Music

Music is a special thing to share with children, but an even greater gift is to invite them to join in on the music making. Local educators and performers Nina Ryne and Jan Grigsby will be performing a free kids concert at the Toy Zoo, where they’ll not just perform, but will invite kids to […]

The sun had already set over the Lompoc skyline, and North H Street was lit by the lampposts, still open businesses, and cars speeding down the city’s main drag. We pulled into the parking lot of an unobtrusive building with the name Certain Sparks Recording Studio and Music Lessons emblazoned on the side. Since this […]

The tradition of chamber music goes back centuries, as does the repertoire for various chamber ensembles. The San Luis Obispo Symphony, used to performing orchestra-hall-type repertoire, still makes time for more intimate chamber concerts, like the program set for the Monarch Club in Nipomo on Nov. 18. The concert, titled “Toast of Trilogy,” will feature […]

Music has enjoyed a sacred place in most congregations, the local Grace Baptist Church being no exception. The church includes music as part of its services, but also presents performances by touring and local ensembles, including the Santa Maria Philharmonic Orchestra. An upcoming concert will feature an ensemble from the California Baptist University School of […]

The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society has served as a stalwart cornerstone for the musical community in the Santa Maria Valley. The group’s dedication—not just to providing high-quality performances of classical music, but to outreach aimed at young musicians and students—is what makes the society a truly invaluable asset. With characteristic generosity, the Santa Maria Philharmonic […]

The music of history’s great composers only lives on in the ears of those who care to listen. And those who care to listen will be delighted to know that an upcoming collaboration will feature works by two of the heavy hitters of the Romantic Era. The San Luis Chamber Orchestra will be coming to […]

Music has always been one of the oldest traditions, and today is no different. A traditional celebration is taking place in Santa Maria due to the concerted efforts of the Mexican Ladies Social Club. The Black and White Ball is a traditional formal affair that has taken place for decades in Santa Maria, and in […]

A good, weekly open mic event can be a catalyst for a musical community. If a location has the right ambiance, attitude, and turnout, something special can form. I walked into the Lucia’s Wine Co. tasting room on Oct. 3 for the new Wednesday night open mic and was quickly grabbed by the location’s relaxed […]

When the leaves start turning colors and the Santa Maria weather begins to cool down (in theory), you can expect the community to share the fruit of a productive summer. Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains is a community festival that celebrates art in its many forms, including local live music. The festival was born 56 […]

October is the time of year when we can all unabashedly pull our favorite costumes out of the attic and play dress up. Some go silly, some go spooky, but the spirit of fun is the same. The Addamo Bistro and Wine Bar is celebrating the holiday spirit with a series of weekly concerts/costume parties […]

Every year a positive, party atmosphere seeps into Santa Maria by way of polished and revved classic cars coming from far and wide to be a part of Cruzin’ for Life, an annual fundraising event in support of local cancer programs. This year, the events, which usually include the car show and cruise on a […]

A capella barbershop-style singing is a genre unto itself. Bringing images of mustachioed men in straw hats and red-and-white-striped shirts, barbershop style started with such Tin Pan Alley favorites as “Hello My Ragtime Gal,” “Heart of Heart,” and “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” Today, some talented local men keep the tradition of barbershop harmony alive. […]