Spanish Colonial Style: Santa Barbara and The Architecture of James Osborne Craig and Mary McLaughlin Craig

Posted on October 19, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Spanish Colonial Style, photo by Matt Walla, courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum

This retrospective exhibition, the first in 90 years, celebrates the publication of a monograph on the work of two seminal Santa Barbara architects, who happen to be husband and wife.

James Osborne Craig is widely credited with establishing the Spanish Colonial style in Santa Barbara. He left two buildings of such potency—even precocity, given his age—completed posthumously, that one suspects he would have given George Washington Smith ample competition if not for his premature death at the age of 33. One was Casa Santa Cruz, the house for Irene and Bernhard Hoffmann. The other was El Paseo, which set the standard for Santa Barbara’s architectural rebirth in the twenties and continues to be a reference today. His wife Mary McLaughlin Craig, indelibly linked with the houses of Plaza Rubio, followed in his footsteps and established her own identity as an architectural designer for 36 years. Spanish Colonial Style book

Spanish Colonial Style: Santa Barbara and the Architecture of James Osborne Craig and Mary McLaughlin Craig, written by the Craigs’ granddaughter Pamela Skewes-Cox and architectural historian Robert Sweeney, was recently published by Rizzoli, in conjunction with the Museum. The exquisite book includes a stunning collection of contemporary photos by Matt Walla.

Experience the exhibition premiere with a cocktail reception, comments by noted architect and author Marc Appleton, and book signing by the authors, Pamela Skewes-Cox and architectural historian Robert Sweeney.

Opening Reception
October 22, 5:30 p.m.
Experience the exhibition premiere with a cocktail reception, comments by noted architect and author Marc Appleton, and book signing by the authors. Reservation required.

Lecture
October 23, 11 a.m.
Pamela Skewes-Cox, author Spanish Colonial Style: Santa Barbara and the Architecture of James Osborne Craig and Mary McLaughlin Craig, will give a presentation about the book and the lives of her grandparents. Reservation required.

First Thursday
November 5, 5-8 p.m.
Join us to view the exhibition after-hours during Downtown Santa Barbara’s art walk. Wine, music and family-friendly activities.

All events take place at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, 136 E. De la Guerra St., 805/966-1601.

—Leslie Dinaberg
Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 16, 2015.

SBIFF Honors Jane Fonda

Posted on October 16, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

(L-R) Elizabeth Banks, Jane Fonda, Diane Lane and Executive Director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Roger Durling attend Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards Honoring Jane Fonda (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

Elizabeth Banks and Diane Lane were in town to fete their friend Jane Fonda recently when the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and its Director Roger Durling honored Fonda with their 10th annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film at a gala event held at the Bacara Resort & Spa.

The event kicked off with a pre-reception and red carpet held in the courtyard, where guests mingled and sipped Altos del Plata wines. Following Banks and Lane, Fonda danced onto the red carpet looking stunning in a green Elie Saab jumpsuit.

Jane Fonda accepts award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

After dinner, Hennessy’s Paradis Imperial cognac (Which retails between $1,000 and $3,000 a bottle!) was distributed for a toast. Following the toast, Banks took the stage to thank Fonda for her art, activism, and inspiration, calling her a “walking celebration of femininity and power.” Charming the crowd, Banks also said that she watched a reel including all of Fonda’s films, she was not embarrassed to say that 9 to 5, which she first saw at age seven, was her favorite. It made her dream of being a BOSS, said the actress, who recently directed Pitch Perfect 2.

Elizabeth Banks attends Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards Honoring Jane Fonda. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

Lane presented the Kirk Douglas Award award to Fonda, saying she was there out of a sincere love for her, Lane thanked her for being the woman who has informed everyone’s love with courage and honesty.

Diane Lane speaks onstage at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards Honoring Jane Fonda. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

The evening concluded with Fonda’s acceptance of the award. She thanked everyone in attendance as well as Kirk Douglas who had submitted a taped message that played earlier in the evening. Fonda also thanked the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and lauded the festival for its many year-round charitable programs.

