Enjoy a specially curated evening exploring John Kay’s incredible lifetime of accomplishments from Steppenwolf’s history to John’s gradual transition into wildlife activism followed by a brief solo performance.

While growing up in Germany at the end of World War II, John Kay was profoundly affected by American rock ‘n’ roll. In 1967 Kay formed Steppenwolf, which quickly became one of the world’s foremost rock n’ roll bands. Their hits, “Born to Be Wild,” “Magic Carpet Ride,” and “Monster,” stand amongst Rock’s most indelible anthems today. Steppenwolf continued to record and tour internationally until the band’s 50^th anniversary in 2018.

Today, John is passionate about raising awareness concerning the ongoing loss of wildlife and the need to protect and defend our remaining living treasures. Kay and his wife Jutta formed the Maue Kay Foundation in 2004 to support wildlife, conservation and human rights projects around the world.

It is thanks to his generosity that proceeds from this special event benefit the Lobero Theatre’s green business projects, continuing John’s passion for protecting the environment at a local level.  

More information on the Maue Kay Foundation at mauekay.org

The bands, choirs, and orchestras of Montecito Union School and Cold Spring School join together to perform an evening of Broadway, pop, jazz, and classical tunes, showcasing the talents of over 180 students.  A concert for the community, it is a musical night you won’t want to miss! 

This concert is made possible with the support of the Lobero Theatre and the Santa Barbara Bowl Education Outreach program.

For the past ten years, Brett Dennen – with his poet’s perspective, off-kilter vocals, insane sense of humor, and limitless musical freedom – has turned dancing like no one’s watching into a lifestyle. As a songwriter, performer, watercolor artist, and environmental conservationist and outdoorsman, the shows he performs and the events he hosts generate more than good vibes. His impact has been to gather like-minded music fans to consistently try to make the world a better place.

As a young man in Northern California, Dennen’s passion for environmental conservation and his outrage at injustice led him to work as a camp counselor for at-risk youth. There, he used music as a teaching tool. Through song, he could pull different demographics of kids together, he could communicate in a different way with those who found trouble finding their own words, and obviously…guitar + bonfire = good times.  

When Brett began to pursue recording and touring professionally, neither his voice nor his intentions changed. His debut album in 2007 kickstarted a career that uses every color of the musical palate. So much so, that with each song, the “musical math” to summarize his sound shifts. From Paul-Simon-meets-Bob-Marley to Violent-Femmes-meets-Buddy-Holly – it’s all there over an absolutely iridescent catalogue.

As with any true artist, Brett’s talent surpasses music. He is an incredible painter who focuses on watercolor, a wine lover with his own vintage, and an organizer whose annual “Lift Series” and “Vacationer Series,” held in mountain ski towns and beaches, respectively, combine music with activities and conservation.

Here’s Looking At You Kid was released in August 2018 as the second half of a two-part EP collaboration with Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Adele, Dixie Chicks) on Downtown Records. The first EP, entitled Let’s… was released Feb. 2018 and included “Already Gone,” which rose to #3 on BDS AAA and #4 on MB AAA. 

Dennen recently wrapped up a summer tour with Jason Mraz followed by a fall headlining tour. Previously tours include John Mayer, Dave Mathews Band, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Pete Murray, Michael Franti, and others.

Lobero Theatre Associates presents the annual Hats Off Luncheon

Hats Off to Hattie!

Please join us as distinguished author and historian, Hattie Beresford, shares enlightening stories from the Lobero Theatre’s rich history. 

Luncheon & Raffle Benefiting the Historic Lobero Theatre

Hats and Fascinators Encouraged

Space is Limited
RSVP to Sheila Caldwell by March 26 at 805.679.6013 | scaldwell@lobero.org

Hattie Beresford, Author

Hattie Beresford is a native of the Netherlands and retired teacher of English and American history for the Santa Barbara School District. Besides writing a local history column for the Montecito Journal for over a decade, she has written two issues of Noticias and co-edited My Santa Barbara Scrapbook, the memoir of artist Elizabeth Eaton Burton, for the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.  She also penned The Way It Was ~ Santa Barbara Comes of Age, a collection of a few of her nearly 300 articles written for the Montecito Journal.

In 2018 Hattie was commissioned by the Community Arts Music Association to research and write the recently published Celebrating CAMA’s Centennial  ~ Bringing the World’s Finest Classical Music to Santa Barbara. From her year-long journey reviewing archived records she will share what she learned about the local movement to enrich people’s lives with music, song, art, drama and recreation, and the Lobero Theatre’s role in this movement since 1924.

Raffle Prizes include:

1. Silverhorn Tahitian pearl and diamond earrings valued at $2800
2. Spa Package including $300 Evolutions Medical Spa Gift Certificate, $150 Salt Cave gift card, Signature Facial at Summerland Skincare and gift basket from Cos Bar
3. Staycation Package including one night at the Biltmore with breakfast for two, a $500 gift certificate to Silverhorn, Wine Cask Gift Certificate, 2 tickets to future Lobero LIVE event
4. Coastal Entertaining Package from Coast 2 Coast valued at $900
5. Six bottles of assorted Champagne (Laurent Perrier, Roederer l’Ermitage, Perrier- Jouet Grand Brut, Henriot Brut Rose, Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot Brut) Value $450
   

It’s one hot night as Benise, “The Prince of Spanish Guitar,” and his Emmy Award-winning production comes to town as part of his global tour FUEGO!

For Benise, music has always been a journey…from his humble beginnings as a street performer, being featured on the #1 rated show in the USA – Dancing With The Stars, and performing around the world. “I wanted to push the boundaries of traditional Nuevo Flamenco/Spanish guitar while combining the elements of dance and theater. This show is a celebration of all the shows we’ve done over the last 15 years,” comments composer, virtuoso guitarist and creative force behind the event, Benise.

A beautiful and charming Spanish courtyard is the backdrop as Benise debuts all new music, dance, and costumes. A musical adventure that includes the ‘Dress of a Thousand Roses’ and many more surprises!

The Emmy Award-winning composer along with an international cast of musicians and dancers will entertain audiences with a two-hour show that “is an escape from all their problems,” Benise says. “Much like the recent PBS special, with this show, I want to take the audience on an escape to Spain…to a beautiful Spanish courtyard filled with Flamenco dancers, stunning costumes, and fiery Spanish guitars. Our upcoming tour will incorporate all the new songs, costumes, choreography, and set from the new PBS special ‘Fuego!’”

Beyond the new material, BENISE says “the live show will incorporate some fan favorites from my street performing days and rock classics like Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir and AC/DC’s Thunderstruck,” adding “This is a great show for the whole family; I really think we have something for everyone.  I hope people will be inspired by our story, by the music, by the production–and have the passion to follow their own dreams. I have always been a gypsy and love to travel, my heritage is Bohemian (from Prague) so I think it’s in my blood. I can’t wait to go to new cities, meet new people, and play every night–it’s what I live for.”