Music

Examples of the flute—possibly the oldest instrument, other than the human voice—can be found in cultures across the world and time. There’s a good argument that the flute is an almost universal example of our collective musicianship. Composer, musician, and educator John Zeretzke saw this commonality and used it to start a program to connect […]

Making new music that sounds familiar and comfortable to listeners is a difficult task, but South Carolina-born singer-songwriter Dulcie Taylor meets the challenge with a calm reserve. After just one listen of Taylor’s newest album, it’s obvious that Taylor has friends who can play multiple instruments and write songs as well as the seasoned, country-influenced […]

Local singer/songwriter Chris Lambert has cut many albums over the years, some produced and recorded by himself at his own studio, but he decided to record the entirety of his latest album at Certain Sparks Studio in Lompoc. No stranger to Certain Sparks and owner Randall Sena, Lambert wanted a different sound on this album […]

The Lompoc Library Foundation, a local nonprofit organization, is responsible for more than $50,000 worth of book endowments to the Lompoc, Buellton, and Vandenberg Village libraries. The foundation also organizes several events throughout the year that get locals to the library, including the upcoming Concerts on the Library Lawn series. This is the eighth installment […]

The Grover Beach-based Americana country rock group Occasional Mustache has debuted its new album Hard to Keep a Good Man Down. This is the group’s second album, and it was made possible by a fan-funded Kickstarter.com campaign. Occasional Mustache offers a mash-up of genres, from simple folk and blues forms to crisper country sounds reminiscent […]

You have a song stuck in your head. Completely unbidden, out of the blue, you hear the familiar notes, instruments, and perhaps words. It doesn’t matter that you are sitting alone in silence, or perhaps you’re among a noisy crowd— there’s the song, existing for only you to hear. This isn’t something to worry about, […]

The folk music sphere gave a heartfelt goodbye to one of its favorite sons at the beginning of this year. Pete Seeger, the banjo-plucking, honey-voiced folk icon passed away in late January at the ripe age of 94. One local singer and longtime Seeger fan, Gale McNeeley, is presenting a tribute show highlighting the late […]

Harps have long been symbols of otherworldly transcendence, but are rarely seen or heard these days but for special occasions. Skilled harpist Lisa Lynne will grace a Santa Maria audience with her skills and share her art form at a special concert and interactive workshop event July 8 at Mission Hope Cancer Center. “Through the […]

The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department’s yearly Concerts in the Park has been a hit since it began. The series started out small, but has grown over the years, finally reaching a point where a huge variety of quality music ensembles are performing for families at several local parks. The Rotary Centennial Park is […]

KCBX Radio, the Central Coast’s Public Radio station, is my go-to for classical, jazz, folk, bluegrass, blues, world, and many other kinds of music. The station is always dedicated to providing musical nourishment for a diverse palate, and the station’s annual Live Oak Music Festival reflects those tastes. The Live Oak Music Festival is a […]

Lompoc’s beloved Wine Ghetto is a small industrial park that houses nearly 20 wineries and tasting rooms. In such a compacted area, space is at a premium, but one winery scored a spot that boasts more than a tasting room: It’s got a larger outside patio. Montemar Wines is owned by Steve Arrowood, who jumped […]

Los Olivos is a tiny town full of residents who are more than proud of its namesake. It’s just as easy to find an olive oil tasting as it is to find a wine tasting among the restaurants and tasting rooms that line Alamo Pintado and Grand Avenue. This passion for the fruit attracts tourists […]