About two weeks ago, I was approached by a board member of the San Marcos Arts Council, Mr. Eldon E. Eller, and he asked me if I would host a Sunday Art & Music Matine'e on the patio of
Old California Coffee House & Eatery. I asked him what he had in mind and Eldon explained that the idea is to have a place where student or armature artists and musicians can come and showcase their talents. Eldon further explained, he thought a friendly, safe environment that had people attending. Eldon was looking for a location that would allow artists and musicians to gain experience and exposure to further their career. I couldn't say "YES" fast enough.... At this point, I have a vision in my head that we have a table setup on the patio where an artists, ie, painter, photographer, sculptor, can come and display their work, sell their work and keep $100% of the proceeds and it doesn't cost the artist anything. Secondly, I pictured a musician playing classical or jazz music, setting the scene and ambience for a great Sunday Art & Music Matinee.... I was excited to be part of it...
Even though we are just getting started, the support and interest from the community is there. Just take a look at a local painter by the name of Jessica Johnson, along with Matt Dominguez in the background reading poetry on the patio. We are pleased to be partnered with S.M.A.C. and hope to work with them on other projects throughout the year. The San Marcos Arts Council is gaining tremendous popularity within the San Marcos Community, so come on out and support your local artists and musicians on Sunday from 3 to 5 pm at
Old California Coffee house & Eatery.
A special thanks goes out to SMCF San Marcos Community Foundation for sponsoring this event! We couldn't do it without you!
Lauren Slocum and this group of brave individuals were the first people to perform Poetry and the Spoken Word at Old California Coffee House & Eatery on March 13th, 2011. Lauren, a Literature Major and a member of San Marcos Arts Council's Sunday Matinee Committee, was recently accepted to the great school of San Francisco State. While we are very dad to be losing Lauren at the end of May, I am most proud of this lady for founding & starting the Poetry Reading program through The San Marcos Arts Council. I look forward to following your career as a young lady. I know you will go on to do great things in your life! 
When we say poetry and the Spoken Word, it leaves a little openness to interpretation as one performer got up in front of a crowd for the very first time and spoke his rap song. Now you might think rap? What does rap have to do with poetry? I agreed with this question until I heard this young man speak.... I mean rap.... Call it rap, call it poetry, call it whatever.... but this man created and wrote his rap with rhyme and had the guts to stand up in front of everyone a read his rap to the world. It was an expression of him, his life and you could tell how he poured his feelings and emotions into his work. Now, whether he becomes Charles Dickenson or Snoop Dog, is still yet to be seen, but it is nice to see young people passionate about something, study, learn and practice their art or craft and see it come to life in the real world is an amazing feeling. Oh yea, Did I mention, he was the only person that memorized his performance! Great Job! I am so excited to be part of this Sunday MatineeI want to thank the SMCF San Marcos Community Foundation for sponsoring this event! We couldn't do it without you!
