Back in the summer of ’69, 32 musical acts came together under one roof—well, it was outdoors, so one sky—for the Bethel Rock Festival, aka The Aquarian Music Festival, double aka WOODSTOCK. 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the generation-defining event.
To celebrate the occasion, the Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville in Oceano have put together a tribute festival that features live music from five local acts: Steppin’ Out; Unfinished Business; Back Bay Betty; Hilary Watson; and Baylove. Together the artists will cover the songs of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Santana, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Ten Years After, Joan Baez, Richie Havens, and several other original Woodstock headliners.
This special concert event will be offered multiple evenings at the Melodrama: Nov. 4, 5, 11, and 12. Each performance starts at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). Tickets to the show range from $24 to $26. Unlike typical Melodrama shows, there won’t be a vaudeville revue. However, the venue’s staple snack bar will be open, with wine, beer, and food available for purchase. The theater is located at 1863 Front St., Oceano. Call (805) 489-2499 or visit americanmelodrama.com for tickets and more info.
Pick Rick’s
San Luis Obispo-based pop artist Damon Castillo and his band are stopping by Chef Rick’s in Orcutt for a performance on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 8 to 10 p.m. Influences of this local singer-songwriter include Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Harry Connick Jr., Steely Dan, and Prince. Castillo’s band features Kristian Ducharme on keys, Larry Kim on saxophone, Brian Lanzone on bass, and Sean Sullivan on drums.
Admission to the concert is $15 and tickets are available in advance at my805tix.com. Chef Rick’s is located at 135 E. Foster Road, Orcutt. Call (805) 361-0789 or visit chefricks.com for more details on the show and other upcoming concerts at the venue.
Going south
One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do. Two can be as bad as one. Three on the other hand, specifically Three Dog Night, is sure to bring you joy—joy to the whole world in fact. The legendary classic rockers perform at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez on Friday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. The concert takes place in the resort’s Samala Showroom, and guests can expect to hear some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Joy to the World,” “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” and “Shambala,” as well as the group’s more recent singles, such as “Heart of Blues,” and “Prayer of the Children.” Admission to the show ranges from $29 to $59. Visit chumashcasino.com for tickets and more info.
Young hearts be free the night of Friday, Nov. 1, because time is on your side—and so are The Youngsters, who perform at the Cold Spring Tavern from 6 to 9 p.m. This classic rock cover band performs hits from Van Morrison, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and other genre legends. Solo artist John Lyle takes the venue’s stage the following afternoon, Saturday, Nov. 2, from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by folk rock and surf band Hoodlum Friends, who perform from 5 to 8 p.m. The tavern’s weekend lineup closes with blues, good time, and rags duo Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan (from 1:15 to 4 p.m.) and folk, roots, and R&B group Kelly’s Lot (from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.) on Sunday, Nov. 3. Entry to each show is complimentary.
Also in the Santa Ynez Valley, country act Dusty Jugz performs at the Maverick Saloon on Friday, Nov. 1, from 8 to 11 p.m. The Mutineers take over the saloon the following evening, Saturday, Nov. 2, from 8 to 11 p.m. Steve Philip and The Regulars finish off the venue’s weekend setlist on Sunday, Nov. 3, performing from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission to all three shows is free.
More music
The Naughty Oak Brewing Company in Orcutt presents Bender and Jack on Friday, Nov. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. This Central Coast-based duo performs acoustic rock. Entry to the concert is free, but grub from DeBilz and Family Mobile Kitchen will be available for purchase during and a bit prior to the show (from 5:30 to 9 p.m.).
A string of solo artists will perform at Blast 825 Brewery this weekend: Timothy Metcalfe on Friday, Nov. 1, from 7 to 10 p.m.; Russ Douglass on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 7 to 10 p.m.; and Nataly Lola on Sunday, Nov. 3, from noon to 3 p.m. Admission to all three performances is complimentary. Also in Orcutt, local singer-songwriter Doc Oliver will perform at Vino et Amicis Wine Bar on Friday, Nov. 1, from 7 to 10 p.m. Entry to the show is free.
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood wrote this week’s Local Notes. Contact him at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 31 – Nov 6, 2019.
