Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/551480
tique about it. It is not only the longest continu- ally running jazz festival in the world, almost every jazz star of the last 70 years or more has graced its stages, from Miles Davis, Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong to Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall and Herbie Hancock. This year's festival boasts 500 artists performing on eight stages at the sprawling, tree-lined, 22-acre site, including Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Dianne Reeves, Chris Botti, Sheila E., Terence Blanchard, Trombone Shorty, and many more. This is the grand-daddy of them all, but it's still not showing its age. www.montereyjazzfestival.org Michael McDonald, Sept. 23 Sunset Center, Carmel C rooner Michael McDonald has been so successful in the latter half of his career that a lot of people forget that he almost sin- gle-handedly revived the Doobie Brothers' flag- ging career in the '70s. In the '80s and '90s, his solo career took off with hits such as "Sweet Freedom," "On My Own" (a duet with Patti LaBelle) and the Grammy-winning duet with James Ingram, "Yah Mo B There." But his '70s-era Doobie Bro- thers classics such as "What A Fool Believes," "Takin' It to the Streets," and "Minute by Minute" still resonate with audiences. The five-time Grammy win- ner continues to tour (including reunions with the Doobies), record Grammy-nominated albums, adding his soulful voice to recordings with friends and lending his energies and talents to several charitable causes. www.sunsetcenter.org The Medflys, Sept. 26 Planet Gemini, Monterey F ive years ago, Monterey-born rock band The Medflys played two rousing, sold-out shows in Monterey and Santa Cruz to celebrate their 30th anniversary. This year, the boys are back in Monterey to not only celebrate their 35th anniversary, but to raise funds and awareness for a cause near and dear to their hearts, Savannah's Song for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Savannah is the daughter of Medflys' guitarist Robbie Evans who lost her battle with cancer earlier this year at the tender age of 13. Expect all the usual wild fun and shenanigans from one of Monterey's best bands from the '80s, who combine New Wave, ska and punk into an irresistible sound. www.facebook.com/ events/1734087466818167 Taste of Carmel, October 1-4 Carmel Mission, Carmel A s befitting its roots as a bohemian enclave filled with writers, artists, poets and actors, Taste of Carmel celebrates the village's past with lavish gatherings, food and wine tours, arts adventures, live music and outdoor activities. The centerpiece is the Opening Night Ball on Oct. 1, which is held in the courtyard of the historic old Carmel Mission. Patrons dress in themed attire, this year it's "Mission 007: Shaken Not Stirred," dance to rockers Money Band, and sample delectable offerings from more than 30 of Carmel's renowned restaurants and more than 20 of Monterey County's wineries. The silent auction is one of the largest in the area, with literally hundreds of items and services. www.tasteofcarmel.com Oktoberfest Monterey Bay, Oct. 3-4 Monterey County Fair & Event Center, Monterey O rganizers, especially founder Andre Lengacher, took a lot of ribbing for holding this event in September the past couple of years, but that will end this year when Oktoberfest takes place in—sur- prise!—October! This brash and lively event returns to celebrate its fifth year with three days of German and Swiss beer in oversized steins, bratwurst and giant pretzels, live music and dancing. The event also includes parades, the traditional tap- ping of the first keg, bounce houses and live music with The Hazelnuss Das Music and The Alpine Band. www.oktoberfestmontereybay.com Carmel International Film Festival, Oct. 21-25 Various venues, Carmel-by-the-Sea T his event star ted life as the Carmel Art & Film Festival before morphing into its current incarnation, putting the focus more on film. It will still feature displays of painting, sculpture, pho- tography and offer live music events, but films will take center stage. The festival will screen at least 50 independent films, including feature- length, documentaries, shorts and student films as well as 3D. Many of the films shown at this festival in the past went on to win prestigious awards, including Oscars. Sunset Center serves as its headquarters and main screening theater. http://carmelfilmfest.com C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 5 103 Photo: Jason Sheldon/Junction10 Photography Michael McDonald comes to the Sunset Center on September 23. Wynton Marsalis will be performing at the 58th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival, held September 18-20. Photo: Clay Mcbride