UCSB Arts & Lectures - Season Brochure 2025-2026

2025-2026 Season

Dear A&L Friends and Family, Planning the upcoming season has been a uniquely meaningful experience for me. After 25 years as Executive Director of Arts & Lectures, I will soon transition from leading the organization to joining you in the audience. With that in mind, I’ve worked to shape a season that reflects our highest ideals – presenting worldclass talent, commissioning new work and bringing our community together around live performance and big ideas.

Among the season’s most powerful offerings are six evenings of newly co-commissioned works that represent our contribution to the national celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

These projects – created in collaboration with some of our most cherished artists – honor the enduring values of independent thought and freedom of expression. Supporting the creation of new work not only aligns Arts & Lectures with top international presenters but also deepens our creative partnerships with artists we’ve nurtured over many years.

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At the heart of everything we do is the belief that live events matter. In an age shaped by digital algorithms and disconnection, we offer opportunities for discovery, dialogue and joy – whether through unforgettable music, compelling conversations or shared moments of wonder.

Our 2025-2026 season includes landmark performances, the launch of the new Roman Baratiak Endowed Lecture featuring Fareed Zakaria, and the debut of our Keyboard Virtuosos series, showcasing the world’s greatest pianists. You will see my lifelong passion for dance expressed through a dynamic series featuring three great international companies as well as two equally brilliant American ones, including a two-night ballet festival curated by New York City Ballet superstar Tiler Peck and celebrating the great Jerome Robbins.

As always, I’m grateful for your continued support, your curiosity and your presence. I can’t wait to see you in the audience.

Come celebrate with us!

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With deepest gratitude,

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photo: © Grace Kathryn Photography

Celesta M. Billeci Miller McCune Executive Director

Celesta M. Billeci with Sara Miller McCune

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We educate.

We entertain.

We inspire.

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Season Sponsor

Sara Miller McCune Community Partners 6

1. Visionary artist Yo-Yo Ma delivers an unforgettable night of performance and personal insight to a sold-out Arlington Theatre 2. Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg captivates a packed house at the Arlington Theatre 3. Superstar pianists Yuja Wang and Víkingur Ólafsson in a rare duo recital at The Granada Theatre 4. Renowned choreographer Akram Khan showcases Indian classical dance in GIGENIS 5. Jazz legend Wynton Marsalis and pianist Cecile Licad lead a live scoring of LOUIS 6. Celebrated psychotherapist Esther Perel inspires the audience at the Arlington Theatre (photos 1-6: David Bazemore) Above: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater closes out A&L’s 2024-2025 dance series (photo: David Bazemore) Cover photo: Compagnie Hervé KOUBI, Sol Invictus (photo: Mélanie Lhôte)

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Contents

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Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12 Great Performances A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16 Great Performances B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-19 Great Performances Suite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Word of Mouth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-24 Roots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-29 Jazz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-33 Keyboard Virtuosos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-36 Speaking with Pico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37-39 Global Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-42 Hear & Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43-46 Vanguard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47-49 Additional Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50-56 Create Your Own . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 ¡Viva el Arte! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58-59 Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60-63 Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64-71 Thank You Celesta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 How to Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Patron Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74-75

Flexibility Get fee-free ticket exchanges up to two business days before the event. Can’t make it? No problem, we’ll help you find another amazing event to attend.

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Sutra

with Monks from the Shaolin Temple

Oct 29

photo: Andrée Lanthier

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Full-time, currently-enrolled UCSB students get significant discounts on single tickets, and free admission for select events. Student-rate tickets will be available starting August 19.

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Create Your Own Series of Four or More Events and Save 10% Subscribers get priority access to events like these!

Fareed Zakaria

Elizabeth Gilbert

Yo-Yo Ma

Samara Joy

Yuja Wang

Boz Scaggs

Lila Downs

Itzhak Perlman

Oct 16

Apr 23

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Oct 11

Oct 21

Feb 22

Oct 23

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Oct 2

Oct 30

Season at-a-Glance Look for more events to be added throughout the season.

2025

September

Tue, Sep 30 Daniil Trifonov, piano

October

Víkingur Ólafsson Oct 22

Thu, Oct 2 Samara Joy Fri, Oct 3 I’m With Her Sat, Oct 4 Ira Glass in Conversation with Pico Iyer Sat, Oct 11 Elizabeth Gilbert Thu, Oct 16 Fareed Zakaria Sat, Oct 18 Noam Pikelny and Friends Tue, Oct 21 Boz Scaggs Wed, Oct 22 Víkingur Ólafsson, piano Thu, Oct 23 Lila Downs, Día de Muertos Sat, Oct 25 Blind Boys of Alabama with Cory Henry Wed, Oct 29 Sutra with Monks from the Shaolin Temple Thu, Oct 30 Itzhak Perlman In the Fiddler’s House

November

Tue, Nov 4 Ezra Klein Wed, Nov 5 Ballet Preljocaj, Gravity Fri, Nov 7 David Sedaris Sun, Nov 16 Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert Wed, Nov 19 Colm Tóibín in Conversation with Pico Iyer

