Songs of the Central Coast

Catch the sounds of the Central Coast this weekend as some of the region’s most talented singer-songwriters square off at a free concert in San Luis Obispo.

Eight musicians will compete Sunday night at the SLO West Coast Songwriters Showcase, held once a month at Linnaea’s Cafe. They’ll be joined by eight other guest performers.

Judging the contest are guitarist Craig Nuttycombe, part of the gypsy-tango quartet Café Musique, and Craig Kincaid, a professional singer-songwriter from San Luis Obispo.

Painted Sky Studios of Cambria will donate two hours of recording time to the musician awarded “Best Song.” Participants can also win “Best Performance,” and a number of door prizes.

Pismo Beach musician Steve Key launched the monthly showcase in May to highlight the area’s talent

The show starts at 7 p.m. Sunday at Linnaea’s Café, 1110 Garden St. in downtown San Luis Obispo. For more information, check out the showcase’s MySpace page.

Here’s the current lineup:

Competitors: Nathan Martin, Jackie Morris, Jennifer Neetz, Matthias Clark, Brian Keel, Deborah Kirk, Nina Jo Smith, Larry Allen

Guest performers: Steve Key, Craig Nuttycombe, Craig Kincaid, Will Barkley, Loren Radis, Cliff Stepp, Alex Miner, Michael Barrish

A book that ties the room together

I swear I’m not one of those movie quote people.

You know what I mean, right? I’m talking about those folks who seem to have no original thoughts of their own. Instead, everything they say is a line from John Travolta in “Pulp Fiction,” an impression of Billy Murray talking about gophers or some obscure monologue from a Monty Python flick they’ve seen 146 times.

Well, that’s just not me. For one thing, I can’t remember quotes from a movie I saw 30 minutes earlier. Secondly, people who incessantly recite movie lines tend to be —how shall I put this . . .

Dorks.

I mean, yeah, I appreciate good dialogue like everyone else. But if the guy in the cubicle next to you can’t seem to avoid the Luke Skywalker lines, well . . . Houston, we’ve got a problem, if you know what I mean.

Now, okay — here’s the thing, though. I do find myself often reciting lines like, “You’re out of your element!” “That rug really tied the room together, did it not?” and “I can get you a toe by 3 o’clock this afternoon.”

Which could — in theory — qualify me for dork status. But I think this is an exception. After all, “The Big Lebowski” is no ordinary movie. Heck, nearly a decade after the film was made, even the actors recite lines from it.

That’s one of the many things I’ve gleaned from “I’m a Lebowski, You’re a Lebowski,” a new book from the guys who created Lebowski Fest. If you don’t know what the title refers to, you might as well stop reading this blog entry (as if you haven’t already). Because this book is pretty much for the Lebowski faithful, those who simply can’t see Jeff Bridges in an movie without saying, “Hey — it’s The Dude!”

“The Big Lebowski” is, of course, the Coen brothers’ classic noir comedy that somehow tanked at the box office but has taken on a huge life as a cult classic. The Lebowski Fest has taken place in several states and is now prepared to cross the ocean.

The book is great because it features interviews with many of the actors in the movie and the people who inspired the characters.

Some interesting tidbits:

· Much of the Dude’s wardrobe — including the jelly shoes — came from Bridges’ own closet. “Lebowski” is his favorite movie.
· John Turturro has pitched a spin-off to the Coen brothers that would spotlight his character, Jesus. (Don’t count on it, though. The Coen brothers aren’t into sequels.)
· Larry, the kid who stole the Dude’s car, was inspired by a real-life teen car thief who now works in the film industry.
· Jerry Haleva, the guy who played Saddam, had a career working at the California legislature and is now a lobbyist. He has appeared as Saddam in every movie he has appeared in — six total.
· The Coen brothers were very particular about their lines, inserting “uh’s” and “ah’s” to mimic real language. Julianne Moore, who played Maude Lebowski, said she filmed one really long sequence, which the Coen brothers liked, but then made her redo because she added one word: “really.”
· One of the inspirations for Walter is John Milius, who wrote “Apocalypse Now.” Milius describes himself as a militaristic Republican — sort of a fish out of water in Hollywood. He is also one of the original founders of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

— Pat P.

A little blood, a little love

The tough, sassy gals of the Central Coast Roller Derby slug it out Saturday in Paso Robles in a match to benefit a local hospice for children.

Schoolyard Smackdown will pit the School Girls against the Drop-Outs in the first inter-league home game since November 2006. A portion of the proceeds benefits the de Groot Nursing Home For Children of San Luis Obispo County.

Founded by fans of A&E’s “Rollergirls” in January 2006, the Central Coast Roller Derby features about 40 skaters from throughout the county, ranging in age from their early 20s to 46.

Clad in short skirts and knee socks, they practice three times a week and compete in monthly bouts throughout the West.

Schoolyard Smackdown starts at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Drive in Paso Robles. Show up at 6:30 p.m. to enjoy barbecue and a beer garden hosted by Downtown Brewing Co.

Tickets are $12, with free admission for kids 10 and under. They’re available by calling 1-888-825-5484 or visiting www.vallitix.com.

For more information about the fast-paced, hard-hitting sport of roller derby, check out www.centralcoastrollerderby.com.

-- Sarah L.

Teen Review: "The Invasion"

In the midst of a subtle, mysterious epidemic, a psychiatrist mother (Nicole Kidman) struggles for her son’s and her own safety in her once-normal city in “The Invasion,” directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel.

