Tag archives: festival
There are just three days left in SBIFF 35, and with all of the tribute evenings being front-loaded at this year’s festival, no more stars walking the red carpet. Unless you are an advocate of the auteur theory, that is, in which case there’s one more big event on the SBIFF slate in the annual […]
Santa Barbara International Film Festival has hired veteran Benjamin Goedert as its new development director. In his new role, Goedert will be responsible for generating funds to support the fest’s dynamic arts and educational programs through sponsorships, grants and donations. He moved to our tony town 11 years ago to attend City College where he […]
The first annual Santa Barbara Country Music Festival was held on Sunday September 8, from 1 to 7 pm at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racket Club (SBPRC). The event featured music headliner Hunter Easton Hayes, and musicians Devin Dawson, Honey Country, and Savannah Burrows. I interviewed the festival co-founders, OakHeart Country Music Festival co-founder […]
It was up, up and stay at Elings Park when it hosted its first hot air balloon and wine festival featuring tethered balloons hovering 75ft. above the ground. For a nominal fee 500 guests were offered the chance to rise to new heights in the four colorful balloons that were anchored to the turf. “It’s […]
Just a short note about this weekend’s Fifth Annual Santa Barbara Sea Glass & Ocean Arts Festival, featuring ocean-inspired art made by artisans from across the U.S.A. and that’s set to take place at the Earl Warren Showgrounds on September 14 and 15. In addition to some fifty-or-so artists’ creations on display (and for sale), […]
If the members of the Zombies were truly oracles, they probably wouldn’t have broken up in 1968 before their song “Time of the Season” became a big hit and eventually a timeless classic heard in commercials and movies. The song eventually propelled Odessey and Oracle, the astounding album it was drawn from, up the sales […]
The pinot noir you buy at the local shop is, almost always, that winery’s latest release, and usually its youngest wine. A younger pinot – from the 2017 vintage, for example – usually delivers exactly what we pinot lovers want: it’s fruity and fresh, soft and supple, luscious and delicious. Vibrancy and flavor make a […]
The first Stoke the World gathering, five years ago, was actually a wake held at the request of its honoree. San Luis Obispo County resident Greg Junell came up with the concept a company that would make it easier for others to fashion parties, events and other gatherings to foster education and connection. But after […]
My first experience at the Lucidity Festival came early on a Saturday afternoon, when I wandered into a workshop from Peace Sticks. The activity – led by brothers who make their home in Ojai – was a simple one: pass the sticks back and forth with a partner. Some of them were balanced ones that […]
To the uninitiated, the Lucidity Festival, which offers its eighth iteration this weekend, might still come off as a haven for hardcore drug users, a three-day escape for spaced-out revelers intent on leaving reality behind. But maybe that mistaken notion will finally be put to rest, as Lucidity was recognized as the world’s best family-friendly […]
Last January, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival considered cancelling the city’s premiere cinematic event in the wake of the Thomas Fire and the devastating Montecito debris flows before ultimately deciding to go ahead, partly as a healing offering. This Wednesday, SBIFF 34 kicks off with a locally-produced opening night film catalyzed by another Montecito-related […]
I am getting very judgmental! Having judged the hat contest at the Santa Barbara Polo Club for 11 years, last month I added chili to my subject matter at the Navy League cookout at the Carriage and Western Art Museum, and this weekend I was a judge at the second annual gelato festival at La […]
Oenophiles and gourmands were out in force when the California Wine Festival, which encompasses three different events, celebrated its 15th anniversary, kicking off with its Old Spanish Nights tasting fiesta at the historic De La Guerra Adobe courtyard, which attracted a record 500 guests. Montecito-based Blaine Lando, one of the fest’s three owners, along with […]
More than one of the long-time staffers at the Live Oak Music Festival told me that their favorite part of the three-day musical mash-up that serves as public radio station KCBX’s second-biggest fundraiser of the year was the feeling of being part of a family. Considering that I was forwarded four different names of people […]
Santa Barbara Natural History Museum’s 31st annual Wine and Food Festival on June 30 is going to be the biggest and best yet, raising around $110,000, predicts president Luke Swetland. The popular tourist attraction hosted a pre-fest bash for 60 guests at the Grassini Wine tasting room in El Paseo to promote the event. “There […]
Westmont hosts its 13th annual Christmas Festival, retelling the Christmas story by weaving narration with music from the Westmont Orchestra, College Choir, and Choral Union on Friday, December 1, at 7 pm; Saturday, December 2, at 2 pm and 7 pm; and Sunday, December 3, at 3 pm, all at First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. […]
On Sunday, December 3, 80 tons of snow will be delivered for the Santa Barbara Zoo’s annual “Snow Leopard Festival,” which will take place from 10 am to 3 pm. The snow will be shaped into sledding runs for kids (sleds provided), deposited in a snow play area, and provided as enrichment to many of […]
