thursday 6|5

Len's Tales of the Supernatural

THE WEIR AND PERRY AT THE CHERRY Ghostly tales are told tonight when Pac Rep opens The Weir, a relatively new Irish play about a strange young woman who joins four men in a rural Irish pub for an evening of storytelling. Tomorrow night at Carmel's Cherry Hall, Conrad Selvig departs from his usual theatrical presentations by directing actor Len Perry in, first, scenes from three modern American plays (here he's helped along by several other local actors); and then, in a second act, "Len's favorite songs," wherein the actor serenades the audience with tunes from the past, accompanied by pianist Hal Harris of Mission Ranch fame, and by Lynette Graves. Len Perry is quite an entertaining fellow, although this show is a little...different for him. [SF]

The Weir opens tonight at 7:30pm at the Circle Theater, Casanova between 8th and 9th in Carmel. 622-0100. Perry at the Cherry opens Friday at 8pm at the Carl Cherry Center, Guadalupe at 4th, Carmel. 626-6796. (See theater listings pg. 39.)

friday 6|6

All in the Family

PG ART OPENINGS A few days before America declared war on Iraq, Carmel Valley painter Pamela Takigawa watched a steelhead splash its way upriver, following Nature's imperative--in this case, a peaceful one. She took refuge from the war effort in her painting, and will display those quiet watercolors in a show opening tonight at the Pacific Grove Art Center. Also on display are monotypes and prints by Ann Rizzo, 30 years of photographs by instructor Jerry Bell, and artwork by students from the Chartwell School. Up the street at Art House, an entire family of artists exhibits its watercolors, painted furniture, digital art, and "first efforts" by the grandkids; the opening reception tonight is family-friendly. [SF]

7-9pm, both receptions. PG Art Center is at 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. 375-2208. Art House is at 226 17th St., Pacific Grove. 373-8888.

A Call to all Nomads

MODERN NOMAD FESTIVAL Travelers and musicians couple jazz music and beatnik poetry as they express their creativity during the first Modern Nomad Festival, today through Sunday in Big Sur. The festival, a fundraiser for Modern Nomad magazine and the Henry Miller Memorial Library, consists of three days of live music and spoken word, featuring jazz extraordinare Jenna Mammina and beat poet Neeli Cherkovski. Also performing will be Celtic folk artist Pamela Wyn Shannon and author Lisa Teasley. But the performances are not limited to these artists; the public is invited to share their music and words during open mic sessions. Two writing workshops on New Travel Writing and Poetry of Place are offered as well: your chance to get hip and share travel stories with fellow creative wanderers. [ZS]

5pm today through noon Sunday. Ticket prices range from $50-200, depending on your financial situation; $20 day passes available at the door. Henry Miller Memorial Library, Highway 1, Big Sur. 667-2574 or modernnomadmagazine.com.

saturday 6|7

I See London, I See France

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Bring along a "passport to fun"--don't worry, no scary mug-shot photo needed--and travel the world, International School of Monterey style. Today's event features game booths, a bounce house, barbecue lunch, silent auction, live music and dancing, and the International Alley and Marketplace, which offers cultural booths representing China, Russia, India, Italy, Lebanon, Israel, Japan, Mexico and more. As youngsters travel country to country they can enjoy unique arts and crafts activities and collect "visitor visas," to add to their Passport to the World masks. Meanwhile, parents can shop for specialty items and, of course, eat. [JL]

11am-3pm. International School of Monterey, 190 Seeno St., Monterey. 647-1010.

