Carl Cherry Center for the Arts

Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts High School Poetry Awards Ceremony
2026-05-09 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Carl Cherry Center, Fourth and Guadalupe, Carmel, CA, 93921, United States
The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts Monterey County High School Poetry Awards. This long-standing program recognizes and promotes excellence among high school poets while fostering a lasting interest in creative expression through the written word.
A reading and awards ceremony honoring the student poets will be held 2pm on Saturday, May 9th, at the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts in Carmel. Students will receive a cash prize, certificate of merit, and poetry anthology that includes their award-winning poem. The event is free and teachers, students, friends and family are encouraged to attend.

Porchlight Stories
2026-05-14 19:00 - 20:30
SOLD OUT
Follow this LINK to participate in upcoming performances.
Inspired by the weekly NPR “Moth Radio Hour,” storytellers tell a 5 to 7 minute true story about themselves without prompts or notes. Each personal story defines an event or series of united events where something could be gained or lost . Their stories tell tales of love, midnight adventure, childhood misconception, teenage thugs, and more. The storyteller’s perception of reality, themselves, or their relationships is altered in unexpected ways as is our own. Expect to be intrigued, amused and moved by these very personal stories, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself bursting out with laughter or holding back tears. The performance will be held Thursday, May 14th at 7pm. Tickets are $20.
The evening is hosted by the celebrated musician, composer, and theatre producer, Mark Governor, who returns to Carmel for this one night event. Among the storytellers are Moth regulars, Mindy Myers and JP Frary; Henry Miller Library executive director Magnus Toren; actor, singer, and storyteller, Michael Lojkovic; 93-year-old German immigrant and author, Hans Lehmann; prize winning artist and architect, Polly Osborne; and painter, photographer, Elizabeth Murray.
The event is produced by the Carl Cherry PorchLight Committee which includes Carl Cherry Center Executive Director, Robert Reese; Board Members: Ellen Osborne, Jim Dultz, Anne Mitchell, Kris Swanson, Camille D’Avenas, and Robin Mckee. This is the first show of a planned 3 part series.

Participants
Host:
Mark Governor is a composer, songwriter, playwright and record producer most well known for his work on films like “The Hobbit” and “Pet Sematary 2”, the ubiquitous SpongeBob SquarePants track “Jellyfish Jam”, and his rock musical “shAme”. A former Carmel resident, he now lives In San Francisco where he continues to create and produce music and theater.
Storytellers:
JP Frary designs and builds furniture and sculptures in a wood shop on the old Alameda Naval Base. He specializes in using recycled materials in ways that make them look new. He is the Resident Storyteller at Redwood Nights in Fairfax, CA. Otherwise, his stories can be heard in hardware stores and lumber yards.
Hans Lehmann, 93, was born in Germany, and immigrated to the United States in 1939. He graduated from the Webb Schools. Received degrees from the University of Colorado, Harvard, and an honorary discharge from the US Army. Worked at Macy’s for 28 years, has published 3 books, and lives in Carmel. He writes a blog twice a week.
First appearing on-stage as ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ in grade school, Michael Lojkovic has performed many staged readings at the Cherry. As a community songleader, he’s taught songs from Orcas Island to Soledad Prison to Big Sur and founded Vocal Activists Monterey Peninsula (VAMP) in 2025. Acting every fall at Colton Hall’s California Constitutional Reenactment, Michael is currently writing a musical ‘TrumpelThinSkin: Gagging on Gold Amidst Samsara Beds of Straw.’
For over 50 years Elizabeth Murray’s passion for nature and spirit has inspired her dedication to cultivating beauty through painting, writing and diverse projects around the world. Her work has shown around the world in Museums with Monet, permanent installments in corporate collections and in her historic Bohemian Artist home and Gardens in Monterey, California.
Mix 2 cups humor and word-smithing, with 1 cup New York wise-crackings. Sift through a lens of creativity. Add a dash of nightly story telling practice from her childhood dinner table, with peppery sarcasm. Stir well and you have the unique stylings of Mindy Myers. Mindy is a playwright, storyteller, young adult book author, and culinary educator.
Polly Osborne is an artist and architect living in Monterey, California. She was mentored by her uncle in art, her stepfather in architecture, and her parents in humor and good sportsmanship. She shows her work at the Carmel Art Association. Her pesky little sister made her tell this story.
Magnus Toren is Executive Director of the Henry Miller Memorial Library in Big Sur, a Swedish-born former sailor whose life spans ocean crossings, remote islands, and cultural curation. A storyteller, musician, and podcaster, he blends adventure with stewardship, sustaining a unique literary haven while exploring ideas, places, and people through conversation and art.
This event was sponsored, in part, through funding from:
Arts Council for Monterey County,
Carmel Woman’s Club
Carmel-by-the-Sea Rotary
Community Foundation for Monterey County
Monterey County Board of Supervisors
Gibson Family Foundation
Monterey Peninsula Foundation
Monterey Peninsula Volunteer Services
Pebble Beach Company Foundation
Yellow Brick Road Benefit Store

