SanLuisObispo.com: Entertainment/Ticket

Pirates, fairies and showgirls at Central Coast Shakespeare Festival

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:26 PDT

By Sarah Linn -- Pirates, fairies and Las Vegas showgirls will invade Paso Robles this month as the county’s only outdoor theater festival moves into its new home.

This year’s Central Coast Shakespeare Festival kicks off July 10 at the River Oaks Amphitheater with a swashbuckling version of “Treasure Island,” complete with sea shanties and an elaborate fantasy sequence about cheese.

“Treasure Island” is paired with William Shakespeare’s beloved “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” last performed by the festival in 2003. The romantic comedy opens July 17.

Music: A local musician’s process

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:25 PDT

By Patrick S. Pemberton -- Richard Green doesn’t want to come off as an overly negative person. At the same time, his vision of the future can be a bit grim.

In his song “Better Days,” he sings: “Some say it’s over, the writing’s on the wall. We’re headed for a most spectacular fall.” And in “Mother Nature’s Calling,” he sings, “If we don’t start thinking in the long term, surely it’s all she wrote.”

During a recent interview, a discussion about music veered toward corporate media, Sept. 11 conspiracy theories and a troubled environment.

Music: Local CD pick is James Conroy's 'Songtree'

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:25 PDT

JAMES CONROY — ‘SONGTREE’

You don’t see a lot of local musicians putting out greatest hits albums, but why not? Cayucos resident Conroy has been writing songs for 44 years. This collection includes one song, “Two Trees/Being You,” recorded in the 1970s. The others were re-recorded with just Conroy, a laptop, a guitar and a mic. No editing, overdubbing or click tracks makes this as raw as it gets. To hear samples of this CD, visit Ticket at www.sanluisobispo.com. —Patrick S. Pemberton

Stage: High School Musical 2 comes to the PAC

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:25 PDT

By Joan Crowder -- “High School Musical 2” sets the tone for summer entertainment, as school is out for the Wildcats of the first “High School Musical.” They get summer jobs at a country club, where their plans to have the time of their lives are derailed by bumpy romantic complications.

Kelrik Productions’ “High School Musical Live on Stage,” performed in March 2008, was the company’s greatest success, as well as a record setter for the Spanos Theatre at Cal Poly, where it sold out all performances.

The timing was right for that one, said director Erik Austin: “It was during the time of the ‘High School Musical’ bandwagon.”

Superheroes welcome at this year�s gaming convention in SLO

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:55 PDT

By Sarah Linn -- Superheroes and super-villains are welcome at this year�s PolyCon.

Set for this weekend at Embassy Suites Hotel in San Luis Obispo, the annual gaming convention offers more than 150 gaming events including board games, video games, movies and miniatures.

There�s even a chance to mingle with fellow gamers at a Saturday barbecue.

Dining: Nibble Nook offers family-friendly fare

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:24 PDT

By Katy Budge -- It’s safe to say the Nibble Nook has found its niche. The aptly named restaurant is tucked in the corner of the Cookie Crock shopping area in Morro Bay, and has been serving tasty, no-nonsense fare to its patrons for more than 30 years.

Amber Badertscher took over the Nibble Nook in June 2005, but “we didn’t change anything. The pizza hasn’t changed in 32 years—we still make our own dough, our own sauce and use real mozzarella cheese. We also roast the beef for our sandwiches every day, and the soups are made from scratch with our own stock. We’re pretty labor intensive here,” she said, adding that on summertime Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, they also fire up the outdoor grill, “usually for tri-tip that’s available as a plate or a sandwich.”

Given the cozy confines of the kitchen area, the rest of the Nibble Nook menu features a surprising number of soups, sandwiches, salads and pizzas. Among the most popular pizza picks are the seven-topping All Meat and the equally hearty Combination, which sports pepperoni, sausage, linguica, mushrooms, onions, olives and bell peppers.

International choral groups go head-to-head during three-day Cal Poly event

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:53 PDT

By Sarah Linn -- Two years ago, as choirs from across the world joined their voices in jubilant song, San Luis Obispo choral director Gary Lamprecht found himself close to tears.

