The Morro Bay Fire Department hosts the annual Season of Hope toy and food drive through December 17. They are collecting non-perishable food items as well as new unwrapped toys. Collection bins are in the front lobby of the fire station at 715 Harbor St, Morro Bay. Operation Santa Clause will distribute the toys will be distributed by and the San Luis Obispo Food Bank will distribute food.
The Cal Poly Theatre and Dance Department presents the Orchesis Dance Company’s 52nd annual concert, “Convergence,” on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 14-15, and Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 20-22, in the Spanos Theatre. Performances will begin at 8 p.m. on all days, with a matinee scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15.
The Orchesis Dance Company celebrates its return to the concert stage after live performances were canceled due to the pandemic. In celebration of the theme of convergence, the point at which we come together, performances will include choreography by faculty, student, and guest choreographers in multiple genres.
The concert features original dances created during fall quarter, directed by Professor Diana Stanton and assisted by faculty member Michelle Walter. Cal Poly staff member Clint Bryson serves as both lighting designer and technical director.
Boasting an impressive career and over 180 works to his credit, guest artist Wade Madsen of Seattle has returned to create a new piece for the dance company. Madsen engaged with Orchesis dancers via Zoom in an entirely virtual collaborative process.
Theatre and dance faculty members Stanton, Walter, Horacio Heredia and Kathleen Helm each created new work based on the “Convergence” theme.
Local choreographer Lisa Deyo created “Just Gettin’ Started,” an impressive and upbeat concert finale featuring all 28 Orchesis dancers.
Tickets for “Convergence” are $20 for the public and $12 for students, seniors and children. They can be bought at the Performing Arts Center Ticket Office from noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. To order by phone, call 805-SLO-4TIX (805-756-4849). Tickets can also be purchased online at pacslo.org.
Learn beginning fused glass with Larry Le Brane through Jan. 29, 2022 at Central Coast Glass Blowing and Fusing, 1279 2nd Street, Los Osos
Call or email host for more precise info on workshop dates because they vary. Make fused-glass home/garden décor, gifts, dishware, or use in your own artwork. No previous art skills are needed. All materials for 3-5 projects are included in $135 fee. For 4-6 students. No drop-ins. Registration at larron4@charter.net 805-528-8791. Say hit to Larry on Facebook at www.facebook.com/larry.lebrane
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Join Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., for their Winter Market on Saturday, Dec. 18 from 1 – 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 19 from 1 – 4 p.m. Saturday features art, holiday music and treats on the patio plus a Free Demo Make it/Take it – Alcohol Ink Ornaments. Bring the whole family.
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Get Three Months Free of SkillShare and enjoy unlimited access to thousands of online creative courses taught by industry leaders and working professionals in illustration, design, photography, and more. This is a free service funded by the California State Library. Sign up at https://skl.sh/3Im41cF.
Pianist and Cal Poly Music Professor Emeritus W. Terrence Spiller will give a recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 in the Spanos Theatre on campus. Spiller will perform works by Clara and Robert Schumann, who Spiller calls two of the most important musicians from 19th-century Germany as well as one of the most famous married couples in music history.
The second half of the program will feature French repertoire: Frédéric Chopin’s “Fantasy in F Minor,” Op. 49; Francis Poulenc’s “Trois mouvements perpétuels”; Maurice Ravel’s “Pavane pour une infante défunte”; and Claude Debussy’s “L’Isle Joyeuse.”
Spiller teaches applied piano at Cal Poly, though he recently retired from full-time teaching.Tickets are $20 for the public and $10 for students. Proceeds will benefit the Music Department Scholarship Fund. 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).
Don’t miss the exhibits at Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero Suite 10, Morro Bay, through Dec. 29, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Enjoy fine art photography by Kerry Drager, a photographer, writer, and instructor who lives in Morro Bay. He is the author of three photo how-to books and the co-author of two photo-essay books, all nationally published.
While there be sure to check out jewelry artist Lisa Kanofsky’s work. Lisa’s jewelry encompasses a mix of pendants and beaded necklaces accented with creativity and love.
The art continues with Don Doubledee, a Cal Poly graduate in architecture and a resident of Morro Bay since 1970.
For more information, go to www.galleryatmarinasquare.com. Image Kerry Drager.
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The Feline Network of the Central Coast needs volunteers to provide foster homes for foster kittens or cats with special needs. The Feline Network pays for food, litter, and any medications needed. Volunteers also needed to help with humanely trapping and transporting feral cats for spay/neuter. Foro more information or to get involved, call 805-549-9228.
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Morro Bay Art Association presents two workshops. The first is a practice of sketching everyday on Monday, Jan. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Vicky Hoffman. This workshop is designed for artists looking to jump-start the daily practice of sketching, or for novices looking to explore sketch booking for the first time.
The cost is $50 for members and $60 for non-members. All materials are included in the cost of the class.
The second is a workshop in watercolors with artist Virginia Mack on Jan. 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The goal is to discover new, and satisfying, directions in your use of the medium. The cost is $120 for members or $135 for non-members for the four day workshop. Basic Materials are available, but there is a needed materials list online.
For more information, call 805-772-2504 or go to www.artcentermorrobay.org.
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