"Book/Art"
2026-05-29 - 2026-06-28
The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts is proud to present “Book / Art”, a group exhibition featuring Pamela Takigawa, Anna Rheim, Julia Nelson-Gal, Tracey Harris, Esther Siegel, Joy Colangelo, Susan Giacometti, Jamie Dagdigian, Robert Armstrong, Ingrid Brook-Kothlow and Raven Cook.
With an Opening Reception on May 29th from 5-7 pm and running through June 28th, this exhibition brings together 11 artists who have spent many years between them, making highly personal hand-stitched or handwritten books, books that chronicle family members in the process of dying or of being incarcerated; natural history books that open and unfold in unexpected ways or making art from the covers and pages of books: glued, collaged and painted over to create unique narratives, or folding book pages in specific ways, to make objects that look like teapots or scenes from a Busby Berkeley musical.
Assembled under one roof, these 11 artists are each working at the top of their craft, painting photo-realistic books with titles that address social norms and gender roles (with a clever sense of humor), carving out and adding sculpture or illustration to BANNED books to create new works of art, in PROTEST of the banning of books; or deconstructing and repurposing an entire two-story “Burning Man” collaged installation titled “UnBound” into dozens of collectible works of modern art.
Some of the books in this show have been used in service of a pun, as an object to decorate (or sink a ship into) or simply to feature the rich textures and colors of their natural deterioration. Taken together, this exhibition celebrates the ingenuity, style, humor, pathos, and individual aesthetic of 11 remarkable artists who each have something they need to say.
We are pleased to share that book artist Joy Colangelo will be present in the gallery during the current Book/Arts exhibition to share her process and answer questions.Starting this Saturday, June 6, Joy will be working on-site during gallery hours. Visitors are welcome to stop by, view the exhibit, and see a bookmaker at work.
Live Demonstrations: Watch Joy create handmade books at her workspace in the gallery.
Gallery Q&A: Joy will be available to answer questions about the current exhibition and book arts techniques.
Upcoming Workshops: You can preview and sign up for future bookmaking workshops directly with Joy during her gallery hours.
There will also be a Free Artist Walkthrough on Saturday, June 13, beginning at 1 pm.

