Catch a family-friendly holiday performance on Dec. 14 in the vineyard with a glass of wine for the adults and cookie decorating for the kids. Headlining is the Santa Barbara Master Chorale, which will sing traditional Christmas carols featuring conductor David Lozano Torres and pianist Heather Levin-White. The program is scheduled for almost an hour […]
Music, Arts & Culture
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El Ermitaño comes to PCPA
The Mexican Christmas play, El Ermitaño, returns to Santa Maria on Dec. 12 and 13. The hour-long show, hosted by the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA), is performed in Spanish and filled with music, comedy, and tradition. PCPA is partnering with actors from Tierra Blanca Arts Center, a nonprofit dedicated to offering multicultural art programs to […]
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If you saw Wicked, you’re going to see Wicked: For Good
Jon M. Chu directs this second part of the film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz spinoff Broadway musical, Wicked, which explores Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her relationship with Glinda (Ariana Grande), the Good Witch of the North. (138 min.) Wicked: For GoodWhat’s it rated? PG What’s it […]
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Come See Me in the Good Light examines spoken word poet Andrea Gibson’s fight for her life
I first heard about this from comedian Tig Notaro’s podcast Handsome. Notaro is a producer on the film, but more importantly, she was a friend to the late Andrea Gibson and Andrea’s wife, Megan Falley. The two were Denver area poets, and Andrea lost their life this past year to terminal ovarian cancer. Come See […]
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Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking is a Wizarding World-centric baking competition
Whoever imagined this match-up certainly had nerds like me in mind. Do you like baking shows? Check. Do you like Harry Potter? Check. Well, Warner Bros. has managed to eke another production out of the magical series while putting the London set to use. Hosts James and Oliver Phelps, who played George and Fred Weasley […]
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Santa Maria residents produce and star in award-winning Filipino film
In the Philippines, umbag means punch. It’s also the title of an independent Filipino-American movie produced by a Santa Maria resident, Rose Dumadara Koerner. Unlike traditional executive producers, she was also involved in many more of the nitty-gritty details. After being displeased with the first cut of Umbag, which follows two estranged sisters who go […]
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Santa Maria nonprofit raises money for arts program
Corazón del Pueblo is fundraising for its Indigenous Youth Leadership Institute of Arts and Culture, a pilot program serving Indigenous migrant farm-working students. Funds will go toward the program’s last events and scholarships for the students. “We engaged 23 Indigenous farm-working students, providing them with opportunities to connect with others who are facing similar life […]
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Make DIY ornaments at Community Clayworks
On Dec. 6 and 7, a Buellton ceramics studio is hosting its annual make-your-own holiday ornament sessions. The classes run from 2 to 4 p.m. each day at Community Clayworks and are open to participants ages 5 and older. Visitors can make four ornaments in shapes like penguins, llamas, and sugar plum fairies. Artists can […]
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Train Dream is a poetic rumination one life’s ups and downs
Train DreamsWhat’s it rated? PG-13What’s it worth, Anna? Full priceWhat’s it worth, Glen? Full priceWhere’s it showing? Netflix Co-writer and director Clint Bentley and his screenwriting partner Greg Kwedar (Jockey, Sing Sing) adapt Denis Johnson’s novella of the same name to the big screen. The film debuted at Sundance in January and had a two-week […]
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The Beast in Me is a twisty mystery
The Beast in MeWhat’s it rated? TV-MAWhen? 2025Where’s it showing? Netflix Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes) is a reclusive author, walled into a world of her own making. New neighbor and billionaire Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys) and his wife, Nina (Brittany Snow), move in and soon disrupt Aggie’s solitude, and Nile comes to Aggie with an […]
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Playdate is dumb, lightweight fun
PlaydateWhat’s it rated? PG-13When? 2025Where’s it showing? Amazon Prime If you’re looking for a silly, lightweight 90-minute diversion, director Luke Greenfield’s Playdate fits the bill. The absurdist mismatched buddy action comedy follows recently laid-off forensic accountant and new stepdad, Brian (Kevin James), who’s struggling with his father figure role to Lucas (Benjamin Pajak). Brian wants […]
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An artist helps others on their cancer journeys by teaching collage classes
At around 12 years old, Kathleen McKinnon realized she wanted to be a teacher for the deaf after her church brought in a deaf congregation. But during McKinnon’s college years in Florida, when she was studying learning disabilities, she had another realization. “I was walking back to the education department, and I walked past the […]
