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Something is always happening in Santa Barbara. The quality and quantity of arts and entertainment to be found on campus alone is amazing—when you add the variety of downtown events, the calendar is staggering. You could do something interesting and fun every night of the academic year (if you didn’t have to study). The best information resources are the local newspapers: the Daily Nexus covers most campus events; the Independent (free weekly newspaper), and the Friday edition of the Santa Barbara News-Press has details about the arts and entertainment downtown as well; however, it’s a good idea to cross-check your information: call to confirm dates and times, especially for movies. And keep your eyes open—posters and flyers all over campus will alert you to upcoming events.

ON CAMPUS

Art Museums

JUAN DE FLANDES, FLEMISH,
ACTIVE IN SPAIN, 1496-1516
UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM

The University Art Museum is a internationally-known institution with an active program of special exhibitions and an outstanding permanent collection. It is located on Storke Plaza adjacent to the UCen. Call 893-2951 for information. The College of Creative Studies Gallery (893-2364) displays changing exhibitions, often comprised of work by its faculty and students. The Women’s Center Gallery (893-3778) sponsors solo and group shows by women artists. Gallery 1434 in the Arts Building features work by undergraduate and graduate students. Contact the Art Studio Department for more information (893-3138). Hours vary for each gallery so call ahead.

Arts & Lectures

The Arts & Lectures program presents more than 200 public events each year in Campbell Hall and other on-campus locations. These events include Music, dance, and theater from classic to avant-garde to popular; Dozens of free lectures address topics of great diversity by leaders in the arts, sciences, politics, and industry; Film screenings that bring to UCSB the best cinema the world has to offer free brochures with all the details are available at the beginning of each quarter. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Arts & Lectures Ticket Office. Hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm; and some Saturdays; Bldg. 402; 893-3535; www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

A.S. Program Board

Throughout the year, A.S. Program Board sponsors various types of entertainment. Most events are free or at a nominal cost to UCSB students. Events include comedy shows, advance screenings of first-run movies, lectures, and cultural programs. The board also presents concerts, films, and special events. You can read about upcoming events on Thursdays in the Daily Nexus or visit ASPB’s web site at www.as.ucsb.edu/aspb; UCen 1519; 893-3536.

A.S. Ticket Office (ASTO)

The A.S. Ticket Office, located in the UCen, provides UCSB students with a wide variety of tickets to on-campus and off-campus events, some sponsored by A.S. Program Board. Also, tickets are sold for other special events, such as discount tickets to Magic Mountain. In addition, the ASTO has a cashiering service and can provide Emergency Student Loans for up to $200 cash. ASTO can also provide ticket sellers for on-campus events. Please note that tickets for Arts & Lectures events, Department of Dramatic Arts events, and some Department of Music events are sold at the Arts & Lectures Ticket Office only. Hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm; UCen 1535; 893-2064.

Dance

UCSB offers a variety of live performances for students and the general public every quarter. On-campus events are usually staged in both the Studio and Hatlen Theatres in the Theater and Dance Building, and in the Performing Arts Theatre in Humanities and Social Sciences Building. All students who are interested in performing may audition. For more information call the Department of Theater and Dance; 893-3241. For tickets call Arts & Lectures; 893-3535.

Gallery 1434

Gallery 1434 is a student run art gallery located in the Arts building near the University Art Museum. Weekly changing exhibitions of undergraduate and graduate student artwork constitute the majority of shows displayed in the gallery. Students interested in exhibiting their artwork in Gallery 1434 may submit requests to the Art Studio office at 893-3138. Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. Openings weekly as posted.

Movies

Hundreds of current and classic movies are shown on campus each year. UCSB Arts & Lectures presents one or two film series each quarter in Campbell Hall and Isla Vista Theater. Friday nights the Isla Vista Theater is also home to the Magic Lantern Film series which screens both critically acclaimed and cult films. All showings cost significantly less than the current admission rates at local theaters. Watch for ads in the Daily Nexus, and posters on campus kiosks and in the UCen.

Music

The UCSB Music Department offers outstanding concerts every year, many of them in Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall, featuring diverse groups such as the University Symphony, Opera Theatre, Cappella Cordina, the UCSB Gospel Choir, UCSB Chamber Choir, the Ensemble for Contemporary Music, World Music Ensembles, and others. Majors and non-majors are welcome to audition for many of these groups. For further information, please contact the Music Office located in Music 1315; 893-3261.

