FALL 2025
Dear Friends,
I’m honored to begin this new chapter as the Miller McCune Executive Director and to welcome you to our 66th season. Like many of you, I’ve grown alongside Arts & Lectures, shaped by years of inspiring performances, thought-provoking ideas, and shared joy.
Looking ahead, I’m excited by what’s to come – not only this fall, but all year long. Our dance series spans the Monks of the Shaolin Temple this fall, the world’s greatest ballet stars in winter, and the contemporary stylings of A.I.M by Kyle Abraham in spring.
With the addition of our new Keyboard Virtuosos series, alongside Great Performances and Hear & Now, A&L continues to emerge as a leader in presenting keyboard music. Join us on opening night, September 30, as Daniil Trifonov launches the series – and the season – at Campbell Hall.
As you review this calendar, you’ll notice several added events as part of our Justice for All programming initiative. Vietnamese American writer Ocean Vuong, journalist and memoirist Alexis Okeowo, social justice poet Martín Espada, and civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill all represent the thoughtful leadership that can guide us toward a more compassionate, empathetic society.
It’s no accident that so many of the world’s most gifted artists and thinkers want to come here. Santa Barbara is a place where attention runs deep. These artists feel the spirit in every full house and the focus of every hushed moment. They thrive on the sparks of imagination you provide.
This year’s Thematic Learning Initiative builds on that shared energy with Paradigms at Play, offering experiences that explore connections, challenge perceptions, and bring art and culture to life.
Thank you for the vital role you play in Arts & Lectures’ mission to educate, entertain, and inspire. I look forward to seeing you at an event soon!
Warmly,
Meghan Bush Miller McCune Executive Director
Community Partners Season Sponsor
photo:
Jean-Claude Carbonne
photos
1,3-6 & inset
(this page)
: Isaac Hernández de Lipa; photo
2: David Bazemore
Find Your Place at Arts & Lectures
Become a member today and enjoy a range of benefits all year long. (See page 33 for details)
1. A&L Ambassadors Winnie Dunbar, Robin Himovitz, Lily Hahn Shining, Luci Janssen, Crystal Wyatt, Eva Haller, and Ambassador and Council member Anne Smith Towbes 2. A&L Council member Sara Miller McCune with Yo-Yo Ma 3. Meghan Bush with A&L Council Co-chairs Patty MacFarlane and Dorothy Largay 4. A&L Council Member Natalie Orfalea and A&L Community Partner Lou Buglioli with interviewer Pico Iyer 5. A&L Council member Lynda Weinman and A&L Program Advisor Bruce Heavin with former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg 6. A&L Producers Circle members, sponsors and local press revel in A&L’s 66th Season
Arts & Lectures’ Thematic Learning Initiative (TLI) extends the conversation from the stage into the community, enriching lifelong learning and initiating dialogue and empowerment through special events, book giveaways and more.
2025-2026 Theme: Paradigms at Play
Paradigms shift when we begin to experience the world around us in new ways. This season’s theme highlights artists and thinkers who play with our perceptions and expand how we feel, see, hear and imagine. Through shared experiences, we will play with paradigms to explore how we learn, connect and imagine what’s possible.
Fall Book Giveaway
Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
In the last few decades, our capacity to see problems has sharpened while our ability to solve them has diminished. Exploring how we can move from a liberalism that not only protects and preserves but also builds, Klein and Thompson trace the political, economic and cultural barriers to progress and issue a paradigm-shifting call to renew a politics of plenty.
FREE copies of Abundance will be available starting September 23 at Arts & Lectures’ Campbell Hall Box Office at UCSB and the Santa Barbara Public Library (40 E. Anapamu St.). Books available while supplies last.
RELATED EVENT Ezra Klein, Nov 4 (p. 23)
With thanks to our visionary partners, Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin, for their support of the Thematic Learning Initiative
Paradigms at Play - Free Events
The Last Class
Documentary Screening and Filmmaker Q&A
Thu, Oct 9 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall
FREE (registration recommended)
A love letter to education, The Last Class is a nuanced and deeply personal portrait of former labor secretary Robert Reich as he teaches his final course and reflects on a period of immense personal and global transformation. Step into the mind, heart and classroom of a teacher who will change how you see the world, and yourself in it. (Elliot Kirschner, 2025, 71 min.)
Dance on Film - Double Feature
Sun, Oct 19 / Mary Craig Auditorium, Santa Barbara Museum of Art FREE (registration required; limited availability)
2 PM Don’t Put Me in a Box
Witness the creative process of Sutra co-creator and celebrated choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui in this 2025 documentary film. Whether collaborating with Shaolin monks or choreographing for Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, Cherkaoui’s work defies labels and comes alive when set free. (Romain Girard, 2025, PG-13, 58 min.)
RELATED EVENT Sutra, Oct 29 (p. 21)
3:15 PM Angelin Preljocaj, dancing the invisible
Explore the creative world of renowned choreographer Angelin Preljocaj at Pavillon Noir, following the making of Gravity, a ballet that blends classical and contemporary styles to examine the powerful relationship between human movement and the force that grounds it. (Florence Platarets, 2019, PG, 53 min.)
