Events

Dancers performing outside of the PAC
March 21 | 5:30pm-8:30pm

Tasting Night with Verdad & Lindquist Wines

Join us for our second tasting event with FPAC’s newest winery partner, Verdad & Lindquist Wines! Enjoy a tutored tasting of Spanish varietal wines from Verdad Wine Cellars with winemaker Louisa Lindquist. Louisa will take you through the Spanish origin of the grapes and the wine growing regions where they’re grown, as well as where the grapes are grown here on the Central Coast and details of how the wines are made.

Bring a friend and enjoy an incredible evening featuring:

  • Tasting of: Grenache Rosé, (aperitif), Albariño, Godello, Graciano, Garnacha, and two Tempranillo wines
  • 15% off tasting room purchases or a 20% discount when you join the wine club
  • Pizza & salads from Branch Street Deli
  • Raffles for wine & tickets to performances with VIP access at the Performing Arts Center

Tickets are $50 per person or $45 for FPAC Crescendo Club, Center Circle Members, and anyone who chooses to join the Crescendo Club that evening. Anyone who joins will also go home with a free bottle of wine and an FPAC growler.

To get the member price, use coupon code MEMBER on the checkout page in the Order Details section.

April 6 | Performing Arts Center

JEWEL

Four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, actress, author, and mental health pioneer, Jewel, is coming to the PAC for a concert benefitting the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center! Jewel went from a girl who grew up with no running water on an Alaskan homestead, to a homeless teenager in San Diego, to an award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist who released one of the best-selling debuts of all time.

Sponsored by Couch Family Wines, this exceptional celebratory concert will not only offer an unforgettable musical experience but will also celebrate and follow the Grand Opening of the Trust Automation Enhancement Project, which we can’t wait to unveil prior to the show! Made possible by the Safreno family and Trust Automation, this project represents a significant milestone in the Foundation’s commitment to enhancing the PAC’s facilities and fostering a thriving arts community.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact us at info@fpacslo.org or (805) 541-5401.

Past Events

August 21, 2022

Sidecar Loading Dock Party

After a three-year hiatus, the Sidecar Loading Dock Party returned bigger and better than ever! Over 500 people flocked to the loading dock and were transported to a vintage circus world – complete with fire dancers, stilt walkers, aerial artists, props from the set of the “Greatest Showman”, and more! This all-inclusive fundraiser featured specialty cocktails crafted by Sidecar Cocktail Co, beer and wine from our local partners, light bites, and desserts. Guests snapped photos in the photo booth and danced the night away to the sound of DJ Flashback.

All proceeds supported the School Matinee Program, through which we aim to bring 15,000 students to free performances at the PAC this season.

We are already counting down the days to the next loading dock party!

August 27, 2022

Cirque Des Artistes Gala

On August 27, we gathered under the big top at the Performing Arts Center to celebrate the arts in our community and raise money to support the Foundation.

Guests were fully immersed in the circus-environment as they posed for photos with the stilt walker, fed the camel, and enjoyed performances by SLO Movement Arts Collective and Gregory Gorrindo. The fun continued onstage as guests were treated to a delicious dinner, wines from our local winery partners, and a spirited live auction. Among the auction highlights were fresh-made Giuseppe’s flatliners, a Tuscan villa culinary vacation, and French bulldog puppies!

This year we were able to honor a very special young artist in our community – Sarah Hill, a dancer with the Movement Arts Collective at SLO Movement Arts Center. Sarah danced a beautiful solo and after her performance, we surprised her by announcing that FPAC will be funding her dance classes and pointe shoes for the next year and that she has a full scholarship to a two-week dance intensive.

 

Overall, it was an incredible evening that raised nearly $250,000 to support our School Matinee Program and community arts groups. Thank you to everyone who joined us and donated to help elevate the arts in our community!

2022 Cirque des Artistes event image
April 23, 2022

FPAC Documentary Film Premiere - "Playing in Unison"

Over 600 members of the community gathered to celebrate 25 years of the Performing Arts Center with the premiere of the Foundation’s documentary film “Playing in Unison”. The film told the story of how Cal Poly, the City of SLO, and the Foundation came together to create the PAC we know and love today. The premiere event featured a red carpet, classic movie theater snacks, local beer and wine, and mingling with the film cast and crew. When the film ended the excitement was far from over as Ty and Trudie Safreno, co-founders of Trust Automation Inc,  announced their one-million dollar donation from their company to the Foundation! This incredible gift kicks off the Foundation’s new fundraising campaign, Find Your Center, which will take place over the next few years and culminate in celebrating the PAC’s 30th Anniversary.

