Arts

Sammy Keyes has encountered singing nuns, costumed wrestlers, cranky seniors, busy girl scouts, and flashy artists—and that’s just in a few of her books. The teen sleuth’s adventures seem tailor-made to be a jumping off point for a costume party—they’re packed with colorful characters who tend to wear crazy outfits—so it’s not surprising that Santa […]

The very nature of contemporary art is interpretative and unexpected. So when Connie Rohde of the C Gallery in Los Alamos put out a call for artist submissions for the current Common Object Show, she knew she’d get some interesting responses. The show is about each artist’s individual interpretation of the word “pop.” Submissions ranged […]

Splash a Disney cartoon character with bright paint, then slowly melt it on a barbecue while listening to one of the trippier Beatles’ albums. Your end result may begin to approach something born from the brain of Brent Parker. The jack-of-all-visual-artsy-trades, Sun freelancer, and former Santa Maria Arts Council grant recipient is currently showing his […]

The Allan Hancock College Singers have been on a high note lately. From an upcoming concert in which they’ll be collaborating with the San Luis Obispo Chamber Orchestra, to an invitation to perform at the annual Hearst Castle Holiday Gala, the choir has found that it’s inspired others to sing—sing its praises. Dr. Ann Lucas, […]

For more than two decades, the Allan Hancock College Dance program has impressed audiences with its ability to express emotion, ideas, and concepts through dance with its Dimensions in Dance production. This year, the department taps into the talent of students, both present and past, as well as tenured faculty, to produce the 22nd celebration […]

With its unforgettable sound, an organ can be a majestic centerpiece to a concert or worship, but it can just as easily be used to bring a new element to ordinary music or even provide amazing sound effects. The instrument’s versatility is often underestimated, probably because it’s been used to such great effect: Listeners may […]

Each Passing Day—with a sound that resembles Iron and Wine, Damien Rice, and Death Cab for Cutie—explores relationships, both the bliss and the pain. But for lead singer Loren Radis, it was the pain that was the catalyst for motivation. A bad breakup prompted him to seek comfort in his music, and that music helped […]

You don’t need a map to find something special at a thrift store, although having good directions helps. I believe women have a shopping gene. Or, more specifically, a bargain-shopping gene. So when I found myself with a free day and six hours before I had to pick the boys up from school, mine kicked […]