RELATED EVENT Ballet Preljocaj, Nov 5 (p. 24)
Community Dance Class with Ballet Preljocaj
Mon, Nov 3 / 5:30-7 PM / Carrillo Ballroom, 100 E. Carrillo St. FREE (registration recommended)
Taught by members of the internationally-renowned Ballet Preljocaj, this community dance class will focus on basic principles of ballet movement, but with a contemporary twist. All ages and levels welcome. Ballet shoes are not required.
RELATED EVENT Ballet Preljocaj, Nov 5 (p. 24)
Look for additional events to be added throughout the season.
Daniil Trifonov
Tue, Sep 30 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall Program includes Taneyev, Prokofiev, Myaskovsky and Schumann
Winner of the 2025 Grammy Award for Classical Instrumental Solo Víkingur Ólafsson
Opus 109
Wed, Oct 22 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall Program includes J.S. Bach, Beethoven and Schubert
Winner of the International Chopin Piano Competition Bruce Liu
Bruce Liu, Feb 12
Thu, Feb 12 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall Program includes Ligeti, Beethoven, Chopin, Ravel, Albéniz and Liszt
Gramophone and Musical America Artist of the Year
There are several ways to subscribe and save.
1. Choose a Curated series and save up to 25%
Dance | Great Performances A | Great Performances B
Great Performances Suite (A+B) | Word of Mouth
Jazz | Roots | Vanguard | Keyboard Virtuosos
Global Sounds | Hear & Now | Speaking with Pico
2. Create Your Own series of 4 or more events and save 10% (Some exclusions apply.)
3. Want it all? You got it! Get The WORKS! and save 30% on tickets to every event this season! (Some exclusions apply.)
Full-time, currently-enrolled UCSB students get significant discounts on single tickets, and free admission for select events.
photo: Christoph Koestlin
Illuminating a wide spectrum of systemic injustice, the Justice for All programming initiative looks to today’s great minds and creators and to the courageous leaders across the globe who are forging a new path forward. Join us as we learn from those confronting uncomfortable questions, solving difficult problems, and guiding us all toward a more equitable world.
Alexis Okeowo, Oct 14
Challenging stereotypes, uncovering untold stories
Sherrilyn Ifill, Nov 6
Martín Espada, Nov 13
Countering injustice through poetic action
Championing civil rights through legal advocacy
Ocean Vuong, Dec 3
Look for additional events to be added throughout the season.
Centering queer immigrant perspectives in America
JUSTICE FOR ALL Lead Sponsors: Marcy Carsey, Eva & Yoel Haller, Dick Wolf, and Zegar Family Foundation
JUSTICE FOR ALL UCSB Faculty Advisory Committee: Daina Ramey Berry, D. Inés Casillas, Charles Hale, Beth Pruitt, Susannah Scott, Jeffrey Stewart, Sharon Tettegah
Opening Night!
Season Kickoff Reception
5:30 PM / Campbell Hall Plaza
Celebrate A&L’s 2025-2026 opening night in style! Join us before the concert to raise a glass to the new season, pick up a commemorative season poster and enjoy a few festive surprises.
Daniil Trifonov, piano
Tue, Sep 30 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall
Tickets start at $48 / $15 UCSB students
Program
Taneyev: Prelude and Fugue
Prokofiev: Visions Fugitives
Myaskovsky: Piano Sonata No. 2
Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 1
“Trifonov’s recital was breathtaking… a unique amalgam of fastidious tenderness and seemingly unfettered wildness.” Financial Times
“[Daniil Trifonov] is a star whose playing can be compared with Rachmaninoff ’s own.” – Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times
Daniil Trifonov returns to Santa Barbara with the electrifying presence that has made him one of the most captivating pianists of his generation. Hailed by The New York Times as “a virtuoso with a demonstrably prizewinning technique,” Trifonov combines staggering technical command with poetic sensitivity. His performances feel both intimate and epic, going from whisper-soft at one moment to thunderously powerful the next. In this program, he performs several formidable pieces by Prokofiev and his contemporaries along with a canonical sonata by Robert Schumann, works that highlight his gift for shaping sound into story and revealing the emotional depths behind the notes.
photo:
Dario Acosta
Gramophon e and Musical America Artist of the Year
“Every so often a new vocalist blows ever yone on the jazz scene away with their distinctive style, charm, and dexterity. Samara Joy is that new voice that’s giving new purpose to the music.”
JazzTimes
“A classic jazz singer from a new generation.” NPR
Five-time Grammy-winning Jazz Vocalist
Samara Joy
Thu, Oct 2 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre
Tickets start at $55 / $16 UCSB students
A Granada facility fee is included in each ticket price
The voice redefining jazz for a new generation, Bronx native Samara Joy brings soulful depth and timeless elegance to the stage, with a sound rooted in gospel and shaped by legends like Sarah Vaughan and Betty Carter. Returning by popular demand, Joy will captivate Santa Barbara again with her lush interpretations, original lyrics and masterful storytelling. Her latest release is Portrait, a collection of standards and an original track featuring her singular voice. With five Grammy wins – including Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album – Joy is a true force in contemporary jazz. Witness this luminous talent and her octet live in concert.
Jazz Series Lead Sponsor: Manitou Fund
“An alliance of Americana virtuosos.”
The New York Times
Grammy-Winning American Roots Music
I’m With
Her
Wild and Clear and Blue 2025
with special guest Jon Muq
Fri, Oct 3 / 8 PM / Campbell Hall
Tickets start at $44 / $15 UCSB students (very limited availability)
“Together their sound is both ethereal and purposeful, a combination of searing musicianship and tender vocals.” The Guardian (U.K.)
