Can you picture it?

Strokes of genius and brushes with beauty fill the night this Friday at Art After Dark. This monthly celebration of the arts features an evening of exhibits, receptions, demonstrations, and other special events at art galleries in downtown SLO. Many of the galleries offer food, wine, live music, and opportunities to talk with the artists. It's a great way to impress out-of-town guests who are visiting for the holiday. And it's free.

. Art After Dark is July 2, 6-9 p.m., in SLO. Info: 544-9251.

And the rockets' red glare

There are tons of ways to celebrate our nation's independence this 4th of July. There's a festival in Barney Schwartz Park in Paso Robles, an old-fashioned 4th of July celebration at Santa Rosa Park in SLO, a parade in Templeton, and lots more. Fireworks fill the skies in Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, and Cayucos. And, for those do-gooders in the community, there's a cleanup day scheduled for 7 a.m. on Monday at the beach in Cayucos.

. Fourth of July celebrations are scheduled throughout the county. For more information, see the Special Events section in the calendar.

Bard to the bone

There's much ado about somethin' at this year's Central Coast Shakespeare Festival. The annual event features performances of the romantic and tragic "Romeo and Juliet," as well as the romantic comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing." The plays will be performed under the stars at Bellevue Santa Fe Charter School. Bring your blankets, picnics, and lawn chairs, and enjoy the show.

. The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival is July 2-Aug. 7 at Bellevue Charter School in SLO. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Saturday, and at 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $17. Info: www.ccshakes.org or 546-4224.