Orcutt Academy High School is raring up for a fundraising event with a new, musical element. Having held other special events in the past, the school’s PTSA decided do an event that promotes local youth bands. The first-ever Battle of the Bands fundraiser is scheduled for Feb. 8 at the school in Orcutt.
“Whoever was the first to suggest a Battle of the Bands, we were all really excited for it,” event promoter and PTSA board member Mark Kozel said. “The kids at the school are super excited to see some of their friends performing.”
Three groups made up of local high school and Allan Hancock College students—Breaking Silence, Below Aberration, and Cousin—will face off for the $200 judges’ choice award and the $100 audience choice award. Audience members will be able to cast their votes for best band at $1 per vote.
“In addition to the bands, we also have a raffle and we will be selling food items,” Kozel explained. “The raffle includes two large prizes, a pair of tickets to see U2, including a hotel stay and rental car, and a family four-pack to Disneyland, also including a hotel and rental car.”
Between the Battle of the Bands and the raffle, the PTSA hopes to earn money to help support several of the school’s programs.
“It’s to raise general funds to support Orcutt Academy High School,” Kozel said. “We are still supporting teachers’ supplies, the library, and, last year, we gave away $2,500 in scholarships for seniors going on to college.”
Kozel said each band will get 25 minutes to set up and perform. After all three have performed, local group Some Might Say will perform pop-punk music while all the votes are being tallied.
“I think it’s going to be a great event for families,” he said. “The bands are required in the rules to be clean, so it’s going to be a fun family event.”
Kozel hopes to see the Battle of the Bands continue on as an annual fundraising tradition for the school.
“The challenge in a PTSA, or any nonprofit, is fundraising, doing something new, and then getting people there and excited about it,” he said. “We hope this becomes the next thing that people will be looking forward to each year.”
More music
The Chumash Casino Resort presents live music in its Samala Showroom, including Gerardo Ortiz performing live on Feb. 6. Gary Valenciano with special guests A.K.A. Jam performs Feb. 7. Both shows happen at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort, 2400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. Cost is $25, $35, and $45. More info: 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.
Viva musica!
Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara presents three family concerts featuring Grammy-nominated vocalist Perla Batalla: Feb. 7 at 7 p.m., at Isla Vista School 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta; Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, Santa Barbara Junior High School, 721 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara; and Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Guadalupe City Hall, 918 Obispo St., Guadalupe. Free. More info: 884-4087, Ext. 7, or myspace.com/vivaelartedesantabarbara.
Feel the Rash
Buckle Rash performs a live rock concert on Feb. 8 at 9 p.m. at DJ’s Saloon, 724 E. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More info: 736-5109 or bucklerashband.com.
Not just books
The Bookworm presents an open mic event every second Saturday of the month with featured performer Liam Kitchen and Supercasanova on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at The Bookworm, 230 E. Betteravia Road, Suite K, Santa Maria. More info: 922-4282, quest@thebookwormcali.com, or facebook.com/thebookwormcali.
Make a rendezvous
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society presents its “Rendezvous House Concert Series” featuring the Trio du Jour in an intimate concert on Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. at a private home in Nipomo. Cost is $40; reservations required. More info: 925-0412.
Singing sweet songs
The Tri City Sound Chorus of the Sweet Adelines International presents “Singing Valentines” with chorus members performing in Lompoc, Vandenberg Village, and Santa Maria on Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations can be made through Feb. 13 by 7 p.m. Cost is $25. More info: 736-1874, trcitysound@comcast.net, or tricitysound.org.
Live at the Radisson
The Radisson Hotel offers live music Fridays and Saturdays including Juan Marquez performing Feb. 7 and 8 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
D’Vine jams
The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro features Dan Mally on Feb. 7, Jacob Cole and Emily Wren on Feb. 8, Andrew Beal on Feb. 11, and Tony Botello on Feb. 12 with shows starting at 7:30 p.m. Karaoke nights are Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro, 107 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More info: 430-8356 or facebook.com.
Get flowing
Creative Juices Lounge presents John Batdorf live with openers Loren Radis and Rob Larkin on Feb. 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the lounge, 874 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. More info: 219-0518 or creativejuiceslounge.com.
The weekly spot
Lucia’s Wine Co. offers an open mic featuring wine, poetry, and music on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the tasting room, 126 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. More info: 332-3080.
Maverick music
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including live country and rock by Dusty Jugz on Feb. 7 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” featuring Little Guy and Big Steve is Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. Dusty Jugz perform on Feb. 8 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 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.
This article appears in Feb 6-13, 2014.
