Fall into fun: 15 events coming to the Central Coast this autumn

Summer has left the building.

 Well, technically, the season doesn’t end until Sept. 22. But for all intents and purposes, it’s time to pack away the pool noodles, put down the barbecue tongs and start shopping for sweaters.

It’s also time to check out an array of autumn events, including concerts, comedy acts, dance shows and theatrical productions.  

Here are just some of the top-notch acts coming to the Central Coast in September and October.

San Luis Obispo Mariachi Festival

Cohan Center, Cal Poly, Saturday ($32 to $125)

Mexican ranchera singer Yolanda del Río, known for hits including “La Hija de Nadie,” “Se Me Olvidó Otra Vez” and “Tus Maletas en la Puerta,” is headlining the first-ever San Luis Obispo Mariachi Festival.

Other acts lined up include Beatriz Adriana, Josue Hernandez and Mariachi Divas. 

"Defending the Caveman" 

Clark Center for the Performing Arts, Sept. 20 ($30 to $40)

Wonder why men enjoy channel surfing and women love to shop? The answer might date to humanity’s hunter-gatherer days.

“Defending the Caveman” offers prehistoric insight into the ways men and women relate — using anthropology, psychology and grownup humor to explore the gender gap.

Jeff Dunham

Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Sept. 21 ($40 to $65)

Jeff Dunham is no dummy.

Within just a few years, the ventriloquist has gone from low-key club act to international standup comedy sensation, thanks in part to a series of Comedy Central specials showcasing the comedian and his provocative puppet pals. (They include Achmed the Dead Terrorist and Peanut.)

Blue Man Group

Cohan Center, Sept. 23 and 24 ($52 to $102)

You’ll be blue if you miss this high-octane theatrical experience. 

Blue Man Group’s imaginative, interactive stage show uses comedy, music and multimedia to create insightful social commentary. It’s performance art paired with slapstick humor and spectacular special effects. 

‘Scary Poppins’

Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville, Sept. 25 through Nov. 16 ($18 to $24)

The Great American Melodrama kicks off its 40th season with a musical “Mary Poppins” spoof that’s “practically perfect in every way.” 

Stuffed with pop culture references, this parody revolves around Jack and Jill Peabody, who live in Victorian London with their inventor father. When the children write to everyone’s favorite nanny, they get her twin sister, Scary Poppins, instead.  

‘Schoolhouse Rock Live!’

Cohan Center, Sept. 26 ($12 to $24)

Education meets entertainment when this fun, fast-paced musical rolls into town.

Based on the animated series that delighted generations of TV watchers, “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” uses catchy songs such as “Conjunction Junction” and “I’m Just a Bill” to teach children about grammar, science and more.

The stage show is suitable for ages 5 and up. 

Dave Barry

Cohan Center, Sept. 27 ($24 to $58)

Humorist Dave Barry is not making this up. 

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of more than 30 books, including the novels “Big Trouble” and “Insane City,” Barry penned a syndicated column for the Miami Herald for more than two decades and served as the inspiration for the sitcom “Dave’s World.”

Crosby, Stills & Nash

Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Sept. 30 ($41 to $91)

Folk-rock supergroup Crosby Stills & Nash is on the road again.

Known for such songs as “Ohio,” “Woodstock” and “Teach Your Children” — as well as their partnership with Neil Young — David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash helped shape rock history as members of The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and The Hollies, respectively.

Jeff Ross

Fremont Theatre, Oct. 4 ($30)

Consider this your burn notice. If you tangle with insult comic Jeff Ross, you’re likely to get roasted alive.

The creator and star of the Comedy Central series “The Burn with Jeff Ross,” Ross has participated in Comedy Central send-ups of celebrities including actress Pamela Anderson, rapper Flavor Flav and real estate mogul Donald Trump, and served as Roastmaster General at New York City’s Friars Club.

‘Aida’

Cohan Center, Oct. 11 and 12 ($10.50 to $80)

On the heels of “Carmen” and “Showboat” comes another lavish Opera San Luis Obispo production.

This time, the opera company is teaming up with local performing groups including Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo, Civic Ballet San Luis Obispo, Deyo Dances and the Central Coast Children’s Choir to present Giuseppe Verdi’s classic tale of the forbidden love between an Ethiopian princess and an Egyptian military commander.

Experience Hendrix Tour

Avila Beach Golf Resort, Oct. 12 ($40 to $85)

Bluesmen Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd come together with heavy metal rocker Zakk Wylde and other greats to celebrate the legacy of rock ’n’ roll legend Jimi Hendrix. 

The lineup includes bassist Billy Cox, the only surviving member of The Jimi Hendrix Experience and the Band Of Gypsys.

‘Marsalis Well-Tempered’

Cohan Center, Oct. 15 ($24 to $64)

Over the course of his career, saxophonist and composer Branford Marsalis has traded notes with the Dave Matthews Band, Harry Connick Jr. and the Grateful Dead.

Now the three-time Grammy winner is joining the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia to perform Baroque masterpieces by the likes of Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi.

Cirque Zuma Zuma

Cohan Center, Oct. 17 ($16 to $32)

Celebrate the cultural traditions of the African continent with Cirque Zuma Zuma.

Described as an African-style Cirque du Soleil, this high-flying show pairs music and dance with physical feats of prowess. The cast includes a vocalist and percussionists as well as dancers, jugglers, acrobats and contortionists.

The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra

Clark Center, Oct. 19 ($40 to $48)

Audience members will be “In the Mood” after listening to the nostalgic sounds of the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Named after big band musician, composer and bandleader Glenn Miller, the orchestra specializes in faithful renditions of the swing legend’s most familiar tunes, including “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “Moonlight Serenade.”

Diavolo

Cohan Center, Oct. 28 ($24 to $58)

Artistic Director Jacques Helm describes the work of this daring Los Angeles dance group as “archiecture in motion.”

Cirque-style shows feature dancers interacting with wheels, walls and massive other props. The group’s gravity-defying performance style fuses ballet, gymnastics, martial arts and more.

Local venues

Avila Beach Golf Resort, 6464 Ana Bay Drive, Avila Beach 

595-4000 or www.otterproductionsinc.com 

Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande 

489-9444 or www.clarkcenter.org 

Cohan Center, Cal Poly, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo 

756-4849 or www.pacslo.org 

Fremont Theatre, 1025 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo 

595-4000 or www.otterproductionsinc.com 

Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St. (Highway 1), Oceano 

489-2499 or www.americanmelodrama.com 

Vina Robles Amphitheatre, 3800 Mill Road, Paso Robles 

286-3680 or www.vinaroblesamphitheatre.com

This story was originally published September 3, 2014 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Fall into fun: 15 events coming to the Central Coast this autumn."