Guitar Shorty

Posted on November 9, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Guitar Shorty, courtesy photo

The Santa Barbara Blues Society, the oldest existing U.S. blues society, founded in March 1977, presents awardwinning Guitar Shorty and his band at the Carrillo Recreation Center (100 E. Carrillo St.) on Saturday, November 14.

David Kearney, a.ka. Guitar Shorty, was born in Texas and raised in Florida. His early influences included B.B. King, John Lee Hooker and Guitar Slim. A valued musician since his teens, known since then as Guitar Shorty, he was lead guitarist in the bands of musical giants Sam Cooke and Ray Charles. Shorty has lived in Los Angeles for more than 40 years and led his own band for more than 30. Nominated for multiple Blues Music Awards by the Blues Foundation, he has won two for Best Blues Album of the Year. The Chicago Reader called him “among the highest-energy blues entertainers on the scene.”

Doors will open at 7 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m. There will be free BBQ snacks, an outdoor patio, and a large, spring-loaded dance floor. For further information, go to www.SBBlues.org, or call 805/ 722-8155.

—Leslie Dinaberg

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

Cocktail Corner: Value Blends from Qupé

Posted on November 7, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Louisa Sawyer Lindquist and Bob Lindquist. Photo by Derek Johnson

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg

We’ve longtime fans of Qupé wines at my house, so I was excited to hear that winemaker Bob Lindquist had a new duo of value blends available and couldn’t wait to try them. Thankfully, they didn’t disappoint. Both wines retail for about $16.

Drawing inspiration from the elegant wines of France’s Rhône Valley, crossed with an approachable California touch, both the “modern red” and “modern white” pair well with a wide variety of foods. Here are the tasting notes:

Qupé 2013 A Modern Red – “For lovers of Pinot, looking for ‘a bit more,’ A Modern Red offers delicate Pinot-like flavors, but with added complexity and spice. Not all red wines play well with a broad range of food, but whether it’s steak, chicken, or a Sunday afternoon burger, A Modern Red complements them all.”

Qupé 2014 A Modern White – “Call this blend a modern wine for the modern drinkers. Taking the best of California Chardonnay and integrating the aromatic notes and freshness of France’s Rhone Valley, this wine is easily paired with a variety of lighter dishes, serves as an easy sipper for an evening in with takeout, or a quality, value wine to bring to a casual dinner party.”

Qupe Value Blends, courtesy photo

Started in 1982, Qupé (kyoo-PAY) spans multiple vineyards across California’s Central Coast. Bob Lindquist, founder, winemaker and partner is considered to be an original “Rhône Ranger,” and was one of the first to advocate for American-made Syrah and other Rhône varietals such as Grenache, Roussanne and Marsanne. Qupé is celebrated as California’s preeminent producer of cool-climate Syrah and Rhône varietals. Qupé produces four tiers of wines: Single Vineyard/Estate, Reserve, Core and Blends. In 2013, noted wine investor, Charles Banks, purchased a controlling interest in Qupé, adding the brand to his Terroir Selections portfolio. Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

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 November 6, 2015.

Aline Smithson at wall space gallery

Posted on November 6, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Lucy in Turquoise by Aline Smithson, courtesy wall space gallery

Artist/photographer Aline Smithson, whose beautiful work graced the cover of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine in spring 2015, will be in town Friday night to show her the work and celebrate the release of her long awaited monograph, Self & Others: Portrait as Autobiography.

Smithson’s roots in traditional painting and portraiture are the background for her latest body of work, Revisiting Beauty. “In the footsteps of classical portraiture, her images filled with vibrant rich color and the simple beauty of the young women sitting before her brings to mind Kusakabe Kimbei’s stunning hand painted portraits of young Japanese women. It is the connection to her subject that her standing out from the often overflowing world of portrait photographers,” says wall space gallery owner Crista Dix.

Lexie Turned by Aline Smithson, courtesy wall space gallery

The gallery will show a selection of highlighted works of Alines’ many portrait series. Arrangement in Green & Black (Portrait of the Photographer’s Mother), Revisiting Beauty and hand painted silver gelatin portraits.

Friday night November 6, from 6 – 8 p.m., Smithson will give an artist talk and sign books.

wall space gallery is located at 116 E. Yanonali St. in the Funk Zone of Santa Barbara. Open hours: Tu-Sa 11-5, Sun 12-5, and by appointment.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Self & Others by Aline Smithson

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 4, 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.

Changing Lives Together: Joyce Dudley to Keynote Women’s Fund Site Visit

Posted on October 28, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Joyce Dudley, courtesy photo

The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara will host a Site Visit Kick-Off on Thursday, October 29 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church (21 E. Constance Ave., Santa Barbara). This annual event features progress reports from the seven local nonprofits that received Women’s Fund grants this past spring: Children’s Resource and Referral, Community Action Commission, Conflict Solutions Center, Mental Wellness Center, New Beginnings Counseling Center, Sarah House and Transition House.

