CHRIS WEBSTER The name will be familiar to fans of the band Mumbo Gumbo, an act that''s been garnering West Coast and national attention for its Cajun-spiced brand of pop. Frontwoman Webster is one of the main ingredients. With her upbeat, energetic performances, the band seems to bring a party wherever it goes. But with last year''s release of Drive, Webster''s talents as a singer/songwriter have really come to the forefront, highlighted particularly in the song "I''m Driving." Webster''s appearance tonight as part of Sandy Shore Productions'' "Divas at Viva''s" series offers an opportunity for audiences to check out an up-and-coming artist, up close and personal. >[CT]

8pm. Viva Monterey, 414 Alvarado, Monterey. $10. 646-1415.

friday 10|5

Jaded in All the Right Places

BIG SUR JADE FESTIVAL We do not recommend that revelers make the 65-mile trip down Highway 1 to the Jade Festival with the expectation of finding jade boulders lying around for the taking. A mad throng of gem and lapidary artists will be on hand, however, with their wares (including lots of Big Sur jade) during this three-day festival. And what''s jewelry without music? Bands, many of them with a percussion-intensive world music vibe, play all three days. Friday sees The Living Drums Universal Rhythm Ensemble & Deep Blue Dancers, Domu Africa and The Blue Tones. On Saturday John Bankston, Born Yesterday and the Raks A Lat Belly Dance Troupe take the stage, and on Sunday Lucidology and the Big Sur Natives do their respective crazy thangs. Free admission and barbecue make the decision to go a no-brainer. >[TH]

Fri noon-6pm, Sat and Sun 10am-6pm. Pacific Valley School, 65 miles south of Monterey on Highway 1. Free. (805) 927-5574.

Classically Inclined

ENSEMBLE MONTEREY It is time to come full circle in the life of Ensemble Monterey. At the premiere concerts of its 10th season, the local orchestra performs the music of its first-ever concert, Mozart''s Gran Partita. Written in 1784, the "music for 13 instruments" has rarely been performed in these parts, but Ensemble Music Director John Anderson has chosen it, along with parts of Mozart''s most famous opera, Don Giovanni, to create two rousing and entertaining season openers in Salinas and Monterey. And should you miss this somehow, rejoice anyway: The local classical music world is stirring to life for its winter season. Both the Mozart Society and Monterey Symphony have opening concerts in the next few weeks. >[CC]

8pm. Fox Theater, 239 Main, Salinas; Sat. 10/6 at 8pm. Church of Religious Science, 400 W. Franklin, Monterey. $15/18. 372-4523.

Don''t Stop Wining

CARMEL VALLEY WINE FESTIVAL Throughout the ''80s, wine lovers heaped praise upon the Napa and Sonoma valleys. Now their eyes have turned to Monterey and Carmel Valley. Our own quaint little canyon is one of the fastest growing wine regions in California--we''ve been told this dozens of times--and so, quite reasonably, local winemakers are throwing themselves a party. You''re invited, of course, since a vintage wine-tasting is useless without wine connoisseurs and, in fact, rather like one hand clapping. This three-day festival is packed with activities and wine-related information from Georis Winery, Bernardus Winery, River Ranch Vineyards, Galante Vineyard, Talbott Winery, and a half-dozen more. No grape stomp but almost as fun, and your feet won''t be sticky afterward. >[CC]

Fri-Sun. Carmel Valley locations. $25-125. Check www.carmelvalleywinefestival.com or call 659-1050.