Theater

UCSB offers a variety of live presentations for students and the general public every quarter. On-campus events are usually staged in both the Studio and Hatlen Theatres in Snidecor Hall, and in the Performing Arts Theatre in Humanities and Social Sciences Building. All students who are interested in performing may audition. For more information call the Department of Theater and Dance; 893-3241. For tickets call Arts & Lectures; 893-3535.

UCSB Athletic Events

UCSB students receive FREE admission to all UCSB Athletic events. The UCSB Athletic Department hosts over 150 on-campus events annually, including Men’s and Women’s Basketball in the Thunderdome. Gaucho athletic events are not only entertaining, but they are a great way to relax and blow off steam. Schedules for athletic events are available at the UCSB Bookstore among other places, as well as online at UCSBGauchos.com, the official Web site of UCSB Athletics. If you need tickets for family, friends, etc., call the UCSB Athletics Ticket Office at (805) 893-UCSB.

OFF CAMPUS

Arlington Center for the Performing Arts

A former movie palace of the 1930s, the Arlington features stage presentations, movies, and rock, jazz, and symphony concerts. It’s a truly amazing building where you watch events from the courtyard of a small Spanish town under a starry blue sky—don’t miss it! The Arlington is also home to a 1928 Pipe Organ that has 1,800 pipes and can produce sound effects to accompany silent movies as well as beautiful music. The ticket agency, located in the Arlington, is open Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun,10am-4pm; 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara; Ticket Master outlet, event information, and ticket agency: 963-4408.

Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show

The Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show has been attracting visitors from around the world for more than 35 years. Whatever the size, subject, media and price, all artwork sold is original art created by the approximately 290 Santa Barbara County artists who display their artwork here. The informal atmosphere encourages visitors to the show to talk with the artists about their work and often see them in action. The show is held along Cabrillo Boulevard east of State Street from 10am to dusk on all fair weather Sundays and on occasional Saturdays for special shows. For information, call 897-1982.

Earl Warren Showgrounds

Throughout the year there are a variety of events, from horse shows and concerts to clothing sales and craft fairs, at the Showgrounds. It is also the home of the annual Santa Barbara Fair and Expo, usually held in April. Go to www.earlwarren.com for a current schedule. Las Positas Road at Highway 101, Santa Barbara; 687-0766.

La Casa de la Raza

La Casa de la Raza is home to art exhibits, cultural presentations, international ethnic concerts, drama, and folklore presentations performed throughout the year. 601 E. Montecito Street, Santa Barbara; 965-8581.

Lobero Theatre

The theater offers year-round programs of drama, concerts, dance, films, and lectures. 33 East Canon Perdido, Santa Barbara; 963-0761.

Movies

For a complete listing of what’s playing today, check the Independent, other local newspapers or search online. Movie Line: 963-9503.

Museum of Natural History

Exhibits, educational programs, and research focus on the flora, fauna, and geology of the Pacific Coast and Channel Islands. Dioramas illustrate prehistoric life of native peoples in the local environment. A planetarium and library are open to the public. Open Mon.-Sun., 10am-5pm. Admission is $8 (free on the third Sunday of each month). 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara; 682-4711; Web site: sbnature.org.

Theaters

Many theater organizations in Santa Barbara regularly schedule live performances of local and touring companies ranging from serious drama to comedy, improvisation, mime and dance. Some companies also welcome local talent. Call each theater for information.

Arlington Theatre: 963-4408

Center Stage Theatre: 963-0408

Circle Bar B Dinner Theatre: 965-9652

Ensemble Theatre Project: 962-8606

Garvin Theatre (SBCC): 965-5935

Lobero Theatre: 963-0761

Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera: 966-2324

Solvang Theaterfest: 922-8313

Westmont College Theatre: 565-6040

Get Your Tickets Here

The following agencies sell tickets to many local events. Call each agency for event information.

Arts & Lectures Ticket Office: 893-3535

A.S. Ticket Office: 893-2064

Morninglory Music: 966-0266

Ticketmaster (Arlington Theatre): 963-4408

UCSB Athletics: 893-3292

Santa Barbara Bowl

This beautiful outdoor amphitheater is the site of rock concerts and other events. Watch the local newspapers for announcements of upcoming concerts or call the ticket office. The Bowl also offers volunteer opportunities. 1122 N. Milpas St., Santa Barbara; 962-7411; www.sbbowl.com.

