Tag Archives: The Granada

Santa Barbara’s Teen Stars Shine at The Granada on Feb. 8

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2014 Teen Star Santa Barbara Finalists

2014 Teen Star Santa Barbara Finalists

Congratulations to the Teen Star Santa Barbara 2014 finalists:

Jason Paras — Dos Pueblos High School
Karlie Mack — San Marcos High School
Zoë Lynn Burritt — Cabrillo High School
Nathaniel Neumann — Dos Pueblos High School
Grant Bower — Santa Barbara High School
Mary-Grace Langhorne — Goleta Valley Junior High School
Brandi Rose Lentini — Santa Barbara High School
Luana Psaros — Dos Pueblos High School
Sulema Mejia — Pioneer Valley High School
Dylan Ortega — Santa Ynez High School

And the 2014 alternates:
Olivia Huffman — Solvang School
Sydney Shalhoob — La Colina Junior High School

They will perform in the final competition on Saturday, February 8 at The Granada at 7 p.m. (1214 State St.).

The way the finals work is that each of the final contestants performs a song of their choice in the first round. Voting by text message, the audience selects their top choices and the celebrity judges (Catherine Remak of KLITE 101.7, casting director Wendy Kurtzman and record producer Randy Spendlove) choose theirs; then votes are combined for a second round.

After the second round, text voting occurs again by the audience and the winner is determined!

Along with the prestigious title, contestants have the chance to follow in the footsteps of previous winners like 2013 champ Allie Nixon, who is currently working with her celebrity mentor JR Richards on an album to be released this spring. Here’s one of her songs, which has been featured on the CW network:

The winner’s prize package also includes a $1,000 scholarship, opportunity to record  in a world-class studio, radio and TV appearances, plus being the opening act performer at a number of local events.

Here’s a great video that gives an overview of the program.

For more information regarding Teen Star Santa Barbara, click here.

The Teen Star Santa Barbara program was established in 2010 to give our youth an outlet to showcase their talent in a healthy environment and provide long lasting benefits for our community and our students as well as enhance opportunities for their futures. Proceeds from this event are donated to performing arts programs in Santa Barbara County Schools.

To purchase tickets click here.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on January 28, 2014.

Cocktail Corner: Enjoy Cocktails With Culture at 1st Thursday: After Hours

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Figueroa Mountain Brewery

Figueroa Mountain Brewery

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg

It used to be that the fun was just getting started when 1st Thursday ended…but not anymore! Lobero Theatre, The Granada and The New Victoria Theatre have teamed up for a terrific new production: Historic Theatre District’s 1st Thursday: After Hours from 7:30–9:30 p.m., where you can enjoy your cocktails with culture every 1st Thursday.

Premiering on Thursday, December 5,  1st Thursday: After Hours  is a fun FREE event featuring entertainment by magician Mark Collier, bites from Sojourner Café, and beer tasting by Figueroa Mountain Brewery. This first one will be on the historic (newly reopened) Lobero Esplanade in front of the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St.

In addition, the party also features a no-host bar and additional live entertainment.

This is the first of six “1st Thursday After Hours” celebrations with Santa Barbara’s newly formed Historic Theatre District in which the Lobero Theatre, the Granada Theatre and The New Vic are teaming up for new ways to access the best in Santa Barbara’s performing arts. After enjoying the exhibits throughout the downtown galleries and local shops, guests are invited to keep the fun going  in Santa Barbara’s Historic Theatre District.

Hosted at a different theater each month, the 1st Thursday After Hours will feature sips and bites from one of the Theatre District’s restaurant partners and live local entertainment.

“This creative partnership between the three theaters is a great example of cultural organizations coming together to increase access to the arts and expand their audiences, while engaging the community,” says Ginny Brush, executive director of the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission. “1st Thursday has become an immensely popular tradition for local Santa Barbara arts and culture enthusiasts, igniting the Cultural Arts District after 5 p.m. With the addition of ‘After Hours’ at the theaters, that energy can continue!”
The schedule of 1st Thursday: After Hours through the Spring is:
·       December 5, 2013 at the Lobero Theatre
·       Skipping January due to holidays
·       February 6 at The Granada Theatre
·       March 6 at the New Vic
·       April 3 at the Lobero Theatre
·       May 1 at The Granada Theatre
·       June 5 at the New Vic

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally featured in Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine on November 29, 2103.

Leslie Dinaberg

Leslie Dinaberg

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.”

One Radio Host, Two Dancers Features NPR’s Ira Glass

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Ira Glass and dancers, Photo by Ebru Yildiz

Ira Glass and dancers, Photo by Ebru Yildiz

Ira Glass with dancers?

That’s right, the always entertaining host of NPR’s This American Life has taken to the road with choreographer Monica Bill Barnes & Company for a quirky show combining two art forms that, as Glass puts it, “have no business being together – dance and radio.”

Coming to The Granada on Saturday, October 19 from UCSB Arts & Lectures, the resulting show is said to be “a hilarious, lively and very talky evening of dance and captivating stories that brought down the house in its test run at Carnegie Hall,” according to the organizers.

How did this surprising collaboration begin?

In May 2012, they collaborated on three short dances that were part of a This American Life variety show that was beamed into movie theaters nationwide. It was such a success that they decided to do a full show that combines stories and dance. Some are performed together on stage by Glass, Barnes and dancer Anna Bass. For a few, the dancers or the radio host take over for a while. The result? A funny and strangely wonderful evening exploring the life of the artist.

