Lil Buck, PC: UCSB Arts & Lectures
What started as a vision to bring to life the dance, concerts and plays students read about in books while at university has morphed into UCSB Arts & Lectures, becoming the largest cultural program presenter in Santa Barbara.
The organization curates diverse offerings, hosting everyone from the Dalai Lama (four times!) to Yo-Yo-Ma and everything in between. Entering its 65th season, it truly brings programming for all to The Granada.
“When one of our events is at the beautiful historic Granada Theatre, you know it will be a night to remember,” said Caitlin O’Hara, Director of Public Lectures & Social Initiatives. “As you enter the hall, the excitement in the air is palpable. I love seeing community members eagerly greet friends, talk about what they are about to see and rush to their seats. And as the show lets out and the audience spills out, everyone is abuzz with what they have just seen… It’s an amazing feeling.”
UCSB Arts & Lectures History
UCSB Arts & Lectures was established in 1959 as the “Committee on Arts and Lectures,” overseen by faculty members such as Homer Swander, who had previously brought the Royal Shakespeare Company to the campus in past summers, Marvin Mudrick, a renowned critic and the founder of the College of Creative Studies and the artist Howard Warshaw.
At The Granada, UCSB Arts & Lectures presents classical and current musical performances, dance and insightful lectures.
“I could absolutely go on reminiscing about the life-changing events I’ve seen at the Granada,” said O’Hara. “I remember legendary actor Bill Murray tossing red roses up to people on the balcony after he had channeled Elvis Costello, read Mark Twain and danced the tango in a delightful performance with renowned cellist Jan Vogler and friends. Or seeing Secretary of State Madeleine Albright warn against the dangers of fascism and watching Compania Nacional de Danza transform the stage and the audience in its contemporary take on the classic Carmen.”
A strong programming team composed of O’Hara and Miller McCune Executive Director Celesta M. Billeci combines their diverse backgrounds in academia and art to develop unique seasons each year.
“I think of curating as an art, not a science, so it’s difficult to define ‘how’ it happens, but when it comes together, it’s magic,” said O’Hara.
Wynton Marsalis, PC: UCSB Arts & Lectures
65th Anniversary Season
UCSB Arts & Lectures will bring nearly 50 performances to the Santa Barabara community for the upcoming season.
The season kicks off Oct. 1, 2024, and the first show presented at The Granada will be on October 12, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Other season highlights include Yo-Yo Ma, Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Father George Boyle, the Batsheva Dance Company and the Wynton Marsalis Ensemble, which played live to accompany the silent film, Louis.
The A&L perennial audience favorite, “Speaking with Pico” series brings another inspiring roster of conversational partners featuring poets, novelists, and conceptual artists.
Some of the most unique events this season include world-renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi discussing his new book, Comfort, along with a live cooking demonstration, a film concert for Disney’s Encanto, with attendees of all ages encouraged to dress up and sing along to a live band and the stunning acrobatics of Cirque Kalabanté.
Yotam Ottolenghi, PC: Elena Heatherwick 2024
Back to its Educational Roots
Unsurprisingly, UCSB Arts & Lectures is dedicated to providing cultural and educational outreach to young people in the Santa Barbara region.
“Our mission is to educate, entertain and inspire, and we do so on and off the stage in ways that are highly visible at our beautiful downtown theaters and on campus, but also in our neighborhoods on the east and west side, in North County as far as Guadalupe and New Cuyama with our iVive el Arte de Santa Barbara! Program,” said Meghan Bush, Associate Director of UCSB Arts & Lectures. “A&L continues to be dedicated to creating arts access for ALL!”
Last year, the outreach program served 25,600 students and community members through 144 workshops, master classes, lectures, panel discussions and other education sessions. Over 10,000 K-12 students experienced in-classroom activities and bus-in programs to theaters and 6,000 UCSB students engaged with visiting artists and speakers in the classroom.
For tickets for UCSB Arts & Lectures events, please visit: https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/events-tickets/whats-on/