The herd is back! Brad Nack‘s 100% Reindeer Art Show opens this Thursday, Dec 3 at Roy (7 W. Carrillo St.) with an opening reception from 6-8 p.m.
Painting by Brad Nack
As has become a local tradition (and very fun event , the exhibit features elegantly framed, small oil paintings of reindeer in the back room for one night only. This year, the front room will also feature a series of larger reindeer paintings that will remain on display through the end of the year.
Painting by Brad Nack
“I always envisioned the reindeer paintings as small, whimsical pieces,” says Nack, “but, now I decided to paint some bigger ones.”
“Get there early,” advises Nathan Vonk, of Santa Barbara Art Blog. “This is one of the craziest, most lively, and most beloved art events of the entire year. And for good reason. Don’t miss this one.”
Songwriter Christensen co-fronted Los Angeles punk-roots pioneers Divine Horsemen, and sang with Leonard Cohen for several years, among other notable artists.
After five independent solo albums, she formed the Nashville band Stone Cupid and is releasing the debut album from her new band, “The Cardinal,” on Jan. 22.
Christensen’s original songs are as varied as her evolution and career. Over the years she has sung with Todd Rundgren, Iggy Pop, John Doe, Exene Cervenka, Steve Wynn, Lou Reed and Van Dyke Parks. On “The Cardinal” Christensen penned her own songs and gathered great co-writers. She garnered strong songs from her friends, including Chuck Prophet, Amelia White, Kevin Gordon, Dan Navarro, David Olney and Leonard Cohen.
“This current lineup fell together almost fatefully, and the songs seemed to play themselves,” says Christensen. “It was so natural, so simpatico, like some concurrent extra-spiritual thing.”
Opening the show will be Natalie D-Napoleon.Now a Santa Barbara resident, D-Napoleon was raised on Croatian folk songs and American standards like “Blue Bayou” upon a farm clinging to a working class town nearPerth, the singer-songwriter (family legend has it that she’s related to THE Bonaparte) makes her mark on the roots music scene with original lyrics, impassioned delivery and her lamenting reflection on the human condition.
The show takes place Friday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. at Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. For more information or to purchase tickets click here.
Looking for something special for an art lover (or yourself)? Sullivan Goss Gallery’s annual 100 Grand exhibition is the place to shop. Featuring 100 quality works of art for $1,000 or less, the exhibition has become well known as “an incubator of emerging talent, an entryway for beginning collectors, a holiday celebration in the art community, and an ever timely reminder that everyone’s life is improved by the addition of original works of art.”
The exhibition officially opens on 1st Thursday in December (12/3) and is one of the area’s must-attend events of the year. The 100 GRAND show features paintings, drawings, photographs, assemblage and sculpture by emerging and established artists. Contemporary Curator Susan Bush was able to secure work from many of last year’s best-selling artists, but there are also 17 new artists who have never before shown with Sullivan Goss.
Artists on view include: Meredith Brooks Abbott, Benjamin Anderson, Scott Anderson, Sean Anderson, Kit Boise-Cossart, Ken Bortolazzo, Aron Bothman, Liz Brady, Lisabette Brinkman, Phoebe Brunner, Pat Calonne, Chris Chapman, Patricia Chidlaw, Cathy Clemens, Connie Connally, Maria Costa, Tom de Walt, Jeanne Dentzel, Joseph Di Sipio, Alia El-Bermani, Kathleen Elsey, Pamela Enticknap, Peggy Ferris, Kee Flynn, Pausha Foley, Jon Francis, Valori Fussell, Rosemarie Gebhart, Nancy Gifford, Dane Goodman, Robin Gowen, Ruthy Green, Skye Gwilliam, Jason Hadley, Bay Hallowell, Holli Harmon, Derek Harrison, Jim Hodgson, Ingrid Holden, Cynthia James, Frank Kirk, Mary-Austin Klein, Kathleen Klein-Wakefield, Philip Koplin, Marilee Krause, Dan Levin, Mark Lozano, Laurie MacMillan, Larry McAdams, Sara McCook-Woodburn, Virginia McCracken, Susan McDonnell, Barbara McIntyre, Svetlana Meritt, Julie Montgomery, Theil Morgan, Zoe Nathan, John Nava, Jon Ng, Lisa Pederson, Angela Perko, Chris Peters, Hank Pitcher, Ian Putnam, Maria Rendon, Joan Rosenberg-Dent, Lindsey Ross, Blakeney Sanford, Susan Savage, Marie Schoeff, Susan Shapiro, Lanny Sherwin, Elena Siff, Nicole Strasburg, Marlene Struss, Tracey Sylvester-Harris, James David Thomas, Susan Tibbles, Dug Uyesaka, Thomas Van Stein, Sarah Vedder, Deborah Veldkamp, Nina Warner, Roe Ann White, Monica Wiesblott, Paige Wilson, Vani Winick, Karen Zazon, Abigail Zimmerman and Michele Zuzalek.