Portraits in Song: Dan Frechette & Laurel Thomsen, featuring Kito Rayburns
2026-06-18 19:00 - 20:30
Portraits in Song is an intimate concert series highlighting the craft and storytelling of exceptional emerging artists. Each limited-capacity evening invites audiences to experience songwriting up close — sharing not only original music, but the stories and creative journeys behind it.
The third concert in the series features Canadian-American Roots-Folk duo Dan Frechette and Laurel Thomsen, prodigious players whose soaring violin, diverse guitar styles, and unique vocal rapport make for a dynamic, polished performance. Opening the evening is Kito Rayburn, a Monterey-based multi-instrumentalist crafting a solo sound that blends indie folk and neo soul.
The performance will be held Thursday, June 18th, at 7:00pm, doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $25 (wine and light fare provided), available on Eventbrite.com.
About the Artists
Meeting in 2012 via a chance YouTube sighting and fueled by a once-in-a-lifetime musical chemistry and friendship, Canadian-American husband-wife Roots-Folk duo Dan Frechette and Laurel Thomsen are “prodigious players with songwriting that sets them apart.” With soaring violin, diverse guitar styles, compelling storytelling, a dash of harmonica and humor, and unique vocal rapport, they deliver a dynamic, engaging, polished performance. Based in the mountains above Santa Cruz, California, their third album, Between the Rain, was top ten on Canada’s Roots charts for 2016. Touted for being both “lyrically refreshing and musically diverse,” their original songwriting and composing spans the range of Roots-based genres, “pondering contemporary subject matter with vintage sensibility.” They have toured North America extensively — from Home Routes house concert tours of the Canadian Prairies to headlining spots at The Listening Room Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida, BBC Radio in Liverpool, UK, Canada’s definitive Winnipeg Folk Festival, Northern California’s beloved Kate Wolf Music Festival, and opening for The Wailin’ Jennys at a sold-out theater in Grass Valley, California. Beyond the US and Canada, they’ve toured Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, and Germany.
Kito Rayburn grew up in El Paso, TX and Monterey, CA in a musical household. A multi-instrumentalist, he has participated in a number of different local projects, including Bayview, Pan Dulce, The Rayburn Brothers, The Fragonards, The Dead Cassettes, and the Danny V Project. More recently he has been focusing on developing his solo project and finding his own sound, a blend of indie folk and neo soul. He has released a number of singles, an EP Reach Out, and is currently working on writing, recording, and producing a full-length album.

SOLD OUT Bookmaking Workshop with Artist Joy Colangelo
2026-06-20 13:00 - 15:00
The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts is pleased to announce an exclusive, hands-on makers workshop led by celebrated book artist and nature illustrator Joy Colangelo. Scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, this unique workshop invites participants to explore the tactile world of bookbinding and artistic paper folding.
Designed for individuals of all creative backgrounds, the workshop focuses on crafting three distinct, custom artists’ books:

The Lotus / Exploding Book: A surprising and dynamic structural fold. Participants can customize their book’s content during the session, choosing from natural motifs such as feathers, insects, or seahorses.
The Hop-Top Book: A themed structure featuring pre-provided environmental content. Attendees can choose to feature Yosemite, Point Reyes, or Elkhorn Slough at the time of the class.
The Reverse Piano Hinge Book: A sleek, seemingly complex blank book designed with easily removable pages.

“Book folding requires no prior experience or special skills,” says instructor Joy Colangelo. “It is an incredibly accessible medium that allows anyone to transform simple paper into a deeply personal piece of art.”
Colangelo, a self-taught watercolor, ink, and book artist based in Pacific Grove, California, brings a wealth of expertise to the studio. Her environmentally themed books are featured in thirteen distinct galleries and institutions across the country, including Yosemite National Park (The Ahwahnee), Asilomar State Park, the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum, and Brown’s Gallery in Jackson, Mississippi. She is also a regular participant in the Arts Council for Monterey County and the Seaside Art Association open studio tours.
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, Carmel, CA
Cost: $90.00 (All-inclusive; covers the cost of all necessary tools and supplies)
Due to the very limited number of seats available, early registration is highly encouraged. Interested participants can secure their spot by contacting the Cherry Center for the Arts via email: Cherry_center@yahoo.com, or (831) 624-7491

