Musical Spurs Young Love in Classic Rom-Com Style

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TEMPLETON — “Disney’s High School

Musical” is fun for the whole family. Almost 40 students are involved in this production of high energy and upbeat musical numbers.

Sure, you know exactly what’s going to happen, but would you really want it to happen any other way? Audiences can enjoy the infectious energy of young people doing what they love.

Directed by Templeton theater arts instructor Catherine Kingsbury, the play will be performed ursday and Friday, March 23 and 24, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 25, at 4 p.m.; ursday, March

30, and Friday, March 31, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, April 1, at 4 p.m. Tickets are available at templetondrama.org for $20 per person and $15 for seniors and students. Proceeds help support the Templeton High School Drama Program. e show is lled with positive messages about friendship and being true to yourself. It’s also lled with great comedy and toe tappin’, hand clappin’ musical numbers. e stage show is di erent from the movie in that the characters are more believable, not so stereotypical, and have a lot more heart. A few new characters have been added, and there’s a lot more music and dance.

Based on the popular Disney Channel TV movie “High School Musical,” the play follows the story of Troy Bolton, East High basketball star, who is caught between his newfound passion for singing (and the new girl, Gabri- ella) and his duties toward his basketball team and his dad, the coach. Meanwhile, the shy and smart Gabriella Montez has fallen in with the “Brainiacs” who discourage her interest in a jock and her pursuit of such frivolous activities as musicals. Finally, the president of the Drama Club, the popular Sharpay, will do anything to maintain her queen bee status. Will Gabriella and Troy manage to withstand the pressures and stay true to themselves? e movie’s screenwriter, Peter Barsocchini, wrote the show for his daughter Gabriella and named many of the characters after her friends. e stage book writer, David Simpatico, honored his own high school drama teacher by making Ms. Darbus more sympathetic. e Templeton High School Drama Program fosters skills and knowledge of theatre arts and nurtures personal growth and creativity in students through educational theater. e program also entertains and educates its audiences with a wide variety of plays and performances from many eras and genres. THS Drama actively promotes community involvement in theatre arts as a life-long endeavor.

Kingsbury’s philosophy as a theater teacher and director stems from being a high school educator rst. It’s important to her that the students learn skills and information that will help them at the next level of their education or career training — whatever that may be. If they want to pursue a career in theatre, then they will be well prepared. If they want to pursue a career in anything else, they will also be prepared with good communication skills and work ethics, especially working in a team environment.

Fundraiser Education

56 Participate in Inaugural Jr. CEO Program

Back in the Saddle Open Horse Show Supports Local 4-H

Community invited to participate in the fundraiser bene ting SLO County horse projects

PASO ROBLES — On Saturday, April 1, the community is invited to participate in the Back in the Saddle Open Horse Show, bene ting San Luis Obispo County 4-H horse projects. All breeds of horses and all riders are welcome to enter. Proceeds will directly pay for 4-H shows, clinics, and awards, with a goal of reducing or eliminating clinic and show fees for the over 30 members of 4-H horse projects in SLO County. ere will be western, ranch, and leadline classes o ered, with a Champion buckle and Reserve ribbon awarded for each division and fun prizes for leadline riders. e event will take place at Knudson Training Stables, at 3880 Union Rd in Paso e San Luis Obispo 4-H County Horse Project holds three horse shows and three riding clinics each year that are open to all the 4-H horse project members in SLO County. Each clinic and horse show focuses on a di erent riding discipline: Western, English, and Gymkhana. e 4-H members have many opportunities to improve their horsemanship skills and decide which type of riding they enjoy most. Riders go on to compete in the local fair 4-H horse shows during the Salinas Valley Fair, the Santa Barbara County Fair, and the California Mid-State Fair. e culmination of each 4-H year is the California State Classic 4-H Horse Show.

Robles. Community members are invited to enter and ride in the show or to just come and watch and support the 4-H Horse Project in our county.

For more information, call or text (805) 674-5831 or email slohorseproject@gmail.com.

ATASCADERO — The inaugural Jr. CEO program, coordinated by the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, will culminate with Jr. CEO Business Day on Saturday, April 1. e event, showcasing Jr. CEO participants selling their products, will occur next to La Plaza in downtown Atascadero from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. e community is invited to attend and support the small businesses.

Fifty-six kids participated in the program, which provides a unique educational opportunity for elementary and junior high students by o ering ve virtual workshops focused on entrepreneurial skills. Sessions include fundamentals for setting up your business, cost models, safety and food preparation, marketing and customer service, and savings and money management.

One Jr. CEO is 10-year-old Madeline Gonzales.

“ e favorite thing I have learned is the potential to actually turn a hobby into a business and make money,” Madeline

Week said. “My business is making balloon animals and my business name is Pop805.”

“When I asked my daughter if she wanted to do this class, she said ‘absolutely’ and was extremely excited,” said Valerie Gonzales, Madeline’s mother and Cross Country Mortgage loan advisor. “I was inspired to have my daughter take this class because having the model to start a business opens up endless opportunities now and in the future for her life.”

