Celebrating Local Life and Culture
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!
An entire year of preparation will soon come to fruition as La Petite Chouette Aerial Dance Company debuts The Violet Hour, its stunning portrait of bodies in flight. On Friday, May 17, this troupe of high-flying dancers will take to the air inside the Lobero Theatre, where it intends to explore the art of romance from the lofty shadows of uncertainty.
La Petite Chouette Aerial Dance Company in action. Image courtesy of the Santa Barbara Centre for Aerial Arts.
Under the direction of Ninette Paloma and presented in three separate phases, this elegant yet exhilarating production guarantees to send spectators’ jaws to the floor while company members ascend to the ceiling, contorting their bodies and suspending their limbs in reflection and celebration of life.
A soundtrack of smooth, sensuous jazz will further enliven La Petite Chouette’s poetic journey toward self-revelation, wherein performers use classic aerial apparatuses such as static trapeze, lyra and corde lisse, as well as newfangled aerial frames and kites, to literally dance on air.
After the show, VIP ticket holders will not want to miss a swanky soiree in the Lobero’s outdoor courtyard, where they can join Paloma and the cast of The Violet Hour for wine, hors d’oeuvres and a jazz set by Al Reese. This evening of full-fledged acrobatic storytelling kicks off at 7 p.m., and those interested in attending can purchase tickets here.
-James Moore
Courtesy of SB Downtown Organization
May is potentially my favorite month of the year (and my mother’s as well, not surprisingly). Santa Barbara’s cultural scene awakes from its pre-summer slumber—bringing back festival season with I Madonnari, can you say visitors galore?—and stays up late with the lingering sunshine, especially for 1st Thursday. For May 2nd’s evening of culture and art, taking place from 5–8 p.m., we’re celebrating the best modes of transportation for getting around town and seeing everything that Santa Barbara has to offer—a sampling of which can be experienced this 1st Thursday.
Art abounds during May’s 1st Thursday, with some big-name galleries switching out their exhibits. Sullivan Goss—An American Gallery brings in a family affair with the Andrew Wyeth: American Master exhibit, showcasing three generations of Wyeth paintings—you won’t want to miss this one. Photographer Grif Heath exhibits his stunning nature photography at Industry Home, while landscape artist John Baran‘s perspective paintings bring color and light to Plum Goods. FastFrame Santa Barbara brings the beauties of Boisen to its walls with glimmering oil paintings. Art Walk for Kids/Adults opens its annual art show at Faulkner Gallery this Thursday, displaying gorgeous works by adults and children with disabilities for the whole month of May.
This month, the Lobero Theatre takes part in the 1st Thursday celebrations with live music, a bar on the bricks and a raffle drawing as part of its Encore: Lobero raffle. Tickets are still available for the raffle, so head here to grab your share before Thursday and support the Lobero’s renovation coming up this summer! We’re all very excited to see what the Lobero has in store.
Fashion busts new moves this month, with Paseo Nuevo celebrating all things two-wheeled with their CycleMAYnia: Velo Vogue bicycle fashion show— with live music from Sidewalk Affair and brews from Hoffmann Brat Haus and Telegraph Brewing Company. Encanto in La Arcada melds music and couture musings with jewelry designer Erin Reinecke’s trunk show, showcasing her Erin Reinecke Bailant Jewelry, and the melodies of the Blue Moon Quartet. Or, go vintage by busting out your high-school finest and joining Bike Moves at Bike Prom, with a ride along State St. at 7:30 p.m. and an after-party at Bicycle Coalition at 9:15 p.m.
Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum brings Lisa Coons & the Collected to the stage, performing several contemporary violin and cello works starts at 7 p.m.
Leave the sights and sounds inside and travel where the outdoor performances reside. Quire of Voyces belts a capella choral music from the Renaissance and modern age outside Santa Barbara Museum of Art. The museum steps serve as a stage for Rebekah Scogin and Friends, with Latin American dance tunes from guitar, percussion, oboe and accordion players coaxing passersby into dancing some cumbia, merengue or tango steps. Further down State, ArtBark International brings theater, dance, music, magic and improv performances to the Marshall’s courtyard.
After the excitement on State, skate, bike, walk or drive (responsibly) to the new Seven Bar & Kitchen in the Funk Zone, where DJ Darla Bea will be spinning some funky 70s tunes amidst infused-vodka cocktails and grub.