At the start of the film, I noticed the obvious details of a large city on a typical day — the loud music booming from SUV’s; homeless people fraught and begging for money; and men and women dressed in business attire, speaking frantically on cell phones. But when the strange and rather absurd epidemic hits the town, the psychiatrist is confronted with what seem to be people from Mars crowding the sidewalks. At first, this is befuddling to the viewer, as the busy bodies of a mainstream city turn into the flipside — an inanimate, alienated group.

And then, seeing the strength of an able-bodied mom fighting through the invasion to keep her son safe is amazing. Rampage and separation steer them from hope at times, but their devotion to one another doesn’t cease. The action scenes rival anything from typical bad guy vs. good guy movies.

Kidman’s role in the film is a vigorous one, and I thought she alone made the movie work. With Daniel Craig (star of the recent James Bond film “Casino Royale”) by her side, the couple merits plenty of credit for decent acting.

As a remake of the original “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” “The Invasion” makes the audience think of other current, universal conflicts as well. The matter of world peace and war are the stuff of today’s politics and hot debates. Though I won’t give away any important details, I will say that if these topics are of interest to you, that’s one more reason to see “The Invasion.” As a peace activist, this film made me reflect on these issues with a somewhat different perspective than I had before.

You may be asking, “What the heck do zombie-like people have to do with things as different as peace and war?” Well, I’m going to have to leave that up to you to find out from “The Invasion.”

— Anya Rossa-Quade

Anya Rossa-Quade, a junior at Arroyo Grande High School, loves to write and watch films with her friends.

A Night of Wonder

(AP photo)

A full moon, warm temperatures and one of the pioneers of soul helped make for a — ahem – wonderful night at the Santa Barbara Bowl last night.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist; I’m addicted to pun.

But as I noted in a previous blog entry, I’ve long wanted to see Stevie Wonder in concert but have never had the opportunity — partly because he hasn’t toured in more than a decade and partly because when I was younger, I was always broke.

Heck, I’m not exactly loaded now. But at least I don’t have to beg my mom for Pepsi money any more.

Last night, however, I finally ended my live Stevie drought by attending a 2-plus-hour show that reaffirmed what I’ve long believed to be true:

Stevie rules.

I mean, forget for a moment that Stevie Wonder has given us countless hits, that he’s a musical genius and that he helped change the cookie cutter sound of soul.

Well, actually, don’t forget that stuff. That’s why he rules. But he's also a great live act.

Rather than start the show with a song, Stevie walked onstage with his daughter, Aisha Morris (who is the baby heard on his “Isn’t She Lovely” record from 1976) and told the audience about his inspiration for the tour. After his mother died a year ago, he said, he was inspired to make others happy through song.

That actually made my wife cry. But then Stevie made up for it by making her happy through song.

The Bowl was, of course, packed. (Stevie’s show in San Diego sold out in five minutes; it took slightly longer — 15 minutes — to sell out in Concord.) But while Lionel Richie’s show at the Chumash a while back featured mostly gray tops, I was pleased to see that Stevie also drew many younger fans.

Stevie played a long set list, packed with early hits — including many deeper cuts. (His 1973 album “Innervisions” got special attention.) Stevie is best known for his innovative synthesizer playing, which he demonstrated on “Superstition.” But I was happy to hear him play a grand piano on many tunes, including the infectious, grooving “Don’t You Worry 'Bout a Thing” and his more reserved opener, the poignant “Love’s In Need of Love Today.”

Stevie’s energy requires a high-intensity band. So he assembled 12 musicians (including his daughter singing backup), which included two other keyboard players and three percussionists. Through the night, they jammed to “Sir Duke,” “Living For the City,” “I Wish,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” and a slew of others.

There were a few of the usual concert annoyances, like the woman beside us who got sloppy drunk and nearly wound up in a fight. And I’m not exactly a huge fan of crowd sing-a-longs. But I figure since Stevie can’t ever see the audience, he ought to be able to hear them appreciate him.

So now I can breathe a sigh of relief. After many years I can finally cross Stevie Wonder off my list of haven’t-seen performers.

While this stoke will last quite a while, I just learned that another idol of mine that I haven’t seen live has just announced a new tour, which includes a stop in L.A. this October.

If I could see Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen the same year, I could die happy.

OK, forget I said that. I don’t want to die any time soon — I just want to see the Boss.

So, mom – can I borrow some Pepsi money? I’ll need a couple hundred bucks.

— Pat P.

Atascadero actress wins at Emmys

An actress from Atascadero can add Emmy winner to her list of accomplishments.

This weekend, Central Coast resident Rae Stone shared a regional Emmy Award with the cast and crew of “Do You Know CPR?” The public-service announcement aired on Beverly Hills’ Network 10.

Stone said she was too stunned by the win to remember much about Saturday’s award ceremony.

“They say I talked and said something nice,” the 54-year-old actress joked later. “Thank goodness for photos and video because I can’t remember a thing!”

The ceremony by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences took place at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood.

As Rae Stone told The Tribune earlier this month, professional acting is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

She spent most of her life as a business manager and nonprofit executive with Helpline and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

After doctors diagnosed Stone with a serious heart condition seven years ago, however, she pledged to follow her dream of taking the stage full-time. She spent 12 weeks studying at Steppenwolf Classes West, the Los Angeles branch of Chicago’s famed theater company.

Stone has since starred in two plays, a couple of infomercials and a handful of short and independent films.

She’s also currently producing a musical featuring music by Elton John, “Tumbleweed Connection.”

Central Coast filmmaker gets "Luck"-y

Film buffs can see the work of a Central Coast native this week in southern California.

"Luck of the Draw," directed by Cambria's own Summer-joy Main, makes its world premiere at the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films. Also known as ShortFest, the event runs through Wednesday.

