August 3, 7:30 p.m. The Ziegfeld Follies
As part of the, “Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!—The Great American Musical on Film series” stop by Campbell Hall at UCSB to watch this 1946 classic. The stellar cast includes Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Lucille Bremer, Fanny Brice, Cyd Charisse, Judy Garland, Kathryn Grayson, Lena Horne, Red Skelton, Esther Williams, and anyone else who was anyone in the Forties, in revues of unparalleled opulence. Unlike the rest of the film series, there will be no Friday showing of this film, due to Fiesta.
August 3-7 Fiesta- Old Spanish Days
Dedicated to preserving Santa Barbara’s history, culture, and spirit, this year’s theme, “Celebrate Santa Barbara,” is in honor of the 225th anniversary of the Santa Barbara Mission. Enjoy traditional Spanish and Mexian-American foods while you listen to live music, shop in the bazaars or watch the rodeo. Viva la Fiesta!
August 4, 5-8 p.m. Sullivan Goss Exhibit Opening: LA’s RISEN
Check out the opening night of Sullivan Goss- An American Gallery’s newest exhibit which historicizes significant Los Angeles art from 1940 through the 1980s. Inspired by Lyn Kienholz’s new book, LA RISING–which provides images and review quotations for almost 500 LA artists from before 1980–this exhibit runs through October 30.
August 4, 5-8 p.m. King Monkey and the Infinite Sunshine, Photographs by Jonas Jungblut
This First Thursday, don’t miss the opening night of German/Austrian artist Jonas Jungblut’s solo photographic series at Gallery 27. Jungblut captured images of environments that have traces of human life in them while traveling around the globe. The body of work asks questions about how humans experience, alter and influence these environments and about the balance between the purely natural and the man-made. This Brooks Institute Alumni Exhibit runs through September 30.
August 4, 5 and 13 As You Like It
Join in for some fun under the summer stars as the Central Coast Shakespeare Festival presents this delightful romantic comedy.
August 5, 5-8 p.m. Fiesta Comedy Show
Tom Hagen Entertainment presents this night of laughter and music with headliner Johnny Sanchez. Also featuring Dennis Gaxiola, Frankie Quiñones and Gilbert Esquivel, with music performed by Santa Barbara’s own The Martinez Brothers.
August 5, 7:30 p.m. and August 7, 2:30 p.m. The Barber of Seville
Music Academy of the West presents Warren Jones conducting what is frequently hailed as the greatest comic opera of all time. Gioacchino Rossini’s masterpiece The Barber of Seville charms audiences with its buoyancy and verve, its uproarious antics, its wily and irrepressible hero Figaro, and its gorgeous music.
August 5, 8p.m. and August 6, 2 and 8 p.m. The Exonerated
The true story of six wrongfully convicted survivors of death row in their own words, this play moves between first-person monologues and scenes set in courtrooms and prisons as the six interwoven stories paint a picture of an American justice system gone horribly wrong and of six brave souls who persevered to survive it.
August 6, 2:30-6 p.m. Wild Horse Walk
An intensive study of wild horses, herd behavior, and the horse’s role in the American West, participants get a tour of the Return to Freedom facility with an educational overview then hike into the hills to quietly observe the herds.
August 6 A Weekend Tribute to Don Murray
Take a short break from Fiesta to honor local hero Don Murray, whose six-decade career is filled with nuanced, risk-taking performances in film, theatre and television. Don is still going strong and will be on hand for the festivities, including interviews with noted film historian/author Foster Hirsch following the screenings of two film classics: Advise & Consent (at 2:30 p.m.) and A Hatful of Rain (at 7:30 p.m.).
August 7 and 12 The Comedy of Errors
The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival presents one of Shakespeare’s earliest and funniest plays. Follow this wild ride of mistaken identity as two identical twins, separated at birth, meet again.
August 10, 7:30 and August 12, 8:30 On The Town
Check out the next film in the “Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!—The Great American Musical on Film series.” Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin grace this rollicking tale of three sailors on a one-day pass in New York City. With unforgettable choreography by Kelly, this invigorating musical features Vera-Ellen, Ann Miller and Betty Garrett. Must-see numbers include “New York, New York: and “Prehistoric Man.”
August 12, 9 p.m. The Portal: Cosmic Rock Opera
Weaving together live-music, cinematography, poetry and dramatic lighting for the ultimate multi-media experience, The Portal lets you experience the power of mythology as you follow Dante on his journey through deserts and mountains. While in pursuit of the beautiful and mysterious Beatrice, he is chased by archetypes emanating from his own mind. Along the way, the audience dances, chants and trances their way deeper into the mysteries of the portal through fractals symbolizing midnight, cosmos, fire and water.