No matter how you arrive to this week’s 1st Thursday, celebrate our town’s travel and local transportation efforts and abilities by spending an evening doused in the culture and arts that make Santa Barbara such a unique place. Check out a full list of happenings here.
-Taylor Micaela Davis
Courtesy of Lobero Theatre
Show your love for Lobero Theatre! All Santa Barbara residents should be proud to have the oldest continuously running live-performance venue, but it needs your help! Get your raffle tickets today to support the Encore: Lobero renovation and preservation campaign and for the chance to win some big prizes.
Some of the great prizes available are:
For the full list of prizes and more information on Encore: Lobero, visit the campaign website.
Good luck Lobero!
-Alexis O. Kafkis
Photo courtesy of The Alliance for Living and Dying Well
Accepting and planning for the final stages of life is often a topic we tend to avoid, but with The Alliance for Living and Dying Well, we have a chance to learn and discover more. From May 9 through May 12 at Lobero Theatre, ALDW is offering a unique event that explores this heart-rending topic with humanity, humor and intelligence in the original play Unfinished Business.
Continue reading ‘Be A Part of Unfinished Business’
Courtesy of State Street Ballet
When you hear the word “ballet”, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Chances are it probably isn’t rock ‘n’ roll. Well, prepare to have your mind blown when choreographer Peter Pucci and State Street Ballet present an exciting new ballet set to the music of the legendary Paul Simon entitled Dream On By.
Photo courtesy of Old Crow Medicine Show
Whether you know them from their single “Wagon Wheel” or from their humble beginnings as street performers in New York, Old Crow Medicine Show is bringing their old-time folk sound to Lobero Theatre on April 28 for a show you won’t want to miss.
Since the band was discovered by Doc Watson almost 15 years ago playing in front of a pharmacy, they have toured the world, recorded four albums, sold over 800,000 copies and played at festivals like Bonnaroo, Coachella and the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. So whether you’re looking to get down or for a hoedown throw-down, come check out Old Crow Medicine Show to see what all the buzz is about. For tickets or more information, call 888/456-2376 or visit the website.
—Colette Taylor
Hear the drama of 19th-century music this Tuesday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. as Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra (SBCO) performs in honor of those whom they call “The Romantic Germans.” Naturally, Felix Mendelssohn and Johannes Brahms headline!
Violinist Kyoko Takezawa, courtesy of Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra
SBCO will open with Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony, a four-movement piece inspired by the composer’s exploration of Edinburgh in 1829. In true spirit of the Romantic Era, this grand symphony embraces extreme drama, reaching joyous highs and tenuous lows, and finds uniqueness through themes reminiscent of Scottish folk music.
The concert will close with Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major, one of his most dynamic and engaging works. Brahms, known for his meticulous perfectionism, composed only one violin concerto, which is often hailed as one of the best ever written. SBCO features violin soloist Kyoko Takezawa, who tackles this famously difficult piece with aplomb. Don’t miss out on this celebration of The Romantic Germans! The concert takes place at Lobero Theatre; buy tickets online and click here for full program notes.
—Chelsea Joy
Courtesy of Lobero Theatre
András Schiff is a modern musical master, and the next best thing to seeing Bach himself. Luckily, Santa Barbara residents have the opportunity to see pro pianist András Schiff perform Bach’s complete English Suites, BWV 806-811 on Friday, April 19 at 8 p.m. at Lobero Theatre as part of CAMA‘s Masterseries. The concert is part of Schiff’s 2012-2013 Bach Project Tour and a musical must-see of the season.
New York Times writes, “There is nothing more reliable in the world of classical music today than pianist András Schiff playing Bach.” Continue reading ‘András Schiff Perfects Bach at Lobero’
Courtesy of UCSB Arts & Lectures
There is no business like show business! And no one knows show business better than legendary leading lady Barbara Cook, who will perform on April 10 at 8 p.m. at the Lobero Theatre.
Since her time as a broadway star during the heyday of the musical, Cook has transcended theater performance and began a music recording career, taking her around the globe. During her visit to Santa Barbara, she will perform an intimate concert titled “Let’s Fall in Love” as part of UCSB’s Arts & Lectures series.
Cook’s career in musical performance has earned her a mantle of awards including a Tony, Grammy and induction into the American Theatre Hall of Fame. Continue reading ‘Come Dance With Broadway Star Barbara Cook’
