition.

May-September: Historic Garden Tours, Monterey - (831) 647-6204. Take a fascinating tour of Monterey's best-kept secret. Learn about plant lore, identification, and uses. Tours begin in the Cooper-Molera Adobe courtyard and then proceed to the Stevenson House and (if time) Larkin House gardens. Tuesdays at 1pm.

Saturdays through October" "Bring Back the Music" Concerts, Monterey - (831) 373-2705. Do some Saturday afternoon (2-4pm) retail therapy at Monterey's Del Monte Center shopping plaza, and you'll hear some very special live music, dedicated to raising funds for musicians who lost their instruments and their livelihoods in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, sponsored by the Center, KRML jazz radio, and the Dixieland Monterey Festival.

May 27-Ongoing: Grapevine Express, Carmel Valley-Monterey - (888) 678-2871. Back by popular demand: the Grapevine Express connects downtown Monterey with the wineries, restaurants and shopping opportunities of Carmel Valley. The $4.50 all-day pass allows flexible travel aboard the 17-seat Grapevine Express Fridays through Sundays between 10am and 10pm.

May 3: Natalie MacMaster in Concert, Carmel - (831) 620-2048. Natalie MacMaster returns to the Sunset Center for an infectiously joyfull evening of crowd-pleasing fiddle music, from jigs to reels to ballads.

May 5: Oldtown Artwalk, Salinas - (831) 758-9126. Amble around Oldtown Salinas and discover the very lively art world of Monterey's county seat. Forty venues (open 5-8pm) present art, live music, snacks, book-signings and more.

May 5-7: U.S. Sports Car Invitational, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca - (800) 327-SECA.The Grand American Road Racing Association's Rolex Sports Car Series stages a 250-mile race with a two-hour, 30-minute time limit. Also competing are Grand-Am Cup high-performance street stock cars.

May 5, 19: Trail Hikes, Fort Ord Public Lands, bobina83@gmail.com. Former military lands are often unexpectedly rich in wildflowers, animals and history, undisturbed by modern development. These half-day, morning hikes, led by students at CalState University Monterey Bay, explore the former Fort Ord, in search of flora, fauna, historic tidbits, and more.

May 6: Family Fun Day: Symbols of California, Pacific Grove - (831) 648-5716. Springing from an exhibition of extraordinary photographs of the California golden poppy, the PG Museum of Natural History invites families to spend a creative day exploring our state's natural symbols.

May 6: Marine Mammals Babies and Behavior Tour, Moss Landing - (831) 633-5555. Discover marine mammals like harbor seals and their brand-new pups during a specially guided cruise of Elkhorn Slough Nature Reserve. Early reservations are essential.

May 6: 133rd Running of the KENTUCKY DERBY, at STONEPINE from noon to 4pm. Presented by The Friends of the Monterey Symphony, this Triple Crown event will feature: the television simulcast of the 2007 Run for the Roses, a Southern buffet “luncheon on the lawn” catered by Stonepine, and an equestrian exhibition at the beautiful Stonepine paddock and track. Enjoy the traditions of the Kentucky Derby while you stroll the grounds under the ancient oak trees, listening to Blue Grass and Dixieland music and sipping Mint Juleps! Join in the excitement of cheering on your favorite horse for Win, Place or Show prizes. Participate in the elegant Hat Parade. Bid for exceptional items in the Silent and Live Auction. Tickets are $125.00 and proceeds will benefit the music and education programs of the Monterey Symphony. For information and/or tickets, call the Symphony Office at 624-8511.

May 6-7: Monterey Bay Spring Arts & Wine Festival, Monterey - (831) 622-0700. Original hand-made arts and crafts exhibition and sale. All artists on-site, as well as food, drink and family entertainment, plus special wine-tasting opportunities.

May 7: Jeffers Tor House Garden Party, Carmel - (831) 624-1813. Annual Garden Party offers afternoon tea, silent auction and gifts for sale. Live music (songs from Una Jeffers's songbook) serenades artists, including well-known local artist Johnny Apodaca, painting in the gardens. Photography allowed this day only.

