Of Festivals and Fiestas

It's summer in Santa Barbara, which means a lot of things to a lot of people. One of the main defining elements of summer in SB is the long list of incredible events and festivals to come!

It officially kicked off over Memorial Day weekend with I'Madonnari--the famous Italian street painting festival that takes place at Old Mission Santa Barbara. Hundreds of artists gather to transform the Mission parking lot into an array of calk art. If you missed the event, the art lingers throughout the first month or so of summer, so make sure to take a look!

There are the headlining festivals that draw people from all over--those signature Santa Barbara events.  But if you're looking for something spontaneous, the Santa Barbara Calendar of Events is a great resource for what's going on right now. And if you're the party-hopping type, make sure you add these favorites to your summer lineup:

• Summer Solstice Parade and Festival - June 21 - 23
• 26th Annual Santa Barbara Wine Festival - June 29
• 4th of July
• Santa Barbara French Festival - July 13 - 14
• California Wine Festival - July 18 - 20
• Santa Barbara Greek Festival - July 27 - 28
• Old Spanish Days Fiesta - July 31 - August 4

So get out your day planner--and your evening planner--and start penciling in those Santa Barbara summer events and festivals you won't want to miss!

One More Day to Win!

Don't miss your last chance to win a Santa Barbara Outdoor Adventure! Head over to our Facebook page and choose your favorite of the two featured Santa Barbara activities for a chance to win one of them!

Whether you're a long-time Santa Barbara fresh-air enthusiast or are just learning about all of the outdoor adventure one can find here, you won't want to miss your chance!

Amgen Tour of California: Racers Are Ready!

With the official start of the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC) only four days away, make sure you're up to speed (so to speak) on everything "America's Greatest Race" offers. Know the exciting answers to these frequently asked ATOC questions:

1. How will the race move through California? For the first time in its history, the race will travel south to north, spanning 750 miles of California roadways. View the entire ATOC route.

2. What if I want to extend my stay along the way, say in sunny Santa Barbara for the Stage 4 Finish and Stage 5 Start on May 15th and 16th? You're in luck; a variety of Santa Barbara hotels are offering ATOC-themed hotel packages.

3. Should I bring my bike, and if so, where should I ride while I'm in town? YES! Cycling enthusiasts of all skill levels and interests, from beginner to advanced, cruiser bike to mountain bike, will want to explore on two wheels while in town. Here are a few of our favorite Santa Barbara bike routes.

4. I want to be part of the Finish Line action. Are there any special events that day? Plenty! Don't mess the festivities along Cabrillo Boulevard where the race will finish between approximately 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday and start at 11:00 on Thursday. Make the most of it by attending the Stage 4 Finish Line Viewing Party.

5. I've never cycled in or around Santa Barbara; what can I expect? Check out this Amgen Tour of California Santa Barbara cycling video for inspiration.

Amgen Tour of California: Let the Countdown Begin!

It's a mere few weeks until the Amgen Tour of California kicks off in the southern part of the state and begins its epic trek north for 750 miles and eight days. Whether you're an avid cyclists or just looking to get in on action that rivals the Tour de France, make sure you add ATOC Santa Barbara to your spring calendar. Make the most of it with a stop in Santa Barbara, which isn't only an outdoor recreation lover's paradise, but also one of the Amgen Tour of California stops to be hosting both a stage finish and stage start!

Here's your guide to making the most of ATOC Santa Barbara:

ROUTE - Your snapshot of the entire 750-mile route, which will travel from south to north for the first time this year, winding along coastal roads, over mountain passes and through some of California's most scenic destinations.

SANTA BARBARA SOUTH COAST - If you're planning on visiting during ATOC, take a look at everything the Santa Barbara South Coast communities have to offer. We're pretty sure you won't want to leave once you do! 

STAGE 4 FINISH LINE PARTY - Join the community and cheer on racers as they speed across the finish line, then celebrate at the Stage 4 Finish Line Party! Get your tickets today and join in the fun on May 15th.

SOCIAL LOUNGE - Keep up to date on all things #ATOC on our social media lounge. Of course, please share, post and comment if you have something positive to add!

VOLUNTEER - Helpers welcome. Check out ways you can contribute to the Amgen Tour of California Santa Barbara.