SOLD OUT Peter Zak Trio
2026-06-21
New York Jazz Comes to The Cherry!
Jazz at The Cherry is delighted to welcome the New York–based Peter Zak Trio for a thrilling afternoon and early evening of swinging, straight-ahead jazz. Pianist and bandleader Peter Zak is joined by two remarkable artists with West Coast roots who are now fixtures on the New York jazz scene: bassist Essiet Okon Essiet and drummer Sylvia Cuenca. With its rich and celebrated jazz heritage, the Monterey Peninsula has long been home to an extraordinary community of world-class jazz musicians. This performance brings an exciting East Coast perspective to that tradition and offers Jazz at The Cherry audiences a rare opportunity to experience the distinctive sound, spirit, and energy of the New York jazz scene in the intimate setting of the Cherry Center.
SOLD OUT: Sunday, June 21st • 2pm. Tickets are $45 (includes wine and light fare).
About the Musicians
Peter Zak
Peter Zak, pianist and bandleader, was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Ohio, where he began playing piano at the age of five. At sixteen, his family relocated to Oakland, California, where an inspiring high school band director sparked his lifelong passion for jazz. Zak went on to attend UC Berkeley, performing with the university’s Jazz Ensemble while earning a B.A. in History. After several years performing in clubs throughout Northern California, Zak moved to New York City, where he established himself as a deeply respected voice on the jazz scene. Over the years, he has appeared with a number of jazz luminaries, including Eddie Henderson, Jon Hendricks, and George Coleman. Peter’s playing reflects the influence of many of the great bop and post-bop pianists while maintaining a distinctive voice of his own. Widely admired for his mastery of the classic piano-bass-drums format, Zak is considered one of today’s finest practitioners of the straight-ahead jazz trio tradition.

Essiet Okon Essiet
Essiet Okon Essiet first received critical acclaim as a member of saxophonist Bobby Watson’s acclaimed post-bop ensemble, Horizon. Since then, he has established himself as one of New York’s premier jazz bassists. Essiet was also a member of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, remaining with the legendary drummer and educator until Blakey’s passing in 1990. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has performed with an extraordinary roster of jazz greats, including Freddie Hubbard, Cedar Walton, Benny Golson, and the Blue Note All-Stars, among many others. In addition to his work as a sideman, Essiet leads IBO, an innovative Nigerian jazz project that reflects his deep connection to African musical traditions and contemporary jazz.

Sylvia Cuenca
Sylvia Cuenca is a highly respected and active presence on the New York jazz scene, known for her dynamic, sensitive, and swinging drumming in a wide variety of musical settings. She performed with saxophone legend Joe Henderson for four years and with trumpet master Clark Terry for seventeen years. With the Joe Henderson Quartet, Cuenca toured extensively throughout Europe as well as major venues across the United States. In smaller group settings, she also performed in trio collaborations with Joe Henderson and Charlie Haden in 1989, and later with bassist George Mraz in 1994. As a member of the Clark Terry Quintet and Big Band, Cuenca appeared at many of the world’s premier jazz venues, including the Village Vanguard, Birdland, and the Blue Note.

Cherry Jam in the Garden - Annual Summer Fundraiser
2026-06-28 14:00 - 17:00
Spread the Love: Our Summer Cherry Jam is Back!
Get ready to mix, mingle, and make a difference! We’re heading back to the garden for our annual summer Cherry Jam in the Garden, a breezy afternoon dedicated to celebrating the arts and raising much-needed funds for the Carl Cherry Center.
This year’s celebration holds a special note as we honor board member and jazz aficionado Richard Cannon. Join us as we toast to Richard’s passion for the arts and his tireless rhythm in keeping our community vibrant!
Sunday, June 28th, from 2–5 PM
• The Main Squeeze: Groove to the soulful sounds of the Al James Band.
• Sips & Snacks: Enjoy delicious light fare and refreshing drinks in the sunshine.
• Art & Fun: Explore our beautiful grounds while supporting a local treasure.
Auction Items Include:

Three day private artist’s retreat
“MidnighT Walk” by Roman Loranc
Full Day Use of The Cherry Theater, Gallery and Gardens
Portrait Session with Randy Tunnell
“Tulips” by Pamela Carroll
“Dinner for Eight at the Cherry” Hosted by Robert Reese
Tor House-Private Tour for Six

Tickets: $75, available on Eventbrite.com, by calling (831) 624-7491, or at the door.

