Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/456364
Gary Bolen, this production promises to be one of the most entertaining theatrical experiences of 2015. www.mpctheatreco.com Next Generation Jazz Festival, March 27-29, Monterey Conference Center and Portola Plaza Hotel & Spa C alling this the "Super Bowl of jazz educa- tion" is no exaggeration. More than 1,300 of the country's top student musicians, includ- ing middle, high school and collegiate talents, compete every year in groups of every stripe: big bands, small combos, vocal ensembles, as well as conglomerate bands from various schools. Only the cream of the crop survive the cut to make it to play the stages at the Monterey Jazz Festival in September. The star- studded judges band and the special guest ar tist may draw the public's attention, but the students are the true stars here. Bonus: all per- formances are free and open to the public. www.montereyjazzfestival.org/NGJF Buddy Guy, 8pm Friday, April 3, Sunset Center, Carmel T here aren't a whole lot of blues giants left except for B.B. King and Buddy Guy, and B.B. has been cutting back on his schedule due to health concerns. But the multiple-Grammy Award-winning singer/guitarist Guy, who Eric Clapton called the best guitarist alive, is still touring and recording. Guy is one of the last liv- ing link to the seminal Chicago sound that stood rock music on its ear in the '60s and '70s, and at age 78, his playing is just as vibrant and mind- blowing as ever. www.sunsetcenter.org. Pebble Beach Food & Wine, April 9-12, Pebble Beach Y ou may want to get your tickets early for this one, the eighth annual, four-day epic extravaganza celebrating fine food, winning wines, exalted chefs and creative cooking, because rumor has it that this may be the last one from Coastal Luxury Management, organiz- ers of the event. If you do get tickets, you'll rub elbows with more than 60 celebrity chefs, indulge in their tasty creations and sip wines from 250 wineries. There are lunches, dinners, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and yes, parties. Oh, there are parties. If you're going to go, may as well go out in style. www.pbfw.com Pacific Grove Good Old Days, April 11-12, Pacific Grove W hen it comes to home-grown, old-fash- ioned, small town celebrations, nobody does it better than the self-proclaimed "America's Last Hometown," Pacific Grove and its signature annual event, Good Old Days. Of course there's a parade, pancake breakfast, food and arts and crafts booths, carnival rides, classic car show, quilt show, pony rides, dancing and live entertainment, including more than 60 bands. The event takes over almost the entire down- town area and, harkening back to those good old days, it's free. www.pacificgrove.org/events Subaru Sea Otter Classic cycling festival, April 16-19, Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey. Y ou don't really have to ride a bicycle to appreciate or enjoy the Sea Otter Classic, the world's largest cycling festival celebrating its 25th year. The event features competitive racing with most of cycling's racing disciplines repre- sented, with more than 10,000 athletes and 65,000 fans participating during the four days, but it also offers numerous family activities, enter tainment, an international food cour t, recreational biking events, stunt shows and one of the largest consumer bike expos in the world. It's truly, as organizers call it, a festive "cel- ebration of cycling." www.seaotterclassic.com Merle Haggard, 8pm Wednesday, April 29, The Golden State Theatre, Monterey T he word "legend" gets thrown about care- lessly these days, but if there's anyone who can wear that crown without an argument from anyone, it's Merle Haggard, one of the most gifted, compelling and prolific songwriters in country music history. And even after a remark- able six-decade career filled with huge hits, stints in jail, controversies and comebacks, Haggard is still touring and creating timeless, relevant music. He returns to Monterey with his first-class touring band to play hits such as "Mama Tried," "Hungry Eyes," "Today I Star ted Loving You Again" and "Okie From Muskogee." www.goldenstatetheatre.com Mac McDonald was the editor and music columnist for the Monterey County Herald's GO! entertainment and dining section for 22 years. He currently is a freelance writer and editor cov- ering a variety of subjects, from music to wine and food. Country Music Hall of Fame icon Merle Haggard brings his hit songs written with "honesty" to the Golden State Theatre in Monterey on April 29th. C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 95 Photo: Myriam Santos