(L-R) Diane Lane, Jane Fonda and Elizabeth Banks attend the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards Honoring Jane Fonda at Bacara Resort and Spa on October 3, 2015. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 14, 2015.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s Gold Ribbon Luncheon

Posted on October 12, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Gold Ribbon Luncheon Award Winners (L-R): Wells Hughes, Humanitarian Award; Sheela Hunt, Helping Hand Award; Dennis Miller, Heart of Gold Award; Jessica Mireles, Pay It Forward Award; and Lindsey Leonard, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Executive Director. Courtesy photo.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation‘s (TBCF) Third Annual Gold Ribbon Luncheon was a heartwarming and touching event, gathering community members and supporters at the beautiful Coral Casino to honor and encourage the work of this nonprofit organization, which provides financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer living in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties.

Hosted by Shirin Rajaee—in her last event appearance before leaving KEYT airwaves for a new job in Sacramento—the luncheon honored Dennis Miller, the Mireles Family, Sheela Hunt and Wells Hughes. It also featured a special acoustic set by Rodney Browning Cravens, George Pendergast and Justin Fox of DISHWALLA.

(L-R) Justin Fox, George Pendergast, and Rodney Browning Cravens of DISHWALLA performed an acoustic set at Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s annual luncheon. Courtesy photo.

Heart of Gold Award winner Dennis Miller was recognized as an individual that has gone above and beyond in giving of their time and talent for the benefit of Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and the families it serves. “Miller’s interaction with our families, volunteers, and staff has been genuine and compassionate, demonstrating a huge heart for the cause,” says TBCF.

Humanitarian Award honoree Wells Hughes was recognized as an individual that has been dedicated to improving the human condition of Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation families by alleviating suffering while supporting and contributing to the welfare and well-being of those in need. “Hughes has proven himself to be a true advocate for youth with cancer and their families by going the extra mile in providing resources that enrich the lives of the families we serve in our local community,” says TBCF.

This year’s Pay-It-Forward Award recognized the Mireles Family, a TBCF family who “has given back to the organization by paying-it-forward. This family, despite the hardships they have faced in the past, have chosen to give back to TBCF by providing support to other families, sharing their personal story at events and being advocates of the cause.”

The Helping Hands Award went to Sheela Hunt, an individual that has been actively hands-on for the cause for more than a decade. “Hunt has shown outstanding volunteerism and has participated in the inner workings of TBCF by coordinating major fundraising events. Her family also regular volunteers for TBCF in a variety of capacities, including at program events for families. She has shown great support to both our staff and families and has been a valuable supporter of our organization,” says TBCF.

Guests begin to arrive at the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Gold Ribbon Luncheon at the Coral Casino. Courtesy photo.

In addition to a silent auction, Geoff Greene led a lively live auction and “ask” for donations which generated an additional $250,000 to help children and their familes.

Last year, TBCF supported 649 individuals and to-date has granted $1,300,000 of financial assistance. Please consider making a gift to the organization. To learn more, or to make a donation today, please call 805/962-7466 or visit teddybearcancerfoundation.org.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 10, 2015.

Santa Barbara LOL Comedy Festival Returns

Posted on October 7, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Hot Funny Femmes, courtesy photo

Get ready to laugh out loud at an all-star lineup of headline comedians when the Santa Barbara LOL Comedy Festival returns for two weekends, October 8 through Oct. 17.

Here’s the line-up:

Kira Soltanovich • Hot Funny Femmes • Thur. Oct. 8 • 8 p.m.• Lobero Theatre

Kira Soltanovich (Tru TV’s How To Be A Grown Up, Girls Behaving Badly and The Tonight Show) headlines this evening of sassy, confident, national touring headlining female comedians Kate Quigley, Jenny Zigrino, Karen Rontowski and Hosted by Real Housewives of Orange County Alum Gretchen Christine Rossi.

Brad Williams • Hosts Ringmaster • Fri. Oct. 9 • 8 p.m. • Lobero Theatre

Brad Williams, coming off his hit Showtime comedy special Fun Size, filmed at the 2014 SBLOLFEST showcases the top music comedy performers for this year’s Next Up Stand-Up Featuring Eric Schwartz, J. Chris Newberg and more TBA.

Broken Lizard’s Steve Lemme & Kevin Heffernan Live • Sat. Oct. 10 • 8 p.m. • Lobero Theatre

Broken Lizard, Super Trooper and Beerfest’s own funnymen headline a night of live laughs. Kicking off the evening will be Comedy Central’s Dan St. Germain.

The Secret Show • So secret we don’t even know where and when it will be. The Secret Show location and tickets will be announced to our mailing list and VIP Pass holders several days prior, and the headliner will be announced the day of. Tickets are very limited to this show so pay attention!