LOOK CLOSER
2026-07-10 - 2026-08-15
“LOOK CLOSER” Art Exhibition
Opening Reception: July 10th • 5-7pm
LOOK CLOSER, a group show dedicated to the art of scientific illustration, opens with a reception on Friday, July 10th, from 5-7pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the collection and meet the artists. The event is free and open to the public.
The exhibit features a diverse collection of carefully rendered depictions of the natural world that are both scientifically accurate and visually striking. Inspired by local talent and the respected certificate program at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), the exhibition displays artwork ranging from monarchs to marine life, and dahlias to dinosaurs. In total, twenty artists have contributed pieces capturing the biodiversity of the Central Coast and beyond.
The participating illustrators bring varied backgrounds to their work. While some entered the field from biology and naturalist backgrounds, others pursued a scientific education after established careers in art and design. Many are recent graduates of the CSUMB program (which was originally developed at UC Santa Cruz), and several now teach there. Their field research spans the globe—one artist currently lives in Germany and has been diving in the Antarctic, while another draws inspiration from the tide pools near Marin County. All share a dedication to exploring oceans, shorelines, and forests, using field books to record and share their unique observations of the environment.
The exhibit will close August 15, 2026.
Pictured: “Emperor Angel” – Calene Luczo and “La Moule Bleue” – Monica Loncola

Porchlight Stories - 2nd Show Added!
2026-07-16
Inspired by the weekly NPR “Moth Radio Hour,” 8 storytellers take the stage each presenting a 5 to 7 minute true story about themselves without prompts or notes. Each personal story is central to the storyteller and defines a turning point. This round of stories includes tales of love, sailing, education, wisdom, proposals, and guilt. The storyteller’s perception of reality, themselves, or their relationships is altered in unexpected ways as is our own. Expect to be intrigued, amused and moved by these very personal stories, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself bursting out with laughter or holding back tears. The performance is approximately one hour long, followed by a half hour reception in the Cherry gallery with the storytellers.
The evening is hosted by former Monterey County Supervisor, Mary Adams. Storytellers include Moth regulars, Mindy Myers and Hope Silver; Henry Miller Library executive director, Magnus Toren; author and journalist, Alison van Diggelen; 94-year-old German immigrant and author, Hans Lehmann; renaissance man, Paul Riley; artist and photographer, Robin Sawyer; and jazz guitarist, Bruce Foreman.
Two Shows: Thursday, July 16th, at 5pm and 7:30pm (Sold Out). Tickets are $25, available on Eventbrite.com. This event is produced by the Carl Cherry PorchLight Committee which includes Carl Cherry Center Executive Director, Robert Reese and Board Members, Ellen Osborne, Jim Dultz, Anne Mitchell, Kris Swanson, Camille d’Avenas and Robin McKee. This is the second show of a planned three part series. The next show is October 29th.
Participants
Host:
Mary Adams has devoted much of her life to public service. She served as the lobbyist for the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association during the “Tobacco Wars,” was President and CEO for United Way of Monterey County, and served as Monterey County Supervisor from 2017 to 2025. Mary’s heart lies in theater, making her stage debut at three years old singing “Angel of God” before a packed house. She is delighted to be hosting tonight’s performance of PorchLIght Stories.
Storytellers:
Hans Lehmann, 94, was born in Germany, and immigrated to the United States in 1939. He graduated from the Webb Schools. Received degrees from the University of Colorado, Harvard, and an honorary discharge from the US Army. Worked at Macy’s for 28 years, has published 3 books, and lives in Carmel. He writes a blog twice a week.
Hope Silver, was born in Siberia on a freezing December day, 1,981 years after Jesus and on the day Charlie Chaplin died, Hope Silver won a green card, moved to the U.S., and translated her lengthy Russian name into English. Hope is always on her way: while driving, she creates new stories and screenplays. Even without a single wisdom tooth, she still hopes to become as wise as Jesus and as funny as Chaplin.
Mindy Myers: Mix 2 cups humor and word-smithing with 1 cup New York wise-crackings. Sift through a lens of creativity. Add a dash of nightly story telling practice from her childhood dinner table, with peppery sarcasm. Stir well and you have the unique stylings of Mindy Myers. Mindy is a playwright, storyteller, young adult book author, and culinary educator.
Magnus Toren is Executive Director of the Henry Miller Memorial Library in Big Sur, a Swedish-born former sailor whose life spans ocean crossings, remote islands, and cultural curation. A storyteller, musician, and podcaster, he blends adventure with stewardship, sustaining a unique literary haven while exploring ideas, places, and people through conversation and art.
Paul Riley: Some might call him garrulous or loquacious, while others might call him just chatty. After a brief dalliance treading the boards in Summer Stock, Paul settled down to a career as an artist in Showbiz. Now retired, Paul has devoted his life to building a retaining wall in his backyard in San Francisco.
Bruce Forman has spent the last five decades playing jazz guitar on recordings, movie soundtracks, festival and concert hall stages, and nightclubs. A raconteur and comedian, his critically acclaimed one-man show The Red Guitar has been performed around the world…and at The Cherry Center!
Robin Sawyer: Born a long time ago, Robin is an artist living in Carmel Valley, CA. Painter, photographer, quasi-musician, and adventurous spirit.
Alison van Diggelen: is a journalist and author of “The LOVE Project.” She has interviewed Meryl Streep, Martin Sheen and Elon Musk for the BBC and other media. But the people who taught her most about life weren’t famous. Inspired by her Scottish mother’s late-life romance, her book explores how we can find healing, purpose, and joy. Kirkus Reviews praised “The LOVE Project’s” reminder that “Love remains a vital and animating force.”
PorchLight Stories Sponsors
Robin McKee & Bob Walker
Anne Mitchell
This event is also supported, in part, through funding from:
Arts Council for Monterey County,
Carmel Woman’s Club
Carmel-by-the-Sea Rotary
Community Foundation for Monterey County
Monterey County Board of Supervisors
Gibson Family Foundation
Monterey Peninsula Foundation
Monterey Peninsula Volunteer Services
Pebble Beach Company Foundation
Yellow Brick Road Benefit Store