Main filmed "Luck of the Draw," a comedic Western that's just 13 minutes long, in March 2006 in Santa Clarita. It stars James Duval, Chris Mulkey, Kristoffer Winters and Susan Duerden.

The Palm Beach film festival gives this description:
"A 'High Noon'-style showdown between a wanted desperado and two gunslingers who are fighting for the hand of the lady who loves him sets the stage for this wry tale of love and bullets set in the wild, wild west."

The short film will be screened Tuesday as part of the festival's "Show Down" section – featuring a full 90 minutes of footage about opposing sides and their struggles.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER:
Summer-joy Main, who goes by the professional name “S.J. Main,” graduated from Coast Union High School in 1996 before studying at UCLA and Columbia University. Her parents, semi-retired radiologist Gerry Main and teacher Marty Muñoz-Main, still live in Cambria.

The filmmaker formed her own production company, Tica Productions, in 2000.
Her graduate thesis film for Columbia University, “La Cerca” (“The Fence”), was screened at more than 20 film festivals and won a handful of award nominations.

Main made her first trip to the Sundance Film Festival this winter as producer of “Bitch,” a short film about a sour young woman who finally meets her match.

For more information, check out the film festival’s Web site or Tica Productions.

-- Sarah L.

Catch a local band this weekend

Local musicians are making waves this weekend.

Jade Jackson, a 15-year-old girl from Santa Margarita, squares off Saturday against some of California’s finest singer-songwriters.
Judges with the SLO West Coast Songwriters Showcase, held once a month at Linnaea’s Café in San Luis Obispo, selected Jackson to compete against other musicians in Berkeley.
She won Best Song in June with “It's All Right, Girl,” her song about a girl struggling with strict parents and other travails of teenage life. Earlier this month, Jackson beat out other Central Coast musicians for the chance to go to the finals.
Saturday’s concert will showcase top contenders from across the Bay area, Sacramento and Southern California, playing their original songs for a panel of celebrity judges.
The Song Showcase Finals start at 8 p.m. at the Freight & Salvage Coffee House, 1111 Addison Street, Berkeley. Tickets are $17.50 in advance and $18.50 at the door.

Learn more about the SLO West Coast Songwriters Showcase, organized by Pismo Beach musician Steve Key, at the group's MySpace profile.

****

Two Central Coast bands play Sunday as The Cliffs Resort wraps up its “Live on the Rocks” summer concert series in Shell Beach.
Threes and Nines, an acoustic rock trio from Arroyo Grande, will perform from 1:30 to 3: 30 p.m. on the resort’s oceanfront lawn.
They’re followed by Louie Ortega, from 4 to 6 p.m. The Latin guitarist shared a 1990 Grammy Award with the Texas Tornados for his song, “Soy de San Luis.”
Past bands in the concert series, which began July 22, include the Damon Castillo Band, Incendio and Resination.
A full bar and barbecue is available Sunday at The Cliffs Resort, 2757 Shell Beach Rd. in Shell Beach. Call 773-5000 or visit www.cliffsresort.com for more information.

****

Also on Sunday, Los Osos musician Matthias Clark releases his latest album, “California Soul” at the Frog & Peach Pub.
Matthias recently brought his blend of free-styling pop and folk rock to the SLO West Coast Songwriters Showcase, held once every month at Linnaea’s Café in San Luis Obispo, and to the Winery Music Awards in San Miguel.
The concert starts at 10 p.m. Sunday at the Frog & Peach, 728 Higuera St. in San Luis Obispo.

-- Sarah L.

Surf music at Avila

Have you tried parking in Avila Beach lately? Man. And to think that just a few years ago the place was deserted, aside from seagulls and a few bulldozers.

Things should be hopping even more than usual tomorrow when the Dentures drop in. As we noted in a recent Ticket story, the Dentures are a local band of 50-somethings inspired by the surf band the Ventures. Their authentic versions of classics like “Pipeline” and “Apache” will be a perfect fit for the casual Avila beach scene.

The first half of the show, near the pier, will be an acoustic set. Then the band will plug in for the second half.

Next Thursday the surf music continues, this time in San Luis Obispo, when two legends of the genre drop by.

Paul Johnson and Gil Orr will perform as The Duotones at the Creekside Community Center (3960 S. Higuera Street). Johnson wrote “Mr. Moto” when he was with The Belairs. Orr was a member of The Chantays, famous for “Pipeline.”

Tickets are $10. For info, call 541-1352.


--Pat P.

Today show's sweet on Pismo Beach

NBC’s “Today” show must be sweet on the Central Coast.

A stay at Pismo Beach’s luxurious Dolphin Bay resort will serve as the consolation prize for couples participating in the network’s “Today Throws a Martha Stewart Wedding” contest, anchors Ann Curry and Matt Lauer announced this morning.

While the winners, Mesa, Ariz., students Cody and Jessica, experience a wedding and reception designed by home décor maven Martha Stewart, the three remaining couples will enjoy five nights at Dolphin Bay Hotel & Residences – starting tonight.

“It’s a gorgeous area of California,” Lauer said of the Central Coast, noting about nearby 200 vineyards.

The other finalists in the contest were Will and Beth of Naples, Fla., Thomas and Nicole of Detroit, and Jason and Alisa of Chicago.

According to the resort’s Web site, Dolphin Bay offers 70 one- or two-bedroom suites ranging in size from 900 to more than 2,000 square feet and featuring a kitchen, dining area and laundry facilities.

That’s not to mention all the other luxuries: free valet parking, Italian linens, flat-panel plasma TVs, fireplaces and Aire Jet spa tubs. It’s located at 2727 Shell Beach Rd. in Pismo Beach.

