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Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Local Scene: Downtown Gilroy murals to be unveiled

Downtown murals to be unveiled 6th Street Studios and Art Center, MANOS and the Gilroy Foundation will unveil two murals on Aug. 18 that were completed during a Youth Mentorship program early this summer. The murals, located on Railroad Alley …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Pintello Comedy Theater’s encore season continues with ‘Pumpboys and Dinettes’

For its 20th anniversary season, Pintello Comedy Theater is digging deep into its archives of more than 80 shows to bring back its audience favorites from over the years. “Pumpboys and Dinettes,” which got all ages laughing and rocking to …

Image caption: Rip Off Press, once located in San Francisco's Sunset District and now headquartered in Auburn, was part of a movement that blossomed in California.
Graphic Content

Comics may have been born in New York, but they came of age in California. And there’s more to the story than San Francisco comix.

Image caption: Dramatic coastal views, barren deserts, a lush Central Valley, and multiple mountain ranges allow California to emulate many spots around the globe.
California Plays Itself

The Golden State has masqueraded as everything from the Sahara Desert to the Swiss Alps. But which films best capture the real California?

SanBenitocom logo LOCAL NEWS
Free Comic Book Day offers something for everyone

Bill’s Bullpen in downtown Hollister is one of thousands of comic book shops around the world that will participate in Free Comic Book Day on May 6. “Free Comic Book Day is a great event for the whole community,” said …

Metro Silicon Valley logo LOCAL NEWS
Poppy Jasper International Film Festival Opens in South County

Sometimes people ask Mattie Scariot if she is Poppy Jasper. She is not. She is, however, the director of the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. For one week each spring, PJIFF turns humble little Morgan Hill and the greater South …

Metro Silicon Valley logo LOCAL NEWS
Chicano Film Icon Lupe Valdez Honored With Icon Award

Lupe Valdez says she never tried to be at the forefront of anything. “But at this point in my life, I’ve stopped saying no to a lot of things.” For over five decades, the San Juan Bautista-based playwright-actress-costume diseñadora has …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Gilroy concert lives to see another Day on the Ridge

Day on the Ridge, a popular benefit rock concert held at a home in the Eagle Ridge community, is back after a three-year pandemic-related hiatus. To celebrate its return on May 28, organizers hosted a party at the Milias Restaurant …

SanBenitocom logo LOCAL NEWS
Jennifer Laine honored as Assembly District 29 Woman of the Year

Hollister resident Jennifer Laine—who has had a lifelong passion for art and creativity and dedicated her career to arts advocacy—was honored this week as the 2023 Woman of the Year for the 29th Assembly District. Assemblymember Robert Rivas, who represents …

SanBenitocom logo LOCAL NEWS
Local Scene: Bach to Blues; Community Solutions gala

Bach to Blues Concert returns March 18 The Bach to Blues Concert returns to the Gavilan College Theater on March 18 at 7:30pm. Bach to Blues is a fundraising concert that showcases faculty, students and local talent. This year's guest …

Benito Link logo LOCAL NEWS
Balers get creative in upcoming art show

Students at Hollister High School are drawing up plans in preparation for an art show designed to help art students prepare for their finals. The show, titled “Forest of Mind” will feature over 100 works of art—from scientific illustrations and …

Benito Link logo LOCAL NEWS
Crave Wine Bar celebrates new look

A champagne reception was held at Crave Wine Bar & Shop on Feb. 28 to celebrate the completion of a mural depicting a vineyard silhouetted against a mountain range. Guests including Hollister Mayor Mia Casey, Grillin & Chillin Alehouse owner …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Poppy Jasper International Film Festival announces 2023 lineup

The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival (PJIFF) on Feb. 27 announced its full film lineup for its 2023 edition.  This year’s festival—which will screen at venues in Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista—will take place April 12-19. The …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Colibri Gallery donates to 6th Street Studios

Colibri Gallery in Morgan Hill recently donated $2,345 to a local nonprofit, 6th Street Studios & Art Center in Gilroy, to support its children’s art programming. Colibri Gallery hosted its second annual Morgan Hill Plein Air Paint Out in October. …

SanBenitocom logo LOCAL NEWS
Marine Corps veteran delivers public art

Hollister is more often associated with agriculture and motorcycle rallies than a bustling art scene. However, if you look hard enough while driving throughout the city you might notice a splash of color breaking up the otherwise earth-toned streets.   Adorning …

Image caption: From its earliest days, Hollywood has reigned as California's most glamorous industry.
Hooray For Hollywood: All About California’s Most Glamorous Industry

From its early days of hard-charging, Jewish immigrant moguls to today's domination by megacorporations, here's how Hollywood continues to hold its place as one of California's most important industries.

Image caption: Don't get stomped.
Could Mastodon Become the New Twitter?

Following Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter, droves are fleeing the social network and joining Mastodon, an open-source federated service in the 'Fediverse.'

SanBenitocom logo LOCAL NEWS
Hollister singer-songwriter releases first album

Hollister native Meztli Zambrano last week announced the release of her latest music album, “Naked,” which the artist described as “the story of heartbreak.” Zambrano is an independent singer-songwriter who has previously released three singles. Her inaugural album comes behind …

SanBenitocom logo LOCAL NEWS
Ren Faire celebrates masquerade event

Mystery and adventure continued for hundreds of guests who attended the Northern California Renaissance Faire this past weekend. The Venetian Carnevale and Masquerade took place Oct. 15 and 16 at the village of Willingtown, a makeshift town built at Casa …

SanBenitocom logo LOCAL NEWS
Local arts council shares $4.75M grant for Central Coast

The San Benito County Arts Council, Arts Council for Monterey County, Arts Council Santa Cruz County, San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture and the Ventura County Arts Council announced that the Central …

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California's library system dates back 171 years.
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