Monterey Comedy Improv
2026-07-17 19:00 - 20:30
The Monterey Comedy Improv is back! The premier improv comedy troupe on the peninsula will be back in action on Friday, July 17th, at 7pm.
Similar to “Whose Line is it Anyway,” Monterey Comedy Improv takes audience suggestions or volunteers and instantly creates hilarious scenes right on the spot. Join us for a night of fun and laughs! For audiences 16+.
Tickets are $25, available on Eventbrite.com.

SOLD OUT Songs and Stories of Old Carmel
2026-08-14 19:00 - 20:30
Master musicians and master singers, freshly returned from their triumph at Carnegie Hall, Dixie Dixon and Steve Mortensen, are joined by Doug Borer, a local educator, poet, and long-serving docent at Tor House and the Pacific Biological Laboratory, in a presentation of “Songs and Stories of Old Carmel.” Friday, August 14th at 7:00 p.m. The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts is located on the northwest corner of 4th and Guadalupe, Carmel, CA.
This show features the origins of the Abalone Songs, origins of the Forest Theatre, Tales of the South Coast, music and songs of the times, and pieces of poetry.
This performance is sold out.

Portraits in Song Presents Victoria Lynn, Special Guest Simon Stewart
2026-08-22 15:00 - 16:30
Monterey County local Victoria Lynn will be performing Americana/folk music rooted in self-love, justice, and reflection. Victoria recently recorded an album with Sierra Ferrell’s band, so she will be sharing those songs as well as performing some covers and more. Accompanied by Kelly Goldberg.
Simon Stewart is a songwriter and guitarist from Marina, California who currently helms the progressive rock band Venus Daze. Growing up in a musical household, he was exposed to a wide variety of music and started playing and performing at a young age. Simon’s highly original music defies categorization, ranging from grooving psych-metal to 70’s folk and space rock balladry, layering philosophical lyrics with improvised solos and intricate guitar riffs.
The performance will be held Saturday, August 22nd, at 3:00pm, doors open at 2:30pm. Tickets are $25, available on Eventbrite.com.

