Culture & Events

MARELA ZACARÍAS: STORYTELLING

SLOMA hosts the first West Coast museum exhibition by an artist who creates painted sculptures of undulating forms as if they were fabric bodies filled with movement and expression. Zacarías’ works, created using window screens and plaster, weave together ancient stories and myths, drawing on her interest in exploration and reflecting on specific geographies.

Through July 9 // sloma.org

Love The Land

Local landscapes created by Arroyo Grande artist Laurel Sherrie are featured at Joebella Coffee House in Atascadero. The original oils celebrate special places throughout SLO County, including the wildflowers of the Carrizo Plain, ranch scenes, and of course local coastlines. The artist hopes her work inspires people to get out and experience public lands for themselves.

Through July 31 // laurelsherrie.com

Once

The story of a guy who gave up on love and music, and the girl who inspired him to dream again, is SLO Repertory Theatre’s final production of the 2022-23 season. From the very first note, the musical draws you in and never lets go. Over the course of one fateful week, an unexpected friendship and collaboration quickly evolves into a powerful but complicated love story, underscored by some of the most beautiful music in modern musical theatre.

June 9-July 2 // slorep.org

Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, featuring Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Edgar Winter, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart, and Gregg Bissonette, comes to Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Roble as part of their spring 2023 West Coast tour.

June 16 // vinaroblesamphitheatre.com

Juneteenth

Mission Plaza plays host to the city’s sixth annual historic celebration, also known as the second Independence Day. Celebrate with song, dance, spoken word, food, and fun throughout the day. Includes a resource fair for vendors focusing on health and wellness and exhibits of African American History.

June 17 // downtownslo.com

Live Oak Music Festival

Musicians from all over the globe perform traditional folk, bluegrass, gospel, blues, jazz, soul, and world music in the beautiful El Chorro Valley where the sound is second to none for an outdoor venue. The threeday event includes music on three stages, a collection of arts and crafts booths, music workshops, fireside jamming, dances, and entertainment for children of all ages.

June 23-25 // liveoakfest.org

Art In The Park

Three days of fine art and quality crafts—a rich mixture of works in a variety of mediums— attract artists and crowds to the Morro Bay Art Association’s showcase fundraising weekend. Proceeds help fund children’s art classes and provide scholarships and other programs throughout the year.

July 1-3 // artcentermorrobay.org

American Mariachi

When a forgotten record album sparks her mother’s memory, Lucha and her cousin come up with a radical idea: an all-girl mariachi band—in the ’70s when women can’t be mariachis. José Cruz González’s hilarious and heartwarming comedy about family, the freedom to go after your dreams, and the music that unites us is played live on stage at PCPA in Santa Maria.

July 13-29 // pcpa.org

Renaissance Festival

There’s something for all ages at the thirty-seventh annual Central Coast celebration of all things Elizabethan. Step back in time into a world of wonder and excitement, magic and merriment, the grandeur of Queen Elizabeth and legendary characters like William Shakespeare. Dukes, earls, lords, and ladies, all dressed in their finest attire, are waiting to entertain you.

July 15-16 // ccrenfaire.com

SEX N’ THE CITY

A super-unauthorized musical parody of everyone’s favorite singles series comes to the Clark Center, tackling topics like “Will I ever find the one?” and “Can you ever really be over your ex?” Join Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha on a hilarious trip through New York City in the ’90s.

July 14 // clarkcenter.org

Summer Music Festival

Each summer for more than fifty years, Festival Mozaic brings together the finest musicians from around the world and music lovers near and far to enjoy premier concerts and events in a festive and stimulating atmosphere. An immersive experience in the heart of California’s Central Coast, the 2023 festival features twenty-one concerts throughout SLO County.

July 22-29 // festivalmozaic.org

MID-STATE FAIR

The California Mid-State Fair’s 2023 theme, “Shake, Rattle & Roll!,” incorporates the glitz and glamor of vintage Las Vegas into the seventy-seventh annual schedule of games, rides, concerts, animals, competitions, auctions, pageants, and food. Music headliners include Tim McGraw, The B-52s with Lou Gramm, and Styx.

July 19-30 // midstatefair.com