Monthly Archive for December, 2011

January 1st Thursday Highlights

Published on December 31, 2011 in Web Exclusives.

January 5th is 1st Thursday, an evening filled with FREE art, culture, music and fun, including more than 25 cultural art venues eager to show off exciting new exhibits, welcoming artist receptions, intriguing demonstrations and energetic live music.

PrAna at Santa Barbara Outfitters is starting the New Year off right as local artist and co-founder of Surfers Without Borders Aubrey Falk shows her latest artwork and offers a presentation from 6-6:30 p.m. All Toms shoes will be 10% off and with every purchase a donation is made to The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. Head on over to the Faulkner Gallery Westat the Santa Barbara Public Library where self taught, native, folk artist Justine J. Tompkins will be exhibiting her creative and quirky artwork. Walk through La Arcada Court to Santa Barbara Arts where local, fiber artist Valerie McLean will be exhibiting a newly popular art form, perfect for the New Year. McLean uses felt in her work as she expresses that this material has made a transition from being purely utilitarian to an incredible art form.

Keep the New Year celebrations going strong as you continue over to Artamo Galleries to see Start With Art that will feature an overview of 20 artists represented by the gallery and check out Tony Ray’s Restaurant and Cantina where photographer, Eddie Rosales will be exhibiting his personal photographs manifested from the Day of the Dead celebrations along with offering a special print in an auction that will support the Diabetes Research Foundation.

Make your way over to the corner of State and Anapamu to check out Santa Barbara High School’s Visual Arts and Design Academy (VADA) as they present the talents of these artistic and creative students. Carry on with your night and stop at the Marshall’s Patio to listen to the sounds of Carl & Bobby, a musical duo who takes songs to a different level with their Hawaiian, Classic Rock, Jazz, Blues and Country influences. End your first 1st Thursday of 2012 at Paseo Nuevo Center Court where Deanne Bunny will be performing her quirky Indie pop songs with dance, punk and folk influences.

For more information and a complete listing of the specific programming offered at each gallery as well as all public performances and interactive exhibits, go to www.santabarbaradowntown.com.

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Live Oak Music Festival Features James McMurtry, Carolyn Wonderland and John Doe

Published on December 30, 2011 in Web Exclusives.

The first performers have been booked for the Live Oak Music Festival June 15-17 and tickets are now on sale.

James McMurtry, legendary Austin, TX singer-songwriter (and son of acclaimed author Larry McMurtry) takes the stage on Saturday evening.

 


His first album, Too Long in the Wasteland (released in 1989), was produced by John Mellencamp.In 1996, McMurtry received a Grammy nomination for Where’d You Hide The Body. 1997′s It Had To Happen received the American Indie Award for Best Americana Album. In 2011, “We Can’t Make It Here” was cited among ‘The Nation’s’ Best Protest Songs Ever. According to author and pop culture writer Stephen King, “The simple fact is that James McMurtry may be the truest, finest songwriter of his generation…”

Texas Blues powerhouse Carolyn Wonderland also takes the stage Saturday night.

 


Critics call her, “a musical force equipped with the soulful vocals of Janis and the guitar slinging skills of Stevie Ray. Wonderland reaches into the depths of the Texas blues tradition with the wit of a poet. She hits the stage with unmatched presence, a true legend in her time.”

John Doe, frontman of the legendary punk band X, will perform on Friday. His latest album, Keeper, is a winning platter of ’60s inspired rock with a singer-songwriter twist.

 


For additional performers scheduled to perform at the festival visit www.liveoakfest.org.

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Westmont Art Museum Shines with “Continua in Light”

Published on December 29, 2011 in Uncategorized.

Two Bay Area artists explore illumination and movement in a new video installation, “Continua in Light,” at the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art January 12 through February 18. Cheryl Calleri and Thekla Hammond will be at the free, public reception Thursday, January 12, from 4-6 p.m., which includes an original, dance performance. The site-specific dance is choreographed by associate professor Erlyne Whiteman and performed by her students.

The installation, Hammond and Calleri’s second video collaboration, consists of two tandem video projectors illuminating nine translucent suspended scrims. During the reception, dancers will move between the scrims in a performance that interacts with the video art. A recording of the performance will be on view throughout the run of the exhibition.

For more information, call 805/565-6162 or e-mail museum@westmont.edu.

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Tales From the Tavern Celebrates 10th Anniversary with 10 Concerts

Published on December 28, 2011 in Web Exclusives.