The opening takes place on 1st Thursday, December 3 from 5 – 8 p.m. at 11 E. Anapamu St.
A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg
Fall Jams at The Lark, sourced from Chapala Farms, include, L-R, Star Ghost Chili Vodka, Cutler Stagecoach Whiskey and Wilder Gin. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.
It takes an awfully inventive mind to look at a jar of jam or marmalade and envision a cocktail, but that’s exactly what those clever folks at The Lark have done, in partnership with Chapala Farms, and the results are quite unique—and delicious!
I tried my first “Jam” over the summer, a delightful concoction of Star Ghost Chili Vodka (made locally by Ascendant Spirits in Buellton) and Chapala Farms Plum Jam. Not only was it yummy, with a nice kick of sweet and spice, I also loved the fact that Chapala Farms is an urban backyard farm venture from locals Jason Banks and Michelle Decaris, located right down the road on Chapala Street.
The Lark’s “Fall Jams” have kicked up the fun even further.
Local “Jam Cocktail” ingredients at The Lark, photo by Macy Kremzar.
You really have to try these cocktails to fully appreciate the unique flavors and textures.
For fall, Star Ghost Chili Vodka is now combined with Chapala Farms Strawberry Passion Fruit Jam for a spicy glass of sweet deliciousness that’s unlike anything I’ve ever tasted.
The genesis of these clever cocktails comes from Buffalo, New York, where following a visit to a family wedding, Acme Operations Manager Dan Russo (The Lark, Lucky Penny, Les Marchands and the Santa Barbara Wine Collective) discovered Jam Cocktails, conceived at Ballyhoo, a popular Buffalo bar owned by Tim Stevens and managed by his nephew, Frank Pusateri. Russo was then
Chef Jason Paluska’s Housemade Charcuterie at The Lark, photo by Leslie Dinaberg
inspired to bring the concept to The Lark’s beverage program and teamed with Decaris and Banks of Chapala Farms to design distinctive summer cocktails made exclusively with local spirits— Cutler’s Artisan Spirits, Ventura Spirits and Ascendant Spirits—and a rotating menu of Chapala Farm’s premier jams and marmalades. That tradition has now continued into the fall.
“The flavors from the jams produce a subtle sweetness and tartness that is different from muddling fruits and other methods. And when combined with our Central Coast spirits they make a great … cocktail,” says Russo. All Fall Jam cocktails are priced at $11 are subject to change with seasonal harvests.
The Lark is located at 131 Anacapa St., 805/284-0370.
When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”
Stella Neptune Cashmere Sweaters, available at Plum Goods. Courtesy photo.
It’s sweater weather (finally!) and Plum Goods is having a special trunk show this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. of adorably snuggly cashmere sweaters that are perfect for gifting—or for treating yourself!
Stella Neptune Cashmere Sweaters, available at Plum Goods. Courtesy photo.
Designer Eva Kisevalter is a devoted thrift shopper who cleverly combined her love of pop graphics with her addiction to cashmere to create wearable art under the name Stella Neptune.
As an added bonus, Kisevalter works with recycled cashmere. According to our friends at Plum Goods, “the thrill of the hunt turned into a lifestyle obsession that just happens to be a better way to make new things without feeling guilty about all the waste and excess in the fashion world. The end result is creating eco fabulous designs.”
Plus, each item is sourced, designed, sewn, and hand screen printed in LA. Everything is done within a 10 mile radius. It can’t get any more local than that.
For more information, visit plumgoodsstore.com or call 805/845-3900. Plum Goods is located at 909 State St.
—Leslie Dinaberg
Stella Neptune Cashmere Sweaters, available at Plum Goods. Courtesy photo.
Hailed as “the greatest improvisational theatre company in the world,” Impro Theatre’s Twilight Zone UnScripted creates four brand new, completely improvised episodes at each performance—all in the style of the classic TV series The Twilight Zone.
The critically acclaimed ensemble returns with an eerie, macabre, entirely spontaneous show that begins with a single audience suggestion. From the darkest corners of reality, to the realm of the unexplained, Twilight Zone UnScripted enters a dimension of pure imagination whilst paying homage to Rod Serling’s award-winning sci-fi series.
Once they receive the audience suggestion, the lights go out, the theme music begins, and they, like you, enter into another dimension—a dimension known only as… Twilight Zone… UnScripted.
Performances are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20-21 at 8 p.m., at Center Stage Theater, in Paseo Nuevo, upstairs at the intersection of Chapala and De La Guerra Streets. For tickets, please call 805/963-0408 or visit, centerstagetheater.org.
Richard Lambert, company owner, and Stephanie Armstrong, with the Chamber of Commerce, courtesy photo.
Santa Barbara Tamales-To-Go are becoming even more available this week. That’s right, now you won’t have to wait until the year-end holidays for bagful of fresh tamales on the spot because Santa Barbara Tamales-To-Go is opening a tamale window downtown at 20 E. Cota St. on the east side of Nectar Eatery & Lounge (previously the Blue Agave).
