On stage
Announcements are slowly rolling out for the next season at Santa Barbara bowl, and it looks like another doozy. So far we have Social Distortion and Bad Religion (April 10), Willie Nelson & Family (April 25), Jody Jinks (May 18), Brothers Osborne (May 31), and the most recent announcement of the Indigo Girls. and Amos Lee (September 21). I was lucky enough to be able to interview Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls ahead of her other project (The Amy Ray Band), which will appear alongside Dar Williams at the Marjorie Luke Theater on January 15th. Ray's most recent solo album, If everything goes south, is an equally tender and turbulent triumph. Keep an eye out for the January interview, get more news on the Luke show here.
ON the good list
The State of California recently awarded $2,285,000 to the Lompoc Theater Project. The theater also benefits from a $150,000 grant from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, which board president Barbara Satterfield said means “the next $22,000 in donations individuals will be double.» For more information on the 1927 theater renovation campaign, see lompoctheatre.org.
Another deserving group, Ventura's Rubicon Theater Company, received $1.5 million from the state this month during the opening night of The world goes around in circles, which also marked the start of the theater's 25th anniversary season. This show ends tomorrow (December 23). Up next (February 21-March 10) is a new American play by Richard Hellesen entitled Eisenhower: this piece of land. It stars Tony Award-winning actor John Rubinstein (Pippin apple/Children of a lesser God), fresh off his acclaimed off-Broadway series. See rubicontheatre.org.
Although it's that time of year when the music calendar slows down a bit, there are a few shows worth noting at SOhO, the first of which is a two-night run with Chris Shiflett (a hometown boy who's now a Foo Fighter) on December 22. 23 (see Josef Woodard's history for the scoop). Next week there's Orgōne, a Los Angeles-based band that showcases a myriad of groove-oriented styles, including but not limited to deep funk, '60s Memphis soul/blues, afro-beat inspired by Fela, hip-hop and Latin jazz. , and electronic dance and house will take the stage on December 30; then on Sunday December 31st it's New Year's Eve party with Area 51 and DJ Darla Bea throwing a funky dance party. For tickets and more information on these two shows, see sohosb.com.
The Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra's annual New Year's Eve concert on Sunday, December 31 at the Granada Theater promises to be a rousing evening of pop, rock and Broadway classics, accompanied by familiar classical selections and a champagne toast. “This is a spectacular, one-night-only event that should not be missed,” said Nir Kabaretti, music and artistic director of the Santa Barbara Symphony. “Andrew Lipke, our conductor and guest emcee, and vocalist Christina Maxwell will have the audience excitedly on their feet and singing for the perfect end-of-year celebration.” Click on here for tickets.
ON Big Screen
Jeffrey Wright, star of American fictionwill receive the Montecito Prize at the 39th Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 15. Wright is a Tony, Emmy, AFI and Golden Globe Award-winning actor who has enjoyed an illustrious career in the worlds of theater, film and television, including a critically acclaimed role in Western worldas well as this year's collective film from West Anderson, Asteroid City. Other recently announced SBIFF awards include overall Virtuosos honorees. Danielle Brooks (The color purple), Colman Domingo (Rustin and the color purple), America Ferrera (barbie), Lily Gladstone (The Flower Moon Killers), Greta Lee (Past lives), Charles Melton (May December), Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Leftovers) and Andrew Scott (All of us strangers) will be honored on February 10 in Arlington. Passes for the 2024 Festival are on sale now at sbiff.org.
ON the (small) screen
I'm woefully behind on my movies this year (which I hope to rectify a bit over the holidays), but when it comes to television, I can wholeheartedly recommend the three most Emmy-nominated shows: Succession, The Bear, And Only murders in the building (sometimes with Steve Martin from Santa Barbara). Before the finale and the excellent closing season, here is My opinion of Successiona show that, unlike so many others, has only gotten better with age.
On the walls
Silo118 owner Bonnie Rubenstein is changing things up at Funk Zone gallery. After the current exhibition — titled Silos in Silo and featuring the lush landscapes of photographer David Rubenstein — ends Jan. 13, she says: “Gallery space will be available for artists to rent to showcase their own work. This is a concept in progress, so stay tuned. In the meantime, you still have a few weeks to see David's work. He has a particular affection for old grain silos. Also on display are three-dimensional works by sculptor James McAninch.
On the Web
As the calendar year slows down, our arts and entertainment team at Independent is busier than ever. Here are some reviews and stories you may have missed:
Music
Chloe Shanfeld profiles Voracious Recordsa new independent label in town
Spencer the Gardener's new album, Shine on (his first since 2012)
Comments on Rebecca Horrigan MJ Lenderman and Karly Hartzman at Ojai Deer Lodge
Comments on Joe Woodard Samara Joy's Holiday Show
Kat Sophia's point of view Laufey's Delighted Tour
My opinion on Audra McDonald, great musical at UCSB
Movie
Joe Woodard take charge Dead leaves, Finland's entry into the Oscars competition
UCSB lecturer Wendy Eley Jackson writes the historic Hallmark holiday film, Napa forever
Books
Charlotte Smith watches the new book Programminga photographic exploration of decades of Isla Vista surfers
Brian Tanguay Comments By the sea by Abdulrazak Gurnah
From Acre to Zagjewski, here are David Starkey's projects best poetry book picks for 2023
Here is my take on the local Churs de pages at the Santa Barbara Public Library
Visual art
SBMA Indoor/outdoor show Gets a Preview by Joe Woodard
Joe Woodard on Little art with a big heart in Westmont
Theater
Maggie Yates Comments Poor Claire in Westmont
Maggie's opinion on Ensemble Theater Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash
My opinion on “Including those who live anyway” comedy show
ON the calendar
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., is in the spotlight at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art on January 4, when Gregory Most, its chief of image collections, gives a special presentation on the history of the National Gallery of Art. and the varied resources of its research collections. With more than half a million books, 16 million images of world art and architecture, vast rare holdings and an innovative program to make more digital art resources available on the Internet, the Library staff at the National Gallery of Art help people learn about the history of works of art not only in the museums they visit, but also help people learn about works they may own . Get tickets (free for students, otherwise $10-$15) at tickets.sbma.net.
For a full schedule of events this week and beyond, visit independent.com/events/.
