Now that May has rolled around, a burst of cultural activity is on the calendar, both in and outdoors. SLV Presents has put three concerts on the calendar this month. Two are in collaboration with Pacific Repertory Theatre, utilizing the theater company’s great venues, and another at the Wave Street Studios. As you may know, I tend to suggest concerts that are held in exceptional locations, especially if there is a good sound system and comfortable seating. And obviously quality music that I can stand behind.

I’m all in on this Saturday’s Blues by the Bay concert with two great blues centric combos that feature local talent presented at the recently remodeled Golden Bough Playhouse in Carmel. Brad “Guitar” Wilson returns with top local musicians making up his latest band. Drummer Jamey DeMaria, bassist Joe Vallaire and keyboardist Luca Fredericksen will create a powerhouse delivery system in support of Wilson’s flamboyant performance style that takes the manic energy of blues rock bands of the ’60s and ’70s, throws that into the shaker and serves it up hot with his California golden boy persona.

Wilson was recently covered in this column, so with his background available with a click on www.bradwilsonlive.com, currently the word about this concert is he will perform six original songs from a soon to be released new recording titled “The Californian.” Copies of the CD will be available at the show. Wilson is a Blues Music Chart-topping artist who calls the Monterey Bay area his home away from home; his professional image in this area brought to life through the photography work of Elfi Kluck. Her nature photography will be on display, beamed onto the stage backdrop, three new images at a time. And just in … vocalist Lauri Hofer Romero will provide backing vocals, her soulful vocal delivery will add tremendously to the overall sound and look of this show.

Co-billing goes to the always popular Red Beans & Rice. With over 30 years on stage throughout the West Coast and holding strong in popularity in our local music scene, the six-man team will sound better than ever on the Playhouse’s stage. Although the band is often billed as a blues band, it consistently blends original compositions and lesser-known classics into an up-tempo danceable gumbo of New Orleans-influenced, blues-inspired party music suitable for dancing or just listening.

Red Beans & Rice has been a consistent winner of Best Local Band in newspaper polls. Gil Rubio’s songwriting, guitar playing and strong vocals have always been up front and center, although he’s always given the band a spotlight to tear it up on solos and collective jamming. Rubio has seen many members come and go in the band’s 30 years, serving as somewhat of an incubator for talent in Monterey County. Currently the band is keyboardist Gary Thomas, bassist John Silva, drummer Jason McIntosh, saxophonist Jim Stainton and trombonist/vocalist Daniel “T-Bone” Webb. Visit www.redbeans.com/the-band/ for more information about recordings and background.

Tickets are available through PacRep’s website, www.pacrep.org. Gold Circle Orchestra tickets are $50, Mezzanine General Admission is $30. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Theater location is on Monte Verde Street between 8th and 9th avenues.

The following Saturday, May 17, Blues in the Forest will feature the Shane Dwight Band and the Al James Band at Carmel’s historic Forest Theatre. The early evening show, 5-7:30 p.m., takes place at the beautiful outdoor amphitheater on the edge of downtown Carmel. SLV Presents has several years of concerts at this beloved and beautiful jewel of a performing arts venue, and it’s proven to be great fun to have music there with the opportunity to bring a picnic and a bottle of wine or whatever to enjoy. There is a snack shack and a local winery pouring a few of its vintages.

Shane Dwight has performed in the Monterey area quite a bit in the what seems like the distant past, his high energy blues always a big draw. He moved away to the South Bay area and we haven’t heard much about his career for a while, although he continued to grow in stature and recognition, so it’s great to have him back in our area. He has a mix of blues-rock, country and soul music and he brings with him songs from his latest album, “No One Loves Me Better.” Blues Revue Magazine said, “Exceptional talent, it’s clear this cat can sing anything he wants.” And USA Today said, “Ace songwriter.”

Dwight has kept pretty busy, performing over 3,500 shows over the past 20 years, and headlining at some of music’s most noteworthy events; Beale Street Festival, Portland Waterfront, Reno Blues Festival, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Ottawa Blues Fest; sharing the stage with household names such as Blake Shelton, The Doobie Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band, Gin Blossoms, Collective Soul, Etta James, B.B. King and many more. It’s about time he made it back to Carmel.

Opening the show is our own Al James who hails from Seaside. The singer, guitarist and composer has a rootsy, soulful delivery of both original and choice cover tunes. He performs with his band, featuring drummer Jeff Langan, lead guitarist Bill Walker and bass guitarist Jesse DeCarlo.

Tickets are available at the PacRep Box Office at the Golden Bough, open for in-person or phone purchase, Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. — 4 p.m. Call 831-622-0100 or go online at www.PacRep.org.