Rick Forschino Trio Performing the Music of Cedar Walton
2026-08-23 14:00 - 16:00
Jazz at The Cherry is pleased to welcome back to our stage one of the Peninsula’s favorites, Rick Forschino and his trio. Rick will once again share his skillful interpretation of another established jazz great. In his past performances at the Cherry, he has explored the works of Michel Petrucciani and Enrico Pieranunzi.For this performance the trio will turn its attention to stalwart bebop pianist Cedar Walton (1934-2013).
Walton enjoyed a distinguished career that placed him among jazz royalty. He performed with such notable artists as: Lou Donaldson, Sonny Rollins, Kenny Dorham, J.J. Johnson, Art Farmer, and Benny Golson. His years with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers helped cement his reputation. He later anchored rhythm sections for Milt Jackson, Frank Morgan, Dexter Gordon and vocalists Ernestine Anderson and Freddy Cole. His trio with Ron Carter and Billy Higgins further distinguished him as one of the most accomplished musicians in jazz history.
Forschino became a Cedar Walton fan after seeing him perform live in the 1980s and was captivated by his compositions which bridged modern and classic jazz. This performance will showcase Walton’s modern harmonies, distinctive compositional ideas, and the unique style that secured his place as a jazz legend.
Joining Rick for this outstanding show will be versatile bassist, Bill DeLap and seasoned drummer, Mike Shannon.
Performance Sunday, August 23rd, at 2pm. Doors open at 1:30pm for wine and light fare included in the $45 ticket price. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.com.

Porchlight Stories Workshop with Robin McKee
2026-08-29
Do You Have a Story to Tell?
You are invited to join the Porchlight community!
Porchlight – a NPR “Moth Radio Hour” inspired storytelling program produced at the Cherry Center for the Arts is offering a workshop for would be storytellers! The next performance of Porchlight Stories will be held October 29, 2026.
Workshop Leader: Robin McKee – Longtime Director, Producer and Performance Coach, Robin McKee, will guide a small group of storytellers through crafting, editing and live presentation on stage – 1 to 3 stories. The all-day workshop will be held at the Cherry Center on Saturday, August 29th. $75 per person, available on Eventbrite.com. Space is limited.
10:30am – 1:30 pm – Public Reading, Crafting and Editing Material with group and input.
1:30 – 2:15 pm – Working lunch break – for individual re-writes and BYOB lunch/refreshment in the Sculpture Garden at the Cherry Center
2:15 – 5:30 pm – One-on-one stage rehearsal of stories continuing to carve and shape individual’s stories with coaching from Robin.
Round-table storytelling experience
5:30 – 8:00 pm – Light dinner (pizza anyone?) and adult beverages (provided by workshop organizers)
Time to relax and refresh followed by telling of refined and rehearsed stories in a “dining room/friends and family” setting. Maybe we will have time for you to tell a brand new story with your freshly honed skills.

SOLD OUT Bob Phillips and the Lighthouse Jazz Quartet Plus One Album Release Party
2026-09-06 14:00 - 16:00
SOLD OUT
Join us for a special Jazz At The Cherry performance as the Lighthouse Jazz Quartet Plus One celebrates the release of their new vinyl LP, “Live at the Cherry Center” recorded during one of their recent performances at our theater. The album captures a memorable Jazz At The Cherry concert and now stands as a lasting tribute to Bob Phillips, the group’s originator, and some of the Peninsula’s most exceptionable musicians. This beautiful album was generously produced by Pacific Grove’s Wild Fish Restaurant.
The ensemble— Stu Reynolds, Dennis Murphy, Bob Phillips, Paul Contos, and Mike Shannon—will perform many of the standout selections from that recording, along with an engaging program of jazz standards and other audience favorites.
The afternoon will also feature the group’s acclaimed Legacy Program, highlighting talented young musicians who have been mentored by these distinguished artists. It is a fitting celebration of the Peninsula’s rich jazz tradition—honoring both the masters who have shaped it and the next generation who will carry it forward.
Whether you’ve followed these musicians for years or are discovering them for the first time, this promises to be a memorable afternoon of outstanding music, camaraderie, and celebration. Sunday, September 6th, at 2pm. Doors open at 1pm for wine and light fare (included in the $45 ticket price).

