Chinese Masters

VEGA STRING QUARTET They've been called "marvelous," "sensational," "breathtaking," and, according to the LA Times, they "glow with musicality and balance, from fragile delicacy to virile aggression and eloquent songfulness." This chamber music group from China, who used to be called the Harid Quartet, are young, extremely talented, and quickly rising on the path to international stardom. Tonight they will be playing works by Mozart, Shostakovich and Debussy. Don't miss the style that the New York Times described as, "playing that had a kind of clean intoxication to it, pulling the listener along."

8pm. $22/$30 adults, $15 students under 22 with ID. Golden Bough Theater, Monte Verde and Eighth, Carmel. 625-2212.

Don't Embrace The Pain

HEALER DR. KAM YUEN Author David Carradine says Grandmaster Dr. Kan Yuen "eliminates pain faster than anyone in the world-two minutes or less with no physical contact." And some woman from Tiburon says that after learning Dr. Yuen's easy energetic healing method, "my four-year-old eliminated her older sister's toothache." Hmmm. For the rest of us skeptics, Dr. Yuen will be in Monterey and Salinas this week demonstrating his Yuen method of Chinese Energetics. His manual for health reads something like this: In the body, switches are either on or off. Energy is tested and corrected like a light switch is turned on or off. Through the Yuen Method of healing, Yuen teaches people how to identify and eliminate the True Causes behind their pain. Hollywood stars, authors and professional athletes swear by Dr. Yuen. Still sounds too good to be true? If seeing is believing perhaps all of us Doubting Thomases will be in for a big surprise.

7-9pm both nights. Friday, Carleton Hall, Monterey Religious Science Church, 400 West Franklin, Monterey. 372-7326. Monday, Salinas Valley Church of Religious Science, 21 W Laurel Dr., Ste. #59, Salinas. 442-8614.

Surreal Visions

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT Dominic Rouse has a style all his own, with photographs that meld technology with religion with classical photography, leaving the onlooker a bit lost for words. A surrealist at heart, his work reflects a certain dark sense of beauty, the dimly lit recesses of his imagination, and the heights to which creativity can go. His work prominently features the female form over a set-up background, then meshes the elements together to create a whole image that transcends its parts. Religious sites and rituals figure largely in his work, reinterpreted through the eye of the artist, and in the end, the viewer as well. See it tonight in Carmel.

6pm reception. Center for Photographic Art Gallery, Sunset Center, San Carlos and Ninth, Carmel. Free. 625-5181.

saturday 3|22

Coyote Tales

TEARS OF JOY PUPPET THEATRE How does an animal without the prowess of Grizzly Bear or the flight of Eagle get some respect? Bunraku-style puppets and masks tell the tale of Coyote's search for a more commanding name, and how he fell asleep when the new names were given out. And though it sounds macabre, kids love it when Coyote gets stuck in a tree, and finds a way out by throwing his body parts out, one by one. This puppet theater, in Monterey for one show only, has been recognized by American Puppetry with its highest honor.

1pm. $5/advance, $7/day of show. Morgan Stock Theater, Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. 646-4213.

Singing Their Hearts Out

CARMEL MUSIC SOCIETY VOICE COMPETITION Eight young California women will compete today in the society's annual voice competition, which awards $4000 to the top young singer-that includes a prestigious $2000 contract for next season with the Carmel Music Society. Committee member JD Clinton says it's unusual to have just women in the contest, "but this year, they just outshone the men." Judging goes on from 10am to 4pm, and each contestant must sing in at least three genres, from classical to opera to jazz and other modern styles. "They want to show off their voices, so they choose what they do best," Clinton says. "Some even sing Walt Whitman songs set to music." The three finalists perform a concert at 8pm. All events are open to the public.

10am-4pm judging, 8pm concert. All Saints Episcopal Church, Dolores at Ninth, Carmel. Free. 625-9938, or visit www.carmelmusic.org.

sunday 3|23

Chow Down

CLAM CHOWDER FESTIVAL It's one of those events where you almost hope for bad weather. If it's sort of cold and rainy on a Sunday afternoon, what more could one want but a warm cup of clam chowder? But even if it's a nice day, the Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey will be swimming in clam chowder for this event. All ten of the restaurants on Fisherman's Wharf will be serving up their version of the tasty sea stew. In addition to chowder tasting there will be games and clowns for the kids.

Noon to 6pm. Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey. Admission is free. Tickets to taste chowder are ten for $5 and game tickets for children are five for $1. 649-6544.

And The Oscar Goes To

ACADEMY AWARDS PARTIES Celebrate the Oscars, Monterey County style this year. The Monterey County AIDS Project will host its 12th annual Academy Awards benefit party and tribute to Carmen Miranda at the Embassy Suites in Seaside. Guests-dressed as Carmen Miranda, hopefully-will stroll around the ballroom, sampling food and wine from 23 local wineries and restaurants while watching the Red Carpet arrivals and the Academy Awards on multiple screens. The event also features a silent auction, dancing, a benefit drawing for a trip to Harrah's Reno or a one-night stay at the Ventana Inn and Spa in Big Sur, and $500 cash prizes for the top three Carmen Miranda look-a-likes. On the other side of the Peninsula, the Monterey County Film Commission will hold its 13th annual Oscar Night Gala at the Tehama Golf Club. This black-tie optional event offers the live telecast of the Academy Awards, a seated dinner with wine, and live and silent auctions. Proceeds benefit the Film Commission.

Monterey County AIDS Project Party, 5:30pm. Embassy Suites Hotel, 1441 Canyon del Rey, Seaside. Tickets are $40 in advance; $45 at the door. 394-4747 x18. Monterey County Film Commission Gala, 5pm. Tehama Golf Club, 25000 Via Malpaso Drive, Carmel. $150; $125 for members of Friends of the Film Commission. 646-0910.

Not Just A Pretty Face

OUTSTANDING WOMEN OF MONTEREY COUNTY Every spring, the county powers-that-be decide to wake up and recognize ten women who have made a difference in local affairs. The women are feted at a free reception, and several hundred people usually show up for the fun. This year's recipients, as usual, are very worthy of the accolades that will be showered upon them. Still, the fact that such an event even exists begs the larger question: Are women not people? Why must they be singled out for their own awards? Aren't we capable of playing with the big boys? Harrumph. But so long as we get our own day, let's make it a great one.

3pm. CSUMB Ballroom, Building 29, Sixth Avenue, CSUMB campus. Free. Call 624-0683.

Petaling Beauty

DAVID GUBERNICK BOOKSIGNING When David Gubernick came to Carmel Valley, he came to study mice. Packing a Ph.D. in animal behavior, he took a job at the Hastings Reservation. And a funny thing happened-he fell in love with flowers. Gubernick spent the next several years photographing wildflowers, and eventually teamed up with the Carmel Publishing Company and the PG Museum of Natural History to produce The Wildflowers of Monterey County, a gorgeous coffee-table book graced with descriptions written by longtime local flower expert Vern Yadon. Gubernick will be in Sand City today showing off the book, in time for local flower lovers to pick one up before a springtime field trip.

2pm. Borders Books Music and Cafe, 2080 California Ave., Sand City, 899-6643.

monday 3|24

Band of One

ADRIAN LEGG If you close your eyes, it sounds like a bunch of guitars played in perfect counterpoint sync. With eyes open, it's almost impossible to believe that all the melody is coming from one man with one instrument. That man is Adrian Legg. He's toured with legendary musicians such as Steve Vai, Nancy Griffiths and Joe Santriani. He's written books on finger-picking and other tricks for playing guitar as well as he does-not that anyone stands a chance. His sense of humor shines through his work, and his talent astounds even the most jaded listener. It's a whole orchestra of guitars in the hands of one man.

7:30pm. Viva Monterey, 414 Alvarado St., Monterey. $12. 646-1439.

wednesday 3|26

Jumpers Jumping

PEBBLE BEACH SPRING HORSE SHOW In an event that's part of a year-long equestrian series, some 350 horses and riders will compete over five days in hunter/jumper competitions. This is a popular family excursion with plenty of food and vendors. The competition is divided up by age of the horses and the riders with points accumulated toward championship rounds. Similar events will come up later in the year, with a major equestrian event in July, the 51st Annual Pebble Beach Dressage Show.

8am to 5pm. Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, Stevenson and Portola Streets, Pebble Beach. Free except for the $8 gate fee. 624-2756.