I’m With Her, the acclaimed trio Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins, takes the stage with a powerful new collection of songs exploring ancestry, change and the ties that bind us. Known for their luminous harmonies and masterful storytelling, the group behind “Call My Name,” the 2020 Grammy winner for Best American Roots Song, brings a deepening sense of creative connection to their new album Wild and Clear and Blue. With voices that intertwine in meticulous, multifaceted arrangements, they deliver a performance full of heart, harmony and soul. Opener Jon Muq effortlessly blends Afropop with American folk, rock and soul.
photo: Alysse Gafkjen
“If podcasting is to the 2020s what standup comedy was to the 1970s, Glass is podcasting’s Steve Martin, the man who showed how big it could be.”
The Guardian (U.K.)
“It could be argued that in this age of social media and quick-hit information, storytelling has become a lost art. Not so if you’re a listener of Ira Glass, the creator and host of NPR’s
This American Life.”
San Diego Union-Tribune
photo: Isaac Hernández de Lipa
Creator and Host of This American Life
Ira Glass
in Conversation with Pico Iyer Sat, Oct 4 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall
Tickets start at $50 / $15 UCSB students (very limited availability)
Master storyteller Ira Glass, creator and host of the beloved public radio show and podcast
This American Life, joins acclaimed writer Pico Iyer for a wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, journalism and the search for meaning in modern life. With signature insight and humor, Glass reflects on his decades shaping American audio journalism, the evolution of narrative podcasting and the power of listening closely. This special evening offers a rare glimpse into the mind behind one of the most influential voices in media.
Event Sponsor: Crystal & Cliff Wyatt
Speaking with Pico Series Sponsors: Martha Gabbert, Robin & Roger Himovitz, Laura & Kevin O’Connor, Siri & Bob Marshall
photo:
OK McCausland
Bestselling Author of Eat, Pray, Love
Elizabeth Gilbert
All the Way to the River
Sat, Oct 11 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre
Tickets start at $53 / $16 UCSB students
An Arlington facility fee is included in each ticket price
Ticket purchase includes a pre-signed copy of Gilbert’s new memoir, All the Way to the River (pick up at event)
“Gilbert has established herself as a straight-up storyteller who dares us into adventures of worldly discovery.” – Barbara Kingsolver “A mix of intelligence, wit, and colloquial exuberance that is close to irresistible.” The New York Times
Spend an unforgettable evening with Elizabeth Gilbert, the “rock star author” (Oprah Winfrey) whose bestselling books – including Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic – have inspired millions to live more creative, courageous lives. In this revealing and insightful talk, Gilbert reflects on love, loss and the healing power of storytelling through the lens of her new memoir All the Way to the River (September 2025) – a deeply personal account of her relationship with her late partner, Rayya Elias. With her signature mix of wit, wisdom and radical candor, Gilbert invites us to explore what it means to seek connection, truth and transcendence in the face of profound grief.
Word of Mouth Series Sponsor: Laura & Geof Wyatt
photo: Deborah Lopez
“Okeowo’s exploration of ‘outsiders’ in Alabama sheds light on the divided face of our nation and lovingly charts the push and pull of the places we call home.”
– Jocelyn Nicole Johnson, author of
My Monticello
Just added!
New Yorker Staff Writer and PEN Award Winner
An Evening with Alexis
Okeowo
Tue, Oct 14 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall
$20 / FREE for UCSB students
“Alexis Okeowo examines Alabama as only someone who grew up there could, with care, with criticism, with hope.” – Yaa Gyasi, author of Homegoing
With her new book, Blessings and Disasters: A Story of Alabama, journalist and New Yorker staff writer Alexis Okeowo, the child of Nigerian immigrants, brings a singular perspective to her home state. She immerses us in a landscape dominated today not by cotton fields but by Amazon warehouses, encountering powerful faith-based business leaders lobbying for tribal sovereignty and small-town women questioning conservative politics. Blending personal insight with investigative reporting, Okeowo explores where race, faith, politics, and power collide, revealing systemic inequities and unexpected stories of resilience and change.
Books will be available for purchase and signing, courtesy of Chaucer’s
photo: Maya Fuhr
“Few thinkers can grasp the complexity of this moment, but Fareed Zakaria does it masterfully.”
The Wall Street Journal
Columnist, CNN Host and Author
Fareed Zakaria
What It Takes
Thu, Oct 16 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre
Tickets start at $53 / $16 UCSB students
An Arlington facility fee is included in each ticket price
“Fareed Zakaria has been consistently brilliant in his analysis of world affairs but also something far more rare; he has turned out to be right.” – Walter Isaacson
Fareed Zakaria offers a timely and far-reaching look at the forces shaping the future across politics, the economy and culture. As a Washington Post columnist, a five-time New York Times bestselling author and the long-running host of GPS on CNN, Zakaria has guided audiences through complex world events with clarity and depth. Drawing on decades of reporting and scholarship, this wide-ranging talk explores what it takes to understand and adapt to a rapidly changing world. With this event, Arts & Lectures is pleased to introduce the inaugural Roman Baratiak Endowed Lecture.