Santa Barbara Historical Museum and Gledhill Library

The museum is home to a permanent collection of artifacts from Santa Barbara’s Spanish, Mexican, and American periods with changing exhibits on local history. Admission is free but contributions are welcome. Museum hours: Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 12noon-5pm. The Gledhill Library is open to the public for research. It has a large collection of photographs, documents, and books relating to the local area. Library hours: Tues-Fri, 10am-4pm; and the first Saturday of every month 10am-1pm. Research fees may apply. Visit the Museum and Library at 136 E. De La Guerra Street, Santa Barbara; 966-1601.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, one of southern California’s finest art museums, features nationally recognized collections and special exhibitions of international importance. Highlights of the Museum’s remarkable permanent collection include antiquities; 19th-century French, British and American art; 20th-century and contemporary European, North American and Latin American art; Asian art; photography, and works on paper. Museum visitors will also enjoy the interactive children’s gallery, the café and the Museum Store. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is located at 1130 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA. Museum hours are Tuesday-Sunday 11am-5 pm. Admission is $9 general, $7 seniors, and $6 students with ID. Free every Sunday. www.sbma.net

ANNUAL EVENTS

UCSB Activities Faire

The annual Activities Faire, co-sponsored by the Office of Student Life and Orientation Programs, is held in mid-October. This lively event highlights special presentations and information tables by campus organizations and departments. This is a wonderful opportunity for campus organizations to recruit new members and for interested students to find ways to become involved at UCSB. For more information, call 893-4550.

All Hall Ball

This event, held usually during Winter Quarter, is one of the biggest events that RHA puts on during the year. The ball is held off campus in a secret location and participants don’t know where they are going until they arrive at the event. RHA works hard to keep ticket prices down (in the past they have been about $5). Typical attendance at this event is 1,000. Dance, beverages and food are provided in a cool setting.

Annual Invitational Rugby Tournament

Sponsored by the UCSB Rugby Team, this tournament is one of the largest and most prestigious in the world. Scheduled in April, the tournament attracts the best collegiate and club teams nationwide. For information, contact the UCSB Rugby Team at 893-3674, ext.3.

Annual Student Leadership Conference

Every winter, UCSB hosts the Annual Student Leadership Conference. This free conference is offered with the intent of developing student leaders holistically: presentations are typically around the themes of skill building, personal development, organizational development, or issue-specific education (current events facing leaders). The conference also features a prominent expert on leadership as the keynote speaker and ends with Connections, a late night mixer. Free food and awesome prizes! Do not miss this event designed for all students, regardless of leadership experience. For more information, contact the Office of Student Life at 893-3544 or visit the Leadership Education website at http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl/LeadershipDevelopment/Index.asp? page=leadership

Celebration of Communities

Celebration of Communities happens during the month of November and is a time for UCSB to celebrate diversity through a variety of events and activities. This annual celebration gives many campus departments and organizations an opportunity to program events that highlight the commonalities and differences among all communities represented here at UCSB. This event establishes a tradition that celebrates the heritage and values unique to each culture or community while promoting interaction, understanding, and a respect for difference. In a quest to fulfill this mission, academic, social, educational, and recreational events are planned with the participation of faculty, staff, students, and the local community. For more information call 893-4758 or email: EOP@sa.ucsb.edu.

Cultural Celebration Weeks

Every spring quarter, students celebrate a variety of cultures represented in the student body at UCSB during different weeks: African American Culture Week, Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander Culture Week, Chicano/Latino Culture Week, Native American Culture Week, and Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Pride Week. Some activities include traditional dance performances, lectures, panels, and films. Look for fliers during spring quarter, or call EOP at 893-4758, the MultiCultural Center at 893-8411 or the Women’s Center at 893-3778.

Discovery Days

Discovery Days occur every fall between “move-in day” and the first day of classes. Hundreds of welcome events are designed to help all new students become familiar with the many services and opportunities at UCSB. Events range from workshops and meetings to dances, open houses, and ice cream socials. For more information, read the Discovery Days Calendar (mailed to all new students in early September inside the Daily Nexus newspaper) or call 893-3443.

UCSB Extravaganza

Every spring quarter, AS Program Board presents an free all-day concert and festival in Harder Stadium. A variety of national touring acts, games, vendors, and food stands are some of the featured attractions. Students oversee the entire planning process for Extravaganza including setting the budget, negotiating for acts, planning and managing the event, and running day of show operations. Students can volunteer to help with Extravaganza (or any other ASPB event) by contacting AS Program Board at 893-3536 or aspb@as.ucsb.edu.

Ethnic Festivals

Delicious food, traditional music, colorful dancing, arts and crafts are some of the things you’ll find at each ethnic festival held annually at Oak Park in Santa Barbara. Festivals include the Jewish Festival (www.sbjf.org), Chinese Festival (964-0211), Irish Festival (687-4343), French Festival (564-PARIS), Greek Festival (683-4492), Festa Italiana at Serra Hall (687-3999), Caribbean Festival (687-4701), and the Multicultural Dance and Music Festival (966-6950). Exit 101 on Pueblo or Mission to get to Oak Park. Call respective numbers for dates and times of events.