An Evening of Bluegrass with Caltucky and Sunny Side of the Mountain is also being delivered by SLV Presents, Wednesday at the Wave Street Studios in Monterey, 7-10 p.m., 774 Wave St. Doors open at 6 p.m., tickets are $25, available on EventBrite.com, where you’ll also find more information about the bands and the live video and audio recording process. Also, visit https://sites.google.com/view/wavestreetstudios/home for this concert and more upcoming events.

It’s getting really close to Cali Roots time, and I wanted to jump ahead a bit so you’ll be better prepared come festival time. The California Roots Music & Arts Festival’s 2025 lineup is a tasty one, featuring many of the bands that fans of reggae, surf/skate and hip-hop music find exciting. Cali Roots takes place every Memorial Day Weekend, this year it’s May 23 -25, and it’s being held at the same legendary Monterey Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairgrounds Road in Monterey. Good Vibez Presents has a booking style for this event that encourages fans to embrace the familiar, while at the same time delivering new and exciting legacy acts as well as fresh and new up-and-comers. I probably don’t have to tell you, but key here is getting on the website and exploring all the bios and music of each performer for you to make your own decisions. Go to www.californiarootsfestival.com.

I’m super excited to see Buju Banton Friday night, a can’t miss act that is at the root of Roots music. Born Mark Anthony Myrie in the Kingston, Jamaica slum of Salt Lane, he is a living legend, world class deejay, revolutionary and ambassador of the Jamaican “Dancehall” sound. Rebelution is one of Cali Roots “family bands,” one that has been on the bill every other year or so and always a fabulous way to end an evening. Collie Buddz, another family band, always a great show, and I wonder if he’ll be bringing pizza? Protoje, Bumpin Uglies, Rome, and more are all there for the first night.

Saturday has a royal flush of regulars, from headliners Slightly Stoopid, to Iration, Atmosphere, J Boog, The Movement, Anthony B, Mike Love & the Full Circle, Tarrus Riley and a nice parcel of new names to include Aurorawave, Surfer Girl, Estrella and Doah’s Daydream. Don’t worry, there’s more.

Sunday, there are some regulars, but the real hotshot of the bunch is T-Pain, an artist who mixes pop, hip-hop and R&B into a cultural category all its own. He’s sold over 50 million singles, accumulated billions of streams, racked up 10 iconic No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100, his live performances earning him a reputation as a global phenomenon. He’s got his own Nappy Boy conglomeration of entertainment options, heck he’s everything. Ya gotta be there! He’s sharing the stage that day with Dirty Heads, Soja, Steel Pulse, Matisyahu, Common Kings, Shwayze, and more.

Cali Roots has been one of the most free and mind expanding experiences we’ve had here on the Monterey Peninsula, save the Monterey International Pop Festival. Produced with love in mind, with bringing together all levels of society in a gumbo of good times, gaining momentum toward 20 years of making it all go down for three days every spring. Interactive art and games for the whole family. Good food, drink, bud, and brotherhood. Hey, it’s the festival the Monterey International Pop Festival became in a dream state.

So you know where to go to get all the information about the festival, and it’s the same place to buy your tickets. People come from all over to attend this festival, so it’s always a good idea to get in ASAP. The Redwood VIP 4-Pack is sold out, as is the single Redwood tix package. There’s general admission 3-day and single day GA still available. Prices are all on the website. Free admission for children 10 and under when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The Sunset Center free outdoor Terrace Hour concerts get started Friday, May 16 with Flaco el Jandro, an artist whose Chicano rock draws on elements of bolero, regional Mexicano and cumbia. I saw him at the old West End Celebration and I was super impressed by his performance. The bar opens at 5:30 p.m., and the show starts at 6 p.m.

May 23, Yeobo, a three-piece psychedelic trio based in Monterey, appears; May 30, The Hovering Broadcast Duo; June 13, Harmony Rising and June 20 is Cement Ship. Sorry I can’t elaborate, but go to www.sunsetcenter.org for details.

(((folkYEAH))) has some cool stuff in Big Sur coming right up. Sorry to say that Hipnic XVI is sold out, has been for a long time. This is a great camping festival held at Fernwood Resort and Campgrounds curated by Britt Govea and Tim Bluhm of the Mother Hips and always a blast. It takes place May 16 — 18. Not exactly a consolation prize, but Govea has another show, with tickets still available, in the Big Sur the night before, Thursday, May 15 at the Henry Miller Memorial Library with Ty Segall (solo acoustic) and Cass McCombs (solo), two great folk/rock performers. Doors are at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. All ages, parking is limited, so carpool. Visit www.folkyeah.com for tickets and more information.