Joe Payne, Author at Santa Maria Sun

Ian M. Hassett Foundation supports emerging local artists

Righetti High School graduate’s legacy celebrates his creative life

by Joe Payne September 24, 2013August 17, 2023

Ian Hassett was just a young man when he was given his cancer diagnosis. Though he always remained hopeful, he was also realistic, his mother Stefanie Hassett explained. He sought to use his time well, engaging in the creative outlets he grew up enjoying and branching into new ones. “He handled his diagnosis so gracefully; […]

Music, Arts & Culture

The Santa Maria Winds have a special ‘Rendezvous’ concert

by Joe Payne September 24, 2013August 17, 2023

With the help of several large donations and a wealth of community support, the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society is back in the game of providing quality live music to Santa Marians. The society originally canceled its season subscription concert this year due to a lack of funds, but now a smaller two-show series has been […]

News

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! brings top-notch performers to local families

by Joe Payne September 20, 2013July 10, 2024

Listen in: Mariachi Nuevo Tecatlitlán performs “Sones de Veracruz” live. Tres guitarras: Los Vega performs “Las Poblanas” from their album, En tonos muy diferentes. Music has the unique ability to connect people across cultures, generations, and even borders. It can also provide a snapshot of a place, people, or society. ¡Viva el Arte de […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Learn landscapes with MacKah

by Joe Payne September 18, 2013August 17, 2023

The C Gallery, in collaboration with Mary Kay West, is bringing the famous landscape painter John MacKah to the Central Coast for an intermediate landscape-painting workshop. The workshop, “Illuminated Landscapes: Artisanal Use of Oils,” will include five days of plein air painting with MacKah, and lunch. MacKah is based in North Carolina and has enjoyed […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Crafty kids

by Joe Payne September 18, 2013April 12, 2023

The Santa Maria Michaels presents arts and crafts events for kids, including “Kids’ Club Owl Puppet” on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. “Kids Club Silly Monsters” and “Cake Roulette with Cake Boss” are on Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon, and “Envelope Punch Board Show IN Tell” is Sept. 28 from 1 […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Get close to a grizzly

by Joe Payne September 18, 2013April 12, 2023

The Santa Maria Valley Natural History Museum has a brand-new grizzly bear exhibit open to the public, as well as other multi-sensory experiences during the museum’s regular hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the museum, 412 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Donations accepted. […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Meet the author, Jenny Moshak

by Joe Payne September 18, 2013April 12, 2023

The Bookworm welcomes Jenny Moshak, former University of Tennessee athletic director and author of Ice ’n’ Go, on Sept. 26 at 3 p.m. with a question-and-answer session at 5 p.m. at the Bookworm, 230 E. Betteravia Road, suite K, Santa Maria. More info: 922-4282, quest@thebookwormcali.com, or thebookwormcali.com.

Music, Arts & Culture

Altrusa is accepting applications for fall grants

by Joe Payne September 18, 2013April 12, 2023

The Altrusa International Foundation of the Central Coast is now accepting applications for the fall 2013 grant funds the organization gives away each year. The funds are allocated for nonprofit agencies of the Santa Maria Valley for programs involving literacy, childcare, senior programs, and programs for people with disabilities. All applications must be postmarked by […]

Music, Arts & Culture

The Santa Maria Civic Theatre starts its 55th season with a Hitchcockian classic

by Joe Payne September 18, 2013August 17, 2023

The Santa Maria Civic Theatre kicked off its 55th season with a suspenseful tour de force, Dial M for Murder by Frederick Knox. The production is a reminder that the Civic Theatre—while powered entirely by volunteer effort—can provide live, professional-level theater with plenty of drama. Dial M for Murder is a classic tale of intrigue […]

Music, Arts & Culture

The Lompoc Concert Association welcomes organist Angela Kraft Cross

by Joe Payne September 18, 2013August 17, 2023

The organ has been called the “King of Instruments” because it gives the musician access to more sounds, range, and power than all other instruments. One must also remember that, before the age of electronics and synthesizers, the organ was the only instrument that could emulate scores of instruments, just with the flick of a […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Crafty kids

by Joe Payne September 11, 2013April 12, 2023

The Santa Maria Michaels presents arts and crafts events for kids, including a “Kids’ Club Stamp-a-Scene Powered by Hero Arts” event on Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. A “Copic Markers Show IN Tell” event is Sept. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. A “Building Backgrounds Show IN Tell” event is Sept. 15 from […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Get into Bangra

by Joe Payne September 11, 2013July 25, 2024

Kings of Swing Dance Studio will present a Bangra “Bollywood” Dance Workshop for beginners on Sept. 21 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the studio, 282 Town Center Mall East, Santa Maria. The dance style has become known as an exercise method that involves dancing. Cost is $15. More info: 928-7799 or kingsdancestudio.com.