Vintage Veranda Antiques & Mall
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT B e s t Li v e M u s i c Ve n u e
PRESQU’ILE WINERY
5391 Presquile Drive, Santa Maria Wave your articulated manipulators in the air like you just don’t care because all live music fans in Northern Santa Barbara County have picked Presqu’ile Winery for the best spot for live and local music. Cameron Porter, advanced sommelier and estates manager, said the key is looking for what locals love. “The arts are very important to us here at Presqu’ile, and our concerts were born out of a desire to provide more enriching cultural experiences to our guests,” Porter said. “Whether it’s Friday music in our tasting room supporting local artists, or nationally renowned, Grammy-award-winning artists like Ozomatli playing in our amphitheater, we strive to deliver an unforgettable musical experience.” Runner-up: Rooney’s Irish Pub —Rebecca
Best Local Band or Musician
THE MOLLY RINGWALD PROJECT Runner Up Best Antique Store
(805) 937-6767 255 Union Avenue, Old Town Orcutt vintageveranda2013@gmail.com
Santa Ynez Get your heart pumping and your feet grooving to the sounds of the 1980s with The Molly Ringwald Project. Guitarist Bob McKee said the band came together to work hard at keeping the crowd moving, so they play their music with little to no breaks during live sets. “Everyone likes to dance regardless of how old they are, so we wanted to make it so when people came to our shows they have so much fun they could not wait until we played again,” McKee said. The group has definitely made an impression, earning its first Best Local Band or Musician award from Sun readers. Runner-up: Steppin’ Out —Karen
Best Shop for Musicians
COELHO ACADEMY OF MUSIC
Thank You
for Voting us BEST NEW RESTAURANT!
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Wellenkamp said her background makes her stand out against other photographers because she was previously a graphic designer and art director. “It really helps enhance how I see pictures and can design them for people,” Wellenkamp said. Runner-up: Luis Escobar/Reflections Photography Studio —Brenna
emotional disabilities.” The gallery also exhibits works at the Santa Maria Airport. “How grateful we all are for such wonderful recognition!” Quintana said. “It’s always nice to know we are making a difference, so thank you and wow!” Runner-up: Santa Barbara County Fair —Ariel
Best Artist
Best Community Event
NAT FAST
Santa Maria Nat Fast has been Santa Maria’s favorite artist for quite some time. In his lifetime, he won Best Artist just about every year since the Sun began its readers poll. Nat passed away in 2013, but his legacy lives on in more than just the art pieces hanging throughout the community, his daughter Marti Fast explained. “He was such a lively, connected person with the community and then with all of us, and it’s really neat to know that that has remained,” she said. “People still talk about him like he’s here, in person. He’s just in everybody’s hearts, so it’s really cool to have other people who are remembering him in such a beautiful way.” Runner-up: Pixie Thorpe —Joe
B e s t P l a c e t o V i ew A r t
VALLEY ART GALLERY
1108 E. Clark Ave., No. 170, Orcutt You won’t find any replicants framed at the Valley Art Gallery. The walls are filled with original works by local artists, explained gallery curator and member artist Jean Quintana. “We promote arts in our community and offer art classes for children as part of the Inspire Program to share art with children and adults,” she said. “We just had a show for Vocational Training Center (VTC) students, young adults with developmental and
SANTA MARIA ELKS RODEO
1309 N. Bradley Road, Santa Maria Even Westworld’s Gunslinger knows the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo is top rated! Its midway is filled with food and apparel vendors. The kids’ area has many activities for mini-bots like a rock-climbing wall, Bubble Roller water balls, mutton busting, course racing, and a coin scramble. The rodeo is a great family event, but it’s also the most whiteknuckle competition in the valley “Our level of competition this year was incredible with the Wrangler Champion Challenge professional riders,” Elks member and rodeo ticket supervisor Donna Moore said. “It was a privilege to be selected to host top-ranked competitors who will compete in the National Finals in Las Vegas!” Runner-up: Tour & Taste of the Valley (Santa Maria) —Ariel
Best Theatre Group
THE PACIFIC CONSERVATORY THEATRE (PCPA)
800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria For more than 50 years, the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) in Santa Maria
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT continued page 41 PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM
325 E. Betteravia Road, Santa Maria It’s more than a source for music equipment—Coelho Academy of Music offers services and learning experiences to its customers. According to Coelho’s Michael Bartlow, that’s why the store took home the most votes for Best Shop for Musicians this year. “Coelho Academy of Music is the best place for musicians in Northern Santa Barbara County as a result of providing the highest quality music lessons, instruments, audio equipment, accessories, books, instrument rentals, repair services, and maintenance services,” Bartlow told the Sun. So whether you’re looking for a series of lessons, music-based literature, or some brand new gear, Coehlo’s got you covered. Runner-up: Owens Music Co. —Brenna
B e s t P h o t o g ra p h e r
AMY WELLENKAMP
1345 Banneker Place, Nipomo Amy Wellenkamp told the Sun she wasn’t even aware of our Best Of contest when she learned she was voted Best Photographer, and she said she was honored to have been chosen. “We focus on helping people feel comfortable and be themselves and drawing out of them what speaks to their heart, what makes them smile, and what’s their style,” Wellenkamp told the Sun.
40 • Sun • August 10 - August 17, 2017 • www.santamariasun.com
TUNED IN: Coelho Academy of Music owner Jerry Coelho keeps his store well stocked with instruments and staffed with skilled music teachers, and he can often be found there with his furry friends.