Josh Cross, Chamber president/CEO, led each virtual workshop. Participants received an interactive workbook for each session.

“I can’t wait to see how these young entrepreneurs contribute their talents to our community,” Cross said. “ e Chamber is thrilled to invest in tomorrow’s leaders today.”

Gonzales believes that the Atascadero Chamber is o ering a great opportunity for area youth. “I am proud of our community and the support it pours into the younger generation. I wish I had this class when I was a kid. I am even learning myself.” e Junior CEO Program is sponsored by Better Business Bureau, Coast Hills Credit Union, Central Coast Moving Company, Eckerd Connects, and the San Luis Obispo County O ce of Education.

For full details on games, locations, etc. please visit: templetonhs.schoolloop.com/Athletics

EACH WEEK, A LOCAL STUDENT ATHLETE IS CHOSEN BY COACHES OR THE ATASCADERO NEWS/ PASO ROBLES PRESS SPORTS STAFF FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE.

For full details on games, locations, etc. please visit: atascaderousd.cyberschool.com/AHS/Department/32-Athletics

We are excited to have him on our team and can’t wait to see where he will go. He is really playing up to the moniker “freshman phenom.”

- Coach Christian Cooper

For full details on games, locations, etc. please visit: pasoschools.org/domain/543

Maddox Pyle

FRESHMAN

SCHOOL: SPORT:

STATS:

Atascadero High School Tennis

PASO ROBLES — e Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, producers of Paso Wine Fest, announced that they will be o ering a $40 per ticket discount for Paso Wine Fest set to take place on Saturday, May 20. In celebration of the festival’s 40th anniversary, this discount is o ered to locals — residents of San Luis Obispo County — and will be available for one-day only, Saturday, March 11, which also happens to be the 134th anniversary of Paso Robles’ incorporation as a city. On that day, beginning at 12:00 a.m. and concluding at 11:59 p.m., a $40 discount will be available to anyone living in Paso Robles and the surrounding communities within San Luis Obispo County. Simply visit the Paso Wine Fest page on pasowine.com and click to purchase tickets. Ticket buyers will enter their zip code as a promo code. Zip codes will need to match the buyers’ credit card billing statement to receive a general admission ticket at $129.

“ e rst Paso Robles Wine Festival took place on Saturday, May 21, 1983, with 17 wineries,” noted Joel Peterson, executive director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. “ is festival has evolved in many ways over the last 40 years into what it is today, the Paso Wine Fest, and locals have embraced the festival all along the way. e locals discount, playing on the 40th anniversary theme, is a way to show our appreciation for the support.”

On Saturday, May 20, from 12 to 4:30 p.m., more than 100 wineries will sample their wines at the Paso Robles Event Center. Now in its second year at this location, Paso Wine Fest will feature large open-spaced tasting tents as well as individual brand experiences, artisan vendors, and for the rst time, craft spirits made from wine grapes. Live entertainment will provide the soundtrack for the day and local food vendors are serving up delicious, festival-friendly food for purchase.

Paso Wine Fest weekend is a four-day celebration that culminates with a one-day, grand tasting event. Winemaker dinners begin on ursday, May 18, followed by Sparkling Paso on Friday, May 19. e main event is on Saturday, May 20, and more than 100 individual events at the area wineries complete the weekend on Sunday, May 21. More information, including details on each event as well as tickets, can be found at Pasowine.com.

For an updated lineup of participating wineries, go to pasowine.com/winefest/wineries/.

PASO ROBLES — The California Mid-State Fair has announced that Tim McGraw has been con rmed to perform in concert on Wednesday, July 19, at 7:30 p.m. An opening act will be con rmed at a later date. e concert will take place in the Chumash Grandstand Arena at the Paso Robles Event Center. is will be McGraw’s eighth performance on the main stage at the California Mid-State Fair.

Ticket prices for the show are $50, $75, $90, $150, and $175 (Pit, standing only) and will go on sale Friday, March 17, starting at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased on the California Mid-State Fair’s o cial website MidStateFair.com. e Box O ce cannot guarantee the authenticity or validity of any tickets purchased outside of our o cial channels.

Tim McGraw has sold more than 90 million records worldwide and dominated the charts with 46 worldwide No. 1 singles and 19 worldwide No. 1 albums. He’s won 3 Grammy Awards, 19 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 14 Country Music Association Awards. His iconic career achievements include being named BDS Radio’s Most Played Artist of the Decade for all music genres and having the Most Played Song of the Decade for all music genres. He is the most played country artist at radio since his debut in 1992, with two singles spending 10 weeks or more at No. 1. Known for his high-energy concerts, he is one of the top touring artists of all time including the record-setting “Soul2Soul” tours with his wife, Faith Hill.

An acclaimed actor, McGraw starred in and narrated the hit movie “ e Shack” and co-wrote and performed the closing credit song for the Oscar-winning documentary “Free Solo.” His other movie credits include blockbuster hits “Friday Night Lights” and “ e Blind Side.” McGraw starred beside Sam Elliott and his wife in the “Yellowstone” prequel and three-time Emmy nominated “1883.” e 2023 California Mid-State Fair runs July 19 through July 30 and this year’s theme is “Shake, Rattle & Roll!”