Cheech Marin and and Legally Brown Tu/2.0 • Fri. Oct. 16 • 8 p.m. • Arlington Theatre

Hosted by Cheech Marin, Legally Brown Tu/2.0 is a humorous and ironic look at the obvious through the eyes of some of today’s top Headlining Stand-Up Comedians (all respectively having their own one hour specials on the Showtime Network) Steve Trevino, Monique Marvez, Jeff Garcia and Willie Barcena. All on one show and all of whom just happen to be “Legally Brown.”

Also Featuring: Q104.7FM’s Rico and Mambo and Special Guest Rick Najera a.k.a Bubba Gomez

Chris Hardwick headlines The Nerdy Show • Sat. Oct. 17 • 8 p.m. • Arlington Theatre

The final show of the SBLOLFEST takes place at the Arlington Theater with Comedy Central Favorites Andy Daly (starring in Comedy Central hit show Review) and headliner “The Nerdist” Chris Hardwick.

For more information, visit www.sblolfest.com.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 6, 2015.

The Art of Food at SB Public Market

Posted on August 12, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

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Santa Barbara Public Market hosts “The Art of Food” this week: a photography exhibit featuring market merchants, painting class, food + photo tours, a food photography class and more!

As part of this special week of events, Public Market debuts a commissioned photography exhibit by renowned local photographer, Kim Reierson, featuring the stars of the Public Market… the merchants.

Additional scheduled events include:

Sip & Paint with The Painted Cabernet! – Thursday, August 13, 5:30 p.m. – $45

Calling art + wine lovers! Guests are invited to join The Painted Cabernet for a painting class in The Kitchen at the Public Market! The Painted Cabernet’s instructional artist will walk guests step by step through the painting experience giving one-on-one instruction while giving you the time to sip a little wine, visit with your neighbor, listen to some great music and paint your very own masterpiece to take home at the end of the night! Tickets include a glass of wine. Additional wine or beer and bites from The Culture Counter will be available for purchase. Call 805/963-9979 for details and to reserve.

Kid’s Corner with Knit Fit – Saturday August 15, 10 a.m.-noon – FREE

Knit Fit will host interactive arts & crafts for kids in The Kitchen, where children can learn how to make creative flower origami and can receive $5 glitter tattoos! Call 805/770-7702 for details!

Food Photography Lunch & Learn with Chuck Place – Sunday August 16, noon – $45

Join professional photographer Chuck Place (a Seasons‘ contributor) for a “Lunch & Learn” at the Public Market! This hands on food photography class kicks off with a presentation on light manipulation and how to get the perfect plated shot. Guests will then put their new knowledge to use and turn their cameras to beautifully plated salads provided by Flagstone Pantry! The class wraps up with a Q&A discussion with Chuck, accompanied by a light lunch of fresh salads and complimentary champagne split. Participants are required to bring their own cameras, lenses and 24-inch reflector if they have one. Tripods and cable releases are also recommended but not necessary. Class includes lunch and a split of champagne. Advance reservations are required. Call 805/770-7702 for details and to reserve.

Eat This, Shoot That Food Photography Tour of the Public Market! – Saturday August 15 & Sunday August 16 – $39

Eat This, Shoot That!, the premiere food photography tour guide in town, will be hosting several exclusive tours through the Public Market! The brainchild of Tara Jones, a college photography teacher and local foodie, Eat This, Shoot That! tours are like no other, and this will be the first of its kind at the Public Market! The 45-minute tour will lead participants through the Public Market, stopping at various merchants for photo ops along the way. Participants will learn helpful tips and tricks on how to take better photos of food, and of course sample the food they shoot along the way! Two tours a day will be offered on both Saturday, August 15 (3 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.) and Sunday, August 16 (3 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.). Tours include food samplings from several Public Market merchants. Participants will also receive wristbands that grants them Happy Hour pricing at Wine + Beer all day! Call 800/656-0713 or visit Eat This, Shoot That! at the Public Market for details and to reserve.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on August 11, 2015.

Tamales & Tequila at the Bacara

Posted on June 23, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Courtesy Santa Barbara Tamales-To-Go.

Want to learn how to make delicious tamales?

Expert tamale chef Richard Lambert of Santa Barbara Tamales to Go teaches an interactive class on how to make traditional tamales from 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 at the Bacara Resort & Spa (8301 Hollister Ave.).

