October is when we all prepare for the oncoming holidays and enjoy the last bit of warmth afforded before the onslaught of winter. It’s also the time we justify dressing in a variety of costumes on Halloween, and a local venue is giving us several chances to play dress up and enjoy live music at the same time.
The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro, on Clark Avenue in Old Town Orcutt, presents a weekly concert series known simply as “Rocktober!” Each week will feature a musical group and a costume theme to match the music on Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The first event featured the musical style of Time Furnace, a duo performing hits from the 1970s on Oct. 5, and, of course, the costume theme was the ’70s.
The staff and musical acts are all in costume, and though patrons aren’t required to come dressed up, there will be special treats for those who do, said Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro manager Bethany Pinzon.
“We have the best of both worlds: entertainment, wine, and food,” Pinzon said. “It’s kind of a fun party, and a way to escape from the week.”
The upcoming event on Oct. 12 will feature a group made up of Santa Maria and Orcutt area youth and young adults, Sassafras Union. The group has been together two years and performs regularly in San Luis Obispo.
They perform an amalgamation of indie rock, folk, and blues and utilize a plethora of instruments including guitar, banjo, violin, cello, glockenspiel, and drums. The group will be performing for the country and western-themed night.
“It’s fun to have the young kids coming in and doing their thing,” Pinzon said. “We’re asking people to put on cowboy hats, boots, Wrangler jeans, and all the staff will be in overalls.”
The following week will be an island theme complete with Hawaiian shirts and island-themed music by John Fagat, who performs tropical tunes, including original songs inspired by the Caribbean.
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And the last show of the series, on Oct. 26, will be the “Fright Night” event leading up to Halloween. Time Furnace will be back to perform spooky classic rock music like “Witchy Woman” or “I Put a Spell on You” and the staff will all be zombies.
“I hope we get a few werewolves or vampires for that night,” Pinzon said.
More than just the entertainment, the bistro will be showcasing some specials to match the themes.
“Liz Addamo is a Cordon Bleu trained chef, and she handles the food side of things while David Addamo makes the wine,” Pinzon said. “We will have things on our menu that we haven’t done before, and might not have again, so it will definitely be a treat.”
During the rest of the year, the Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro plays host to live music Wednesday nights as part of its “Wine Down” events, and on the weekends.
Don’t miss the Swiss
The Swiss offers live music and dancing with the CRV Band performing country music on Oct. 7 from 9 p.m. to close at the restaurant and bar, 516 N. Broadway, Santa Maria. More info: gjadmanos@yahoo.com, 347-7800, or theswissrestaurant.com.
Wind down with music
Costa De Oro Winery offers “Friday Night Wine Down” featuring live music, wine by the glass, and cheese plates on Oct. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m., Costa De Oro Winery, 1331 S. Nicholson, Santa Maria. Info: 922-1468 or cdowinery.com.
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Brace for the Storm
The Radisson Hotel offers live music by The Storm on Oct. 7 and 8 from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Vintners Bar and Grill, Radisson Hotel, 3455 Skyway Dr., Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
Music at the Maverick
The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez presents DJ Totem on Oct. 6 at 9 p.m. The country variety music of The Bellmores Band is on Oct. 7 at 8:30 p.m. followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. Concert on the Deck with The Bellmores is Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. The Bellmores Band performs country variety music Oct. 8 at 8:30 p.m. followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. Tickets are available at 688-0383 or talesfromthetavern.com.
The jazz man himself
The Chumash Casino Resort presents the smooth jazz of adult contemporary icon Kenny G in concert on Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez. Cost is $45, $55, $65, $75, and $85. More info: 1-800-CHUMASH.
All that grows
The Growing Grounds Farm Santa Maria presents its fourth annual Harvest Festival featuring fresh food, flowers, crafts, art, and live music on Oct. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. at the farm at 820 West Foster Road, Santa Maria. More info: 934-2182 or t-mha.org/main/main_hf.html.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 6-13, 2011.