While droves of pup-tent pitching fanatics finalized their holiday purchases early this year, many (including this procrastinating pen smith) have barely begun to list the friends and family who will receive some holiday generosity. But before you swarm the nearest corporate outlet, take a gander at the Sun’s Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide, which features […]
Joe Payne
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Bringing the glory: Lompoc Valley Master Chorale presents Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’
The holiday season is one of cherished rituals and traditions. A long-held tradition in classical music is that of the oratorio, which features an orchestra, choir, and vocal soloists. Usually relating a biblical story or text, these religious concert pieces were wonderful platforms for composers to explore their creativity in a sacred realm. The Lompoc […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Holiday crafting at Michaels
Michaels offers several arts and crafts events for kids including a “Melted Snowman Ornament” event on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with half-hour sessions for $2 each for kids ages 3 and up. A “Kids Club Crayola Wintery Work of Art” class is Dec. 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with half-hour […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Get ready for eagle season
The Central Coast provides a perfect climate and ecosystem for bald eagles. The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake is preparing to share the wonder of these seasonal, iconic inhabitants with the community. The regularly scheduled wildlife cruises that the nature center offers become eagle cruises during eagle season, which starts in November. As […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Santa Maria Public Library makes research easier
The Santa Maria Public Library announced that a number of resources can now be accessed from home via a computer. The vast number of resources can be reached via cityofsantamaria.org where the library tab will lead to “Search the databases.” A library card is required. Biography in Context is a database available through the site, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Generations of volunteers put on ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ at the Lompoc Civic Theatre
The Lompoc Civic Theatre has been providing the small town with live community theater for 40 years now. Four decades of experience is a lot to bank on, but a steady stock of fresh new faces makes the volunteer theater group a dynamic entity that is always presenting plays in new and interesting ways. In […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria High School bands showcase the fruit of their efforts in a winter concert
The view most people get of a musician’s life is his or her performance, which is truthfully just the tip of a very large iceberg of disciplined practice. Music is a practice that requires daily dedication—or at least most days. Luckily, Santa Maria High School director of bands Ulises Valdivia has his students for five […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Orcutt library celebrates first birthday
Altrusa International, Inc. of the Central Coast and the Orcutt Friends recently donated two AWE Digital Learning computers, which include an early learning station for ages 2 to 8 and a station for kids ages 6 to 12. The computers are loaded with special educational software, cover all areas of curriculum, and are secure for […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Attention young musicians: Santa Maria Philharmonic Society is holding auditions
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society is holding auditions for its third annual Youth Showcase event. All instrumentalists and singers ages 9 to 18 years of age who are currently studying classical music privately can audition on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Unity Chapel of Light, 1165 Stubblefield Road, Orcutt. Auditions […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Handmade at Hancock: Annual pottery sale
The ceramics program is an important and productive part of the Fine Arts Department at Allan Hancock College. The annual Allan Hancock College Holiday pottery sale will feature ceramic art created by art faculty and advanced students Dec. 6 through 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the college’s student center, building […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Solvang invites all to hit the ice
Solvang’s upcoming Julefest celebration will feature a cornucopia of holiday events, but a new attraction has the town Time magazine once added to its list of “Most Christmas-y Towns in America” abuzz. “Solvang on Ice” will feature a real ice-skating rink at Solvang Park in the center of town. The skating rink will be open […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Silly for the season: The Santa Maria Civic Theatre presents ‘Christmas Belles’
The small, black box that is the Santa Maria Civic Theatre was abuzz with laughter on the opening night of Christmas Belles, a hilarious farce penned by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten. The ensemble of 13 strong was put through its paces, but met the challenging, fast-paced production with a skill astonishing for […]
