An audience before the return trip

“Botso: The Passion of Music, The Power of Art,” is a feature-length documentary film project focusing on the life of Morro Bay teacher, musician and sculptor Wachtang “Botso” Korisheli, and on the importance of an arts education to society. Central Coast filmmakers Tom Walters, Hilary Grant, and Simo Nylander are traveling with the Korisheli family in the Republic of Georgia, where Botso grew up. Funded through ongoing donations from the community, this nonprofit endeavor is being produced under the auspices of the San Luis Obispo County Youth Symphony. SLO Goings will publish blog entries written by the filmmakers about their trip in coming weeks. More information can be found at www.aspectstudios.com/botso.

We had an audience with His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II. He is the head of the Georgian Orthodox Christian church — the leader of all who practice this faith in Georgia. Out of more than 5 million people who live in Georgia, it's a safe bet that 4.5 million look up to this man as their leader. So, this was a very big deal.

It turns out that one of Botso's relatives in Dimi (remember the truck ride up the creek bed?) works for the patriarch, so she was able to arrange a meeting. Nonetheless, this is a very uncommon event — Ilia II does not do these ceremonies as a rule. Best of all — we caught the entire visit on film!

I can't even begin to really describe the experience because I have nothing to compare it with. I'll try, though!

Perhaps being smack in the middle of a l920s silent costume epic directed by Cecil B. DeMille? Except this time, all of the gold furniture and murals and icons on the walls were real. This time, the Patriarch was not from central casting. Of course, he could have been — long white beard, long black robe, hair tied in a tiny bun at the nape of his neck, a jeweled pendant of the Christ child on a heavy chain.

We were first led to one ornate room, then, as Simo so succinctly put it, got an upgrade to a bigger, even fancier room. There, we were led to chairs in a semicircle. Ilia entered and we took turns bowing and kissing his sleeve. Botso seemed a little awed at first but relaxed once he and Ilia began talking. Later, Margaret (Botso's wife, who can understands bits and pieces of Georgian) told me Ilia asked about Botso's life, his music, his work. In this big room, nuns in black from head to toe then came in and handed us tiny ornate teacups of what looked like melted coffee ice cream. Yummy! Also, we were each given silver thimble-like cups with some other liquid.

We waited for our cue — Ilia, of course, drank first — and then each took a slug out of the thimble-looking cups. Wowie zowie! It was high-grade cognac. Given that I don't drink, one big sip and that was enough for me! And the coffee ice cream? Nope — it was the strongest coffee I've ever had, with some sort of cream-nutmeg concoction floating on top. As Margaret told me later, "I don't know whether I'm supposed to be sedated or buzzed!" In this room, nuns also set up some music on a speaker system and we listened to some beautiful Georgian singing (In addition to being the cradle of winemaking, Georgia is also the birthplace of harmony). Margaret later explained to me that this is music Ilia has written. He asked Botso if he thought he had talent or if he should just quit.

Now, what would YOU say to such a man if he asked you this question? I'm pretty sure that Botso told him to continue composing music!

After our coffee, Ilia then led us to an adjoining room full of beautiful plants. Then, the patriarch sat down at a small table covered with an ornate brocaded cloth. He lifted the cloth and voila — there was a Yamaha keyboard! He and Botso then proceeded to jam for a few minutes (well, as much jamming as you can do if you're the leader of the Christian faith here) — which was completely surreal.

The entire visit lasted about an hour and all of us came out of there saying, "Did that really happen?"

Our last day of filming also included a stop at the clinic where Botso was born, shooting exteriorfootage of the prison where his father was taken (Botso did not go), and talking to refugees who are living on the outskirts of Tblisi in Soviet-built apartments. We will be posting photos whenwe return — keep a lookout for them! We'll also have a Georgia photo gallery on our Web site, at www.aspectstudios.com/botso. In addition, we were featured on the national news earlier this week and we'll try to put that up as well. The segment was about two minutes long and in addition to Botso and his family, Tom and I also spoke about the importance of coming to Georgia as part of this project.

By the time you’ve red this we will have left for our trip back to the U.S. But before that — no surprise here — we are having a huge Georgian feast to celebrate the end of our magical time here. Then, off to the airport.

Wish us a safe journey home to SLO!

Hilary Grant
Writer/Co-Producer of "Botso"

More hills, and a setback

“Botso: The Passion of Music, The Power of Art,” is a feature-length documentary film project focusing on the life of Morro Bay teacher, musician and sculptor Wachtang “Botso” Korisheli, and on the importance of an arts education to society. Central Coast filmmakers Tom Walters, Hilary Grant, and Simo Nylander are traveling with the Korisheli family in the Republic of Georgia, where Botso grew up. Funded through ongoing donations from the community, this nonprofit endeavor is being produced under the auspices of the San Luis Obispo County Youth Symphony. SLO Goings will publish blog entries written by the filmmakers about their trip in coming weeks. More information can be found at www.aspectstudios.com/botso.

