There’s something about January. Post holiday let down, cold and wet weather, that feeling of wanting a warm and cozy environment with a warm drink in hand. Or a cruise to warmer environs doesn’t sound all that bad now, does it? Although none of that dampens the enthusiasm of entertainment presenting folks who just want you to go out and about. Our Golden State Theatre in downtown Monterey hasn’t skipped a beat and is offering a couple good comedy shows as well as some legendary musical artists. And there are plenty of shows to catch at the many small venues sprinkled around our varied landscape in Monterey County.
At the Golden State Theatre
Catching a comedy show sounds good, right? Laughing our way into the new year is good for keeping up the spirits in these dark days of winter. Two opportunities are coming around the corner in next week’s calendar. Wednesday, Jan. 14, Steve-O brings The Crash and Burn Tour to the Golden State Theatre. Steve-O is the professional name for Stephen Gilchrist Glover, British-born, American-resident stunt performer, comedian, television personality and podcaster. He rose to fame in the early 2000s as a cast member of the MTV reality comedy series “Jackass,” which showcased dangerous stunts and pranks and led to a successful film franchise. MTV released seven films based on the series. He’s gone on to appear in several spin-offs, including “Wildboyz” and “Dr. Steve-O.” His comedy shows are usually a mixture of stand-up comedy with stunt performances.
Doors open at 7 p.m., showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets range in price from $25.15 to $95.18, available online at www.goldenstatetheatre.com. Age 18 and over only.
Comedy comes back on Friday, Jan. 16 with Jamie Lissow, actor and comedian who currently is a regular weekly guest on the late night talk show, Gutfeld! on Fox. LIssow is best known for his starring role in two seasons of the Netflix Original Series “Real Rob,” alongside Saturday Night Live alums Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Norm MacDonald and David Spade; a show Jamie co-wrote and co-produced. He has his own half-hour Comedy Central special and a Dry Bar Comedy Special with over 20 million views. Lissow recently wrapped his first movie, “Daddy Daughter Trip,” where he appears alongside John Cleese, Rob Schneider, and Michael Bublé.
Doors open at 7 p.m., showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets range in price from $42.14 to $83.34.
Thursday, Jan. 15, former teen idol Shaun Cassidy appears at the Golden State Theatre on his first major tour in 45 years, titled The Road To Us. The 66-year-old son of Oscar-winning actress Shirley Jones, 91, and the late Tony Award-winning actor Jack Cassidy, rose to fame in the mid-to-late 1970s as a pop star after following in the footsteps of his late half-brother, David Cassidy. At the same time, Cassidy also found success as an actor, starring as Joe Hardy in the hit ABC series “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries.” However, he stepped back from the spotlight decades ago to focus on a career behind the scenes as a television writer and producer, according to an article at FoxNews.com published in September.
During an interview with People magazine, Cassidy revealed that he has been brushing up on his guitar skills and relearning his own hits as he prepares to hit the road once again.
“I literally had to take guitar lessons. I hadn’t played guitar in so long,” he said. “I had to relearn songs I had written. I didn’t know how to play them.”
For his upcoming tour, Cassidy told the outlet that he is taking the fresh challenge of playing bass instead of guitar. He also shared that his old songs feel new to him after his decades-long hiatus from performing. He said that the performance will span his full career, featuring classic hits, new music and personal stories. Some of his hits include “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “That’s Rock ’n’ Roll, “Teen Dream,” “Do You Believe In Magic,” and more.
Doors open at 7 p.m., showtime is 8 p.m. Standard tickets range in price from $49.09 to $102.40. There are VIP packages for $183.25 and $194.58.
The show I’m most excited about is at Golden State Theatre, Wednesday, Jan. 21, with Billy Gibbons and the BFG Band. There’s going to be those who know his name, and those who need a little reminder that he’s the guitarist, primary vocalist and founding member of the legendary Texas blues/rock band ZZ Top.
