When the leaves start turning colors and the Santa Maria weather begins to cool down (in theory), you can expect the community to share the fruit of a productive summer. Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains is a community festival that celebrates art in its many forms, including local live music.
The festival was born 56 years ago and was known as Mardi Gras, according to Dennis Smitherman, recreation supervisor for Santa Maria. Now, with a new name and taking place on the McClelland Street Corridor—including the Abel Maldonado Youth Center—the festival offers a diverse array of local talent.
“You are going to walk through some really great arts and crafts vendors,” Smitherman said. “We will have a fine art show, which is judged at the Abel Maldonado Youth Center, where they will also do demonstrations of paintings, carving, and pottery.”
The festival will also include local food vendors, as well as a beer and wine garden. Run by the Noontime Kiwanis, the beer and wine garden will feature micro brews as well as local wines. Tickets will cost $30.
The festival will also include a kids’ carnival and a classic car show. There will be plenty of interactive events, including a chalk art competition with prizes for both youth and adults.
The festival will also feature live music all day. There will be two ensembles performing on the main stage and a mobile musician performing throughout the festival.
Still Evolving is a three piece band out of Orcutt that’s known for playing a wide array of songs, from classic rock to contemporary indie favorites. They’ll be performing the morning set at the festival’s main stage, right in front of the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department.
In the afternoon, Steppin’ Out will be performing on the main stage. Winner of Best Band in the Sun’s annual readers’ poll, Steppin’ Out is a local favorite that specializes in dance music.
“We just wrapped up our ‘Concerts in the Park’ series, and really, by popular demand is how we picked these two bands,” Smitherman said. “Steppin’ Out is definitely a hometown favorite with some catchy tunes, and Still Evolving plays some great adult contemporary.”
Another interesting musical addition to the festival is the talents of Barry Kusman, the strolling mandolinist. Kusman plays thousands of favored songs on his mandolin while singing into a small, portable amplification system. He’ll be strolling all around the festival, picking and singing.
“We threw Barry in for the fun of it,” Smitherman said. “He is a great mandolinist, and the mandolin is a beautiful instrument and very pleasing to hear.
“Music is something that really brings people together,” he added. “The diversity of the audience can really be seen, and you can have every part of the community represented.”
Paying tribute
The Lompoc Foursquare Church presents a concert featuring Tommy Walker performing his extensive range of original worship music on Oct. 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lompoc Foursquare Church, 125 North C St., Lompoc. Cost is $10. More info: 736-2772 or office@lompocfoursquare.com.
Bigger is better
Central City Swing presents its “Big Band Jazz Fall Concert” featuring jazz favorites arranged and performed in the big band style on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Unity Chapel, 1165 Stubblefield Road, Orcutt. Donations accepted. More info: 937-3025.
October rocks
The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro present “ROCKtober” Wednesdays in October featuring live music and a themed costume party each night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10 is “’70s Night,” Oct. 17 is “Superhero Night,” Oct. 24 is “Rock/Pop Star Night,” and Oct. 31 is “Fright Night.” The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro is at 400 E. Clark, Old Orcutt. Free. More info: 937-6400 or Bethany@addamovineyards.com.
Keeping the night alive
The 510 Event Center presents a live blues jam featuring local musicians led by Juan Marquez and Sangria Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. DJ Orlando entertains Thursday nights starting at 10 p.m. (dress code enforced). DJ Orlando also spins for “Margarita Night” every Monday from 9 p.m. to midnight. Saturdays feature an open mic from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday nights are Latin night featuring live norteño and banda music. Call for times. The 510 Event Center is at 510 South Broadway, Santa Maria. More info: 928-5510, 510eventcenter@gmail.com, facebook.com/510eventcenter, or 510eventcenter.com.
Wrapped up
The Chumash Casino and Resort presents the underground party band “Here Come the Mummies” on Oct. 5. The resort is at 3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. More info: 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.
Serving up swank
The Santa Maria Inn presents “A New Twist on an Old Favorite” in the Tap Room, featuring performances by Mezcal on Fridays, Mofongo on the first Saturday of each month, the Sammy Labastida Jazz and Blues Band the second Saturday of each month, Louie Ortega the third Saturday of each month, and Lawless and Dean the fourth Saturday of each month. The shows take place in the Tap Room, Santa Maria Inn, 801 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. More info: 928-7777 or santamariainn.com.
Maverick music
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including the country music of the Teddy Spanke and the Tex Pistols on Oct. 5 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck,” featuring Lawless and Dean, is Oct. 6 at 3 p.m. Teddy Spanke and the Tex Pistols perform Oct. 6 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 4-11, 2012.