First Show Will Be Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Richie Furay


Tales of the Tavern will celebrate  the 10 Year Anniversary of Tales from the Tavern with 10 Concerts spread out throughout the year, beginning Feb. 1 with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Richie Furay, who exploded back into listener’s hearts and the national consciousness this past year when he toured, along with original bandmates Stephen Stills and Neil Young, for the first time in 43 years as Buffalo Springfield.

“Richie is looking forward to coming with his band and delivering a full night of memorable music, joyously made and sung for us in the warm, rustic confines of The Maverick Saloon,” says the event organizer. Here is a chance to experience this special performance from – literally – just a few feet away.

Rather than presenting a Spring and Fall Series as they’ve done the last five years, Tales From the Tavern will instead offer one 10-concert subscription series (10 concerts for our 10-year anniversary) spread throughout the year. To further commemorate the 10-Year milestone, they’re offering a discount of $10 Off the regular ticket price ($10 x 10 concerts = $100 savings) if you buy your 2012 Series subscription before Dec. 31, 2011.  The 10-concert ticket price is $230.

Dates and performers as they are confirmed.

To purchase tickets, call 805/688-0383 or visit www.talesfromthetavern.com.

 

 

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There’s Still Time to Ride the Candy Cane Train

Published on December 22, 2011 in Web Exclusives.

Visit the Goleta Depot to ride this special version of the “Polar Express” each day throughout the holiday season. It may not travel through the Arctic, but this festive miniature train has been a fun ride for kids and parents for the past 23 years. While you’re there check out the museum’s holiday display, Toy Trains and Teddy Bears!

Through December 24, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Go to Candy Cane Train for more information.

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Apply for the 2012 Harriet Miller Youth Leadership Award Scholarship

Published on December 22, 2011 in Web Exclusives.

Applications are being accepted for the 2012 Harriet Miller Youth Leadership Award Scholarship, which is given to an outstanding youth in the Santa Barbara area in recognition of their leadership and community service. The Downtown Organization presents the award in honor of former Mayor Harriet Miller’s contributions to local youth and youth leadership.

Applicants must be high school seniors in the Santa Barbara Unified School District or a resident of Santa Barbara with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and have completed a minimum 45 community service hours by the application deadline.

To apply students should submit a personal essay about one of the two themes: What do you feel is the importance of community service (and include a positive experience you have gained through it)? or What does teen advocacy mean to you and as a youth leader, how have you advocated for your peers? The application should include information about the applicants’ current leadership efforts and service to the community that can be easily assessed by the selection committee.

Applications being mailed must be postmarked by January 2, 2012. Click here for the application.

Applications must be returned to the Neighborhood and Outreach Services Supervisor in person or by mail, at 1232 De la Vina Street (Louise Lowry Davis Center office) by 5 p.m., January 4, 2012.

The recipient will be notified by email and phone by January 6, 2012.

The award and scholarship will be presented at the luncheon on January 12, 2012.  Honoree should plan to attend with one guest.

 

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World Premiere of “Darling Companion” to Open SBIFF

Published on December 21, 2011 in Web Exclusives.

Diane Keaton in "Darling Companion"

Director Lawrence Kasdan’s (Body Heat, The Big Chill) new film Darling Companion, starring starring Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Dianne Wiest, Richard Jenkins, Sam Shepard, Mark Duplass, Elisabeth Moss, and Ayelet Zurer, will kick off the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on January 26.

“We are incredibly privileged to have the world premiere of a Lawrence Kasdan film. The highly anticipated Darling Companion is a fantastic film to kick off the festival,” says SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling.

In Darling Companion, Beth (Diane Keaton) saves a bedraggled lost dog from the side of the freeway on a wintry day in Denver.  Struggling with her distracted, self-involved husband Joseph (Kevin Kline) and an empty nest at home, she forms a special bond with the rescued animal.  When Joseph loses the dog after a wedding at their vacation home in the Rockies, the distraught Beth enlists the help of the few remaining guests and a mysterious young woman (Ayelet Zurer) in a frantic search.  Members of the search party are affected by the adventure, which takes them in unexpected directions – comic, harrowing, and sometimes deeply emotional.

In addition to Darling Companion, SBIFF will also feature a Kasdan Retrospective, screening Body Heat (1981), The Big Chill (1983) and Grand Canyon (1991), and will have a Q&A with the filmmaker himself.

