Each note reverberated, clearly, echoing in a way that carried the sound of the modestly sized baby grand piano far throughout the large halls of the Santa Maria Town Center. Passersby turned their heads toward the stage in front of Macy’s, where the pianist was weaving harmony like a tapestry. Some listeners sat at the tables near the stage to enjoy the music.
It just so happens that the pianist was me. I had the privilege to perform as part of the Town Center’s regularly scheduled musical entertainment. The piano I would eye longingly when passing through the mall—with its little sign reading, “Please do not play the piano.”—was suddenly available. I didn’t have to heed that sign for four hours a day, two days a week, during two consecutive weeks in August.
The mall offers live piano music, free to all shoppers, on Fridays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. The open area works wonders for the piano’s sound. During holidays, the piano is played every day, explained Amber Lease, the Town Center’s public relations and events coordinator.
“We want to become a community center for the city to come to,” she said. “The music is set up right there by Gina’s Piece of Cake, so you can get a cookie or a piece of cake and enjoy music.”
I was filling in for the resident pianist, Andrew Barnick, who is taking a much-deserved vacation. I met Barnick in the Allan Hancock College choir class where we became friends, talking over piano music and making jests with the rest of the bass section. He asked me to fill in for him while he was away.
Possessing a true command of the piano—Barnick has been playing since childhood—he can entertain for hours on end without repeating a single tune. He has a repertoire in the triple digits, with a range of styles that includes classical, ragtime, and virtuosic stride style jazz. On any given Friday or Sunday, while strolling through the mall, patrons may hear a beautifully interpreted Bach fugue or a fiery Jelly Roll Morton stomp.
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The Town Center offers more than just piano music. Kid-friendly entertainment—including balloon artists, clowns, face painters, and children’s music—can be found on the weekends. Bands perform live on the Macy’s Court Stage on Saturdays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The bands or performers are mostly acoustic, Lease explained. Upcoming shows include country and western group Solomon Creek on Sept. 3 and 24, and singer songwriter Amy Estrada on Sept. 10.
“We’re trying to make a hub for entertainment in Santa Maria,” Lease said. “We feature family-friendly music and local live bands.”
Music evolving
The “Trilogy at Monarch Dunes Concert Series” will feature a free concert by Still Evolving on Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Monarch Club, 1645 Trilogy Parkway, Nipomo. More info: 343-7510 or gina.forsmann@trilogyresortliving.com.
Make it swing
The Swing Shift Band performs its funky classic rock music in concert on Aug. 27 from 9 p.m. to midnight at the Historic Union Hotel, 362 Bell St., Los Alamos. More info: 680-8907, berndoge@hotmail.com, or swingshiftband.net.
Starry Sky jams
Starry Sky Coffee Company features live music by local artists, including a performance by Josh Bledsoe and Adam Hernandez on Aug. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 2880 Santa Maria Way, suite A-1, Santa Maria. More info: 310-4183, steven@starryskycoffee.com, or starryskycoffee.com.
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Calling all steppers
The City of Santa Maria Parks and Recreation Department presents “Concerts in the Park,” featuring free performances by local bands, including winner of the Best of 2011 “Best Local Band or Musician” Steppin’ Out on Aug. 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, 2625 S. College Dr., Santa Maria. More info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.
Music at the Maverick
The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez hosts country band Von Cotton on Aug. 26 at 8:30 p.m., followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” with Brant is Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. Von Cotton performs Aug. 27 at 8:30 p.m., followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. Karaoke Night is Aug. 30 at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at 688-0383.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 25 – Sep 1, 2011.
