The SB Post
I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival: May 26 – 28, 2012
Posted On: Tuesday, Apr 24, 2012 4:24 PMSure, there are a lot of cities that feature iconic landmarks, storied histories and colorful festivals, but few intertwine these community cornerstones so uniquely and engagingly as Santa Barbara.
One such cultural celebration of art and history is the I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival, taking place May 26 - 28 from 10:00am - 6:00pm daily. Madonnari is the Italian term for street painter, which is what you'll see plenty of at this three-day festival during which the sidewalks surrounding the Old Mission Santa Barbara become a colorful palette for local artists. I Madonnari was the first of its kind in the Western hemisphere, inspired by the Grazie di Curtatone in Italy. The stoic Mission makes the perfect backdrop for this truly special and highly anticipated spring event.
Perhaps the best part is that the festival benefits the Children's Creative Project, a nonprofit arts and education program of the Santa Barbara County Education Office, serving over 50,000 children in more than 100 schools throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
And like so many of the items on the Santa Barbara bucket list, admission to I Madonnari is free.
It’s Earth Month in Santa Barbara!
Posted On: Tuesday, Apr 10, 2012 4:34 PM
I opened my email this morning and was excited to see the Community Environmental Council's April e-newsletter, with the headline, "Get Ready for Earth Month." With the official Earth Day Festival taking place April 21st and 22nd, April features a series of great events leading up to the big celebration and of course, every day truly is Earth Day in our true Ecotopia of Santa Barbara.
Some highlights include the Green Shorts Film Festival, which will take place this Friday, April 6th. Spend the evening with celebrities, filmmakers and fellow movie fans while watching an assortment of short films-all one- to two-minutes in length-that highlight sustainable living, energy independence and a green future. Walk the "green" carpet to catch the best in eco-filmmaking and party down at the After Party.
Help kick-off this year's Festival at the Opening Night Party on April 18th from 6:00pm - 10:00pm at the Oreana Winery & Tasting Room. There will be a live performance by Deer Leg with DJ Tuck B and special guest and local food provided by the O Street Food Truck. Tickets are $10 advance purchase or $15 at the door. Follow that up with a free presentation on global warming by James Lawrence Powell on April 19th at the Santa Barbara Library.
The official Earth Day Festival is a free event, taking place at Alameda Park. This year's highlights include:
- Bike World: Ride your favorite bike to the event and get a free bike check-up!
- Campus Point: Support the next generation of eco-lovers by heading over to Campus Point to hang with high school and college-based organizations and departments that promote environmental awareness and student engagement.
- Eco-Marketplace: Find green products, smart technology, cool gadgets, organic clothing and other fun, sustainably produced treats.
- Food and Drink: The Earth Day food court will feature local brew, wine and grub.
- Green Car Show: Now in its 13th year, the Santa Barbara Green Car Show is the largest collection of efficient and alternative-fueled vehicles between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- Kid's Corner: Bring the entire family! Kid's Corner showcases over a dozen hands-on stations and workshops specially designed for children and their families.
- Live Green: Want to see what the world would look like if all buildings were super efficient, landscaping was sustainably designed, energy was produced from alternative sources and families ate garden-fresh from their own back yards? Then head to the Live Green area.
- Public Square: Visit your favorite non-profit organizations, government agencies and community-based projects working in the public interest.
- OzoKids: Los Angeles-based urban-Latino-hip-hop-funk band Ozomatli takes center stage on Sunday from 2:30 - 3:20 to perform a special family-friendly set geared toward performing for children and adults alike.
If you love Santa Barbara's plentiful Earth-friendly offerings, whether they be recreational, locavore or community-oriented, then make sure to celebrate Earth Day (and Month!) by participating in this year's Earth Day Festival and surrounding events and activities.
Santa Barbara Gears Up for Earth Day Festival – April 21 & 22
Posted On: Tuesday, Mar 27, 2012 2:36 PM
There are a lot of fun facts surrounding the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival, hosted by the Community Environmental Council. For instance:
- Did you know that Santa Barbara was home to the country's first Earth Day Festival back in 1970?
