History Dances

By Lisa Duncan

“It’s my honor to toast Fiesta’s extraordinary history,” said Dacia Harwood, executive director of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. She reminded guests that Fiesta “was born out of a conversation about preservation, and also cultural and economic vitality – both still important today.” Those ideals came vividly to life during La Fiesta del Museo, where history stepped off the museum walls and onto the dance floor.

Museum President and Event Chair Sharon Bradford welcomed nearly 300 supporters to the museum’s enchanting adobe courtyard, joined by the Fiesta Flower Girls, as guests celebrated the opening of Project Fiesta! Arte de los Mantónes and Finding Saint Barbara. The new exhibitions honor the traditions that have shaped Old Spanish Days for generations, while highlighting the stories behind the museum’s remarkable collection of Spanish shawls and Santa Barbara’s patron saint. Among those helping preserve that history were Brett and Natalie Hodges, whose instrumental support in acquiring the historic News-Press archive made it possible to include many of those treasured photographs in the exhibition.

Trustees George Leis, Sheila Snow, Vince Caballero, Vito Gioiello, Rhonda Henderson, Pat Caird, and immediate past President Hilary Burkemper joined fellow supporters for an evening of handmade tacos, specialty margaritas, tequila tastings, and an elegant Spanish dinner before a captivating fashion show by dancers from the Linda Vega Dance Studio, who modeled the museum’s historic embroidered silk mantones. As twilight settled over the courtyard, acclaimed flamenco artist Timo Nuñez, joined by guest dancers Ashley Almada and Corrie Jimenez, delivered a fiery performance accompanied by guitarist Manuel Gutierrez. Earlier performances by Junior Spirit Sarah Naretto, Alexis Simentales, and a folklórico ensemble organized by Francisco Espinosa celebrated the vibrant traditions that continue to define Fiesta.

As the Elements Band filled the courtyard and guests took to the dance floor, one thing became clear: the very best history isn’t just preserved in a museum – it dances to life. 

Sightings 

Montecito’s favorite action heroine, Zoe Saldaña, joined Nicole Kidman and Jill Wagner at the Paramount+ Season 3 premiere of Lioness at NYC’s SVA Theater… Kevin Costner found himself at the center of a Hollywood throwback this weekend after a Dax Shepard Armchair Expert podcast episode went viral, with Scott Eastwood sharing a classic behind-the-scenes story about dad Clint Eastwood giving Kevin a memorable lesson in set etiquette while filming A Perfect World… Gwyneth Paltrow officially joined the world of TikTok this week with a cheeky debut filmed across Europe, including playful scenes in bed, before throwing up her hands and joking, “Can I please just make this (bleep) TikTok?!”

From Richard and friends to all of you… Pip! Pip!