You probably don’t expect to hear compositions by John Coltrane and Dizzy Gillespie at a Bach music festival. But then again, this isn’t just any music festival – this is the Bach Festival in Carmel.
Carmel. A town founded by artists, poets, and writers who preferred to name their houses rather than give them numerical addresses (a tradition that continues today, much to the consternation of FedEx).
A town that allows dogs almost everywhere, but prohibits high heels without a permit. And a town that every summer celebrates the power of music with performances that run the gamut from “pastoral to exuberant, classical to jazz, and traditional to avant-garde.”
From intimate Bach sonatas at the Church in the Forest, to the festive opening night gala at the Sunset Center, this year’s schedule includes full orchestral and choral works, individual vocal and chamber ensemble concerts, recitals, master classes, films, lectures, informal talks, social and family events.
The Carmel Bach Festival runs from July 16-30 at venues around the Peninsula. Tickets are available now, and some events are free.
A “Note” Worthy Vacation Rental
Indulge yourself – and your interest in the arts – in one of our many Carmel vacation rentals. Like this 1,600 square foot beauty nestled in a pine forest, just blocks from downtown.
With an enchanted backyard garden, two private decks, three bedrooms and three baths, it sleeps six (plus your dog) comfortably.
Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com
Many, many thanks to our home owner of vacation rental code 9V for allowing us to use the fabulous and totally functional kitchen to prep our food!
Your home is very beautifully furnished and I have to say, I was tempted to crawl into one of those heavenly beds!
It was a great time!
We caught our very own Jan Leasure, managing broker and Lucinda Bliss, of Monterey Bay Commercial Real Estate monkeying around at the party!
It was so wonderful to see all the children 
having so much fun on the beach.
And the winner of our sandcastle contest…….. Our Top to Bottom Housekeeping family!
by Rhonda Navarro
What do you get when you match up 78 professional golf champions and 78 junior golfers (ages 15-18) on two spectacular courses? The First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, July 5-10, a one of a kind golf event… and a whole lot of fun.
Joined by 156 amateurs, the play rotates between Pebble Beach Golf Links and Del Monte Golf Course, with the final round at Pebble Beach. From a spectator’s point of view, The First Tee is one of the most entertaining golf events to watch: the skill of the senior players combined with the youthful enthusiasm of the juniors is a heart-warming formula. And admission is free.
Created by the World Golf Foundation, The First Tee brings golf to youngsters around the world that otherwise would not be exposed to the game, through educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices.
Currently offered in 4,000 elementary schools, the program teaches the nine values of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment.
And speaking of “values,” this lovely Pebble Beach Vacation Rental is discounted to only $1,400 per week.
Why rent a hotel room when you can spread out in an elegant 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath golf course home?
Contact Michelle@MontereyRentals.com or call her at (831) 658-4001.
If you love beer, the 10th annual Monterey Beer Festival, Saturday, June 11 from 12:30-5 pm at the Monterey Fairgrounds promises “the greatest assortment of beer ever assembled on the Central Coast.”
From “Waialua Wheat” to “Woodchuck Cider,” over 80 breweries will be represented, with the best beers from around the world: America, Belgium, Germany, England, France, Australia, Thailand, Italy, Asia, Ireland, Russia, Mexico, and Jamaica. Tickets are $35 – and there’s a special VIP Pre-Party that starts at 11:30 am. For $55, you can beat the crowd, taste some special beers, and toss back a few complimentary snacks.
Three “tribute” bands will play the music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, AC/DC, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and food prepared by local Monterey chefs will be available for purchase.
(Oh, and along with all the beer, food, and fun… the event promoter promises that additional rest room facilities have been added this year.) Get the party started!
See the stars – onstage and off – at the Forest Theater in the heart of Carmel. The oldest outdoor community theater west of the Rockies, this 500 seat natural amphitheater is surrounded by cypress and Monterey pines.
The original stage was built on a slope between two great pines that form the 60′ wide proscenium arch. In those days there wasn’t a curtain, and there were no electric lights. Bonfires lit the roads and paths to the theater. Then, as now, two stone fireplaces on either side of the stage are kindled before each performance, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
This season, the magic happens with two musicals: “Peter & the Wolf,” weekends through June 19, and “Once Upon a Mattress,” July 1-31. There’s also a summer line up of “Films in the Forest.”
The Argonaut Cottage, one of our most popular Carmel rentals, is a short walk from the outdoor theater and all the attractions of downtown Carmel. See a play or watch a movie under the stars… and then head back to this cozy cottage for a cup of hot cocoa by the fireplace.
