Archive for the 'Cultural Calendar' Category

Journey to Stardom with Acting Fundamentals Course

Published on May 19, 2013 in Theater and Web Exclusives.

To all you folks who’ve ever exclaimed “I can act better than that!” during a particularly bad movie or show, your opportunity to traverse the path to glory, to take your place among the stars, has finally arrived. What, you think you’re already ready for auditions? Give it your best shot, but don’t say I didn’t warn you! My recommendation? Try preparing with an Acting Fundamentals course, presented by Speaking of Stories.

Maggie Mixsell, Courtesy of UCSB Theater and Dance

Just imagine, on Mondays at 6 p.m. from June 3–July 29, under the tutelage of artistic director Maggie Mixsell, you could awaken and nurture that acting talent you’ve aways suspected you had! In all seriousness, the classes are geared toward aspiring actors of all ages and skill levels. Learn the many facets of acting craft, both monologue and scene work, including motivation, subtext, beats, blocking, stage business and given circumstances. Nervous because your memory isn’t great? Don’t worry, all classwork can either be memorized or read from a script!

The class culminates with a final performance at Center Stage Theater, so you’ll have the opportunity to really test your mettle in front of an audience! Class size is limited, so visit the Speaking of Stories website or call 805/963-0408 for more information.

-Miles Patton

La Primavera

Published on May 18, 2013 in Cultural Calendar, Datebook and Web Exclusives.

May 19, 5–10 p.m. La Primavera

Help kick off the 2013 Fiesta season as El Presidente Josiah Jenkins unveils the 2013 Fiesta poster and pin. Learn about the plans and events for this year’s Fiesta Celebration as you enjoy delectable food, Mariachi’s, a live band and dancing.

Viva la Fiesta with Tony Ybarra!

Published on May 18, 2013 in Cultural Calendar, Datebook, Music and Web Exclusives.

Tony Ybarra, courtesy of the musician

You won’t have to wait until July to move to the sweet sounds of Tony Ybarra because Fiesta has come early! Throughout the month of May, look out for the pre-sale of Ybarra’s sixth album, Fiesta!, releasing June 1st, and get into the swing of the Fiesta season.

Finding a space where the sounds of Ybarra’s Latin guitar haven’t resonated is challenging. From earning a Masters in Music at USC and teaching UCSB, Westmont and SBCC students to being frequently featured on The Tonight Show, Dexter and Turner Classic Movies (not to mention playing for President Obama and Oprah), Ybarra’s talent is unbeatable.

As the premier music maestrofor Old Spanish Days, happening July 31-August 4, we will have the chance to see him live at the Santa Barbara Mission, Rancho La Patera and Stow House, Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara Historical Museum and El Paseo from Thursday to Sunday. Viva la Fiesta!

—Colette Taylor

Mahler’s Resurrection

Published on May 17, 2013 in Cultural Calendar, Datebook, Music, Music and Web Exclusives.

May 18–19 Mahler’s Resurrection

What better way to end Santa Barbara Symphony’s 60^th-anniversary season than with a piece written for orchestra, mixed choir, two soloists, an organ, brass and percussion ensembles? Add Santa Barbara Choral Society and a number of other gifted singers, and this symphonic experience shouldn’t be missed.

That’s A Wrap! SBCC Closes Two Exhibitions

Published on May 16, 2013 in Cultural Calendar, Datebook, Galleries and Web Exclusives.

With summer fast approaching, chapters are closing for many students (cue “Pomp and Circumstance”)—including several artists from Santa Barbara City College. But before the 2012-13 school year is all said and done, don’t miss out on two amazing student exhibitions at SBCC’s Atkinson Gallery and Atkinson Gallery Annex before they close this Friday, May 17.

Atkinson Gallery, courtesy of SBCC

The Atkinson Gallery showcases six Annual Student Exhibitions of contemporary art each year, featuring a wide range of styles and media created by international, national, regional and student artists. Because talent is overflowing at this school, the gallery’s Annex, located on-campus in a satellite location, also hosts student exhibitions. You’ll be impressed with Erosion/Corosion, the current exhibition in which students have taken their personal interpretation, inspiration and research to deliver works that reflect the deterioration of physical substances, natural and synthetic.

For more information and for a list of featured artists, click here.

—Colette Taylor

The Violet Hour

Published on May 16, 2013 in Cultural Calendar, Dance, Datebook and Web Exclusives.

May 17, 8 p.m. The Violet Hour

Le Petite Chouette Aerial Dance Company debuts its study of human bodies in flight with The Violet Hour at Lobero. The aerial exploration uses both classic and invented aerial apparatus where performers suspend their libs to a melodic jazz soundtrack. This is an evening of floor to air storytelling and is definitely not to be missed!

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend With SCAPE

Published on May 16, 2013 in Cultural Calendar, Datebook, Fine Art, Music, Music, nonprofits and Web Exclusives.

Larry Iwerks playing at 2012 Art Along the Creek – the backdrop is an original Iwerks on cardboard. Courtesy of Art Along the Creek.