Hang Ten

SUNSHINE FREESTYLE SURFABOUT Even for totally boardless bozos like myself, surfing is a major draw. It's impossible to ignore something just so obviously cool, and even cooler to watch people who are really talented ride the cold blue waves of Carmel Bay. Today and Sunday, there's nothing finer than to hang on Carmel Beach, watching Monterey County residents--that's only locals, baby--competing in the most popular event, the open longboard category. There's also a range of age divisions for shortboarders, from menehunes (that's kids, haole) to kahunas (old guys). The Dick Cross Memorial Distance Paddle sends surfers on their boards from Carmel River Beach, around Carmel Point, all the way to the judges' stands at Eighth and Scenic. Last year's top paddlers went the distance in 14-16 minutes. There's also an open body boarding and skim boarding category, and on Sunday, the most action happens in the finals. To compete, drop by Sunshine Freestyle at 443 Lighthouse Ave. in Monterey and be prepared to drop $30. [BW]

Events start at 7am and go into the early evening, today and Sunday. Carmel Beach, Carmel. $30 to register, free for voyeurs. 375-5015.

A Still Shade Overhead

ROBINSON JEFFERS POETRY READING It's not hyperbole to say that Carmel poet Robinson Jeffers' Tor House, sitting above the foggy cliffs of Carmel Bay, has a mythic quality to it. A twisty tower with secret passages made of craggy stone, from granite hand-hewn by Jeffers, stands next to his main home, still decorated as when he lived there with wife Una and his twin sons. Jeffers' words, both sparse and lovely, reflecting bitterness and faith, have a mythic quality of their own, and will be read in his parlor tonight by writer Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts. Roberts will also read his own words, including poems from his most recent effort, Dancing on the Brink of the World: Selected Poems of Point Lobos; and also from Big Sur poet Eric Barker. A wine and cheese reception starts off the evening. [BW]

6:30pm. 26304 Ocean View Ave., Carmel. $20/donation. Reservations call 624-1813 or 624-5725.

Rock Reincarnation

KARMA'S CD RELEASE CONCERT She's been rocking Monterey County for years, building up a loyal fan base, but has been immersed in a studio for the past year eight months recording. Now Karma is returning, live, with her red-hot band to perform her entire new CD at Viva Monterey. Not only does the smoky-voiced singer have Tom Ayres on guitar, but her full-length debut CD Karma was produced by Thom Wilson, who has worked with Madonna and Cher, among others. If you've been looking for a reward for past good behavior, your Karma is here, and she rocks. [CC]

9pm. Viva, 414 Alvarado St., Monterey. Free. 655-4430.

Jazz It Up

CHARLIE SHOEMAKE TRIO Been missing the Jazz and Blues Company concerts? Fear not. The Charlie Shoemake Trio with special guest Red Holloway hit the intimate stage, marking the return of this popular series. Shoemake entertains on piano, while Holloway shows off his sax skills. (See story pg. 30) [CC]

7:30pm. Jazz and Blues Co., The Crossroads, Carmel. $35/person (students half price). 624-6431.

Melissa and Frank

CARMEL ART ASSOCIATION OPENING Two popular association painters unveil recent work in this month's gallery shows, opening with a reception tonight. Melissa Lofton, known for her large-scale, often pastel landscapes, delves into the inner self with a solo show titled "Between Worlds." Next door in the Gallery Showcase, Frank Ashley continues his focus on big-boned dancers and artists with new work in acrylic on canvas and pen and ink drawings, including scenes of a New Orleans jazz parade. [SF]

6-8pm. Carmel Art Association Gallery, Dolores between 5th and 6th, Carmel. 624-6176.

Deep Groove

MOSE ALLISON The schools of silver tuna and leatherback turtles and jellies are in for a treat, along with anyone clever enough to find their way to this once-a-year Jazz at the Aquarium event. As a jazz piano player, as a songwriter, and as a singer, Mose Allison is without peer. His sardonic wit, his laconic voice, and his evocative playing have earned him a reputation as one of the greatest of the jazz greats. His songs have been recorded by a score of jazz stylists, plus The Who and The Clash. This a rare chance to see him in one of the world's coolest places. Also appearing are Primary Colors, The Eddie Marshall Jazz Recorder Ensemble, and more. Proceeds benefit the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz. [AW]

8pm. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Monterey. $70 ($50 for aquarium and Kuumbwa Jazz Center members). 648-4888.