Bottlest is Buellton’s newest attraction to the wine scene, offering a unique chance to blend wines or just hang out, eat, and taste. But now, the new spot is adding “concert venue” to its title. The restaurant and wine bar—owned by Terravant Wine Company—began a new concert series, titled Crafted, at the beginning of June. […]
Joe Payne
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Community Environmental Council, Solarize Santa Barbara
April Price, renewable energy specialist
Santa Barbara County’s summer months see longer, sunnier days, which North County residents have the possibility of turning into dollars. A program spearheaded by the Community Environmental Council (CEC) called Solarize Santa Barbara County gave residents in South County the chance to buy solar panels at low costs, and now North County residents can hop […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local and touring country groups perform for the Elks Rodeo
The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo isn’t just about the ropin’ and ridin’ anymore. For the past four years, the Santa Maria Elks Club’s annual rodeo has ramped up its entertainment offerings, scheduling live music before each rodeo event at the Elks Unocal Center just off Highway 101. This is all part of the new direction […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Singer/songwriter Sean Wiggins returns to the Central Coast
View a video of Sean Wiggins performing at Cold Spring Tavern. She’s performed across Santa Barbara County, from the wooded Santa Ynez Mountains to Santa Maria Valley, singing songs under the oaks at outdoor festivals or setting up in the corner of a winery tasting room. Singer/songwriter Sean Wiggins may be based in Santa Clarita […]
Posted inNews
Sunset on Holly: Two years after the Refugio oil spill, Venoco gives up Platform Holly, a move that underscores the debate over local oil industry
Platform Holly has stood alone in the South Ellwood oil field for decades as the Santa Barbara Channel’s last oil rig in California’s state waters. But it may not stay standing for much longer. The platform’s owner, Venoco, announced on April 17 that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy—which allows the company to reorganize assets—and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Dustbowl Revival to perform cuts off new album at Standing Sun in Buelton
When you think old-time string band, the logical next step is not a horn section. But, it’s a winning combination for The Dustbowl Revival. The eight-piece Americana group performs at Standing Sun Wines in Buellton on May 19, bringing a set filled with cuts off the group’s new album, due out June 16. Titled The […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble brings Russian sacred and secular music to Central Coast
The Russian Orthodox liturgy is steeped in tradition, and its music is no different. The vocal music performed in Russian Orthodox churches is always unaccompanied vocals, explained Kirill Sokolov, director of the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble. The group performs several concerts across the Central Coast, including a concert in Santa Maria on May 17. The […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Riders in the Sky bring classic cowboy music to Solvang
Classic cowboy band Riders in the Sky doesn’t always perform outdoors, but when they do, they bring their own campfire. That’s according to Ranger Doug, guitarist and lead singer for Riders in the Sky, which performs at the open-air Solvang Festival Theater on May 5. It’s just another stop on the trail the band has […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
SipMusic Club pairs wine with local albums in Lompoc
There are literally hundreds of wine clubs available up and down the Central Coast, but only one comes with a new album from a local band. SipMusic Club came about when local singer/songwriter Randall Sena, owner of Certain Sparks Music in Lompoc, decided to slap the artwork for his debut solo album, A Form of […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Mobile Phone Investigations
Kevin Martin, owner
Hypothetical scenario: You drop your smartphone into the toilet, damaging the screen and other electronic aspects of the device. Beside the obvious monetary loss, you’ve also lost thousands of megabytes’ worth of important photos, videos, contacts, and more. What do you do? Well, you can either kiss your data goodbye, or reach out to a […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Season of triumph: The Santa Maria Philharmonic’s first season with Maestro Michael Nowak comes to a close on April 22
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society’s decision to hire on Michael Nowak as its new music director and conductor was met with immediate enthusiasm from local classical music lovers. Now, at the end of his first season directing the Philharmonic Orchestra and programing concerts, Nowak said he is “delighted with the way things have gone so […]
Posted inNews
Bonita School welcomes Sun editor as ‘Principal for a Day’
The Sun joined the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Industry Education Council’s Principal for a Day event, dispatching Managing Editor Joe Payne for a morning on the campus of Bonita School in Santa Maria. Bonita School Principal Aaron Shrogin hosted Payne at the elementary school for more than two hours and into […]