Carl Cherry Center for the Arts

Porchlight Stories - 2nd Show Added!
2026-07-16 | The Carl Cherry Center, Fourth and Guadalupe, Carmel, CA, 93921, United States
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 (America/Los_Angeles)
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.

Songs and Stories of Old Carmel
2026-08-14 19:00 - 20:30
Master musicians and Mastersingers, 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.
Admission is $25. Tickets can be purchased 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.