“I cried every time the choirs came up onstage and the audience exploded,” recalled Lamprecht, music director of the California International Choral Festival and Competition. “It was one of the most joyous things I’ve done in my life.”

Organizers hope to evoke the same powerful emotions this weekend as the event, considered the only competition of its kind in the nation, enters its second year. Six choirs from as far as way as Saudi Arabia and Africa are set to perform at the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo.

Music: Refugees kick off Knight Flight Series

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:07 PDT

By Patrick S. Pemberton -- When Cindy Bullens heard that Elton John was throwing a party at a Los Angeles studio she was familiar with, she decided to crash the party.

“He actually walked up to me and introduced himself to me,” said Bullens. “And a few minutes later, a woman walked up and said, ‘What do you do?’ And I said, ‘I’m a singer.’ And she walked away, came back a few minutes later and said, ‘What are you doing the next two months?’ ”

It seemed almost too easy. But two days later Bullens was rehearsing with John, and shortly after she was on the road.

Music: Vina Robles Winery in Paso Robles to start concert series

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:58 PDT

By Sarah Linn -- Nothing goes together better than music and wine.

At least, that’s the theory at work behind the Vina Robles Concert Series in Paso Robles.

Now in its second year, the six-concert series pairs local wines with talented musicians from the Central Coast and beyond.

Local CD pick: MD 2020's 'Talking Trash'

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:04 PDT

MD 2020 — ‘TALKING TRASH’

Saxophonist Henry Lee’s trio put together a perfect soundtrack for a noir film with this instrumental collection of improvised jazz tunes. Mostly contemplative but occasionally more rollicking, Jeff Norwood’s acoustic bass provides the mellow backbone while Darrell Voss, a Cuesta College drum instructor, adds a nicely syncopated solos and fills. Led by Lee’s sleepy soprano, this is perfect wine-tasting music. —Patrick S. Pemberton

Stage: Funny 'Spelling Bee' put on by PCPA Theaterfest

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:58 PDT

By Joan Crowder -- The old favorite musicals are performed so often that we know the songs by heart, so it’s always a treat to see something new. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is offbeat and upbeat as it focuses on some quirky kids in early adolescence.

Members of the PCPA Theaterfest cast, directed by Roger DeLaurier, play their roles with a comic edge, but they develop depth as they go along. The actors who play the students are older than their characters, but they do a fine job of assuming the roles of kids.

The set is the school gymnasium, where Rona Lisa Peretti, real estate agent, Mary Kay sales person and former spelling bee winner, is conducting the bee, along with vice principal Panch.

Dining: Great food's on a stage at Giancarlo's in Morro Bay

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:57 PDT

By Katy Budge -- As of December 2008, Giancarlo’s Ristorante Mediterraneo is back and bigger than ever.

That’s great news for those who became fans of the tiny Giancarlo’s Bay Front Bistro, which Chef Giancarlo Cucumo opened in Morro Bay in August 2003, but closed two years later because the space was too small to fit his needs.

The spacious new restaurant on Morro Bay Boulevard boasts two big skylights and two distinct eating spaces; there’s an area geared toward a little higher-end dining and a lively exhibition kitchen area where guests can sit and engage with the chefs.

Matisyahu mixes reggae and religion

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:38 PDT

By Sarah Linn -- At first glance, reggae artist Matisyahu seems like a contradiction in terms.

He’s a roots reggae singer devoted to Orthodox Judaism, a popular recording artist who prefers religious studies to the unholy trinity of sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll.

Many of his contemporaries sport dreadlocks and tie-dye. Matisyahu, whose flowing beard curls toward his collar bone, wears a skull cap and a prayer shawl.

Music: Dave Alvin’s latest group stops at Live Oak Music Festival

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:39 PDT

By Patrick S. Pemberton -- In the early 1980s, influential music critics said Dave Alvin was the best traditional rock ’n’ roll songwriter since John Fogarty. Yet Alvin’s band, the Blasters, never did break into the mainstream like its rockabilly counterpart, the Stray Cats.

