When a friend comes to me with information about a benefit concert, there are two reasons why I choose to feature it in my coverage. One, because I know the music will be high quality entertainment with a focus on feel good songs, and two, because donating to a good cause also feels good. “Songs of Hope, Harmony & Healing” features performances by Cindy Alexander Band, Alisa Fineman & Kimball Hurd, and Lisa Spector, all donating their time and talents to the event that benefits CBI Caring Circle and the Breast Cancer Assistance Group of Monterey County. It takes place Sunday, 4 p.m. at Center for Performing Arts at Carmel High School.

“I’m so happy to have an opportunity to do a show and give back to the community that has been so supportive of me. You know I’m a breast cancer survivor,” said singer/songwriter/recording artist Cindy Alexander to me in a phone interview. “There are two beneficiaries of this event, one is the Caring Circle at Congregation Beth Israel, which is an outreach that provides financial assistance if necessary, companionship for people who are going through hard times, whether they be medical or something else where they need the support of the community.

“Susan Greenbaum, who is also a breast cancer survivor, she’s the one who has helped put this event together with several sponsors that also benefits the Breast Cancer Assistance Group of the Monterey Peninsula. This was really her brainchild, a way to bring both organizations together to put on an event. When I heard about her cancer background it was a no brainer to have the chance to support both charities. Of course I want to be involved. Part of my mission after I went through cancer was I wanted to ‘play it forward,’ the idea of playing music to give back. To me I feel music was essential to my healing and now I’m able to use it in a way for others to heal and connect.”

Alexander, on keys and guitar, headlines the triple bill with her band, guitarist Steve Fekete, bassist Jesse DeCarlo and drummer Chip Moreland. An L.A. native, Alexander has pursued creative paths in both acting and music, although she left acting behind to concentrate on writing songs, performing and recording her music. She has ten full-length recordings to her name with more in the pipeline, and more often than not you can catch her on tour in support of The Bacon Brothers when she’s not performing locally. She’s called the Carmel Highlands home for four years, drawn to the natural beauty of the area and a more relaxed lifestyle where she could raise her twin girls with husband Chip.

I’ve been a fan of her music from the get go. Her songs are personal as well as a narrative of life as she sees it. With a beautiful yet powerful voice, the diminutive lady can captivate an audience with her warmth and sincere, yet light-hearted, way of performing. Her most recent recording to my knowledge is titled “Messy,” and I’ve got to say, there’s a treasure trove of great music to be experienced there. You’ll really enjoy coming out to support these causes and to hear her sing.

Alisa Fineman & Kimball Hurd are no strangers to music fans on the Monterey Peninsula. Fineman was a popular solo folk artist here in the 1990s and beyond. Hurd made a mark on the Santa Cruz music scene, and Monterey, with the band City Folk, a trio of musicians who made music in the school of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Fineman and Hurd met and fell in love, and have since been making beautiful music together, winning awards and earning national acclaim for their singing, songwriting and sacred music repertoire. A cantor at Congregation Beth Israel, Fineman was recognized by the Monterey Arts Council as a Champion of the Arts in 2011 for a contributions to the community.

Lisa Spector is a Juilliard graduate and national piano competition winner. After a 2017 accident shattered her right hand, she began performing music for left hand only, discovering that music comes from the heart, not just the hands. She now performs concerts with one and two hands and is the founder of The Piano Ninja Tricksters Club, helping adult classical pianists learn twice as much in half the time with her Piano Ninja Tricks™. Lisa was also the first classical pianist to reach the top of the Classical Billboard charts with music designed for canine anxiety.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at https://www.carmelbethisrael.org/form/BCAGfundraiser.html. There are numerous levels of support, ranging from a single ticket for the performance only, or to attend as a sponsor which allows for attendance at the 3 p.m. pre-concert reception.If you haven’t already noticed, Where It’s At is on a new publishing schedule of every other week, so what you’ll find is an extended list of events in each column. Although listing every concert and/or comedy show coming up at the Golden State Theatre would seem to be overkill, honestly there is a string of great shows coming up in the next couple of weeks.

