Calling all local musicians, artists and eateries! The City of Grover Beach is has announced that artist and vendor applications for the 2026 Grover Beach Summer Concert Series are now open. Celebrating its 24th year, this South County tradition will return to Ramona Garden Park in 2026, bringing nine weeks of live music, food and fun. Each Sunday from June 28 to August 23, families, community members and visitors can enjoy live entertainment along with a variety of food vendors, craft booths and activities for all ages. Musicians interested in performing in the 2026 series are asked to share audio/video sample links and submit an online application by Friday, Jan. 16.: bit.ly/48XLUsy.
Are you a food or artisan vendor looking to participate in this event? Complete this form by Friday, Mar. 27 for consideration: bit.ly/3Mhj1ir. Learn more about the Summer Concert Series at: GroverBeach.org/723/Summer-Concert-Series-2026.
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See “The Last Class” documentary on Tuesday, January 12 at the Morro Bay Theater at 464 Morro Bay Blvd. Directed by Elliot Kirschner, the movie is about Robert Reich’s final semester teaching at UC Berkeley. It showcases the end of that chapter of Reich’s life while teaching his wildly popular class, Wealth and Poverty, and delivers the deeply personal portrait of a master educator reflecting on a period of immense transformation, personally and globally.
Reich has had a long career built upon government service, including serving as an economic adviser for President Barack Obama, secretary of Labor for President Bill Clinton and assistant to the solicitor general in the Ford administration.
This showing is sponsored by the El Moro Democratic Club because “Reich’s democratic principles and kindness constitute the best of American values. The club represents the entire north Coast of San Luis Obispo County.” Tickets are available online at my805tix.com, and, if still available, at the door. The theater opens at 5 p.m. and the film begins at 5:30 p.m.
El Moro Democratic Club is the oldest chartered Democratic Club in the county, founded by community leaders in the 1950’s with a desire to allow likeminded people the opportunity to share their values and have a voice in the political process. Today the club plays an important role in the electoral process with a goal of encouraging people to run for office and to elect office holders who share the values of a representative democracy, where all people are respected and treated humanely. Membership information will be available at the theater and at elmorodems.org.
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The San Luis Obispo Master Chorale presents its annual “Holiday Festival” concert on December 20 at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo at 7:30 p.m. This family holiday tradition features a sing-along of the “Hallelujah Chorus” of Handel’s ever-popular “Messiah,” plus works by local composers Meredith Brammeier and Paul Osborne, as well as Robert Shaw/Robert Russell Bennett carol arrangements. Attendees will also be delighted by returning guest quartet Westwood Brass from Los Angeles, and experience the magic of the Forbes Pipe Organ, played by Cal Poly University Organist Paul Woodring. “Messiah” scores will be available in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center. Tickets range in price from $12 to $30 and are available at pacslo.org.
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It is time to grab your passport book and venture into our many shops, galleries and restaurants in Cambria. Come join us January 29- February 1 for the 22nd annual Cambria Art and Wine Festival. Featuring over 35 wineries, artists, live demonstrations and raffle prize giveaways. Parr Collective will host a featured wine seminar on the 29 where guests can mingle and educate themselves on the art and philosophy of exquisite wine featuring three of our Pacific Coast Wine Trail wineries and nibble on delicious food. Kick-off party on Friday, Jan. 30, features a five-course meal showcasing some of top chefs in Cambria. Courses elegantly curated by Robin’s, Madeleine’s, Indigo Moon, Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill and Black Cat Bistro. Each pass holder will receive a wine glass for the Saturday Grand Tasting.
Tickets include Sunday with complimentary champagne and raffle prize giveaways. Tickets are on sale now for both VIP and general admission at www.cambriaartwine.org or www.cambriachamber.org for more details. Passes are limited and going quickly.
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Pianist and Cal Poly Professor Emeritus W. Terrence Spiller presents a recital at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, in Spanos Theatre. The program will include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Sonata in A Major,” K. 331 (“Turkish Rondo”); a set of character pieces by Felix Mendelssohn: three “Songs without Words” and his “Rondo Capriccioso,” Op. 14; and sets of “Preludes” by Claude Debussy and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Tickets ($22 general, $12 students) can be purchased at pacslo.org.
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Join the Book Club at The Caffeinated Cat Café, 1601 W Grand Ave, Suite A in Grover Beach, (805) 270-4032 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the 4th Wednesday of every month.
One Wednesday a month, they’re curling up with a new book, great people, tasty snacks and lots of cats and kittens. Read along, then come share your thoughts, swap treats and enjoy some quality purr time while chatting.
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Check out the band Kellytown, Christmas in Killarney at the Savory Palette, 601 Embarcadero in Morro Bay on Sat., Dec. 20, from 7-9 p.m. The band is known for rocking Irish Pub Songs, lively Fiddle tunes, accordion polkas, a couple of sea shanties and Christmas numbers two. Food and drink will be available at the bar. Show is free. For more information, call (805) 772-8388.
