thursday 10|31

Goblins, Ghouls and Things That Go Bump

HALLOWEEN We love Halloween. Not the candy so much anymore, although that's not bad, but the costumes, the dances, the drinking 'till you puke into the punch bowl. It's all good.

ALL DAY AND NIGHT, WHEREVER YOU CAN FIND IT.

friday 11|1

Now That's What You Call An Extension Course

MPC FALL DANCE CONCERT Once a year, the MPC dance department showcases its faculty and students with a dazzling display of hand and footwork. This year's dance selections include new works by faculty members Jacquie Boomer-Adams and Jennifer Benitez, who will present contemporary modern dance pieces; Laura Akard, with a jazz dance; and Janet Butler, who will show some tap and modern. Three guest choreographers, all former MPC dance students, will also show some new works: Olava Menezkowska, former director of the Hidden Valley dance program and an MPC alumnus from 25 years ago, who will present a Tango; Tomiko Viera, who took up dance two decades ago when she was already in her 40s, and who will join an older adult student in a duet illustrating dance styles appropriate for non-dancers; and a presentation by Etsko Fujiwara, a visiting student from Japan who has studied at the Martha Graham school in New York. [SF]

8PM TONIGHT AND SATURDAY, 2PM SUNDAY. MPC MORGAN STOCK THEATER STAGE, 980 FREMONT ST., MONTEREY. $7 GENERAL/$5 STUDENTS AND SENIORS/$3 CHILDREN. 646-4200.

Shooting

MONTEREY BAY FILM FESTIVAL Yup, there are two (count 'em) documentary film festivals in town this weekend. A damn shame, considering there's precious little chance to see such great stuff the rest of the year. Don't miss the flicks in this 3rd annual fest, which treats topics of concern in Africa, Jamaica, and across the U.S.A. (See story pg. 33).[SF]

FRIDAY 7PM

Subterranean

HIV Basics for Corrections Officers USA 2001, Director: Glenn Gaylord (15 min.)

Ochre and Water South Africa 2002, Director: Craig Matthews (53 min.)

Blue Vinyl USA 2002, Directors: Judith Helfand and Daniel B. Gold (96 min.)

SATURDAY 2PM

In the Light of Reverence USA 2001, Director: Christopher McLeod (77 min.)

Life and Debt USA/JAMAICA 2001, Director: Stephanie Black (86 min.)

SATURDAY 7:30PM

2+2 USA 2002, Directors: Benita Raphan and Clayton Hemmert (11 min.)

Books Not Bars USA 2000, Director: Mark Landsman (22 min.)

Two Towns of Jasper USA 2002, Directors: Marco Williams and Whitney Dow (91 min.)

Human Rights and Wrongs

UNA FILM FESTIVAL The Monterey Bay chapter of the United Nations Association presents a film and video festival in downtown Monterey, screening 14 documentaries Friday through Saturday. Ranging from one to 91 minutes, these films tell the stories that Hollywood can't be bothered with and frequently delve into the bleaker acts of the global drama. Long Night's Journey Into Day (Friday night), nominated for a 2001 Academy Award, chronicles South Africa's difficult post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation process.[TRH]

7PM TONIGHT. 2PM AND 7:30PM SATURDAY. IRVINE AUDITORIUM, MIIS, PIERCE, AND JEFFERSON, MONTEREY. FREE. 626-1509.

saturday

Bang, Bang Goes the Drum

MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL Don't believe a kid who tells you there's nothing to do anymore. There is plenty to do in high school. There's sports, brains, mischief, arts, the marching band and/or some combination thereof. All of it takes some amount of effort and band is right up there for its regimen of practice, practice and practice. Today, some of the most polished marching bands in northern and central California will be strutting their stuff for all to see in Pacific Grove. Bands from as far away as Placerville and as close as Salinas will compete for an array of marching and music awards. You can catch the parades through the streets of Pacific Grove or the field show at the high school stadium. This year marks the event's 24th year, which raises money for the Pacific Grove public schools.[AS]

PARADE STARTS AT 10AM AT GRAND AND JUNIPERO. FIELD SHOW RUNS FROM 5PM TO 9:30PM AT PACIFIC GROVE HIGH SCHOOL'S BREAKER STADIUM. $5 ADULTS/$3 CHILDREN. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 333-3804 OR VISIT WWW.NETCOM.COM/~STOTZERM/BANDFEST.HTML.

Choo-Choo

MODEL RAILROAD SHOW Ask any hardcore model railroad enthusiast and he will tell you the hobby is all about accessorizing-buying miniature street signs, buildings, shrubbery and hobos. And, of course, the boxcars themselves. Which is why the Crossroads will be heaven for train junkies this weekend. The G&D Operators Model Railroad Club of Monterey and the Salinas Valley Railway Historical Society will hold their annual model railroad show, featuring model train layouts of all sizes, several displays and trains for kids to operate. Highlights include a nearly 100 foot-long, two-track loop display, and a working five-foot tall model steam locomotive. Videos and other train information will also be on site. And, while you're there, why not join the club? "There are no bylaws, no rules, and no dues," says G&D Operators' Jim Gunter. "We just like to get together every week and talk model railroads." [JL]

10AM-5PM TODAY AND SUNDAY. CROSSROADS SHOPPING VILLAGE, HIGHWAY 1 AT RIO ROAD, CARMEL. FREE. 372-8193.

monday

Rubbing Elbows With Greatness

THE AUTHOR'S TABLE There's an old parlor game (back when folks had parlors) where you'd sit around and discuss who, in all of human history, you'd most like to meet for a meal. Moses? Jesus? Gandhi? None of those illustrious personalities are expected tonight at the Steinbeck Center, but there's a fine list of local and regional authors nevetheless, each one heading up his or her own table at a festive meal designed to raise money for the Center and CSUMB. You might share a fork with Carmel Valley's own Jane Smiley, Santa Cruz author and professor Dr. Laina Farhat-Holzman, or Thomas Steinbeck, son of the famous John, who just published his first book Down to a Soundless Sea. Or, for some real fun, ask to be seated with San Francisco Chronicle book critic David Kipen, and pick a fight with him over his recommended reads. Each dinner, hosting from 12 to 40 guests each, will be held at a different site; for example, Steinbeck's table will be set inside Doc Ricketts' lab on Cannery Row, a building no longer open to the public except for special events like this.[SF]

CALL 625-8190 FOR TIME, PLACE AND RESERVATIONS. TICKETS COST $150 TO $500.

wednesday 11|6

She Plays a Mean Guitar

SHARON ISBIN The 76th season of the Carmel Music society brings us tonight the first classical guitarist to win a Grammy in 28 years, Sharon Isbin. Her guitar sounds brightly colorful, and her interpretations of classical pieces have garnered praise from music lovers the world over. She's also head of the guitar department at the Julliard School, the preeminent institute of classical music education. In other words, we're lucky to have her. She will dazzle audiences in Carmel tonight, performing pieces ranging from upbeat Latin styles, jazz and classical baroque. [KF]

8PM. GOLDEN BOUGH THEATER, MONTE VERDE AND EIGHTH, CARMEL. CALL FOR PRICES AND RESERVATIONS. 625-9938.