Arts

Have the stagnant college environment, gas prices and heat got you down? Try taking a look at what the surrounding area has to offer in the way of entertainment. You may be surprised to learn that there are many day trips you can take without ever leaving San Luis Obispo County.

Every so often a movie is made that shatters Hollywood pretenses and leaves audience members with a feeling of awe and inspiration. “Snakes on a Plane” is not one of those movies. What “Snakes” does do, however, is combine an over-the-top plotline with fantastically terrible dialogue to create one of the most ridiculously amusing movies of the summer.

I was in Puerto Rico last week, laughing and sipping drinks with friends and family, when a man got up on a nearby table and started dancing, spilling his drink all over himself.

He then dragged his companions up with him and urged onlookers to do the same until, eventually, everyone was dancing on their tables, drinks in hand.

The San Luis Obispo Little Theatre is celebrating its 60th season in show business this year, making it one of the longest continuously-running community theaters in the nation.

In the theater’s six-decade lifespan, more than 375 productions have been staged in over 21 locations around the county.

Tom Petty’s new album “Highway Companion” is a smooth blend of toe-tapping music and sing-along vocals. Listeners will find themselves singing the lyrics after hearing the album only once.

The third album of Petty’s solo career is a perfect combination of slow and upbeat songs.

I was not much of a wine drinker until lately. The other night I felt the urge to just curl up on the couch with a bottle of vino and watch a little television.

My experimentation with sophistication began with a bottle of pinot noir. My show of choice: college rodeo.

Some people scour the globe in search of exotic teas, original artwork and authentic music. For those keeping one of San Luis Obispo’s best kept secrets, these things are no closer than a walk downtown.

In a world of pre-fabricated, quick-stop coffee shops where the art and the atmosphere is as freeze dried as the coffee grounds, artist Peter J.

If you’re expecting to see alligators, one-piece bathing suits and loafers with no socks, check out Spike TV at 3 a.m. If you want to see a Ferrari F430, no bathing suits and an excellent filmmaker at his best, go see “Miami Vice.”

Michael Mann, who was the executive producer for the TV show “Miami Vice” (1984-1989), provides an update to the show that enabled Don Johnson to survive the likes of an underrated singing career and Melanie Griffith.

“John Tucker Must Die” is the perfect combination of romance and comedy. The tale of three high school girls seeking revenge on a popular jock will be sure to make everyone laugh.

The tale begins with basketball captain John Tucker (Jesse Metcalfe) who is dating three girls, all from different social groups.

Off-Highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts will congregate on the Grover Beach dunes this weekend to celebrate their love for deep tread, 4-wheel drive, and of course, miles and miles of sand.

With 10,000 people likely to converge on West Grand Avenue and U.S.

About a month ago, I stood behind one of my best childhood friends (bridesmaid bouquet and emergency tissues in hand) and watched her marry the man of her dreams. A little more than nine months ago, I did the same thing for one of my sorority sisters. And I still have at least three more weddings to go to this year.