Yo ho ho and a bottle of ...

Every so often, you hear about an all-but-imaginary holiday, like Eat Your Green Vegetables Month or Woodchuck Appreciation Week.

Chances are, a few employers created National Boss Day with the help of Hallmark.
Badminton and broccoli don’t deserve holidays. And I harbor some suspicions towards anything requiring large amounts of chocolate, flowers or money.

Avast, ye scurvy dogs!

I’ve finally found a holiday that suits me: Talk Like A Pirate Day.

The concept, created by John Baur and Mark Summers in 1995, is simple: Spend all day talking like a pirate. “Yes” become “aye,” “hello” becomes “ahoy” and “black-hearted blaggarts” … Well, you get the point.

At the duo’s Web site, www.talklikeapirate.com, you can purchase pirate-themed clothing, check out pictures from the first-ever PyrateCon, and browse the children’s book, “A Li’l Pirate’s ABSeas.”

(For the dedicated buccaneer, there’s also “Cap’n Billy “The Butcher” MacDougall’s Guide to Pirate Parenting.” Author Tim Bete, offers advice on topics ranging from removing a large octopus from your child's hair to administering the "Flying Dutchman Wedgie.")

Today, The Tribune even posted its own Talk Like A Pirate Quiz.

Test yer knowledge o’ the high seas and learn some pirate lingo here. (I qualified as a Master Shipman, which I guess is pretty darn good.)

Forget months dedicated to dolphins, noodles and maple sugar. I be advocatin’ an entire Talk Like A Pirate Week!

-- 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.

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.

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.

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/.

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.

****

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.

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.

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.

I hear San Luis Obispo singing …

The first-ever California International Choral Festival and Competition kicks off tonight with a welcoming ceremony full of international flair.

The San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble will greet visiting choirs from Spain, Uganda, Finland and other countries with a concert of works in their native languages.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave. in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $15.

Local music-lovers can check out the choirs for free on Saturday morning as each of the seven groups performs its own interpretation of two required pieces for judges.

Later that day, the folk song competition brings color, energy and fun to the PAC. The visiting choirs will perform their countries’ folk songs while clad in
traditional garb. That’s at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Sunday brings the choir’s choice competition at 1 p.m. — each choir performs a 12-minute program of their best work — and the grand finale awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m.

That final concert will feature an encore performance by the top three choirs, and a mass concert of “This is My Song” from Sibelius’ “Finlandia,” “Cantate Domino” by Sweelinck and “O Magnum Mysterium” by Lauridsen.

Again, ticket prices are $15 for each concert. For more information, call 756-2787 or visit the festival Web site.

Can’t make the main festival?

Fringe activities include an outdoor “choir stroll” through San Luis Obispo before Saturday’s evening concert, featuring the voices of the Fresno Youth Choir.
Visiting choirs will also sing during morning services at several local churches on Sunday.

-- Sarah L.

Ain't misbehaving?

Is Paso Robles getting a taste of Hollywood misbehavior?
Just as news of the visiting film production of “Farm House” spread, Paso Robles police received two reports of partying early Wednesday morning at the local Motel 6, police logs show.
On their second visit, a noise complaint at 3:48 a.m., officers advised the “management co. of film” that the loud guests could lose their rooms if police had to visit again, the log said.
No word on whether there’s any link between the partiers and “Farm House.”
-- Sarah L.

Bloody "Farm House" filming up north

Brian from “Wings,” a “Star Trek” Romulan commander and the psychic girl from “Heroes” on one Central Coast movie set? Who’da thunk it.
The cast of the psychological thriller “Farm House” is currently filming in the countryside west of Bradley, production spokesman Terrance Gillum said.
According to Gillum, “Farm House” follows a young married couple, Chad and Scarlet, as they head west to escape their tragic past.
When a horrific car crash leaves the duo stranded in the desolate Midwest, they come into the care of Samael and Arlene. But the country folks turn on their new guests.
According to Gillum, the Alliance Group Entertainment film takes some of its inspiration from Dante’s “Inferno.”
Steven Weber (“Wings,” “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”) and the lovely Kelly Hu (“X-Men: United,” “The Scorpion King”) lead the “Farmhouse” cast as the creepy country couple.
William Lee Scott (“Pearl Harbor”) and Jamie Brown (“The Notebook”) are the young lovers.
The rest of the cast ranges from Jack Donner, best known as Romulan Subcommander Tal in the original “Star Trek” series, to Adair Tishler, who plays the little girl Molly on NBC’s hit “Heroes.”
Filmmaker George Bessudo also directed “Lake Dead,” set to be released in theaters July 13. In the horror film, three sisters confront the demented family occupying their dead grandfather’s backwoods home, according to genre fansite Bloody-Digusting.com.
“Farm House” also stars Sam Sarpong of MTV’s “Yo Momma,” Drew Sidora of “Step Up” and relative newcomer Nick Heyman.
The film crew plans to stay in the Paso Robles area until July 4, Gillum said. Rumor has it the cast is staying at the Paso Robles Inn.
-- Sarah L.