- Electricity for the Festival is generated from the sun and biodiesel and, although participants are encouraged to walk, bike and bus to the event, all additional carbon emissions will be offset, resulting in a truly carbon-free weekend event!
- It's FREE!
- Every year, the Community Environmental Council presents the Environmental Hero Award to an eco-active California citizen. Turns out that Daryl Hannah has made a splash on land as well as she was recognized during the 2011 Festival for her passionate commitment to the environment. Presenting the award was mega Director James Cameron, the 2010 recipient.
- It's where you'll find the largest collection of efficient and alternative-fueled vehicles between Los Angeles and San Francisco and the longest-running public Green Car Show in the United States.
Whether it was an afternoon visit or you call SB home, you've most likely enjoyed Santa Barbara's greener side at one point or another. Visited one of the six weekly farmers markets lately? Dined on some locavore deliciousness at one of the many restaurants that offer locally-sourced options? Or maybe you spent your weekend exploring the winding mountain trails or world-class coastline.
When it comes to making the town more Earth- and Earth-lover friendly, Santa Barbara doesn't hold back . Come help us celebrate this special place and its commitment to sustainability at this year's Earth Day Festival in Alameda Park. There is no cost for admission and the entire family is welcome! Enjoy live music, fresh food and Kid's Corner. Bring your bike for a free check-up at Bike World. Check out the latest and earth-friendly greatest at the Eco-Marketplace.
Festival goers are encouraged to walk, bike or take public transportation. The Festival website features updated information, highlights and event schedules. If you're looking for additional ways to enjoy Santa Barbara's green scene, don't miss Ecotopia-a two-month long celebration of SB's eco-loving living, featuring events, travel tips and activity suggestions.
In Celebration of Ecotopia in Santa Barbara: Some Sustainable Travel Tips
Posted On: Tuesday, Mar 20, 2012 1:04 PMMarch and April celebrate Ecotopia in Santa Barbara-a two-month long shout-out to SB's year-round culture of sustainability, outdoor activity and locally-sourced food scene. We're pretty proud of the fact that the first Earth Day was celebrated right here in downtown Santa Barbara back in 1970. With so many eco-centric aspects, it's easy to understand why.
In honor of Ecotopia, we've come up with a few sustainable travel tips to help you keep your journeying carbon footprint a little smaller:
1. Purchase reusable travel-size packages and containers that you can refill each trip. 3.4 ounces or 100ml is the current TSA max size for liquids that can pass through security.
2. Include a water bottle in your carry-on. Keep it empty through security if you're flying, but then fill it up and reuse versus buying bottled water in the airport or on the road
3. Look for green hotels and other properties that take extra steps toward more sustainable practices.
4. Choose one stop and experience it to the fullest! This will cut down on gas and travel waste. Lucky for you, Santa Barbara is the perfect place to extend your stay with an eco-friendly itinerary.
5. Make sure to maintain your eco savvy once you've checked in. Turn off lights when you leave your hotel room and hang towels for reuse.
6. Go car-free. Santa Barbara has a pedestrian-friendly town with open-air malls and shopping centers, bike paths and a variety of other public transportation. If you're looking to take the train, take the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® and save 20% when you purchase a ticket for travel to or from all nine Amtrak stations to Santa Barbara County!
7. Check out our farmers markets to support the local farmers and artisans. There are six in the Santa Barbara area every week!
8. Enjoy some locavore entrees while you're here. Many area restaurants offer farm-to-fork dishes.
9. Opt for organic wine. Our FourSquare list of local wineries that utilize sustainable farming methods and/or organic grapes can help guide you.
It might take a little bit of planning, but traveling more sustainably is pretty easy once you get into the green groove and there aren't many places around that boast such eco-friendly offerings as Santa Barbara. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for updated tips on how you can enjoy the local green scene.
