EDC tgif! Returns 

By no means are the Environmental Defense Center’s tgif! events purely about entertainment. Indeed, while the somewhat monthly gatherings on summertime Friday evenings have been a staple of the South Central coast’s summer season for nearly three decades, tgif! is much more about bringing the community together as a mix of regional nonprofit and environmental organizations, elected officials and non-affiliated people from throughout the area who care about both the environment and connection. EDC is joined at each tgif! by four of its nonprofit partners who speak briefly from the stage – as well as informally at tableside or in casual mingling – about their current work and how we can all engage. That said, the EDC events feature live music from like-minded local  bands; wine, beer and soft drinks (two free drink tickets with admission); and local food vendors, all of which are part of what makes tgif! one of the best happy hours in town – never mind EDC’s charming downtown courtyard location at 906 Garden Street. 

The season kickoff on July 10 features The Chaps, who play crowd-pleasing swing, bluegrass, folk, and rock and roll originals – at a volume low enough to make conversion enjoyable. Featured nonprofit partners include the very grassroots-based Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs, Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project, and More Mesa Preservation Coalition. Drinks are by Rincon Brewery, Orale by CW Wines and The Ojai Vineyard, with Patagonia and McConnell’s Ice Cream continuing as longtime raffle prize donors.  

Future events are September 18 and October 9. Admission is $20 at the door. 

Visit www.environmentaldefensecenter.org/tgif