The man, the myth ... Mozart!

With the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival only a few weeks away, it’s time to bone up on the life of one of the world’s most popular composers.
“In Search of Mozart,” a documentary about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, will be screened tonight in San Luis Obispo — thanks to HopeDance Magazine.
Director Phil Grabsky’s documentary highlights Mozart’s human side, exploring money woes and family tiffs while following the Austrian native from his childhood as a budding musical genius to fame, fortune and failure as a popular composer.
Filmed on location in Europe, the film includes expert interviews, dramatic reenactments of events in Mozart’s life and selections from his finest works as interpreted by modern-day orchestras.
Catch “In Search of Mozart” tonight at 7 p.m. at the SLO City-County Library, 995 Palm St., in San Luis Obispo. A $10 donation is suggested.
-- Sarah L.

Local band hits the big time

A local band is opening for one of alternative rock’s most popular bands.
Threes and Nines, an acoustic rock trio from Arroyo Grande, will open for favorites Violent Femmes on Sunday at Ventura’s famed Ventura Theatre.
Led by guitarist Jake Brebes, Threes and Nines gained regional attention after winning the grand prize at the 2005 Winery Music Awards in Paso Robles.
The band, which includes drummer Max Triplett and stand-up bass player Tasha Brittain, took home cash, studio time and a record contract with RNB Entertainment of Los Angeles.
Threes and Nines plans to release its self-titled debut album later this year.
Tickets for the Violent Femmes show, which starts at 7 p.m., are $25. They're available through Ticketmaster.
Threes and Nines returns to the Central Coast next month for a locals-only outing with Iamb, Candle and Eddie Bunsen and the Burners.
That show will take place July 15 at Downtown Brewing Co., 1119 Garden St., in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $5.

***
Threes and Nines isn’t the only local band with links to a big name.
San Luis Obispo prog-rockers Criticnue open for Southern rock icons Lynyrd Skynyrd on July 15 at the Pozo Saloon, 90 W. Pozo Road in Santa Margarita.
Tickets cost $47 to $65.
Visit the Pozo Saloon Web site for more.

Lord of the Dice

Ever wonder what “Dungeons and Dragons” players do behind closed doors?

A movie with a Cal Poly connection offers new insight into the world of role-playing games that will make moviegoers laugh and probably cringe.

Geared toward hardcore gamers and total newbies, “Fellowship of the Dice” explores the joys of spending an afternoon armed only with paper, imagination and multi-sided dice.

The film will be screened tonight at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. at PolyCon, Cal Poly’s annual convention dedicated to card, board and role-playing games. Now in its 25th year, the San Luis Obispo event features game vendors, industry pros and tournaments for everything from “Warhammer” to “Magic: The Gathering.”

“Fellowship of the Dice” stars Aimee Graham as a bored party girl who accepts an invitation to play the fantasy role-playing game, “Wizards, Warriors and Wyrms.” (Think "Dungeons" with an extra dose of nerd.)

She finds herself trapped by confusing rules, high-stakes adventure and a big dose of geeky drama between the tyrannical Game Master and his fellow players.

“Fellowship of the Dice” blends the story with interviews with real-life gamers, filmed two years ago at PolyCon.

According to producer John Collins, “Fellowship of the Dice” draws on a life-long love of role-playing games shared by writer Tom Hietter.

“After encountering a good deal of quirky players and odd ‘Game Masters,’ we felt this subculture was ripe for the Christopher Guest treatment,” said Collins, who also stars in the film.

“Working on the film in our off hours from our day jobs in reality television, Tom and I have brought our love of the game and our professional expertise to form an entertaining and comedic entrée into the goofy world of RPG’ers, half-trolls, and paranoid computer game beta testers,” he said.