Santa Barbara Celebrates Its Earth-friendly Offerings during March and April with Ecotopia
Posted On: Tuesday, Mar 13, 2012 10:59 AMI love telling people I live in Santa Barbara. The response is almost always the same: an envious dreamy look that says, "Santa Barbara is amazing. I wish I lived there!" It's true that our little utopia offers an abundance of sunshine, outdoor activity, year-round produce and friendly community that appreciates it all. With such gracious Earthly offerings, Santa Barbara's natural wonders are treasured year-round, but with Earth Day just around the corner-and Santa Barbara being home to the first Earth Day celebration in 1970-we're excited to celebrate Ecotopia in March and April! Ecotopia is a tribute to SB's sustainable side, including the Earth Day Festival, steps you can take to lower your travel footprint, tips on earth-friendly dining, shopping and activities, and information on experiencing Santa Barbara Car-Free.
If you're looking for some quick guides on environmentally-friendly ways to enjoy Santa Barbara, here are a few quick references.
- Go Car-Free in SB
- Enjoy our pristine beaches and parks
- Visit one of the six weekly, local farmers markets
- Check out our itineraries geared toward sustainable travel
Three-time Grammy Winner Bruce Hornsby Lights Up Santa Barbara on March 9th
Posted On: Thursday, Mar 8, 2012 1:55 PMEven if you're not a Bruce Hornsby fan, you've most likely heard his keyed melodies on the radio or as inspiration to do some home remodeling (his hit Gonna Be Some Changes Made was used in a series of Lowe's hardware store ads). The three-time Grammy winner offers a vast body of work across a variety of stylistic approaches to contemporary music. Hornsby fanatic or not, I highly encourage you to catch his upcoming solo performance at the historic Granada Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara this Friday, March 9th, for two reasons:
1) Bruce Hornsby rocks. Seriously. Although some would argue he appeals to an older crowd, I beg to differ. This thirtysomething has seen him perform live multiple times in a variety of venues and the result is always the same: a greatly-appreciated, highly energetic concert that feels much bigger than Hornsby's man-and-his-piano stage presence. Known for his uplifting piano riffs and timely lyrics, he's also a fantastic performer, engaging the crowd, making jokes and peppering his concerts with tidbits of information and insight into his long musical career.
2) The Granada Theatre. This grand theatre has been a landmark of Santa Barbara performing arts since it opened its doors in 1924. The recent multi-million dollar initiative to renovate and restore the Granada ensures maximum acoustic and viewing pleasure while preserving the building's historical appeal. Both the exterior and interior maintain the grandeur of the Roarin' ‘20s with wide staircases, ornate decoration, enormous chandeliers and elegant lounges. The stage has featured such acts as Fred and Ginger, Henry Fonda, Will Rogers and Martha Graham.
Whether you go for the show or the grand stage on which it takes place, Bruce Hornsby at the Granada is a live performance you won't want to miss. Tickets are available. Show starts at 8:00pm.
The Santa Barbara Bowl Rings in the 2012 Season with Noteworthy Headliners
Posted On: Tuesday, Mar 6, 2012 3:15 PMAsk any local what you must do while you're in Santa Barbara and you're most likely to hear this answer: Catch a show at the Bowl. The Santa Barbara Bowl has been serving up live entertainment and performing arts to the Santa Barbara community since its inception in 1936. The large outdoor amphitheater can seat a total of 4,562 spectators and recent renovations position the Bowl as one of the country's leading outdoor performing arts centers.
Announcements for this season's lineup have been slowly released throughout the past two months, with many more to come. Stay tuned for updated Santa Barbara Bowl performance information and don't wait to get your tickets for those shows you do want to see; they sell out quickly! For already sold-out shows, check back as the show nears for any tickets that may become available.