“Music is based on sex appeal,” Alvin said, adding: “We weren’t all that good looking. We certainly got our dates. But we weren’t the types of guys that teenage girls put posters of on their walls.”

Still, compared to most musicians, Alvin considers his career a success.

Music: SLO County Band kicks off season on Father’s Day

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:07 PDT

By Sarah Linn -- S tart your summer off right with the San Luis Obispo County Band.

On Sunday, the community band kicks off its traditional summer concert series with a Father’s Day performance at Mitchell Park in San Luis Obispo.

“We look forward to those (concerts),” said Bob Grosse, a band member since 1978. “Those are always enjoyable to play.”

Music: Local CD pick

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:07 PDT

THE JD PROJECT — ‘PAST DUE’

While there are lots of good local bands, few feature a piano player. Doug Groshart’s ivory tickling provides nice fills throughout this project, nearly a decade in the making. Groshart can also belt out the tunes as the energetic lead vocalist. Meanwhile, guitarist Dan Ernst can solo Duane Allman-style. This CD features several styles — a lot of classic rock, a little bit of reggae and a touch of Texas-style country. Experienced traveling musicians, the guys from JD Project knock out tight tunes with confidence. To hear samples of this CD go to www.sanluisobispo.com.

—Patrick S. Pemberton

Stage: New Testament Tale

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:07 PDT

By Joan Crowder -- “The Da Vinci Code” made waves when it focused on proving that Jesus was married. Here’s another idea: What if the disciples of Jesus had been a group of ditzy dames?

That’s the creative assumption of “Godspell” as performed by the God Is Still Speaking Players at the United Church of Christ in San Luis Obispo.

In the original Broadway production of the popular musical by John Michael Tebelak the disciples, men and women, were dressed as clowns. In this one, they are all girly girls — frenetic and funny, and a handful for Jesus as he teaches them with his parables and beatitudes.

Dining: Hula Hut offers a place for a quick bite in Avila Beach

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:40 PDT

By Katy Budge -- Two years ago, beachgoers casting about for a casual place to eat in Avila were pretty much out of luck. All that changed on May 23, 2007, when Bill and Linda Price opened the Hula Hut—an eclectic mix of gift shop and seaside restaurant on Front Street.

The Prices have been part of Avila Beach since 1986, when they took over Beachcomber Bill’s, and “Beachcomber Bill” Price said that they are the only original commercial tenants to return after the town reopened from the Unocal cleanup.

The decision to start serving food at the Hula Hut (formerly the site of The Jetty restaurant) came about because they felt that “Avila really needed someplace where families could grab something to go or eat in a relaxed environment,” said Price. “Somewhere that was quick and affordable and beach-friendly.”

Los Lobos at the Avila Beach Music Festival

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:33 PDT

By Sarah Linn -- After more than three decades with Los Lobos, the Latin rock band best known for the 1987 hit �La Bamba,� songwriter Louie Perez is starting to feel like Mel Brook�s �2,000-Year-Old Man.�

�It�s an amazing thing to be a band for 36 years because we�ve lived many lives and we�ve seen a lot of things come and go,� said Perez, who also plays drums and guitar.

He�s seen the band, formed in East Los Angeles in 1973, go from relative obscurity to instant fame with their cover of Ritchie Valens� �La Bamba.�

Music Scene: John Jorgenson plays at Templeton's Castoro Cellars this weekend

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:39 PDT

Most musicians would lunge at an opportunity to perform with Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan. But when John Jorgenson was asked to audition for the two legends� bands, he passed.

�I wasn�t interested in backing other people up,� said Jorgenson, a multi-instrumentalist who had established himself as a top-notch session player by that time. �I just felt like I�d done that enough, and it was important for me to start working on my own music and not go off on another tangent with someone else�s music.�

After working as a sideman for years, Jorgenson � a founding member of the Desert Rose Band � liked the idea of doing his own thing.