saturday 10|6

Birds of a Feather

MONTEREY BAY BIRD FESTIVAL Wild about warblers? Loopy for loons? Then get thee to birding paradise this weekend at the wide-ranging Monterey Bay Bird Festival. Elkhorn Slough is a prime bird-watching spot, and although their two field trips are sold out, the Visitors Center there is open to answer questions (761-1719). At the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Stephen Bailey leads two morning workshops on "plumage and molts" using the museum''s large collection of mounted birds, followed by PG field trips (648-5716, ext. 11). Both Saturday and Sunday, chances to view seabirds are available on Shearwater Journey''s boat ($105-125, 637-8527). And down in Big Sur, the Ventana Wilderness Condor project hosts a special slide show at Andrew Molera State Park and a coastal tour of condor roosting habitats on Saturday (624-1202 for details and reservations). Also at Andrew Molera State Park on Sunday, intermediate to advanced birders are invited on a birding walk led by a biologist from the Big Sur Ornithology Lab (624-1202 for reservations). >[CC]

Sat and Sun. Big Sur, Pacific Grove, Moss Landing. Call Elkhorn Slough Foundation for details, 761-1719.

Contra Indications

FOGGY MOON CONTRA DANCE This event is all about dispelling myths. First myth: contra dancers are in bed by 9pm each night. Not so! Tonight they''ll swing around and allemand and perhaps even do some tricky square dance maneuvers until the magic hour of midnight. Second myth: contra dancers are a tame bunch. Nyet! Not when the Seattle-based trio KGB is in town. By taking traditional reels and waltzes and flipping them hard with their combo of sizzling fiddle, wicked mandolin and great-balls-o''-fire piano playing, this crew has whipped up folks in halls from New England to Alaska into contra-dancing frenzies and earn a wildly devoted fan base for its efforts. Third myth: contra dancing is only for contra dancers. Nothing could be more absurd. Everyone''s welcome at this friendly and open annual event, and the music will never be better. >[TH]

7pm-midnight. YMCA, 600 Camino El Estero, Monterey. $10. montereycdc@hotmail.com.

Wing Nuts

BUTTERFLY PARADE Let''s all admit, right up front, that there is something a little corny about Pacific Grove''s annual Butterfly Parade. But we dare all but the most hard-hearted of cynics to deny that it''s pretty doggone cute. Just as flocks of Monarch butterflies return to Pacific Grove each October, a parade of elementary school children welcomes them. Each year, it''s the task of kindergarten teachers and parents to dress the kids in orange-and-black construction-paper wings and pipe-cleaner antennae and march them--some singing, some crying, most talking--down the main streets of town. Students in other grades follow, each in a different themed costume, with marching music provided by the middle school and high school bands. After the parade, everyone convenes at Robert Down Elementary school to participate in carnival games, eat homemade goodies and participate in raffles that benefit the local PTA groups. So it''s a little corny. It''s also small-town community-building at its finest. >[CT]

Parade begins at 10:30am at Robert Down School on Pine, goes down Fountain to Lighthouse, across to 17th and back up to Pine, where the parade finishes its loop back at Robert Down School. 373-3304.

Fishing For Condiments

MONTEREY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL While out on the point of the Peninsula Pagrovians celebrate the Monarchs'' return, the city of Monterey celebrates its own heritage with the Old Monterey Seafood and Music Festival. The festival spills down Alvarado and into Custom Plaza with booths offering a wide selection of fresh seafood (think fried calamari, barbecued oysters, sushi, grilled salmon...) as well as arts and crafts from vendors throughout California. Providing the soundtrack for the weekend will be bands performing on two stages. The Saturday lineup includes John "Broadway" Tucker, The Chop Tops, and the Cachagua Playboys; Sunday''s performers are Red Beans & Rice and 8 Second Ride. >[CT]

10am, Sat and Sun. Alvarado and Custom House Plaza, Monterey. Free. 655-8070 or www.oldmonterey.org.

