Andy McKee

Andy McKee is among the world’s finest acoustic guitarists, and his crossover success to over 150 million YouTube viewers underscores his emergence as one of today’s most unique and influential artists. To fans of virtuoso musicianship it is Andy’s attention to song structure and melodic content that elevates him above the rest. To fans of popular music Andy entertains both the eye and the ear as he magically transforms the steel string guitar into full orchestra via his use of altered tunings, tapping, partial capos, percussive hits and a signature two-handed technique. He’s been featured as a cover story in both Acoustic Guitar Magazine in the U.S. and Acoustic Magazine in the UK, and is also the figurehead of the unique Guitar Masters tours which have traveled the world over the past three years. Andy now looks to challenge himself even further with more surprise collaborations, diverse music releases, development of new instrument products and ceaseless international touring.

Claude LaFlamme

When Claude discovered the harp guitar, it was love at first sight! As a guitarist, pianist, composer and arranger, he was seduced by the versatility of the instrument with its an impressive register like the piano and the harp which allows him to benefit from the diverse facets of his talent. Through his music, Claude expresses a wide range of feelings, styles and sounds; you will be touched by the fineness and the beauty of the arrangements. Claude performs regularly in Canada, the United States and Europe.    

“Senior (musical) Moments” is the fourth annual benefit production for the Center for Successful Aging, following in the footsteps of the very popular “Seniors Have Talent” I and II, and last year’s “Puttin’ On The Ritz” at the Marjorie Luke Theatre. This year’s show will have a fresh, new, more intimate theatrical format featuring scenes and musical numbers that explore the joys and challenges of aging in today’s world. It will feature a multi-generational company of senior and young actors, singers and musicians, many with impressive performance careers. Conceived and directed by playwright/director Rod Lathim, it promises to deliver plenty of humorous and poignant moments pulled from life experiences that will be recognizable by the audience.

This year’s Spirit of Successful Aging Award recipient, Marilyn Gilbert, will be honored before the 75 minute show begins.

The popularity of this annual production continues to grow and is fed by the high production values, the great satisfaction of the audiences and the celebratory environment created at the Marjorie Luke Theatre for the vast talents of area artists who happen to be seniors – wonderful and inspiring role models for their peers.

This production, benefitting the Center for Successful Aging, is a mission driven event that mirrors the work and spirit of the Center’s programs which support area seniors, and offers support to live active, healthy and successful lives in their golden years. It promotes the important place seniors have in our community and demonstrates that seniors are indeed active, talented and contributing members of our community.

Israeli superstar David Broza brings his flamenco-rock sounds to the Lobero for a soulful evening of music direct from the Middle East. Performing songs from his East Jerusalem/West Jerusalem album, an exhilarating collaboration between Israeli and Palestinian musicians that combines cultures, languages, and styles into a powerful statement about coexistence, the whirlwind troubadour takes us on a folk-pop odyssey to a place where optimism endures.

“Broza, an icon of Israeli music, has drawn comparison to Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Singing in English, Spanish, Hebrew, he accompanied himself with a surge of guitar sounds delivered with the force of an aural tsunami.” – L.A. Times

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKVLmGtWBNY[/youtube]

Revered soprano Renée Fleming will coach UCSB students in a special one-on-one intensive presented by Arts & Lectures and the UCSB Department of Music.

The class is open to public observation. Admission is free and available on a first-come first-served basis.

Lisa See is the New York Times bestselling author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, Shanghai Girls, and Dreams of Joy. Her most recent novel, China Dolls, became an instant New York Times bestseller.  Ms. See has also written a mystery series that takes place in China, as well as On Gold Mountain, which is about her Chinese-American family. Her books have been published in 39 languages. Ms. See wrote the libretto for Los Angeles Opera based on On Gold Mountain, which premiered in June 2000. Ms. See serves as a Los Angeles City Commissioner on the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Monument Authority.  Ms. See was honored as National Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese American Women in 2001 and was the recipient of the Chinese American Museum’s History Makers Award in fall 2003. As a longtime trustee on the University of California Press Foundation, she endowed the Lisa See Endowment Fund in Southern California History and Culture.

Click here for Raffle Prizes: Tickets available for purchase through March 8. Winner need not be present.