OUTDOOR LIFE IN SB - Of course, the action doesn't stop at the finish line in Santa Barbara. There is a wide variety of outdoor activity that awaits, including surfing, SUPing, golf, hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, Channel Islands National Park and much more. For those looking for some more two-wheeled fun, check out these SB  bike routes; there's something for every ability level and interest!

HOTEL PACKAGES - Extend your stay with an exclusive Amgen Tour of California Santa Barbara hotel package! 

Earth Day Festival Around the Corner!

Every day is Earth Day in Santa Barbara--with parks, gardens, beaches, ocean and fresh air aplenty! But once a year, we come together as a community and invite you to join us for the annual Earth Day Festival in Alameda Park. This free festival is a flurry of family-friendly activities and eco-centric events.

Home to the first Earth Day celebration in 1970, Santa Barbara embraces this annual tribute to all of our Earth-friendly efforts year-round. Highlights include bike valet, eco marketplace, contest, the Environmental Hero award, food and drink vendors, a green car show, kids' corner and main stage packed with a weekend-long lineup of live entertainment!

Don't miss the Environmental Hero Award, which will honor two recipients this year: Van Jones, president and co-founder of Rebuild the Dream, and Bill Nye, host of Stuff Happens on Planet Green. 

If you're looking for a great way to honor the environment, have a fun time, and join others doing the same, make sure to kick off your Santa Barbara summer festival season with a visit to the Earth Day Festival on April 20 - 21!

For more ideas on how you can go green in SB throughout the year, make sure to learn more about Ecotopia!

Film Feast Kicks Off in Santa Barbara!

The 28th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival kicks off tomorrow night, January 24th, accompanied by Film Feast—11 days of premieres and premier dishes and wine flights throughout Santa Barbara’s theatre districts! TheSBPost.com is your hub for all things Film Feast as we document A Night in the Time of Your Life, including foodie pics from participating Film Feast restaurants, lounges and tasting rooms, movie premiere and celebrity tribute highlights, real-time rundowns of industry panel discussions and much more! To kick off the fun, we’ve invited guest bloggers to fill us in on their Film Feast favorites so keep an eye out for new names here at TheSBPost.com in the coming weeks.

If you’re still making your plans, don’t miss these exclusive Film Feast prix fixe menus, or visit the Film Feast Social Lounge to converse and share about your Film Feast and Film Festival highlights! Participating restaurants, lounges and tasting rooms will be giving away movie tickets and discount coupons so an evening out could quickly turn into your lucky day! Check back here frequently through February 3rd for tidbits and insights you won’t find anywhere else.

Film Feast is Fast Approaching in Santa Barbara!

It’s that time of year again in Santa Barbara—time for Film Feast! For eleven days during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, nearly 25 local restaurants and tasting rooms and lounges throughout downtown’s theatre districts feature exclusive prix fixe menus and tasting flights to complement the world premieres, celebrity tributes and panel discussions. And to help you extend the scene, there are 24 film-themed lodging packages to go along with the other exclusive offerings.

From January 24 – February 3, explore Santa Barbara’s theatre districts and stop into participating Film Feast restaurants and tasting rooms for their special Film Festival features. Choose the Film Feast tasting menu or wine flight and you could be the lucky recipient of free movie tickets and discount coupons!

You can start the exploring early by visiting the official Film Feast Social Lounge! Film and foodie enthusiasts will want to check back to TheSBPost.com for updates and feature moments throughout the eleven-day event.

Join Us for the Inaugural Santa Barbara Film Twitter Quiz!

With Film Feast and the 28th Annual Santa Barbara Film Festival just around the corner, it's time to get into the red carpet spirit! We invite you to join Santa Barbara from 2:00 - 3:00 pm PST on Tuesday, January 8th for the official Santa Barbara Film Quiz on Twitter. We'll post 10 questions throughout the course of the hour, all specific to Santa Barbara's vast film history and current film cutlure. Tweet your answers and include #SBFilmQuiz. All correct answers will be automatically entered and this is one prize all film buffs and Santa Barbara fans will love: one two-night stay at the Old Yacht Club Inn and a State Street Pass for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). Keep an eye out for clues on the Santa Barbara Film Board on Pinterest!