Festivities will take place at the Arlington Theatre on Thursday, January 26. Tickets for the Opening Night Film are available now and can be purchased through www.sbfilmfestival.org or by calling 805/963-0023.  Festival Mini-Paks, Passes and Packages are currently discounted at 15% and on sale exclusively online and 805-963-0023.

This year the Santa Barbara International Film Festival is presented by lynda.com.

Want to know more about the history of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival? Read D.J. Palladino’s insightful piece from SEASONS’ archives. SBIFF_Winter+09-10

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Support CAF and Win a Million Dollar Home

Published on December 17, 2011 in Uncategorized.

Living room

Get in on the action as Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum (CAF) holds its 8th Santa Barbara  Million Dollar Home Raffle. Secure your chance to win a beautiful Santa Barbara home or $1 million in cash. The three-bedroom home has ocean and island views and is just a short walk to the beach, hiking trails, shops, and restaurants.

Deck and island view

 

Tickets are $150 and only 19,000 tickets are available, and with more than $200,000 in additional prizes–including cash, gift cards valued from $500-$2,000, BMW and Mercedes Benz cars, vacations near and far, Apple iPads, and more–your chances of winning are very good!  In the past seven years, more than $8.3 million in prizes have been awarded. Purchase your lucky ticket by Thursday, February 23 and qualify for additional bonus prizes. Call 805/884-5900 or visit sbcaf.org for a complete list of raffle prizes, rules and home prizes.

 

Bedroom

The raffle’s net proceeds are dedicated to further CAF’s non-profit mission: the exhibition of outstanding contemporary art and art education for all ages in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties.  CAF is located in the upper Arts Terrace at Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center in Santa Barbara. Additionally, the raffle will benefit the Teacher’s Fund and the students of our community.

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New Music School in Goleta

Published on December 16, 2011 in Uncategorized.

The owner of Studio Music Group, Steve Stockmal, announced two new locations that will serve local music lovers. One, in Storke Plaza, is mainly for music lessons, where students can receive individual attention. The second location, on Aero Camino, is designed for bands to practice at any time, night or day. Stockmal has been teaching and performing music in Santa Barbara for more than a decade. As a Santa Barbara native, he has toured all over the world as a drummer, singer, and guitarist and performed in a variety of venues–indoor, outdoor, intimate clubs, arenas, and concert halls.  As an honor graduate from Musicians Institute in Hollywood, he brings his vast experience, personal touch and humor to his lessons. For more information please call 805/453-7337 or email at steve@studiomusicgroup.com.

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Leadership in the Arts Award

Published on December 15, 2011 in Uncategorized.

Congratulations to Zaveeni Khan-Marcus who received this year’s Leadership in the Arts Award at a festive celebration and holiday gathering in the Channing Peake Gallery during 1st Thursday. Commission Chair Barbara Burger presented the award on behalf of the Arts Commission to Zaveeni for her leadership and extraordinary contributions as Director of the MultiCultural Center at UC Santa Barbara.

Zaveeni Khan-Marcus ha been serving as the founding director of the MultiCultural Center at the University since 1989– overseeing its tremendous growth from a very small center to a widely known and wildly popular center for global arts, culture and dialogue. Under her leadership the events and programs of the MultiCultural Center have made distinct and positive changes in attitudes and behaviors on the university campus and has served as a bridge to foster cross-cultural understanding for the entire community. A native of Sri Lanka, Zaveeni lived and worked in Varnasi, India, and Cairo, Egypt prior to coming to the US. She is a member of the California Council for Cultural Centers, founding member of the World Music series at UCSB and performs in the UCSB Middle Eastern Ensemble.

“All of us at UC Santa Barbara are so proud and pleased to see our colleague Zaveeni Khan-Marcus honored in such a meaningful way by our community,” said UCSB Chancellor Henry T. Yang. “We appreciate her dynamic leadership of our MultiCultural Center and her dedicated efforts over more than two decades to support and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our campus and our community.”

The Leadership in the Arts Award was established in 2006 as an annual award “to honor and recognize individuals or organizations that have made a significant impact on the arts and culture of our region through innovative thinking and exemplary commitment to promoting sustaining, and advancing out quality of life through the Arts.” The Arts Commission was established in 1977 is a 15-member panel with three representatives appointed by each of the five County District Supervisors. The Commission serves as a regional arts agency for the County and resource linked to the California Arts Council. It also provides arts services to the City of Santa Barbara through a decades-old partnership between the City and County. For more information visit www.sbartscommission.org.

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