Bring in the New Year at ECOSLO’s Big Party!

It’s the party of the year – ECOSLO’s Second Annual “Celebrate the Rhythm of the Earth” celebration at the San Luis Obispo Veterans’ Hall, located at 801 Grand Avenue in San Luis Obispo.  It’s all happening on Friday, December 31^st, from 8 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., with lots of fun for everyone in the family.

Partygoers can choose to purchase an optional light dinner for $15. The dinner will be hosted by In Good Taste Catering and will be served from 7pm to 8pm. Live acoustic music will be provided during the dinner by Soul Stamp, a local Los Osos band.

Later, dance to the music of local favorites Joose and Up in the Air while sampling beer and wine from the cash bar.  There will be a performance from the exotic SaJa Bellydancing Troupe.  Bring your djembe, conga, or hand drum, or any other kind of portable acoustic instrument, for a mid-evening free-for-all rhythm jam.

There will be a silent auction, with a selection of handcrafted, unique items donated by artists, craftsmen and women, and local businesses.  A raffle will also take place throughout the evening, with a wide variety of prizes to be won.

Last year’s party was spectacular, and this year’s festivities are expected to be even better.  All proceeds from the event benefit ECOSLO, the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo. ECOSLO is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the natural environment through education, advocacy and citizen action countywide.

Tickets are $20 per person, and they’re available at Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo and in Grover Beach, at Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay, or at Divine Appointment Guitars in Paso Robles.  You can also pick up tickets at the ECOSLO Office, at Nipomo and Marsh Streets in SLO.

For more information about ECOSLO, or about the New Year’s Eve Party, call 544-1777.

Contacts:

Miranda Leonard, ECOSLO • 544-1777  • miranda@ecoslo.org

Janelle Younger, Media • 441-8738  •  janelle@fix.net

Boo Boo Records, 978 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, 93401 • 541-0657 

Boo Boo Records,  1800 Grand Avenue, Suite O, Grover Beach, 93433 • 481-1888

Divine Appointment Guitars, 1420A Ramada Drive, Paso Robles, 93446 • 237-0054

Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main Street, Morro Bay, 93442  • 772-2880

Advanced tickets for adults are $20, children under twelve are $12. Tickets are also available at the door are $25 for adults and $15 for children.

Tickets are available at Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach, Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay, Boot Barn in Paso Robles, and the ECOSLO office. You can also purchase tickets on our website at www.ecoslo.org. Please contact ECOSLO at 544-1777 for more information and for volunteer opportunities!

Co-Sponsored by: New Times, Information Press, New Frontiers, The Tribune, KCBX FM,  K-OTTER, In Good Taste Catering, Dooley Graphics, and San Luis Obispo Blues Society.

IN GOOD TASTE Catering

IN GOOD TASTE Catering Executive Chef Gretchen LeMiere was born and raised on California’s Central Coast in San Luis Obispo. After receiving her Culinary Arts Degree from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, Gretchen spent 2 years honing her skills in various restaurants in the city-by-the-bay. She then moved to San Diego to become the Banquet Chef at the world famous Sheraton Grande Torrey Pines in La Jolla. Since moving home to San Luis Obispo, Gretchen was the original Executive Chef at GiGi’s in SLO has taught cooking classes at The Central Coast Culinary Academy and for the Extended Studies Program at Cal Poly University. Currently, in addition to her work at IN GOOD TASTE, she continues to teach at Edna Valley Vineyard. Gretchen has been featured on numerous television and radio shows and in both local and national magazines and newspapers.

IN GOOD TASTE is also proud to be involved with such charities as Alzheimers Association, Breast Cancer Awareness (Enhancement) and ECOSLO.

JOOSE

Joose was first conceived by Sam Sharp [vocals, guitar and harmonica] and Brenden Wood [guitar and banjo].

Over a period of five years, Sam and Brenden would go on to write over 40 songs while patiently seeking the talents and personalities that would help them fulfill their musical ambitions; To originate and perform a unique brand of music that spans all genres and styles.

Eventually, they would enlist a very diverse group of musicians whose influences have helped to create the organic sounds of Joose. These members, Dustin Rhoads [drums], Todd Weiher [bass], Scott Mann [saxophone] and Robin Chilton [percussion], have all come to share in this vision of playing and original and vital music.

Joose is now touring to support the release of their latest album - Tuvan Fences.

Visit Joose's website at:  www.joosemusic.com

SaJa Belly Dance Troupe

SaJa is a Belly Dance/Middle Eastern Dance Troupe that performs dances to traditional rhythms and melodies from throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East. With SaJa you will see the diverse and abundant styles of Middle Eastern Dance. Based out of San Luis Obispo CA, SaJa’s goal is to educate, entertain, and share traditional styles of "Belly" Dance with the community through performance. SaJa has perfomed at various community festivals, elementary and high schools, and for senior citizens sharing the this long standing tradition of social celebration. SaJa is Co-directed by Saundra Sarrouf and Jenna Mitchell with all dancers contributing time, energy, and ideas.

For more information on Saundra, SaJa, belly dance classes or performances, visit www.sousoudance.com.

Soul Stamp

Soul Stamp, from Los Osos, has been playing around SLO County for about a year. The band is made up of two guitars, bass, and drums with the two guitarists sharing vocals. All members of the band have been in other bands over the years, including Ouroboros and Triple Double. The music is mostly funky rock with elements of jazz, blues, and reggae. The band feeds off the crowd and loves to play for dancers.