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Check out Justin Pecot at The Clubhouse Grill at Sea Pines Golf Resort in Los Osos on Saturday, December 27 from 6 – 8 p.m. Ease into your Saturday evening with Justin delivering an intimate acoustic rock set — melodic vocals, nimble guitar work, and crowd-pleasing favorites that fit the coastal vibe of Los Osos at sunset.
A seasoned Central Coast performer, Justin Pecot is known for dynamic acoustic sets that blend classic rock staples with modern favorites. Expect crisp guitar tones, sing-along hooks, and an easygoing stage presence perfect for a relaxed night at The Clubhouse Grill.
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Loyal fans and those new to his audience will be entertained with Garrison Keillor’s quintessential humor, music, poetry and anecdotes in his classic baritone at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande on Jan. 03, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $49 to $79 and can be purchased at clarkcenter.org.
With cheerfulness and wit, the natural storyteller has endured the decades. The familiar, decent characters of Lake Wobegon will undoubtedly be woven into the evening, along with a limerick or two, and communal sing-alongs to lift the spirits.
Joined by his longtime Musical Director, Richard Dworsky, this will surely be an enjoyable evening.
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Get your favorite Bingo pen ready and join the SLO County Library winter reading challenge starting January 2. Readers of all ages are invited to track their cozy winter reading on a Bingo card for fun and prizes. Pick up a card at any County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries location January 2 – February 14. Complete five book-related activities in a row (across, vertically, or diagonally) then present you card to any library by Feb. 14 for a prize. Optional: Keep going for Blackout Bingo (all squares completed) for an entry in the grand prize. Prize drawing winners will be announced the last week of February.
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The 19th Annual Winterdance Celtic Christmas Celebration takes place at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 21at the Milking Parlor at the Octagon Barn, 4400 Octagon Way in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy an evening of angelic singing, rousing instrumentals, and award-winning Irish step dancing in the cozy Milking Parlor.
Cost is $35 advance ($15 Under 18) / $40 door ($20 Under 18). For more information, call 831-818-5021or send an email to realjweed@hotmail.com. Tickets are at mollysrevenge.com/shows.
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Ring in 2026 with an unforgettable evening of music and celebration with Opera SLO on Dec. 31 at the Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Join Maestro Brian Asher Alhadeff, a dazzling lineup of internationally acclaimed soloists, dancers, and the amazing Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra and Chorus for a spectacular night of Broadway, opera, and Hollywood favorites. Tickets range from $34 to $90 and are available at pacslo.org.
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Tickets are on sale now for the Moro Grange #27’s Community Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, set for 4:30-7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23 at the Grange Hall on Hwy 41, just east of Morro Bay.
Tickets are $10 with a dine-in or takeout options available. Tickets are available at Carla’s Country Kitchen on Beach Street in Morro Bay or by contacting the Grange via email at: morogrange@gmail.com or call 805-459-7381.
The Spaghetti Dinner will also have a raffle for attendees, and they will be doing a “Chicken Plop Bingo” fundraiser with tickets costing $5 each. Only 100 tickets will be sold and the winner will get $250. The Chicken will doo-doo its thing on Jan. 23. You need not be present to win.
The Moro Grange #27 has been a part of the Morro Bay Community since 1873. After re-chartering in 2023, the organization continues its mission of service and connection holding monthly meetings on the third Thursday at 6 p.m. and welcomes new members.
Moro Grange Hall is located at 1340 Atascadero Rd, (Hwy 41) east of Morro Bay.
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The 84th annual Poly Royal Rodeo is gearing up for a landmark year as it returns to Cal Poly’s largest outdoor venue, the Alex G. Spanos Stadium, bringing with it an expanded and elevated spectator experience.
Scheduled for April 9-11, 2026, the rodeo’s move back to Spanos Stadium will nearly double audience capacity, allowing more supporters to witness one of the university’s most celebrated traditions. The stadium previously hosted the event for three consecutive years through 2019, drawing record-breaking crowds and helping drive vital support for the Cal Poly Rodeo Program.
Following a two-year COVID-19 hiatus, Poly Royal Rodeo resumed in 2022 at the Manfred and Jean Sander Arena at the Cal Poly Rodeo grounds while Spanos Stadium underwent key upgrades. With improvements now complete, the rodeo is poised to make a dynamic return to the stadium, setting the stage for its biggest and most immersive showcase yet.
College rodeo athletes from all over the West Coast will compete for a championship title in events such as barrel racing, team roping, breakaway roping, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding and steer wrestling. The rodeo will also include concerts after each performance. Those acts will be announced at a later date.
The cost of hosting the rodeo at the stadium will be paid for by sponsorships, donors and ticket sales. Last year nearly 3,000 people attended the standing room only rodeo for three consecutive nights. Spanos Stadium can accommodate more than 11,000 guests each night.
Tickets go on sale on Feb. 11, 2026, at www.tickets.calpoly.edu. All proceeds from the event benefit the Cal Poly Rodeo Program.
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