A 20-year drought. No private bathrooms. Corporate greed. That’s the dystopian recipe for Urinetown. Not your average musical, the fast-paced dark comedy with over-the-top characters prompts real questions about the shortcomings of bureaucracy and how society manages precious resources. It’s No. 1Urinetown runs from May 15 to 31 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visit smct.org […]
Music, Arts & Culture
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Experience the work of a Danish violinist in Solvang
Musician and composer Mads Tolling will show off all that a violin can do on the Elverhoj Museum’s patio. The May 9 performance starts at 7 p.m. in Solvang, and doors open half an hour prior. The two-time Grammy award winner is originally from Copenhagen, Denmark. Tolling was part of The Turtle Island Quartet and […]
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Allan Hancock College students display artwork on campus
Local fine arts students proudly present their creativity at the Ann Foxworthy Gallery through May 7. The Allan Hancock College gallery is located on campus in Santa Maria, and the show is free of charge to the public. “The exhibition brings together work from students across a variety of disciplines and media, highlighting the creativity, […]
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Left-Handed Girl is a stunning family drama shot on iPhone 13s
Shih-Ching Tsou (Take Out) directs this script co-written with her longtime creative partner Sean Baker (The Florida Project, Anora) about single mother Shu-Fen (Janel Tsai) and her two daughters, rebellious high school dropout I-Ann (Shoh-Yuan Ma) and precocious 5-year-old I-Jing (Nina Ye), who open a noodle stand at a bustling Taipei night market as they […]
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Valentina follows a young woman battling poverty and an oppressive system
ValentinaWhat’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Friday, April 24, 7:45 p.m., at the Palm Theatre in SLO; and Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m., and Monday, April 27, at 1:15 p.m., at Downtown Centre Cinemas in SLO. Tickets at slofilmfest.org. Tatti Ribeiro directs this tale of Valentina (Keyla Monterroso Mejia), a young woman […]
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Birds of War follows a love story that grows out of war coverage
Birds of WarWhat’s it rated? R When? 2026 Where’s it showing? Friday, April 24, 4 p.m., and Saturday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. at Downtown Centre Cinemas; and Monday, April 27, 4:30 p.m. at the Palm Theatre in SLO. Tickets at slofilmfest.org. Janay Boulos and Abd Alkader Habak co-direct this script they co-wrote with story consultant […]
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In a new podcast, two Santa Maria locals inspire listeners to dream big
Nevada Gibson’s second memory with Daniel Black is their “iconic” slap fight at Pacific Christian School after playing together during recess in third grade. “For some reason we just started slapping the heck out of each other, like, in the face,” Gibson said in between laughs. “We got in trouble. We had to sit on […]
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Comedian Bill Engvall to perform at the Chumash Casino
Bill Engvall is heading to Santa Ynez for a night full of laughs. The tried-and-true comedian and TV host is headlining the Chumash Casino on April 24. He’s known for clean commentary on marriage, parenthood, and everyday life. The show will be held in the Samala Showroom at 8 p.m. After getting his feet wet […]
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Pico Los Alamos hosts dinner and a show
Los Alamos Theatre Group’s 14th original stage production is set to run from May 7 to 10. Bell Street restaurant Pico Los Alamos is the host, offering a social hour and three-course meal to accompany the performance. Taking place over the course of one chaotic day, Audition: Showtime! follows Hollywood expats who produce a talent […]
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Outcome follows a Hollywood star forced to atone for his past
Jonah Hill (Mid90s) directs this screenplay he co-wrote with Ezra Woods about Hollywood star Reef Hawk (Keanu Reeves), five years sober and on a break from acting, who receives a panicked call from his “crisis lawyer,” Ira Slitz (Hill), who tells him someone is blackmailing him with some dirt from his past. Desperate to maintain […]
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Anaconda is a fun meta reboot of the 1997 film
AnacondaWhat’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Netflix Jack Black and Paul Rudd—what could go wrong with such a jovial and charming duo? The two play childhood friends Doug (Black) and Griff (Rudd), whose adult lives have proved less than satisfying. When Griff gains the rights to their favorite ’90s flick, Anaconda, the […]
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The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel is streaming on Netflix
The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel What’s it rated? R When? 2026 Where’s it showing?Netflix Ben Feldman (Bug Out) directs this documentary filled with archival footage and images as well as contemporary interviews with Chili Peppers lead singer Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Jack Irons, and others. The doc’s focus, guitarist […]
