Through July 8 Headgear for Tony 
Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum (CAF) presents the work of MFA artists from UCSB’s Department of Art graduate program featuring works by Tim Brown, Jared Flores, Emily Halbardier, Bessie Kunath, Jae Lee, Nick Loewen, Ruby Osorio, Rimas Simaitis and Van Tran. Also on view is Sundowner, a Bloom Projects exhibition by Susanna Vapnek. Influenced by the Tea Fire, Vapnek’s paintings reflect the apocalyptic feeling of the area’s fire season.
Through August 12 Scenery, Story, Spirit: American Painting and Sculpture from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Through August 12 Behind the Wheel
Through August 17 Santa Barbara Printmakers 19th Annual Juried Exhibition
Works by local artists are on view for this annual competition put on by Santa Barbara County Arts Commission. Juried this year by distinguished printmaker Paul Mullowney, who received his training at Crown Point Press in San Francisco where he became master printer in the early nineties, working with top artists such as John Cage, Richard Diebenkorn and Francesco Clemente. Mullowney founded Tokugenji Press in Nara, Japan and was founding director of HuiPress in Maui, Hawaii, where he collaborated with Sandow Birk, Swoon, Judy Pfaff, Joyce Kozloff, Robert Kushner, Artemio Rodriguez and others.
Through August 2012 Open Dialogue Summer Salon Series
Support The Arts Fund through a series of events that embody its spirit and mission by bringing art lovers and creative minds together in distinctive venues. For more information, visit
June 1, 4 p.m. KJEE Summer Round Up
Silversun Pickups, Garbage, the Naked and Famous
June 1, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Housing: The Next Frontier
The Coastal Housing Commission is hosting a conference to discus ways to ensure that Santa Barbara workers and their families will have access to affordable housing. Click here for more information.
June 1, 8 p.m. Family Flick Night: Puss in Boots
Bring the whole family out to see a free movie at La Cumbre Plaza! You’ll need your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and favorite snacks for this free showing of Puss in Boots.
June 1-3 Startup Weekend
Startup Weekend is an intense 54 hour event which focuses on building a web or mobile application which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend. The weekend brings together people with different skill sets – primarily software developers, graphic, web and user experience designers, and business people – to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.
June 1–3 Seussical
Big Stage Productions presents a fantastical, magical music extravaganza that brings favorite Dr. Seuss characters to life.
June 2 – September 2 Team Work: Horses and Mules on the Job
The Ventura County Agriculture Museum exhibits rare photographs and historical written/oral accounts of a time before automobiles ruled the streets, when it was up to the horses and mules of the county to get the job done. See how these four-legged animals drove the industries of agriculture, oil, and railroads before our present-day technology.
June 2, 2-6 p.m. Santa Barbara Zoo’s Annual Zoo Brew
Featuring unlimited tastings from more than 20 breweries, a commemorative tasting glass and special animal encounters, this event keeps you entertained.
June 2, 7 p.m. Anjelah Johnson
Comedienne Anjelah Johnson became an internet sensation with her viral video “Nail Salon,” was a series regular on MADtv and spawned another hit, “Bon Qui Qui.”
June 2, 8 p.m. Vox Lumiere, Phantom of the Opera 
The Granada transforms into the world’s most famous opera house as Vox Lumiere dares to unmask the secrets of the Phantom, where rock concert comes together with theater and classic silent film for a spellbinding performance of modern theatrical magic.
June 2–September 16 Portrayal/Betrayal
Exploring the endlessly interesting terrain of the portrait, more than 100 photographs reveal an infinite range of human complexities and contradictory states of heart and mind. The exhibition is presented in nine themes, including basic portraiture (Clarence Sinclair Bull’s Greta Garbo in “Mata Hari,” 1931), environmental (Morris Camhi’s Young Man with Union Brochure, Farmworkers, 1972) and documentary (Irving Penn’s Balloon Seller, Paris (Marchande de Ballons, Paris), 1950).
