The Bay-Rock Lodge, I.O.O.F. is holding another “Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange” fundraiser set for 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Odd Fellows Hall, 710 Harbor St., Morro Bay.
Cost is a $10 entry fee and they will have over 100 puzzles of varying sizes and by various manufacturers to peruse. Bring your old puzzles and take home new puzzles to assemble, and help the non-profit organization raise money for its many community programs.
Manufacturers include: Springbok, Ravensburger, Willow Creek and many more. Sizes range from 300 pieces to over 1,000.
Themes include holidays, animals, shaped puzzles, Americana, nostalgia and more
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The Cal Poly Music Department will host University of Arizona professor emeritus and choral conductor Bruce Chamberlain for two presentations: on Nov. 7 at 11:10 a.m. there will be a Q&A about having a professional career as a conductor; and on Nov. 8, also at 11:10 a.m., he will lead a choral conducting master class. Both will take place in Room 218 of the Davidson Music Center. Both events are free.
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Morro Bay Art Association presents art writer John Seed discussing his most recent book “More Disruption: Representational Art in Flux” on November 11 from 3-5 p.m. at Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main Street, Morro Bay. Free
In his new book, Seed builds on his theories from his first book, “Disrupted Realism: Paintings for a Distracted World,” to feature 43 contemporary painters who are challenging and reshaping the tradition of Realism. Profoundly shaped by the events, forces, and overflow of today’s disjointed, social-media-heavy life, these artists’ paintings are “disrupted” stylistically, thematically, or sometimes both. Their works allow us to appreciate how art relates to the “super-fast, simultaneous, almost dizzyingly paced scrolling” of our lives. Seed’s books are meant to help art lovers, collectors, and artists approach and understand this compelling new phenomenon.
John Seed is a Professor Emeritus of art and art history who taught at Mt. San Jacinto College for 31 years. He has written about art and artists for Arts of Asia, Art Ltd., Harvard Magazine, International Artist, The Huffington Post and Hyperallergic.com. Seed was a featured expert in the Google Arts and Culture video series “Name That Art.”
This free lecture will feature images of the art showcased in his new book and commentaries on the artists and their themes. Signed and inscribed books will be on sale for $60 at the conclusion of the event.
For more information, call 805-772-2504 or visit www.artcentermorrobay.org
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The Cal Poly Jazz Combos will present a fall showcase at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, in Room 218 of the Davidson Music Center. Four jazz combos will perform; each will play a set of well-known jazz standards, contemporary works, pop songs and student original compositions. Dylan Johnson will direct the groups, which will also perform for the Fall Jazz Concert on Thursday, Nov. 21.
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Upcoming programs at the Los Osos Library, 2075 Palisades Ave.. All programs are free.
• Mystery in the Library – Friday, November 8, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Mysterious mayhem is afoot at the library and only a group of meddling kids could possibly help solve the case! School age, tween, teen.
• HICAP Medicare enrollment presentation – Saturday, November 9, 10 -11:30 a.m.
A HICAP Counselor will explain Medicare Open Enrollment Changes & Choices for 2025 Part D and Medicare Advantage Plans, and answer questions about how it all works!
• Bears Book Club – Tuesday, November 12, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
“The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: a memoir” by Bill Bryson. Drop in. Adults.
• Poetry Night – Thursday, November 14, evening program. In person! Contact the library for details. 805-528-1862.
• Mini Weaving – Friday, November 15, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Learn how to weave with Librarian Emily! We’ll make miniature tapestry weavings together and learn more about how cloth was made in the past and how it’s made today. School age, Tween.
•Teen Advisory Board – Saturday, November 16, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Calling all teens! Looking for volunteer or community service hours? Help Librarian Emily run the Teen Advisory Board. Help plan events, create content for social media, create contest ideas, recommend books, movies, and more. Participation can be listed on job, scholarship, and college applications. Snacks provided!
• Book Discussion Group – Thursday, November 21, 5:30 – 6:45
“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus. Drop in. Adults.
• Pie Garland – Friday, November 22, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Get ready for feasting by making a decorative pie garland with us! Whether you love pumpkin, pecan, apple, cherry, or another pie flavor we’re ready to help you create the delicious décor of your dreams. For ages 5+. School age, tween.
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The Cal Poly Symphony will host guest violinist Chen Zhao for a series of events: “A Talk About Chinese Music and Culture” with Political Science Professor Helene Shanruo Ning Zhang; a Chamber Music Recital; and the “Butterfly Lovers Concert” with a performance of Jean Sibelius’ “Finlandia” with the SLO Youth Symphony, the world premiere of “DIRT” by music faculty member Julie Herndon, a performance with Chen of “The Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto” by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang, and selections from Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot.”
At 11:10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, Chen will join Cal Poly Political Science Professor Helene Shanruo Ning Zhang to present “The Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto: A Talk About Chinese Music and Culture.” Zhang’s professional expertise is in Chinese political culture and international relations, and she also grew up in a musical family in China.
At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, a Chamber Music Recital takes place with Chen and Music Department applied faculty members and students, featuring Johannes Brahms’ String Sextet No. 2 in G Major.