If getting some laughs is a priority for you, and when isn’t it a good time to laugh at what’s going on in the world, then there are two shows you can check out, starting with the Bored Teachers: The Struggles Is Real! Comedy Tour, Thursday. Since 2022, the organization has gathered up some of the funniest teachers in the country for a touring show that continues to sell out weekly, what they call “the main event to attend in all of teacher world.” It features a rotation of around 15 comedians who also happen to be — or have been — teachers. Show time is 7:30 p.m. and tickets range from $47.81 — $98.79. Saturday, Feb. 1, Marc Maron returns to the Monterey Peninsula in a show called “All In.” The American stand-up comedian is also known for his podcasts, and as a writer and actor. A frequent late-night show guest in his early career, he went on to host Comedy Central’s Short Attention Span Theater, among other guest appearances and hosting duties on Air America, a left-wing radio network. Probably what he is best known for is the twice-weekly podcast WTF with Marc Maron where he interviews comedians, authors, musicians and celebrities in his garage in Los Angeles. Highlights include a 2010 episode with Louis C.K. that was rated the No. 1 podcast episode of all time by Slate magazine, and a 2015 interview with then-President Barack Obama. More recently he starred in his own IFC television comedy series “Maron,” and he’s co-starred in the Netflix comedy series GLOW. Show time is 8 p.m., tickets range from $54.50 to $103.94.

On the music side of things, other than a sold-out concert with Gregory Alan Isakov, there is a string of shows that would delight anyone of any age. Saturday, ska/pop band The English Beat, known for their hit songs “Mirror in the Bathroom,” “Save It For Later,” “The Tears of a Clown,” and lots more, makes a return visit to the area. They definitely have a fan base who love to dance to their music. The theater is set up for this show with the general admission area a combination of open floor and seating in the downstairs orchestra section. Reserved seating is in the balcony. Tickets range from $43.17 — $66.86.

Jan. 29, country artist known for his previous gig in the hard rock band Staind, Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners: American As It Gets Tour comes to the State. Embracing his roots to earn a rare second round of success, his series of solo country projects have led to two No. 1 Billboard Country Album debuts plus a platinum collab with heroes George Jones and Charlie Daniels, and a gold-certified Billboard No. 1 with “Am I The Only One” in 2021. Lewis’ 2022 solo album followed suit, with “Frayed at Both Ends,” emerging as the best-selling country album in America. Show time is 8 p.m., tickets range from $49.50 to $349.50, with VIP tix in two categories.

Friday, with no explanation necessary, the Canadian-based Take It To The Limit — A Tribute To The Eagles will satisfy fans of The Eagles with a more affordable ticket price than the real deal’s more recent Las Vegas Sphere residency would allow. They know the songs you know and love. Show time is 7:30 p.m., tickets range from $60.68 to $83.86.

And Feb. 5, another tribute band that needs no introduction other than to say they cover the Grateful Dead music the best, Dark Star Orchestra is back to thrill Deadheads and the Dead curious with full representations of classic GD live sets, start to finish. Can you figure out what show they’re covering? This concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and will probably last a good three hours, knowing how they keep it real. General admission section down front open for dancing and get up close and personal. Reserved seating in the balcony. Tickets range from $51.67 to $104.97.

Tickets for all the above shows at the Golden State Theatre can be bought in advance online at www.goldenstatetheatre.com. Tickets may be available at the door. The theatre is located at 417 Alvarado St., downtown Monterey. To contact the theatre call (831) 649-1070.

And last but not least, over in Carmel at the Sunset Theater, Jan. 30, there is the Jazz at Lincoln Center Live on Stage: New Orleans Songbook. From Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong to Ellis Marsalis and James Black, New Orleans has long been a hub of innovation and inspiration. Led by pianist Luther S. Allison and vocalists Quiana Lynell and Milton Suggs, New Orleans Songbook immerses audiences in the timeless spirit of this extraordinary city. Show time is 7:30 p.m., tickets range from $40 to $79, available online in advance at www.sunsetcenter.org. Contact the Box Office at (831) 620-2048, Monday through Friday, noon-4 p.m.