Scholarship Showcase 
By Steven Libowitz   |   June 4, 2024

The Santa Barbara Music Club Scholarships – which regularly produces free concerts featuring professional and other classical musicians in town – has been awarding scholarships to instrumental and vocal music students from Santa Barbara County. The scholarships provide a measure of support, aid, and encouragement to students from local schools and teaching studios. The hope […]

Feeling ‘Footloose’
By Steven Libowitz   |   May 28, 2024

Although there’s only one degree of separation between Santa Barbara and Kevin Bacon, the star of the movie Footloose – soundtrack superstar Kenny Loggins, on the other hand, has lived in town for decades – neither will be involved in Lights Up! Theatre Company’s production of the stage musical this weekend. But what we do […]

 

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Operatic Tale of Two Cities
By Steven Libowitz   |   May 21, 2024

Normally at this time of year, UCSB Music’s voice program would either mount a full-scale opera or a collection of staged opera scenes, but for 2024, the show has morphed into an Opera Gala, which is not only a collaboration between the music and theater-dance departments, but also a tale of two cities as UCSB […]

Sounds at Sunstone: Singing ‘Out Loud’ for One805
By Steven Libowitz   |   May 21, 2024

Nashville-based singer-songwriter and recording artist Jordan Asher Huffman, who has been named One805’s 2024 Mental Wellness Ambassador and is lending his single “Out Loud” to serve as this year’s anthem for all One805LIVE! events, has been added to the all-star lineup put together by Steve Postell for the nonprofit’s afternoon bash at Sunstone Winery. Jordan […]

Valley Fever: Irish Harmonies and English Horn in Santa Ynez 
By Steven Libowitz   |   May 21, 2024

Celtic Woman returns to the Chumash Casino on their “20th Anniversary Tour,” marking the milestone since the ensemble rose to fame after their 2005 PBS concert special that was initially intended as a one-time-only event. But the response propelled their album to the top of Billboard’s World Music chart and a second album a year […]

Voices on Pointe
By Richard Mineards   |   May 21, 2024

State Street Ballet ended its latest season on a high note with Other Voices at the Lobero. It was a captivating blend showcasing the talents of choreographers who pushed boundaries, redefining the art of dance. A sweeping panorama of innovation. The productions were as thought provoking as they were entertaining. The show featured four short […]

Mom, Apple Pie, Chevrolet and … ‘Rhapsody in Blue’
By Steven Libowitz   |   May 14, 2024

It seems every orchestra and their third cousins are playing Rhapsody in Blue this season to mark the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s once-controversial 1924 musical composition that combined elements of classical music with jazz piano – billed back then as an Experiment in Modern Music. Our own Santa Barbara Symphony is no exception. But […]

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  • ‘Other Voices’ Make Their Move on State Street
    By Steven Libowitz   |   May 14, 2024

    State Street Ballet closes out its 2023-24 season with “Other Voices,” a contemporary rep program that takes a sharp turn from its last production, March’s tried-and-true classical ballet take on Cinderella. Aimed at exploring experimental idioms, “Other Voices,” which performs May 10-11 at the Lobero, showcases choreographers pushing ballet’s boundaries and the company dancers’ limits […]

    Singer Earns Top Honors
    By Scott Craig   |   May 7, 2024

    Ava Kimmel, a junior soprano who is majoring in vocal performance at Westmont, won the Adult Vocal Division of the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation competition on April 28 at the Music Academy. The foundation provides financial assistance to students of the performing arts and to support music educational outreach organizations in the Santa Barbara community. […]

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    Crazy for Kronos Quartet
    By Steven Libowitz   |   April 30, 2024

    Going back to its first concerts and recordings 50 years ago, Bay Area-based Kronos Quartet has made it a mission to revolutionize the string quartet as a living art form that not only sonically challenges the status quo but responds to the challenges of our era and issues. Dedicated to playing work almost exclusively by […]

    Crackerjack Klezmer from Krakauer
    By Steven Libowitz   |   April 30, 2024

    The musician was shredding on his solos, fingers flying all over the instrument as the notes emerged with spectacularly blazing speed. The player’s face contorted and his body bent and swayed as he soared up to high notes that seem to defy the instrument’s capabilities. A rock guitarist raging at a local club? No. It […]

    Titan-ing the Score
    By Richard Mineards   |   April 30, 2024

    Santa Barbara Symphony wrapped its 71st season on a high note at the Granada with Mahler Meets Klezmer: Titans of Sound. The concert, conducted by veteran maestro Nir Kabaretti, featured Grammy and Juno-nominated clarinet soloist, band leader and composer David Krakauer. The entertaining musical journey started with Mozart’s Overture to The Abduction from the Seraglio, […]

    Legends Slay on Stage
    By Richard Mineards   |   April 30, 2024

    UCSB Arts & Lectures packed the Arlington Theatre on two consecutive nights with jazz legend Herbie Hancock and a very different performance with drag queen RuPaul, who was promoting his new memoir The House of Hidden Meanings. Before 14 Grammy-Award-winner Hancock’s energized show with his extraordinarily talented quintet, a dinner was thrown at Villa & […]

    GLC Wins Spring Sing Bragging Rights
    By Scott Craig   |   April 23, 2024

    Westmont’s 63rd annual Spring Sing at the Santa Barbara Bowl on April 6 was filled with singing, dancing, acting, and hilarity. Students from each residence hall produced musical skits using the phrase “Out of Order” and competed for prizes and bragging rights.  Spring Sing is the college’s longest running tradition and involves more students than […]

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