Lead Sponsor: Sara Miller McCune
Word of Mouth Series Sponsor: Laura & Geof Wyatt
Roman Baratiak Endowed Lecture
“[Noam Pikelny] balances breathtaking speed with crystal clear melodic articulation.”
PopMatters
“One of the best banjo players in the world.”
– Steve Martin
Bluegrass with a Punch
Noam Pikelny and Friends
Sat, Oct 18 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall
Tickets start at $44 / $15 UCSB students
Noam Pikelny, a founding member of the bluegrass quintet Punch Brothers and a core force behind the new supergroup Mighty Poplar, is widely recognized as a preeminent banjoist of his generation. Winner of the first Steve Martin Banjo Prize and a two-time International Bluegrass Music Association Banjo Player of the Year, his artistry bridges tradition and innovation with ease and continues to push the boundaries of acoustic music. Whether on stage or co-hosting The Energy Curfew Music Hour podcast with Chris Thile, Pikelny captivates with humor, heart and technical mastery. Join us for an unforgettable evening with one of banjo picking’s most inventive and compelling voices.
photo: David McClister
“An elegant R&B stylist with consummate blues and soul chops.”
The Independent (U.K.)
“Scaggs is in full possession of that iconic voice; he delivers songs with an endemic empathy and intimacy that make them sound like living, breathing stories.” AllMusic
“A recurring rocker on the charts, scoring international acclaim with his silky-smooth voice.”
Santa Barbara Independent
Timeless Soul
Boz Scaggs
Rhythm Review 2025
Tue, Oct 21 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre
Tickets start at $58 / $25 UCSB students
An Arlington facility fee is included in each ticket price
For more than 50 years, Boz Scaggs has been the smooth operator behind some of the most enduring sounds in pop, soul and blues. With signature hits like “Lido Shuffle” and the Grammy-winning “Lowdown,” he defined laid-back cool in the 1970s. Today, his unmistakable voice and guitar continue to seduce audiences, whether he’s delivering sultry originals or reimagining blues and rock classics with smoky intensity. From early days alongside Steve Miller and Duane Allman to his recent acclaimed albums, Scaggs brings a master’s touch to a can’t miss evening that’s sure to sell out.
“A breathtakingly brilliant pianist.”
“Ólafsson is a master of finding and exploiting unexpected pockets of musicality.”
The New York Times
Winner of the 2025 Grammy Award for Classical Instrumental Solo
Víkingur Ólafsson, piano
Opus 109
Wed, Oct 22 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall Tickets start at $48 / $15 UCSB students
Víkingur Ólafsson’s fall 2025 recital tour, titled Opus 109, draws its name from Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, op. 109, which serves as the centerpiece of the program. The Opus 109 sonata, renowned for its introspective depth and innovative structure, marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Beethoven’s compositional technique. Ólafsson’s thoughtfully curated program juxtaposes works by Bach and Schubert with one of Beethoven’s earlier sonatas to put the singular achievement of the Opus 109 sonata in a revealing, deeply satisfying musical context.
Program
J.S. Bach: Prelude in E Major, BWV 854
Beethoven: Sonata No. 27, op. 90
J.S. Bach: Partita in E minor, BWV 830
Schubert: Sonata in E minor, D. 566
Beethoven: Sonata No. 30, op. 109
photo: Markus Jans
“Few alternative artists have the dynamic power and range of this bilingual warrior-woman.”
NPR
“The Mexican American singer has a stunning voice [and] a confident multicultural vision grounded in her Mixtec Indian roots.”
Los Angeles Times
Music and Dances of Mexico
Lila Downs
Día de Muertos
Thu, Oct 23 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre
Tickets start at $48 / $19 youth (18 & under) / $16 UCSB students
An Arlington facility fee is included in each ticket price
Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning icon Lila Downs brings her powerful voice and magnetic stage presence to a vibrant celebration of Día de Muertos. Raised in Minnesota and Oaxaca, Downs blends traditional Mexican and Mesoamerican music with folk, jazz, blues and originals in a deeply personal interpretation of Día de Muertos. This festive evening will also feature mariachis and dancers, evoking the rich spirit and color of Day of the Dead on both sides of the border.
Presented in association with Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival
photo: Enrique Leyva
“The Blind Boys of Alabama are gospel titans.”
Rolling Stone
“Once again, the Blind Boys of Alabama prove it: Age don’t mean a thing if you got that spiritual swing.”
The Austin Chronicle
One Night, Two Roots Gospel Grammy Winners
Blind Boys of Alabama with special
guest Cory Henry
Sat, Oct 25 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall
Tickets start at $48 / $15 UCSB students
Two Grammy-winning forces of gospel and soul unite for one unforgettable night. 2025 Best Roots Gospel Album Grammy winner Cory Henry joins the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama – whose Echoes of the South took home the same award in 2024 – for an evening of Hammond B3 funk, rich gospel harmonies and deep spiritual feeling. Bridging the rootsy tradition of gospel quartets with the soul sound of the Civil Rights era, this powerful program delivers raw emotion and authentic American music at its finest.
photo: Cole Weber
“An enthralling, mind-expanding piece of theatre.”
Daily Telegraph (U.K.)
MUSIC!
West Coast Premiere
“This unique, proudly imagined show takes the concept of cultural exchange to a whole new level.”
The Guardian (U.K.)