This Memorial Day, celebrate your relaxing three-day weekend with arts, nature and music. From May 25–27, Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment (SCAPE) presents “Art Along the Creek,” its Sixth Annual Art & Music Festival to benefit Phoenix of Santa Barbara.

Take part in the celebration of SCAPE’s 11th anniversary by coming to this annual art show and sale along Mission Creek. View and purchase beautiful paintings by SCAPE artists, who donate 40% of each sale to SCAPE’s creek habitat restoration program and to Phoenix of Santa Barbara, a nonprofit mental health agency. Some of these talented artists include Marcia Burtt, Don Crocker, Larry Iwerks, Dorene White, Leigh Sparks, John Rindlaub, Wyllis Heaton, Nancy Davidson, Donna Moser, Filberto Lomeli, Cynthia Burt, Bob Rowley and Rebecca Stebbins. While perusing their beautiful artwork, enjoy live music performances from local bands who will play throughout the weekend: Glendessary Jam; Larrry and the Ocean All-Stars; Greg Harrison’s Cool & The Twang; Anastasia; John Rindlaub and Friends; Doug Clegg; Chucumite; The Honeysuckle Possums; Susan Reeves and Sierra; and Greg Harrison and Anika.

The festival will take place at 37 Mountain Drive, Santa Barbara, on Saturday, May 25 from 2–6 p.m. and Sunday–Monday, May 26–27 from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. On Sunday from 2–4 p.m., don’t miss a very special reception honoring artist Larry Iwerks for his contributions to the Arts Community and the founding of SCAPE.

In its 11-year history, SCAPE has donated more than $125,000 to conservation and environmental nonprofits. For more information on the festival or to learn more about SCAPE, call 805/965-3434 or click here.

Note: This event is free for all ages and is dog friendly too!

-Ashley Somerfeld

Santa Barbara Symphony Ends Season on a High Note

Published on May 16, 2013 in Cultural Calendar, Music, Music, nonprofits and Web Exclusives.

This Saturday and Sunday, Santa Barbara Symphony ends its 60th Anniversary season on a high note with Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony. (The final note of the Symphony is actually more in the mid-range, but “ending on a mid-range note” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, nor would it adequately describe expectations of the Symphony’s final performance.)

For its season finale, Santa Barbara Symphony brings on famed guest vocal soloists Jennifer Black and Tamara Mumford to sing alongside Santa Barbara Choral Society and Quire of Voyces. Santa Barbara Choral Society is celebrating its 65th anniversary and 20 years of leadership under artistic director and conductor JoAnne Wasserman.

Courtesy of Santa Barbara Symphony

“Service to the community is the Symphony’s true mission and the spirit of our 60th Anniversary Season, and we are honored to celebrate in this signature collaboration with the Santa Barbara Choral Society,” said David Grossman, executive director of Santa Barbara Symphony. “We welcome our community to come and try something new and rare—a full-scale live musical event.”

Two performances of the “Resurrection” Symphony will take place, both in The Granada Theatre: Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. In addition, attendees are invited to “Behind the Music,” a pre-concert talk which begins an hour before the program. If you appreciate the music but want to learn more about the history or subtle technicalities behind it, then “Behind the Music” is for you. If you can’t make it early, don’t worry—the concert itself will assuredly impress on its own.

-Miles Patton

America Martin Embodies the Women of America

Published on May 15, 2013 in Cultural Calendar, Datebook and Web Exclusives.

One of America Martin’s “Women of America” pieces, courtesy of Elizabeth Gordon Gallery.

Inspired at age nine by a book by Van Gogh, America Martin has since developed a bold, expressive style with a keen understanding of the human form, making her somewhat of a Columbian-American Picasso. While some of her works decorate the homes of actors Danny DeVito, Kirsten Dunst, Ted Danson, Juliette Lewis, Simon Helberg and Giovanni Ribisi, the Montecito Aesthetic Institute is displaying a solo exhibition of her work in conjunction with Elizabeth Gordon Gallery from May 16–July 31, entitled Women of America.

Moved by “joy, vigor, boldness and dignity,” America uses acrylics, oil, oil sticks and charcoal to create increasingly sought-after portraits in addition to her signature aluminum wall sculptures. Don’t miss out on this exhibit or this artist, who continues to gain recognition and critical acclaim.

Be a part of the exhibit opening from 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m. on May 16 and enjoy tasty refreshments and hors d’oeuvres with the artist!

—Colette Taylor

PostPost: Where Are We Now?

Published on May 15, 2013 in Cultural Calendar, Datebook, Education, Fine Art and Web Exclusives.

May 16, 5 p.m. PostPost: Where Are We Now?

As cultural movements centered on identity politics, gender politics and post modernism behind us, what will be the next era of art? Or is there even a name for the artistic movement we are currently in? In this Sessions, Rita Gonzales, associate curator of Los Angeles County Museum of Art, discusses the future of art and categorizing art movements.

Archive for the 'Cultural Calendar' Category

Journey to Stardom with Acting Fundamentals Course