Radiohead, Opening: Other Lives, Thursday, April 12th at 6:30pm - currently SOLD OUT
Florence + The Machine, Opening: Blood Orange, April 14th at 7:00pm - currently SOLD OUT
Bon Iver, Opening: All Tiny Creatures, April 22nd at 7:00pm - currently SOLD OUT
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros with Special Guests, May 5th at 7:00pm - tickets go on sale Saturday, March 10th at 12:00pm
Tenacious D with Special Guest, May 23rd at 7:00pm - tickets go on sale Saturday, March 10th at 11:00am
Beck, Opening: Devendra Banhart, May 24th at 7:00pm - tickets currently available for purchase
Ben Harper, Opening: Fitz and the Tantrums - tickets currently available for purchase
Looking for Endless Summer this Spring Break? Head to Santa Barbara
Posted On: Friday, Feb 24, 2012 10:51 AMIt's easy to fall into that endless summer groove in Santa Barbara, and I'm not just talking about the consistent 70-degree late winter temps and sunny skies--although the mild climes certainly don't hurt. More than the weather, I'm referring to those classic feelings of summer; action-packed days spent in the ocean or nearby mountains followed by lingering evenings downtown where patio seating and good service are par for the course. Those five-star memories you simply don't want to end, so you stretch them out as long as possible. Maybe you follow up your Santa Ynez wine tour with some live music at the Granada Theatre or perhaps you complement a day exploring the Channel Islands with an evening of fresh farm-to-table coastal cuisine while you take in views of a harbor sunset. Whatever your mid-summer night's dream, Santa Barbara most likely has it, ready and waiting for you, this spring. Here are some ideas and imagery to get you inspired for this year's spring break, Santa Barbara-style.
Photo: J. Sinclair
1. Pick the perfect place to stay: Whether it's road tripping with your tent in tow, cozying up at a local B&B or retreating to a full-service luxury resort, you and your budget will be comfortable at one of Santa Barbara's many hotel and hideaway options.
2. Line up the activities: They say it takes a lifetime to experience all of Santa Barbara and maybe they're right, but be it spontaneous decision making or diligent pre-planning, you'll want to pack in as much as possible during your time here. Choose from a wide variety of outdoor recreation, family-friendly activity, arts and cultural events, guided tours or visit one of the area's many pristine beaches and parks.
Photo: J. Sinclair
3. Enjoy a festival or event: Spring means celebration in Santa Barbara. From celebrating Earth Day in its home town to tasting the best of the area's viticulture during the Vintners Festival, it's a prime time to coincide your travel with a local fête.
Photo: J. Sinclair
4. Wine and Dine: And we don't mean in the traditional grab-a-bite-and-a-brew sort of way. There's a reason the most famous movie about wine ever made was made here. Just as Miles and Jack showed us in Sideways, Santa Barbara wineries are as inviting in flavor and quality as they are in vintner personality. Couple your favorite chardonnay or pinot with a plate of locavore gastronomy. With the access to locally-sourced, fresh produce, seafood and quality meats year-round, Santa Barbara's culinary scene is not to miss.
5. Get the insider scoop: In addition to free travel guides to both help you plan your trip as well as make the most of it while you're here, there are many other resources you can access that will provide you with the local insight, news, events and information to ensure your Santa Barbara getaway is all-time. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ or view the new Santa Barbara video short series, sure to put you in that mid-summer mindset.
Santa Barbara’s Chocolate Makers Expecting a Sweet Valentine’s Day
Posted On: Monday, Feb 13, 2012 12:40 PM
Here's an interesting fact: Valentine's Day chocolate sales go up when the holiday falls mid-week, as is predicted will happen tomorrow, February 14th, when Santa Barbara chocolatiers are getting ready for best-year-ever sales. The mid-week date makes a long weekend getaway or expensive dinner out harder to justify for many sweethearts so instead, they turn to the one thing that is guaranteed to make almost any date happy: chocolate.
The February 10th edition of the Pacific Coast Business Times features Santa Barbara's growing chocolate maker market, which is quickly becoming recognized as one of the country's best, joining the ranks of New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Additionally, premier chocolate is often sourced organically and sustainably-a guilt-free reason to enjoy an otherwise guilty pleasure.
