thursday 5|1

Soldiers of the Almighty

THE REBBE'S ARMY The Weekly's associate editor, Sue Fishkoff, will be holding a book-signing and reception this evening at the Thunderbird for her new book, The Rebbe's Army: Inside the World of Chabad-Lubavitch. A study of the outreach efforts of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish Hasidic sect that has built a billion-dollar international empire, the book received a starred review in Publisher's Weekly, and was lauded two weeks ago in the New York Times. After the reception, she will speak about her two-year research process at the monthly meeting of the local chapter of the National Writer's Union. Both events are free and open to the public; refreshments served. [BW]

6-7pm book-signing and reception; 7pm meeting. Thunderbird Bookshop, 3600 The Barnyard, Carmel. Free. 624-1803.

Fancy Footwork

CHITRESH DAS DANCE COMPANY From India comes this lavishly produced evening of Kathak dance, characterized by intense rhythms, furiously fast footwork and brilliantly exotic costumes (see story pg. 55). [SF]

7:30pm. World Theater, Sixth Avenue, CSUMB campus, Seaside. $25/general, $10/CSUMB students. 582-4580.

friday 5|2

Swingin' off the Cliffs

BIG SUR JAZZFEST The Big Sur coast makes a stunning backdrop for the eighth annual Big Sur Jazzfest, to take place at a variety of venues including the Post Ranch, the Henry Miller Library and Ventana Inn. The incomparable Rene Marie headlines this year's three-day multi-venue soiree, starting Friday. The main event is Saturday at Pfeiffer State Park with continuing shows on Sunday. (See story pg. 48). [KF]

Times and ticket prices vary ($10-35), call 667-1530 or visit www.bigsurjazz.org for details.

saturday 5|3

Cats Like To Walk, Too

WAG-N-WALK Lend a hand, err, feet and paws, to the SPCA's eighth annual people and pets walk-a-thon. Money raised helps animals in the community. Register or pledge money to a team, or individual walker at www.spcamc.org and click on the Wag-n-Walk icon. All walkers who raise $50 or more will receive a full-color Wag-n-Walk T-shirt featuring the artwork of California artist and animal advocate Bill Tosetti. Raise more money and win more snazzy prizes. For participating pets and pedestrians, Walk-n-Wag features a scenic two- or four-mile shoreline stroll along the Monterey/Pacific Grove Recreation Trail, and includes a complimentary continental brunch, light lunch and entertainment. C'mon, do it for Fido. [JL]

8:30am. Shoreline Park, Monterey. 373-2631.

Behind the Garden Wall

SECRET GARDENS OF PACIFIC GROVE Ever wonder what's behind that row of hedges you pass on your evening stroll? What grows back there? Does the fog obscure the greens and colors to be surreal? Take this tour and be transported through the gates of the gardens you might not otherwise see. The tour will lead through nine private gardens. Professional gardeners will be on hand at some to provide advice. [AS]

10am-4pm. Tickets cost $12 for Heritage Society members and $15 for non-members. Tickets can be found at Griggs Nursery, Homescapes, Mrs. Trawick's Garden Shop, in the gift shop at the PG Natural History Museum, at Pacific Grove Floral and Tessuti Zoo. 641-9308.

Yee-Haw!

KTOM COUNTRY JAM Four veritable country stars grace our area this weekend as KTOM hosts their Central Coast Country Jam with Rhett Akins, Chad Brock, Wade Hayes and Daryle Singletary. Each is an established country musician with years of hits under their belts, and for one day only they'll be performing at the Monterey Fairgrounds, bringing their individual styles and honky-tonk sensibilities to the audience. Rare is the opportunity to see four chart-topping stars perform together without leaving one's hometown--especially as far north as this. [KF]

1-5pm. Gates open at noon. Monterey Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Rd., Monterey. $23. 394-6666 or www.ktom.com.