McGraw has co-authored two New York Times best selling books, “Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest and the Music that Made a Nation” with Jon Meacham, and tness book “Grit & Grace: Train the Mind, Train the Body, Own Your Life.” McGraw’s recently celebrated his country radio No. 1 single, “7500 OBO” from the No. 1 album, Here On Earth.

PASO ROBLES — Wine Country Theatre, based in Paso Robles, is presenting a dynamic and entertaining musical revue featuring songs from TV, including classic TV theme songs, songs from TV variety shows, commercials, and parody songs.

“We have a great cast and it’s been fun putting the script together to represent many of our favorite shows, both contemporary and classic,” said Wine Country eatre Executive Director Cynthia Anthony. “Audiences will want to sing along to ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Green Acres’ and

‘The Addams Family,’ just to mention a few. Songs from ‘Yellowstone’ and ‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘Ginny and Georgia’ are also included, along with beloved animated shows, including ‘ e Simpsons.’ We have a very talented pianist, our Music Director Linda Wilson, plus some cast members will play the guitar and other instruments. It’s not TV, it’s live.”

“Stay Tuned” will be presented by Broken Earth Winery and all performances are in the Broken Earth Winery tasting room, which is located at 1650 Ramada Drive in Paso Robles. Show dates are April 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Of course, delicious Broken Earth wines and pizzas will

Event

be available for purchase to enjoy during the show. Seating is general admission. Tickets are $40 each.

Wine Country eatre is a professional-caliber community theater that has been presenting plays and musicals for 10 years. Set adrift after the pandemic, due to a change of management of the Park Ballroom, the theater company has been using various venues to present their productions.

“Presenting at Broken Earth Winery is a privilege and we hope this can be just the beginning of collaborating with other wineries,” proclaims Anthony.

So, turn off the TV and come to see this light and entertaining show. For tickets, go to brokenearthwinery.com.

Discounted Tickets for Atascadero Wine Fest Available Now

Festival takes place on Saturday, June 24, at Atascadero Lake Park and Charles Paddock

Zoo

ATASCADERO — Early

Bird tickets to the Atascadero Wine Fest (formerly called Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival) are now available. Tickets cost $80 through March 31. e festival will be held on Saturday, June 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Atascadero Lake Park and Charles Paddock Zoo. The festival will feature wineries, breweries, spirits, cider, food purveyors, art exhibitors, and live music. is year, all ticket holders will receive a $10 “Festival Bucks” voucher to spend on food, art, crafts, or as a donation to a zoo animal. Tickets can be purchased at the Atascadero Chamber o ce at 6907 El Camino Real, Suite A, or online at www.atascaderowinefest.com. On April 1, the cost increases to $90, and tickets are $100 at the door. Non-drinker tickets are $30.

“ e Atascadero Wine Fest will be here before you know it,” says Gail Kudlac, Festival Committee chair. “Have you signed up to pour at the event?

We are looking for wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries. Go to atascaderolakesidewinefestival.com or contact me at atascaderowinefestival@gmail.com with any questions.

Volunteers are an integral part of the festival. All volunteers receive a festival T-shirt, snacks, and a complimentary ticket to use or to give to a friend. ose who volunteer for the closing shift (7:45 to 10 p.m.) also receive a Central Coast Wine Passport valued at $75 to use for the rest of the year. To volunteer, contact Dawn Smith at dawn@atascaderochamber.org or (303) 968-7049.

Annual ECHO Empty Bowls Coming to Paso Robles and Atascadero

This April, the event comes to Atascadero Bible Church and Studios on the Park in Paso Robles

NORTH COUNTY — e anticipated Empty Bowls fundraiser bene ting the El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) is bringing the event to Paso Robles and Atascadero for the rst time.

Atascadero Luncheon ursday, April 20 at Atascadero Bible Church e in-person luncheon is back. Enjoy delectable soups and artisan breads, and take home a handmade ceramic bowl as your souvenir. Enjoy music while you visit with community members and supporters of ECHO. Celebrity servers will reprise their role to serve you. Seating space is limited, please choose your seating time when purchasing tickets. First seating time is 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and second seating time is 12:30 to 2 p.m. Tickets are $50/person and are available here: events.idonate.com/echoemptybowlsatascadero

Paso Robles Evening Reception ursday, April 27, at Studios on the Park New this year is our Paso Robles Evening Reception hosted by Studios on the Park. Enjoy an evening of soup tastings, curated wine selections, studio art, and live music from 5 to 7 p.m. Take home a souvenir wine glass and artisan ceramic bowl. Limited space is available so be sure to get your tickets early at $100/person here: events.idonate.com/ echoemptybowlspasorobles

ECHO would like to thank their generous sponsors and participating restaurants, bakeries, and artists throughout SLO County for making ECHO Empty Bowls possible.