This week, I go backstage to interview some of the cast and director of Cal Poly’s current main stage production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Check it out to find out about the rehearsal process, some cast anecdotes and the importance of theatre as a method for storytelling.
Tag Archives: Cal Poly
4 Reasons Why Every Weekender Needs The Eventbrite App
This week I’ve decided to feature an app by Eventbrite.com. Eventbrite allows event organizers to manage their ticket sales and share them across various social media platforms. It is especially popular for San Luis Obispo event organizers who work on a much smaller scale than most stadiums or arenas. Their app makes planning your weekend that much more brighter. Here’s why:
1. Simple and Direct Interface
Upon opening the Eventbrite app, there are a list of upcoming events in your area. There are two quick links to popular search filters. As seen above “Around Me” and “This Weekend” It’s all self explanatory.
2. Smart Search Filters
If you want to refine your search options even further, the Eventbrite app makes it easy. You can search by relevance, a specific distance if your travel is limited or, my favorite, by cost. Eventbrite hosts many free events that can save you some money if you want to have fun on a budget.
3. Event Organization
For the savvy weekender, Eventbrite offers a place to organize. If you have many tickets to shows over the weekend, the Eventbrite app offers a place for all of your tickets. All you need is the email used while purchasing the tickets.
If you see something that sparks your interest, but can’t research or buy tickets right at that moment, you can save them in the Eventbrite app. This way, you’re guaranteed to never miss an event.
4. Push Notifications
Push notifications are pretty standard for apps nowadays. However, Eventbrite has incorporated a social aspect. If one of your Facebook friends is using the Eventbrite app and has purchased tickets to a show, you can opt-in to receive a notification so you can go with them.
Happy app-ing!
This Weekend In San Luis Obispo: Dancing, Singing and Shorts
– Featured – What to watch: Orchesis Vitality
Cal Poly Dance Department’s company, Orchesis, performs its final run of their annual dance show this weekend in Spanos Theatre. This year’s show, titled Vitality, features 28 Cal Poly students dancing in 13 pieces.
Professor Christy McNeil returned to associate direct for her second year with the company.
“This year we have a whole new technical staff,” McNeil said, “It has worked great so far.”
The pieces exhibit a wide variety of dance styles including ballet, contemporary jazz, and modern. A majority of pieces were choreographed by Cal Poly dance teachers.
McNeil along with Professor Diane Stanton and Michelle Walter direct the company each year. This means they are in charge of auditions as well. The audition process is the toughest part, McNeil said.
Auditions are held the first week of fall quarter. Once the final decisions are made, the company begins rehearsing.
The company is made of a mix of both new and returning dancers, McNeil said.
Third year Cal Poly student William Bassett returned to Orchesis for his second time.
“I love orchesis because its a wonderful positive growing environment that encourages us to be the best dancers possible,” Bassett said, “Every year is very different and every year is a new dance family.”
This year, there are five pieces in Vitality that are choreographed by students and guest artists. The guest performers include: Doug Nielsen from University of Arizona, Daniel Cruz from Seattle, Nancy Cranbourne from Boulder, CO, Damon Rago from Loyola Marymount U and Ryan Lawrence from San Luis Obispo.
Members of Orchesis will be presenting at the American College Dance Festival at ASU from March 13-16. McNeil’s piece “Crash” and student Ella Richards’ piece “On Making Decisions” will be representing Cal Poly.
So far, Vitality has seen good audience turnout.
“Get tickets sooner rather than later,” McNeil said.
Seating is general admission.
What to hear: Frozen Sing-A-Long
Regal Arroyo Grande Stadium 10 is hosting a Frozen Sing-A-Long for the second weekend in a row. Sing-A-Longs for the newest Disney animated musical have been popping up at movie theaters around the country since the film’s growing popularity.
Third year Cal Poly student Chad Eckman, went to the sing-a-long last weekend.
“It was really fun to sing with everyone in the theatre,” Eckman said, “Some people came up to us afterwards to take our picture because we got really into singing.”
The Sing-A-Longs will be showing daily at 12:20 PM until Tuesday, February 12.
What to do: Oscar Nominated Animated Short Film Screening
San Luis Obispo’s Palm Theater is showing this year’s Oscar nominated short films in preparation for the Academy Awards. The screening includes five films:
“Feral” (Directors Daniel Sousa and Dan Golden, USA/Non-dialogue).
“Get a Horse!” (Directors: Lauren MacMullan and Dorothy McKim, USA/English).
“Mr. Hublot” (Directors: Laurent Witz and Alexandre Espigares, Luxembourg/France/Non-dialogue).
