Check out the music video for Amber Cross’s “San Joaquin.”
Those of us living in the daily hustle and bustle of city life are usually surprised by the tranquil and serene mood that pervades nature when we actually spend time in it. It doesn’t lack sound or movement, but rather moves at a different pace, with a different mood.
The Rancho Nipomo Heritage Park, site of the historic Dana Adobe, is a perfect place to experience this phenomenon. Though the adobe is a stone’s throw from U.S. Highway 101, ancient California oaks dampen the auto noise and allow the site to exist as it was before Captain Dana erected his ranch.
Running through the property are two creeks that provide sustenance for several species of flora and fauna. Spanning almost 100 acres, the park was attained with help from the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County.
“The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County protects and restores land for open space and they’ve been partners with the Dana Adobe for many years,” Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos Executive Director Marina Washburn said. “They did a lot of work on riparian restoration on the Dana Adobe property.”
The land conservancy helped reverse the effects of overgrazing and invasive species by planting native plants along the creek. The flora protects the waterway from runoff and erosion, Washburn explained.
“Thousands of plants went into restoring the wildlife habitats,” she said. “Everything that needed to go back into that creek for restoration was the best that could go in.”
To celebrate the concerted efforts of both the Dana Adobe and Land Conservancy volunteers, the amigos haave organized a benefit concert featuring local singer-songwriter Amber Cross.
“Amber Cross had been working with the Land Conservancy on one or two other events,” Washburn said, “and we had been talking about hosting an event together so both organizations could come together.”
Cross opened for Dave Stamey at the Dana Adobe’s last benefit concert, so she is no stranger to the site. Anyone who has visited Cross’ website, ambercrossmusic.com, can tell that open land and rural ambiance are big inspirations to the artist. The guitarist and singer has been compared to folk singers of the Dustbowl era for her strong voice and stark guitar accompaniment.
“I was surprised by how petite she was,” Washburn said, “because she really has such a big voice.”
Cross is no stranger to conservation either. She embroiders her name and song lyrics onto gently used flannel shirts as a way of promoting her music and repurposing clothes.
The Dana Adobe restoration project is very near completion, with decomposed granite walkways having just been laid down. This has made the site a more welcoming destination for events such as these, Washburn explained.
“We are excited because it is just now getting finished and it finally feels like we are ready for people to come out because it is even and flat,” she said. “Both organizations are just excited to come together and invite the community to come out and enjoy this easy afternoon out here.”
American roots
The Lompoc Valley Arts Council now holds quarterly meetings featuring arts demonstrations. An Introduction to American Roots Music by Bill Carlsen is scheduled for Oct. 17, with the meeting starting at 6 p.m. and the presentation at 7 p.m. at the Stone Pine Hall, 210 South H St., Lompoc. More info: 735-6896 or lompocarts.org.
¡Viva musica!
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! presents three family concerts by Los Vegas Son Jarocho on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta; Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, Santa Barbara Junior High School, 721 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara; and Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Guadalupe City Hall auditorium, 918 Obispo St., Guadalupe. More info: 884-4087, Ext. 7 or myspace.com/vivaelartedesantabarbara.
Bringing the soul
O’Sullivan’s Pub presents Bay Area soul group The Inciters performing Oct. 18 at 9 p.m. The Koffin Kats perform Oct. 22 at 9 p.m. O’Sullivan’s Pub is located at 633 E. Main St., Santa Maria. More info: 925-0658.
Live at the Radisson
The Radisson Hotel in Santa Maria presents live music by Juan Marquez on Oct. 18 and 19 from 7 to 10 p.m. each night at the Radisson Hotel, 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
Enjoy the originals
The Chumash Casino and Resort presents a concert featuring La Original Banda El Limon and Los Morros Del Norte on Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino and Resort’s Samala Showroom, Highway 246, Santa Ynez. Cost is $35, $45, and $55. More info: chumashcasino.com or 1 (800) 585-3737.
Dine fine and listen
Root 246 presents live music Fridays and Saturdays from 8 to 11 p.m. at Root 246, 420 Alisal Road, Solvang. More info: 264-4726 or bethany865@live.com.
Lucia’s keeps the mic open
Lucia’s Wine Co. offers an open mic night featuring wine, poetry, and live music on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the tasting room, 126 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. More info: 332-3080.
Sit back and relax
The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro presents “Wine Down Wednesdays” featuring live music on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro, located at 400 E. Clark Ave., Old Orcutt. Free. More info: 937-6400 or Bethany@addamovineyards.com.
Maverick jams
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including country music by Teddy Spanke and the Tex Pistols on Oct. 18 at 7:45 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” featuring John Lyle is Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. Teddy Spanke and the Boys perform on Oct. 19 at 7:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. “Tales from the Tavern” presents a show featuring Sam Baker and Kim Richey on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
VIDEO POSTED ON YOUTUBE BY FIRSTHANDSTORIES
This article appears in Oct 17-24, 2013.