We only have two more shooting days left, so we're definitely feeling the pressure to get as much done as possible. Today we visited some ancient (fourth century) caves right outside of Gori, Josef Stalin's birthplace. After our uphill-creek-bed-climbing in Dimi last Sunday, this was a snap: just two miles — uphill, of course — with no railings (naturally) on a limestone path.

Granted, I had to sometimes crawl to make it up the hill, but I actually made it. At the very top, of course, was yet another church. A woman inside was manning the tourist shop! Amazing that she makes that climb every day. Botso, of course, continues to astound us with his energy and strength. He made it all of the way up, talking to the camera during most of the climb, and using only his two legs. On the way back to Tbilisi, we stopped at a sculptor/painter's studio. He said he'd be back in five minutes, and then came with sausage, cucumbers, Georgian bread and his homemade wine in tow. That's just the Georgian way: guests show up, and you bring food. Lots of food. He was also fascinated by my pigtails — he kept patting my head, kissed my hand when we entered, and insisted on having a picture taken with me.

One big disappointment regarding our filming — we will not be able to film inside the prison where Botso's father was imprisoned, despite an inside contact via a journalist friend here.

We are not exactly being told "no," just being told "we'll call you tomorrow." This, however, has been going on for about a week. We have some details about this prison, so we can understand why. For one thing, the prison is still being used, but it has not been modernized in many decades. To say that the conditions are medieval is not an exaggeration. In fact, we were told that crime goes down during the summer because it is so unbearably hot in there that people routinely die. Also, there are not enough beds, so inmates have to take turns sleeping.

Botso is disappointed, but I think that another part of him feels relieved. We are going to have him talk about these mixed feelings, and we will be able to film outside the prison. The fact is this: We have to include the prison in some way because it is truly the linchpin of Botso's life and story. If Botso's father had not gone to this prison, Botso's life would have been radically different.

I'll do my best to write at least one more blog before we leave. Onward!

Hilary Grant
Writer/Co-Producer of "Botso"

Many happy returns (to the fair)

Looking at the lineup for this year’s California Mid-State Fair, you might recognize a few familiar faces.

Bob Dylan, who plays Friday on the Main Grandstand Stage, visited Paso Robles in 1986 and 2003. He appeared at the earlier show with 2005’s headliner, Tom Petty. Martina McBride, performing Tuesday, has also played two fair shows. And Leann Rimes was at the very beginning of her career when she played Paso back in 1997; she returned three years ago. She performs once again Wednesday.

Why all these repeat visitors? Could it be the rides, the food, the stifling North County heat? Whatever the reason, many of music’s biggest stars make a habit of coming to the Central Coast each summer.

Among the most frequent visitors are country acts. Alabama, the Grammy-winning band that’s enjoyed more than 30 chart-topping singles, visited the fair seven times on its way to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Greybeard Kenny Rodgers has played the fair an astounding eight times, starting in 1972.

Here’s a partial list of the fair’s frequent flyers, compiled with the help of the Paso Robles Event Center staff.

Eight times: Alan Jackson, Kenny Rodgers

Seven times: Alabama

Six times: George Strait

Five times: Roy Clark, Kenny Loggins, Reba McEntire

Four times: The Beach Boys, Kenny G, Michael McDonald, Styx

Three times: Charlies Daniels Band, Toby Keith, Huey Lewis and the News, Patty Loveless, Tim McGraw, Ronnie Milsap, Smokey Robinson, Randy Travis, Wynonna (once with mom Naomi as The Judds), Trisha Yearwood

Two-timers: Michael Bolton, Kenny Chesney, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Crosby Stills and Nash, Doobie Brothers, Foreigner, Gallagher, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Hall and Oates, Heart, KC & The Sunshine Band, Kool & the Gang, Dolly Parton, Sandi Patti, Tom Petty, Linda Ronstadt, Conway Twitty, Clay Walker, Weird Al Yankovic, Dwight Yoakam, ZZ Top

— Sarah L.

Rock this way -- Aerosmith in Paso

A loud and prolonged screech during the song “Cryin’” threatened to pierce eardrums at the Mid-State Fair’s main arena Wednesday night, leaving no doubt that throat surgery hasn’t hampered Steven Tyler’s legendary rock and roll vocals.

At 59, you’d figure Tyler’s voice would have to suffer the fate of some of his peers who’ve lost range. But, as he pointed out numerous times in Paso Robles, it seems as versatile and sharp as it did back in 1975.

Aerosmith’s sold-out show kicked off the fair with volume and energy, as many of the 14,000 in attendance danced, sang along and recorded videos on their cell phones. With a mix of songs both pre- and post-Run-DMC, the band filled the Paso air with an even mix of rockers and ballads.

That the band still has all its members after nearly 30 years is somewhat of a miracle – especially given its reputation for excess. But even more impressive is that Aersosmith has remained relevant – not just another washed up group of has-beens playing free stages.

While the entire band is solid, it’s clearly the Toxic Twins – singer Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry – who steal the show night after night, as they did Wednesday.

With a set list that included “Jaded,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Living on the Edge” and “Walk This Way,” Aerosmith’s first trip to San Luis Obispo County was befitting a group of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, despite a couple of slow points, some uneven sound mixing and maybe a poor song choice or two.