The Cal Poly Symphony will host guest violinist Chen Zhao for a series of events culminating in its “Butterfly Lovers Concert” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Performing Arts Center. It features three exciting collaborations: a side-by-side performance with the San Luis Obispo Youth Symphony, a world premiere by composer Julie Herndon and a performance with Chen. Tickets are available at pacdlo.org. Tickets are $12-$22.
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Festival Mozaic’s Fall 2024 edition of the San Luis Obispo Music Festival featuring five events over four days runs from November 14-17. Led by Music Director Scott Yoo, the festival will bring together acclaimed musicians for performances and educational events across venues throughout San Luis Obispo County.
The Fall 2024 festival highlights Scott Yoo performing alongside celebrated guest artists, including Robert deMaine (cello), Ieva Jokubaviciute (piano), Xiaodi Liu (oboe), and Ben Ullery (viola). With a carefully curated program, audiences will experience a rich journey through classical works from Brahms, Clara Schumann, Bohuslav Martinů, and Gordon Jacob.
Tickets and a schedule of events can be found at festivalmozaic.org.
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The Cal Polys University Art Gallery presents “Strange Birds,” a multi-faceted show by interdisciplinary artist Heidi Neilson. The show is open from Nov. 7 to Dec. 6. There is an opening reception on Nov. 7 from 5-7 p.m.
Satellites, nicknamed “birds” in aerospace and ham radio circles, are critical to our lives but are essentially invisible. Neilson’s exhibition uses video, electronics, prints, photographs and book works to investigate our relationship with satellites.
https://artdesign.calpoly.edu/strange-birds-heidi-neilson.
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Morro Coast Audubon Society presents the November Zoom Community Program: Becoming a Birder in South Africa, presented by Nishanta Rajakaruna.
on Monday, November 18 from 7 to 8 p.m.,
Nishi Rajakaruna fell in love with birding and wildlife photography during his 2022-2023 visit as a Fulbright US Scholar to South Africa. During his travels, he took photos of 402 bird species in southern Africa.
Rajakaruna has taught at predominantly undergraduate teaching-focused universities for 20 years and is currently a professor in plant biology at California Polytechnic State University where he teaches general botany, ethnobotany, biogeography and geoecology. Nishi is currently a Fulbright US Scholar Alumni Ambassador, promoting opportunities for educational and cultural exchange among faculty and students across the United States.
All MCAS Zoom Community Programs are free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. No signup/registration required to attend.
and is looking forward to sharing some of his photos and stories. Readers can find the link on the MCAS events calendar at https://www.morrocoastaudubon.org/.
Questions and be emailed to Wendy McKeown, community programs chair: CommPrograms@morrocoastaudubon.org
Photo: South Africa’s National Birds, Blue Cranes, on a carpet of native wildflowers in Namaqualand, South Africa (Credit: Nishi Rajakaruna)
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The San Luis Obispo Master Chorale is celebrating its 40th anniversary and 2024/2025 season, featuring three diverse concerts at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. Each performance features choral masterworks by world-renowned and local composers, conducted by Thomas Davies, music director and founder, plus free educational community presentations.
The season’s programming begins with the November 24, 2024, concert, “Encore!” This presentation features a selection of movements from favorite compositions from 40 years of performances. Relive exciting musical moments of past SLO Master Chorale concerts by experiencing a potpourri of individual movements from the greatest masterworks ever written and performed by the Chorale. Plus, hear the world premiere of a new work commissioned by the SLO Master Chorale in honor of its 40th anniversary from local composer Meredith Brammeier titled “That Music Always Round Me.” Brammeier’s commissioned work will be the highlight of the performance, which also includes selections from works by well-known composers (Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Vaughan Williams, Vivaldi) as well as other local artists (Craig Russell, Ron Kean). A selection from Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” is also sure to be a crowd favorite. Tickets range from $20 to $60 and can be purchased at PacSLO.org.
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Upcoming free youth programs in November at Morro Bay Library – 625 Harbor St, (805) 772-6394.
• A Mystery in the Library – Wednesday, November 6, 3-5 p.m.
Mysterious mayhem is afoot at the library and only a group of meddling kids could possibly help solve the case! Find clues to figure out whodunnit, peruse mystery books, check out a mystery themed board game and more.
• Sensory Playtime – Saturday, November 9, 10-11 a.m.
Let your little ones lead the way in this open-ended playtime! Babies and toddlers can use their five senses to explore our play stations. Parents and caregivers: we also have early literacy tips for you. For ages 0-5.
• Teen Advisory Board – Saturday, November 9, 3 – 4 p.m.
Looking for volunteer or community service hours? Help Librarian Emily plan teen events, create contest ideas, recommend books, movies and more. There will be snacks! For ages 13-18.
•Weave a Mini Tapestry – Wednesday, November 13, 3-5 p.m.
Learn how to weave with Librarian Emily! For ages 5+
• Make a Pie Garland – Wednesday, November 20, 3-5 p.m.
Get ready for feasting by making a decorative paper pie garland with us! For ages 5+
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