According to allmusic.com, Gibbons is one of rock & roll’s most distinctive guitarists with his sharp but streamlined blues-influenced style. Gibbons branched out into new musical territory in 2015 with the formation of his solo project Billy Gibbons & the BFG’s, which added an Afro-Cuban accent to Gibbons’ eclectic sound. The album, “Perfectamundo,” is the band’s first album released that same year.
Born in Houston, Texas in 1950, Gibbons developed a passion for blues and rock from listening to local radio, and his parents turning him on to both Elvis and Tito Puente before he turned 10. He was first interested in percussion and his father sent him to New York to study with Puente, and in 1963 he got his first electric guitar as a Christmas present. Gibbons founded the Texas psychedelic group the Moving Sidewalks and several singles and a full-length album followed. The band came to prominence opening for the Jimi Hendrix Experience during Hendrix’s first American tour as a headliner. ZZ Top was formed in 1969 with Gibbons on guitar, bassist/vocalist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank “Rube” Beard. They released their first album in 1971. Gibbons and Hill created the band’s visual trademark through their appearance, wearing sunglasses and sporting long, flowing beards.
Hill passed away in 2021 at the age of 72, not without naming who would follow in his footsteps as bassist. Per his wishes Elwood Francis, the band’s longtime guitar tech, stepped up. Gibbons continues to tour with ZZ Top and as a solo artist, with the BFG Band and other projects. Current members of the BFG Band are drummer Chris “Whipper” Layton, who rose to fame as one of the founding members of Double Trouble, Stevie Ray Vaughan’s band until his death. Layton has many credits, his most recent is as the current drummer for the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. And Mike “The Drifter” Flanigin on keys. Described as a shining light of the Texas Blues scene, he’s a master player, singer, songwriter and Grammy-nominated producer.
Folks, this is gonna be a barn burner for fans of Texas blues/rock. Doors open at 7 p.m., showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets range from $53.73 to $100.34, with VIP packages at two levels, $345.92 and $187.89. VIP ticket sales end on Jan. 14, noon.
Cherry Center
The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts in Carmel has its first concert of the new year Sunday, Jan. 18 with Julie Capili & Friends. Capili is one of our shining lights on the jazz scene here, bringing her impressive voice to the stage for an afternoon at one of our more intimate venues. While her voice may recall echoes of the great singers of the past, Capili brings a personal touch and emotional depth to each performance, delivering her music with the grace, soul, and spirit of jazz’s legendary women. She’ll be joined by three of the Monterey Bay area’s finest jazz musicians: Bill Spencer on piano, Pete Lips on bass, and Ben Herod on saxophone.
Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for wine and light fare included in the $45 ticket price. Tickets can be purchased on eventbrite.com. Please visit www.carlcherrycenter.com for more information.
Around town
A few quick hits for casual music around town to include: at the Links Club in the Carmel Plaza, Dr. T & the Remedy, Friday, 7:30-10:30 p.m., no cover. The Money Band plays Sly McFly’s at 700 Cannery Row, Friday, 9 p.m.-midnight, no cover. That same night at O’Callaghans at The Barnyard features Matt Masih doing an acoustic set of music, 6-9 p.m. Deja Blue, at 500 Broadway in Seaside, has Al James Band, Saturday, 3-6 p.m., $5 cover; and Minor Williams, Sunday, 3-6 p.m., $5 cover.
Visit www.kellypro.com/entertainment-calendar to check on all the great local talent performing at our restaurants and hotels all over the Peninsula. And you can always get out to the Folktale Winery & Vineyards, 8940 Carmel Valley Road to hear music 4-6 p.m. while you enjoy food and wine in the Wine Garden, weather permitting, otherwise there is an indoor option. They recommend making a reservation ahead, (831) 293-7500. Here’s this month’s calendar www.folktalewinery.com/calendar/. A special comedy event takes place Saturday, Jan. 17, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., the Best of San Francisco Comedy Competition. More details and tickets here: www.folktalewinery.com/event/best-of-san-francisco-comedy-competition/.
