By the Sea Productions presents the California premiere of “A Rainbow Holiday” by Lori Sigrist and Joe Simonelli.
Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Maggie Anderson and Jerry Collins was supposed to be simple this year. Maggie is expecting her son and his pie-loving boyfriend for the holiday. What she’s not expecting is a surprise visit from her Fundamentalist Christian daughter and her new husband, both vegan. Added to the mix are Jerry’s daughter and her husband who are going through a crisis of their own. Maggie attempts to walk a hilarious tightrope to keep the holiday peaceful, setting the table for laughter and tears.
Samvel Gottlieb directs the cast featuring Rosemarie Lagunas, Russell Snow, Jeremy Engel, Molly Pendley, Elizabeth Renee Bolyard, Tim Linzey, Ryanne Howard, and Randal Sumabat. Show dates are Friday and Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 3 pm, through Dec. 3 at 545 Shasta Ave. Morro Bay. Reserve tickets at bytheseaproductions.org or call 805-776-3287.
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The Kiwanis Club of Bay-Osos is again selling See’s Candy for the holidays. All proceeds go to support children’s activities in Morro Bay and Los Osos. Help kids and enjoy a traditional treat by visiting the booth next to the Post Office in Los Osos. Get a few boxes for your friends and clients, too! For more information, call (805) 801-8793.
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The Cal Poly Choirs, which include Cantabile, Chamber Choir, PolyPhonics and University Singers, present the seventh annual “Holiday Kaleidoscope” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in the Performing Arts Center. As a special treat, the concert includes performances by the Cal Poly Wind Ensemble, and the Cuesta College Chamber Singers, directed by John Knutson.
In what has become an annual tradition, the Cabrillo Madrigal Singers from Lompoc will make a guest appearance, directed by Cal Poly graduate Jennifer Peterson (Music, ’95), as well as Cal Poly a cappella groups Take it SLO and That’s the Key.
PolyPhonics, University Singers and a Cal Poly brass ensemble will perform the first movement of English choral composer John Rutter’s celebrated “Gloria.”
The evening will include other fun features, such as College of Liberal Arts Dean Philip J. Williams’ narration of the classic holiday poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Tickets to the event are $15 and $20 for the public, and $10 for students. Event parking is sponsored by the PAC. Tickets are available at the Cal Poly Ticket Office between noon and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To order by phone, call 805-SLO-4TIX (805-756-4849).
For more information, visit the Music Department’s website, email music@calpoly.edu or call 805-756-2406.
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Free upcoming December programs at the Morro Bay Library – 625 Harbor St, (805) 772-6394.
• Cartoon Club – Wednesday, December 6, 3-5 p.m.
Learn how to create characters, draw backgrounds, build a story and more during a fun comics-filled afternoon! Paper, pens and pencils provided – you bring the inspiration. For ages 8-18.
• Teen Crafts & Snacks: Felt Bear – Saturday, December 9, 2- 4 p.m.
Come on down for snacks & creativity! This Saturday we’ll be stitching and embroidering the ursa minor constellation on a cute felt bear. Will you turn it into an ornament? A fragrant sachet? A cat toy? You decide! For ages 11-18.
• Create an Axolotl – Wednesday, December 13, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Learn all about this unusual amphibian who only lives in one lake in Mexico then make your own drawing or sculpture of an axolotl to take home. Presenter Luna will guide us through the steps. For ages 3+. This program will be presented in English y en Español.
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San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden Presents an Immersive Experience with Nature Nights. Friday and Saturday Evenings through December 30 from 5 to 8 p.m.
The cost is: adults: $27 + fees , youth (6-17): $17 + fees, children (5 & under): free
Visit the gardens to enjoy this second annual event featuring enthralling lighting exhibitions and art throughout eight-acres of the Garden. Guests can enjoy live music each night. Local culinary treats, regional wine, and beer will also be available. Last year over 9,000 people visited Nature Nights.
Nature Nights is open to the public from November 17, 2023, through December 31, 2023, at the SLO Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. For more information, go to www.slobg.org or call (805) 541-1400. Tickets are available at: My805Tix.com.
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Call for Artists for the Visions of Cambria: Shoreline, Sunsets, Shops, and More taking place January 5, 2024 -February 25, 2024. This show will focus on iconic Cambria settings including our well-loved shops and restaurants, familiar street scenes, near-by back roads, the forest and of course, the beautiful Cambria coastline. All mediums included and all artists invited to submit.
