Lobero LIVE 2013-2014

Karla Bonoff and Jimmy Webb are defining Songwriters of a Generation, coming together to play an intimate series of shows highlighting their hits. Photos: Gary Lambert

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Bill Frisell All We Are Saying

Jazz guitarist Bill Frisell showed his thoughtful interpretations of John Lennon and Beatles tunes' on Friday, May 16. Greenroom photos by LTF Staff.

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Keb Mo

Legendary bluesman Keb' Mo' returned to the Lobero Theatre on May 13 for a terrific evening of roots music and storytelling. Reception photos by Gary Lambert.

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Paul Galbraith

Classical guitarist Paul Galbriath played a beautiful concert by Bach and Mozart, the west coast premiere. Photos: LTF staff

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An Evening with Branford Marsalis

GRAMMY-winning saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master Branford Marsalis played a whopping 100+ minute set at the Lobero Theatre on May 7 with his powerhouse quartet. Reception photos by Gary Lambert.

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Regina Carter Southern Comfort

Jazz violinist Regina Carter showed some Southern Comfort-a rollicking good set of jazz-influenced early blues, gospel, Cajun and Appalachian old-time country music. Reception photos: Gary Lambert

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DW presents Mark Dendy Projects

New York choreographer Mark Dendy presented the World Premiere of Dystopian Distractions, created during his DANCEworks residency, on April 26, 2014. Photos: LTF Staff

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First Thursday After Hours Apr14

It was une bonne soiree at the Lobero Theatre for First Thursday After Hours on April 3 with eclectic cabaret dancing by Kerilee Kaski. photos: LTF Staff

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Tierney Sutton After Blue

Tierney Sutton treated Lobero audiences to her renditions of classic Joni Mitchell tunes in After Blue on March 22. Photos: LTF Staff

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Newport Jazz Festival Now 60

The Newport Jazz Festival celebrates 60 years with an all-star band. Photos by LTF staff.

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Charles Lloyd Sangam

Charles Lloyd, Zakir Hussain and Eric Harland came together for Sangam 10 years after it was recorded at the Lobero Theatre.

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It's Magic 2014

It's Magic! celebrates 15 great years at the Lobero Theatre as Santa Barbara's Favorite Magic show. Photos: LTF Staff

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Pat Metheny Unity Group

Pat Metheny led an all-star group of top jazz musicians in an inspired performance on Feb. 26. Reception photos by Gary Lambert.

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Jack DeJohnette Joe Lovano Esperanza Spalding and Leo Genovese

Four giants of jazz came together for an inspired evening.

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An Evening with Jim Messina and Richie Furay

Jim Messina and Richie Furay helped celebrate the completion of Encore: Lobero preservation work on February 15.

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Colin Quinn Unconstitutional

Colin Quinn showed off his constitutional knowledge and rapid-fire wit in Unconstitutional. After the performance, he came out to meet the fans. Photos: LTF Staff

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An Evening with Shawn Colvin

Shawn Colvin played an intimate and revealing concert which showcased her vocal range and long career. Reception photos by LTF staff.

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An Evening with David Crosby

David Crosby kicked off his North American tour with a gig celebrating the release of his first solo album in 20 years at the Lobero Theatre. Photos: Thalia VanTonder

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First Thursday After Hours-Dec13

It's time for an Encore! The Lobero Theater re-opens after six months of preservation work with community events including the 1st Thursday: After Hours kickoff

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2011

In testament to the Lobero Theatre Foundation’s continued efforts to present quality jazz and American roots performances in a cherished historic setting, the Lobero Theatre is recognized in 2011 as one of the Best Places to See Jazz by DownBeat Magazine, the pre-eminent publication of the jazz and roots genre for the last 76 years

2006

The Foundation launches its Endowment for Excellence in 2006 in four areas: Dance, American Roots Music, Theatre and Classical Music. Proceeds from the endowment will ensure that the world’s finest performers continue to appear on the Lobero stage.

2004

In August 2004, the Lobero Theatre Foundation interred a new time capsule in the Lobero Courtyard, to be opened in twenty years for the Lobero’s 100th anniversary.

2003

In 2003, Churchill’s Jewelry store owner Dick Kern discovered an old trombone in the attic of his building, once a music store. Instrument expert Nick Rail confirms that it may have belonged to Jose Lobero. It is placed on view in the Lobero Theatre lobby.

2001

Courtyard Fund was kicked off in February 2001. Over the next two years, the Lobero Associates raised more than $265,000 for the beautification of the back patio. Construction began mid-March and was completed on time and on budget on June 28, 2003. The patio is now used for receptions, dinners and special events.

2000

In 2000, the Lobero Theatre Foundation embarked on an ambitious plan to renovate the most fundamental aspects of any theatre’s infrastructure: the lighting, rigging and sound systems. The stage renovation is completed on-budget and in plenty of time for a return visit by Baryshnikov for five sold-out performances in May 2002.

1998

Dance legend Mikhail Baryshnikov took the stage for five special solo evenings at the Lobero in 1998. The Lobero is by far the smallest venue the dancer has appeared in for over 25 years.

1997

On August 19, 1997, the City of Santa Barbara’s Redevelopment Agency forgave a $468,000 loan for the seismic work.

1996

In June 1996, the Lobero Theatre Foundation received the deed to the theatre from the County of Santa Barbara. The Lobero Theatre Foundation now owns the theatre, which it has operated since 1938.

1993

The state-mandated seismic renovation of the Lobero Theatre began in 1993 and took more than four years to complete. Over 4,600 gifts from the community were received to reach the $3 million goal for the project.

1949

December 1949 is when the first jazz performance is presented on the Lobero stage, kicking off a long and enduring legacy as Santa Barbara’s premier destination for live jazz.

1938

In 1938 the Lobero Theatre Foundation was incorporated as a 501 (c 3) organization and to this day manages, maintains, preserves and programs the Lobero Theatre.

1925

The theatre’s Mediterranean style was adopted as an architectural model after the 1925 earthquake.

1924

On August 4, 1924, today’s Lobero opened its doors with a gala production of Beggar on Horseback. Santa Barbara celebrated the opening with the inaugural Fiesta which was the predecessor of today’s Fiesta and Old Spanish Days.

1922

In 1922 the Community Arts Association purchased the old Lobero, which had fallen into disrepair, and turned to the community for the support to build a new theatre. Over $180,000 was raised in less than a month, and plans for a new theatre, designed by George Washington Smith and Lutah Maria Riggs, began.

1873

On Washington’s Birthday 1873, Jose Lobero (born “Giuseppe” in Genoa, Italy) opened California’s only opera house south of San Francisco on the site of an old wooden schoolhouse at Canon Perdido and Anacapa streets. It featured a suspended horseshoe balcony and could seat 1,300. At the time of its opening, the Lobero was the largest adobe building in California and soon established itself as the cultural heart of Santa Barbara.

Lobero Theatre Seating Chart