Flanked by unmarked gravestones, vampire coffins, and headless mannequins, scenic carpenter Martin Ramirez stands inside a two-story building on the north end of the Great American Melodrama’s parking lot. He’s one of the employees who breathes fresh life into the theater’s archive department on a regular basis. His workspace across from the theater preserves oodles […]
Stage direction: Great American Melodrama artists and operators reflect on the quirky theater’s 50th anniversary
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story reveals uncovered tapes of the notorious serial killers
Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Netflix Fred and Rose—you may know their names well or not at all, but once you know their story, you’ll never forget them. The murderous British couple looked as normal as could be, but behind the Sears portrait […]
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Fountain of Youth follows adventurers trying to find the mythical source of immortality
Fountain of Youth What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Apple TV+ Guy Ritchie (The Covenant, Sherlock Holmes) directs James Vanderbilt’s (Zodiac, The Amazing Spider-Man) screenplay about estranged siblings—Luke (John Krasinski) and Charlotte Purdue (Natalie Portman)—who reunite to seek the legendary Fountain of Youth. I usually enjoy these fantasy adventure movies. Think Raiders […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning is an over-the-top spectacle
Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Christopher McQuarrie helms this part 2 to Dead Reckoning (2023), where Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his Impossible Missions Force must […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Summer Guide 2025
There are parades, and then there are Fourth of July parades. Lucky for you, we feature both and more in our annual Summer Guide. You can find events for feasting, drinking, holidays, art, artisans, and whiling away the summer days. You can find things for your kids to do while you’re at work or things […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Simple Cafe creates uncomplicated deliciousness for breakfast and lunch
Keeping it simple With locations at 3546 Skyway Drive and 1414 Miller St., Simple Cafe provides a variety of sandwiches and baked goods across Santa Maria. Both locations are open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Inquiries can be directed to (820) 946-4526 or […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
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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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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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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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 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
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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Hellbound Bastards author Chris McGuinness shares layers of writing journey
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,” […]