 

Playing in Unison film premiere event image
May 15, 2020

"Zoom In" for a Toast with FPAC

The Foundation hosted a toast to the arts and brief dance party with DJ JoJo Lopez on Zoom. This event was held in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local arts community. Arts lovers and community leaders gathered virtually to toast to the future of the performing arts in San Luis Obispo with cocktails created by Sidecar Cocktail Co.

September 7, 2019

Heart of the Arts Gala & Sidecar Loading Dock After Party

The Foundation for the Performing Arts Center’s 2019 Heart of the Arts Gala featured an elegant formal dinner on the PAC stage and was followed by a spirited live auction with entertainment and surprises that delighted throughout the evening.

Heart of the Arts Gala
March 24, 2019

4th Annual Swanson Fund Brunch

The Foundation for the Performing Arts Center’s fourth annual Swanson Fund Brunch honored Lorilee Silvaggio. As founder of the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo, Lori is one of the most influential leaders in the history of the Central Coast’s performing arts community. Lorilee’s tremendous influence is apparent throughout the Central Coast as Lorilee’s former students have gone on to attend Juilliard, perform internationally and open studios of their own. The beloved annual Nutcracker production, introduced by Lorilee, just celebrated its 41styear. The year’s annual Swanson Fund Brunch event was held on Sunday, March 24th, 2019 at the Performing Arts Center and featured a look back at Lori’s exceptional career and her enduring legacy. As tribute, dance and storytelling was presented by many of SLO’s most gifted performers.

Lorilee black and white photograph
September 22, 2018

Sidecar Loading Dock Party

The Sidecar Loading Dock Party was held September 22, 2018, on the loading dock at the Performing Arts Center.

This all-inclusive fundraiser featured specialty cocktails crafted by the team at Sidecar Cocktail Co., beer from Firestone Walker Brewing, wine from Tablas Creek Vineyard and Hope Family Wines, live entertainment, dancing, food and a “not-so-silent” auction!

All proceeds of the Sidecar Loading Dock Party supported the Foundation’s arts education programs including the 2018 -19 School Matinee Program which will bring 12,000 students to free performances at the PAC this season.

We look forward to seeing you in 2019 at the next Loading Dock Party!

Loading Dock Party logo 2018
February 25, 2018

Swanson Fund Luncheon 2018

The Foundation for the Performing Arts Center held its third annual Swanson Fund Luncheon on Sunday, February 25th at the Performing Arts Center.

The luncheon honored Susan and Tom Davies, an inspiring couple who have spent over 34 years teaching and conducting music on the Central Coast.

The afternoon was equal parts luncheon and variety show, as Susan and Tom Davies’ friends and colleagues took turns paying tribute through music, monologue, and story.

Susan and Tom have devoted their lives to teaching and inspiring music in others. The Foundation was thrilled to share with them the impact of their tireless work.

All proceeds of the luncheon supported the Clifton Swanson Community Access Fund, an initiative that awards grants to local arts groups to subsidize the costs of performing at the PAC. The third annual luncheon was generously underwritten by Lyn Baker.

 

September 16, 2017

Heart of the Arts Gala and Sidecar Loading Dock Party

The Foundation for the Performing Arts Center held its biennial fundraising event the Heart of the Arts Gala & Sidecar After Party on Saturday, September 16th at the Performing Arts Center.

The Heart of the Arts Gala & Sidecar After Party was a night of fine dining, live music, cocktails, and dancing as attendees celebrated local performing arts and discovered how integral all forms of creativity are to one another.

Dinner was served center stage in Harold Miossi Hall and was followed by an exclusive after party outside under the stars on the PAC loading dock. The after party was sponsored by Sidecar Cocktail Company and emceed by radio personality Adam Montiel.

The Heart of the Arts Gala & Sidecar After Party raised almost $150,000. All proceeds benefit the Foundation’s arts education programs, including the Swanson Fund and the 2017 – 18 School Matinee season. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the arts in San Luis Obispo County.