Since the concert ended past our deadlines, we’ll have a full review of the concert in Friday’s Tribune.

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Among the fans spotted at the concert: porn star-turned reality TV celebrity Ron Jeremy. After the show, Jeremy was seen waiting outside the main entrance, occasionally greeting fans, some of whom took photos with him on their cell phones. One fan even introduced Jeremy to his mother.

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One thing Aerosmith and opening act Rhodes have in common: The lead singers of both bands started out as drummers with other groups. Rhodes, a local band featuring singer Daniel Whittington, was awarded the coveted opening spot Wednesday, scoring their biggest gig to date. While they played to a large audience, it would’ve been bigger had the crowd not bottle-necked the entrance around 7:30.

--Pat P.

How's the cuisine?

“Botso: The Passion of Music, The Power of Art,” is a feature-length documentary film project focusing on the life of Morro Bay teacher, musician and sculptor Wachtang “Botso” Korisheli, and on the importance of an arts education to society. Central Coast filmmakers Tom Walters, Hilary Grant, and Simo Nylander are traveling with the Korisheli family in the Republic of Georgia, where Botso grew up. Funded through ongoing donations from the community, this nonprofit endeavor is being produced under the auspices of the San Luis Obispo County Youth Symphony. SLO Goings will publish blog entries written by the filmmakers about their trip in coming weeks. More information can be found at www.aspectstudios.com/botso.

Georgian food is ... interesting. After four days straight of this cuisine — lots of cilantro, eggplant, walnuts, chunks of beef and a cheese that tastes like rancid olive oil (I'm told it's an acquired taste) — Botso's wife, Margaret, myself, as well as Botso and Margaret's kids (Lia and Ellena) were hungering for something a little more familiar to our palettes. So, we headed to the only McDonald's in town, which was mobbed. Georgians love McDonald's! And I must say, our stomachs calmed down quite a bit after a dose of cheeseburgers, fries and shakes.

Yesterday the crew had pizza for lunch. Of course, it was Georgian style. That meant that the crust was like a very crispy, flat burrito-sized flour tortilla. No real tomato sauce to speak of, but the toppings were recognizable — Canadian bacon, salami, eggplant (naturally), green peppers and the requisite cheese. I passed on the hot tuna slice, though. Lots of soft drinks — but no ice, ever.

Surprisingly, it's difficult to find a good cup of coffee. Most people use various instant brands, although Simo, our cameraman, finally found a bakery with an espresso machine today. Not only that, it's open 24/7. Suffice to say he's a very happy camper! We were told that a Starbucks would be very popular here, but with the average salary just $80 per month, there's no way anyone would pay $5 for a cup of coffee, no matter how fancy.

We continue to film all during the day and often into the night. Our biggest stop yesterday was the Rustaveli Theatre, where Botso's father and mother were actors in what was the most prestigious theater company in Georgia. The theater — still very active — reminded me of the l920s movie palaces still around in downtown Los Angeles. Very ornate, very baroque, very impressive.

Botso stood on its massive stage and said, "I wish all of my students could see this." Today we are interviewing an American journalist (he is the correspondent for National Public Radio) who loves Georgia so much that he has bought a home here and has decided to make this his permanent home base. It will be an interesting perspective. We are also being interviewed by a local television station and have already been interviewed by the largest daily in Tbilisi.

Onward!

Hilary Grant
Writer/Co-Producer of "Botso"

All uphill from here

“Botso: The Passion of Music, The Power of Art,” is a feature-length documentary film project focusing on the life of Morro Bay teacher, musician and sculptor Wachtang “Botso” Korisheli, and on the importance of an arts education to society. Central Coast filmmakers Tom Walters, Hilary Grant, and Simo Nylander are traveling with the Korisheli family in the Republic of Georgia, where Botso grew up. Funded through ongoing donations from the community, this nonprofit endeavor is being produced under the auspices of the San Luis Obispo County Youth Symphony. SLO Goings will publish blog entries written by the filmmakers about their trip in coming weeks. More information can be found at www.aspectstudios.com/botso.

Imagine a scene straight out of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" — except the "wedding party" is made up of Georgians. That was our grand adventure yesterday — which also featured one of the scariest experiences of my entire life.

We began our long (four and a half hours), very bumpy (think airplane turbulence) drive to Dimi, a tiny village northwest of Tbilisi where Botso spent many happy boyhood summers with his grandparents.

Picture this place as a way more primitive Harmony, with pigs, dogs and water buffalo sharing the road with cars — that's Dimi. Western toilets are completely unavailable here, too, so make sure your squatting skills are in tip-top shape!

After arriving at Botso's relatives' home, we were told that we were going to be treated to an immense Georgian feast. First, though, they explained that it was important — in fact, necessary and fortuitous for everyone involved — to visit a several-hundred-year-old family prayer site, less than 2 miles away. No one bothered to tell us that most of those miles —closer to five — would be spent traveling in an ancient, completely open air transport truck, standing up with about 20 other people, with only a thin bar to hold.

