Music To Soar By
ALEXANDER STRING QUARTET The praise for this San Francisco-based ensemble could hardly be more enthusiastic. Over and over again, critics proclaim the quality of their timbre and lyricism, and more than one term the sound European. Though that may lead some readers to wonder what, precisely, that means, one thing is true and easy enough to understand: the Alexander String Quartet plays with exceptional sweetness, subtlety and passion. Tonight they perform pieces by Haydn, Janocek and Beethoven, their specialty; in 1985, when the quartet won the London International Competition, the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin declared it "unbelievably good Beethoven... There was absolutely nothing that was missing!"

8pm. Pacific Grove United Methodist Church, Sunset and 17 Mile Drive, Pacific Grove. $25. 625-2212.

Film To Heal By
FLORA AND THE LAUGHING RIVER When Kira Corser heard that her friend''s three-year-old daughter had come down with leukemia, Corser-a cancer survivor herself-hunted around for an age-appropriate relaxation video to give the child. Finding nothing, she decided to make one herself, using local actors and musicians. Corser describes Flora and the Laughing River as a "45-minute video fairy tale that uses relaxing breathing and imagination for stress reduction, pain relief, anger management and wellness." Apparently there''s little or nothing like it around for hospitals and parents of ill children, and it will be shown today for the first time, accompanied by two college students who will use art and performance healing techniques to work with children attending the event. A holiday art show by Corser will also be on display. The evening is part of the Wellness for Children Project, which works with children and families under stress.

6-9pm. Unitarian Universalist Church, 490 Aguajito Rd., Carmel. Free, children welcome. 624-7404.

From Yosemite To Carmel
ANSEL ADAMS BLOW-OUT EXHIBITION February 1902 was quite a time hereabouts, being the month when both writer John Steinbeck and photographer Ansel Adams drew their first tiny breaths. And now, 100 years later, we''ve been inundated with local art exhibits celebrating both men''s gargantuan contributions to American cultural history. The two-header opening today at the National Steinbeck Center should be the last of the year, and it''s certainly the most huge. Ansel Adams: Inspiration and Influence, on loan from the Oakland Museum, examines Adams''s work in the context of photographers working around him, pairing many of his photographs which those by artists who influenced him; Edges and Intersections: Ansel Adams in Yosemite includes photographs of Yosemite by Adams along with oil paintings by Harry Cassie Best, who opened a small studio at Yosemite the year Adams was born. Drew Heath Johnson, photography curator at the Oakland Museum, presents a slide show.

5:30-7:30pm. National Steinbeck Center, One Main St., Salinas. $5/free for members. 775-4730.

saturday 11|16

C''mon Now, Blow Out Those Candles
CULTURAL COUNCIL BIRTHDAY PARTY This is more than just a party for the Monterey County Cultural Council''s 20th anniversary-it''s a plea for more muscle for the Professional Artists in the School program, a council-sponsored project that supplements our children''s decimated public school arts curriculum, while employing a goodly number of cash-strapped artists and actors. But back to today''s party, which will feature all kinds of artistic-type fun. Wines donated by Ventana, Chateau Julien and Jekel, hors d''oeuvres served by Dance Kids of Monterey, music by Monterey Amigos and Dixieland Monterey''s Sweet Thursday Jazz Band, and some pretty fancy birthday cakes by Layers. A highlight of the evening is an auction of sculptured boxes created and donated by more than a dozen local artists, along with a high-end raffle (how about a cooking class for two with Lincoln Court''s Wendy Brodie?).

6-8pm. Carmel Art Association Gallery, Dolores between 5th and 6th, Carmel. $30. 622-9060 or at the door.