***

Dolphin Bay seems to draw its share of celebrities.

In May, 200 guests flocked to the resort for a wedding for the daughter of Hollywood mogul Glenn Padnick, the president of Castle Rock Television.

When the cast of “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” filmed at the Guadalupe Dunes last fall, stars Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom were spotted dining at the Dolphin Bay's Lido Restaurant.

And in June 2006, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger joined about 50 guests for dinner at Lido Restaurant.
Each paid a whopping $10,000 per plate to dine on Dungeness crab, duck confit and vanilla ice cream profiteroles. The event was a fundraiser for Schwarzenegger's re-election campaign.

For more information, check out the Today show or Dolphin Bay.

-- Sarah L.

Life in the Wally Lane

To think that I once respected the Eagles.

I was already upset with them when they fired long-time band mate Don Felder in an ugly dispute over money. But now I hear that the band’s first studio album in 28 years is being released exclusively by Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.

Egad.

Siding with the ultimate corporate giant is such an uncool thing for a rock band to do — especially given “Mr. Walden Pond” Don Henley’s left-leaning political rants of past years. Come to think of it, I seem to recall Henley barking about songwriters’ rights some time ago. I guess he doesn’t care as much about independent record store owners.

I know it's kind of popular to beat up on Wal-Mart and extol the virtues of indie record stores. But, come on. At least allow us a choice, guys.

Then again, in the end, the almighty dollar seems to be what drives the Eagles most today. After all, it was the Eagles who set a new standard for absurd concert ticket prices a few years ago. But, hey — it’s hard to make ends meet when you’re struggling musicians, right?

Don, I recommend Ramen Noodles — you can get 10 for a dollar at Albertsons.

Of course, maybe this exclusive isn’t the worst thing for indie record stores. The first single, “How Long,” is being offered as a free download from Wal-Mart’s Web site. And after listening to this song a few minutes ago, I can see why it’s free.

Suffice it to say, it’s not “Hotel California.” In fact, it’s not even “Journey to the Sorcerer,” that weird instrumental banjo song that somehow made its way onto an Eagles record back in the day.

After not having an album in nearly 30 years — and having worked on this one for about five — you’d think they’d come up with stellar material. But the first single, it turns out, is not even theirs. It’s an old song written by longtime Eagles collaborator J.D. Souther.

Maybe we should just buy his version. It’s actually better — featuring backing vocals by the Eagles.

And you don’t have to go to Wal-Mart to buy it.



--Pat P.

Two inspirational tales

This month, HopeDance Magazine celebrates two social reformers with a strong will to succeed with the movies "Believe in Me" and "An Unreasonable Man."

"Believe in Me" follows a young coach whose hopes are dashed when he’s assigned to head the local girls’ basketball team in Oklahoma in the early 1960s.

With the help of his wife, the coach overcomes his doubts, battles prejudice against girls playing competitive sports and leads the ragtag team to the state championship.

The movie, which stars Jeffrey Donovan, Samantha Mathis and Bruce Dern, is based on the true story of Jim Keith, now a member of the Oklahoma High School Coaches Hall of Fame, and his Lady Cyclones.

"Believe in Me" will be screened Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, in San Luis Obispo. A donation of $10 is suggested.

********

"An Unreasonable Man," to be screened on Wednesday, Aug. 29, highlights one of the most controversial figures of the past half-century Ralph Nader.

As the leader of the consumer advocacy movement, Nader went from a respected attorney responsible for historic health and safety laws to a maligned presidential candidate in 2000.

The film will be shown at 7 p.m. at the SLO Library. Donations of $5 are encouraged.

For more information on both films, check out HopeDance's Web site.

-- Sarah L.

Burning Man tonight

Every year, thousands of people head into Nevada’s Black Rock desert for eight days of art, fire, radical self-expression and exploration into the unknown.
The annual festival known as Burning Man is the subject of “Journey to the Flames,” a documentary being screened tonight by HopeDance Magazine.
In the film, director Doug Jacobsen follows a group of friends over eight years as they explore the wild world of the avant-garde artists, fire-breathers, free thinkers and musicians that populate Black Rock City.
Participants barter for goods instead of using money, travel in modified “art bikes” and “mutant vehicles,” and abide by a simple principle: leave no trace.

*****

Watch “Journey to the Flames” tonight at sunset at Utopia Bakery, 2900 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo. The film will be screened outside on the wall of Staples, so bring a chair and warm clothes and blankets.
Donations are encouraged. For more information, visit HopeDance's Web site.

Wow, what a coastline!

The secret is out: California has one of the most stunning coastlines in the world.
This morning, NBC’s "Today" show highlighted the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as State Route 1, as the latest installment in its "America the Beautiful" series.
NBC’s Michael Okwu scoped out the "winding, climbing, jaw-dropping ride along the Pacific Coast Highway… no doubt, one of the most beautiful places in America.”
In one video on msnbc.com, Okwu drives a 1972 Corvette Stingray to San Luis Obispo, stopping by the quaint Apple Farm Inn and the historic Motel Inn.
Other footage focuses on San Simeon – showing the opulent Hearst Castle and elephant seals lazing on the beach.
Praise for the Central Coast's landmarks can also be found on NBC’s Web site.
"The San Luis Obispo area offers some of the most eye-popping sights, such as Hearst Castle, the palatial estate of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst that overlooks the Pacific Ocean," raves Jeanne Sullivan of the California Travel and Tourism Commission in her article "California dreamin': Majestic coast highlights."
Sullivan recommends renting an ATV at Pismo Beach or exploring the Paso Robles wine country.
Peter Greenberg, the Today show's online columnist, mentions San Luis Obispo County’s campgrounds and wineries in his exploration of State Route 1.
And California’s wild and wonderful coast features prominently in Forbes Traveller writer Rob Baedeker’s article, "Ten classic coastal drives."
To learn more, check out the Today show's Web site.

