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June 12-18, 2009

Carmel • Pebble Beach • Carmel Valley & The Monterey Peninsula
Big Sur musician, artist unveils Wine, art, music and sunshine
ambitious African music festival converge on Carmel Valley
By CHRIS COUNTS
A MUSICIAN, an artist and a music
promoter, Jayson Fann has done a remark-
able job of bringing international music —
particularly the sounds and rhythms of
Africa and Latin America — to Big Sur. This
weekend, his Big Sur Spirit Garden will host
what is probably his most ambitious project
yet: A three-day African Music and Arts
Festival beginning Friday, June 12.
“It’s going to be a pretty phenomenal
event,” Fann said. “We have eight different
musical acts from eight different countries,
but the shows will be very intimate, so it’ll
be a rare opportunity for the audience to
meet these artists face to face.”
For some of the musicians, the festival
will also be a homecoming. The late
Nigerian drummer, Babatunde Olatunji, who
is credited with introducing western audi-
ences to African drumming, spent his last
years living at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur,
where he became friends with Fann, and
where the two performed together. Olatunji’s
presence played a key role in Big Sur’s emer-
gence as a haven for drummers.
Eight different
groups from eight
different countries
will perform at this
weekend’s inaugural
African Music and
Arts Festival at the
Big Sur Spirit
Garden. The three-
day festival begins
Friday.
“Baba’s original band members will be
here,” Fann explained. “It will be a reunion
for a group of musicians who haven’t played
together for years.”
The music starts Friday at 8 p.m., when
singer and dancer Mandjou Kone of Mali
takes the stage. She’ll be joined by a troupe
of drummer and dancers.
Danjuma and Onola of Nigeria will start
things off Saturday at 2 p.m. They’ll be
accompanied by five horn players, two gui-
tarists, one bassist, one drummer, one conga
master, one keyboardist and a dancer. A trib-
ute concert for Olatunji is scheduled at 8
p.m., showcasing the talents his longtime
band, the Drums of Passion.
The festival — which will continue
through Sunday, June 14 — will also feature
more musical acts, workshops and art
exhibits.
Call (831) 667-1300 for ticket informa-
tion. The Big Sur Spirit Garden is located on
Highway 1, about 27 miles south of Carmel.
For more information, visit www.bigsurspir-
itgarden.com.
See MUSIC page 23A
By CHRIS COUNTS
I N MOST of the Monterey Peninsula,
the unpredictable summer weather can play
havoc with any outdoor event. But for the
folks who are putting together Saturday’s 5th
annual Carmel Valley Art and Wine Festival,
the weather is a reli-
able ally.
“This is the sun-
niest place on the
Peninsula,” said fes-
art roundup
tival volunteer
Randi Andrews,
who is also president of the Carmel Valley
Chamber of Commerce. “Carmel Valley has
a flavor that people complain Carmel doesn’t
have anymore,” she said. “We have great
restaurants, amazing art studios, cool and
interesting shops, and a casual atmosphere.”
Thanks to the Carmel Valley Chamber of
Commerce, Peninsula residents don’t even
have to drive to the festival — Monterey-
Salinas Transit is offering free rides on its
Grapevine Express. “It’s just 11 miles from
Carmel to the Village,” Andrews noted.
“They’ll drop you off at the ticket booth.”
The festival will feature wine tasting,
food, live music and, of course, lots of art.
More than 60 artists will display their works,
while local vintners will pour wine. The
Money Band, Simple Pleasures, Andrea’s
Fault, Rose Merrill, Monterey Strings and
singer-songwriter Kiki Whitman will per-
form at the event.
Stages will be set up on Center Street, Del
Fino Place and at White Oak Plaza, and a
disc jockey will spin dance records in
between acts.
The festival starts at 11 a.m. Admission is
free, and $15 buys five wine tastings. For
more information, call (831) 659-4000.
!"Sculpting
history
Steven Whyte has
made a name for
himself in Carmel
by creating sculptures of historical figures in
Devendorf Park. Now he’s completed a piece
of artwork that will adorn Monterey
County’s most revered historical building.
The Carmel Mission will host a ceremo-
ny Saturday, June 13, to unveil a life-sized
bas relief of St. Anthony of Padua and Child.
In memory of her husband, Marty Boulger,
who passed away in 2006, parishioner Jo
Anne Boulger commissioned Whyte to make
the sculpture.
“Carmel has been my adopted home for
many years now, but I still remember reading
about this town and the mission, and dream-
ing of having the opportunity to live and cre-
ate here,” Whyte said. “To now be able to
have my work incorporated at the beautiful
Carmel Mission is most humbling and a
great honor.”
See ART page 18A

Dining
Around Carmel Valley Carmel Valley
MONTEREY REGIONAL PARKS
the Peninsula CARMEL VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
5th Annual 10th Annual
CARMEL
Em Le’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12A
Summer
Art & Wine Wildflower Show
Flaherty’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13A
Hola at The Barnyard . . . . . . .13A
Celebration June 13-14
On the left is a photograph by Big Sur’s Tom Deyerle, “Edge of Night,” that will be raffled off
for charity Thursday, May 18. At the right is “St. Anthony and Child,” a bas relief by Steven
Whyte that will be installed at Carmel Mission.
June 13 See page 15A
CARMEL VALLEY AND See page 13A
MOUTH OF THE VALLEY
Plaza Linda . . . . . . . . . . . . . .00A
Carmel-by-the-Sea Carmel-by-the-Sea Who’s got the ugliest dog?
MONTEREY CARMEL PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION WYLAND GALLERIES CARMEL
Old Fisherman’s Grotto . . . .12A Meet the author presents THE FILMS in the Forest series at the Week, June 23-28, will include “The
Amy Stewart
Sardine Factory . . . . . . . . . .13A
Passionate About Goddard city-owned outdoor theater has always been
dog friendly, but on Wednesday, June 17,
Unforgiven,” “The Good, the Bad, and the
Ugly,” “Bronco Billy,” “Firefox,” “Gran
MOSS LANDING Books or Plants? Meet the Artist they will be the stars. For the airing of “Best Torino” and “The Bridges of Madison
Haute Enchilada . . . . . . . . . .12A in Show,” a film depicting the more insane County.”
June 15 June 20-21 side of canine competition, guests are invit- Other upcoming themes are ’80s Week,
PACIFIC GROVE See page 7A See page 3A ed to bring their own and vie for best dressed Student Film Week, Peter Sellers Week,
Fandango . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14A dog, toughest dog, cutest dog and most ugly James Bond Week and Pebble Beach Week.
dog.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Attendance costs $7 per person at the
Lattitudes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14A
Passionfish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2A Carmel-by-the-Sea “Best in Show” is just one of many
movies slated for the summer series orga-
door or by calling (831) 626-1681, and films
begin at dusk.
HARRISON MEMORIAL LIBRARY CARL CHERRY CENTER FOR THE ARTS nized by the Forest Theater Guild, and show- People are encouraged to dress for the
presents presents ings are often sponsored by local individuals night chill and bring wine, beer, blankets, a
Summer Brady’s and organizations.
Also scheduled this coming week are
picnic and whatever else they need to enjoy
an evening film under the stars. To fill in any
Reading Club Shorts “Calamity Jane” on June 16 and
“Caddyshack” on June 18.
gaps, a concessions stand sells snacks,
drinks and treats to benefit the Forest
June 22-August 1 June 21-28 The series runs through July 23, with dif- Theater Guild. The Forest Theater is located
See page 7A See page 21A ferent themes each week. Clint Eastwood on Mountain View.