A Sadler’s Wells and Shaolin Temple Production Sutra
with Monks from the Shaolin Temple
Wed, Oct 29 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre
Tickets start at $55 / $20 UCSB students
A Granada facility fee is included in each ticket price
Contemporary dance and ancient martial arts combine in this award-winning collaboration between Belgian choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, sculptor Antony Gormley, composer Szymon Brzóska and 20 Buddhist monks from the Shaolin Temple in China’s Henan Province. Sutra is a breathtaking spectacle which explores the Shaolin kung fu tradition in a contemporary context and has earned rave reviews across the globe. A cadre of monks perform flying kicks, backflips and shadow-boxing in a humorous fable about a European outsider entering their monastery. With clever set design and a specially-commissioned score performed live, Sutra has been called “a brave, thrilling, elliptical piece” and an “odyssey into the mind of a Zen Buddhist” (The Telegraph, U.K.).
Dance Series Sponsors: Margo Cohen-Feinberg, Barbara Stupay, Sheila Wald, and Anonymous
RELATED EVENT Film Screening: Don’t Put Me in a Box, Oct 19 (p. 5)
“This could almost be a jam session in the company of friends and family, dealing with big feelings, anywhere across the globe.”
Financial Times
“If there’s anything that can be identified as the soul of Jewish society, it’s klezmer music.”
– Itzhak Perlman
30th Anniversary Itzhak Perlman
In the Fiddler’s House
Featuring:
Hankus Netsky, Music Director, Saxophone and Piano
Andy Statman, Clarinet and Mandolin
Members of the Brave Old World and Klezmer Conservatory Band and other special guests
Thu, Oct 30 / 7 PM / Granada Theatre
Tickets start at $60 / $20 UCSB students
A Granada facility fee is included in each ticket price
Celebrate 30 years of In the Fiddler’s House with the incomparable Itzhak Perlman leading an allstar klezmer band in a joyous evening of music and memory. Originally captured in his Emmy Award-winning PBS special and bestselling album, Perlman’s foray into klezmer is a heartfelt tribute to Jewish musical traditions. Joined by Music Director Hankus Netsky, clarinetist Andy Statman, and members of Brave Old World and the Klezmer Conservatory Band, Perlman brings this irresistible sound to life in a concert guaranteed to lift spirits and move feet.
Lead Sponsor: Sara Miller McCune
photo: Drew Gurian
photo: Todd Rosenberg
“We have a startling abundance of the goods that fill a house and a shortage of what’s needed to build a good life.”
– Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, Abundance
Political Commentator and New York Times Columnist
Ezra Klein
Abundance
Tue, Nov 4 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre
Tickets start at $53 / $16 UCSB students
An Arlington facility fee is included in each ticket price
“One of the country’s keenest political observers.” Foreign Affairs
Ezra Klein, New York Times columnist, podcast host and policy analyst, offers a bold new vision for American progress drawn from his book Abundance. For too long, he argues, public discourse has focused on limits – what we can’t do, build or afford. But the real crisis isn’t scarcity, it’s our failure to act. In this timely talk, Klein calls for a mindset shift toward possibility. He explores how regulations, institutions and cultural caution have stalled progress, and how embracing abundance can help us tackle housing, climate, infrastructure and more by building smarter, faster and for the public good.
Event Sponsor: Natalie Orfalea Foundation & Lou Buglioli
Word of Mouth Series Sponsor: Laura & Geof Wyatt
“Preljocaj’s athletic choreography is full of swagger, strength and sass.” The Guardian (U.K.)
From France
West Coast Premiere
Ballet Preljocaj Gravity
Angelin Preljocaj, Artistic Director
“With Gravity, Preljocaj has pulled off quite the balancing act.”
Financial Times
Wed, Nov 5 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre
Tickets start at $55 / $20 UCSB students
A Granada facility fee is included in each ticket price
Ballet Preljocaj returns to Santa Barbara following its stunning 2023 performance of Swan Lake, this time with Gravity – a breathtaking, evening-length exploration of gravity through movement. One of France’s most celebrated contemporary dance companies, Ballet Preljocaj is renowned for daring choreography, striking musical choices and extraordinary dancers whose athleticism and artistry captivate from the first step. Visually arresting and endlessly inventive, Gravity is a powerful showcase of European contemporary dance at its most compelling.
Dance Series Sponsors: Margo Cohen-Feinberg, Barbara Stupay, Sheila Wald, and Anonymous
RELATED EVENTS (p. 5)
Film Screening: Angelin Preljocaj, dancing the invisible, Oct 19 Community Dance Class with Ballet Preljocaj, Nov 3
photos: Jean-Claude Carbonne
“Sherrilyn Ifill is a dazzling intellectual with an uncommon ability to analyze and frame the urgent civil rights issues facing our nation.”
– Bryan Stevenson
Civil Rights Lawyer and Former President of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Sherrilyn Ifill
Reimagining a New American Democracy
Thu, Nov 6 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall
$20 / FREE for UCSB students
“My mantra has been ‘leave no power on the table.’ And that means that we have to believe that every place is an opportunity for the exercise of power to shape the destiny of our communities.” – Sherrilyn Ifill
A Howard Law School professor and former president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Sherrilyn Ifill is one of the preeminent civil rights lawyers of our time. Named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2021, her transformational leadership and keen analysis have been instrumental in shaping the national conversation about race and civil rights in the U.S. Now, the “precise thinker, riveting speaker and fierce champion of civil rights” (Glamour) shares insights on the 14th Amendment and citizenship, the importance of local civic engagement and the role that colleges and universities play in carrying forward the democracy project.