In what’s sure to be a fun—and tasty—afternoon, Lambert teaches the techniques he uses to make his firm’s award-winning tamales and salsas.

Santa Barbara Tamales To Go Owner/Chef Richard Lambert will teach a tamale and tequila tasting class at the Bacara on Sunday, June 28. Courtesy photo.

Guests are served a variety of tamales and each tamale is paired with an expression of Tequila Alquimia, a gold medal cognac-like sipping tequila.

The enrollment fee is $30 per person and includes food, tequila, printed recipes and handout materials. Click here to purchase tickets.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on June 22, 2015.

Cocktail Corner: Santa Barbara Wine Festival

Posted on June 22, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

“The Magnificent Seven” (left to right) Ken Brown, Bob Lundquist, Richard Sanford, Jim Clendenen, Drake Whitcraft, Doug Margerum, and Fred Brander – a veritable ‘who’s who’ of Central Coast winemakers, will all be at this year’s Santa Barbara Wine Festival again – for the 28th year. Photo by Joni Kelly.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

The beautiful grounds of Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History are a wonderful spot to appreciate being out in nature, and what better way to enjoy a summer weekend than sipping wine underneath the oaks along Mission Creek? Especially when the proceeds go to support the work of the museum.

Santa Barbara Wine Festival, photo by Bob Dickey

“Santa Barbara Wine Festival is a wine-focused festival,” says Festival Chair, Meridith Moore. Indeed, more than 50 wineries will be pouring at the museum, including some of our favorites like Santa Barbara Winery, Arthur Earl, Grassini, Kita Wines (Chumash Tribe), Palmina, Alma Rosa, Koehler, Au Bon Climat, Babcock, Sunstone, Fess Parker, Andrew Murray, Margerum, Jamie Slone, Beckmen and Whitcraft, to name just a few.

There are plenty of tasty bites at Santa Barbara Wine Festival as well. “We have a large array of top-shelf food purveyors, many of whom are especially paired with wineries that complement one another,” says Moore. “It is exciting because many of the winemakers and chefs are present and available for the guests to meet and discuss the qualities of their varietals and menu items–just another example of why this has become one of the most beloved wine festivals on the Central Coast and the one to attend.”

Scrumptious samples from local food purveyors will complement the wines poured at the Museum’s annual event. Photo by Valentin Mendoza.

Among the yummy items on the menu are: Braised Short Rib Meatballs (Michael’s Catering); Oyster Shooters (Brophy Bros.); Homemade Tamales (Santa Barbara Tamales To Go); Sage and Butternut Squash Raviolis (Ca Dario); Cheese Tastings from around the World (C’est Cheese); Hand-rolled Truffles (Jessica Foster Confections); and Mini Cupcakes (Coveted Cakery), to name a few.

Santa Barbara Wine Festival takes place at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (2559 Puesta de Sol, 805/682-4711, sbnature.org) on Saturday, June 27 from 2-5 p.m.

For more information and to purchase admission for the Santa Barbara Wine Festival, please visit sbnature.org/winefestival.

Hope to see you there. Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

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.”

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on June 19. 2015.

PizzaRev Revs up in Paseo Nuevo

Posted on June 19, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

PizzaRev Santa Barbara, courtesy photo

Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be anything new under the sun in the world of pizza, Santa Barbara has an addition to the local menu with a truly inspired idea: at the new(ish) PizzaRev in Paseo Nuevo, each pizza, no matter how many ingredients are selected, costs $8.25.

That’s right, no more agonizing over pepperoni vs. pepperoncini, or sweet fennel sausage vs. sun-dried tomatoes. Have them all, the only extras you’re charged for gluten-free dough or vegan cheese.

Not only that, we’ve been a few times and PizzaRev is quick and tasty. Perfect for a before or after movie bite, PizzaRev features a distinctive “Craft Your Own” pizza assembly process and Roman-style thin and crispy pizza.

PizzaRev Santa Barbara, courtesy photo

Start by selecting your crust selection (original or gluten-free), then choose from four signature sauces, including a savory organic red sauce, a creamy white alfredo, plain olive oil and a spicy-sweet BBQ. Then, each personally-sized pizza is topped with favorite selections from an array of all-natural cheeses and 30+ fresh artisanal ingredients, ranging from traditional favorites to more unusual selections—they even have vegan sausage! Plus, they only take three minutes to flame fire each pizza. Pretty impressive.