If you fancy yourself a Santa Barbara film guru, make sure to join the conversation on January 8th!

Don't let the fun stop there. Film Feast takes flight on January 24th in conjunction with SBIFF. Turn dinner and a movie into a truly special occasion with prix fixe menus throughout Santa Barbara's film districts and exclusive Film Feast hotel packages! 

View complete contest terms and conditions. 

Ring in the New Year in Santa Barbara!

Whether you're looking for a holiday celebration or a healthy kick-off to 2013, ring in the year right in Santa Barbara! Come enjoy the beautifully-decorated town and some holiday cheer with these January 31st events:

Candlelight Compassion New Year's Eve Retreat: Join the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara, at the Mahakankala Buddhist Center for this special New Years Eve event! 

Glistening New Year's Eve at Four Season Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara: Enjoy a lively evening reception followed by a three-course gourmet dinner, dancing and live band featuring jazz singer Lois Mahalia.

New Year's Eve at The WIldcat Lounge: Celebrate NYE at the Kitty with DJ Pat Swayzak. Midnight champagne toast and balloon drop!

New Year's Eve Dance Party: Head to Chumash Casino and Resort for a rockin' good time! 

New Year's Eve Heart Dance: Head to Center of the Heart for some great American music and DJ Robert Buddy. There will be three party areas, inside and out!

New Year's Eve in Ty Lounge: More Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara celebrating will be had at the Ty Lounge where you'll find great music until 2:00 a.m.

New Year's Eve Show: ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra) w/Huckle: SOhO Restaurant and Music Club will feature a perfromance by ALO. Enjoy one of the band's legendary live sets at a great venue. 

Santa Barbara Symphony Presents New Year's Eve Pops Concert: Enjoy festive music from Santa Barbara's own symphonic ensemble!

Santa Barbara International Film Festival Announces 2013 Tributes

The Twittersphere has been abuzz with the recent announcements of this year's Santa Barbara International Film Festival tribute recipients. The tributes are cornerstone events of one of the most well loved film festivals in the country. Fans line the red carpet of the famous and historic Arlington Theatre in downtown SB as celebrities make their way to the stage to accept the coveted accolades. This year's lineup is impressive and reflective of a year in which young Hollywood shone brightly with breakout performances and directorial stewardship. Stay tuned for additional updates on tribute announcements, Film Festival events and Film Feast--your invitation to explore the best plates and pours throughout Santa Barbara. Film Feast also features a variety of film-themed hotel packages, so you can turn dinner and a movie into an extended stay, filled with the season's best new films, celebrity tributes, panel discussions and exclusive prix fixe menus throughout Santa Barbara's multiple theatre districts.

Cinema Vanguard Award honoring Amy Adams on January 13, 2013. Adams is being honored for her outstanding performance in this year's The Master (which also just secured the actress a Golden Globe nomination). SBIFF Executive Director, Roger Durling, commented, "Amy Adams is one of the gutsiest and most gifted actors working today. She embodies what the Cinema Vanguard Award is all about, and after her performance in The Master-the time has come to recognize her talent and versatility."

Outstanding Performer of the Year Award honoring Jennifer Lawrence on Saturday, February 2, 2013. It's no secret that Jennifer Lawrence is this year's fast favorite. She kept us on the edge of our seats in The Hunger Games and made us laugh and love her even more as Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbook. Stated Durling, "Ms. Lawrence impressed us earlier this year in The Hunger Games, but has now left us moonstruck with her career-defining performance in Silver Lining Playbook-recalling classic turns by Lombard, Stanwyck and Colbert."

Modern Master Award honoring Ben Affleck on Friday, January 25, 2013. Perhaps the brightest star of 2013 is Ben Affleck so it's appropriate that he be the recipient of SBIFF's highest honor. The notable multi-tasker acted in, directed and produced Argo, which is already enjoying heaps of Oscar® buzz. "Affleck has come into his own as a multi-dimensional artist with Argo," said Durling. "He embodies what the Modern Master Award is all about, and we're thrilled to honor him this year."

If you're a fan, film lover or simply want to get in on the action, tickets to all tributes can be purchased on the Santa Barbara International Film Festival website.