June 3 People Portrait Studio, Sundays on the Steps at Santa Barbara Museum of Art
June 3, 2–5 p.m. Celebrating Paradise Saved
During Environmental Defense Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year, enjoy an afternoon at the historic Stow House indulging in hors d’oeuvres, wine, music, auctions and a short program featuring the presentation of EDC’s ENVI Award.
June 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Family Celebration Day
Enjoy a fun-filled Sunday with Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, featuring a worship ceremony at 10 a.m. followed by a barbecue at noon and a jazz classics concert at 3 p.m.
June 6, 11:30-1:30 p.m. 2012 Women of Achievement Awards: From Breaking News to Awakening the Muse
AWC-SB will once again honor two women who have touched many local lives with their communication skills, one very publicly and the other in a quieter but no less powerful way. From Breaking News to Awakening the Muse is the theme for the 2012 Women of Achievement Awards,honoring award-winning anchorwoman Paula Lopez and poetry therapist Perie Longo.
June 7-September 2 Sidney Gordon: Just Put it Together
An homage to collages, Just Put it Together showcases the process and detail that goes into combining different elements into artful pieces. Sidney Gordon’s half-century of process-oriented artwork will be on display, from his early Abstract Expressionist period to his wooden pieces to his Bay Area collection.
June 7, 5-8 p.m. Double Feature/Double Parked
Santa Barbara Museum of Art becomes an unconventional theater/screening room as both live and filmed performances roll out in the back plaza. From 5–8 p.m., take a spin through the Behind the Wheel exhibition, and then hitch a ride with the accommodating actors appearing in car theater, where three original plays short are performed in an actual automobile, with actors and audience sharing the imaginary road trips. At 8 p.m., the back plaza becomes a summer screening room for American Graffiti.
June 7, 7 p.m. Cindy Derby, Edward’s House of String
Contemporary Arts Forum welcomes LA-based artist Cindy Derby to the Forum Lounge, where she combines a mix of stop-motion animation, intricate puppetry and handcrafted scenic elements to create an existential narrative told through the perspective of Edward the skeleton.
June 7–10 Ojai Music Festival
The renowned Ojai Music Festival brings together a community of artists in residence for a journey of adventurous music making and discovery with an engaged audience. Held in locations throughout Ojai, the 66th annual festival explores the musical interests and celebrates the artistic collaborations of music director Leif Ove Andsnes, one of today’s foremost pianists.
June 8, 8 p.m. Family Flick Night: The Muppets
Bring the whole family out to see a free movie at La Cumbre Plaza! You’ll need your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and favorite snacks for this free showing of The Muppets.
June 9-August 19 Featured Creatures Exhibit
Animals are the Featured Creatures in the Museum of Ventura County’s summer exhibition. This look at wildlife represented in the museum’s collection includes rarely seen specimens from a tradition in which museums displayed taxidermied animals as examples of local fauna. Making their appearance again are a black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, and fox, as well as birds as big as the California Condor and as small as the Hooded Oriole. The mounted animals are paired with art and artifacts relating to California’s wildlife.
June 9, 1-4 p.m. Los Olivos Jazz and Olive Fest
This deliciously creative festival brings together new and notable performers on the jazz scene, along with 27 local wineries offering tastings and 30 amateur chefs competing in the “Olive in the Kitchen” cook-off while providing samples to guests. Olive vendors offer olive oil and other olive-related products.
June 9, 6:30 p.m. Chickenfoot, Black Stone Cherry
Expect a hard-rocking night with Chickenfoot, featuring guitarist Joe Satriani, drummer Kenny Aronoff and former Van Halen members Michael Anthony on bass and lead singer frontman Sammy Hagar.
June 9th Solstice Tennis Tournament
Although the Solstice Celebration Weekend isn’t until the end of June, come get into the “swing” of the solstice season at the SB Tennis Club’s Solstice Tennis Tournament.