Not only that, but the drive was not on a road. Nope, it was on an uphill creek bed with large boulders, slowly climbing up the top of a mountain. Not only that, the gear-shifts on the truck were behind the driver, so he was guessing which gears to use! We had to duck several times for trees as well, and the truck kept lurching downhill. Lots of screaming — including from me! I kept thinking that I HAD to see my daughter and husband again!

But, we made it to the site — Botso, too (the word "trooper" does not begin to describe him) — a beautiful spot on top of a mountain, where bread and wine and cheese were consumed (Georgians love food). By the time of the feast a few hours later, we were just very grateful to be alive!

More later!

Hilary Grant
Writer/Co-Producer of "Botso"

SLOCO locals rockin' Downtown Brew, fair

It’s a great day for local bands.
While San Luis Obispo’s own Rhodes is opening for rock icons Aerosmith, another band with Central Coast ties will take the stage before Canadian indie rockers Hot Hot Heat.
The Deadly Syndrome opens for Hot Hot Heat tonight at Downtown Brewing Co. in San Luis Obispo.
Two of the band members are UC Santa Barbara grads: Templeton native Jessie Hoy, who plays drums, accordion and keys, and guitarist Will Etling, who grew up in Santa Ynez.
Etling is the younger brother of Tribune staffer Leah Etling and the nephew of Bert Etling, editor of The Cambrian.
The Deadly Syndrome releases its debut album, “The Ortolan,” on Dim Mak Records in September. (The name refers to tiny birds that were captured alive, fattened and then roasted and eaten whole by French gourmands.)
Folks are already starting to take notice of the fledging Los Angeles-based band.
“Unbridled euphoria — and wry touches such as onstage cutouts of ghosts — helped the Deadly Syndrome go from zero to signed in a few short months,” wrote Los Angeles Time columnist Kevin Bronson. “Well, that, and explosive, unaffected songs right out of the Arcade Fire/Modest Mouse/Wolf Parade playbook.”
The concert is tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $16 at the door.
For more information, call 543-1843 or visit the Downtown Brew Web site.

***

Still hungry for the sounds of the Central Coast?
You can catch these SLO County voices at the California Mid-State Fair. They’ll perform the national anthem before concerts on the Main Grandstand Arena throughout the 12-day event.

TONIGHT
Chief Lisa Solomon of the Paso Robles Police Department
Sings before: Aerosmith

THURSDAY
Amanda Brown of Paso Robles
Sings before: Stevie Nicks

FRIDAY
Tara Twisselman of Santa Margarita
Sings before: Bob Dylan

SATURDAY
Celestina Ripley of Greenfield
Sings before: Daughtry

SUNDAY
Marie Pyle of Santa Maria
Sings before: Godsmack
Also performing are: Kyla Norton of Atascadero (Monday), Callie Twisselman of Cholame (Tuesday), Julie Beaver of Paso Robles (Wednesday), Aimee DeGuzman of Nipomo (Aug. 2), Fascinatin’ Rhythm of San Luis Obispo (Aug. 3), Madison Stowell of Atascadero (Aug. 4), Alicia Eatherly of Atascadero (Aug. 5) and Jennifer Eckerman of Paso Robles (Aug. 5).

All concerts are at the Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Ave. in Paso Robles. Call 239-0655 or visit the Mid-State Fair Web site for more information.

-- Sarah L.

In the lineup, Lunchroom Lady rules

Out in the lineup, the Lunchroom Lady was cooking.

She was probably in her 50s, a bit on the heavy side and, well — she looked like the lady who plopped Tater Tots on your tray in junior high school. But man, if you were going for the same wave as the Lunchroom Lady, your best bet was to pull up and watch. Because, chances were, the Lunchroom Lady was gonna be all over that wave, and you were going to be sucking in the spray she left behind.

That’s the thing about surfing in San Onofre: People who surf there are good. And I don’t mean good as in they catch a lot of waves; I mean these people are freaks.

During my week of surfing San-O, I was outclassed by Lunchroom Lady, an 8-year-old kid who probably still sleeps with teddy bears and a few guys who could easily have been my grandfather, except that my grandfather’s most physical feat typically entailed mowing the lawn, not cross stepping on a longboard.

Sure, every now and then I’ll see someone in Morro Bay get a nice nose ride. But in San-O, every other wave offers a nose ride, a spinner or a coffin pose. The place is nuts. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising -- the place is historic. I’m told the word “kook” — surfer-speak for a talentless surfer — was coined at Old Man’s, the beach where we surfed the most. Trying to catch a wave among 40 Joel Tudor clones, I felt fairly kook-like myself.

Still, during my week down south, I surfed my guts out. The water was warm, the sun was out and the beaches were classic. (Today it still looks much like it did in the above LeRoy Grannis photo from 1963, except, you know, the cars are more modern.) And, simply by virtue of being there all week, I rode hundreds of waves.

