Santa Barbara Vocal Jazz Foundation wraps up another 8-week residency at Monte Vista School with a professional performance on the Lobero stage. Up to 140 4th, 5th and 6th graders participate in this immersive program, delving into the history of jazz, the music that was made in America. Students learn the origins of jazz, are introduced to many of its innovators, and bring it all to life with a fun and informative performance for the whole family.

Get ready for a fast-paced and exhilarating evening full of dance, culture, philanthropy, and fun with Nachle Deewane 2017, an annual Indian dance competition hosted by UCSB Dhadkan. Bringing together nine championship-level Bollywood and Bhangra teams from around the nation, Nachle Deewane is considered one of Santa Barbara’s foremost cultural showcases and a gem of the Santa Barbara Arts community. The event is hosted on April 15, 2017 at 6 pm, with doors opening at 5 pm. Dhadkan’s vision is to strive for a greater appreciation of South Asian culture while becoming an instrument of social change. All proceeds will be donated to Pingalwara, a charity that aids the homeless population of India for a better tomorrow. 

Network Medical’s Annual Fundraiser presents At the Heart of the Matter with Dr. Bruce Wilkinson.

Dr. Wilkinson is known to millions of people around the world as a dynamic speaker filling stadiums with 80,000 or more.  A best selling author, he has written more than 60 books that have been translated into 30 languages. Bruce’s breakout book, The Prayer of Jabez, remains the fastest-selling book in history, with worldwide sales exceeding 20 million.

Bruce’s accomplishments are truly astonishing for one short lifetime! As a gifted visionary leader, he was a publisher and executive editor of ten monthly magazines with more than 120 million copies distributed, and is the founder of the largest religious seminar organization in the world Walk Thru the Bible. He has produced an award winning motion picture about AIDS called Beat the Drum, and trained countless leaders and students through several international movements he’s founded: Teaching for Life Change, WorldTeach, CoMission, Teach Every Nation and finally, Heart for Africa – in which he planted more than 500,000 vegetable gardens for orphans and the hungry.

Bruce’s heart is touched by the needy of the world and he is especially burdened for the least of these.

SBDI’s “Event-of-the-Year” is the culmination of our yearlong educational dance programs. Hundreds of students have been taking dance classes once a week for the entire school year to prepare for this very special event.

THE LETTER will feature just under 300 energetic young performers from elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as special guest performers including schoolteachers, parents, and community members from Zumba Santa Barbara with Josette. SBDI’s Event-Of-The-Year is an inspiring hour of dance and music that is perfect for the whole family.

Bill Cirone, County Superintendent of Schools says, “This is one show you won’t want to
 miss!” It has been coined the “Feel-Good Show of the Year,” by our former County Arts Commissioner, Ginny Brush and in 2010 SBDI was awarded Santa Barbara Independent’s “Best Youth Performance” by Elizabeth Schwyzer.

THE LETTER is an original dance/theater piece. It is written by Rosalina Macisco & choreographed by SBDI; with sound design by Michael Mortilla. Teaching Artist include Rosalina Macisco, Lauren Macioce and Mariah Korte.

Everyone has experienced events in life that have given him or her scars. Scars are what make a person unique and beautiful. This year’s production is modeled after a very popular letter called, Dear Chase, which is well known on the Internet.  THE LETTER is the story of a father writing to his 8 year old child, Sam, on his first day in the third grade. He writes about the bullies he encountered when he was in elementary school and what he would have done differently. Through the letter, both the audience and Sam experience different scenarios based on his father’s true stories. The letter also gives Sam some new things to think about, in regards to bullying. It tells him that childhood scars, even ones that are painful, make each one of us unique, and can instill the confidence a child needs to embrace his or her own uniqueness.

Robin Trower

Robin Trower, the legendary guitarist from Procol Harum, has been heralded as one of the most influential Guitar players to come out of the British Blues Rock scene. Robin is known for his incredible talent as a guitar player and his inspirational style of soloing, coaxing sounds from his Strat that seem to emanate from beyond this world. To be among those who have experienced Robin performing live is to be forever changed by this masterful Artist as he takes you along with him on one musical masterpiece after another.

Strange Vine

Strange Vine’s earthy, energetic music is a fusion of blues, psychedelic, and traditional American rock. It’s a sound born of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, from two men who were raised there. Ian Blesse plays drums and Rhodes piano (simultaneously), while Toby Cordova fleshes out the songs with a rotating arsenal of guitars (including one made from a cigar box). Both contribute vocals toward a rich, layered sound that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

The Santa Barbara Youth Symphony is an orchestra of 65-70 young musicians from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Andy Radford, the ensemble’s conductor, is also principal bassoonist with the Santa Barbara Symphony and has a truly wonderful relationship with the students. These students, ages 12-18 and all from our regional schools, are challenged with serious pieces from the standard orchestral repertoire.

Santa Barbara Youth Symphony