Collins and co-director Matthew Ross will be on hand at Poly Con to promote the film.

“Fellowship of the Dice” is also available at www.fellowshipofthedice.com and at online stores including Amazon and Barnes & Nobles. It’s slated to hit brick-and-mortar stores in the next six weeks.

*******

PolyCon XXV runs Friday through Sunday at Embassy Suites, 333 Madonna Rd. in San Luis Obispo. In addition to several game tournaments and a barbecue, the event will feature guest appearances by Randal Keith Hilholland of the online comic “Something Positive” and Tom Jolly, creator of WizWar, Drakon and Camelot.

PolyCon is also offering an Independent Game Prize worth $500 for aspiring game designers.

Registration is $35 at the door. For more information, visit the Web site.

-- Sarah L.

The hills of SLO are alive ...

The hills of San Luis Obispo are alive with the sound of organ music.
The Performing Arts Center pulls out the stops this week with a series of concerts and other events highlighting its brand-new Forbes pipe organ.
The festivities kick off tonight with a sold-out solo organ recital by Todd Wilson, chair of the Organ Department at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
He’ll play selections by Bach, Mozart and Maurice Duruflé.
Wilson serves as music director and organist at The Church of the Covenant in Cleveland, Ohio. He’s also the organ curator at Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra.
Music fans can learn more about the organ Tuesday at a free brown-bag lunch and lecture. The staff of renowned organ builder C.B. Fisk will explain and demonstrate what makes the massive instrument work.
On Wednesday, Wilson will perform with the San Luis Obispo Symphony and a community choir.
Members of the public are invited to take their own turn at the keyboard on Sunday. Would-be organists can sign up for 10-minutes slots following a brief orientation.
All events will be held at the Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave. in San Luis Obispo.
For more information or to buy tickets, call 756-2787 or visit the PAC Web site.

THE SCHEDULE:

Solo organ recital
8 p.m., tonight
Sold out

Brown-bag lecture
Noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday
Free

Organ concert
8 p.m., Wednesday
Sold out

Open Keyboard session
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday (June 17)
Free

ABOUT THE ORGAN:
Built by C.B. Fisk of Gloucester, Mass., the pipe organ is three stories tall and features more than 2,700 pipes ranging from 32 feet long to the length and width of a pencil.
It’s a gift to the PAC from Burt and Candee Forbes, founders of the local computer development firm Ziatech Corp.

Month of movies starts with "God Grew Tired of Us"

Tired of the typical summer blockbusters?
Check out a fresh crop of HopeDance FiLMs, starting tonight with “God Grew Tired of Us.”
“God Grew Tired of Us” follows four young African men as they journey from war- and poverty-torn Sudan to a new life in America.
The documentary plays tonight at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $5.
On Friday and Saturday, HopeDance Magazine hosts the LOCALization FiLM Festival, featuring films about what it means to be truly local. They’ll be screened at the San Luis Obispo library.
The schedule is as follows:

FRIDAY, 7 p.m.
“A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash”
Attend the world premiere of this documentary about how our civilization’s addiction to oil could lead to a grim future. Made in Switzerland.

SATURDAY
2:30 p.m.
“Independent America: The Two-Lane Search for Mom & Pop”
Director Hanson Hosein goes on the road to discover the struggle between mom-and-pop stores and big-box chains.
Adam Hill, who is running for the county Board of Supervisors, will speak.

4 p.m.
“Slow Food Revolution”
Learn about the worldwide movement to embrace fruit, vegetables, wine and other foods made the old-fashioned way. Slow Food was launched in Italy in response to Europe’s fast-food industry.
Local experts and the owner of Naked Food Live Cuisine will be on hand to answer questions and dish out a light dinner. Call today for a reservation: 550-2487.

6:30 p.m.
“Ourtown”
In this documentary, two mothers fight plans to bring Wal-Mart to their small Maine town. Tom Comar, of Atascadero’s Oppose Wal-Mart group, will speak.

8 p.m.
“Gordo”
This short film follows a Mexican immigrant who leaves his family’s popular taco stand for California.

8:30 p.m.
“Indies Under Fire”
This documentary examines the devastating impact of large bookstore chains on independent book sellers throughout the country. Jim Hill of Novel Experience Books will answer questions.

Tickets are $10 per film or $40 for the entire six-movie series. For more information, call 544-9663 or visit HopeDance’s Web site.

-- Sarah L.