Back in the summer of ’69, 32 musical acts came together under one roof—well, it was outdoors, so one sky—for the Bethel Rock Festival, aka The Aquarian Music Festival, double aka WOODSTOCK. 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the generation-defining event. To celebrate the occasion, the Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville in Oceano have put […]
Caleb Wiseblood
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Danielle Taylor performs Colors album at Naughty Oak Brewing Company
Bravery, kindness, love, perseverance, strength; each keyword holds a special place in any standard inspirational calendar. These themes and similarly empowering topics can also be found laced throughout the subject matter of pop artist Danielle Taylor’s new album, Colors. Taylor and her backup band will be performing tracks from her latest project at Naughty Oak […]
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Shepard Hall Gallery showcases Music Series by acrylic artist Lori Mole
Lori Mole cites her earliest artistic endeavor as sketching Bugs Bunny when she was a toddler, but ironically, it’s Bugs’ biggest competitor that inspired her to pursue music as well as painting. I’m, of course, referring to Mickey Mouse. Mole was 3 years old when she saw a live musical performance she will never forget […]
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Photo archivist and author Steven Rea discusses The Hollywood Book Club: Reading with the Stars
Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, Gregory Peck, Marilyn Monroe. Photos of these classic movie stars aren’t hard to find, but author Steven Rea has curated his latest compilation book to show them and several of their peers in a unique, thematic light. The Hollywood Book Club: Reading with the Stars features more than 50 rare photographs […]
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Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s production of ‘Lucky Stiff’ is one wild ride
It’s a Friday night and shoe salesman Harry Witherspoon (Jaime Espinoza) hasn’t sold a single shoe all day. Like Sweeney Todd singing to his razor blades, so does Witherspoon to his shoes, as if they’re the only ones willing to listen; the poor, unfortunate soles. “Three pairs of alligator pumps—check/ Two pairs of saddle toes […]
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Luminous Landscapes showcases pastel and oil paintings at Gallery Los Olivos
When deciding on the theme for their latest duo show, local artists and self-described “painting buddies” Carol Talley and Terri Taber turned toward a mutual point of interest. “We wanted to highlight one of our fascinations—how to capture all types of light in the landscape,” Talley told the Sun. “From the ethereal to the exuberant.” […]
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Eclectic musical duo Pricey Diggs performs at Vino et Amicis Wine Bar
Husband-and-wife musicians Mark McMillen and Annie Boreson have embarked on several road trips up and down the coastlines of California, Oregon, and Washington, touring at various venues along the way. Billed as Pricey Diggs, the eclectic musical duo is stopping in Orcutt for a show, performing at Vino et Amicis Wine Bar on Thursday, Oct. […]
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Chumash Casino Resort presents Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
A stage name can be a powerful thing. If I was ever compelled to take one on—or make up an alias for a Dear So-and-so column—I’d probably take the easy way out and just use one of those name generator apps. Or do what I did during my last Dungeons and Dragons campaign—name myself after […]
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OCT’s The Haunting of Hill House offers chills and thrills just in time for Halloween
Last October, I totally missed the boat on Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House, the popular 2018 adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s novel of the same name—the same novel Orcutt Community Theater’s (OCT) latest production is based on. With Halloween just around the corner, it’s about time I finally jump on the Hill House bandwagon. Seasonal […]
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LA-based screenwriter and yoga instructor hosts experimental journaling workshop in Orcutt
Fond memories of the Elks Rodeo, Strawberry Festival, and other definitive Santa Maria Valley gatherings race through yoga instructor Natalie Zimmerman’s mind as she returns to her hometown. The Orcutt native currently resides in Los Angeles, but she’s bringing her latest workshop—a combination of yoga, meditation, and journaling—to the Central Coast for one day only. […]
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SipMusic Club presents folk artist Tom Brosseau at Lompoc Wine Factory
I remember immediately Googling “We Were Meant to Be Together” after hearing the song in the first episode of Netflix’s romantic comedy series Love. Hearing the tune set against a montage cutting back and forth between central stars Gillian Jacobs and Paul Rust was my fond introduction to folk singer-songwriter Tom Brosseau, who’s set to […]
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Drac in the Saddle Again spoofs cowboys and vampires at the Great American Melodrama
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Fannie Farmer (Jocelyn Lonquist) notices a mysterious bat-shaped figure approaching her family’s ranch. The creature appears more and more anthropomorphic with each glance. Batman? Unfortunately not, although he is wearing a cape. The non-Batman introduces himself as Norman Zinfandel, Farmer’s uncle visiting from Atascadero. We—the audience—know that’s not true, as we’ve just […]