Just added!
photo: The Washington Post
Santa Barbara Favorite
An Evening with
David Sedaris
Fri, Nov 7 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre
Tickets start at $53 / $16 UCSB students
An Arlington facility fee is included in each ticket price
“David Sedaris is an icon of indignation in a world that keeps on irking.” The Guardian (U.K.)
David Sedaris is one of America’s sharpest and most beloved voices. With his sly wit, odd charm and knack for turning daily life into rich, funny stories, Sedaris has made readers and fans laugh for decades. In this live event, he reads new work and fresh diary entries, mixing the bold and the tender with the just plain weird. Whether he’s skewering strangers at the airport or probing family ties, Sedaris brings insight and bite to every tale. Don’t miss this chance to experience his oneof-a-kind voice in person.
Books will be available for purchase and signing, courtesy of Chaucer’s
photo: Anne Fishbein
Just added!
National Book Award-winning Poet
An Evening with Martín Espada
Thu, Nov 13 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall
$20 / FREE for UCSB students
“Martín Espada is a captivating storyteller and memoirist. His great subject is the drama of the Puerto Rican diaspora; his method is meticulously crafted portraiture of lives that intertwine with history, among them his own, radiantly defiant and fearless. One of our most important contemporary poets.” – Joyce Carol Oates
Winner of the 2021 National Book Award for Poetry for Floaters, and the only Puerto Rican winner since William Carlos Williams, Martín Espada is one of America’s most impassioned and urgent advocates. He writes with clarity about inequality, labor and migration, honoring the dignity of working people, especially in his own Puerto Rican community. His most recent collection, Jailbreak of Sparrows, confronts injustice with unflinching power and reaffirms poetry’s ability to bear witness. A former tenant lawyer with Su Clínica Legal in Greater Boston, Espada continues to bring the struggles and resilience of working people to the page. Join us for an evening of readings and commentary by one of America’s most vital literary voices, whose words transform resistance and compassion into unforgettable art.
Books will be available for purchase and signing, courtesy of Chaucer’s Co-presented with the Walter H. Capps Capps Center for the Study of Ethics, Religion, and Public Life; and the UCSB Department of Religious Studies
photo: Lauren Marie Schmidt
Feel the Beat of Te Fiti!
Sun, Nov 16 / 2 PM / Arlington Theatre
Tickets start at $43 / $26 youth (18 & under) / $23 UCSB students
An Arlington facility fee is included in each ticket price
Disney Concerts and AMP Worldwide present Disney’s Moana Live-To-Film Concert North American tour, featuring a full-length screening of the beloved movie accompanied by live performances of a unique on-stage musical ensemble of top Hollywood studio musicians, Polynesian rhythm masters and vocalists, celebrating the music and songs from this award-winning Walt Disney Animation Studios classic.
Corporate Event Sponsor: Cottage Children’s Medical Center
“Tóibín is simply one of the world’s best living literary writers.”
The Boston Globe
Irish Literature for the 21st Century Colm Tóibín
in Conversation with Pico Iyer
Wed, Nov 19 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall
Tickets start at $33 / $10 UCSB students
“Tóibín [is] a master of his art.” Los Angeles Times
Fresh off the release of Long Island, the long-awaited sequel to his bestselling novel Brooklyn, Colm Tóibín sits down with Pico Iyer for a wide-ranging conversation about his remarkable career. The acclaimed author of 11 novels, two collections of short stories and several works of literary criticism, Tóibín served as the 2022-2024 Laureate for Irish Fiction, appointed by the Arts Council of Ireland. Don’t miss this rare chance to hear Pico Iyer in conversation with one of the defining voices of contemporary literature.
Books will be available for purchase and signing, courtesy of Chaucer’s
Supporting Sponsor: Jane Eagleton
Speaking with Pico Series Sponsors: Martha Gabbert, Robin & Roger Himovitz, Laura & Kevin O’Connor, Siri & Bob Marshall
photo:
Brigitte Lacombe
Just added!
American Book Award-winning Author and Poet
An Evening with
Ocean Vuong
Wed, Dec 3 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall
$30 / FREE for UCSB students
FREE pre-signed copies of Vuong’s new book, The Emperor of Gladness , will be available while supplies last (pick up at event, one per household)
“Ocean Vuong is one of the country’s most esteemed poets and novelists.” The New York Times
“A master of juxtaposition willing to tell difficult stories with courage.” The Guardian (U.K.)
Bestselling novelist, award-winning poet and MacArthur “genius” grant recipient Ocean Vuong brings uncommon vigor and fearless moral conviction to his portraits of everyday life in 21st-century America. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, Vuong’s 2019 fiction debut, was an immediate bestseller, a finalist for the 2020 PEN/Faulkner Award and longlisted for the 2019 National Book Award for Fiction. His new novel, The Emperor of Gladness (2025), draws on his experience as a young Vietnamese American immigrant, navigating the randomness of service-industry jobs and discovering unexpected connections through work in elder care. Join Vuong for an evening of conversation about his writing process, his influences and the themes behind his groundbreaking works of poetry and prose.
photo:
Gioncarlo Valentine
“[Tuttle] uses a bluegrass spirit to look to the past – and a feminist allegiance to peek at the future.”