I hope everyone enjoyed their visit here, in the beautiful Monterey Bay, for Memorial Weekend. The sun was shining down on Ocean View Boulevard this past Sunday, while the waves were crashing onto the shoreline and rocks. Come out this Summer and see for yourself, the magnificent views along the coast of Monterey, California.
The 18 mile Historic Recreational Trail follows our Coastline and beaches such as Del Monte Beach, Lovers Point, Asilomar Beach, and Ocean View Boulevard. We look forward to seeing you all, for the Summer of 2011! ~Ashley at Monterey Bay Property Management
It’s time to party – and it’s FREE! The summer season kicks off Sunday, June 5 from 11am – 5pm with the annual Cannery Row Block Party, a lively family favorite with kids’ games, balloon artists, food, music, and entertainment.
There will be live animal shows at the Bubba Gump Plaza, and four live bands playing at Steinbeck Plaza: Long Distance Flyers, Red Glare, Nu-Horizon and Local Groove.
Jellybeans, cinnamon rolls and magic tricks…. flaming cocktails, cioppino and Dippin’ Dots… from palm reading to wine tasting, Cannery Row truly has something for everyone!
Walk to Cannery Row…
We have some great places to stay nearby, too.
Like an oceanfront duplex just a short walk from Cannery Row along the beautiful coastal trail.
Be sure to ask for the “June Special.” Rhiannon@MontereyRentals.com
Monterey County Fairgrounds will rock June 24-26 as the 26th annual Monterey Bay Blues Festival kicks off with continuous music on three stages.
Don’t miss this eclectic line up of “blues anyone can use.” From Friday evening to Sunday night, the festival promises food and fun for everyone – and families are welcome.
Here’s just a taste:
Uplifting soul and gospel by the unstoppable Mavis Staples… the irrepressible funk of the Barkays and the Dazz Band… crowd-igniting blues/rock/jazz/funk by Blues at Eleven… Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band’s third generation Zydeco… soul stirring classics by R&B legends Peabo Bryson, Freddie Jackson and Jeffrey Osborne.
Tickets are on sale now, and this event always sells out.
Need a place to stay while you get your groove on?
This 3 bdrm/3 bath coastal beauty is still available. It’s oceanfront, with all the blue you could ask for.
Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com
We have Farmers Markets almost every day of the week in Monterey County, but two of our very favorite seasonal markets re-opened this month:
The Carmel Farmers Market at the uber-charming Barnyard Shopping Village (Highway 1 and Carmel Valley Road) is open on Tuesdays from 9 am until 1 pm, and the Del Monte Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center next to Whole Foods (Highway 1 and Munras Avenue, Monterey) is open Sunday mornings from 8 am until noon.
From orchids to artichokes, both offer an awesome array of locally grown produce and specialty items: pasture raised grass-fed meat, fresh seafood, farm fresh organic eggs, organic honey, fresh baked goods, flowers and potted plants.
Now… where to chop those yummy veggies?
Whip up something amazing in the warm sunny kitchen of this Pacific Grove jewel, with views all the way across beautiful Monterey Bay.
Then, after dinner, pop open a chilled Monterey Chardonnay and soak in the hot tub under the stars.
Fasten your seatbelts as comic genius Ann Randolph takes you on a “cross country flight” you will never forget. The winner of the San Francisco Bay Critic’s and L.A. Weekly awards for “Best Original Script” and “Best Solo Performer,” Randolph will perform her one-woman show LOVELAND in Carmel Valley on May 21.
Hilarious and deeply human, the mercurially gifted Randolph embodies many characters in LOVELAND, including Frannie Potts – an out of control, sexually charged misfit overwhelmed by grief after losing her mother.
Writer/performer Randolph, whose last solo show was produced by Mel Brooks and the late Anne Bancroft, will also host a half-day writing workshop on May 21.
LOVELAND will play Saturday May 21 at 8pm at Hidden Valley Music Seminars, 88 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel. Admission is $20 http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/170872
Randolph’s WRITE YOUR LIFE Workshop will be held in the same location on Saturday, May 21, from 10am – 2 pm. Admission is $50 http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/170906.
For more information on either event, call 800-838-3006.
Here’s what the critics say:
- “You’ll laugh. You’ll cry… Randolph mines new depth of hilarity.”
-San Francisco Chronicle
- “Riotously demented and brilliantly humane.”
-SF Bay Guardian
- ” Brilliantly funny… irreverent, hilarious and deeply human. Ann Randolph is a comic genius.”
-SF Bay Times
- “The kind of breakthrough dramatic experience one yearns for but rarely gets.”
-The Huffington Post