Huntington Beach and Santa Cruz can fight forever about which one gets to be called Surf City. But I cast my vote for San Onofre, the place by the power plant. But, you know, it’s nice to be home. Even though the water is cold, and for some reason the wind is still insane (Can’t you do something about that, Rob Carlmark?), how cool is it to find a place to surf without a crowd?

Without the Lunchroom Lady, I’m already feeling less like a kook and more like, well ... a guy who isn’t quite a kook. In fact, by this time next year that 8-year-old better watch out, because I’ve got his number.

****

Speaking of surf trips, South County natives Chris Burkard and Eric Soderquist traveled the entire coast of California last fall for a project they are putting together for Chronicle Books. We published a story about them a few weeks ago. Since then, Surfline has featured the final installment of their journey.

The Surfline feature, which has helped promote the book, has included many Burkard photos with audio clips and text written by Soderquist. This installment features the southern California portion of their trip. — Pat P.

Georgian hospitality

“Botso: The Passion of Music, The Power of Art,” is a feature-length documentary film project focusing on the life of Morro Bay teacher, musician and sculptor Wachtang “Botso” Korisheli, and on the importance of an arts education to society. Central Coast filmmakers Tom Walters, Hilary Grant, and Simo Nylander are traveling with the Korisheli family in the Republic of Georgia, where Botso grew up. Funded through ongoing donations from the community, this nonprofit endeavor is being produced under the auspices of the San Luis Obispo County Youth Symphony. SLO Goings will publish blog entries written by the filmmakers about their trip in coming weeks. More information can be found at www.aspectstudios.com/botso.

We've only been in Georgia a few days, but what we noticed immediately is the hospitality of the Georgian people. Botso's relatives came to pick us up at the airport — at 4 a.m. Then — even though they knew we wouldn't be using their services — two taxi drivers helped us load all of our luggage and camera gear. They did it because they saw a need — and also saw that it was the right thing to do.

Then, our landladies (we are renting two apartments) were waiting for us a half hour later. They wanted to show us where our bedding was, how to get hot water, how to use keys, etc. The landlady of the apartment where I'm staying (with Tom and Simo Nylander, our cameraman), had already stocked the refrigator for breakfast, saying "I knew you would be coming in in the middle of the night, and I knew you would be hungry." This was a gesture from someone who is clearly stuggling to make ends meet. And of course, we've already shot a lot of footage in and around Tbilisi.

This includes going to the top of a non-operating tramway where an amusement park is under construction; the "Holy Mountain" church with an adjacent memorial garden that pays homage to many of Georgia's artists, actors and musicians (including Botso's godmother); Botso's high school, where we met the principal and discovered that the President of Georgia is also an alumnus, and an interview and photo shoot with a major daily newspaper in Georgia.

And that doesn't even begin to cover the entire day!

Hilary Grant

Writer/Co-Producer of "Botso"

When Zac attacks!

They call it the “Zac Attack.”
As Pat Pemberton’s article in Ticket suggests, there’s an air of media frenzy about Zac Efron, the singing, dancing star of “Hairspray” and “High School Musical.”
He’s graced the covers of BOP, Tiger Beat, Teen and Kewl. He’s popped up on “Extra” and MTV’s “TRL.”
YouTube features about 53,000 videos with a connection to the Arroyo Grande teen. And a Google search turns up more than 2 million hits, including a dozen fansites.
On Tuesday morning, the “nicest kids in town” — Efron, Nikki Blonsky, Elijah Kelly and Amanda Bines — appeared on NBC’s “Today” show to promote “Hairspray.”
Efron was his usual polite self, praising co-star Blonsky for her skill and talking about “Hairspray’s” positive message.
“There’s so many good messages in this movie,” he said. “It’s really about being accepting of all people, all shapes, all sizes. It’s about following your dreams.”
In June, Elle magazine raved about Efron's sex appeal (“not unlike Romeo of Verona or Leonardo in ‘Titanic’ ”) and his talent (“he can sing and dance like Justin Timberlake”).
People magazine’s Monica Rizzo recently wondered if Efron and his “High School Musical” co-star Vanessa Hudgens are “the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie of the teen set?”
The two were spotted Tuesday at the “Hairspray” premiere in Los Angeles, where they watched the movie together, held hands and danced to a live rendition of “Proud Mary.”
People even put Zac Efron on its “Most Beautiful” list in April. The actor features prominently in a special issue about “High School Musical 2.”

****

What’s next for this talented teen?
Efron and the cast of “Hairspray” return to “Today” this morning for a live performance. Watch on NBC at 9 a.m.