sunday 10|7

My Time of Year

INDIAN SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL Everyone knows that October is summer for the folks on the Monterey Peninsula. While the rest of the world enjoys the sunshine during traditional months, we have to wait until the fall to be guaranteed warm weather. This is why the annual Indian Summer Music Festival is such a fine thing. In the wake of the events on Sept. 11, the choice of renowned icon War as a headliner may seem ironic to some. But their signature songs, "Why Can''t We Be Friends?," "Cisco Kid," "Low Rider," and "Summer" have preached the virtues of peace, love and understanding for well over a quarter century. In addition to War''s joyful Latin style of rhythm and blues, the bill also includes trumpeter Rick Braun, the percussion-driven Pete Escovedo Orchestra (that''s right--Sheila E''s dad), smooth jazz artist Slim Man, and jazz-based hip-hop artists Bona Fide. [JM]

10am. Quail Lodge, 8205 Valley Greens, Carmel. $50-125. 649-1223.

monday 10|8

First Do Harmonica

TOOTS THIELEMANS Toots Thielemans'' contribution to the jazz canon, "Bluesette," is utterly charming for its deceptive simplicity--a virtuostic modern jazz composition, it sounds like it could be a classic French children''s song. The original version is made more charming by the fact that Thielemans whistles the melody, accompanying himself on guitar. The offbeat instrumentation (if we can call his lips an instrument) was par for the course; Toots is the only truly great harmonica player in the history of jazz. In the 50 years since his arrival in New York from his native Belgium, Toots has blown (and whistled) with the likes of Benny Goodman and George Shearing. (And that''s his harmonica on the theme to "Sesame Street.") All along the way, Toots communicates a uniquely melancholy feeling, sure to be in evidence in this rare appearance. >[AG]

7pm. Jazz and Blues Co., 236 Crossroads, Carmel. $40. 624-6431.

This week''s Hot Picks were breaded and deep-fried by Catrina Coyle, Alex Gilrane, Traci Hukill, Jenny McPhee and Chuck Thurman.

thursday 10|4

Jazz Concert 10am. CSU Monterey Bay hosts flutist Ali Ryerson, guitarist Joe Beck, and jazz musician Paul Contos in a lecture and performance. CSUMB Music Hall, Seaside. Free. 582-3009.

Monterey Toastmasters 6:30am. All are invited to improve their public speaking, listening and leadership skills each Thursday morning with the Monterey Peninsula Toastmasters, where speeches on a variety of topics are given in a supportive and fun spirit. Unitarian Universalist Church, 490 Aguajito, Carmel. Free. 641-0652.

Calligraphy Meeting 7pm. Sea Scribes, the Monterey area calligraphy guild, meets at Park Lane Residence. All are welcome. 200 Glenwood, Monterey. $25/annual dues. 625-3742.

Tai Chi Lecture 7pm. Chen Qingzhou, a 19th generation of Chen style Taji, offers a lecture and demonstration on the martial aspects of Tai Chi, in addition to its health benefits. CSU Monterey Bay University Center, Seaside. Free. 373-4208.

Hartnell Poetry Reading 7pm. Poet Gary Soto, a finalist for the National Book Award in 1995, and community leader Jessie de la Cruz speak at Hartnell College about Soto''s upcoming biography on Cruz. Soto also reads his poetry. Hartnell Steinbeck Hall, 156 Homestead, Salinas. Free. 755-6810.

Calendar Deadline 5pm. The Weekly welcomes submissions for the calendar of events. Our deadline is Thursday 5pm, one week prior to publication, or earlier for Hot Pick consideration. Ongoing items are printed if space is available. Photos are encouraged and can be returned with a self-addressed envelope. Information is accepted via fax (394-2909), email (catrina@coastweekly.com), or snail mail. 668 Williams, Seaside CA 93955, Seaside. Free. 394-5656.

friday 10|5

Tricks and Treats 6pm. It''s almost time for Halloween. Join this workshop for kids ages 6-12 to create ghostly decorations, crafts and goulish goodies. Pre-register with the Monterey Recreation Department. Casanova Oak Knoll Center, 735 Ramona, Monterey. 646-3866.

Jung Friends 7pm. Discuss Joseph Campbell''s video lecture segment on "From Id to the Ego in the Orient" focusing on Kundalini yoga. 284 Foam, Monterey. Donation. 649-4018.

