Docs on the Docket

On October 16, the Lobero hosts a benefit evening supporting Good Samaritan Shelter centered around the premiere of Hope Lives Here: Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness. This short documentary created for Public Broadcasting offers an intimate look at the challenges of homelessness in Santa Barbara County, and the impact of programs that provide shelter, support, and hope. Also shown will be a video on Food for Good, an initiative that provides healthy meals while creating a pathway to self-sufficiency through culinary training. Before the screening, sponsors and VIP guests will enjoy a reception featuring farm-to-table cuisine prepared by Good Samaritan’s Culinary Training Program. All present can partake of the post-screening music from Lois Mahalia, and a conversation between actor Duane Henry and Good Samaritan’s Executive Director Sylvia Barnard about his early life story.

Visit www.lobero.org/events/good-samaritan-shelter/

The inaugural Wild and Free Film Festival, with a focus on environmental storytelling and the natural world, doesn’t arrive until November 14-16. But the fest has a pre-launch fundraising party on October 18 at Elings Park that boasts live music by 1980s post-punk dance band Neon Blonde, an interactive nonprofit village, guest conversations, and a showing of 1985’s The Goonies on an outdoor screen. WAFF – founded by Gareth Kelly, the former development director and co-programmer of last weekend’s NatureTrack Film Festival – will showcase more than 30 films that span cultures, genres, and wild terrains, not to mention filmmaker Q&As and panels, award presentations, parties, and community events.

Visit www.wildandfreefilm.org.

The October 18 installment of Hale Milgrim’s (and now Richard Salzberg’s) long-running series at the Lobero known as Go to Hale Quips & Clips carries the subtitle “Covered in Music” – a reference to artists recording their own versions of rock and pop classics. While video clips and other recordings drawn from the two hosts’ extensive personal archives dominate, the quips part is the bonus, as Milgrim probably puts as much thought and energy into creating/curating the shows as he did as President/CEO of Capitol Records (!). Go to Hale Quips & Clips – where sights and insight come together – is always talked about for weeks following the event. It’s that kind of experience.

Visit www.lobero.org/events/go-to-hale-2025

The UCSB Thematic Learning Initiative series “Dance on Film: Double Feature” pairs Don’t Put Me in a Box, chronicling the creative process of Sutra co-creator and celebrated choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, with Angelin Preljocaj, dancing the invisible, which follows the making of the choreographer’s celebrated contemporary ballet Gravity. The screenings take place on October 19 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Both Sutra and Ballet Preljocaj will perform at the Granada in the weeks ahead.