-- Sarah L.

Sure to get your tummy grumbling

Feeling hungry?
This month, HopeDance Magazine caters to folks with a love of food and a taste for progressive politics.
Tonight, a panel of speaker discusses local food and farmers following a screening of “Deconstructing Supper,” about restaurateur Joseph Bishops’s search for regional, nutritious food.
Among the speakers is Katy Budge, author of The Tribune’s “Local Flavors” column.
Finger food will be provided by Central Coast businesses including Clark Valley Organic Farm, American Flatbread Pizza and SLO-town Creamery.
That event starts tonight at 6 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. A donation of $5 is suggested.

Later this month, the magazine screens “Slow Food Revolution” at American Flatbread Pizza in Los Alamos.
Dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, followed by the film and a discussion led by HopeDance’s Bob Banner.
The menu features tuna confit and shell bean salad, pulled pork or potato-and-leek flatbread, and an apple tart with honey ice cream. Tickets are $25.
To make a reservation, call 344-4400. Learn more at American Flatbread's Web site.

-- Sarah L.

Rocking the Winery Music Awards

A soulful rocker from Los Angeles is heading to the Winery Music Awards finals after winning the music competition’s third preliminary round this weekend.
Justin Hopkins, leader of the band The Guilt, sang and played guitar as a solo artist Saturday at Silver Horse Winery in San Miguel.
Judges from the music and entertainment industries praised his talent, awarding him an average score of 78.30 out of a possible 100 points.
“Justin has refreshingly honest and soulful vocals and guitar playing,” said judge Roy Braverman, who owns a multimedia firm in Los Angeles. Judge Diane Steinberg-Lewis, an actress, singer and composer, described his music as “clearly commercial and still poetic.”
Also performing at Saturday’s four-hour concert were: Los Osos musician Matthias, Assaf Spector of Brooklyn, and The Laurie Morvan Band and Sarah Hethcoat, both from the Los Angeles area.
Hopkins advances to the final competition in October, where he’ll vie with five other musicians for a record deal, cash, a custom guitar and other prizes.
Musicians are graded on their originality, skill and marketability to the ever-expanding demographic of wine drinkers — specifically, men and women age 21 to 54.
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Shannon Curtis won the June competition. July’s winner was a San Luis Obispo band, Dominic Castillo and the Rock Savants.

The Winery Music Awards continue Sept. 15 at Silver Horse Winery, 2995 Pleasant Rd. in San Miguel. Tickets are $40.
For more information, call 467-WINE (9463) or visit www.winerymusicawards.com.

-- Sarah L.

Simpsonize me

So I was a little late coming in this morning. I was actually doing some computer work from home, though I guess it wasn't really work work, as such.

I had to Simpsonize myself.

If you haven't heard of this, basically you can create a Simpsons character that looks like yourself. Just go to www.simpsonizeme.com, upload a photo of yourself, adjust the features and -- voila -- it's your own personal Homer.

Of course, it's a blatant marketing ploy, for both "The Simpsons Movie" and Burger King, but hey -- it's just good times.

I think my Simpsonized character is a bit chunky, though some might say he's better looking. I'd love to see him down at Moe's sometime.

Now that I've Simpsonized myself, I want to Simpsonize all sorts of other people: My boss, my daughter, Dick Cheney. Geeez, I might not work all day. But, you know, now that I've blogged about it, I can consider it work-related.

And now this Simpsonize thing is spreading. Here's my features co-worker Sarah Linn:





















And here's features/business reporter Dawn White:




And entertainment editor Justin Hoeger:

Zac Efron on the cover of Rolling Stone!

The Central Coast's hottest commodity is now America's Sweetheart.

Zac Efron, star of "Hairspray" and the upcoming "High School Musical 2," will appear on the cover of next month's Rolling Stone, the magazine announced earlier this week.

The 19-year-old actor and Arroyo Grande native is pictured grinning and reaching a hand under his white T-shirt to expose tanned abs. Besides him are the words "The New American Heart Throb."

Check out it out for yourself
here.

Thirsty for some music?

Los Osos jazz-funk musician Matthias heads the competition this weekend at the Winery Music Awards.
Saturday’s concert will feature four hours of music, wine and sunny North County scenery in San Miguel, hosted by TV “Bachelor” Andrew Firestone and judged by an industry panel.
Also competing on Saturday are:Brooklyn-based Assaf Spector, who merges funk, blues, hip hop and rock with his band Birthday On Mercury, plus soulful rockers Justin Hopkins and the Guilt, pop-rock singer Sarah Hethcoat, and blues combo The Laurie Morvan Band, all from the Los Angeles area.
The Winery Music Awards officially kicked off June 9, when Sacramento pianist Shannon Curtis beat out an all-female line-up from as far away as Portland.
Damon Castillo and the Rock Savants, based in San Luis Obispo, walked away with the most points in July.
As the contest continues, musicians will compete in 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 — specifically, men and women age 21 to 54.
Top acts will take home prizes including cash, studio time and a record contract with RNB Entertainment Group of Los Angeles. Competitors could also walk away with a custom electric guitar by Dave Mason’s RKS Guitars.
Last year’s grand prize winner, Arroyo Grande acoustic rock trio Threes and Nines, plans to release its debut album later this year.

***

Producer Kathy Kelly created the Winery Music Awards, which highlights independent, unsigned bands and musicians, in 2005.
The concert starts at 4 p.m. Saturday at Silver Horse Winery, 2995 Pleasant Rd. in San Miguel. Tickets are $40.
For more information, call 467-WINE (9463) or visit www.winerymusicawards.com.

