Free documentary, reception celebrates the story of SLO’s performing arts center
A new movie highlights the history of one of San Luis Obispo County’s biggest performing arts venues.
The documentary “Playing in Unison,” which showcases the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo, will premiere Saturday evening at a free public event, according to a news release from the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center.
“Playing in Unison” tells the story of “a small, arts-loving community on the California Central Coast determined to build a world-class performing arts center,” the FPAC said.
But as the PAC “prepared to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that accomplishment,” the coronavirus pandemic shut down the venue for more than a year, according to the release.
Located on the Cal Poly campus, the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center opened its doors in 1996. It was built as a result of a joint venture by Cal Poly, the city of San Luis Obispo and the nonprofit FPAC, founded in 1986.
The venue, which hosts concerts, comedy shows, dance performances, plays and more, includes the Spanos Theatre, Phillips Hall and the Pavilion.
The PAC’s main auditorium, originally known as Harman Hall, was renamed Harold Miossi Hall in 2018 in honor of late rancher, environmentalist and philanthropist Harold J. Miossi.
Over the past 25 years, the PAC has hosted 5,000-plus performances attended by more than 1.5 million people, according to the FPAC release.
Saturday’s event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a pre-screening reception featuring drinks and small bites on the plaza in front of the PAC and in the PAC’s lower lobby, the release said.
The movie screening starts at 7:30 p.m.
“Please feel free to dress your best, as this is a red carpet event and will be filled with additional surprises throughout the evening,” the FPAC said.
Tickets to the event, which is for ages 5 and up, are complimentary, but reservations are required, according to the release.
For more information or to reserve tickets, go to pacslo.org.
This story was originally published April 21, 2022 at 1:46 PM with the headline "Free documentary, reception celebrates the story of SLO’s performing arts center."
