Impro Theatre’s Twilight Zone UnScripted

Posted on November 19, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Twilight Zone UnScripted, courtesy photo

From the folks that brought us last spring’s laugh-out-loud hilarious performance of Impro Theatre’s Jane Austen UnScripted, Instant Karma Improv Comedy brings the group back to town with their wildly popular Twilight Zone UnScripted, directed by Jo McGinley and Stephen Kearin.

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.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Twilight Zone UnScripted: Trailer “Fear” from Impro Theatre on Vimeo.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on November 18, 2015.

Tab Hunter Confidential

Posted on November 18, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

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.

—Leslie Dinaberg

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

Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

Posted on November 2, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Arturo O’Farrill and the
Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, courtesy of UCSB Arts & Lectures.

Grammy Award-winning Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra bring together the drama of big band jazz, the culture of Latin music and the virtuosity of 18 of the world’s most accomplished solo musicians, on Thu., Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. at UCSB Campbell Hall, presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures.

Pianist and composer O’Farrill, billed by the New York Times as leader of the “first family of Afro-Cuban Jazz,” earned a reputation as a soloist in groups led by Dizzy Gillespie, Steve Turre, Freddy Cole, Lester Bowie, Wynton Marsalis and Harry Belafonte.

Son of the late, great composer Chico O’Farrill, he established the Grammy Award-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra to bring the vital musical traditions of Afro Latin jazz to a wider audience. Fusing Latin rhythms, African-based percussion, modern jazz and swing, this 18-piece orchestra roars through new commissions and compositions by the best in Latin music: Tito Puente, Astor Piazzola, Hermeto Pascoal and Chico O’Farrill.

For tickets or more information, call UCSB Arts & Lectures at 805/893-3535 or purchase online at www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 30, 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.

Editor’s Pick: Santa Barbara LOL Comedy Festival

Posted on October 5, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

I was so excited to hear that Santa Barbara LOL Comedy Festival is back (Oct. 8–17) for a second round of amazing comedy performances. Highlights last year included laugh-out-loud performances from Brad Williams, Jay Mohr, Kirk Fox, Andrew Dice Clay and Rachel Bradley, to name a few. I can’t wait to see what they’ve got up their sleeves for 2015.

Originally published in the Fall 2015 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Local Lowdown: Culture Club–The Mission Poetry Series

Posted on September 18, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Poet Gina Ferrera is one of three authors featured in the September Mission Poetry Series. Courtesy photo.

Poetry is always in season around here, and one of the best places to get your fix is the Mission Poetry Series. Now wrapping up its sixth season, the series recently partnered with Antioch University as a new host venue to serve the literary and poetry communities with free readings from an eclectic assortment of poets each fall and spring. Poet Emma Trelles now programs and hosts the series, along with curator Melinda Palacio, as it evolves and continues to be one of the premiere readings on the Central Coast.

The fall reading (at 1 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Antioch University, 602 Anacapa St.) features poets David Campos, Gina Ferrara and Christine Penko.

Since its inception, the Mission Poetry Series has featured more than 30 poets, offering them paid readings and an opportunity to reach a wide and diverse audience. Each poet reads for 20–30 minutes, and original poetry one-sheet prints, with a poem by each of the featured poets, are distributed free at every reading.

For more information, visit facebook.com/missionpoetryseries.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in the Fall 2015 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.

Reel Cool Movies at the Granada

Posted on June 8, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

The Muppet Movie Get ready for a fun series of family favorite movies at the Granada this summer. The 2015 Summer Film Series offers audiences an especially rare opportunity to see memorable favorites on the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art digital 4K rear-projection screen at the historic Granada Theatre.

These family friendly films screen on Wednesdays throughout the summer.

June 10, 6 p.m.: The Muppet Movie (1979), G

June 24, 6 p.m.: Ghostbusters (1984), PG

July 8, 6 p.m.: E.T. (1982), PG

July 22, 6 p.m.: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe (2005), PG

August 12, 6 p.m.: Surf’s Up (2007), PG

August 26, 6 p.m.: Despicable Me (2010), PG

General Admission tickets are $10 with discounts for multiple series purchases. Click here to purchase tickets for each movie performance, or by calling The Granada Theatre’s Box Office at 805/899-2222. The theater is located at 1214 State St. For more information please visit www.granadasb.org.

—Leslie Dinaberg

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

Editor’s Pick: David Sedaris

Posted on April 27, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

David Sedaris, courtesy of Robert Banks

Author David Sedaris is a must-see on May 4, when he regales us with hilarious anecdotes, not-yet-published writing and excerpts from his mega-best-selling books. His laugh-out-loud satire and engrossing storytelling have won him an avid following worldwide. Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St. 8 p.m. 805/893-3535, artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine, Spring 2015.

Editor’s Pick: Bill Maher

Posted on March 3, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Bill Maher, courtesy HBO

Politically incorrect, consistently funny and thought provoking, Bill Maher has long been a groundbreaker in bringing funny political talk to television. Now he takes his signature winning combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs to the Arlington Theatre on March 14. 1317 State St., 8 p.m. 806/963-4408, thearlingtontheatre.com.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine, Spring 2015.

Editor’s Pick: Three Women and the Truth

Posted on February 19, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Three Women and the Truth, courtesy of the Lobero Theatre

Three Women and the Truth

Three women, three guitars and the words, music and hard-won wisdom from three lifetimes spent in pursuit of the song. Award-winning female songwriters Mary Gauthier, Eliza Gilkyson and Gretchen Peters balance personal tales with classic underpinnings, which hint at the evocative idea that all our lives are full of events and incidents that touch on the mythic and the timeless. Feb. 20, 8 p.m. Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. 805/963-0761, lobero.com.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine, Winter 2014/15.

LeslieDinaberg.com

Leslie Dinaberg Editor & Writer

Category Archives: pop culture

Impro Theatre’s Twilight Zone UnScripted

Tab Hunter Confidential

Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

SBIFF Honors Jane Fonda

Editor’s Pick: Santa Barbara LOL Comedy Festival

Local Lowdown: Culture Club–The Mission Poetry Series

Reel Cool Movies at the Granada

Editor’s Pick: David Sedaris

Editor’s Pick: Bill Maher

Editor’s Pick: Three Women and the Truth

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: