Events Calendar

"Coastal Colors" features the Fine Art Pastels by Sheila Delimont, Paintings by Stephen Skerce and Ceramics by Sachiko Yokota. These 3 award-winning, Monterey artists are featured by Venture Gallery as part of the gallery's 20th Anniversary Celebration. The love of the area's ever-changing beauty is captured in the softness of Delimont's shading and the boldness of Skerce's brushstroke. The elegance and fine line of Yokota's sculptural ceramics evoke a feeling of peacefulness and calm. Come in and allow the Gallery's host-artist introduce you to the work of these and the other 25 local painters, jewelers, potters, and sculptors exhibited here.

Just nominated for induction into the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! With memorable hits like Cisco Kid, Why Can't We Be Friends and Low Rider, the multi-platinum band War has inspired fans and musicians, regardless of generation or genre. After four decades, War’s 19 albums have produced ten Top 10 "Billboard" pop and R&B singles.

Welcome to the first Big Sur Food and Wine Festival, to be held on November 5-8, 2009. A long weekend enjoying the grandeur of Big Sur in intimate settings, of savoring great food paired with exquisite wines – what more could one ask for? The Festival will be held at each local resort and restaurant. We’ll offer winemaker dinners at local restaurants and some private homes on Friday and Saturday evenings, and on Saturday evening we'll host the Dinner With Friends – A Benefit for Big Sur at the Ventana Inn and Spa with Big Sur chefs as well as guest chefs such as Cal Stamenov, of Bernardus, Carmel Valley.

We can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than with The Listening Place, Reader’s Theater as they perform from Oscar Wilde favorites, The Importance of Being Ernest and The Remarkable Rocket. Considered one of the greatest Victorian authors, Wilde is widely known for his plays, short stories and poems. Reader’s Theater uses scripts openly in performance without any sets, costumes or memorization. Free, MMA Members; $5 Non-Members

The Friends of the Museum presents a very special artist lecture with award-winning artistic couple Laurie Kersey and Brian Blood. Building their lifes work around art, Laurie and Brian will share how they've adapted to the changing art world today and how their careers have evolved over the last 25 years. This fascinating discussion will take you through their intensive studies at the Academy of Art University in downtown San Francisco, their diversified careers in commercial art and their individual accomplishments and awards as artists. You'll be amazed at how much this local couple has contributed to the arts community.Wednesday, November 11, 10:30 am at the MMA La Mirada. Free for Friends of the Museum and for $10 MMA Members and Students. $15 Non-Members

Celebrate the Celtic spirit at this hometown holiday concert. Featuring Molly's Revenge with the Tempest, Gas Men, and Michel d'Avenas. General Admission $20, Students $10 VIP reception and concert with reserved seating $50, (831)-647-1988 or 241-2771.

Actor and comedian John Cleese, best known for turns in "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and "Fawlty Towers," will bring his unique comedic perspective to Carmel. "Cleese will be discussing his career in the zany and hilarious world of comedy, as well as his most pressing medical problems, his inability to find a suitable female companion, his mistrust of folk-dancing, and his latest plan for world peace."

Escape the ordinary at Monterey Wine Country’s Great Wine Escape Weekend, November 13th-15th, 2009. This annual tradition, presented by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association and Wine Enthusiast Magazine, celebrates Monterey County’s world-class wines and gastronomic delights crafted by nationally recognized chefs during a weekend of unbeatable events. Monterey County’s lifestyle and wines are defined by the cooling influence of the ocean and especially of Monterey Bay and its very deep marine canyon, whose immensity and depth have earned it the nickname, “The Blue Grand Canyon™.” More than fifty acclaimed wineries will showcase their wines, reflecting the quality of the region’s nine distinct American Viticulture Areas. Here’s a sneak peek at some of this year’s events: Palate Pleasers, Join Robert Bleifer, Executive Chef of Food Network; Jerry Regester, Chef of The InterContinental, The Clement Hotel Monterey; Jeff Jake, Executive Chef of The Carneros Inn; and Mark Ainsworth, Chef/Owner of Pastry Smart; for two interactive seminars and a four-course lunch paired with Monterey County wines. Winemaker Dinners, Monterey County wineries will collaborate with local restaurants to provide exquisite dinners Winery Open Houses and Guided Tours, Visit the tasting rooms of Monterey County and enjoy hospitality, special pourings, and select barrel samples. Navigate on your own or let our luxury coaches guide the way. Blending Seminar /Riedel Tasting Seminar, Be a winemakers for a day as you explore the challenges of blending a signature bottle of wine and elevate your tasting experience with a sensory glass seminar led by Riedel Crystal. The Great Wine Escape Finale, This showcase event will feature barrel samples and reserve wines from over Monterey County wineries, food samplings, and celebrity and local chef cooking demonstrations. Discover the wine region the wine region on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, bursting with diversity, charm and great tasting wine! For additional information on Monterey Wine Country and to order tickets, please visit www.montereywines.org, or call (831) 375-9400

Meet "Max" and Joanne Parks Saturday, November 14th, 2009, 7 - 9 pm (Tickets are $20 per person sold in advance at the bookstore.) Max is an authentic ancient crystal skull; a wonder of the world estimated to be thousands of years old and considered by many, to be one of the rarest artifacts ever found on this planet.

Saturday, November 14th 4pm–6pm, $85 per person Celebrate the harvest with Chef Cal Stamenov, Pastry Chef Ben Spungin, Wine Director Mark Jensen and local florist Susanna Gamble. Chef Cal and Chef Spungin will share their favorite Thanksgiving recipes from stuffing to dessert. Mark Jensen will discuss wine pairings, while Susanna creates simple, yet elegant centerpieces and wreaths. Guests are sure to leave inspired and ready to celebrate the season.