“Possessions” (Director: Shuhei Morita, Japan/Non-dialogue).
“Room on the Broom” (Directors: Max Lang and Jan Lachauer, voices by Simon Pegg, Gillian Anderson, Rob Brydon in UK/English).
Tickets at the door
A Time Outdoors: Hiking Architecture Graveyard
Going downtown to dance or watching a dance show are great ways to spend your weekends. But, sometimes a crowded bar or stuffy theatre can get old. Why not go outside for a change? San Luis Obispo offers great nature spots for exploration and hiking.
Click the first photo to begin the adventure to architecture graveyard:
This is architecture graveyard. Beautiful, right? Before you start you first have to grab some friends.
Meet with your friends in PCV to begin your adventure to the architecture graveyard.
Begin your trek by following the path off of the main road to PCV.
Be sure to stop to smell the flowers!
It’s okay if you’re too scared to the top of this structure, it’s only the first. Make a heart with your body instead…
Keep climbing, there’s more to see!
Rest breaks are allowed. No one said it was going to be easy.
Yes, you’re allowed to go inside.
Try to decrypt these ancient cave hieroglyphics.
If there’s a ladder there, that means you can climb it, right?!
Not sure if this one is climbable…
“Not all who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien
Auditoriums, Bars and Clubs: The ABC’s of Places to Know in San Luis Obispo
Out of Time Highlights:
- The Graduate is catered towards guests 18 and over with a club and dancehall atmosphere.
- SLO Brewing Co. is a restaurant and bar that turns into a music venue with both all ages and 21+ events.
- San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center hosts local and touring talent in two state-of-the-art theatres on Cal Poly’s campus.
Before I begin throwing events at my readers, I want to make sure everyone is familiar with some of the more popular venues in San Luis Obispo, California. This post features a few of the most frequented entertainment venues in SLO. Whether it’s music, dancing or theatre, these are the places to know.
The Graduate
The first place of interest, The Graduate (or “The Grad”), is a bar and club that hosts 18 and over and 21 and over events. The Grad has a dance hall feel and often hosts local and well-known DJs. There is a different themed night every night starting on Wednesdays. However, they’re most well known for their country line dancing nights on Thursdays.
Third year kinesiology major, Hannah Tappe, has been line dancing for two years now. Ever since her first time her freshman year, Tappe has been going consistently with her friends.
“I like line dancing because it’s something to do on a Thursday night even if you’re not 21,” Tappe said, “The Grad is a fun place to dance with your friends.”
The Grad attracts many ages, but mostly appeals to college students and, appropriately enough, graduates.
The Graduate’s Entertainment Info
SLO Brewing Company
San Luis Obispo Brewing Company, commonly known as SLO Brew, is downtown SLO’s most active music venue. By day, SLO Brew is a restaurant and bar. By night, it becomes a hotspot to a variety of musicians.
Fourth year journalism major Lindsey Lewis is SLO Brew’s events and promotion intern. San Luis Obispo’s small town feel appeals to both artist and audience, Lewis said.
“Everyone feels at home in SLO. Big cities can be crazy and could be harder to visit around town,” Lewis said, “Too $hort was able to go around downtown without too much hassle.”
This month, SLO Brew is hosting 15 acts from all different genres, Lewis said.
SLO Brewing Company’s Event Calendar
San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center
The San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center, or the PAC, hosts all talents and genres. Located on Cal Poly campus, the PAC is home to many local performing arts organizations including the Cal Poly music department, San Luis Obispo Symphony, Opera San Luis Obispo, and Cal Poly Arts. The PAC also hosts touring Broadway shows, famous comedians, dance troupes, and music ensembles. If it can be performed, the PAC can host it.
The PAC is comprised of two auditoriums: Christopher Cohen Center, and Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre. The Christopher Cohen Center, the larger of the two, hosts most of the main acts. The Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre hosts smaller acts and speakers.
Outside of Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre
Inside of the Christopher Cohen Center
Fourth year theatre major, Christopher Gormley, has performed multiple times in the Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre. “It’s always a joy performing on that stage and just as much of a joy to sit in the audience,” Gormley said. “Spanos is a comfortable theatre. I’ve seen such a wide array of performances at Spanos, in terms of content.”
San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center Event Calendar
So there you have it, the need-to-know venues in San Luis Obispo. There are still many places to find great sources of entertainment in SLO. But, you’re bound to find something to do any day of the week at one of these entertainment destinations.
Until next time, enjoy your time out!
Time Out: San Luis Obispo 