Cartoon Reception 7pm. Local artist/cartoonists Bill Bates, Gus Arriola, Eldon Dedini, Carol Fendall, Snick Farkas, Meg Biddle, and David Swartz appear at the annual Black and White Cartoon Show to create new cartoons before your eyes and share how cartooning provides a view on world events. Live music by Joe Ingram and friends and a "black and white nibble bar." Suggested dress is "black tie" and tennis shoes. Proceeds benefit the Sally Griffin Center. 700 Jewell, Pacific Grove. $10. 375-4454.

Fundraising Course 9am. The Community Foundation of Monterey County hosts a three-day seminar on fundraising for nonprofits beginning 10/5, in partnership with Indiana University. St. Ansgars Church, Salinas. $350. 754-5880.

saturday 10|6

First Saturday Morning 10:30am. Music, games and stories from around the world are emphasized by Nancy Raven and guest storyteller Rosemarie Milazzo in a monthly children''s event at Morgan''s Coffee and Tea. 498 Washington, Monterey. $3/big people, $2/small fry. 649-6080.

World of Opera 10:30am. KAZU 90.3FM broadcasts a performance of Anacreon by Luigi Cherubini (subtitled "Fugitive Love") from Teatro La Fenice in Italy. 375-7275.

Seasonal Crafts Fair 10am. "Pumpkins to Presents" features handmade crafts for all holidays. Cypress Community Church, Highway 68, Salinas. 646-9540.

Tennis for Adults 10am. North Salinas High School coach Bill Ritz offers a three-day class in the basics of tennis for beginners and intermediates. Register with the Hartnell College Community Development office. Hartnell College tennis courts, 156 Homestead, Salinas. $45. 755-6800.

Poetry Workshop 10am. Elliot Roberts leads a poetry workshop on "finding your voice" using group writing exercises and works-in-progress. Also Saturday, Roberts reads his poetry at a slide presentation of Karen Nagano''s paintings. Carl Cherry Center, Guadalupe and 4th; Sunset Center, San Carlos and 8th, Carmel. Workshop: $50 (includes lunch); reading: $8. 624-7491.

Charitable Giving 10am. Attorney Barry Harlow gives advice on charitable giving as part of a lecture series sponsored by the Friends of Carmel Valley Library. 65 W. Carmel Valley, Carmel Valley. Free. 659-2377.

Taiko Concert 7:30pm. The Watsonville Taiko drum group presents its 10th anniversary concert at Henry Mello Center, led by Ikuyo Conant. A second performance is Sunday at 2pm. East Beach, Watsonville. $15/adults, $12/seniors, $8/kids. 426-7975; Box office: 763-4047.

5K Fun Run/Walk 8am. Madonna Manor, an independent living facility for women, holds its first annual fundraiser walk and celebrates its 35th anniversary. An open house, awards ceremony, crafts and plant sale, foods, and broadcast by Magic 63 DJ Ed Dickinson are highlights along with the fun run/walk. 1335 Byron, Salinas. walk/run registration: $10/15; lunch: $10. 758-0931.

Big Sur Land Trust 9am. The Granite Rock Dunes is the newest hike offered by the BSLT. Meet at BSLT office in Carmel to carpool to Marina for a short hike with great views of the bay and diverse dune habitats. Reservations suggested. 3785 Via Nona Marie, Carmel. Free/members, $10/non-members. 625-5523.

Prison Field Trip Salinas Recreation Department sponsors a trip to the Salinas Valley State Prison for high risk youth to experience first-hand the prison life and encourage students to stay out of crime. Pre-registration required. Free. 758-7304.

sunday 10|7

Little Sur Hike Paul Danielson leads a strenuous hike in the Santa Lucia Mountains, through redwoods along the Little Sur River to limestone slopes of Pico Blanco camp. Call for meeting point details. Big Sur. 484-1656.