This year, forget the diamonds and expensive bouquet and instead consider visiting one of Santa Barbara's local chocolate makers, such as Chocolate Maya, Chocolats du CaliBressan and Jessica Foster Confections in Santa Barbara and The Chocolate Gallery in Goleta. Nothing makes Valentine's Day quite as sweet as a box of hand-made, fair-trade, high quality box of chocolates.
Day 11: Sunday, February 5th
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 11:45 AMGuest bloggers, Noelle and Jen, share some of their Film Feast and Film Fest favorites from the weekend's events!
Screened: We arrived to a very full house at The Arlington on Friday night; everyone was arching to get a good look to see which celeb would grace red carpet for the Virtuoso Award. This was one of the most anticipated events at the Fest as it brought together a handful of seasoned and up-and-coming actors and actresses. Before each interview, several clips were shown that displayed each actor's recent work. I had only seen a few of the films, including The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Bridesmaids, but the short clips made me want to hit the theaters to see the rest. I was particularly moved by the clip from A Better Life with Demian Bichir. I hadn't heard of the film previously, but I could tell that it was a powerful movie and I definitely want to watch it in its entirety.
Savored: We selected Cadiz, the new Mediterranean restaurant on State Street, to enjoy a Film Feast bite before spending an evening among stars at the Film Festival. The restaurant was quiet upon arrival, but picked up quickly and was soon filled with laughter from fellow diners and delicious aromas. There were two options for the Film Feast menu at Cadiz so my dining partner and I opted to order both options and share (I love sharing!). We started out with the Riviera Salad which was decorated with bell pepper, haricot vert, green olives, frisee, and drizzled with a light red wine vinaigrette. With it, we enjoyed their Roasted Chestnut soup with golden raisins, olives and pistachios. It was quite savory and had a nice texture and crunch with the olives and pistachios, overall very delicious! The second course was a yummy Grana Padano Risotto that was just as colorful and flavorful on the plate as it was in my mouth. It had flavors of pumpkin and sage and was rich, creamy and hearty. The entrée was beautiful and every tasty bite of the dish was validated by the presentation. The second entrée we shared was the Local White Sea bass with lentils, sun chokes, green olives and tarragons with an heirloom carrot reduction. It was beautifully presented and extremely well balanced. The Sea bass was perfectly grilled with a flavorful crust. The accompaniments paired beautifully and had a great variety of flavor and texture. The sparkling glass of champagne (included in the Film Feast menu) was a perfect complement to the meal and cleansed our palettes before the final course...drum roll...dessert. The server brought out the Crème Brûlée, which can be described in two words: simply amazing. Under the caramelized crust was a sweet, tangy and creamy center. The dessert was accented with juicy berries and a buttery cookie. Ahhh...perfection. The flavors were perfectly married and I enjoyed every last bite. Although extremely satisfied, we were presented with the Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse with Passion Fruit Compote. Another unique offering with a refreshing tang to it. Alas, we would be too full for popcorn at the Arlington!
Spotted: The honorees of the Virtuoso Award were in attendance, including Demián Bichir, Rooney Mara, Patton Oswalt, Andy Serkis and Shailene Woodley. Unfortunately, Melissa McCarthy could not attend due to laryngitis. A low "awww" swept over the crowd upon this announcement. I have to admit I was disappointed because I was eager to see her and hear what funny and sharp remarks she would make during the interview. Demian was charming and his thick accent made his words seem even richer. Rooney was beautiful and soft spoken but blushed and smiled at a few questions and I was surprised to see that she had a very pronounced dimple in her cheek. I suppose it was because her dark character in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo never smiled. Although I loved her in the film, it was refreshing to see a different side of her in person. Patton Oswalt was hilarious and kept the crowd laughing throughout the interview. Prompted by a funny crack that Patton made during his interview, Andy Serkis entered through the Arlington stage door and came out the other side shirtless! The crowd roared and I don't know if they were more surprised at how quickly he de-shirted, or how he sat through the entire interview sans top. He was charming however and very comfortable on stage (clearly). The final interview was Shailene Woodley and she was captivating. Although a young actress, she was self assured and handled the interview like a seasoned pro. All in all it was a wonderful night that didn't disappoint.