Stevie and me at the SB Bowl

If you read my blog entry Thursday about concerts I’ve seen, well, first of all — thanks. (If you actually read the entire thing, I might have to buy you something.)

Near the end of that blog entry, I wrote about performers I should have seen in concert but haven’t yet. That list included favorite artists like Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles, Genesis and, last but not least, Stevie Wonder.

Ironically, that very night, I was watching the KCOY when Drew Sugars read a piece about Stevie Wonder embarking on his first tour in 12 years. One of the 13 shows, Drew announced, will be in Santa Barbara.

“How fortuitous!” I said. And then I thought: “I need to use the word ‘fortuitous’ more.”

But how fortuitous that I’d just written about needing to see Stevie Wonder, only to discover that very day that Stevie is coming to the Central Coast. Needless to say, as soon as tickets went on sale, I was all over it.

Even though he doesn’t know it, Stevie and I go way back. The first record I ever owned (yes, that’s record, as in 45) was Stevie’s “Sir Duke.” In fact, you can see it at my desk here at work, though frankly, I’d prefer you not.

I need my space.

But trust me — it’s there, along with a lot of other junk and, quite possibly, a few things actually related to work.

After hearing the news, I watched some classic Stevie clips on YouTube on Thursday night. YouTube is great because you can see performances on there that would otherwise be buried.

I knew Stevie played drums on many of his recordings, but I’d never actually seen him play a drum solo until I found an old clip on YouTube. I was also surprised to see a clip of a 14-year-old Stevie performing a song with Dick Dale from the Frankie and Annette surf movie “Muscle Beach Party.” You can also see Stevie performing “Superstition” on “Sesame Street” from 1972, and there’s a great clip of him performing “Living for the City” with one of his idols, Ray Charles.

There’re also some pretty bad covers of Stevie’s music on YouTube, but we won’t go there.

Stevie Wonder gained popularity as a kid in the ’60s, but Stevie, along with Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, took soul music to a higher level in the early ’70s with songs that broke the mold musically while offering socially conscious lyrics.

I could go on, but you probably get the drift: I really like Stevie Wonder. I’m pumped about the prospect of crossing him off my list of performers I admire but haven’t seen.


--Pat P.

Zac watch

I don’t want anyone to think I’m a dork or anything, but you know that song “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins? That’s a pretty catchy tune.

I was just listening to it online, and I found myself really wanting to cut a rug, Kevin Bacon-style, right here in my cubicle. Of course, I didn’t because, you know – that’d be pretty dorky. But in my head I imagined the dance, which ended with me knocking a tape recorder, a Rolodex and three empty Dr. Pepper bottles off my desk in a frenzied finish.

The reason I’m even thinking of “Footloose” is because I recently read that there’s going to be a remake of the film, starring Arroyo Grande’s own teen sensation, Zac Efron.

Efron told Access Hollywood that he is slated to play Ren McCormick, the Chicago teen who moves to a small town where dancing and rock music are illegal. (Egad!) Efron will reprise the role that made Bacon famous (Well . . . aside from “Friday the 13th,” that is.).

Efron is, of course, on a roll, as we recently reported in a Ticket cover story. Right now he’s actively promoting both “Hairspray,” currently in theaters, and “High School Musical 2,” which will initially air Aug. 17.

Efron, 19, is regularly featured in newspaper and magazine stories, including the current Newsweek, which has a somewhat cynical angle on the “HSM” cast. (In this era of Lindsay Lohans, I guess it’s hard to believe a cast of young adults can’t be in rehab.)



Next Tuesday, Efron will appear on the “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. And Efron will be featured in “Rolling Stone” next month.

In a recent interview with the Tribune, Efron acknowledged he’s on many magazine covers these days. But he doesn’t think too much about it.

“I just laugh,” he said. “That’s all I can do is laugh. You can’t believe that you’ve gotten so lucky and people are interested enough to put you on a magazine.”

Even though he’s on a path to superstardom, he still hasn’t succumbed to the circling-the-drain lifestyle that fellow Disney alum Lohan has experienced. Even though the Newsweek article was skeptical, those who know him say Efron resembles his wholesome, Disney image.

Maybe part of it has to do with growing up on the Central Coast.

“I consider myself sort of a small-town boy,” Efron said. “For a while I felt like a fish out of water in L.A . . . I have to wait in hours of traffic and park next to 40 other cars, take an elevator to my modest apartment in the Valley. It’s so different than being home.”

It’s sort of fun waiting to see what he does next. Until then, all I gotta say is: “Everybody cut, everybody cut . . .”


--Pat P.

Music for lunch and dinner

Kick your weekend off right today with a free concert by The Mudskippers.
The Dixieland jazz group performs at noon First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo, 981 Marsh St. It’s part of the church’s monthly Brown Bag Concert series.
Doors open at 11:45 a.m. Don’t forget to bring your own lunch to munch.

****

Want to warm up for mariachi singer Manuel Enrique’s performance at the California Mid-State Fair this weekend?
Fans of the traditional Mexican music can get their fill at the 12th Annual Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival, 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Santa Barbara Bowl.
The play list includes Mariachi Cobre, Omar Arreola, Mariachi Imperial, Mariachi Divas and Chula Vista Youth Mariachi. Concert-goers will also catch performances by Mercedes Castro and Amparo de la Jilguerillas
Tickets are $38.50 to $88.50, and can be purchased at the Santa Barbara Bowl box office, 1122 N. Milpas St. in Sant Barbara. For more information, call 962-7411 or visit their Web site.

