Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/784242
bles, vocal soloists, as well as conglomerate bands from various schools, the Monterey Jazz Festival's Next Generation Jazz Festival, "Next Gen Fest" to many, is the All-Star Game of jazz competitions. 2017 Monterey Jazz Festival Artists-In-Residence — John Clayton, Jeff Ham- ilton and Gerald Clayton—join this year as guest judges. Plus, the top musicians go on to perform at September's jazz festival, so you get a sneak peak of what's to come. A bonus: It's all free and open to the public. www.montereyjazzfestival.org/NGJF. An Evening with Graham Nash Tuesday, April 4, 7:30pm Sunset Center, Carmel W hat more can one say about Graham Nash? The iconic singer/songwriter has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, with Crosby, Stills, and Nash and with the Hollies, and into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame twice, as a solo artist and with CSN. Lately he's also become a highly respected pho- tographer and visual artist. And of course, he's continued his longtime advocacy of peace, social and environmental causes. This special concert, presented by Crescent Bay Entertainment and a benefit for the Beacon House, features Nash and longtime collaborator Shane Fontayne, who will perform songs from Nash's latest album "This Path Tonight," as well as favorites from his deep catalog of songs. This is a show sure to sell out, so don't delay in buying tickets. www.sunsetcenter.org. Pacific Grove Good Old Days April 8-9 Pacific Grove W hat makes Pacific Grove's homey, small- town festival Good Old Days such a great annual event? Well, it's free, there's a ton of food to choose from, more than 60 bands play- ing virtually every genre of music, and it's got all the trappings of community gatherings from yesteryear : parades, pancake breakfasts, carnival rides, classic car show, pony rides, quilt shows, dance performances and you name it. It boasts the largest arts and craft show in the county, with more than 225 art and food vendors and the return of popular jam band Moonalice. Really, it's a no-brainer. www.pacificgrove.org/events. Sea Otter Classic April 20-23 Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey-Salinas Highway S tarting rather modestly in 1991 as the Laguna Seca Challenge, it drew 350 athletes and 150 spectators. Now the "celebration of cycling," draws more than 10,000 athletes and 71,000 fans and has become the world's pre- mier cycling festival and the largest cycling festi- val and consumer trade show in Nor th America. And it's right in our own backyard. Non-bike riders can enjoy this event as well, since it involves almost every cycling event pos- sible, from mountain bike to cross country, downhill, dual slalom, and short track racing to road racing, circuit and criterium, plus cyclocross and a number of non-competitive recreational events for riders of all ages and skill levels. It truly is a celebration of everything on two wheels. www.seaotterclassic.com. The Sea Otter Classic is April 20-23 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area. An "Evening with Graham Nash," on April 4, at Sunset Center. Photo: Amy Grantham Photo: Rocky Arroyo C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 103