In addition to representatives from the nonprofits, for the first time there will be a keynote speaker at the event—Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley.

“Joyce knows that prevention and early intervention strategies are key to changing lives,” said Women’s Fund Chair Nancy Harter. “For more than a decade, the Women’s Fund has researched and funded local programs with those same strategies.”

While there is a $20 fee for Women’s Fund members to help defray costs, the event is open to guests free of charge. A reception will follow at 5:30 p.m.

For more information and to register, go to the Women’s Fund website at www.womensfundsb.org

After the October 29 Kick-Off, Women’s Fund members and guests will have the opportunity to sign up for small-group visits to the seven 2015 grantees to see first-hand how Women’s Fund grants are changing lives. The small-group visits will be available on a first-come basis between November and February.

Donating more than $5.1 million to the local community since 2004, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara is an all-volunteer collective donor group that enables women to combine their charitable dollars into significant grants focused on the critical needs of women, children and families in south Santa Barbara County. The Women’s Fund has grown from 68 members in 2004 to nearly 700 in 2015.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 27, 2015

Santa Barbara Empty Bowls Returns Nov. 1

Posted on October 28, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Courtesy Santa Barbara Empty Bowls

Help to end hunger when one of Santa Barbara’s most beloved events, the annual Santa Barbara Empty Bowls luncheon, returns on Sun., Nov. 1 at the Ben Page Youth Center, 4540 Hollister Ave. Tickets are still available.

Always a unique and fun fundraising event, Empty Bowls benefits the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, which works to eliminate hunger and food insecurity by distributing nutritious food, education and other resources through its own programs and through a network of more than 300 member nonprofit partners and programs in Santa Barbara County.

For a donation of $30 (or more), participants choose a beautiful bowl handcrafted by local ceramic artists, enjoy a simple meal of soup, bread and water, and take home the bowl as a reminder of the meal’s purpose to feed the hungry in our community.

Following the luncheon, attendees may tour the Foodbank Warehouse Facility, located next door from the Page Center at 4554 Hollister Ave. and enjoy a slice of pie and delicious coffee from French Press while touring.

Last year, more than 800 people attended Empty Bowls, which raised $108,109 for the Foodbank. Santa Empty Bowls has donated over $1 million to the Foodbank over the last 17 years to help alleviate hunger in Santa Barbara County and has provided huge community awareness for Foodbank’s mission and work.

The event is hosted by Santa Barbara Empty Bowls Committee: Danyel Dean (Founder), Diane Durst, Cathy Closson, Merrillee Ford Bev Hanna, Donnalyn Karpeles, Nancy Krug, Elizabeth Olson, Laurie Potter, Shanon Sedivy, Linda Shillerstom and Dierdre Woode. Tickets are still available and guests can choose between three seating times: 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. For tickets click here. Online registration ends Friday, October 30, but tickets can also be purchased at the door.

For more information, visit foodbanksbc.org.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 27, 2015.

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.

Cocktail Corner: Art, Libations and Music on the Edge

Posted on October 9, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

The pool at the Goodland, courtesy photo.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg

Make a splash next weekend at Goleta’s Goodland Hotel when art meets music, libations, food and creative fun with a poolside “play with your food” interactive brunch on Saturday, Oct. 17. It’s all part of MCA Santa Barbara‘s second annual On the Edge Festival, which brings internationally renowned performance artists to Santa Barbara this month.

Meet the On Edge artists over what’s sure to be a delicious brunch, featuring a do-it-yourself crepe and bagel bar, with food portraits and puppet inspiration. Enjoy your brunch poolside with a DJ set by Nikki Jean and Double O, and a cash bar with signature cocktails by resident mixologist Chris Burmeister. Trust me … he’s got a way with a Martini shaker!

Outpost cocktails, courtesy photo

The Goodland is located at 5650 Calle Real in Goleta. To purchase tickets ($25 general admission and $20 for museum members) click here.

Hope to see you there. Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 9, 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.

LeslieDinaberg.com

Leslie Dinaberg Editor & Writer

Tag Archives: Seasons Publishing Group

Guitar Shorty

Cocktail Corner: Value Blends from Qupé

Aline Smithson at wall space gallery

Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

Changing Lives Together: Joyce Dudley to Keynote Women’s Fund Site Visit

Santa Barbara Empty Bowls Returns Nov. 1

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

SBIFF Honors Jane Fonda

Cocktail Corner: Art, Libations and Music on the Edge

Santa Barbara LOL Comedy Festival Returns

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