May 7, 14, 21: "My California" in Music & Stories, Salinas - (831) 775-4721. A fun and creative day awaits at the National Steinbeck Center, with music and stories inspired by the "My California" juried art exhibit on display in the museum's special gallery. Free admission for residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.

May 11: "Where California Became a State," Monterey - (831) 649-3991. Learn about the birthplace of California - Monterey's Colton Hall - during this candle-lit evening talk given by local historian Jim Conway.

May 12: Robinson Jeffers at Point Sur, Big Sur - (831) 624-1813. A most unusual evening exploration of Point Sur Lighthouse followed by a poetry reading celebrating the relationship of poet Robinson Jeffers to this remote and beautiful landscape. Reservations are a must.

May 12-28: Urinetown, Monterey - (831) 646-4213. The Morgan Stock Stage at MPC presents Greg Kotis' and Mark Hollman's triple-Tony Award-winning musical that slyly takes a Brechtian poke at authority while lobbing grenades at the traditions of musical comedy.

May 13: Paddlefest, Monterey - (800) 649-5357. The beach at Monterey's Wharf II will be wall-to-wall kayaks during this special one-day festival. More than 100 kayaks from five manufacturers will be available for a 'test drive,' with mini-classes and information about kayaking and marine ecotourism, too. Proceeds benefit the research of the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories.

May 13: Photo Safari, Moss Landing - (831) 633-5555. A professional photographer accompanies this cruise through Elkhorn Slough to help you get the best nature pictures possible.

May 13: Mosses Trail Walk, Fort Ord Public Lands, Seaside -: (831) 336-8548. California's central coast possesses hundreds of species of mosses, a surprising diversity. This easy, 10am hike with local expert Ken Kellman reveals dozens of them (most easily seen with a magnifying glass and knee-pads!).

May 13: Spring Winemaker Dinner, Carmel Valley - (831) 624-2600. Barrel samplings and new spring releases highlight this very special dinner, held in the Chateau Julien Wine Estate's Conservatory.

May 13: Henry Rollins in Concert, Big Sur - (831) 667-2574. Actor, musician and spoken-word performer Henry Rollins comes to the Henry Miller Library for a special one-night-only benefit performance. From punk bands to films like Dogtown and Z-Boys to his own radio show, Rollins is as unique as Miller was.

May 13-14: 7th Annual International Festival of the Winds, Marina - (831) 656-0315. Marina makes the best use of springtime onshore breezes by hosting a delightful 'WindFest' that features kites large and small, hands-on activities like making a balloon, and much more fun for all ages.

May 13-14: Aquarium Adventures Sneak Peek, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey - (831) 648-4888. Get the skinny on what Aquarium Adventures will offer for youngsters during the summer of 2006.

May 13-14: 24 Hours of Adrenalin Cycle Race, Monterey - (416) 640-0824. 24 Hours of Adrenalin is the fastest growing mountain bike event series in North America. Solo riders or teams of up to ten people compete to ride as many laps as possible in a 24-hour time period.

May 14: Rocky Ridge Wildflower Hike, Big Sur - (831) 372-6374. Moms who love wildflowers, great views, and hiking won't be able to resist this five-mile excursion (9am-3pm) into Big Sur wild lands around Soberanes Creek and Rocky Ridge. Expect redwoods, madia sunflowers, snapdragons, tidy-tips and more; bring lunch, water and a walking stick.

May 14: To Mom With Love, Carmel -: (831) 333-1283. Ensemble Monterey plays a perfect Mother's Day card, with Finzi's Romance for String Orchestra, Brahms' Alto Rhapsody and a new work by Imant Raminsh commissioned by the Ensemble with Cantiamo! and the Cabrillo Youth Chorus.

