Big Sur has been relatively quiet of late, but not this week, the redwoods will be rockin'. Things get under way Thursday night at 7:30ish with the ever-popular Big Sur International Short Film Series featuring five award-winning short films from the U.S., Norway, Germany and Sweden.
I got into this 11-night series late (sixth week), but I'm hooked on these tasty appetizers, ranging anywhere from a few minutes to almost 20 and in virtually every genre, from comedy and animation to drama, romance, sci-fi and horror. They are screened Wednesday night at 7:30 at the Museum of Monterey ($10 or $5 for members) and the same films on Thursday night at the Henry Miller Memorial Library (by donation).
Unfortunately, there are only two more screenings left at MOM (Aug. 8 and 15) and three at the library, including Thurday's (Aug. 9 and 16).
Thursday's screening includes special appearances by several directors, producers and actors from the films that night. Details at www.henrymiller.org.
The next night, another film, the documentary "Apocalypse," which records the U.S. leg of singer-songwriter Bill Callahan's 2011 tour, will be screened at the library. Callahan will then perform a short solo set after the film.
Then at 10 p.m. Sub Pop Records artist King Tuff will perform at the film's after-party at Fernwood Resort in a show presented by FolkYEAH! Opening will be Matt Baldwin, with tickets at $15 at the
King Tuff plays jangly, loose-limbed rock and is a member of Witch, a heavy rock band with J Mascis and Dave Sweetapple and was part of pop-rockers Happy Birthday.
The folk/hippie music fest in Big Sur, the Woodsist Festival on Saturday and Sunday is sold out (and has been for months), as is Grandaddy Wednesday night at the Henry Miller Library, both FolkYEAH! shows. You may be able to find tickets on Craigslist. And need I even mention that the Sept. 11 show at the library by the Flaming Lips is also sold out?
To help you come down from all that, you may want to mosey on over to the Big Sur River Inn to catch the jazzy/folky tunes of Andrea's Fault, playing from 1 to 5 p.m. on the back deck of that Big Sur institution.
Closer to home, the music is everywhere, especially in Carmel Valley, what with the three-day Carmel Valley Fiesta taking over.
The festivities get going Friday night with the Hoopla, which features the return of the Scones, the former band of singer, songwriter and guitarist Martin Shears, plus an appearance by the versatile singer John Michael.
The Hoopla, at the Carmel Valley Trail and Saddle Club, also includes a barbecue dinner ($25) or come enjoy just the music for $10.
The "Days on the Green" of the Fiesta portion features four music acts on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and three on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., both days at the Carmel valley Community Park and both free.
Saturday features a car show and Sunday a "doggie show," as well as food and beverage and arts and crafts vendors.
The centerpiece of Saturday's show, which kicks off at 10 a.m. with Andrea's Fault, and includes performances by Shears and the Santa Cruz classic rock outfit The Blackouts, is the noon to 1:30 performance by Dave "Helwig" Adams.
Adams' resume includes performing and/or recording with artists such Journey, Steve Miller Band, Montrose (on "Rock Candy"), Pat Travers, The Tubes and more. He recently opened for the Robert Cray Band at the Mid-State Fair.
Sunday, John Michael opens at 10 a.m., followed by the Stingrays and The unDecided. Info is available at 659-7100.
In additilon to the Fiesta, Kiki Wow has booked shows at the new Plaza Linda, with Nancy Jones doing her solo thing on Friday night from 7-9 p.m; jazz with Infinitee & The Jazz Cats from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday; and Wes Kelly & Luis Lerma on Sunday from 5-7 p.m., all shows by donation.
Then on Tuesday night at 9:30, catch Austin, Texas, country band Mike &The Moonpies with Jay Lingo. No cover.
Tons of shows at The Alternative Cafe this week, including heavy metal legend Scott "Wino" Weinrich (The Obsessed, Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan, Hidden Hand, Shrinebuilder) and Conny Ochs playing Saturday night and winsome "The Voice" semi-finalist Naia Kete (sounds like the child of Jason Mraz and Nora Jones) on Thursday night. Get all the details and music at thealternativecafe.com.
Also, try not to miss singer, songwriter and guitarist Janet Robin on Friday night at The Works in Pacific Grove. She's not only an accomplished rock songwriter, but her guitar skills are exemplary (her first teacher was Randy Rhoads of Ozzy Osbourne's band and she played in Lindsey Buckingham's band, among others).
And both Birdhouse and the North Pacific String Band will play at Thursday's Independent Marketplace, whose theme is Santa Cruz this month. The Money Band, after a brief hiatus, plays from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Baja Cantina in Carmel Valley and from 5-7 p.m. Friday night at the bottom level of Carmel Plaza in the opening of a music and wine/food series there.
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