Dancing Through the Ages
By Richard Mineards   |   October 17, 2023

New York’s century-old Martha Graham Dance Company gave a sensational kickoff to the UCSB Arts & Lectures dance series at the sold-out Granada. It was a fitting launch given Graham, who died in 1991, aged 96, attended Santa Barbara High School, graduating in 1913, after being editor of the school newspaper and captaining the girls’ […]

Gala Goes Green
By Richard Mineards   |   October 10, 2023

Santa Barbara’s Community Environmental Council hosted its annual Green Gala for more than 200 guests at its new 10,000-square-foot Environmental Hub on State Street, just a tiara’s toss from the Granada Theatre. The handsome property, formerly the home of the Unity Shoppe, underwent a major $3.5 million renovation, with the boffo bash, which brings together […]

 

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Opera ‘Carmen’ at You
By Richard Mineards   |   October 10, 2023

Opera Santa Barbara kicked off its 30th season on a particularly high note at the Granada when it staged Bizet’s 1875 masterpiece Carmen, the first time in seven years. The hugely entertaining three-hour, four-act show with Kostis Protopapas, general director, conducting, featured mezzo-soprano Sarah Saturnino, a Grand Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition, in […]

For the Love of Literacy
By Richard Mineards   |   October 10, 2023

Santa Barbara Education Foundation hosted its annual Love of Literacy lunch at the Rockwood Woman’s Club with a sold-out crowd of 200 raising more than $49,000 for the cause. The bibliophile bash, chaired by Tisha Ford, featured prolific author Thomas Sanchez, 79, a descendant of Spanish immigrants and Portuguese cattlemen, who has lived in Paris, […]

Heeger and Brown on Board
By Richard Mineards   |   October 10, 2023

Alan Heeger and Cynthia Brown have joined the board of directors of the Ensemble Theatre Company. These additions underscore the company’s commitment to advancing its mission and expanding its reach within the Santa Barbara community. Both bring a wealth of experience, diverse perspectives, and a shared passion for the arts. Welcome on board…

New SBF VP of Programs
By Richard Mineards   |   October 10, 2023

After an extensive national search, the Santa Barbara Foundation has appointed Elizabeth Thasiah as new vice president of programs. A longtime South Coast resident, Thasiah brings more than 15 years of relevant experience – most recently four years with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, where she ledkey strategies.  She served six years as division manager […]

The Creative Collier
By Richard Mineards   |   October 10, 2023

Five-time Grammy Award-winning music genius Jacob Collier, making his Santa Barbara debut, wowed the audience at Campbell Hall when USCB Arts & Lectures launched its 64th season. London-born Collier, 29, creates mesmerizing soundscapes using layered vocal tracks and sophisticated editing techniques. His multi-frame, multi-instrumental viral videos and impressive Grammy wins have earned him a devoted […]

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  • A Royal Rockin’ Time at One805LIVE!
    By Richard Mineards   |   October 3, 2023

    One805LIVE!, the organization founded in 2018 after the mudslides that devastated our rarefied enclave, is now By Royal Appointment! For the second consecutive year, Oscar winner Kevin Costner opened the gates of his 10.25-acre Carpinteria oceanside estate, just a tiara’s toss from his $145 million beach compound, which attracted a record 3,000 guests and raised […]

    A Golden Book
    By Richard Mineards   |   October 3, 2023

    To Chaucer’s, the bibliophile bastion in Loreto Plaza, to hear Chicago-based author Melanie Benjamin, 60, expound on her latest novel California Golden, about two sisters navigating the surf culture and tangled ties between mothers and daughters in the ‘60s. A prolific historical novelist, Benjamin wrote The Aviator’s Wife on Anne Morrow Lindbergh, which has been […]

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    Living Legends at the Granada
    By Richard Mineards   |   September 26, 2023

    The capacious stage of the venerable Granada Theatre, which hosts six resident companies, was socially gridlocked with more than 200 guests for the 7th annual Legends gala, appropriately enough emceed by the ubiquitous Andrew Firestone, whose parents Brooks and Kate Firestone were being lauded. The recipients also included the historic Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC), the […]

    The Beating Heart of New House
    By Richard Mineards   |   September 26, 2023

    A record crowd of 205 guests turned out for the 7th annual Heart of New House lunch at the Hilton, raising around $120,000 for the nonprofit which has helped men with drug and alcohol problems for the past 68 years. The charity, which has an annual budget of $1.2 million, has 100 residents in three […]

    Gerry on the Brush
    By Richard Mineards   |   September 26, 2023

    Fans of top American trial lawyer Gerry Spence, 94, got a rare chance to see his works of art at his 24-acre estate on Romero Canyon Road. Gerry, the author of 17 books, is a member of the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame and has never lost a criminal case before a jury as a […]

    A Grand Garden Opening for The Steward
    By Richard Mineards   |   September 26, 2023

    Our Eden by the Beach’s latest hotel, The Steward, is a charming and historical gem on nearly five acres with 87 one-bedroom suites. The Tribute Portfolio by Marriott, described as “a modern hideaway rooted in horticulture,” dates back to the 1860s when the charming Goleta estate was the Victorian home of pioneer horticulturist Joseph Sexton, […]

    A Seasonal Start
    By Richard Mineards   |   September 26, 2023

    Camerata Pacifica launched its 34th season in fine style at the Music Academy’s Hahn Hall with works by Beethoven, Mozart, and Elgar. Musical lovers turned out in force to see the chamber music group founded by Irishman Adrian Spence at the age of 25, with an inaugural performance at the Lobero as the Bach Camerata. […]

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