For the past ten weeks, I’ve been telling you what you should do on your weekends. For my final post, I thought I’d let you tell me what to do this weekend. Check out this video for an inside look on what it takes to put on arts and entertainment in San Luis Obispo.
Hey all!
The reason why this week hasn’t included many media-heavy posts is because I’m prepping for a video project. My video is going to answer the question: Why is San Luis Obispo a hub for entertainment? I plan on interviewing a students, locals and performers about their experience of the entertainment in SLO. I want to include live footage from shows and feature some of the best venues.
Located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Luis Obispo is often overlooked as a entertainment destination. However, many people forget the fact that SLO is home to people in all stages of life. If you have an act, there is bound to be someone in SLO who will appreciate it.
Yes, San Luis Obispo lacks the glamor of a big city with giant arenas, but it makes up for it with intimacy and love for the arts . Where else in California can you be inches away from a band without having to wait hours in line squished up against other eager fans? Where else can you watch a show then possibly share a drink with the performer afterwards?
Stay tuned for more! I’m really looking forward to it.
Until next time,
Cheers!
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
I don’t usually post about my time out on weekends, so I thought it’d be nice to share with my readers what I’ve been doing.
My boyfriend surprised me last Friday with tickets to The Great American Melodrama in Oceano, CA. The quirky cabaret style theater offered the perfect setting for Valentine’s dinner and date.
When we arrived at the melodrama, the line was out the door despite us arriving 10 minutes before the start of the show. We were immediately greeted by an actor at the front of the line who introduced us to the theater and showed us to our seats. As we sat front row, sharing our table with another couple in the intimate space, the lights dimmed and the show began.
The Melodrama is currently featuring the play “The Bachelors” for the main show. Each performance features one main show with select actors, then a broadway revue parody with the entire melodrama company. With three acts of entertainment and two intermissions, the Melodrama offers a full night of hilarious camp theater.
The unique part of the Melodrama is the actors also run the food and drink bar. Right after we saw them performing on stage, they were serving us our beer and soft pretzels. As the lights dimmed for the second act, an actor was also the emcee.
The audience was filled with couples, families and groups of friends. So whether you’re looking for a place for date night or just a somewhere to kick off the weekend, the Melodrama the place to be. It’s definitely a group experience. Even if you’re going solo, you’ll find the crowd becomes your friend/family/significant other. Everyone is in on the jokes at the melodrama.
As for the rest of my night, well, I won’t bore you with the mushy details. However, the Pismo Pier is a great place for a cup of hot chocolate with your boothang.
Until next time,
Cheers!
Here is a collection of all of the locations mentioned in Time Out SLO. All of these places are great venues for entertainment. I encourage you to check out their calendars for upcoming events. (Check out the street view feature to preview the inside of some of the venues!)
Street View Shots:
What do Oz, Zion I and Bacon have in common? Asides from the letter ‘o’, not much. Except that they are all playing in San Luis Obispo this weekend and made the top three things to do this weekend.
– FEATURED – What to see: The Wizard of OZ
Kelrik Productions brings the MGM classic, The Wizard of Oz, to stage starting this Saturday, January 25th.
Erik Austin, founder and artistic director, emphasized the desire to recreate the movie.
“We worked to embody the characters and pay homage to the movie as much as possible,” Austin said.
To do so, the production will feature projections for special effects, Austin said.
Kelrik has been providing community theatre to the central coast since 2004. It recently has had to move rehearsal and performance spaces since the closing of it’s usual space, Unity Church.
The show will be performed in Cuesta College’s new performing arts center. Kelrik is one of the first companies to perform in the new space, Austin said.
“It’s a beautiful state of the art theatre,” Austin said, “It has every bell of whistle.”
Austin has been working with the cast during the four week rehearsal process.
The Wizard of Oz will feature Cassie Johnson as Dorothy. A Kelrik audience favorite, Mike Mesker, will play Professor Marvel and The Wizard of Oz.
The cast will also feature Allison King (Glinda), Theresa Riforgiate (Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West), Larry Kaml (Uncle Henry/Gatekeeper), Sandy Schwarer (Aunt Em), Ed Cardoza (Hickory/Tinman), Bret Boyle (Zeke/Cowardly Lion), and Evan Camacho (Hunk/Scarecrow).
The Wizard of Oz is just the first of several productions of Kelrik’s 2014 season.
The Wizard of Oz will be playing through February 2nd with matinees and evening shows.
What to hear: Zion I
Zion I is coming to SLO Brewing Co. this Sunday, the 26th at 7:30pm. The Bay Area Hip-Hop duo is made of members emcee Zumbi and producer Amp Live. As part of The Masters of Ceremony tour, Zumbi and Live are promoting their seventh EP. A free download of the EP can be found here.
Event and promotion intern, Lindsey Lewis said they are expecting a decent turn out. So get tickets while you can.
What to do: Bacon Week
The wildly popular SLO Bacon Fest has long passed, but if you didn’t get a chance to celebrate the festivities, there’s still hope. From the creators of SLO Bacon Fest, is San Luis Obispo’s Bacon Week.
Through January 25th, Bacon Week brings all of the dishes created by SLO Bacon Fest vendors, back to their original restaurants. By visiting each restaurant you have a chance to win prizes.
Cal Poly graduate, Grant Garcia, was one of many who enjoyed the food at Bacon Fest in November.
“The vendors did a good job making dishes that go well with bacon, but it’s not too overpowering,” Garcia said.
Participating restaurants include Chino’s Rock and Tacos, Pluto’s, and SLO Donut Company. A full list of participants can be found here.
Enjoy your time out!
The nominees for the 86th Annual Academy Awards were announced this past weekend and with the recent buzz of the SAG Awards and the Golden Globes, awards season is in full storm. After reading Time Out London’s Oscar predictions for 2014, I was inspired to feature the top contenders nominated for Best Picture.
Here’s a condensed list so you can get caught up on all of the Best Picture nominees this weekend.
The top contenders:
Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave has been receiving many critic awards. The recent Golden Globe win for “Best Motion Picture, Drama” affirmed the critic’s praise. 12 Years A Slave is an emotional and inspiring drama that is cinematographically stunning. Judging from the Academy’s past winners for the category, 12 Years A Slave has all of the elements to take home the Oscar.
vs.
American Hustle took home the Golden Globe for “Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical” adding to the current hype surrounding the film. Hollywood and audiences love an all-star ensemble. With names like Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Christian Bale, and Bradley Cooper, there is no wonder why American Hustle is the fan favorite. It’s not uncommon for the Academy to side with audiences and choose a lighter “fluff” flick for Best Picture.
So which do you choose? Drama or Comedy?
Academy Award nominees still in theatres in SLO county:
The rest of ‘em:
The Wolf of Wall Street
Gravity
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Nebraska
Out of Time Highlights:
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 