Out there, near the fog swept water hazard of the 13th hole at the Blacklake Golf Course in Nipomo, a hideous creature lives. At least, according to the Great American Melodrama’s current production, Trudy and the Beast. This hilarious and localized satire of another story of a similar name opens with a mysterious exposition. Accompanied […]
Joe Payne
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Altrusa of Santa Maria announces fall grants
The Altrusa International Foundation of Santa Maria Inc. announced its fall grants cycle. The foundation considers programs to grant money to and focuses on literacy, child care, and disability programs that aid the community. There is also a memorial fund, which receives donations from those wishing to honor departed friends. A new grant application form […]
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Santa Maria Arts Council includes birdhouse raffle at Autumn Arts Festival
The annual Autumn Arts Festival is a huge celebration of arts and the fall harvest. The Santa Maria Arts Council will be there in spades, as usual, at the annual fine arts exhibit during the festival with the Arts Council’s regular booth, where locals can buy raffle tickets for the annual birdhouse fundraiser. The Santa […]
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Valley Art Gallery needs help matching funds
The Valley Art Gallery recently received a windfall with the donation of $10,000 to the community art center. There is one caveat, however. The $10,000 is only available if locals can collectively donate the same amount for a matching campaign that will total $20,000. The Valley Art Gallery is currently working to raise funds with […]
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Swingin’ into fall: The Riptide Big Band performs October dance concert for the Santa Maria Valley Seniors Club
There was a time before rock ’n’ roll, before Elvis wiggled his hips and The Beatles shook their hair while singing “Woo!” That was the age when the big band ruled the musical roost, when the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Glenn Miller were topping the charts and filling dance halls. But for […]
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Singing with Seuss: The Santa Maria Civic Theatre presents a hilarious, tuneful, and family-friendly production of ‘Seussical’
If you love Dr. Seuss you’re in for a treat, because the Santa Maria Civic Theatre has a show that’s quite neat. It’s full of laughter and music and fun, in a poetic production that welcomes everyone. I wish I could write the rest of the review for the Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s (SMCT) production […]
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Rick Bloom
After Pacific Christian Center’s lead pastor Rick Bloom lost his wife at the beginning of this year, he found himself home alone and depressed, he told the Sun. While taking time off from his ministry to grieve the loss, he found solace in an unlikely activity. “I was just kind of sitting around the house […]
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Doctoral dedication: Allan Hancock College’s Jill Thayer shares a career-spanning exhibit of her art
It takes quite a lot of resources, both financial and intellectual, to achieve a doctorate in any field of study. A Ph.D. in the arts, however, also calls on a tremendous amount of creative energy to earn the distinction. Allan Hancock College’s fine arts instructor Jill Thayer braved all the burdens of higher education and […]
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Santa Barbara County Arts Commission hosts exhibit celebrating Californian Mixtecos
The recent opening reception for the Betteravia Gallery’s latest exhibit was buzzing with voices. The Santa Barbara County Arts Commission welcomed the traveling exhibit Campos de Ensueños along with the photographers whose work is showcased therein, and the commission pulled out all the stops. There was food, drink, artist presentations, a video segment, live dance […]
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Los Alamos to celebrate Old Days Sept. 23 – 25
Each year the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club sponsors the Los Alamos Days Celebration, which showcases the town’s unique and historic character with a parade, artisan fair, car show, auctions, and more. The festivities begin with a chili kick-off party on the evening of Sept. 23 and continue through Sept. 25. The Los Alamos Valley […]
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Charter schools video competition deadline nears
The Center for Education Reform will close the entries for its “Hey John Oliver! Back Off My Charter School” video contest on Sept. 26. The contest was born after John Oliver of HBO’s Last Week Tonight ran a segment criticizing charter schools. Charter school students, parents, and teachers are welcome to send in informal videos […]
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Orcutt Children’s Arts Foundation annual Chalk Festival happens Sept. 24
The Orcutt Children’s Arts Foundation (OCAF) celebrates its fifth annual Chalk Festival in Old Town Orcutt on Sept. 24. The fundraising event welcomes visitors for an afternoon of amateur and professional-level chalk painting, with all proceeds going toward arts programs for kids in Orcutt schools. The festivities this year include live performances, kids’ crafts, and […]