May 17-21: Pebble Beach Equestrian Challenge, Pebble Beach - (831) 624-2756. Level A horse show, featuring hunter jumping and other classes. The Stirrup Cup Show takes place May 20-21.

May 18: Third Thursday at MMA, Monterey - (831) 372-5477 ext 12. Enjoy a mellow cocktail hour of art, wine and nibbles at the Monterey Museum of Art, during this free monthly event.

May 18-21: Salinas Valley Fair, King City - (831) 385-3243 www.salinasvalleyfair.com Enjoy the atmosphere of an old-fashioned county fair, complete with carnival, bull-riding, craft and 4-H exhibits, music and more.

May 18-21: Morgan Horse Show, Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey - (831) 636-7600. The handsome and sturdy Morgan horse, so often the favorite of police departments nationwide, is the star of the Pattee Arena this weekend.

May 18-21: 13th Annual Carmel Art Festival, Carmel - (831) 642-2503. Gallery events, lectures, receptions and demonstrations at 43 art galleries and a Plein Air Painting competition. Outdoor art show at Devendorf Park featuring bronze, glass, stone, marbles and acrylic sculpture. Look for the artist-decorated 'Art of the Dog' entries in Carmel shop windows, including one painted by actor Tony Curtis!

May 19-20: Cooking for Solutions, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey - (831) 644-7561. Notable chefs gather in a three-day extravaganza dedicated to sustainable seafood. This year's event honors Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill/Topolobampo in Chicago, and includes chefs from San Francisco, Vancouver, Mexico City, South Carolina and beyond.

May 20: Cooper-Molera Historic Garden Sale, Monterey -el: (831) 372-6410. This is the only time (9am-1pm) during the year to purchase plants grown from cuttings and seeds taken from the Cooper-Molera historic garden. Don't miss the heritage roses from "Mrs. Cooper's Garden."

May 20: Annual Zin-Q Celebration, Carmel Valley - (831) 659-8100. Celebrate Carmel Valley's only Zinfandel, that rich robust red wine so perfect with Joullian Vineyard's fiesty barbecue. Vineyard and cellar tours, wine tastings, and a chance to contribute to the Food Bank for Monterey County.

May 20: Sha Na Na, Carmel - (831) 620-2048. Prepare for a night of time travel when you cross Sunset Center's threshold tonight: it's Sha Na Na, the originators of rock nostalgia. Hard to imagine that their doo-wop renditions of Fifties classics were performed at Woodstock...

May 20-21: Artichoke Festival, Castroville - (831) 633-2465. Sample the many unique flavors of the artichoke in an atmosphere of fun, tasteful treats, musical entertainment, arts and crafts. Plus, the Agro-Art Competition is the best excuse ever for playing with your food.

May 20-22: Monterey Symphony, Salinas (5/20), Carmel (5/21-22) - (831) 624-8511. Max Bragado-Darman conducts two unusual pieces by Spanish composer Joaquin Turina (1822-1949): his Danzas fantasticas and La procesion del rocio. Also on the program: Carl Orff's aural spectacle of medievalism, the Carmina Burana.

May 21: A Host of Hikes Annual Picnic, Fort Ord Public Lands, Marina - (831) 384-1376. Choose from a host of hiking opportunities during this special BBQ picnic to benefit the Chuck Haugen Conservation Fund, including walks to discover rare wildflowers, a bird-and-butterfly spotting walk, and the Plain Ol' Bug hike that introduces kids to the wiggly, walking, creeping and crawling inhabitants of our world.

May 27: "Golden Poppies of California," Pacific Grove - (831) 648-5716. Photographer George Lepp talks about the remarkable series of images in his recently released book, surrounded by the exhibition in the galleries of the PG Museum of Natural History.

May 27-28: Humpback Whale Celebration, Monterey - (831) 901-0013. Many species of cetaceans - including the trio of "great whales," the gray, the blue and the humpback - make their way through the ocean currents not far from Monterey Bay. This new educational festival all about humpback whales, held on Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf, will be packed with information and fun.