On Sunday, watch Atascadero singer Manuel Enrique perform with Mariachi Mexicanismo at the fair’s Budweiser Fort Frontier Stage. The concerts, which are free with fair admission, take place at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The Paso Robles Event Center is located at 2198 Riverside Ave. in Paso Robles.
Call (805) 239-0655 or visit www.midstatefair.com for more information.

Live from Comic-Con: What to watch

There’s something about San Diego that makes it a pop-culture mecca.
I spent this past weekend at Comic-Con International, the annual celebration of comic books, movies, television shows, video games and animation.
As usual, Hollywood put on a show of force – trotting out stars, screening trailers and “leaking” tons of teasers.
Steven Spielberg greeted Comic-Con fans in a live video feed from the set of the fourth “Indiana Jones” movie, flanked by stars Harrison Ford (looking dustier than the last time he donned the fedora and whip) and Shia LeBeouf.
“300” director Zack Snyder announced casting for the highly anticipated film adaptation of Alan Moore’s “Watchmen.”
And Zachary Quinto, best known as serial killer Sylar on NBC’s “Heroes,” made his first appearance as Spock in the upcoming “Star Trek” film. Leonard Nimoy praised the choice as “logical.”
Here’s a handful of upcoming films that caught my eye in San Diego.

“Hot Rod”

Andy Samberg of “Saturday Night Live” tucks his curly mop under a motorcycle helmet to play the title Hot Rod, a Evel Knievel wannabe preparing for the ultimate jump.
Rod plans to jump 15 buses to raise money for a heart operation for his abusive dad (Ian McShane, “Deadwood”). Problem is, he’s just not very good.
Samberg promoted the comedy at Comic-Con with his pals from the Lonely Island comedy troupe, director Akiva Schaffer and co-star Jorma Taccone.
They even showed a clip: A frustrated Samberg goes to his “quiet place” – a woodland clearing – and launches into acrobatic rock n’ roll free-styling reminiscent of “Footloose.” Then, of course, he spends about five minutes tumbling painfully down a hill.
I pity the poor stuntman.
From the looks of it, “Hot Rod” isn’t as funny as it could be, and talents like McShane seem a little wasted. I’d rather watch a two-hour video by The Lonely Island.
For a better sense at what Samberg and Co. can do, check out www.thelonelyisland.com.

Release date: Friday


“Shoot ‘Em Up”

“Shoot ‘Em Up” screens like a furiously funny love letter to John Woo, bristling with slick action sequences, smart one-liners and a gritty palette fit for the darkest of crime dramas.
The movie opens on Clive Owen, brooding as usual, as he helps a pregnant woman deliver in the midst of a firefight. He spends the rest of the film with an infant under his arm, defending the kid against scenery-gobbling gangster Paul Giamatti and an army of thugs.
Either he’s the toughest nanny this side of “Kindergarten Cop,” or this mysterious stranger has an agenda.
Add the meltingly hot Monica Belluci to the mix, and you have yourself one hell of a movie.
Director/writer Michael Davis was kind enough to screen three long clips at Comic-Con, showing Owen mowing down bad guys while sliding on his back on an oil slick, vaulting off a table and shimmying down a factory conveyor belt. That, and a memorable use of a whole carrot.
All in all, this movie’s got dynamite up its sleeve.

Release date: Sept. 7


“The King of Kong”
In a year of high-flying fantasy and big-budget action, one of the movies’ most fascinating stories might be one that takes place at an arcade.
The documentary “The King of Kong” plunges viewers into the weird world of competitive video games, where players compete for top scores in Space Invaders and TRON.
Back in 1982, Billy Mitchell made history by scoring 874,300 on Nintendo’s Donkey Kong.
Fast-forward to 2003, when a challenger appears on the scene – Steve Wiebe, a middle-school science teacher from Redmond, Wash.
When Wiebe logs a record-breaking million-point game, Mitchell and electronic goalkeeper Twin Galaxies challenge the score – and a battle of wills begins.
In the end, “The King of Kong” is a study in contrasts between Mitchell, a charismatic hot sauce mogul who’s used to getting what he wants, and Wiebe, a kind-hearted family guy whose life has been a string of near-successes.
As the filmmakers explained, the documentary is headed for a fictional adaptation. Learn more at the "King of Kong" Web site and www.twingalaxies.com.

Release date: Aug. 17


“Balls of Fury”

I see “Balls of Fury” as this year’s “Dodgeball,” another goofy, likeable movie about an obscure sport that’s taken way, way too seriously.
The comedy may lack a certain amount of smarts and heart, but it’s crammed with gross-out gags, comedic cameos and jokes about – you guessed it – balls.
Newcomer Dan Fogler plays Randy Daytona, a once-promising ping pong prodigy who now makes a meager living performing for senior citizens at a Peppertree resort.
Daytona’s luck turns when he’s approached by the FBI. They need the paddler to help them take down Feng, a warlord who holds “Street Fighter”-style ping pong tournaments at his jungle compound.
Christopher Walken is suitably weird as the flamboyant warlord, deadpanning lines and sporting a wardrobe made for Liberace.
Co-writer Thomas Lennon (“Reno 911”) is the requisite East German pro. (What is it about this guy and tiny, skintight shorts?) Maggie Q, however, fails to wow as Daytona’s ass-kicking love interest.
Most of the movie’s laughs go to the shameless, hilarious James Hong, who plays Daytona’s blind ping pong teacher. (You’ll recognize him from “Blade Runner” and “Big Trouble in Little China.”)
He gives this sometimes spotty comedy some balls.

Release date: Aug. 31


-- Sarah L.

