Santa Maria resident and retired Broadway veteran Michael Cone is joining local entertainer Diane Borad-Mirken for a special concert fundraiser to benefit Temple Beth El on Sunday, Jan. 12, at 3 p.m. The duo will collectively perform both duets and solos, covering a variety of Broadway standards and other show tunes.
The program will also include a talk from Cone, who will discuss his career of more than 30 years performing on Broadway in New York City and with other national touring companies. Borad-Mirken is no stranger to the Central Coast music scene, serving as a choir director and music instructor locally for several years.
Tickets to the concert are $15 in advance or $18 at the door, and proceeds will go to support the temple, which is located at 1501 E. Alvin St., Santa Maria. Presale admission includes complimentary desserts during intermission. Call (805) 478-1463 to reserve your seats or for more details about the concert. For more info on Temple Beth El, visit tbesantamaria.com.
Mars attacks!
Don’t worry, they come in peace. And to show their appreciation for Earthling culture, this group of Martian visitors decided to nickname themselves Salt Martians, as a reference to the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve, not too far from their new home base in Santa Barbara. And to show their affinity further, the green not-so-meanies took up an interest in music and established their own acoustic bluegrass and rockabilly band in 2005, influenced by Bill Monroe, The Byrds, and other acts.
If you happen to see a shooting star over the Cold Spring Tavern on Sunday, Jan. 12, it’s probably a UFO, as the band is set to perform at the venue from 1:15 to 4 p.m. The group consists of Ken Gaston (lead vocals and guitar), Tim Mullins (harmony vocals, banjo, and dobro), Aaron Douglass (harmony vocals and string bass), and Doug Toews (lead and harmony vocals and mandolin).
But the tavern’s weekend lineup begins with local ensemble Studio C, who take the stage on Friday, Jan. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. Eclectic rock band Stillwater Sound performs the following afternoon, Saturday, Jan. 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. Based in Carpinteria, this acoustic trio features Luke Jurrow, Riley Owens, and Dominic Piccinini, who strive to create mystical soundscapes that envelope their listeners.
The tavern also hosts Same Mother, Same Father on Sunday, Jan. 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Teresa Russell and Cocobilli on Sunday, Jan. 12, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission to every show at the venue is complimentary. Call (805) 967-0066 or visit coldspringtavern.com for more details. The tavern is located at 5995 Stagecoach Road, Santa Barbara.
More music
Weapons are usually strictly prohibited at the Maverick Saloon, but the Santa Ynez venue is making an exception in the case of The Tex Pistols. The country-rock outfit is set to perform at the saloon on Friday, Jan. 10, from 8 to 11 p.m. Doctor Wu, a Steely Dan tribute, takes the stage the following evening, Saturday, Jan. 11, followed by The Regulars Duo, who perform on Sunday, Jan. 12, from noon to 4 p.m. Entry to all three concerts is free. Call (805) 686-4785 or visit themavsaloon.com to find out more. The saloon is located at 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez.
Speaking of duos, Naughty Oak Brewing Company in Orcutt presents Central Coast-based rockers Bender and Jack on Friday, Jan. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests of this acoustic rock performance can also look forward to catering from Barbecue in the Stix, who will start dishing out grub for purchase at 5:30 p.m. There is no cover charge to attend the show. Call (805) 314-2368 or visit naughtyoak.com for more info. The brewery is located at 165 S. Broadway St., suite 102, Orcutt.
Also in Orcutt, singer-songwriter and NBC’s The Voice alumnus Will Breman continues his recent spree of Central Coast concerts with an intimate performance at the Vino et Amicis Wine Bar on Friday, Jan. 10, from 7 to 10 p.m. Even before competing on The Voice, Breman was already widely known for his soulful voice and live looping techniques. Entry to the concert is complimentary. To find out more, call (805) 631-0496 or visit vinoetamicis.com. The bar is located at 165 S. Broadway St., suite 101, Orcutt.
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood wrote this week’s Local Notes. Contact him at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jan 9-16, 2020.