The New Yorker
“Between her expressive, crystalline voice and astounding flat picking guitar skills, Tuttle has made history.”
Rolling Stone
Two-time International Bluegrass Music Association
Guitar Player of the Year
Molly Tuttle
The Highway Knows Tour with
special guests
Kaitlin Butts and Meels
Sun, Dec 7 / 7 PM / Arlington Theatre
Tickets start at $48 / $25 UCSB students
An Arlington facility fee is included in each ticket price
A master of flatpicking guitar and a dynamic songwriter with a voice that blends grit and grace, Molly Tuttle brings fresh energy and a Northern California perspective to the Americana scene. After an electrifying 2024 Campbell Hall appearance with Golden Highway, she turns a new leaf this season, debuting an all-female quintet for her 2025 tour. This new lineup of top-tier instrumentalists and vocalists promises tight harmonies, inventive arrangements and the same boundary-pushing spirit that earned Tuttle a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. Expect a night of bold reinvention and roots music at its finest.
Supporting Sponsor: Sharon & Bill Rich
“If everyone played the ukulele, the world would be a better place.” – Jake Shimabukuro
“Jake Shimabukuro, second to none.”
Ukulele Magazine
Fun for the Whole Family
Say Aloha to the Holidays
Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawai‘i
Featuring Jackson Waldhoff and Justin Kawika Young
Wed, Dec 10 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre
Tickets start at $43 / $19 youth (18 & under) / $16 UCSB students
An Arlington facility fee is included in each ticket price
Unparalleled ukulele talent Jake Shimabukuro returns to spread his unique aloha brand of holiday cheer. Prepare to be enchanted as he strums his way through a dynamic repertoire that combines his signature show favorites with a vibrant collection of holiday classics. Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawai‘i is not just a concert; it’s a celebration of the holiday season and a testament to the power of harmonious unity. Gather your loved ones, embrace the magic of the ukulele, and let Shimabukuro transport you to a world where music and the spirit of aloha intertwine to create an unforgettable holiday experience.
photo:
Sienna Morales
The Benefits of Giving
Your seat is waiting! Become a member and join a network of arts advocates that enable us to deliver remarkable programming on and off stage.
The Benefi ts of Giving
Unrivaled access to A&L’s most exceptional experiences – crafted just for you
Invitations to dinners with artists or lecturers and other A&L members
Opportunity to host reception with an artist or lecturer
Sponsorship opportunities
Complimentary reserved parking for all ticketed Campbell Hall events
Opportunity to introduce guests to Arts & Lectures with a pair of complimentary tickets to an A&L public event, as available
Access to reserved VIP seating at A&L Summer Cinema Series at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Garden
VIP Ticketing Concierge Service and Priority Seating
Complimentary ticket exchange when your plans change
Invitations to Producers Circle Receptions with featured artists and speakers
Access to Intermission Lounge in the McCune Founders Room during A&L performances and lectures at The Granada Theatre
Invitation to A&L’s exclusive Season Announcement Party
Opportunity to attend master classes and other educational activities
Invitation to a member appreciation event
Recognition in A&L event programs or digital media
To learn more about
Access for ALL | Arts & Lectures Learning
Through Access for ALL, inspirational, dynamic learning experiences are possible for students and lifelong learners across classrooms, our community and the UCSB campus.
UCSB Students
• Classroom visits
• Master classes
• Panel discussions
• Lecture-demonstrations
• Discounted and free admission to A&L mainstage events
K-12
• Matinee fi eld trips for students from across the county
• Assemblies
• Workshops
• Q&As
Lifelong Learners
• Thematic Learning Initiative (TLI): Extending the conversation through fi lm screenings, special events and book giveaways
• Author signings
• Pre-show talks and post-show Q&As
• Community workshops
Access for ALL serves more than 30,000 students and community members annually.
Please consider a contribution to A&L’s award-winning educational outreach programs. Call Elise Erb, Senior Director of Development, at (805) 893-5679 to learn more.
Frederik Øland of Danish String Quartet teaches a master class for UCSB students
photo: David Bazemore
Thank you to our Education and ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! Sponsors
Arnhold A&L Education Initiative
William H. Kearns Foundation
Kath Lavidge & Ed McKinley
Dorothy Largay & Wayne Rosing
Sara Miller McCune
Linda Stafford Burrows
La Centra-Sumerlin Foundation
Audrey & Timothy O. Fisher
Connie Frank & Evan Thompson
Eva & Yoel Haller
Robin & Roger Himovitz
Hutton Parker Foundation
Little One Foundation and Belle Hahn
Lucky One Foundation and Hahn Shining Family
The Roddick Foundation
Stone Family Foundation
Towbes Fund for Performing Arts, an interest area of the Santa Barbara Foundation
University Support:
Office of the Chancellor
Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! brings people together to share the rich cultural heritage of Latin America, serving more than 15,000 students and community members each year throughout Santa Barbara County.
Created in 2006 out of a commitment to arts access for all, Viva works with dozens of local partners to present high-quality artists who share their knowledge and passion. Schools, neighborhood spaces and community centers come alive in these free programs for youth and families.
