The sounds of bells, chimes, and singing bowls are set to enrapture participants at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church during A Night of Meditative Sound, which takes place on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m. Local musician, sound designer, and mixer Jesse Flower-Ambroch will utilize a variety of instruments to lead an experimental meditation during this interactive performance. The artist will also discuss how music can be used as a tool for self-discovery and share tips on “mindful listening.”
Guests will be encouraged to participate in deep breathing exercises and group vocalizations during this free event, which will be followed by a meet-and-greet reception with Flower-Ambroch. Currently a member of the Santa Ynez Valley Zen Sangha, Flower-Ambroch is dedicated to sound exploration through experimental, collaborative projects in film, interactive media, and other media.
To find out more about A Night of Meditative Sound, call St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley at (805) 688-4454 or visit smitv.org. The church is located at 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos. Admission to the event is free, but donations will be accepted at the door.
We built this city on rock (not sand)
If live music isn’t enough to shift your attention toward Victory Outreach Church’s Taking Our City event, would the promise of jump houses, face painting, magic shows, barbecues, and the promoted presence of (drum roll, please) Mayor Alice Patino do anything for ya? Several Christian bands will be performing during this faith-based festival, which takes place in the Santa Maria Town Center’s west parking lot (in front of Fallas) on Saturday, Aug. 24, from noon to 7 p.m.
12th Tribe, Doxa Music, and Young Preach are among the live local acts set to perform throughout the day. For the event’s full schedule and more info, call (805) 922-1328 or visit victoryoutreachsantamaria.com. The parking lot is located at 201 Town Center E., Santa Maria.
Going south
Go ahead and stick Cold Spring Tavern in your back pocket, as the venue presents rock band Back Pocket on Friday, Aug. 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. Janis Joplin, Sheryl Crow, and Pink Floyd are just a few influences the group credits for its eclectic sound. The tavern also hosts rock and R&B artist Sean Wiggins (from 1 to 4 p.m.) and local act The Nombres (from 6 to 9 p.m.) on Saturday, Aug. 24. The venue’s weekend lineup concludes on Sunday, Aug. 25 with heaven-sent Cadillac Angels (from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.), who follow blues, rags, and good-time duo Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan’s weekly gig (from 1:15 to 4 p.m.).
Country duo Big & Rich are bringing their Peace, Love, and Happy Tour to the Chumash Casino Resort on Friday, Aug. 23, at 8 p.m. Cowboy collaborators Big Kenny and John Rich became game changers after scoring triple platinum with 2004’s “Horse of a Different Color,” which guests can expect to hear among other hits, including “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy,” “Comin’ to Your City,” and “Rollin’.”
Also in the Santa Ynez Valley, Athena Coming performs at the Maverick Saloon on Friday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Later the same evening, Soundhouse will take the saloon’s stage, performing from 8 to 11 p.m. Johnny Cash aficionados best not miss The Only Cash Tribute Band, which plays Saturday, Aug. 24, from 8 to 11 p.m. Musician Danny Millsap portrays The Man in Black during this homage concert, backed by his band The Hennessee Three.
Anything with Cash’s name attached to it might seem a tad intimidating to follow, but Santa Barbara-based singer-songwriter Wil Ridge is up to the task, as he performs at the saloon on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 1 to 5 p.m. This local Americana and roots artist has become defined by the melancholy subjects of his songs, with lyrics usually full of personal turmoil and heartache. Ridge counts Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Hank Williams Jr., and other poetic souls among his chief influences.
More music
Blast 825 Brewery in Orcutt hosts a slew of solo acts this weekend, including pop artist Nataly Lola on Friday, Aug. 23, at 6 p.m., local singer-songwriter Michael Shelton on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m., and Lompoc-based folk musician Jacob Cole on Sunday, Aug. 25, at noon. Also in Orcutt, Vino et Amicis Wine Bar‘s weekend offering takes shape with Steve Shape on Friday, Aug. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. The bar also hosts the NYC Duo on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Moxie Cafe in Santa Maria kicks off its weekly lineup with alternative rock band Carter on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cover band The WaveBreakers plays on Friday, Aug. 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and local accordionist Chuck Osborn is bringing his Roland FR-7 to the cafe for a genre-bending performance on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood wrote this week’s Local Notes. Contact him at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 22-29, 2019.