Grab a copy Santa Maria writer Chris McGuinness’ first book, Hellbound Bastards—a vintage cosmic Western horror with classic roots—is available at amazon.com. As a preteen, Chris McGuinness began his journey down the horror path after receiving a copy of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot for Christmas. “That was the first adult horror book I ever read,” […]
Music, Arts & Culture
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Three Dog Night brings five-star performance to Chumash Casino Resort
American rock band Three Dog Night will perform live at the Chumash Casino Resort’s Samala Showroom Friday, May 23, at 8 p.m. Known for hits like “Joy to the World” and “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” Three Dog Night has performed more than 2,200 shows since it formed in 1967. The band has sold […]
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Future producers take today’s stage during Righetti High film festival
Ernest Righetti High School hosted its 26th annual film festival May 9. Students in attendance were treated to a karaoke performance before more than 20 short films made by ninth through 12th graders were screened on the gym stage. Film genres included comedy, horror, documentary, and drama, teacher Jacob Gustafson said in press materials. He […]
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The Friend examines loss, pet bonding, and the creative life
The Friend What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre in San Luis Obispo Co-writers-directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel adopt Sigrid Nunez’ 2018 National Book Award-winning novel, The Friend, for the big screen. After the death of her friend and mentor, […]
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Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey chronicles a man’s quest to rehabilitate a trafficked pangolin
Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey What’s it rated? PG When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Netflix Buckle up and prepare to fall in love with Kulu. Looking like a hybrid of an anteater, armadillo, and a sloth, the pangolin is a contender for World’s Most Adorable Animal. Kulu was rescued as a pangopup (yes, that’s what the babies […]
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MobLand follows a criminal fixer as his world grows increasingly dangerous
Mobland What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Paramount+ Created by Ronan Bennett (Gunpower, Top Boy, Day of the Jackal) and set in London, the story follows Harry Da Souza (Tom Hardy), a fixer for a crime family led by Conrad (Pierce Brosnan) and Maeve Harrigan (Helen Mirren). Harry, a highly capable fixer, […]
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Coming of age classic Breaking Away screens at the Palm Theatre on May 22
Breaking Away What’s it rated? PG When? 1979 Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo, May 22 at 7 p.m. Directed by Peter Yates (Bullitt, The Dresser) and written by Steve Tesich (American Flyers) based on his college experiences at Indiana University in Bloomington, this big-hearted film is simply one of most […]
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Graphic novelist Kane Lynch publishes Reel Life, a tween book about divorce
Meet the artist Graphic novelist and cartoonist Kane Lynch releases his debut Scholastic graphic novel, Reel Life, at a launch party at the SLO Library (995 Palm St.) on Saturday, May 24, starting at 1 p.m. He’ll read from Reel Life, engage in a Q-and-A, and sign copies. Preorder at kanelynch.com. Lynch will also offer […]
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Solvang Theaterfest celebrates summer kickoff with picnicking and live music by Pablo Cruise
Solvang Theaterfest welcomes back summer with a Pablo Cruise concert on Friday, May 24, at 7 p.m. Executive director Chantel Green said Solvang will also host an open picnic for the community from 4 to 6 p.m. that day. She encouraged interested community members to bring their own meals and parents to bring their children. […]
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Great American Melodrama stages Les Misérables parody
From now until June 14, the Great American Melodrama in Oceano will host Less Miserable, a comedic parody of the iconic play Les Misérables, based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel. “We keep all of the plot points,” said John Keating, artistic director for the Melodrama. “We’re telling the whole story of Les Misérables.” Keating said […]
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The Four Seasons traces the travails of three couples’ relationships
The Four Seasons What’s it rated? TV-MA What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Netflix Based on writer-director-actor Alan Alda’s 1981 film of the same name, this miniseries follows three couples—Jack (Will Forte) and Kate (Tina Fey), Nick (Steve Carell) and Anne (Kerri Kenney), and Danny (Colman […]
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Your Friends & Neighbors chronicles a man’s fall from grace as it skewers the rich
Your Friends & Neighbors What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Apple TV+ Jon Hamm stars as Andrew Cooper (known as “Coop” throughout the series), an affluent hedge fund manager who finds himself pushed out of his firm and a bit adrift. His ex-wife, Mel (Amanda Peet), and kids live in the house […]