Pat's favorite concerts (not Dylan)

(Lionel Richie at the Chumash. Photo by Dwight McCann)





More than a week after Aerosmith performed to a packed grandstand at the Mid-State Fair, I’m still hearing about the show. And so far, I’ve yet to hear anything but stellar reviews.

It was a good show -- but not the best I’ve ever seen. Which, of course, has led me to consider which concerts I’ve seen were the best.

Do you feel a list coming on? I won’t let you down.

I’ve been to quite a few concerts over the years, so I’m a little worried that I’ve actually forgotten a few. But the best ones will never fade from my memory.

So here’s that list (my top 6, in reverse order):

6. Eric Clapton, Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, 1987. So you’ve got Eric Clapton, one of the greatest guitarists ever. There’s one big plus. Then you have rockin’ bluesman Robert Cray opening. Plus number two. But here’s the icing: On drums? Phil Collins. Now how cool is that?

5. Lionel Richie, Chumash Casino, Solvang, 2006. Granted, the average age at this Chumash Casino show was about 60, so the energy level wasn’t exactly high voltage. But you know what? I love it when I can sit at a concert. Standing hurts my back. And it sucks. Lionel was a bit schmaltzy, in a casino-act kinda way, but he was really entertaining. He was funny (He made fun of the way he used to randomly say, “yeow!” as a Commodore), his band was great, and he didn’t play any of the new crap.

“She’s a brick . . . howwwwse!”

4. Kool & The Gang/Rod Stewart, 1999, downtown Indianapolis. Media conglomerate Emmis Communications put up big bucks to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a free outdoor concert, which I’m all in favor of. Kool & The Gang, with all its key players, got the crowd feeling funky, which was good enough by itself. But then Rod Stewart rocked it up with a set list heavy on the raw early stuff. At the end of “Maggie May,” perfectly synched fireworks segued into the final vocals. For free!

3. John Mellencamp, Indiana University, Bloomington, 1986. My senior year in high school (Yes, I’m that old.), I waited in line overnight for tickets to Mellencamp’s show at the I.U. football stadium. Seeing as how I was #7 in line, I was pumped at the prospect of having great seats. Heck, I figured #7 was good enough to actually be ON the stage, possibly singing “Hurts So Good” with the Coug-ster. As fate would have it, it was the first time they sold tickets randomly, so I wound up with horrible seats. In fact, I think guys in the parking lot had a better view. Still, given that it was Mellencamp’s biggest crowd – on his home turf, during his prime – it was an energy-filled night. Lots of great banter, long sets and several encores made my first concert a huge success.

2. The Who, RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., 1986. A lot of the concerts I’ve seen sort of blur together, but the top two are no-brainers. The Stones and the Who easily outdid any other act. No contest. Had drummer Keith Moon still been alive, maybe the Who could have stolen the #1 spot. Still, these guys were incredible. To see Pete Townsend do the windmill, Roger Daltry swing his microphone like a wrangling rope and John Entwhistle go bananas on his bass was like witnessing rock deity. Daltry’s scream on “Won’t Get Fooled Again” is the best in rock music.

1. The Rolling Stones, Indianapolis Hoosier Dome, 1989. Okay, first of all, it’s the Stones. That alone says plenty. Sure, they’re old now, and they were even old 18 years ago. But I don’t care if they’re 80 -- all those years of experience just gives them more time to hone their craft. These guys play so effortlessly, they just exude cool. And they’re filthy rich -- with sponsors -- so they can spend gobs of money, which they do, for the live act. An explosion across the stage launched “Start Me Up” with a bang. “Honkey Tonk Woman” was accompanied by two huge floats, and “Sympathy for the Devil” found Mick Jagger near the ceiling of the Hoosier Dome, surrounded by flames. What a set list. What a show. What a band.

Honorable mentions: James Brown, Chumash, 2005. Not long before he died, the Godfather of Soul was still a tremendous showman. He performed a short set at the Chumash, but I would have gone to see him perform for a half an hour just to say I did.

John Fogerty, Deer Creek, 1997. Due to legal battles, Fogerty hadn’t played his Creedence songs for quite some time, so his CCR hits were fresh and lively.

Elton John, Deer Creek, 1989. Sir Elton didn’t do anything special (The duck suits and oversized glasses were long gone by this point), and his voice isn’t what it used to be. But he’s so talented, it’s a thrill just to hear him play piano.

Chris Isaak, Santa Barbara Bowl, 2002. You can really tell Isaak and his band are good friends who just love to have fun onstage. And, of course, there’s that crooning voice.

Paul Simon, Mid-State Fair, 2006. Simon has so many great songs, he’d have to be horrible live to not love his shows. Luckily, he’s a great songwriter and performer.

Richard Thompson, The Graduate, San Luis Obispo, 2006. This guy does so much on guitar, you can’t really even tell exactly what it is he’s doing. He’s also very witty and insightful onstage.

Worst concert: Bob Dylan, Deer Creek Music Center, Indianapolis, 1997. Dylan mangled his own hits so badly, I didn’t even recognize them. It’s one thing to reorganize your songs for a live show, but these live versions were just . . . blah. You got the feeling Bob was just bored with them and wanted to do something different. Our loss.

Best local deal: Richie Havens, Morro Bay Harbor Festival, 2002. I didn’t hear too many people talking about this one, but it was an incredible show – and for just the price of admission to the festival ($7). Havens, who opened Woodstock, is a great acoustic guitar player, with an impeccable sense of rhythm and a commanding voice. When he performs, it’s like he’s in a trance.

Performers I should have seen by now but haven’t: Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, Genesis, Stevie Wonder.

What are your favorite shows?


--Pat P.