Blue Man Groove

PHILIPPE LEJEUNE TRIO This classically trained French boogie-woogie and blues piano master is certainly unique, but his is not a novelty act. Philippe LeJeune does with the boogie-woogie what Marcus Roberts has lately been doing with ragtime, finding in it a deeply musical spirit and infusing it with a jazzman's virtuosity. [AG]

7:30pm. The Jazz &Blues Co., 236 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel. $35. 624-6432.

sunday 5|4

A Well-Versed Group

MONTEREY BAY POETRY FESTIVAL Twenty-five renowned Central Coast poets gather for the first Monterey Bay Poetry Festival, spearheaded by local favorite Ryan Masters, and offer the chance for the public to be immersed in well-phrased emotions. In addition, young poets will be flinging their verse, and an open mic offers budding poets a chance to voice their work. Don Wobber, local sculptor and diver, will be displaying his jade sculpture, and there will be a special memorial reading for Monterey poet Bonnie Gartshore. (See story, p. 52) [BW]

11am-9pm. Chautauqua Hall, 16th and Central avenues, Pacific Grove. Free. 373-3829.

March for Life

WALKAMERICA 2003 If you know about the March of Dimes you're probably already on your own fund drive, collecting money from friends. If you don't, there's still time. Show up with your collection to help prevent birth defects and infant mortality and join the march. Some 12,000 people across Northern California are expected to raise some $3.5 million to save babies. [AS]

8am registration, 9am walk. Start at Lover's Point in Pacific Grove. For more information call the March of Dimes at (408) 260-7629.

Tea in a Stony Tower

TOR HOUSE ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY Poet Robinson Jeffers and his wife Una knew how to live well, and by the skill of their own hard labors. At the turn of the century on a windy bluff over Carmel Bay, Jeffers built Tor House by himself, dragging granite boulders from nearby beaches to create a stone structure complete with a tower to watch the sea and be fully inspired in artistic endeavors. The Jeffers beautified the then-treeless landscape, planting 2000 trees on Carmel Point and creating a wild English garden. Honoring the Jeffers' creative spirit, the Tor House Foundation is having a three-hour garden party, with musicians playing mandolins, bagpipes, and guitar from the tower and gardens, plein aire artists creating art for sale, an out-of-print book sale of Jeffers' works, and tea-time treats. A benefit drawing offers the chance at winning a signed first edition by Jeffers, golf lessons at Quail Lodge, horseback riding lessons at Fox Creek Ranch, and a night at the Mission Ranch. In addition, photography of the home and gardens, usually not allowed, will be permitted. [BW]

2pm. 26304 Ocean View Ave., Carmel. $12, $10/seniors. Must be 12 and over to attend. 624-1813.

Do Try This At Home

CARMEL VALLEY FLOWER AND ART SHOW The drive alone is worth it: heading out Carmel Valley Road on a lazy Sunday, the fields green from April rains, cows nodding by old barns, purple and orange wildflowers coating the landscape. And the destination is worth it too: the Carmel Valley Flower and Art Show has an all-day flower show, plant sale, and fine art show, while also channeling the Martha Stewart within through pottery demonstrations, corsage making, silk painting, and Ikebana style flower arranging. Food and clothing are for sale, plus a silent auction offers chance to take home more than just foliage. Entries for the flower show--which will be professionally judged--must be dropped off between 8:30-11:30am on Saturday. [BW]

10am-5:30pm. Hidden Valley Music Seminars, Carmel Valley Road at Ford Road, Carmel Valley. Free. 659-3615.

wednesday 5|7

Piano Is His Axe

EMANUEL AX CONCERT For 28 years, Emanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma have been the Dynamic Duo of the piano and cello--both of the men are gifted with discipline and virtuosity and also with poetry (and they have two of the coolest names in the music world). Together, they have made numerous records and won three Grammies. Ax was also a frequent collaborator with the legendary Isaac Stern, who was among violinists what Ma is among cellists--the best of his generation. This is the rare air that Emanuel Ax breathes, and local audiences will get a chance to share it this weekend as Ax brings a special solo performance to PG for this Carmel Music Society presentation. [AG]

8pm. Pacific Grove Middle School, 835 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. $30-$40. 625-9938.

Spanish Eyes

PERLA BATALLA The daughter of a Mexican dad and Argentinean mom, LA native Perla Batalla started out singing backup for Iggy Pop and Leonard Cohen (she translated his songs into Spanish) before branching out as a solo vocalist 10 years ago. She's been called the "Chicana Joni Mitchell" for her lovely vocal renditions in Spanish and English (see story p. 42). [SF]

7:30pm. World Theater, Sixth Avenue, CSUMB campus, Seaside. $25/general, $5/CSUMB students. 582-4580.