Open Studios Art Tour 2026
2026-09-12 - 2026-09-20
Arts4MC’s Open Studios Art Tour is a fun and free event held over two weekends. It provides an opportunity to visit the studios of talented artists throughout Monterey County, witness their work in progress, and perhaps discover the perfect piece of art to add to your collection.
The event will be held at the Carl Cherry Center on September 12th, 13th, 19th, and 20th. Saturday hours from 11:00am to 5:00pm, Sundays from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. Information on artists showing at the center can be found in the Open Studio Arts Tour guide, pages 26 and 27. The center is located on the northwest corner of Fourth and Guadalupe, Carmel.

Portraits in Song: Cindy Alexander with special guest Two Rivers
2026-10-17 15:00 - 17:00
Portraits in Song is an intimate concert series highlighting the craft and storytelling of exceptional emerging artists. Each limited-capacity evening invites audiences to experience songwriting up close — sharing not only original music, but the stories and creative journeys behind it.
The fifth concert in the series features award-winning singer-songwriter Cindy Alexander, an LA native and Carmel transplant whose eleven albums, film and television placements, and decades of touring have been built on the connection she forges with a room. Opening the evening is Two Rivers, the acoustic duo of Richard Bryant and Kyle Kovalik, pairing soaring vocals and inspired harmonies with wicked guitar work.
The performance will be held Saturday, October 17th, at 3:00pm, doors open at 2:30. Tickets are $25 (wine and light fare provided), available on Eventbrite.com.

About Cindy Alexander:
Cindy Alexander writes songs people sing along with and lyrics they quote to their friends. Affectionately called “Pnut” by her fans, she has a voice that defies her petite stature, moving from rich, earthy lows to the trill of a coloratura soprano. Technical range aside, what she’s known for is the connection she builds with a room.
A Los Angeles native and grateful Carmel transplant, she was mentored early by celebrity voice coach Nathan Lam and hit the road in 1999 opening for The Bacon Brothers, a collaboration that continues today. Eleven albums, two EPs, and multiple singles later, her work has landed in film and television including *So You Think You Can Dance*, *Dawson’s Creek*, and *Here on Earth*, and on compilations alongside Sarah McLachlan, Aimee Mann, and Norah Jones. She has toured the US, Asia, and Europe and shared stages with America, John Hiatt, Suzanne Vega, and The Gin Blossoms, with her fans crowdfunding nearly every project along the way.

About Two Rivers:
Two Rivers is Richard Bryant and Kyle Kovalik performing as an acoustic duo. Intelligent songwriting, soaring vocals, inspired harmonies, and wicked guitar. Richard Bryant has toured the world as an acclaimed singer with rock legends such as The Doobie Brothers and The Little River Band. Kyle Kovalik has been flooring audiences for decades with his fiery guitar stylings, acoustic and electric.

Benefit Reading and Conversation with Award-Winning Poet Ellen Bass
2026-11-15 15:00 - 16:30
The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts is pleased to present an afternoon of poetry and conversation with celebrated, award-winning poet Ellen Bass on Sunday, November 15th, at 3:00 PM.
Proceeds from the reading will directly benefit the ongoing work of poet Patrice Vecchione, Carl Cherry Center for the Arts’ Poet-in-Schools, teacher and nonfiction author who leads in-class poetry workshops in high schools across Monterey County, encouraging young writers to trust their imaginations and discover their authentic voices through creative expression. Funds raised from this afternoon reading will ensure the continuation of these vital workshops as well as the Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts High School Poetry Awards, the Cherry Center’s annual flagship event celebrating and supporting young literary talent across Monterey County.
Tickets are $30, available on Eventbrite.com. Seating is limited. Community members and poetry enthusiasts are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance to support local youth literacy and creative arts programming.
Photograph: ellenbass.com