After holding two successful pop-ups at the Santa Barbara Public Market this summer, Santa Barbara Tamales-To-Go owner, Richard Lambert, says he was inspired with the idea of a window.
Courtesy Santa Barbara Tamales-To-Go.
“More than half of the folks who came to our pop-ups wanted tamales to take home. With our new window, they can come get fresh tamales straight from the steamer and packaged to go.”
The company offers six traditional tamales; chicken, pork, beef, chile and cheese, spicy black bean, and farmers’ market (vegetable). According to Lambert, their tamales are gluten and lard-free, and are made fresh daily in Santa Barbara. The tamale window will be open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Please call ahead (805/965-2321) for orders of three dozen or more.
The Granada Theatre Film Series presents Tab Hunter Confidential, a documentary about Hollywood icon Tab Hunter, in a special screening on Thursday, November 19 at 7 p.m. Tab Hunter Confidential explores the story of a major movie star of the 1950’s who had a secret that repeatedly threatened his career. Hunter was gay, and spent his Hollywood years in a precarious closet. Hunter’s dramatic, turbulent, and ultimately inspiring life story has become an explosive documentary feature directed by Emmy award winning filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz. Hunter will appear on stage for an interview conducted by Montecito Journal’s Richard Mineards.
For more information, please visit www.granadasb.org or call 805/899-2222. The Granada Theatre is located at 1214 State St.
“Michael, Mark and Rachel are three of the finest actors in the business.” says Festival Director Roger Durling, “They are artists in the truest sense of the word who continue to surprise and inspire audiences with their talent,” adding, “their recent turn in Spotlight demonstrates their skills both harmoniously as an ensemble and individually, it is an honor to celebrate their work with the American Riviera Award.”
Nectar’s new cocktail menu includes flights like this tasty assortment of Mango, Blood Orange and Guava Margaritas. Courtesy photo.
A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg
Cota Street’s buzzy block east of State Street has great new addition to the scene with Nectar, a beautifully redone new eatery and lounge in the former Blue Agave space at 20 E. Cota St. They offer delicious, shareable plates—I absolutely loved the Pork Belly Potstickers, made with Kimchi, Tamari and Chinese Black Beans and the Smoked Paprika Almonds & Chorizo, as well as the Wild Salmon with Aji Mandarin, Baby Carrots, Black Kale, Couscous + Quinoa.
Ginger Coconut Mojito at Nectar, courtesy photo.
Aparna Sherman, an adorable newlywed who owns the restaurant with her husband Brad, says the inspiration comes from the heart, and it shows. “Brad and I love great food from around the world. So when we conjured up Nectar, we thought we should serve foods that have ethnic notes with a fresh California flair that can start and sustain conversations between diners. You can enjoy a great chicken kebab, Aji pepper and Mandarin Orange sauce with Wild Salmon and Roasted Spiced Cauliflower with Crispy Papadums.”
They also have a terrific bar, actually two terrific bars, both upstairs and downstairs, and both of which happen to be stunning. The space is so pretty it’s worth checking out for the decor alone. But that’s not all, one of the most exciting things for me is that they offer two cocktail flights, including a tasty assortment of Mango, Blood Orange and Guava Margaritas, as well as another assortment that includes Kamasutra, Silk Road and Geisha Martinis.
At this week’s press party I tasted them all, as well as a Coconut Ginger Mojito, a Pear Grey Goose Martini and my personal favorite, a French Martini made with Grey Goose Vodka, Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur and Pineapple Juice. Everything was delicious and distinct (And I promise I only took sips of each, after all, I was working!).
Other intriguing cocktails on the Martini menu include Cucumber, Lychee, Key Lime, Side Car, and an Espresso Stoli Vanilla Martini, as well as the three in the cocktail flight. For Tequila lovers, there’s also an Alquimia Tequila & Chocolate Flight, which features Alquimia Silver, Alquimia Reposado and Alquimia Anejo paired with House-Made Fire Roasted Poblano Truffle, Oaxacan Spice Milk Truffle and Cappuccino Chocolate Truffle. I can’t wait to try that one!
In addition to a slew of fun Margarita flavors, Nectar also has specialty cocktails that include Passion Del Diablo (with House Infused Chili Vodka, Mango Puree, Agave Nectar & Fresh Lime), Oaxacan Old-Fashioned, Pepino Diablo (with Tanteo Jalapeno Tequila, Muddled Cucumber, Agave Nectar & Fresh Lime), Amaro Fix (with Amaro Nonino, Cane Syrup and Fresh Lemon garnished with Seasonal Muddled Fruit), as well as Lucid Absinthe, traditionally prepared with a sugar cube and water spout.
There’s also a full menu of spirits, a nice assortment of beer and a lovely, local-centric wine list. Plus, you want to bring your own, Aparna mentioned that they are waiving corkage fee on wines on Wednesdays. Go check it out, and let us know what you think.
When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”
Looking for something special for an art lover (or yourself)? 
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