The Betteravia Gallery North and South—located at the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building—buzzed with the excited chatter of teenagers and adults during the early evening of May 18. It was the opening reception for the Spring 2016 Santa Barbara County Teen Arts Mentorship Group Exhibition, and the teens that participated in the program were […]
Joe Payne
Posted inNews
Portrait of a community: Holli Harmon’s exhibit at the Elverhoj Museum in Solvang captures the human landscape of the Central Coast
Natural light poured through the large, windowed doors of the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art’s gallery space, illuminating the large, carefully cut paper quilt that hung against the panes. Artist Holli Harmon stood in the soft glow, explaining the various images she had shaped throughout the three-panel tapestry. The intricate paper cutting was created […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Allan Hancock College music instructor Dr. Marcus Engelmann retires after 30 years at the college
Former students of Allan Hancock College’s longtime music department instructor Marcus Engelmann, wherever they are encountered, always remember the soft-spoken instructor in reverent tones—this writer included. Generations of musicians have learned music theory, electronic music, or sound recording under the tutelage of Engelmann. He’s been at Allan Hancock College 30 years now, but alas, all […]
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Santa Ynez Valley Arts Association awards student scholarships
The Santa Ynez Valley Arts Association announced its student scholarship winners for the academic year of 2016 in a May 9 release. The scholarship committee began in 1990 in order to fund awards for high school students continuing an arts education in college. The first place scholarship was awarded to Santa Ynez Valley Union High […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria Utilities Department awards students for water conservation posters
The Santa Maria Utilities Department announced the winners of the 2016 Water Awareness Poster contest at the May 3 City Council meeting, where students were given awards, trophies, and prizes for their creative efforts in spreading awareness of water conservation. The competition took place among third graders in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, who submitted […]
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Friends of Santa Maria Public Library sponsors Houdini show
The Friends of the Santa Maria Public Library presents a one-man show with actor Duffy Hudson, who will portray the famous magician Harry Houdini on May 24 at the library’s Shepard Hall. The hour-long program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Hudson will talk about Houdini’s life and work during the performance, which […]
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Local poet Michael McLaughlin releases new book of poetry, ‘Countless Cinemas’
Listen to an interview with Michael McLaughlin, including readings of two poems from ‘Countless Cinemas.’ The words flow in simple, neat little packets on the pages of local poet Michael McLaughlin’s new book, Countless Cinemas, released through Hell Press. The stanzas appear simple, but the content is far from so, and each line’s place on […]
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County Water Agency names Water Wise video contest winners
The Santa Barbara County Water Agency announced the winners of the 2016 Water Wise High School Video Contest, which saw 22 videos submitted from 10 different high schools throughout the county. Students were asked to create 30-second videos detailing water conservation techniques, with this year’s theme of Water Conservation in the Forecast. First place was […]
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Santa Barbara County Fair holds Home Wine Competition
The Santa Barbara County Fair invites local amateur vintners to compete in the Home Wine Competition happening at the fair on June 11. All locals who made wine with grapes grown in Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo counties are eligible to compete. Entry deadline to submit online is May 13, with several varietal categories […]
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Los Alamos holds town-wide garage sale
The tiny town of Los Alamos presents its annual Town-Wide Garage Sale event on May 14 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout Los Alamos. A list of participating houses is available at the Los Alamos Post Office on May 13 after 4 p.m. or on the morning of the event. More information is available […]
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Santa Maria Public Library calls for artists
The Santa Maria Public Library is seeking artists who want to show their work in the library’s Shepard Hall. Artists who apply could show their art for up to 12 months, according to a release from the library. Interested artists must turn in the appropriate application materials by June 16. The applications are reviewed through […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria Civic Theatre closes the Fayro trilogy with ‘Southern Hospitality’
The Futrelle sisters are at it again in the Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s (SMCT) last production of this season, Southern Hospitality, a romping comedy set in Fayro, Texas. The play was penned by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten. The production actually closes out a trilogy that SMCT has dedicated itself to over the […]