August 13 Volunteer Work Day at Return to Freedom Horse Sanctuary
Join the staff of this Ranch dedicated to preserving the freedom, diversity and habitat of America’s wild horses as they push up their sleeves and tackle various projects around the ranch. Arrive early Saturday morning, work all day and go for a hike into the hills to visit the herds in the late afternoon.
August 13, 8 p.m. Academy Festival Orchestra with Conductor Leonard Slatkin
As part of the Music Academy of the West Festival, Maestro Slatkin leads the Academy Festival Orchestra in a virtuosic program of rhythmic fireworks and mythic passion, an orchestral tour de force that is a fitting close to a summer of great music. Cindy McTee’s Circuits, Tchaikovsky’s Francesca da Rimini, TH 46, op. 32 and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring are featured in the performance.
August 15-19, SB Festival Ballet’s Summer Intensive with Peter O’Brien
Intermediate and advanced dancers study Technique, Pointe, Variations and Pas de Duex. Peter O’Brien won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dancing and in 1962 he joined the Royal Ballet School in London, later graduating with a contract into the Royal Ballet Company. By 1979 Peter had danced in every major ballet in the Royal Ballet’s repertoire. He currently teaches at Steps in NYC as well as guest teaching and choreographing internationally.
August 17, 4, 5 and 6:30 p.m. Adderley School Summer Workshops
August 17, 7:30 and August 19, 8:30 Singin’ in the Rain
Don’t miss this showing of the “Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!—The Great American Musical on Film series.” Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, this unforgettable masterpiece remains one of the finest, most durable musicals ever to come out of Hollywood. Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor glitter in this light-hearted look at the early days of motion pictures.
August 18 Arts and Letters Cafe’s Opera Under the Stars presents Great Gershwin!
August 19, 8 p.m. Sings Like Hell presents Calexico
Calexico is a diverse collective based around the duo of guitarist/vocalist Joey Burns and drummer John Convertino. The Tucson, AZ based band has been cited as a melting pot for country, indie rock, various Spanish rooted sub-genres, jazz, and many other musical styles.
August 20, 8 p.m. David Spade
Known as the “King of Sarcasm,” David Spade brings his unique standup comedy act to Santa Barbara for the first time as part of the Granada Theatre Concert Series. Special guest Jon Lovitz will open the evening’s celebration of contemporary comedy. Spade, who exploded onto the comedy scene in the 90′s with a long and successful run on Saturday Night Live, has had several hits on the big screen including Tommy Boy and Joe Dirt, and currently stars as Russell Dunbar on the CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement.
August 20, 4 p.m. Ocotillo Dreams Book Launch Party
Stop by Tecolote Book Shop (1470 E. Valley Road, SB) and get your copy of Melinda Palacio’s latest book Ocotillo Dreams signed.
August 20, 8 p.m. Sings Like Hell presents Del Castillo
Del Castillo began as a CD project for family back in the winter of 2000 and has become a symbol of the cross-cultural power of music with their eclectic blend of flamenco, rock, Latin, blues, and world music. Rolling Stone calls Del Castillo “tumbling brilliance on nylon-string classical guitars” with “eruptions of technique and taste (that) conjure images of Eddie Van Halen fronting early Santana (with an assist from the Gipsy Kings).”
August 20, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Woodies At the Beach Car Show
This annual event is unlike any car show you’ve ever been to! The cars park on a grassy lawn overlooking the beach, which really gives it a family atmosphere. The proceeds gathered from the raffle and silent auction are donated to local charities as well as to create a scholarship for SBCC. For a sneak peak, visit Cody’s Cafe at 5p.m. on the Friday before for a gathering point dinner and a Woodie-full parking lot.
August 20, 6 -10 p.m. Old Yeller
Head out to Fess Parker Winery for a family-friendly evening on the lawn for a showing of the classic Old Yeller, featuring Fess Parker as Jim Coates.
August 20, 3-7 p.m. Annual Taste of the Vine and Auction
Don’t miss the Sansum Diabetes Research Institues’ 10th annual wine tasting and auction. All proceeds help fund research to help cure, treat, and prevent diabetes in our local community.
August 20, 7 p.m. Center Stage Theater 21st Birthday Dance Party Benefit
Support the theater by enjoying this one-night-only dance club, complete with DJ, disco ball, martinis, margaritas, a very special raffle and more.
August 21, 3 p.m. Improvising from the Heart
UCSB’s Department of Music’s Composer/pianist Justin Rizzo-Weaver demonstrates the art of free improvisation in a one-hour interval of live piano music.
August 24, 7:30 p.m. and August 26, 8:30 p.m. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Anita Loos’s smash-hit musical comedy found its quintessential interpretation in this movie adaptation featuring Jane Russell and the positively astounding Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei Lee. In witty, campy sequences such as “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” Monroe really shines – but credit must be given to director Howard Hawks. Don’t miss this “Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!—The Great American Musical on Film series.”