Daily in June: Maritime Museum Celebration, Monterey - (831) 372-2608. The Maritime Museum of Monterey celebrates the 75th anniversary year of the Monterey History & Art Association with free admission for all visitors. See the giant fresnel lighthouse lens, discover Monterey's earliest explorers, and learn about life on Cannery Row.

Fridays-Sundays through September: TeamOCEAN on Monterey Bay, Cannery Row, Moss Landing - (831) 521-9512. If you're out kayaking off Cannery Row or in Elkhorn Slough on a summer weekend (Fri-Sun, 9am-4pm), look for the distinctive red and blue kayaks of the National Marine Sanctuary's 40 volunteers. These on-the-water educators are there to teach visitors about the marine creatures they may encounter, and how to watch them safely.

Saturdays through October: "Bring Back the Music" Concerts, Monterey - (831) 373-2705. Do some Saturday afternoon (2-4pm) retail therapy at Monterey's Del Monte Center shopping plaza, and you'll hear some very special live music, dedicated to raising funds for musicians who lost their instruments and their livelihoods in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, sponsored by the Center, KRML jazz radio, and the Dixieland Monterey Festival.

Sundays through September: Steinbeck House Tours, Salinas - (831) 424-2735. One of the finest old houses in Salinas will be open for summer afternoon tours every Sunday between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Its significance? Novelist John Steinbeck was born and raised here, and many treasures from his childhood remain.

June 1-July 26: Films in the Forest, Carmel - (831) 626-1681. Weeknight screenings at the Outdoor Forest Theater of favorite films for kids, families and friends. Bring a cushion and a cuddly throw, plus your own picnic or popcorn!

June 2-28: Androcles & the Lion, Monterey - (831) 646-4213. Aurand Harris's classic retelling of Aesop's fable about the kind-hearted slave and the lion with a thorn it its paw receives a commedia delle'arte treatment that marries slapstick with Renaissance grace. At MPC's Studio Theatre.

June 2: Winemaker's Dinner: Pessagno Winery, Monterey - (831) 649-4234 x1111. The Monterey Marriott's executive chef gets together with Steve Pessagno, winemaker and manager of Pessagno Winery, to create a delicious dinner that is perfectly complemented by Pessagno's elegant Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and port.

June 3: 75th Annual Merienda, Monterey - (831) 372-2608. The Merienda recreates the joyous and carefree fiestas of Monterey's early Mexican settlers, known as Los Californios, with a barbecue, folkloric dancing, and live music. This annual birthday party, presented by Monterey History & Art Association since 1931, will be held in Custom House Plaza: apply for tickets early!

June 3: California Cowboy Show, Carmel Valley - (831) 624-9611. Come on down to enjoy cowboy music and poetry, tasty hors d'oeuvres, a complimentary glass of wine and a silent auction.

June 3: SpectorDance Spring Program, Marina - (831) 372-2608. New choreography by Fran Spector Atkins highlights these two performances, including "Alice in Wonderland" and "Rock Ballet," and by guest artist Lawrence Pech.

June 3-4: Agility Trials, Toro Park, Monterey - (831) 422-8807. They leap through hoops and over hurdles, gallop through tunnels and race along runways: the dogs participating in the Del Monte Kennel Club's annual agility trials are far more fit than the average two-legged athlete!

June 4: Josephine Kernes Memorial Horse Show, Pebble Beach - (831) 624-2756. An unrated benefit horse show, featuring hunter jumping and other classes

June 9-July 2: A Streetcar Named Desire, Carmel - (831) 622-0100. Passion and desperation in equal measures frame the story of Blanche DuBois, her sister, Stella, and her brutish brother-in-law, Stanley, as Pacific Repertory Theater presents Tennessee Williams's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, at the Golden Bough Theatre.

