This issue of ON Culture was originally emailed to subscribers on February 16, 2024. Sign up to receive Leslie Dinaberg’s Art of His newsletter in your inbox on Fridays at independent.com/newsletters.
on the (big) screen
From sitting in Arlington right around the corner from Brad Pitt to Greta Lee’s hilarious jokes, Mark Ruffalo’s kind heart, Robert Downey Jr.’s endearing energy, and Bradley Cooper movies, just to name a few. to Martin Scorsese’s incredible storytelling, to name a few high-level ones.In short, I keep getting asked what my favorite night at SBIFF has been so far. But they are all so unique that it’s impossible to choose. But one thing I’ve become convinced of as I sit in theaters night after night is that we need a second film festival to feature all the old movies with celebrities making fun of us. For example, wouldn’t it be great if you could go see it? Hopeful Playbook, Less Than Zero, Taxi Driverand Spotlight On the big screen again? Needless to say, some of the lesser-known works are discussed in ways I myself didn’t understand in the first place. The SBIFF team will get a well-deserved break next week, but I think they’ll need to start rallying around this idea in the future once March rolls around.
In a celebration of films from the past, plans are underway for the Granada Centenary Festival, to be held over the weekend of April 12-14. While there are many announcements to come (including when theaters will be able to reopen after unfortunate water damage), Friday night’s kickoff will pay homage to the theater’s days as a Warner Bros. movie house, with two blockbuster movies on display. It is scheduled to be screened. — sherlock junior, a 1924 silent comedy starring Buster Keaton that was performed in Granada that year.and Star Wars: A New Hope, which premiered in 1977 and ran for 15 weeks in theaters. To purchase tickets for the double feature (just $19.24 in honor of Granada’s opening day), visit: ticketing.granadasb.org/19067.
(Small) Turn on the screen
Another SBIFF observation was particularly highlighted at last weekend’s Virtuosos Awards. America Ferrera (Barbie, played a memorable role in ugly betty), Greta Lee (past life, play surprisingly different characters in the morning show), Charles Melton (May December, What first caught our attention was riverdale), Davine Joy Randolph (holdovers, is hardly recognized in Murder inside the building only), Andrew Scott (we are all strangers, It was very memorable free bag) was awarded. Many film actors now move seamlessly from the big screen to the small screen and back again, demonstrating that they are producing quality work across all formats. While it used to be common for TV actors to get their big break in movies and never look back, today’s top actors come and go wherever they get a good part. Additionally, in addition to streaming, limited series and short season orders have evolved across the board, giving actors even more flexibility to pursue additional projects.
Some of the TV shows that I’ve been enjoying recently that feature many notable stars include: foreign residentco-starring Nicole Kidman (currently streaming on Amazon Prime), contractionfeaturing a hilariously grumpy Harrison Ford (on Apple+).
on the stage
Opening this week at the Marian Theater and running through March 3 is the PCPA production Henry V Director Mark Booher described this work as “William Shakespeare at the peak of his poetic expressiveness and rhetorical persuasion.” …Shakespeare doesn’t just tell famous stories about famous kings. He’s playing with and celebrating the very art form of theater. ” look pcpa.org For tickets and information.
Returning by overwhelming demand (and very happy to have been out of town for the first time), Jacob Collier returns to the Arlington Theater on May 19th, along with special guest Kimbra. Jesse Vol. 4 North American tour. Click here to learn more about the show, which Brandi Carlile describes as “heart-breakingly beautiful music.”
Natalie Merchant (of 10,000 Mania fame) will be at the Bowl on May 23rd. Tickets are currently on sale here. Other recent announcements include Brazilian music virtuoso Sergio Mendes (click here) in Granada on May 24th, and the Gipsy Kings (August 15th) and Bonnie Raitt (9th August) at the Vina Robles Amphitheatre. May 18th) will appear (click here).
on the podium
We have many great speakers coming to visit us, including novelist Abraham Verghese (February 21st) and poet Amanda Gorman (April 30th). Some of them are people I’ve written about here, and another one just announced the Arts & Lectures giant “Get.” RuPaul spoke on April 18, when the pop culture icon talks about his highly anticipated new memoir. house of hidden meanings. Get tickets and more information for the Art & Lecture Show here.
On the (comedy) stage
Also announced this week, comedian Chelsea Handler will perform a show at the Santa Barbara Bowl on August 17th, with tickets on sale at the box office today. Also, keep an eye out for an interview with comedian Brian Regan this week. He is scheduled to play in Arlington on February 22nd and tickets and more information are available here.I’m also really looking forward to seeing my work. SNL Favorite Colin Quinn will be at Lobero on May 14th (tickets on sale now here).
on the page
Check out the Santa Barbara Literary Journal article. Volume 10: satellite of loveEditor Angela Borda (aka Silver Webb) told me: “This is basically an honorary poetry collection of SB’s poet laureate. We have Perry Longo as a guest editor of poetry. And we have poems written by Sojourners. [Kincaid Rolle] She gave it to us before she passed away. In fact, this issue is dedicated to her. ”And, as Angela and her associate editor Marianne Knight write, there is more to this work than just poetry. Volume 10 Satellite of Love was inspired by Lou Reed, and also featured Fred Nadis, Jennifer Gunner, Lorelai Armstrong, Janine Clark, Jeremy Gold, Jesse Krenzel, Sheila Musician, Dennis Russell, and Frederick Williams. would like to pay homage to his electric creativity with a work of fiction by . Available at local bookstores.look santabarbaraliteraryjournal.com For more information.
It’s on the calendar
Explore the life and times of Santa Barbara’s favorite bard, Spencer Bernitz. He is the frontman of the band Spencer the Gardener or Spencer from the Tongue. Old-school people like me still remember him.A very popular documentary More than just a party band — A great look back at SB’s life since the 70’s. It will be screened at the historic Alhecama Theater on Saturday, February 24th. Buy tickets here and watch the trailer here.
For a complete calendar of events for this week and beyond, please visit: independent.com/events.