The lack of public walking trails in the Santa Maria Valley has been an annoyance to walkers, bikers, horseback riders, and dog walkers for quite some time. Thankfully, Santa Maria Valley Open Space (SMVOS) started a couple of years ago to address that problem.
Last year saw the opening of the Orcutt Hill Trail system, which adds miles to the area’s public-use hiking acreage. Suddenly there were walking trails available to cyclists, horseback riders, walkers, and runners alike.
“San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara have six times the amount of trails that we do, and we are the largest city in Santa Barbara County,” said Doug Rich, a board member for SMVOS. “The nice thing about the trails is they are not just for biking or walking, but for horses, too, so it’s a nice place for the community to go.”
To celebrate the opening of the trail system, and to raise awareness in the community about the trails, SMVOS started Trailpaloosa, Orcutt’s first-ever outdoor music festival at the Newlove Picnic area on Orcutt Hill.
“We expected a couple hundred people to turn out,” Rich said, “and we had close to 500 people show up, and this year we are expecting more.”
Last year’s event took place on a perfect day of sun, fun, and music. While dozens of volunteers prepared barbecue, held cakewalks, and hosted raffles, a lineup of local musicians took the stage and made music among the shady oak trees.
“The quality of the entertainment last year was outstanding,” said Luis Escobar, SMVOS volunteer and music coordinator, “and this year we feel it is a notch above.”
In addition to pulling from a pool of experienced and skilled local ensembles, SMVOS cast its line a little further, getting a couple of performers based out of the L.A. area. One singer-songwriter, Marc Beauregard, is from Los Angeles and will be performing at 2 p.m. during the festival.
“We’re really fortunate to bring Marc Beauregard,” Escobar said. “He is a surfer, guitar player, and songwriter; he is really good.”
Another out-of-towner, Sean Wiggins, is no stranger to the Central Coast. She usually performs with her band as Sean Wiggins and 10ne g0at. Regulars of the Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez will remember some performances.
“To bring [Wiggins] to Orcutt is a really big step for the area,” Escobar said. “She is going to be doing a double set, and I would say her music is more bar room rock and dance music.”
The show starts at 9:50 a.m. with a singing of the national anthem by Haley Zahn and a flag ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 93. After that, bands will be performing every hour from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on a stage set under the oak trees at the sprawling picnic area.
The day begins with a couple of folk music groups. First up is Modern Lighthouse, a group of folk-music veterans, Escobar explained. Following will be The Dirigible Hearts, a folk band made up of St. Joseph High School and Ernest Righetti High School students.
At noon will be Bloom and Embark, a local band headed by singer-songwriter Champion McConnell, and featuring myself on keyboards and guitar, along with Candice Meras on violin and vocals, Paco Maldonado on drums, and Robert Whitehead on bass. Trailpaloosa actually serves as the marker for Bloom and Embark’s one-year anniversary—last year’s event was our first show.
Gracing the stage after us will be Joe Daddy and the Sumthins, a group of locals that plays a wide variety of favorite cover tunes as well as some fun originals. They can often be seen at the open mic event at Lucia’s Wine Co. in Old Orcutt, jamming a classic rock ensemble with contemporary style.
Last but not least, performing after Wiggins and closing out the show from 5 to 6 p.m., will be the Drive-In Romeos. The group is a three piece that exemplifies the rockabilly style.
“This is vintage rockabilly along the lines of Richie Valens or a Stray Cats kind of sound and feel,” Escobar said. “I think at that point people will be interested in dancing, so they will make that happen.”
All the proceeds from Trailpaloosa go toward upkeep of the trail system. From the raffles to the barbecue, each donation could mean a new sign, a wider trail, or new trails. Other community groups will be present, including Santa Barbara County Animal Control, which will have dogs available for adoption.
“Trailpaloosa is just basically trying to raise awareness for people of what they do have available to them on public land,” Rich said. “We are out there building trails for everyone to use, and it’s a total benefit to the community for people to have a place to feel safe and walk around to enjoy nature.”
The glory of music
The Allan Hancock College Singers present the spring concert “Goin’ Up To Glory” featuring music from the American black gospel tradition on May 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 311 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. Cost is $7. More info: 922-6966, Ext. 3412, ralarcio@hancockcollege.edu, or hancockcollege.edu.
Banjos, mandolins, etc.
Bluegrass West presents a concert featuring Bluegrass Etc., a three-piece bluegrass ensemble performing live on May 4 at 8 p.m. at St. Marks in the Valley, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos. Cost is $15. More info: 699-9894, peter@bluegrasswest.com, or bluegrasswest.com.
Words, melodies, and wine
Lucia’s Wine Co. offers an open mic featuring wine, poetry, and live music on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the tasting room, 126 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. More info: 332-3080.
Perfect place to ‘wine down’
The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro presents “Wine Down Wednesdays” featuring live music on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro, located at 400 E. Clark Ave., Old Orcutt. Free. More info: 937-6400 or Bethany@addamovineyards.com.
Live from L.A.
O’Sullivan’s Pub hosts an open mic event for musicians and rappers accompanied by a live musican on May 7 starting at 9 p.m. at O’Sullivan’s Pub, 633 E. Main St., Santa Maria. More info: 925-0658 or osullivanspub.net.
Maverick music
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including country by Randy Emmet and Bluetooth Cowboys on May 3
at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at
11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” featuring Randy and friends is May 4 at 3 p.m. Randy Emmet and Bluetooth Cowboys perform live on May 4 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. m
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 2-9, 2013.