Salads are also available, and don’t forget to try the Dessert Pizza, a decadent treat made with Oreo crust!

Interesting factoid: PizzaRev founders and longtime entertainment industry executives Irv Zuckerman and Rodney Eckerman were co-CEOs of Clear Channel Entertainment, and booked the likes of U2, RollingStones and The Who in their heyday. Rodney’s son, Nicholas, pitched the idea of “build your own” pizza after recognizing the void in the fast casual industry. His culinary and customer service background with Ritz hotels helped fuel the PizzaRev product. It was Irv and Rodney’s business sense that brought the concept to life—they opened the first three locations in the LA area in less than seven months.

PizzaRev is located in Paseo Nuevo at 12 W. De La Guerra St. (right next to the movie theater). For more information, click here.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on June 17, 2015.

Bach, Broadway & Beyond Features Wicked’s Tiffany Haas

Posted on June 10, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Screen Shot 2015-05-19 at 12.06.22 PM

The Music and Arts Conservatory of Santa Barbara presents Bach, Broadway & Beyond, featuring soprano Tiffany Haas, star of Broadway’s Wicked, and MAC’s Virtuoso Strings conducted by Ernest Richardson, on Sunday, June 14 at 7 p.m. at Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St.

“When Tiffany sang for us I just put a star by her name, put down my pen and listened,” Richardson recalls about his first encounter with Haas’ incredible voice. “From that point on, she has been such an important artist in my life. I write music for Tiffany and her ability to bring life to the notes I write is incredible. She is classically trained and can go from Bach to Broadway effortlessly which she will demonstrate beautifully while she literally enchants Santa Barbara.”

Haas’ program will include Bach’s Cantata No. 51 Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen; L’Amero saro costante from Mozart’s Il Re Pastore; Glitter and Be Gay from Bernstein’s Candide; and Jeanine Tesori’s The Girl in 14G. Also on the program, which may be subject to change, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Four Violins in B minor and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com or www.sbmac.org.

In addition, Haas will offer a musical theater master class and concert preview on Saturday, June 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the UCSB Music Department‘s Geiringer Hall. Tickets are $15, $5 for students, at the door. For more information, visit www.sbmac.org.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on June 9, 2015.

Local Poets on Ray Strong

Posted on June 9, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Ray Stanford Strong, Lower East Side, New York City, Rainy Day Under the El, 1926-27. Oil on canvas mounted on board. SBMA, Museum purchase with funds provided by Robert and Marlene Veloz.

There’s a great, free poetry event coming up on Thursday, June 11, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

Local poets will follow Ray Strong‘s example in SBMA’s exhibition and write about the world “Beyond Santa Barbara,” while remaining true to their homegrown cultivated poetic visions. The event takes place on the front steps of Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St.

The museum also has a related exhibition, Ray Strong: Beyond Santa Barbara, running through June 21. Here’s the scoop:

“This intimate presentation of paintings and drawings by esteemed artist Ray Strong (1905–2006) highlights distinct moments within the artist’s practice over the course of 45 years. Featuring landscapes and cityscapes produced outside of the Santa Barbara area, the selected works from the Museum’s holdings offer a view of Strong’s travels and his lifelong interest in depicting the environment around him.”

Ray Strong: Beyond Santa Barbara is organized in conjunction with The Ray Strong Project, an initiative of Sullivan Goss – An American Gallery. This effort includes a series of events and exhibitions coalescing in June of 2015 at museums and galleries in the Santa Barbara area. This initiative will also produce the first monograph on Ray Strong and an online catalogue raisonné.”

For additional information, visit www.theraystrongproject.com.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on June 5, 2015.

LeslieDinaberg.com

Leslie Dinaberg Editor & Writer

Category Archives: Blog Posts

Spanish Colonial Style: Santa Barbara and The Architecture of James Osborne Craig and Mary McLaughlin Craig

SBIFF Honors Jane Fonda

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s Gold Ribbon Luncheon

Santa Barbara LOL Comedy Festival Returns

The Art of Food at SB Public Market

Tamales & Tequila at the Bacara

Cocktail Corner: Santa Barbara Wine Festival

PizzaRev Revs up in Paseo Nuevo

Bach, Broadway & Beyond Features Wicked’s Tiffany Haas

Local Poets on Ray Strong

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