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mats, and this year's festival is no exception. Down to just one night, the festival is trying to regroup after the loss of its founder Gary Brown in 2016. So the idea is to start from square one, book some solid artists that not only look for- ward, but harken back to its roots. The future is represented by headliner Ned LeDoux, son of country star Chris LeDoux. Ned had been in his dad's band since 1998 as its drummer, but took over as the singer and leader after his dad's death, and for many fans the band didn't skip a beat, playing Chris' classic's like "Rodeo Man" and "This Cowboy's Hat." Add popular Monterey cowboy troubadour Mike Beck, past festival favorites Paul Zarzyski, and New West and you have the makings of an exciting new era. www.montereycowboy.org. (((folkYEAH!))) Presents a Holiday show with Pink Martini, featuring China Forbes,Tuesday, Dec. 12, 8pm Golden State Theatre, Monterey T here's probably not another band like Pink Martini out there playing the world. A dozen musicians, and a world-class vocalist, mix- ing classical, jazz, cabaret and old-fashioned pop, this self-described "little orchestra" returns to the Monterey Peninsula for another rousing show at Golden State Theatre. Pink Martini just released its ninth studio album,"Je dis oui!," which features current vocalist China Forbes, former vocalist Storm Large, Ari Shapiro, fashion guru Ikram Goldman, civil rights activist Kathleen Saadat and Rufus Wainwright. The album fea- tures 15 tracks spanning eight languages, includ- ing French, Farsi, Armenian, Portuguese, Arabic, Turkish, Xhosa and English, and confirms the band's 22-year history of global inclusivity and collaborative spirit. Thomas Lauderdale, the band's leader and pianist, says, "Pink Martini is a rollicking around-the-world musical adven- ture…if the United Nations had a house band in 1962, hopefully we'd be that band." www.goldenstatetheatre.com. 8th Annual Whalefest Monterey Jan 27-28 Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey J anuary is one of the best months of the year to get out on the ocean for whale watching and Monterey has been called the "Whale Watching Capital of the World," so the Monterey Old Fisherman's Wharf Association celebrates the migration of grey whales with this free annual event. It features a two-day sym- posium with world-renowned marine experts and dozens of exhibit booths from marine- related organizations and benefits many of these organizations that educate, inspire and empow- er the public to protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. A great event for children, families and anyone who loves the ocean and its creatures. And c'mon, what kid or kid at heart doesn't like whales? www.montereywharf.com. John Hiatt & The Goners, Featuring Sonny Landreth Monday, Jan. 29, 8pm Sunset Center, Carmel S inger/songwriter John Hiatt's classic ninth album "Slow Turning" was not only one of his most successful and a fan favorite, but its songs may be the most covered by other artists, which include Buddy Guy, Emmylou Harris, Charlie Sexton, Suzy Bogguss and Ilse DeLange. The band that played on that album, The Goners, featured phenomenal guitar player Sonny Landreth, who went on to a solid solo career. Now The Goners, with Landreth, will once again back Hiatt, one of our country's finest singer/songwriters, for a special show at Sunset Center. It features Hiatt and the band playing "Slow Turning" in its entirety, as well as some gems from Hiatt's extensive catalog. His show at Sunset with Lyle Lovett last year sold out. This one will too, so don't wait. www.sunsetcenter.org. John Hiatt performs on Jan 29 at Sunset Center in Carmel. C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 7 99 Photo: Jim McGuire Pink Martini, featuring China Forbes, will be performing at Golden State Theater on Dec 12 at 8pm. Photo: Autumn de Wilde