June 9-July 2: The Time of Your Life, Salinas - (831) 755-6816. William Saroyan's poignant and optimistic drama debuted on the cusp of World War II, and was made into a classic film with Jimmy Cagney a decade later. The Western Stage brings it to the boards in Salinas to open its Summer 2006 season.

June 10-11: Deep Sea Days, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey. The mysteries of the deepest parts of our oceans are revealed in two special days at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Part of the Oceans 2006 Year of Exploring program for kids and families.

June 10-11: Jazzmasters in Concert, Monterey (6/10), Marina (6/11). Roger Kellaway, the Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer, and Bruce Forman, the guitarist whose performance graced Million Dollar Baby, will be sharing the stage for two great performances in Monterey County. Performance highlight: pieces from their recently released CD "Remembering Bobby Darrin."

June 16, 2007: The Barnyard Shopping Village, Carmel, C A- (831) 624-8886 - Near the intersection of Highway 1 and Carmel Valley Road - will host its 18th Annual Art & Wine Festival from 2 pm to 5 pm. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy local entertainment, stroll through the award-winning gardens, explore Barnyard shops, visit with local artisans, and pair delicious wines with the diverse world-class cuisine of the barnyard’s restaurants and cafes. This year’s elegant affair is being coordinated by James Kellogg, food and beverage general manager of Tehama, and will feature music by Trusting Lucy, two local women from Pacific Grove who write their own original music, two unique automobiles on display courtesy of Barron Mercedes, a charity silent auction, 20 California premier wineries, and an exhibition of the works of well-known sculptor, Richard MacDonald, which will be showcased throughout the festival. Tickets are $25 and sold only at the event.

June 15: Third Thursday at MMA, Monterey - (831) 372-5477 ext 12. Enjoy a mellow cocktail hour of art, wine and nibbles at the Monterey Museum of Art, during this free monthly event.

June 16: Chateau Julien Summer Fete, Carmel Valley - (831) 624-2600. Choose between two lighthearted and simultaneous events at Chateau Julien: the Wine & Cigar Dinner in the Conservatory, featuring hand-rolled Dominican Republic cigars, or A Girl's Night Out, also known as the "Chai Soiree."

June 16-17: Smuin Ballet, Carmel - (831) 620-2048. Sunset Center presents a spring program of Smuin Ballet's innovative modern-ballet, including Reinin' in the Hurricane, set to music of Gene Autry and Johnny Cash, plus the world premiere of Symphony of Psalms.

June 16-July 22: The Music Man, Carmel - (831) 394-2652. They've got trouble, right down in River City... And 'Professor' Harold Hill will attempt to lead the town's youth from the pool hall to a marching band extravaganza. At the Outdoor Forest Theater in Carmel.

June 17: Jazz Club at the Aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey. Take Dad out for a swell evening of vintage cool jazz, as San Francisco diva Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers headline an evening at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Other artists performing among the Aquarium's finny denizens include Trio Paradiso and the Jazz Birds.

June 17: 17th Annual Art and Wine Festival, Carmel - (831) 624-9033. Taste the wines of local wineries, stroll the gardens and visit exhibiting local artists, listen to live music, and sample speciality foods from the restaurants of The Barnyard.

June 17-18: Red, White and a Little Blues - Some Rock and Latin, Too!, Monterey - (831) 655-8070. A red-white-and-blue festival, with live blues, rock and Latin music, arts and crafts, and food, all filling Monterey's Alvarado Street.

June 17-September 4: Aquarium Adventures Programs, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey. The Monterey Bay Aquarium offers boundless opportunities for kids and families to experience the wonders of the ocean and Monterey Bay up close and in detail, during the summer-long Adventures programs. SCUBA lessons, overnight stays and morning rounds, sailboat excursions and guided walks: visit the website to learn more.

June 18-23: Celtic Piping & Drumming Week, Pebble Beach, Monterey - (831) 372-2020. If you're stirred by the skirl of bagpipes and their accompanying drums, you can sign up for a week of piping/drumming workshops - or just pop into Monterey's Mucky Duck Pub for a public concert during the week.