Movies that illuminate

Sick of summer blockbusters?
Local moviegoers can trade big-budget special effects for inspirational films about the bigger picture, thanks to HopeDance Magazine’s ongoing series.
This month, HopeDance FiLMs will screen “Living Luminaries,” “Sophie Scholl” and “Encounter Point” at the San Luis Obispo City County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo.
All screenings are at 7 p.m.
The first film, “Living Luminaries: The Serious Business of Happiness,” plays tonight.
Featuring interviews with Eckhart Tolle, Marianne Williamson and others, the documentary addresses questions about God, purpose and happiness from a religious and spiritual perspective. A $10 donation is suggested.
“Sophie Scholl: The Final Days,” which will be screened July 24 at 7 p.m., chronicles the final six days of Germany’s most famous World War II activist. The film follows Sophie Scholl, a member of anti-Nazi resistance group The White Rose, from her arrest to her interrogation by the Gestapo, her trial and sentence.
The 2005 film won several international awards and an Oscar nomination for best foreign-language film.
“Sophie Scholl” will be screened July 24 at 7 p.m., with a suggested donation of $5 to $10.
On July 30, local filmgoers can explore the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the front lines with “Encounter Point.”
Among the subjects of the documentary are a former Israeli settler, a Palestinian ex-prisoner, a grieving Israeli mother and a wounded Palestinian brother. Together, they launch a grassroots movement for nonviolence and piece.
HopeDance encourages a $10 donation.

For more information, visit www.hopedance.org/.

A journey begins

“Botso: The Passion of Music, The Power of Art,” is a feature-length documentary film project focusing on the life of Morro Bay teacher, musician and sculptor Wachtang “Botso” Korisheli, and on the importance of an arts education to society. On Thursday, July 19th, Central Coast filmmakers Tom Walters, Hilary Grant, and Simo Nylander will be joined by the Korisheli family as they fly into the Republic of Georgia, where Botso grew up. Funded through ongoing donations from the community, this nonprofit endeavor is being produced under the auspices of the San Luis Obispo County Youth Symphony. SLO Goings will publish blog entries written by the filmmakers about their trip in coming weeks. More information can be found at www.aspectstudios.com/botso.

We're off to Georgia! The Republic of Georgia, that is, of the former Soviet Union. We descend into the capital city of Tbilisi on Thursday, where myself, writer and co-producer Hilary Grant, and cinematographer Simo Nylander will team up with three Georgian crew members. Best of all, we are traveling with the subject of our documentary, the Morro Bay teacher and artist Wachtang “Botso” Korisheli and his family.

We'll try and keep in touch through this blog as we experience and film the Georgian culture — a society inseparable from Botso's incredible life story and artistic approach to living. Being that Georgia is famous for its vibrant cultural traditions (not to mention being the original cradle of winemaking) we are anticipating an eye-opening adventure!

Tom Walters
Director and producer of “Botso”

Rock Savants win at Winery Music Awards

Central Coast favorites Dominic Castillo and the Rock Savants seized first place Saturday at the Winery Music Awards.
The San Luis Obispo rock band edged out Arizona singer-songwriter Amber Norgaard as the top-place winner. The quartet advances to the final competition on Oct. 7, where they’ll compete for cash, studio time and other prizes.
Tom Cartwright, president of RNB Entertainment Group of Los Angeles, praised the band.
"Dominic has great stage presence and the whole band has professional poise," said Cartwright, one of eight judges at Saturday's concert.
Hosted by former "Bachelor" star Andrew Firestone, the five-hour event at Paso Robles’ Stacked Stone Cellars also featured Templeton’s Machine and Los Angeles acts Delaney Gibson and Hard Rain.
Producer Kathy Kelly created the Winery Music Awards in 2005 to highlight independent musicians and the North County wine country.
Musicians are graded on their originality, skill and marketability to the ever-expanding demographic of wine drinkers. Top prizes include a record contract with RNB Entertainment.
Arroyo Grande acoustic rock trio Threes and Nines won the grand prize in 2005. They plan to release their debut album later this year.

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The Winery Music Awards continue with an Aug. 11 concert at Silver Horse Winery in San Miguel.
For more information, check out The Tribune’s special Winery Music Awards site.

-- Sarah L.

Best time of the week/free photos

By far, Friday evenings are the best.

Because there’s no other moment when you have so much free time ahead of you. In fact, if you could pinpoint the greatest moment of any week, I’d say it absolutely has to be the very moment you step out of your workplace on Friday evening.

Saturday is, of course, the first day off on the weekend. But by then the hourglass is already upturned, and the sand is dropping. So your time is already running out.

Except, except, except — when you have a WEEK off.

That’s when Friday evenings truly rule.

Next week, I’ll be embarking on a weeklong trip to Southern California in what will be my first extended surf trip. The plan is to hit all the classic spots around San Onofre. While the surf has been pretty small as of late, the prospect of having entire days devoted to nothing but The Stoke is pretty exciting.

Will I think of work? Ha. Forget it, suckers. My head will be dizzy from the invigorating smell of surf wax. I might even drop my watch off into the ocean. I'll let the sand crabs worry about time.

In fact, I’ll be like all those carefree guys in the old Bruce Browns surf films, except they experienced their first surf trips in their teens, whereas I’m well into my — well, let’s just say I’m older than a teen.

In fact, at this point, I might start to count my age in dog years.

To work up my pre-stoke stoke, I’ve watched my share of surf videos, and I’ve found a couple more sites for local photos. Mike Baird
offers his photos for free to anyone who wants them. (That’s his photo at the top.) And he has many fun, non-surf shots of local attractions. Professional surf photographer Josh Kimball, another local, also has a good site. This is one of his:



Kimball, who has shot for "Surfer's Path," Surfer" and other magazines, will have a show at Good Clean Fun Surf in Cayucos Saturday, from 4-10.