Historic Home Tour 10am. The annual historic home tour is offered in Pacific Grove, showcasing Victorian homes, hotels and churches that have been restored and decorated. Costumed docents provide history at each location. Tickets available at the Chamber of Commerce, Central and Forest, Pacific Grove. $15. 373-3304.

Butterfly Booksigning 2pm. Author Maraleen Manos-Jones presents her newest book The Spirit of Butterflies, a mix of myth, poetry and art. Manos-Jones has created wearable art and dances about butterflies and researched them Mexico and the U.S. Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Forest and Central, Pacific Grove. Free. 648-5716.

Wild Game Barbecue 2pm. The Carmel River Steelhead Association presents its annual benefit dinner featuring wild game and fish, live music, and a silent auction. 7166 Carmel Valley, Carmel Valley. $25. 626-6586.

Vocal Concert 3pm. Operatic bass Art Schuller and pianist Stephen Tosh perform works by Mozart, Verdi, Rossini and Handel. Schuller has sung with Ensemble Monterey, I Cantori di Carmel, and the Monterey Symphony. Church of the Wayfarer, Lincoln and 7th, Carmel. Free. 484-6757.

Carmel Fine Art 5K 9am. Family Service Agency benefits from a 5K run/walk and champagne brunch with live music by the Kenny Stahl Trio. Start and finish at Carmel Beach. Ocean and Scenic, Carmel. Entry fee: $25/adult, $15/kids 6-16. 656-1234.

Oktoberfest Noon. Lugano Swiss Bistro presents a food and entertainment celebration, with German/Swiss cuisine and live music by the Alpiners USA and Wilfred''s Alpine Trio. Carmel Mission Inn, Highway 1, Carmel. $10/advance, $12/door. 626-3779.

monday 10|8

Mini Massage Enjoy a mini-massage break each Monday at the Sally Griffin Senior Center. Call for an appointment. 700 Jewell, Pacific Grove. $5-10. 375-4454.

Weather Class 11:30am. KSBW TV weatherman Scott Mace uncovers the mysteries of weather to kids in grades 4-6 in a Lyceum class. Tour the TV station and see a live broadcast of the mid day news. Pre-register with the Lyceum. KSBW, Salinas. $5. 372-6098.

Blood Pressure Screening 11am. The Sally Griffin Senior Center offers a screening clinic every month, Free to the public. 700 Jewell, Pacific Grove. 375-4454.

Poetry Open Mic 7pm. High school and teenage poets are invited to join the Monterey Public Library''s Poetry Circle and read their poems. 625 Pacific Monterey. Free. 646-3949.

Music, Art, Spiritual Exploration 7:30pm. A ongoing series explores spiritual topics of light and darkness through art, and music, and reading poems and stories. Hosted by Ronald Barton of Many Rivers Foundation, this week''s selections focus on "Gardens and Nature." Discussions held Mondays (7:30pm) and Tuesdays at 2pm. Yoga Center of Carmel, San Carlos and 10th, Carmel. $10 donation. 601-9407.

tuesday 10|9

Classic Cuisine 3:30pm. Students in grades 6-8 can tour the new Culinary Center of Monterey and get cooking tips from Chef Mary Pagan. Pre-register with the Lyceum of Monterey. Cannery Row, Monterey. $5. 372-6098.

Seaside Storytime 10:30am. Staff at the Seaside branch library read stories appropriate to kids ages 3-5 every Tuesday through 11/13 in an introduction to the library world of books and songs. Hilby, Seaside. Free. 899-2055.

Square Dancing 8pm. Sage Stompers Square Dance Club meets every Tuesday with dance caller Don Benson. No experience necessary, all are welcome for hoedowns and parties. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby, Seaside. 659-7510.

Barnyard Farmers Market 11am. A gathering of farmers selling fresh produce is held every Tuesday behind The Barnyard Shopping Village, next to Highway 1. Highway 1 between Carmel Valley and Rio Carmel. 624-9035.

