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62 APRIL 2014 usairwaysmag.com 63usairwaysmag.com APRIL 2014

Above: Patrick Cassidy and Stephanie

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Front and CenterThe Santa Barbara Historic Theatre District

spotlights the performing arts.Fine Arts IconFor 90 years, the GRANADA THEATRE has played an integral part in nurturing Santa Barbara’s cultural and commu-nal landscape. Built in 1924, the Grana-da welcomed audiences with premieres of historic films such as Gone With the Wind and Guys and Dolls. It also hosted some of the 20th century’s greatest entertainers, in-cluding Charlie Chaplin, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda, and more.

Today, the Granada builds on its legacy with appearances by world-class musicians, comedians, entertainers, and speakers. After a monumental restoration completed in 2008, the Granada emerged as the Santa Barbara

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The People’s TheatreWhat makes Santa Barbara’s LOBERO THEATRE a favorite venue of stars like actor and musician Jeff Bridges? Performers enjoy its comfortable, community atmosphere, which has drawn local and national celebrities since it was founded in 1873. Last year, Bridges joined David Crosby to play at a special event to benefit the Lobero. Its convenient location between Los Angeles and San Francisco has also attracted the most tal-ented musicians, dancers, and actors, helping to establish the Lobero as California’s oldest, continually operating theatre.

Its celebrated jazz reputation began in 1949 and continues with the hottest musicians on today’s circuit. The Lobero is also home to local performing arts groups including the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, the Fla-menco Arts Festival, and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

The Lobero is equally treasured for its ar-chitecture, and recent renovations such as new seats, expanded restrooms, and other upgrades ensure it will remain a cherished community resource. (lobero.com, 805.963.0761)

esidents know that downtown is the place for local performing arts, and the recently formed Santa Barbara Historic Theatre District plans to make it even livelier. The Granada Theatre, the Lobero Theatre, and Ensemble Theatre Company at the New Vic have joined together to expand audiences

and increase access to the arts. The collaboration has already produced a monthly First Thursday: After Hours event featuring free live entertain-ment along with wine and bites from downtown restaurants. Future plans include multi-venue ticket packages, convenient purchasing, and more.

features spacious reception areas and rest-rooms, flexible and larger staging options, and ample parking. The New Vic’s grand opening included a performance by Emmy and Tony Award-winner Tyne Daly and a production of A Little Night Music, starring screen legend Piper Laurie, Remington Steele’s Stephanie Zimbalist, and Broadway luminary Patrick Cassidy. (etcsb.org, 805.965.5400)

Center for the Performing Arts, a state-of-the-art home to the area’s finest performing arts groups, from ballet and opera to the symphony and choral music — and debuting this year, a 4K Digital Camera. Restored to its original 1920s splendor, this beautiful and historic icon will continue enriching Santa Barbara and the Central Coast for generations to come. (granadasb.org, 805.899.2222)

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Exceptional ReputationRenowned throughout California’s Central Coast for thought-provoking as well as enter-taining productions, ENSEMBLE THEATRE

COMPANY (ETC) is Santa Barbara’s award-winning, professional theatre group. Founded in 1979, ETC presents exceptional theatrical productions encompassing classical and con-temporary comedies, musicals, drama, and new works. ETC’s reputation for producing original theatre attracts the best performing artists from around the country.

In 2013, ETC opened the New Vic, a $12 million state-of-the-art venue that com-pleted Santa Barbara’s Historic Theatre District. The space comfortably seats 300 and

Above: David Crosby and Jeff Bridges

perform at the Lobero.

Far left: enjoying the Bahia Youth

Symphony Orchestra at the Granada

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