--Pat P.

Ready to rock?

Your band could open for heavy metal favorite Godsmack at the California Mid-State Fair.
Fair officials are looking for local musicians interested in opening for Godsmack, which plays Sunday, July 29, at the main grandstand in Paso Robles.
The winning band will perform a 20-minute opening set. They’ll also meet the members of Godsmack and score ten tickets to the show.
First and second runners-up receive signed copies of Godsmack’s most recent album, “Godsmack IV.”
Nominated for three Grammy Awards, Godsmack soared to success in the late 1990s with hard-hitting songs like “Whatever,” “Keep Away,” “Voodoo” and “Bad Religion.
Three of their albums — their self-titled debut, “Awake” and “Faceless” — went platinum.
Godsmack’s 2006 album, “Godsmack IV” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 record sales chart.
Chances are, you’ve also heard the band on the silver screen. Godsmack appears on the soundtracks of "Any Given Sunday," "The Scorpion King," "Mission: Impossible II" and "Scream 3" as well as commercials for the U.S. Navy.

To enter your band for consideration, send a DVD or MPEG with two songs from a show performed in the last year to:
KURQ FM
Attn: Andy Winford
51 Zaca Lane, No. 100
San Luis Obispo, California, CA 93401

Call Andy Winford at 545-0101 for more information.

Looking for family fun? Two reasons to head south

Looking for a fun family outing this weekend?
For fans of the Great American Melodrama, there are now two reasons to make the trip down to Oceano.
“The Wicklow Wedding” opens tonight at the Melodrama, joining “Davy Crockett” as this summer’s melodramas. It runs through Sept. 23.

Written by Irish playwright Dion Boucicault, “The Wicklow Wedding” takes viewers back to the late 1700s, when Irish patriots battled with their British overlords.
When Arrah, a young Irish peasant girl (Cat Yates), hides a fugitive Irish patriot, Beamish (Andrew Beck) from the British army, the repercussions could lead to an arrest on her wedding day.
The fiendish Feeny (Nicholas Hamel) wants Arrah for his own and leads a British officer to her cabin. Meanwhile, Beamish’s jealous fiancé (Katie Swimm) is considering a marriage proposal from her guardian (Jim Shine.)
The two love stories combine with betrayal, self-sacrifice, comic characters and narrow escapes, Artistic Director Eric Hoit said.
As usual, “The Wicklow Wedding” is followed by a song-and-dance vaudeville revue.
According to Hoit, “The Complete History of California … Abridged” takes theater-goers on a 30-minute journey through time — touching on the Golden State’s international heritage, the beatnik movement and soaring real estate prices.
The revue ends with Melodrama favorite “Oceano,” sung to the tune of Oklahoma.
“We’re here to educate,” Hoit said with a laugh.

Starting Saturday, performances of “The Wicklow Wedding” will alternate with “Davy Crockett.”
That play, based on an actual 19th century melodrama, puts young Davy Crockett in the middle of a frontier love triangle. There’s plenty of peril in the form of snowstorms, vicious wolves and a blackmailer with a secret.
“Davy Crockett” runs through Sept. 22.

For more information on both plays, call (805) 489-2499 or visit www.americanmelodrama.com

-- Sarah L.

Now hear this!

Looking for more information about the Winery Music Awards?

Check out The Tribune's own Web site for an explanation of the awards, created by Kathy Kelly in 2005. You can also see photos of this month's competitors and hear audio tracks of their songs.

Feeling the (musical) heat in Paso Robles

Head for the North County hills this weekend for wine, music and fun.
The Winery Music Awards returns on Saturday, July 14, for a five-hour concert hosted by “Bachelor” heartthrob Andrew Firestone.
Two Central Coast bands — Templeton’s Machine and San Luis Obispo indie rockers Dominic Castillo and the Rock Savants — will compete against artists from California and Arizona.
Also competing in July’s elimination round are: Amber Norgaard of Tuscon, Ariz.; Delaney Gibson of Los Angeles; and Andy Hill, Renee Safier and Hard Rain from Los Angeles.
The Winery Music Awards officially kicked off June 9. Sacramento pianist Shannon Curtis beat out an all-female line-up from as far away as Portland.
As the contest continues, musicians will compete in August and September to earn a slot at the final showdown on Oct. 7. Musicians are graded on their originality, skill and marketability to the ever-expanding demographic of wine drinkers.
Top acts will take home prizes including cash, studio time and a record contract with RNB Entertainment Group of Los Angeles.
Arroyo Grande acoustic rock trio Threes and Nines won the grand prize in 2005.
The group, which plans to release its debut album later this year, performs this Sunday at Downtown Brewing Co. in San Luis Obispo.

***

Producer Kathy Kelly created the Winery Music Awards, which highlights independent, unsigned bands and musicians, in 2005.
Saturday’s concert starts at 4 p.m. at Stacked Stone Cellars, 1525 Peachy Canyon Rd. in Paso Robles. Tickets are $40.
For more information, visit the Winery Music Awards Web site.

