Adilene Gomez Santiago

Featured Work

Here is a collection of photographs that I have taken that have been published on KCPR.org and MustangNews.net

KCPR •

SLO Film Fest welcomes back Surf Nite, a celebration of music, film and community - KCPR

SLO Film Fest’s long-awaited Surf Nite returned to Fremont Theatre on April 25 with anticipation from surf enthusiasts waiting at the door. Spectators lined up in front of the Fremont Theatre in preparation for what has been termed as San Luis Obispo’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show” for surfers, young and old, alike. San Luis Obispo local and surfer Rowan Chase brought down his Volkswagen van with a surfboard mounted atop to join other “surf van” owners in stationing their vehicles in front of the...
KCPR •

Kristopher Elizondo’s journey to the Battle of the Bands with Big Sierra - KCPR

Asmahan Karam is a content writer and disc jockey for KCPR. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.I love to sleep and dream my days away, collecting my favorite moments to recycle when I awake. It can be difficult to replicate these moments of imagination, so I search for earthly matters to fill the space; this is where music comes in. Big Sierra’s music places me in a dreamscape, the same way I thought only sleep could. The group’s layere...
KCPR •

Echoes of Illuminate: A reflection on its soundtrack - KCPR

Reflecting on Illuminate 2025, with various dance collectives bringing their messages of inclusion, passion and community to the stage, one specific feature highlights the individuality of each team —  the soundtrack. With various modern, cultural and throwback hits, there was a song that could easily resonate with every audience member. Including catchy hip-hop beats, SLO Breakers brought the energy with routines to songs by Easy-E and Ugly Duckling, coming together on stage to create a party o...
Mustang News •

Performing at Illuminate, a showcase uniting cultural dance communities - Mustang News

This is a cross-published piece with KCPR, more information can be found here.


In a nook of the recreational center to the loading docks between buildings, Cal Poly’s dance teams spent months perfecting their steps to match the beat of the music and every single pointed toe. Their dedication will culminate in one moment: the drawing of curtains revealing a cheering crowd of hundreds.


The annual showcase, Illuminate, hosted by the non-audition dance team United Movement, has been a beacon o...
Mustang News •

Cal Poly’s United Movement gives dancers a home away from home - Mustang News

Ten years ago, Katrina Swenson-Aguirre locked herself in her bedroom, determined to teach herself how to dance with nothing but YouTube and a dream. 


“I always wanted to dance, but I was a really shy child,” Swenson-Aguirre said. 


Now, English senior Swenson-Aguirre is the co-president of one of Cal Poly’s largest dance teams: United Movement, also known as “UM.”


The club unites diverse individuals under their shared interest in dance and culture. Through their annual dance showcase, Il...
KCPR •

Los Osos’ Music on the Green wraps up season with final concert this weekend - KCPR

With the sun settled high and a light breeze drifting about, families and friends gathered at the Sea Pines Golf Resort in Los Osos on Oct. 19. The hum of music filtered through the chatter, with local band “Cuesta Ridge” inviting guests to let the rhythm move through them. People young and old danced barefoot, as children and their pets rolled down the hills of green, illustrating that Music on the Green was in full effect for another Saturday of live music. Mandolinist Dan Keller said performi...
KCPR •

Lightning in a Bottle brings shameless fun to Buena Vista Lake - KCPR

This Memorial Day weekend marked 21 years of Lightning in a Bottle, the eclectic and colorful electronic dance music festival that has hosted an array of artists since its debut in 2004. Attendees could engage in festival activities starting Wednesday, with a headlining set from Honey Dijon on Thursday. Still, many chose to begin their Lightning in a Bottle journey on Friday with James Blake and Lane 8 taking the Lightning stage.The secluded yet freeing festival atmosphere and the Buena Vista La...
KCPR •

A melodic escape to SLO's neighborhood vinyl bar, Jan's Place - KCPR

Nestled in a neighborhood by the San Luis Obispo railroad is Jan’s Place, a small vinyl bar serving local beer, wine, cider and fresh beats. Its walls are dazzled with strategically placed acoustic soundproofing, a turntable, seating for 20 and an impressive array of records spanning all sorts of genres. Jan’s Place is “a space where the acoustics are so good that you can sit and listen to music and have a conversation, both at normal volumes,” its website says. “Cozy, not loud. Intimate and rel...
KCPR •

An interview and evening with Rowan Drake - KCPR

A single spotlight shines over a young musician strumming to a crowd of darkness. From Ithaca, New York, 20 year old Rowan Drake gave an acoustic eight song set as the first opener for American pop rock band X Ambassadors on May 7 at the Fremont Theater in downtown San Luis Obispo. Drake opened with his song “Beautiful Boy/Downstream.” As an artist, he creates music based on how he has experienced his life to connect with people with similar stories. “I create about the life around me, I usually...