Otter Opry

If you love bluegrass and Americana played at the highest level in a room that feels like a gathering of old friends, Otter Opry is one of the most special concert experiences on the entire California coast. Held inside the warm, acoustically gifted sanctuary of the Monterey United Methodist Church, this all-volunteer concert series has built a devoted following by bringing nationally and internationally recognized bluegrass and roots artists to an intimate 154-seat room right in the heart of Monterey. Orchestrated by musician and former California Bluegrass Association Board Member Larry Phegley, Otter Opry is run with genuine love for the music and for the community it serves. Past performers have included Grammy-winning artists and celebrated touring bands who consistently rave about the experience of playing here. The evening typically begins with a family-style dinner served by the church before the show, and audience members often find themselves dining alongside the performers themselves. The acoustics of the spacious wooden sanctuary are ideal for acoustic instrumentation, and the crowd is attentive, passionate, and deeply knowledgeable about the genre. For music listeners, this is the rare kind of show where world-class talent plays close enough to touch and the whole room feels alive with the spirit the music was built on.