Monthly Archives: February 2014

Entangled Grid: Ann Diener at Atkinson Gallery

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From "Entangled Grid: Ann Diener" (courtesy photo)

From “Entangled Grid: Ann Diener” (courtesy photo)

Santa Barbara City College‘s (SBCC’s) Atkinson Gallery is back in the newly renovated Humanities Building with a new exhibition, Entangled Grid: Drawings by Ann Diener. She created these recent drawings by overlaying images of the city of Los Angeles as it now exists onto the historical blueprint, thus recording spaces from different time periods and a cacophony of architecture as diverse as its population.

In addition to her large works on paper, the show will feature a massive wall drawing that Diener will complete onsite with a team of SBCC student volunteers.

Diener received her BA from UCLA and her MFA from UCSB. Her one-person exhibitions include Bank Gallery, Los Angeles, the Art, Design and Architecture Museum at UCSB, Electric Works Gallery San Francisco and the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum (now the Museum of Contemporary Art). She was a resident artist at the American Academy in Rome, Italy and at Kaus Australis in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The opening reception for the exhibit is January 31 from 5–7 p.m. There will also be a free artist lecture on February 5 at 4:30 p.m. The work will be on view through February 28, but please note the gallery is closed February 14-17 for President’s Day weekend.

ATKINSON GALLERY  is located in the Art Department at SBCC,  Humanities Building Room 202, East Campus, 721 Cliff Dr.

Originally published on January 27, 2014 in Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine.

AB Design Studio Selected as New Architect for Children’s Museum of Santa Barbara

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Aerial view of Santa Barbara Children's Museum, courtesy AB Design Studio

Aerial view of Santa Barbara Children’s Museum, courtesy AB Design Studio

The long-wished-for Children’s Museum of Santa Barbara takes another step forward with the selection of architects from AB Design Studio Inc. to complete the building, which was initially designed by the late Barry Berkus.

Affectionately dubbed “the sand castle,” the whimsical design features approximately 15,000 square feet of interactive exhibits including a rooftop sky garden with exhibits and viewing areas. The museum will also house a state-of-the-art theater for video art and a small classroom, as well as a museum store.

Expected to be Santa Barbara’s first LEED-certified museum, the innovative building will highlight its own features such as the use of repurposed blue jeans for insulation and several “kid-powered” exhibits.

 

Rooftop view of Santa Barbara Children's Museum, courtesy AB Design Studio

Rooftop view of Santa Barbara Children’s Museum, courtesy AB Design Studio

The building will be located at 125 State St. between Hotel Indigo and the Train Depot. According to a recent statement, the project is currently in the permitting stage and will start construction in the summer of 2014 with a plan to be open in 2016.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on February 3, 2014.

SBIFF Has Free Lunchtime Seminars

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film-fest-posterThere’s a great new addition to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival this year: free educational seminars on a variety of topics that are related to film.

Here’s the schedule:

Topic: Social Justice

Monday, Feb. 3 at noon. Moderated by Geoff Green, executive director of The Fund for Santa Barbara.

Topic: Breaking into the Industry

Tuesday, Feb. 4 at noon. Moderated by Nico Maestu, film studies professor.

Topic: Santa Barbara Filmmakers

Wednesday, Feb. 5 at noon. Moderated by Russ Spencer of Bison Films.

Topic: Representing Women of Color

Thursday, Feb. 6 at noon. Moderated by Gaye Theresa Johnston and Ingrid Banks, UCSB Department of Black Studies.

Topic: Screen Cuisine

Friday, Feb. 7 at noon. Moderated by Steve Chagollan from Variety.

Participants in each seminar will include industry professionals as well filmmakers with films in the festival.

All remaining seminars take place in the UGG Australia Pavilion, which is located behind the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Due to limited space, admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to pass-holders.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on February 3, 2014.

Cocktail Corner: Le Café Stella

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The bar at Le Cafe Stella (courtesy photo)

The bar at Le Cafe Stella (courtesy photo)

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg  |

Tucked uptown near the corner of upper State Street and Las Positas across from the scenic Santa Ynez mountains and Municipal Golf Course, Le Café Stella is a charming neighborhood favorite, pairing the ambience of a European café with an American twist.

Le Cafe Stella Margarita (courtesy photo)

Le Cafe Stella Margarita (courtesy photo)

Located at 3302 McCaw Ave., it’s a great place to meet friends, especially during Happy Hour, which happens daily from 3–6 p.m. and 9–10 p.m. (I love this late night Happy Hour trend we’re seeing more and more around town these days!) Sit in the cozy Parisian style bar or outside on the dog-friendly patio and enjoy the sunset.

Cocktail specials include a Margarita (made with tequila, agave nectar and house sweet & sour), a Madras (with vodka, cranberry juice and fresh O.J.) and Pernod (Pernod on ice with a splash of water)—all at just $4 a pop. Also on special is a selections of wines by the glass ($3.50) and bottled beers that include Beck’s Sapphire, Firestone and Long Hammer IPA for $3 each, along with Corona and Sol for just $2.50.

Along with breakfast, lunch and dinner, Le Café Stella has a great menu of nibbles, including Happy Hour specials on a variety of flatbreads, as well as Cajun pork sausage brioche sliders with harissa aioli & tomato cornichon relish. Try the sautéed shrimp with an order of parmesan truffle fries—they won’t leave you hungry for dinner.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on January 31, 2014.

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.”