Speed Dating 7pm. Sign up by 10/4 to experience First Impressions'' "Pit Stop Party" on 10/9, a chance for local professional singles to mingle with new friends for short conversations and be possibly matched to a new love interest. Call Theresa for details. Blue Fin Billiards, Cannery Row, Monterey. $45. 394-5650.

wednesday 10|10

Parent Leadership The Salinas Adult School hosts a six-week course for parents who want to get more involved with their children''s education and schools. Reservations suggested. Parent Center, 20 Sherwood, Salinas. $5. 753-4273.

Medicare Lectures 11am. Information on Medicare programs is offered to current and future recipients in three lectures at the Sally Griffin Senior Center. The first topic is "basics of original Medicare." Individual counseling is presented prior (9:30am) to the lecture. 700 Jewell, Pacific Grove. Free. 375-4454.

Cat Handling 5:30pm. The SPCA humane society holds a cat handling workshop for all potential and current animal shelter volunteers. Highway 68, Monterey. 373-2631.

Fort Ord Cleanup 6pm. Representatives from the U.S. Army and EPA give an update and answer questions on the cleanup process on former Fort Ord lands. All are welcome to this community workshop. Post Chapel, Gen. Jim Moore Rd., Marina. Free. 393-9691.

Stamp Club 7pm. The Monterey Peninsula Stamp Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at a member''s home. New members always welcome. Call for directions. 624-4317.

Writers at the Library 7pm. Radio actor Michael Fink reads chilling tales by Ray Bradbury, Lewis Carroll and others. Reservations required. Monterey Public Library,625 Pacific, Monterey. Free. 646-3477.

League of Women Voters Noon. Michael Houlemard, executive director of the Fort Ord Reuse Authority, speaks to the Monterey County LWV chapter (12:30pm) about current and future progress at Fort Ord. Public attendance and questions welcome. Optional lunch by reservation. Rio Grill, The Crossroads, Highway 1, Carmel. $15/lunch, Free/lecture. 648-8683.

Law Train 6pm. Monterey College of Law offers "Law for the Citizen," a free eight-week course in everyday laws we may encounter involving consumer protection, criminal law, estate planning, real estate, legal research, and more. Attend one or all. Registration required (in the first class). 404 W. Franklin, Monterey. Free. 373-3301.

announcements

Writing Workshops Instructor Jill Kleiss offers a small-group, weekend writing workshop Nov. 9-11 in San Juan Bautista. If you want to explore your "dark side" and the creative energy it infuses in writing, sign up now for discussions and writing activities. Space is limited. 622-9673.

Grief Counseling The Community Human Services offers 24-hour crisis counseling for those feeling sad, angry, or fearful in reaction to recent events. 373-4775.

Seasonal Craft Fair Vendors are needed for a traditional holiday crafts fair, 11/2 and 11/3, sponsored by the Salinas Recreation Department. Pre-registration required. A space is $60-70. Recreation Center, 320 Lincoln, Salinas. 758-7900.

Wild Things Tours Halloween Flashlight Tours at Wild Things Animal Rentals begin 11/12 and take place each Friday and Saturday through Halloween. Reservations required. River and Highway 68, Salinas. $12/adults, $10/kids under 14. 455-1901 ext. 3.

Animal Victims Fund The SPCA of Monterey County is collecting donations for animal victims and rescue dogs of the New York terrorist attacks. All proceeds will be sent to the New York Center for Animal Care. 373-2631.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteer to become a mentor to a little girl or boy at the Big Brothers Big Sisters. Call for details. 11 Maple, Suite E, Salinas. 757-7992.

Overeaters Anonymous People who have problems with food may attend several local meetings: Mondays at Carmel Presbyterian Church; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Monterey; and Thursday and Saturday in Salinas. Free. Monterey 372-7418; Salinas 768-4896.