Movies that make you think

Another month, another slew of socially progressive movies from HopeDance Magazine.
This September, HopeDance FiLMs focuses on subjects like crop circles, hallucinogens and Mexican factory workers. Central Coast cinephiles can expect movies with a conscience and a message.
The monthly film series starts Friday with “Hacking Democracy,” a documentary about vote-tampering and the flawed vote-counting machines used in the American electoral process.
The film will be shown at sunset in the parking lot of Utopia Bakery, 2900 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo. Bring a chair and warm clothes and blankets.
Donations are encouraged.

The following is a brief rundown of this month’s HopeDance FiLMs:

Sept. 10
“Zeitgeist: Beyond 9/11”
A humorous look at God, money and the truth behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. 7 p.m. San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St., San Luis Obispo. $5 suggested donation.

Sept. 14
“The 11th Hour”
Leonardo DiCaprio narrates this documentary about the state of the global environment, and practical solutions for restoring our planet’s ecosystems. This HopeDance fundraiser includes a raffle. 7 p.m. Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St., SLO. $10.

Sept. 17
“Star Dreams”
A look at the art and mystery of crop circles. 7 p.m. SLO Library. $10.

Sept. 21
“Peace One Day”
Peace activist Jeremy Gilley works with the United Nations, world and religious leaders and ordinary citizens to declare a global Day of Peace. Sunset. Utopia Bakery. Donation suggested.

Sept. 22
“Maquilapolis”
Works struggle for survival in the massive sweatshops just across the Mexican border known as maquiladoras, often owned by the world’s largest corporations. 7 p.m. Steynberg Gallery, 1531 Monterey St., SLO. Free.

Sept. 28
“Entheogen: Awakening the Divine Within”
Documentary director Rod Mann will be on hand to speak about hallucinogens and the modern world. 7 p.m. SLO Library. $10.

For more information, visit HopeDance's Web site.

-- Sarah L.

Lightning strikes in Santa Barbara

Fans of Coachella, Burning Man and other alternative festivals will want to check out Lightning in a Bottle, a three-day event showcasing music, art and the environment.
The festival runs May 11 through 13 in the same 40-acre campground north of Santa Barbara used by the Live Oak Musical Festival. It's being produced by Los Angeles event firm The Do LaB.
Expect to see:
• About 40 musical acts, featuring techno, tribal beats, dance music and more. Artists include Freq Nasty, Bassnectar, Heavyweight Dub Champion, Ganga Giri and Kid Beyond.
• Fire-breathers, stilt-walkers, acrobats and a host of vaudeville/circus-style performers. Check out groups like the March Fourth Marching Band, Vau de Vire Society, El Circo and the DoLaB’s own Lucent Dossier Vaudeville Cirque.
• Workshops on sustainable living, crafts, meditation and yoga.
• Countless art exhibits, plus live mural painting.
• Eco-friendly measures like a massive solar panel array, hemp-and-soy ink merchandise, organic food and biodegradable plates and flatware.
And, organizers note, Lightning in a Bottle is family-friendly. Kids ages 12 and under are free. Weekend admission for ages 13 to 16 costs $30, payable at the gate.
Three-day passes are $120 to $130. Day passes are also available for Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 12, although the price has yet to be determined.
Call 1-866-55-TICKETS (8-4253) for more information.