Celebrating Local Life and Culture
An impressive collection of top chefs and restaurants in Santa Barbara come together to help efforts to eliminate childhood hunger in our community. Guests will enjoy tastings from an array of wines and special dishes prepared by more than 25 of Santa Barbara’s top restaurants.
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.
Speaking of Stories presents a stew of spicy new stories by Nora Ephron, T.C. Boyle, Alice Walker and David Rakoff. Join the performers on the patio after the show for milk and cookies.
UCSB Arts & Lectures concludes its second ART | ARCHITECTURE ON FILM series with a screening of Murray Grigor’s Infinite Space: The Architecture of John Lautner, a documentary that traces the lifelong quest of visionary genius John Lautner to create “architecture that has no beginning and no end.”
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
Reeves Ranch 2008 Syrah (courtesy photo)
Looking for a fun way to spend your Sunday? Taste of the Nation is your chance to taste delicious bites from some of the city’s top chefs alongside sample sips from more than 25 local wineries and breweries, all while supporting the worthy work of United Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, California Food Policy Advocates and California Association of Foodbanks.
Cheers to local winemakers Alma Rosa,Ampelos Cellars, Beckmen Vineyards, Brander Vineyard,Buttonwood Farm Winery, Carr Vineyards & Winery, Conway Family Wines, CORE Winery, Consilience & Tre Anelli, Demetria Estate, Dierberg and Star Lane Vineyard, Dragonette Cellars, Kaena Wine Company, Larner Vineyards, Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards, Municipal WinemakersNaked Grape, Oreana Winery, Pali Wine Company, Press Gang Cellars, Qupe/Verdad/Ethan, Reeves Ranch Vineyard, Scott Cellars, Shai Cellars, Tercero Wines, Vino V Wines and Whitcraft Winery, who are pouring for this terrific cause, alongside Island Brewing Company,Figueroa Moutain Brewery and Firestone Walker Brewery.
Island Brewing Company’s Island Blonde (courtesy photo)
There’ll also be food aplenty, including Arlington Tavern chef Ron True’s Kobe hot dog bites with house chips and peanut butter cheesecake (yum!) and Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore chef Alessandro Cartumini’s house-made pork sausage ravioli with cherries, sage and balsamic, as well as our favorite chocolate creations from Jessica Foster Confections, to name just a few.
With 100% of the proceeds from Taste of the Nation going toward efforts to end childhood hunger in Santa Barbara, you can raise your glass—and pile your plate—high, and feel good about it.
Tickets for the event, which is this Sunday from 3–6 p.m. at Montecito Country Club, can be purchased by calling 1-877-26-TASTE or visiting TasteOfTheNation.org.
Hope to see you there! Cheers!
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Leslie Dinaberg
When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”
Courtesy of crazyfitchallenge.com
Santa Barbara has many festivals, sports events, bike races and marathons, but it only has one obstacle course race: the Crazy Fit Challenge (CFC)! This year’s Crazy Fit Challenge is on May 18, from 9 a.m. to noon at Elings Park.
The CFC is a 1.5-mile obstacle mud-run race that is designed to challenge both competitive athletes and fitness newbies alike. Obstacles are revealed the morning of, but have included climbing walls, tire flips and even slip ‘n’ slides in the past.
Yes, the challenge is competitive—but it’s only as hard as you make it! You can walk or run and complete the course once or repeat it up to four times. SB Training has been hosting the CFC for 5 years now, and the challenge has become known as the most fun race in town.
Courtesy of Crazy Fit Challenge
Courtesy of Crazy Fit Challenge
After the race, there will be a BBQ for all participants while awards are announced. So, how do you win this race? There are two ways to win. You can either have the biggest team to finish at least one lap or the fastest team to finish the four rounds.
Anyone can participate, but it is an especially great event for businesses! So, hurry! Gather a team of friends or co-workers and start practicing because the Crazy Fit Challenge is going to kick your booty!
For more information on CFC or to register for the challenge, visit the event website.
-Alexis O. Kafkis
Learn to paint under the influence of artists from Mexico, Cuba and South America—strong, bold and linear to loose, sketchy and organic. Learn to approach quick studies with spontaneity and push through creative limitations by creating a journal.
This 24-hour team event increases awareness of cancer in the community and raises money to support the programs and services of the American Cancer Society. The money raised saves lives by funding cutting-edge cancer research, early detection and prevention education, advocacy efforts and life-affirming patient services.
What better way to end Santa Barbara Symphony’s 60th-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.