June 9–14 40th Annual Santa Barbara Writers Conference
Since 1972, SBWC has given its writers an oasis of time, place and focus needed to hone their craft, confab with other writers and connect their work with agents and publishers. The conference offers classes in every imaginable genre, as well as the business side of writing. Guest speakers include Fannie Flagg, Dorothy Allison, Gar Anthony Haywood, Miles Corwin and Christopher Buckley.
June 9, 10 a.m.- 12 noon Children’s Art Class
Emily Falke, Curator and Director of Exhibits at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, will be teaching a series of art classes for children this summer. Call Emily at 805/962-8404 x111 for more information.
June 10 Pooch Portrait Studio, Sundays on the Steps at Santa Barbara Museum of Art
June 10 Dias de las Comidas
Three community restaurants—Carlitos Café y Cantina in Santa Barbara, Cava Restaurant & Bar in Montecito and Dos Carlitos Restaurant & Tequila Bar in Santa Ynez—will donate a portion of the proceeds to Hospice of Santa Barbara. Show your support simply by dining at one of these establishments on Dias de las Comidas. Carlitos Café y Cantina, 1324 State St., Santa Barbara; Cava Restaurant & Bar, 1212 Coast Village Rd., Montecito; Dos Carlitos Restaurant & Tequila Bar, 3544 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez.
June 14–July 1 Black Pearl Sings!
Ensemble Theatre Company presents Frank Higgins’ heartfelt play, which tells the story of a song collector for the Library of Congress who travels the country seeking little-known melodies and encounters Pearl in a Texas prison, where she discovers dozens of musical treasures in the African tradition. Together, the two women form a bond that transcends race, class and culture.
June 15–17 Live Oak Music Festival 
A great way to kick off summer, this three-day concert and camping event held every year on Fathers’ Day weekend features the Grammy Award-winning Indigo Girls and more than 15 other main stage acts that represent genres ranging from folk, blues and bluegrass to zydeco, Latin, jazz and even Chinese classical music. Additional performers include Rebirth Brass Band, Carolyn Wonderland, John Doe and James McMurtry.
June 15, 8 p.m. Family Flick Night: Back to the Future
Bring the whole family out to see a free movie at La Cumbre Plaza! You’ll need your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and favorite snacks for this free showing of Back to the Future. The kids will love this classic eighties flick and you’ll remember why you fell in love with Marty McFly all those years ago.
June 16 Summer Solstice India House Dinner
Come show your support with other lovers of the Solstice Festival with dinner at the renowned India House.
June 16, 8 p.m. Sings Like Hell: An Evening With Rodney Crowell & Mary Karr
Grammy Award winner Rodney Crowell and New York Times bestselling author Mary Karr play selections from their new album collaboration KIN. Crowell says, “I called out to her in the darkness because she was a bonafide poet I knew could write songs, and despite her professor’s pedigree, she’d ridden a bike in a mosquito truck’s fog.” Karr’s response: “An outlaw pedigree isn’t always a disadvantage for a poet…this record’s about everybody.” Indeed, given that the record features recordings by Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones, Vince Gill and Kris Kristofferson, among others, we can’t wait to see what this duo does onstage.
June 16, 8:00 p.m. Twist & Shout 
Twist & Shout is the definitive Beatles experience played by brilliant musicians with an inherent understanding of why The Beatles will forever be the most beloved and respected rock band in history. Beginning with the early hits, colored with film clips from the 60’s, Twist & Shout will immerse you in a complete experience from a band that look and sound like the real deal, without smoke and mirrors (or pre-recorded tracks). By the time they hit Abbey Road you’ll be completely in awe.
June 17, 3:30 p.m. Music at Trinity
This musical fireworks concert dazzles with a program featuring Willi Rose on piano, David A. Gell on organ and piano, and LUX, the women’s a capella vocal group directed by Jane Hahn.
