As the days lengthen and the temperature rises, locals seek shady spots and cool watering holes to enjoy weather that makes the Central Coast so famous (and expensive!). At most of the best spots around Northern Santa Barbara County and beyond, you’re likely to find more than wine tasting and trip-tip; you’ll also find live music by the area’s diverse array of professional musicians. From Santa Maria’s family-friendly Concerts in the Park series to the many nighttime venues, there is a chance to catch a band of every flavor. Big names from out of town can be found at the Chumash Casino Resort and even the Jazz in the Garden series in Solvang, which features some prominent names in jazz.
Wherever you may be, and whatever your musical persuasion, make sure to lend an ear to various beats, rhymes, and jams happening throughout the community.
Park yourself
Concerts in the Park is a free concert series presented by the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department through September, including live performances by Teddy Spanke and the Tex Pistols on June 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Los Flores Ranch Park, Unfinished Business on July 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, Steppin’ Out on July 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, The Tejano Nights Band on July 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, Calo on Aug. 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, Drive in Romeos on Aug. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, Soul Sauce on Aug. 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, Livewire on Aug. 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, and The Bomb on Aug. 31 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Preisker Park in Santa Maria. Free. More info: dsmitherman@cityofsantamaria.org; 925-0951, Ext. 260; or cityofsantamaria.org.
Romeos on the road
The Drive-In Romeos are the featured band of the West Coast Kustom’s Cruisin National Cruise event on May 23 and car show on May 24. The band will also be playing at the Santa Maria Inn Taproom on May 24, the Carillo Ballroom in Santa Barbara on June 20, the “Pin-Up Contest” at the 510 Event Center in Santa Maria on June 28, the Mad Bomberz Car Show in Nipomo on July 13, and the Elks Lodge’s “Cook Your Own” event on July 25 in Santa Maria. More information is available at driveinromeos.com.
In the flow
The Creative Juices Lounge in Guadalupe features live music including Terry Lawless and Dave Miller and Friends on May 23 and Double Shot on May 24; Lawless and Dean perform a one-time reunion on May 30, and Steppin’ Out performs May 31. Shows run from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Creative Juices Lounge, 874 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. More information is available at 219-0518 or creativejuiceslounge.com.
Feel the Pasion
Pasion presents its Summer Concerts on Saturdays, starting with a concert by Soul Sauce on May 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Pasion, 165 S. Broadway, suite 102, Orcutt. More info: 314-2191.
Jazz it up
The Santa Maria Mussell Senior Club is host to Big Band Dance Concerts featuring the Riptide Big Band each month, including performances June 8 and the following second Saturday of each month from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria. Cost is $10. More info: (775) 843-2830, hornblower0@yahoo. com, or cityofsantamaria.org.
Live in the oaks
The Live Oak Music Festival is a camping and music event including headliners Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin with The Guilty Ones, JD McPherson, Holly Williams, Zongo All Starts, Blind Boy Paxton, Boogaloo Assassins, Dustbowl Revival, and Marley’s Ghost performing June 13 through 15, beginning June 13 at 2 p.m. at the Live Oak Camp, Highway 154, Santa Ynez Valley.
From Russia with songs
The St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble will perform Russian Orthodox scared music and Russian folk music live on June 13 at 7 p.m. at the Nipomo Community Presbyterian Church, 1235 N. Thompson Ave., Nipomo. More info: 473-8059.
Open-air jazz
Jazz in the Garden happens at the Solvang Festival Theater “Under the Oaks” including performances by Bear Erickson and friends on June 29, Denise Donatelli and friends on July 13, Paul Marinaro on July 27, Teka on Aug. 10, Christine DiPego on Aug. 24, and Alfredo Rodriguez on Sept. 14. Concerts start at 3 p.m. at the Solvang Festival Theater. More info: solvangfestivaltheater.org.
Summer-long lineup
The Blacklake Golf Resort presents a Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series featuring the Usual Suspects on May 28, Acoustic Alchemy on June 4, Unfinished Business on June 11, Resination on June 18, Sound Investment on June 25. The Blacklake Golf Resort is at 1490 Golf Course Lane in Nipomo. More info: 343-1214, Ext. 400, or blacklake.com.
Every Wednesday
Ca’ Del GreVino Café and Wine Bar presents live music every Wednesday night including a performances by Jacob Cole May 28 and June 11, Chris Beland on June 4, and Manny Mestas on June 18 at the Café and Wine Bar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Santa Maria. More info: 937-6400 or dcp@grevino.com.
Sipping and singing
Standing Sun Winery features the Standing Sun Concert Series including The Far West on May 24 and Owen Plant on June 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Standing Sun Wines, 92 2nd St., Buellton. More info: 904-8072 or standingsunwines.com.
Right off the runway
The Radisson Hotel offers live music Fridays and Saturdays including The Mix performing May 23 and 24; Juan Marquez performing May 30 and 31, June 6 and 7, June 13 and 14; and Storm performing June 20 and 21, all from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
Music fresh off D’Vine
The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro features Cellar Roots on May 24, Audition Night on May 27, and Dan Mally on May 28 with shows starting at 7:30 p.m. at the D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro, 107 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More info: 430-8356.
Maverick country
The Maverick Saloon presents the Maverick Music Festival on June 14 starting at 1 p.m. A Johnny Cash Tribute Concert is Aug. 20 at 7:30p.m. The saloon offers live entertainment each weekend, including bands in the evening on Fridays and Saturdays. DJs spin after bands on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. “Concerts on the Deck” happens on Saturdays at 3 p.m. “Suds, Songs, and Sandwiches” happens on Sundays at 3 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 22-29, 2014.