While artists like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Beyonce make the pop charts today, the popular music of America 100 years ago was dominated by such artists as the Gershwins, Irving Berlin, Albert von Tilzer, and Hoagy Carmichael. This was the Tin Pan Alley era of American popular music, which is the subject of the Coastal […]
Joe Payne
Posted inNews
A lady of legacy
The late Patricia ‘Patty’ Boyd, Santa Maria’s consummate piano teacher, has left Allan Hancock College a record-breaking and campus-altering bequest
My artistic career essentially began in the living room of Patricia Jean Boyd, known as Patty Boyd to parents, and—respectfully—as Ms. Boyd to her students. I remember clearly our first meeting: I was 7 years old, and already slightly taller than she. After a brief introduction, I found myself sitting at the beautiful baby grand […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Shuttered symphony
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society cancels its upcoming season in the face of a nonexistent budget
Quality doesn’t come cheap. The axiom hit close to home for the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society, which, due to a lack of budget and return revenues from concerts, has been forced to cease its services—as in, it can no longer provide top-notch classical music performances to the Santa Maria Valley. The decision was made at […]
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Art for all of us
The Santa Maria Michaels store offers upcoming arts and crafts classes for kids. “Kids Club Mother’s Day Heart Necklace Event” is on May 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. “Kids Club Celebrate Your Hero Event” is May 18 from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, contact Michaels at 349-8801 or visit the store at […]
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An afternoon of poetry, art, and drama
Café Noir in Santa Maria is going to play host to a veritable cornucopia of art on May 18 in “An Afternoon of Poetry, Art, and Drama” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the café, 1555 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. The event will feature poetry readings by BJ Riley, who’s written several books of poetry, […]
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Bookworm features talk by author’s widow
Russell Means was an American Indian political activist known for several books, including his last title, co-authored by Bayard Johnson and published posthumously: If You’ve Forgotten the Names of the Clouds, You’ve Lost Your Way. The Bookworm in Santa Maria will be featuring a talk by Means’ widow, Pearl Means, on May 18 at 1 […]
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A tradition of quality
PCPA’s production of Fiddler on the Roof does justice to one of Broadway’s most famous of musicals
Portraying the struggle of an oppressed people fighting to hold onto its traditions in a changing world—within a couple hours, no less—is not an easy task, but the masters of drama and music at PCPA Theaterfest are more than prepared for it. The Fiddler on the Roof is one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals. Winning […]
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A kind-hearted farce
The Santa Maria Civic Theatre examines kindness and aging with the feel-good comedy ‘Opal’s Husband’
Some stories don’t need to spell things out for you; they just need to convey a feeling or an idea, and as the action unfolds, the themes become apparent. The Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s production of Opal’s Husband is a prime example of a play that takes you on a journey of feeling and discovery. […]
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A celebration of stories
The ERHS Film Festival inspires local high school students to tell their own tales on film
Every generation of great filmmakers had something in common: They had a story to tell. From silent-era icon Charlie Chaplin to modern directors like Scorsese or Tarantino, film has always been driven by stories. That’s the point Righetti High School film teacher Robert Garcia drives home to his students. “We shoot with the film techniques,” […]
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Out among the oaks
Trailpaloosa marks its second year of celebrating the valley’s great outdoors with a lineup of local and LA-based artists
The lack of public walking trails in the Santa Maria Valley has been an annoyance to walkers, bikers, horseback riders, and dog walkers for quite some time. Thankfully, Santa Maria Valley Open Space (SMVOS) started a couple of years ago to address that problem. Last year saw the opening of the Orcutt Hill Trail system, […]
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Songs for the soldiers
Rockie Lynne brings his military inspired Americana rock to the Strawberry Festival
The many branches of the military have always seen each soldier as a member of a band of brothers and sisters, all connected to each other by a common commitment. Even after a tour of duty—or even a whole career —is complete, the feeling of dedication doesn’t end. That feeling inspired Rockie Lynne to compose […]
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A man rich in talent
PCPA’s Erik Stein takes the lead in the upcoming production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’
Only a few musicals are household names, pinned down as iconic representations of humanity and art. PCPA is gearing up for a production of one such play, Fiddler on the Roof—one of the most produced musicals and a title familiar to people who’ve never even stepped foot in a theater. PCPA Theaterfest has provided the […]