June 19-24: 95th California State Amateur Golf Championship, Pebble Beach - (831) 624-4653. Top 120 amateurs compete on 36 holes on the famous Pebble Beach golf courses.

June 21- July 16: Talking with Terrorists, Carmel - (831) 622-0100. Robin Soans, the verbatim theater specialist, tackles the question of terrorism through the words of people who commit terrorist acts. The title is drawn from remarks by the late Mo Mowlam, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; this PacRep performance is the West Coast premiere.

June 22-September: 14 Big Sur International Short Film Series, Big Sur - (831) 667-2574. Twelve weeks (every Thursday) of the best short films in the world, shown at the Henry Miller Library. Many are prize-winners; some are serious, others flaky and fun, all go perfectly with popcorn and a soft blanket beneath the stars. Check the website for schedule.

June 23 & 25: World Famous Operas III, Monterey - (831) 372-3800. The Monterey Opera and the Monterey Bay Symphony's chamber orchestra present some of the world's best-loved operatic arias.

June 23-25: 21st Monterey Bay Blues Festival, Monterey Fairgrounds - (831) 394-2652. Three stages of matchless blues and R-and-B, held over three exciting days, presented by a festival dedicated to preserving this unique American art form. This year's line-up features headliner acts like Isaac Hayes, Delbert McClinton and Buckwheat Zydeco, plus Denise LaSalle, The Temptations Review, and Chicago Blues Reunion with Harvey Mandell.

June 23-October: 30 "Diverse Perceptions," Monterey - (831) 646-3991. The very diverse works of four artists - photographer Toni Chiapelli, painter Gerrica Connolly, and multimedia artists Carlaine Willis and Steven Harper - are on display in the Alvarado Gallery of the Monterey Conference Center.

June 23-December 31: The California Mission Art of Jo Mora, Carmel - (831) 624-1271 ext.214. The incredibly versatile artist Jo Mora created illustrations, paintings, books and sculpture; his most famous piece is the massive bronze cenotaph of Father Junipero Serra. This new exhibition at Carmel Mission's museum highlights the sketchbook he carried during a horseback tour of California missions in 1903.

June 24: 8th Annual Hidden Gardens Tour, Big Sur - (831) 667-1530. Visitors come upon musicians and artists as they discover a half-dozen beautiful home gardens in Big Sur. The garden market offers handicrafts and items to make your garden special; the Captain Cooper School Garden shows kids have green thumbs, too. Reservations essential.

June 24: Big Sur Bird Bash, Big Sur - (831) 624-1202. Learn about the reintroduction of California condors when the Ventana Wildlife Society hosts its first 'Bird Bash' at the Henry Miller Library. There'll be fun, games and crafts to little nestlings in the afternoon, and a BBQ party with live music for adults until midnight.

June 24: Healthy Veggies at The Farm, Salinas Valley - (831) 455-2575. Listen to your mother and eat your vegetables... at The Farm with a cooking demonstration that includes recipes and a bag of farm-fresh produce.

June 24: Adobe Fiesta, Monterey - (831) 372-2608. Monterey possesses a remarkable assemblage of historic adobe buildings, preserved from the wrecking ball by the efforts of the Monterey History & Art Association. To celebrate its 75th year, MHAA presents a tour of 30 adobes and other historic buildings, with cultural heritage exhibits and special events in Custom House Plaza.

June 29: "Wind to Whales"Lecture, Pacific Grove. Respected marine researcher Dr. Baldo Marinovic, of UC Santa Cruz, discusses the intricate relationship between weather, water, and wildlife that produces abundant food for Monterey Bay's baleen whales. At Hopkins Marine Station, next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

June 30: PDQ Bach: The Jekyll & Hyde Tour, Monterey - (831) 372-4555. The mad master of all things P.D.Q. Bach, Professor Peter Schikele, comes to the Golden State Theatre in Old Monterey for a one-night stand.