June 18–August 11 Music Academy of the West Summer Festival
Each June, 140 gifted young classical singers and instrumentalists, selected entirely for their talent, gather for eight weeks in Santa Barbara to study and make music with illustrious guest artists, conductors, and faculty, to the delight of participating audiences.
June 20-24 Lompoc Flower Festival
Come to this festival and enjoy the Arts and Crafts Show, eat at our delicious Food Booths, visit the Commercial Center and listen to all the great musical talent this festival has to offer!
June 21 Fiesta Ranchera
Kick off the Fiesta festivities early with a festive evening of fun, food, music and dancing. Stroll the beautiful historical gardens of Rancho La Patera and Stow House to sample food from local restaurants, with award-winning local wineries and bars also on-site. Enjoy performances by Spanish guitarist Tony Ybarra, Junior Spirit and Spirit of Fiesta. End the evening with dancing under the stars to popular local cover band Area 51.
June 22-24 Summer Solstice Festival and Parade
Join thousands of visitors as they celebrate the longest day of the year with live bands, theatrical entertainment, craft and food vendors, a drum circle and kids’ activities. The 38th annual Solstice festivities kick off with a Friday evening event at Alameda Park followed by the extravagant and whimsical parade (the theme for 2012 is “Fantasy”) on Saturday afternoon and more festivities on Sunday.
June 23, 8 p.m. Local Writers in the Round
Trinity Backstage features a lineup of local songwriters who donate their talents for this fundraiser to benefit Trinity Church, the venue that has generously hosted this intimate acoustic concert series for the past ten years.
June 23–24 VP Components Dirt Club Enduro
This two-day event offers an exciting test of speed, skill and endurance for mountain bike enthusiasts of all levels, with more than $15,000 in prizes and cash. Loosely based on WRC Auto Rally and European MTB enduros, this event features predominantly downhill timed special stages linked together by non-timed liaison stages. Each rider completes the courses on the same bike without shuttles or lifts, riding along through checkpoints to the start of each timed special stage. Held at The Dirt Club near Los Olivos, a private location for mountain biking enthusiasts to enjoy their sport in a safe location completely removed from other trail users.
June 28-August 23 Free Concerts at Chase Palm Park
June 28, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Speed Dating
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is hosting a night of speed dating for single people over the age of 25. Don’t miss this chance to meet your match! For more information, call Emily at 805/962-8404 x111. To sign up, call 805/962-8404 x115.
June 29–July 9 Semana Nautica Summer Sports Festival
Dedicated to promoting athletic and recreational activity within all ages and abilities, the nonprofit group Semana Nautica hosts its 75th annual event this year. Some of the sports include swimming, volleyball, fishing, inline hockey and the unforgettable Krazy Kardboard Kayak race. Join in the action or come out to support the competitors.
June 30, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Carpinteria Museum Marketplace
Explore the grounds of Carpinteria Valley Museum of History as vendors offer antiques, vintage clothing, rare books and more. It’s the perfect opportunity to shop while supporting the museum. Also July 28 and August 25.
June 30, 2–5 p.m. Wine Festival
Spend an afternoon sampling delectable delights paired with wines from Central Coast premier wineries. Proceeds benefit the museum’s exhibits and science education programs for school children.
June 30, 6:30 p.m. Ben Harper, Fitz & The Tantrums
Whether through the soul of southern Gospel, 70s funk, blues, reggae or straightforward rock and roll, Harper and his trademark Weissenborn guitar are guaranteed to stun audiences with incendiary live performances and timeless songwriting.
June 30–September Wesley Anderegg: The Escape Artist
Wesley Anderegg’s sculptures, on view at Elverhøj Museum in Solvang, speak of everyday life and society in imaginary ways through which people connect to the real world. His art embodies the archetypal struggle between mind and matter, reason and fear, giving an expression to the human condition. “I have always been a people watcher,” says Anderegg, a resident of the San Ynez area. “In the first grade, I did not play with the other kids. I stood back and watched. And I have been watching ever since.”
