FestForums Fun

The sixth annual FestForums, which serves the festival industry from ticketing, sponsorship, programming, sustainability, and marketing, hosted a boffo bash at MOXI for 300 guests to mark the launch of the two-day event in Santa Barbara.

“It’s beyond my wildest dreams,” said Laurie Kirby, co-founder and president. “It is a magical event and the first one in three years, given the pandemic restrictions.”

After cocktails on the main floor with Brazilian guitarist Benise entertaining with flamenco and ballet dancers, the action moved to the roof with a night on the tiles with Skip Martin, lead singer of the rock group Kool & the Gang. In the past, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, and Jon Anderson have graced the fest’s stages.

The festival attracted more than 1,000 visitors over 48 hours with venues including the Lobero, the Music Academy, and La Lieff Tasting Room in the Funk Zone.

The Get Together concert at the historic Lobero Theatre featured Jesse Colin Young and his daughter Jazzie, as well as Chris Stills, son of rocker Stephen Stills.