The Profant Party Returns for its 25th Anniversary

It’s Fiesta time again in Santa Barbara! Old Spanish Days is celebrating its 100th year – a Century of tradition! – embraced in a rainbow of colors, sights, and sounds. Brightly colored ruffles rim necklines and hems of the traditional Spanish dress, fluttering fans, the strum of guitars and clicking castanets are all reminders that mid-summer is the city’s special time to celebrate its Spanish heritage. Flakes of confetti will rain down upon the celebrants ogling the the Fiesta Parade, the highlight of the week, as its dancers, equestrians, and dignitaries ride along Cabrillo Boulevard amid the crunch of broken eggshells. Serving as Grand Marshalls of the weeklong 100th Anniversary celebration is radio personality Catherine Remak and 1976 El Presidente Rudy Castillo. The 2024 Old Spanish Days extends from July 27th to August 4th… with cheers of ‘Viva La Fiesta’ from all!

As Old Spanish Days week nears its end, the last event is the Fiesta Finale Gala, hosted by the John E. Profant Foundation for the Arts, and is held at the El Paseo Restaurant ‘where it all began’ long ago. Having attended many Fiesta Finale galas, it is my privilege to represent the late, great Lynda Millner in highlighting one of her favorite charities for the Montecito Journal. Millner’s introduction to the Profant family also took place ‘where it all began,’ upstairs at El Paseo, the location of her modeling business. The restaurant downstairs where Millner held fashion shows was also the location of the annual Fiesta Finale and where a 16-year-old Gil Rosas entertained the restaurant’s diners. Always the Fashionista herself, from that point on Millner judged the yearly costume contest at the Profant Foundation’s annual benefit, her most favorite gig of the year! The history behind the Profant party is a true representation of not only Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Day traditions but that of their own as well, now in its 25th year. 

The Profant Foundation for the Arts has a history spanning five generations and is deeply connected to the arts in Santa Barbara. The Profant story began almost a century ago when, in 1922, Dr. Henry Profant and his wife Mabel, both talented musicians, arrived in Santa Barbara to join Dr. William Sansum in founding the S.B. Medical Foundation known at the time as “The Clinic.’ During the early years Henry entertained his patients by playing the piano on house calls and claimed it was never clear to him which was more effective in promoting health – the music or the medicine! Mabel and Henry also entertained their dinner guests with classical music played on dual pianos and eventually their home became the Santa Barbara version of a ‘Salon’ where musicians and artists gathered regularly. Mabel and Henry also established the family’s interests in CAMA, helped to promote the Music Academy of the West, and hosted parties and musical events in the Santa Barbara Courthouse Gardens for Old Spanish Days, a legacy which continues to this day. 

In 1950 a young woman and her sister, visitors to the Santa Barbara Courthouse, heard a Docent describe the City’s annual Fiesta celebration as a romantic time during the first full moon of August, complete with parades and elegant parties. Lyn and her sister went to El Paseo, the heart of Fiesta activity, where a tall handsome young man asked her to dance. His training as a Jose Monero dancer and hers as a ballerina meant they were a spectacular pair on the dance floor. The young man was John Profant, the son of Mabel and Henry. Dancing with this lovely young woman changed the course of his life. The stars, and their shared interests in the arts, served to guide their future path together. Marie Profant, one of their four daughters, described her parent’s relationship, “My mother often told us that on their first date they went to a CAMA concert and on the ride home on Cabrillo Boulevard in the moonlight my father sang ‘La Vie en Rose’ to her with his beautiful voice … en français! Now how romantic is that?” Marie emphasized that it was a mutual love of the arts and their interest in creative pursuits that influenced their entire life as a couple, and as parents of their children. After establishing a home for his family and having completed a successful career at Northrup Aircraft, John’s dream was to pursue his own creative interests and establish a venue to give back to the artistic community from which he had gained so much. Sadly, this was not to be as he died shortly after retiring. His wife Lyn carried forth her husband’s vision by creating the John E. Profant Foundation for the Arts. As an educator, Lyn penned a mission to support developing visual and performance artists regardless of age or circumstance. As Co-founder Mignonne Profant explained, “We realize that life can often get in the way in the pursuit of our dreams. Our scholarship application has no age limits. Our recipients have ranged in age from 9 to 75!” 

In keeping with the Profant Foundation’s mission, this year’s Fiesta Finale will host an evening of amazing talent for the entertainment of the evening’s guests. Marisol Cabrera will present Escuela Bolera, a unique dance style with castanets, Argentinian soprano Camila Lima – who has performed in Europe, the Americas and venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Dorthy Chandler Pavilion – is returning with Chilean tenor Felipe Prado to perform popular operatic selections. Former NYC Ballet star Rachel Hutsell joins Eduard Sargsyan with excerpts from Don Quixote. Santa Barbara’s legendary Gil Rosas will be playing a 100-year-young classic on the piano and scholarship recipient, pianist Cainan Birchim, will make a cameo appearance. Crooner Dennis Diaz will sing of Spanish love and laughter and a special samba will showcase John Profant’s favorite dance. Finally, renowned performer Lakshmi Basile will be joined by the amazing Flamenco dancer from San Francisco, Mr. Aldo Ruiz, along with their musicians. For the first time this year’s Signature ‘Tableau Vivant,’ – Art Comes to Life – will be a 3D sculpture. Sounds like a spectacular evening! 

The Foundation’s mission continues in the capable hands of Lyn, her daughters, and the members of the Profant family. And in keeping with the contributions, the style and the dedication of Lynda Millner on behalf of the Foundation, this column is written in her honor. For almost a century the Profant family has promoted the arts and cultural heritage of Santa Barbara. The family looks forward to welcoming the Fiesta Finale guests at 5:30 pm on August 4th at the El Paseo Restaurant – where it all began!  

Visit https://profantfoundation.org/fiesta-finale for more information