Key Takeaways:
- The Santa Barbara arts and culture scene is thriving, with numerous events and performances taking place in the coming weeks.
- The Santa Barbara Bowl season announcements are in, with tickets now on sale for Disclosure, Charlie Puth, James Taylor, and Lord Huron, among others.
- BottleRock Napa Valley has announced its Memorial Day weekend lineup, featuring Foo Fighters, Backstreet Boys, Lorde, and many more.
- The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) will feature several local films, including Eternal Stoke, Imbalance, Relatively Normal, and Stand By, Mother.
- The McHurley Film Center will open downtown, with a screening of Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire on February 25.
- The UCSB Carsey Wolf Center will screen the documentary Pistachio Wars on January 27, followed by a conversation with the filmmakers.
Introduction to the Arts Scene
The Santa Barbara arts and culture scene is always bustling with exciting events and performances. This edition of ON Culture highlights some of the upcoming events that are sure to delight audiences. From hip hop to tango, and from film to music, there’s something for everyone in the coming weeks. The Santa Barbara Bowl season announcements are in, with tickets now on sale for some amazing shows. BottleRock Napa Valley has also announced its lineup, featuring some of the biggest names in music.
Upcoming Performances
Our dance card is quite joyously full for the next few weeks, with hip hop from the French company Compagnie Hervé Koubi performing Sol Invictus on Sunday, January 25, at the Granada. This will be followed by two Argentine dance performances of Germán Cornejo’s Tango After Dark on February 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Lobero. Then, the national dance company of the Republic of Guinea, Les Ballets Africains, will perform on February 6 at the Granada. All of these wonderful performances are courtesy of UCSB Arts & Lectures. The Santa Barbara Bowl season announcements are also in, with tickets now on sale for Disclosure, Charlie Puth, James Taylor, and Lord Huron, as well as the previously announced shows by David Byrne, Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Train, and Jack Johnson.
Film and Music Festivals
BottleRock Napa Valley, which is perhaps one of the best places to see outdoor shows, has announced its Memorial Day weekend lineup, featuring Foo Fighters, Backstreet Boys, Lorde, Teddy Swims, LCD Soundsystem, and SOMBR, as well as Joan Jett, Lil Wayne, Chaka Khan, Ludacris, Kool & The Gang, Men at Work, Mt. Joy, Slightly Stoopid, Rilo Kiley, Better Than Ezra, Busta Rhymes, and dozens more. The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) will also feature several local films, including Eternal Stoke, Imbalance, Relatively Normal, and Stand By, Mother. The McHurley Film Center will open downtown, with a screening of Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire on February 25. This beautiful and romantic film is a must-see, and the 4K restoration is sure to be stunning.
Local Authors and Artists
Mother-Daughter writing team Sissy Taran and Tiffany Howard are having a special book launch party on Sunday, January 25, to celebrate their book We Are Resilient. The book is a powerful collection of many different voices highlighting perseverance, creativity, and strength in the face of adversity. The launch party is open to the public and designed to be inclusive and family-friendly. Guests are encouraged to come meet the authors, purchase signed copies of the book, and learn more about the Grace Fisher Foundation’s inclusive arts and education programs. The Santa Barbara City Hall Gallery is also featuring an exhibit called Fare Trade, which includes photography by Patricia Houghton Clarke and Brett Leigh Dicks, documenting taquerias and diners across Santa Barbara County and Western Australia.
Screenings and Documentaries
The UCSB Carsey Wolf Center will screen the documentary Pistachio Wars on January 27, followed by a conversation with filmmakers Yasha Levine and Rowan Wernham. The documentary follows journalist Yasha Levine as he investigates a small-town water deal and uncovers a hidden side of California’s health-food industry. The film unveils how the hidden world of industrial agriculture fuels the state’s growing climate injustices, from worsening droughts to increasingly destructive megafires. The SBIFF will also feature several short films by Santa Barbara filmmakers, including The Bear Beneath, Committee Animal, The Crash Out, Fil-Am, The Gift of Darkness, La Tormenta, The Green Truck, My Type, Memory Experiment, Nuns with Guns, The Other Roe, A Sunday on the Moon, My 14 Year Old Self, and Wonders of the Wolf.
Super Bowl Sunday and Local Events
Super Bowl Sunday is coming on February 8, and everyone knows that in addition to the half-time show with Bad Bunny as the headliner and Green Day, the food is the other part that’s guaranteed to be good. According to a recent survey, buffalo wings are the top Super Bowl snack food in California, with queso as the most popular dip. The Santa Barbara Independent’s Senior Writer Matt Kettmann has also been working on a podcast series about the history of Isla Vista, which is definitely worth checking out. Finally, Deadheads will gather to honor one of their heroes with a very special tribute to Bob Weir on Sunday, January 25, at SOhO. The doors open at 4 p.m. for this all-ages show, and music begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
