San Luis Obispo kicked off National Arts and Humanities Month by unveiling the historic Palm Theater’s new Film Center. Now run by the SLO International Film Festival, the center provides a space for cultural events, comedy shows, and educational film opportunities. It’s also a centerpiece of this year’s ARTober events in SLO.

The first documented rugby game in the U.S. took place in 1874, in Boston, between McGill and Harvard universities. Fast forward to today, and American rugby is growing at an impressive rate. KCBX’s Alyssa Toledo took a look at one local club that’s been at the forefront.

A collection of eight ceramic sculptures of jazz musicians is on display in the front window of Full Moon Studio and Gallery in Morro Bay, owned by Ross Hale and his wife Hedy.

The exhibit combines photography, painting, filmmaking, and more to tell stories about how surf culture affects people of color.

A Salinas artist is connecting youth to art, healing and community through a grassroots gallery and workshop space.

A program called Environmental Science Through Art, or ESTA, is creating a space for Latinx high school students in the Salinas Valley to learn science by doing art.

This month, the Palm Theatre in downtown San Luis Obispo has become the SLO Film Center. The Theater has been a beloved independent movie house since it opened its doors in 1988. Now, the nonprofit San Luis Obispo International Film Festival is running the theater — leasing it from owners Jim and Patty Dee, who are retiring.

The Central Coast is known for its scenic views, but it’s also known for its high cost of living. Two students describe their difficulties finding affordable and safe housing in San Luis Obispo County.

A Chicano-band based in the Salinas Valley, called Flaco El Jandro, recently released recordings in hopes of winning National Public Radio’s 2024 Tiny Desk Contest. Winners of the contest have a chance to highlight their talent by going on a national tour. Flaco El Jandro didn’t win this year’s competition, but that isn’t stopping front-man Alejandro ‘Flaco’ Gomez from releasing more music.

Girls Inc. in Carpinteria is a girls’ leadership program and a place for after-school care. Now, it’s a climate resilience hub for the neighborhood, too. The non-profit is prepared to serve as a community gathering space during extreme heat events.