August 25 Arts and Letters Cafe’s Opera Under the Stars presents Vivacious Verdi
August 25, 5:30 p.m. Santa Barbara Historical Museum
Lecture and Book Launch for My Santa Barbara Scrapbook, A Portrait of the Artist Elizabeth Eaton Burton Burton’s pioneering work in the Arts and Crafts world raised her to national prominence in the early 1900s.
August 26, 8 p.m. The Granada Theatre Concert Series & Jazz Cruises Present DMS
Mark your calendars now for an explosive concert package coming this summer to the Granada Theatre featuring keyboard wizard George Duke, bass master Marcus Miller and saxophone sorcerer David Sanborn – multiple Grammy-winners all – who are pooling their collective musical excellence as DMS. These three critically acclaimed, commercially successful and professionally in-demand musical masters, each with unlimited capacities in all styles of music, played together recently on a Smooth Jazz Cruise and unanimously decided to bring the show to land for a once-in-a-lifetime tour. Be sure you don’t miss this chance to hear the sea-going trio light up the Granada Theatre’s stage with new compositions and great takes of their classic hits.
August 26, 5:30-9:30 p.m. SBMA’s Nights
Nights continues to inspire through time-based art, performance, and new media, offering a cultural cocktail of art, music, specialty martinis, and outrageous one-night-only interactive happenings in the Museum’s galleries. Funds raised at Nights help support the Museum to reach 25,000 students every year with in-school, afterschool and community outreach programs.
August 26, Friendship Center’s 2nd Annual Wine Down, 4-6:30 p.m.
Ten local vintners will pour wines for a great cause, with live music by Montecito Jazz Project.
August 27, 3:30-7 p.m. Photo Safaris with Kimerlee Curyl
Join equine photographer Kimerlee Curyl for an unforgettable journey into the hills to meet and photograph our wild herds at the Return to Freedom horse sanctuary. The day begins with an overview about Return to Freedom and America’s wild horses before heading into the hills to photograph these magnificent animals. Kimerlee leads the tour.
August 27 The Premier of “My Fairytale”
Opening night of the American premier of My Fairytale, a musical about legendary Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, brings a night of celebration. From 5:30 to 7 p.m. guests have the unique opportunity to meet the musical’s creative team with the musical following at 8 p.m.
August 27, 8 p.m. Trinity Backstage Presents John Batdorf
A fabulous rock, folk, contemporary pop artist, immensely respected by his peers, John Batdorf is a veteran of the industry who has been a main stage player from the beginning. A master of vocal harmony, infectious hooks and great stories, this will be an evening of great music.
August 27 and 28 Santa Barbara Studio Artists’ Open Studio Tour
Gather for a rare peek inside the private studios of 40 of Santa Barbara’s leading professional artists. This self-guided tour gives art collectors an opportunity to peer into the artists’ workspaces as well as purchase art directly at studio prices. Preview a piece of each participant’s work August 4-28 at Santa Barbara Frame Shop and Gallery, 1324 State St.
August 30 Town Hall Meeting to Address Alzheimer’s Disease issues, 6:30-8 p.m.
Alexander Gardens, 2120 Santa Barbara St. Representative Lois Capps has been invited to participate.The Alzheimer’s Association asks those wanting to attend to RSVP at Alz.org/NAPA or to Andrew Peake at Andrew.Peake@alz.org. Learn more by visiting www.alz.org/napa
August 31, 6-8 p.m., Faulkner Gallery, The Greenhorns- Farming the Next Generation
The Greenhorns is a grassroots, non-profit organization made up of young farmers and a growing number of their food and farming collaborators whose mission is “to recruit, promote and support an emerging generation of young farmers in this ample and able 21st century America.” The Greenhorns documentary film, completed after almost 3 years in production, explores the lives of America’s young farming community – its spirit, practices, and needs. Following the film, LoaTree will convene and moderate a panel of local, young farmers to discuss the beauties and barriers of their own farming experience in Santa Barbara County.
Judges described the project as “minimalism at its finest,” “beautiful aesthetically” and commented, “The use of simple, orthogonal steel forms enables the transparency of the residence, a clear goal of the design. It is a beautiful composition that is well integrated into the site.” All of us at SEASONS couldn’t agree more, which is why we were so pleased to be able to feature this stunning home last spring.
Salon #2/Sunday, August 14, 4– 6 p.m. Aesthetic Agendas for a Changing Landscape at 
Salon # 3/Saturday, August 27, 3– 5 p.m. Santa Barbara Guitar Heroes at the gorgeous mid-century home of Jill Martin and Robert Carbonaro. A behind-the-scenes salon with 
