Tag archives: gala

Legends – The Granada Theatre
By Lynda Millner   |   September 26, 2019

As the stars in the sky illuminate our lives, so with the Legends to be honored this autumn night” – Carol Wilburn. The Granada always shines a light on its entertainment, but the annual gala called Legends is one of the biggest illuminations of the year. The honorees who shone were Carol Burnett, Opera Santa […]

Pretty in Pink
By Richard Mineards   |   September 26, 2019

Santa Barbara’s Breast Cancer Resource Center hosted The Pink Lounge gala for 300 guests at the Rosewood Miramar, which raised more than $230,000 for programs, which are provided at no cost to recipients. The 21st annual bustling bash in the chandeliered ballroom, co-chaired by Douglas Mackenzie and Joanne Funari, had Hayley Wise, 32, a breast […]

She’s a Legend!
By Richard Mineards   |   September 19, 2019

Veteran Montecito comedienne Carol Burnett, 86, was front and center at the fifth annual Legends gala on the stage of the venerable Granada Theatre. Carol, whose eponymous award-winning show ran on CBS from 1967 to 1978, was introduced by her good friend, fellow Montecito author and film writer Fannie Flagg, as video showed some of […]

Wine and Dine
By Richard Mineards   |   September 12, 2019

The rotunda at the Hilton was jammed when the 38th Taste of the Town threw its 10th annual Connoisseurs’ Circle gala, co-chaired by Lori Farnsworth and John O’Neill, for 213 foodies and wine lovers 48 hours before its popular Riviera epicurean festival with a tidal wave of restaurateurs, caterers, winemakers, and breweries serving samples of […]

Memoirs Of A Garden
By Lynda Millner   |   August 8, 2019

“Lotusland was created by Polish opera singer Madame Ganna Walska, and visitors should prepare themselves for the ultimate theatrical garden experience. Perhaps only in the climate and culture of Southern California could such a creation have been conceived and accepted, a fantasy of remarkable set-pieces of design and planting quite unlike any other garden.” The […]

Memoirs of a Garden
By Richard Mineards   |   August 1, 2019

Lotusland, the 37-acre botanical nirvana created by the late opera singer Ganna Walska and dubbed one of the ten most beautiful gardens in the world, took on a decidedly oriental flavor when it celebrated Memoirs of a Garden for its popular sold-out annual 500-guest gala, which was expected to raise around $500,000. The floral fest, […]

Paris is Always a Good Idea
By Richard Mineards   |   May 30, 2019

Berets abounded and everyone was getting an Ei-ffel when Santa Barbara Choral Society hosted its annual gala Springtime in Paris at the Rockwood Woman’s Club. The fun French-themed fête, co-chaired by president Karen Williams and Debra Stewart, attracted 120 guests and raised $60,000 for the popular group. Before dinner, catered by Via Maestra 42, veteran […]

Spring Forward
By Lynda Millner   |   May 23, 2019

Santa Barbara City College Foundation (SBCC Foundation) gave its very first gala, “Spring Forward,” attended by students, staff, faculty, college trustees, volunteers, foundation board members, donors, sponsors, alumni, and friends from near and far, 335 strong. It was held in the Sports Pavilion, which took on a very different look, thanks to Merryl Brown and […]

PAL Party
By Richard Mineards   |   April 18, 2019

The Pacific had some competition when a sea of blue descended on the Coral Casino for the 20th annual Santa Barbara Police Activities League (PAL) Putting Kids First! gala, which raised around $200,000 supporting after school programming, leadership training, and summer camps for more than 1,000 local youth annually. The 210-guest bash, which honored former […]

Beyond the Sea
By Lynda Millner   |   March 14, 2019

Montessori Center School (MCS) held its annual gala with the theme of “Beyond The Sea.” It could have been called Under the Sea because of the aqua table coverings and sea shells all about. And of course cocktails were served on the terrace of the Biltmore Coral Casino right by the ocean. Some of the […]

Maritime Merriment
By Richard Mineards   |   January 16, 2019

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum kicked off its 20th anniversary year with a boffo bash at its depository on South Salinas Street when the Kieding Collections Chandlery was named in honor of Bob Kieding, 82, one of the founders and a premier sailboat racer. As part of the celebrations, the popular museum, which is located next […]

Storyteller’s Dirty 30
By Lynda Millner   |   November 15, 2018

Storyteller Children’s Center (SCC) held its 30-year black-tie gala in a new place in town – the Hotel Californian at 36 State Street. It was a movable feast with the evening beginning on the rooftop for a VIP reception for patrons. We moved on to the courtyard below for martinis, the silent auction, and a […]

Ocean’s 20
By Richard Mineards   |   November 1, 2018

A tidal wave of generosity swept over the historic El Paseo restaurant when Heal the Ocean, celebrating its 20th anniversary, hosted its annual sold-out gala, raising around $200,000 from 200 guests. The bustling bash had Montecito actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, recently recovered from a breast cancer scare, as honorary chair and Los Angeles auctioneer Rick Werner […]

Just for Funds
By Richard Mineards   |   October 25, 2018

Philanthropist Sara Miller McCune was front and center when CAMA – the Community Arts Music Association – threw its centennial gala at the Biltmore, with 110 guests raising around $210,000 for the organization that brings many of the world’s most famous orchestras and performers to our Eden by the Beach. Sara, who has donated millions […]

Living Legends
By Richard Mineards   |   September 20, 2018

It was quite the tony triumvirate getting honored at the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts 4th annual Legends gala at the Granada, with rocker Kenny Loggins, uber philanthropist Sara Miller McCune, and the 65-year-old SB Symphony receiving the honors at the impressive event, co-chaired by Joan Rutkowski and Stephanie Sokolove. After cocktails and […]

Best Wishes
By Richard Mineards   |   September 20, 2018

Santa Barbara’s 21-year-old Breast Cancer Resource Center found a different venue to park its annual gala fundraiser, which had 210 guests and raised around $200,000 for the non-profit. The boffo bash is normally held at the Coral Casino, but because of the devastating mudslides in January the tony beachfront locale couldn’t guarantee an opening date, […]

Festival Gala
By Lynda Millner   |   August 23, 2018

The Music Academy of the West gave its 2018 Summer Festival Gala weaving its magic to turn a parking lot into an elegant, glamorous venue. Co-chairs Regina Roney and Judy Getto called it a “Feast for the Senses”. After cocktails in the garden with a white Steinway player piano tinkling away, guests made their way […]

All That and MAW
By Richard Mineards   |   August 9, 2018

It couldn’t have been a more perfect evening when the Music Academy of the West threw its annual gala at the impeccably manicured Miraflores campus with 300 guests raising around $750,000 for its scholarship fund and community initiatives. After quaffing cocktails in the garden, the music lovers repaired to Hahn Hall for a 90-minute concert […]

Boys and Girls Club
By Lynda Millner   |   June 28, 2018

The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara (BGC) found a new and beautiful country venue, the Heartstone Ranch, in Carpinteria for its annual gala. This time the attire was – what else? Country chic! All the “cowgirls” and “cowboys” gathered on the terraced lawn amid dozens of rose bushes to toast 80 years of […]

Boys & Girls Club
By Lynda Millner   |   May 31, 2018

The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara (BGC) found a new and beautiful country venue, the Heartstone Ranch, in Carpinteria for its annual gala. This time the attire was – what else? – country chic! All the “cowgirls” and “cowboys” gathered on the terraced lawn amidst dozens of rose bushes to toast 80 years […]