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! is a collaboration between The Marjorie Luke Theatre, Guadalupe Visual & Performing Arts Center, Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association and UCSB Arts & Lectures, serving Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Guadalupe and New Cuyama.
Coming in Fall of 2025
Grupo Bella
September 18-21
Gaby Moreno
November 6-9
Performances are FREE (no registration required)
For nearly two decades, Viva has brought vibrant cultural performance and educational opportunities to the most underserved in Santa Barbara County.
Join us in securing the future of this vital partnership with a gift to ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara!
For more information about supporting Viva, contact Elise Erb, Senior Director of Development, at (805) 893-5679.
1. Ballet Nepantla performs a free concert 2. Young audience members enjoy a free family performance by Ballet Folklorico de Los Ángeles 3. Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles performs a free concert 4. Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar performs a free concert 5. La Santa Cecilia plays to a packed house at The Marjorie Luke Theatre
photos: Isaac Hernández de Lipa
“Everyone should have access to art and music. Viva is awesome. It provides world-class musicians and artists to the community at no charge.”
– Salud Carbajal,
U.S. Congressman, Representing California’s 24th District
UCSB Arts & Lectures Calendar, Issue # 2025-2026.1. This free publication is printed quarterly in fall, winter and spring. Arts & Lectures, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5030
Patron Information
How to Order
Online
www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
Phone
(805) 893-3535
Hours: Mon-Fri, 10 AM-5 PM
In Person
Campbell Hall Box Office on the UC Santa Barbara campus
Hours: Mon-Fri, 10 AM-5 PM
A fee is required to park on campus.
Questions?
(805) 893-3535
info@ArtsAndLectures.ucsb.edu
Ticket Donations and Exchanges
Ticket donations or exchange requests must be received at least two full business days prior to the event. Ticket exchanges are available to all patrons for a $5 fee per ticket (no exchange fee for subscribers and Producers Circle members). Tickets are exchanged at face value and are subject to availability. Tickets of a higher value exchanged for a lower value are considered an even exchange; tickets exchanged for a higher value need the difference paid. It is the policy of UCSB and the UC Regents that a modest portion of gifts and/or the income from gifts may be used to defray the costs of raising and administering funds.
Changed, Canceled and Postponed Events
All sales are final. No refunds or returns are permitted, except in the case of an event cancellation. Service charges may not be refundable. In the event of a cancellation, postponement, venue change or schedule change, the A&L Ticket Office will make every effort to notify the purchaser in advance. A&L will not be responsible for losses (monetary or otherwise) if we are unable to contact you in the event of such a change. Please make sure your current email address and phone number are on file with the A&L Ticket Office; they will be used to communicate event guidelines, ticketing info and other important updates.
Purchase of Tickets From Unauthorized Sources
UCSB Arts & Lectures assumes no liability for tickets purchased through unauthorized channels including Tickets Center, StubHub, Event Tickets Center, Vivid Seats and other secondary market or ticket broker services. We strongly advise against purchasing tickets from any source other than the Arts & Lectures Ticket Office, www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu, or the venue ticket office and official website. Tickets purchased from unauthorized sources may be stolen, counterfeit or otherwise compromised and, if so, are not valid for admission. If you are unsure if a ticket seller has been authorized to sell A&L tickets,
Due to the nature of live events, artists, programs and prices are subject to change.
please contact the Ticket Office prior to purchasing from that source. A&L does not replace tickets purchased through the secondary market.
Student and Youth Discounts
UCSB student-rate tickets are available to full-time UCSB students who have completed enrollment (one ticket per ID). A valid UCSB student ID is required at the time of purchase and at the event. “All Student” ticket holders must show current student ID at the event. “Youth” ticket holders of high school age may be asked to show ID at the event.
Fees
All tickets and orders are subject to service charges and/or facility fees. Ticket prices, service charges and facility fees are subject to change without notice.
Group Sales
Once single tickets are on sale, groups of 20 or more may take advantage of special rates for select events. Contact the A&L Ticket Office with inquiries.
Accessibility
A&L is committed to making events accessible to all who wish to enjoy them. Please contact the A&L Ticket Office in advance to ensure the best possible experience and receive information about accessible seating, assistive listening devices, large-print programs and other accommodations.
Suitability for Children
A&L’s performing arts season is designed primarily for adult audiences. Contact the ticket office if you have questions about the appropriateness of an event. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter the theater.
Late Seating
A&L makes every effort to begin events at the published start time. Late seating and re-entry will take place during appropriate points in the program determined by the artist. Reserved seats are not guaranteed after the event begins.
UC
Santa Barbara Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy
Under the authority of California Government Code 7597.1, smoking and the use of all tobacco products, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e.g., “ecigarettes”) are prohibited anywhere at all indoor and outdoor spaces managed by UC Santa Barbara.
Venues
A&L presents events at a variety of locations on the UCSB campus and around Santa Barbara. Visit the A&L website for specific venue details.
Parking at the UCSB Campus
A fee is required to park on campus. Purchase short-term parking on arrival at a permit dispenser (available in all campus parking lots) or using the ParkMobile app. License plate number required; select lots are closed to visitor parking. Parking for A&L’s Campbell Hall events can also be purchased in advance online. Visit the UCSB Transportation & Parking Services website (www.tps.ucsb.edu) for more information.