Fiesta-Old Spanish Days

For those who are fortunate enough to spend the summer in Santa Barbara, the annual Fiesta/Old Spanish Days, held in August, is an event not to be missed. There are parades, street dances, a rodeo, a mercado (outdoor market), and variety shows. Watch the opening ceremonies on the steps of the Mission or grab a blanket and a friend to see the nightly performances held in the sunken gardens at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Check local newspapers for times and locations. Most events are free.

Food Festivals

Each year many food festivals occur in the Santa Barbara area. Swing by to taste multiple interpretations of a particular food.
February: Chocolate Festival (736-4567)
September: California Organic Festival (800-564-5418)
October: Autumn Arts Grapes & Grains (925-2403),
Avocado Festival (684-5479),
Lemon Festival (967-4618),
Harbor & Seafood Festival (897-1962)

Fraternity and Sorority Membership Recruitment (Rush)

Each of UCSB’s fraternities and sororities has leadership, scholarship, service, and friendship opportunities to offer prospective members. Recruitment serves as a time for potential new members to get to know members and learn about individual chapter programs and ideas. Recruitment is a mutual selection process and is held in early Fall Quarter, although some on-going programs are available throughout the year. The Greek system at UCSB is divided into four councils—InterFraternity Conference (IFC), College Panhellenic Conference (CPC), Local/Regional and National Pan-Hellenic Conference (NPHC). To learn more about each group, please visit www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl. Each group is responsible for its own recruitment procedures. IFC and CPC send out recruitment brochures and applications over the summer to all incoming freshmen, returning sophomores and transfer students. If you are not a member of this group but would like to request information, call the Office of Student Life at 893-4569. Those interested in Local/Regional and NPHC recruitment should contact the Office of Greek Affairs directly at 893-3966.

Italian Street Painting Festival-I Madonnari

Held at the Santa Barbara Mission during Memorial Day weekend, this festival is modeled after an international competition held in Italy. Internationally famous artists, as well as local talent and children from area schools, use sidewalk chalk to create 200 amazing works of art on the pavement of the Mission courtyard. Italian food and entertainment are highlighted in this benefit for the Children’s Creative Project. www.imadonnarifestival.com.

Parents' and Family Weekend

Every fall, UCSB welcomes students’ families —parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents —to explore the campus and get a firsthand look at what life is like at UCSB. Guests will have the opportunity to attend classes, participate in faculty presentations, information sessions, campus area tours and specially planned social events, as well as meet a variety of UCSB faculty and administrators including your professors and Chancellor Henry and Mrs. Dilling Yang. For more information, contact The Office of Public Events at 893-7382 or email: parent@instadv.ucsb.edu.

Residence Halls Association (RHA) Talent Show

The RHA Talent Show is an annual event that provides an opportunity for on-campus residents to display their talents and win prizes. Hall Councils have their own talent shows and the top winners go on to compete in the All-Hall Talent show. This event is also typically filmed and broadcast on RHA TV.

Sandcastles Day

This event is traditionally held at Goleta Beach in the fall quarter. It is a sandcastle-building contest at the beach presented by the Residence Halls Association (RHA) for all on-campus residents. Students compete for great prizes by constructing the best, biggest, or most creative sandcastles.

Santa Barbara Fair & Expo

The Fair and Expo is held annually in April. Fair activities include carnival rides, delicious Fair treats, entertainment by singers, dancers, musicians and performers, livestock demonstrations and exhibits of food, plants, housewares, animals, crafts, photography, etc. Earl Warren Showgrounds, Las Positas Rd. at Highway 101; 687-0766.

Santa Barbara Swapmeet

The swapmeet is a weekly event open every Sunday, 7am-2pm for bargains galore (but the good stuff is gone by noon). Seller stalls are $20—call 967-4591 and check on student discounted spaces. Admission for buyers is $1 per person. 907 S. Kellogg Avenue, Goleta; 964-9050.

Summer Solstice Parade & Festival

This creative and fun event marks the beginning of the summer and the longest day of the year. It begins in May with an arts workshop open to everyone. In the workshop people create the parade with float building, mask making, costuming, music, dance and street theater. The festival in Alameda Park begins immediately after the parade and features live bands, a drum circle, food and arts & crafts from local artisans. Don’t miss this creative free event, 965-3396.