“This is the perfect show for anyone who has ever thought to themselves, ‘God, Ira Glass’ show is the most awesome radio show ever, except it’s missing modern dance,’ ” Glass says.

The show starts at 8 p.m. for more information or tickets call 805/893-3535, visit ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu or The Granada Theatre at 805/899-2222, granadasb.org.

 Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on October 18, 2013.

 

Cocktail Corner: The Antagonist at The Marquee

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A spirited toast to all things alcoholic!  By Leslie Dinaberg

Bar at The Marquee (courtesy photo)

Bar at The Marquee (courtesy photo)

I’ve been really into sweet, hot and spicy cocktails recently and had a fabulously tasty one the other night at The Marquee. The Antagonist is made of chili-infused Absolut Vodka, white peach puree, mixed berry puree and pineapple juice.

Not only is it really pretty—served in a martini glass, although this drink is nothing like a traditional martini— The Antagonist has the perfect proportions of sweetness and spiciness for this cold-but-sunny weather we’ve been having lately. In fact, there’s nothing antagonistic about this drink—it’s simply delicious.

The Marquee (1212 State St.) is an elegant lounge next to The Granada that makes me think of the glamorous Manhattan found in old black and white movies.

The retro-fun vibe and great location combine to make it a perfect place to have a cocktail before—or after—a show.

The clever drink menu is theatrically themed, with signature libations like Dress Rehearsal (Ardbeg 10yr. Single Malt Scotch, Johnny Walker Red Blended Scotch, fresh lime juice and ginger puree with candied ginger and lime) and The Showstopper (Beefeater Gin, Cointreau Orange Liqueur and fresh lime juice with fresh mint, Serrano chili and raspberries), modern classics like Gone With the Wind (Old Overhold Rye Whiskey, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, blood orange bitters and simple syrup with pressed orange and brandied cherry) and a slew of fun martinis, like The Understudy (Pearl Vodka, Triple Sec, lychee juice and cranberry juice with a Prosecco float, garnished with a lychee nut) and 42nd Street (Makers Mark, Bourbon Manhattan, garnished with brandied cherry), to name just a few.

They also have a variety of nibbles. Try the blue cheese-stuffed figs, which are wrapped in prosciutto and served warm. It was a surprisingly good fit with The Antagonist cocktail, and I’m sure they both made our next stop—Dreamgirls at The Granada—even more enjoyable. Theater League just announced its 2013-14 Broadway series (Million Dollar Quartet, The Addams Family, Hello Dolly and West Side Story). I recommend you reserve seats for these great shows, along with a bar stool at The Marquee.

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Photo by Derek Johnson.

Photo by Derek Johnson.

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.”

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on February 1, 2013.

 

Get Up Close and Personal with Architecture

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Brian Hofer points out details on the Architectural Foundation tour. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.

Brian Hofer points out details on the
Architectural Foundation tour. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.

To experience Santa Barbara architecture in all its glory, there’s nothing like strolling through town with an expert by your side to point out the rich history and international artistic influences that aren’t readily visible to the untrained eye.

Every weekend, trained docents from Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara (www.afsb.org/tours_m.html, 805/965-6307) take both locals and tourists on walking journeys through the hidden courtyards, secret fountains and original adobes of downtown, focusing on architectural styles, significant and historic buildings, aesthetics and landscape history, as well as details like handmade tiles, wrought iron, stonework, balconies, doorways, archways and plantings.

The Sabado (Saturday) Tour starts in front of city hall and takes guests on a tour of De la Guerra Plaza, historic De la Guerra Adobe, El Paseo, Hill-Carrillo Adobe, Meridian Studios, Lobero Theatre and more. The Domingo (Sunday) Tour, which starts at the Central Library, focuses on historic art and architecture of downtown Santa Barbara as it was reborn after the 1925 earthquake, including the library and its famous murals, La Arcada Court, the historic Arlington, The Granada and other architectural delights. You’ll also learn about Santa Barbara’s architectural history and how the Women’s League and Pearl Chase forced us to maintain architectural integrity, beautiful public park spaces and rich landscapes. Both tours start at 10 a.m. and last about 1-1 /2  hours. The foundation asks for a $10 donation per person, and proceeds go toward scholarships and other community programs.

Walking Wednesdays with Santa Barbara Walks is a clever new way to get some after-work exercise and experience the beauty of our local environment. The group, which is a project of COAST (Coalition for Sustainable Transportation, 805/875-3562), meets at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month and features a different theme and location each time. One walk included a tour through the upper eastside with architect Anthony Grumbine of Harrison Design Associates, beginning with a walkthrough of the historic Winsor Soule Hodges Residence (currently The Fielding Institute), a 1920s Spanish colonial revival estate, which was once the most expensive home built in Santa Barbara. The expedition also journeyed through a wonderful variety of architecture styles, including a Francis Underhill stripped classicism design, a Richard Neutra mid-century modern, French Norman and Dutch colonial, as well as the many architectural hybrids. Previous walks included an art walk with Ellen Durham, an architectural tour of El Andaluz with Jeff Shelton, trees of Santa Barbara with Bob Muller and a historical tour with Brian Hofer. Walking Wednesdays are free; visit www.coastsantabarbara.org/category/santa-barbarawalks/ for information on monthly locations and themes.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine, Fall 2010. Cover photo by Jim Bartsch.

Cover photo by Jim Bartsch.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine, Fall 2010. Cover photo by Jim Bartsch.