Nearly 20 spinning hula hoops engulfed Ben Franklin—the circus performer, not the Founding Father—during a Wednesday afternoon warm-up session in Santa Maria’s Severson Theatre. His partner, Joshua Dean, stood at the opposite side of the arena with one hoop of his own, but its diameter was much larger than the others, even taller than Dean […]
Caleb Wiseblood
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St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley hosts SYV Wind Ensemble and LA Chamber Orchestra guest artists
Do yourself a favor and get to the church on time this Sunday and Saturday, as St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley houses not one but two notable classical concerts this weekend: An Evening of Chamber Music on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m., and the Santa Ynez Valley Wind Ensemble’s Fall 2019 Concert on Sunday, Nov. 10, at […]
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I see, hear, and smell dead people at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights
I can literally smell marshmallows as I proceed cautiously down a corridor in Universal Studios’ Ghostbusters maze. Well lo and behold, who’s waiting for me right around the corner? Just the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, nothing to freak out about. A few guests in front of me stop and stare at the jolly cream giant […]
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Five local acts headline Woodstock Tribute Concert at the Great American Melodrama
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 […]
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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 […]