-- Sarah L.

The results are in

A choir from The Philippines swept the first-ever California International Choral Festival and Competition, organizers announced. The event ran June 29 to July 1 at the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo.
The Imusicapella Chamber Choir walked away with a People’s Choice award and two first-place finishes in the folk music and required pieces competitions.
The group also won second place in the Choir’s Choice section, which required choirs to perform a 12-minute selection of their best work.
Three other choirs from across the globe were winners at the competition.
One California group, The Choral Project, took first in the Choir’s Choice competition.
The San Jose choir placed second in the required pieces category and third in folk music.
Spain’s Landarbaso Abestbatza grabbed the second-place crown in the folk portion. And The Philippine Saringhimig Singers, based in San Francisco, came in third in Choir’s Choice.
The California International Choral Festival, organized by Pat Harris and the San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble, featured seven choirs from as far away as Finland and Uganda.

Tonight They're Gonna Rock You

Rock opera never sounded like this before.
The East Village Opera Company kicks off the Fringe Festival tonight with a concert that melds opera with rock n’ roll anthems. It’s “La Bohème” meets “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Mozart meets Meatloaf.
Vocalist Tyley Ross says the group seeks to make “these unbelievable songs more accessible and believable for people who don’t listen to opera.” At the same time, the Opera Company wants to introduce classical music buffs to a whole new genre.
Ross, who founded the group with composer Peter Kiesewalter, shared his thoughts on beauty, accessibility and the unholy union of opera and rock n’ roll late last month. Here’s some insight that didn’t make the printed page:

On opera music:
“This music was the pop music of the day. It wasn’t trying to be an elevated art form.”

“They’re songs that we just fall in love with. We don’t have to dig too deep because there’s so many incredible gems that you don’t have to listen to opera records nonstop. They’re the ones that break my heart.”

“I’ve got this flighty notion that … we’ve inherited these songs as much as we’re inherited anything from our ancestors physically. They’re (part of) our DNA.”

On Giacomo Puccini’s “Nessun dorma”:
“When I heard it – not as the background to a commercial, but by itself while I was driving – I thought, ‘Why is this song making me feel more alive than any song I’ve ever listened to?’ I pulled off the road and listened to that song eight more times.”

On opera singing:
“I have no desire to sing like an opera singer…. I don’t believe it to be the bedrock of all vocal functions.”
“It’s the vocal version of the caber toss … an extraordinary physical feat.”

On the East Village Opera Company:
“We’re just a cover band, actually … We borrow and steal from a great many of the greatest bands we know.”

Catch the East Village Opera Company in action tonight at 8 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave. in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $15 to $40.
For more information, call 781-7009 or visit the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival Web site.

-- Sarah L.

What a dud

Wow. That was some fireworks display in Morro Bay last night, eh?

Yeah, right.

Less than five minutes after the fireworks began, people folded up their blankets and started walking home. The fog was so thick, you couldn’t see anything. You could hear fireworks explode, so you knew they were there. But you could see nothing.

So my question? Why did they even shoot them off?

In the Midwest, if it rains on the Fourth, they simply do the fireworks the next day — or the next day it’s dry. So it seems logical that Morro Bay would wait for the first clear day.

It just seems like a waste of money to shoot off fireworks that no one can see. Maybe there’s a fear that tourists would be disappointed without them.

Normally, the crowd oohs and aaahs during the finale. This year the biggest cheers of the night came when a kayaker glided past in the harbor with a sparkly firework on his boat.


--Pat P.

Gonna need a bigger boat

Just days before the 4th of July, business owners are worried that shark sightings will hurt sales on their busiest week of the summer.

Sound like recent news from Avila Beach and Pismo? Well, yeah. But it was also an integral part of the plot for “Jaws,” Steven Spielberg’s first really big movie, which ironically will be shown locally on the big screen July 10.

If I were a conspiracy theorist, I might accuse the Fremont of staging the recent sightings to promote the movie. But I have a feeling the movie will do just fine without shark sightings. (It has grossed about $475 million, after all.)



“Jaws” starred Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw and a large and menacing mechanical fish named Bruce. The script was adapted from a book by Peter Benchley, who later admitted his novel helped fuel erroneous beliefs about the great white shark.

“We knew so little back then and have learned so much since, that I couldn’t possibly write the same story today,” he wrote in his 2002 book “Shark Trouble.”

The most common misperception about sharks, Benchley said in one interview, is that they are man-eaters that target humans for consumption. Most human great white victims, Benchley said, are mistaken for typical shark prey.

“Jaws” is, of course, often quoted by movie geeks. A few of the best lines (thanks to IMDB.com):

From Quint: “I'll find him for three, but I'll catch him, and kill him, for ten.”

From the mayor: “Martin, it's all psychological. You yell barracuda, everybody says, "Huh? What?" You yell shark, we've got a panic on our hands on the Fourth of July.”

From Brody: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat!”


--Pat P.