San Luis Obispo County's Connection to Arts and Culture
David Congalton
"Man About The Arts" David Congalton is an award-winning writer and veteran radio host who has been published in various formats over the last 30 years. He is the former director of the Central Coast Writers Conference at Cuesta College and currently serves on the faculty of the Rocaberti Screenwriting Retreat in Spain and France. His work has appeared locally in the San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune, Central Coast Magazine, New Times, and SLO Journal.
I have been in heavy demand as a screenwriter lately. Seriously. My in-box is clogged with enticing invitations from all around the world—Venice, Barcelona, Tokyo, Brisbane, London, Berlin, even Kosice…
'Tis the season for the Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop, and the Mouse King, which means that just about anywhere right now, someone, somewhere, somehow, is staging The Nutcracker. And…
The holidays are approaching quickly and there are so many news items I want to share with you, but so little time as we hurtle towards 2025. So here are…
Festival Mozaic is hosting a special benefit screening of the soon-to-be-released film Maria at The SLO Film Center at the Palm Theatre on Friday, December 13 at 4 p.m. Academy…
Mention the name Chris Lambert, and most locals think about his ground-breaking podcast that played a major role in recently bringing justice to the family of missing Cal Poly student…
This week gives movie-goers who love the new film Anora a chance to sample writer-director Sean Baker’s acclaimed earlier work, The Florida Project, on the big screen. The award-winning movie,…
The November meeting of SLO Nightwriters features a presentation by former San Luis Obispo Tribune reporter Pat Pemberton. Suggesting that a descriptive, anecdotal lead can draw readers into a story…
Kirk and Mira Advani Honeycutt (courtesy photos) No, if anybody orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I’m not drinking any f**king Merlot.”—Paul Giamatti’s character in "Sideways" It is the line of…
Screenwriter David Congalton and director Ellie Kanner Brian Schwartz, director of the Central Coast Writers’ Conference, reached out to me last month with an intriguing proposal. He wanted to arrange…
A San Luis Obispo dance company is taking a financial leap of faith in staging its next pair of performances. Normally, and particularly in this post-COVID era, local performing arts…
Screenwriters Beware
I have been in heavy demand as a screenwriter lately. Seriously. My in-box is clogged with enticing invitations from all around the world—Venice, Barcelona, Tokyo, Brisbane, London, Berlin, even Kosice…
“The Nutcracker” SLO Style
'Tis the season for the Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop, and the Mouse King, which means that just about anywhere right now, someone, somewhere, somehow, is staging The Nutcracker. And…
Don’t Be a Grinch About the Arts
The holidays are approaching quickly and there are so many news items I want to share with you, but so little time as we hurtle towards 2025. So here are…
“Maria” Screening Benefits Nonprofits
Festival Mozaic is hosting a special benefit screening of the soon-to-be-released film Maria at The SLO Film Center at the Palm Theatre on Friday, December 13 at 4 p.m. Academy…
Lambert Returns to His Music
Mention the name Chris Lambert, and most locals think about his ground-breaking podcast that played a major role in recently bringing justice to the family of missing Cal Poly student…
“The Florida Project” Shines
This week gives movie-goers who love the new film Anora a chance to sample writer-director Sean Baker’s acclaimed earlier work, The Florida Project, on the big screen. The award-winning movie,…
Pat Pemberton on “The Powerful Lead”
The November meeting of SLO Nightwriters features a presentation by former San Luis Obispo Tribune reporter Pat Pemberton. Suggesting that a descriptive, anecdotal lead can draw readers into a story…
“Sideways” Uncorked in New Book
Kirk and Mira Advani Honeycutt (courtesy photos) No, if anybody orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I’m not drinking any f**king Merlot.”—Paul Giamatti’s character in "Sideways" It is the line of…
Revisiting “Authors Anonymous”
Screenwriter David Congalton and director Ellie Kanner Brian Schwartz, director of the Central Coast Writers’ Conference, reached out to me last month with an intriguing proposal. He wanted to arrange…
Deyo Stages Free Performances
A San Luis Obispo dance company is taking a financial leap of faith in staging its next pair of performances. Normally, and particularly in this post-COVID era, local performing arts…