There will be non-cash awards for best in categories, multiple local jurors.
• Friday, December 29- Tuesday January 2: Upload paintings to website
• Tuesday, January 2 – 10 a.m. to Noon: Exchange Day (bring in new art, pick up unsold art.)
• Saturday, January 6 – 4:30-6 p.m.: Artists’ reception featuring wine, live music, refreshments
Submission/registration must be done using our online form. If you are unable to use this registration method, you can bring your art in on Exchange Day and our team will help.
For more information about fees and entrees check out www.cambriacenterforthearts.org or go to gallery@cambriaarts.org.
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The Harmony Magnet Academy Symphony Orchestra (HMASO) will join the Cal Poly Symphony for its Fall Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, in the Performing Arts Center.
Harmony Magnet Academy, located in Strathmore, California, offers students a rigorous curriculum with a program of study in either the Academy of Engineering or the Academy of Performing Arts. It was recently named one of the top 5% of high schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, and the top high school in Tulare County.
The concert begins with selections played by the HMASO, including Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” arranged by Robert Longfield; and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, fifth movement, “Shepard’s Hymn,” arranged by Vernon Leidig.
A side-by-side performance will follow, for which the strings of both ensembles will fill the stage to perform John Corigliano’s “Voyage for String Orchestra.”
The Cal Poly Symphony will perform Valerie Coleman’s “Umoja.” The concert will conclude with the Cal Poly Symphony’s performance of Antonín Dvořák’s lyrical Symphony No. 8.
Tickets are $15 and $20 for the public, and $10 for students. Event parking is sponsored by the PAC. Tickets are available at the Cal Poly Ticket Office between noon and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To order by phone, call 805-SLO-4TIX (805-756-4849).
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Community Baptist Church of SLO is holding a hymn sing featuring The Carols of Christmas at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3. They will trace the Christmas story through scripture and song while singing carols accompanied by strings, piano, and organ. You will not want to miss this wonderful start to the season as we remind ourselves of what Christmas is all about. There is no charge but feel free to bring along a Christmas snack or dessert to share. Community Baptist Church, 51 Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo. 805-543-6506. For more information, send an email to cbcslo1938@gmail.com or check out cbcslo.org.
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Experience Cal Poly Caroling at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church on December 9 at 6:30 p.m. at 232 E. Foothill Blvd, SLO. The performance is free and open to the public. Come hear these heavenly voices and share the joy of the season; and join in singing! Then stay and enjoy some Christmas refreshments!For more information call 805-546-8337.
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The San Luis Obispo County Friday Night Live (FNL) Partnership program welcomes all community members to this year’s Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mitchell Park in San Luis Obispo.
Proceeds for the Reindeer Run go straight to senior scholarship funding where FNL provide scholarship opportunities for high school seniors each year. Friday Night Live currently has local chapters at twelve middle schools, 9 high schools, and one at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
All registrations include a Reindeer Run T-shirt, running bib, and breakfast. Online registration is available until noon on December 8th at Reindeer Run | SLOFNL.
For more information and to register online, please find us on Eventbrite, or visit Reindeer Run | SLOFNL or contact Megan Frauenheim, mfrauenheim@co.slo.ca.us.
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Artists wanted. It is time to focus your artistic talents on the 2024 Annual MBAA “For the Birds” exhibit at Art Center Morro Bay. This, 8th annual show, held in conjunction with the Morro Bay Annual Bird Festival, a yearly event promoting an understanding and appreciation of birds and other wildlife, and an awareness of environmental and conservation issues of the Central Coast.
Birders from all over the United States come together to experience our wonderful and diversified ecosystem on the West Coast of California. Artists have the unique opportunity to share their artistic talents with the many visitors attending the festival and are encouraged to create art that will celebrate the varieties of birds and other wildlife, and their habitats, in our area.
Located on the Pacific Flyway, Morro Bay is a globally Important Bird Area and a designated State and National Estuary. Morro Coast Audubon Society ranks in the top five for the yearly Audubon Christmas Bird Count. In most years, over 200 different bird species are spotted during the annual count. The visiting public and festival attendees are encouraged to visit the MBAA Gallery and the opening reception on January 7, 2024.
Artists may submit up to three 2D wall-hung artwork, 10 notes, 5 matted prints, and three 3D pieces for this exhibit that runs January 4, 2024 to February 20, 2024. Art take-in is January 2, 2024 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main Street, Morro Bay.
For more information, call (805) 772-2504 or go to www.artcentermorrobay.org.
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