December

Sun, Feb 1 Tue, Feb 3 Thu, Feb 5

Fri, Feb 6 Sat, Feb 7 Thu, Feb 12 Thu, Feb 19 Sun, Feb 22 Thu, Feb 26

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy and The Celtic All Stars Tue, Mar 3 Ballet Festival: Jerome Robbins Curated by Tiler Peck Wed, Mar 4 Ballet Festival: Jerome Robbins Curated by Tiler Peck Sat, Mar 7 Chucho Valdés and Arturo Sandoval Legacy Quintet Sun, Mar 1

April

Fri, Apr 10 Sun, Apr 12 Tue, Apr 21 Thu, Apr 23

2026

Thu, Apr 30

Tue, Jan 20 Miranda July Sat, Jan 24 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medal Winner Sun, Jan 25 Compagnie Hervé KOUBI Tue, Jan 27 Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane Miles Davis and John Coltrane Centennial Wed, Jan 28 Nicola Benedetti, violin

Tango After Dark Ruckus and Davóne Tines Emily - No Prisoner Be Joyce DiDonato and Time for Three Les Ballets Africains Juan Diego Flórez, tenor Bruce Liu, piano Jlin + Third Coast Percussion Yo-Yo Ma in Recital Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen Cha Wa

March

Sun, Dec 7 Molly Tuttle Wed, Dec 10 Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawai‘i

January

Joyce DiDonato

February

Danish String Quartet and Danish National Girls’ Choir Emmet Cohen Quintet Miles and Coltrane at 100 Bill McKibben Yuja Wang & Mahler Chamber Orchestra Lucía

May

Sat, May 2 Kronos Quartet Wed, May 6 Ed Yong Tue, May 12 A.I.M by Kyle Abraham Wed, May 13 Terry Tempest Williams in Conversation with Pico Iyer Thu, May 14 Isidore String Quartet with Sterling Elliott, cello Sun, May 17 Philip Glass and The Poets

Feb 5

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Dance series “An enthralling, mind-expanding piece of theatre.”

Daily Telegraph (U.K.)

“This unique, proudly imagined show takes the concept of cultural exchange to a whole new level.”

The Guardian (U.K.)

LIVE MUSIC!

West Coast Premiere A Sadler’s Wells and Shaolin Temple Production

Sutra

with Monks from the Shaolin Temple Wed, Oct 29 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre 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.).

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photo: Andrée Lanthier; insets: Hugo Glendinning

5 events | Save 20%

“With Gravity, Preljocaj has pulled off quite the balancing act.”

Financial Times

photos: Jean-Claude Carbonne

“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 Wed, Nov 5 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre 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.

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Dance series 5 events | Save 20%

“The dancers of Compagnie Hervé KOUBI… could be mistaken for gods. They glide, spin, toss one another in high arcs through the air, exhibiting an uncanny mastery of the body and a gravitas that renders their movements into poetry.”

The New Yorker

photo: Mélanie Lhôte; inset: Nathalie Sternalski

“In Compagnie Hervé KOUBI’s Sol Invictus, the dancers’ extraordinary moves are integrated into a poetic vision.”

The New York Times

California Premiere Dazzling Hip Hop Choreography From France

Compagnie Hervé KOUBI Sol Invictus

Hervé Koubi, Artistic Director Sun, Jan 25 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre The 19 dancers of Compagnie Hervé KOUBI are renowned for their electrifying fusion of street dance, contemporary movement and martial arts, creating performances that are physically exhilarating and deeply poetic. In French-Algerian choreographer Hervé Koubi’s latest work, Sol Invictus, love is the guarantor of peace, and despite fracture, communion emerges as humanity’s saving grace. The music score includes a composition by Swedish composer Mikael Karlsson, with excerpts by Steve Reich and digital composer Maxime Bodson. “I want to talk about light, solidarity, and those bonds that unite us,” says Koubi. “Here, the sun and the dance will emerge victorious.”

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Only West Coast Performance Two Nights! Two Programs!

LIVE MUSIC!

Ballet Festival: Jerome Robbins

“Tiler Peck’s dancing is distinguished by its musicality, speed and precision.”

The New York Times

Curated by Tiler Peck A Joyce Theater Production Tue, Mar 3 & Wed, Mar 4 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre Next March, The Joyce Theater’s Ballet Festival comes to Santa Barbara for a special West Coast edition. Superstar New York City Ballet Principal Tiler Peck curates and dances in this two-night tribute to the legendary choreographer Jerome Robbins. Robbins’ groundbreaking fusion of ballet and jazz created a distinctly American style that reshaped the art form.

Performances will include A Suite of Dances danced by Tiler Peck, the first woman to perform this iconic role created by Jerome Robbins for Mikhail Baryshnikov.

The two distinct and thrilling programs will feature combinations of top-tier talent from New York City Ballet (including Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia), American Ballet Theatre, Paris Opera Ballet and the Royal Ballet.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the greatest ballet dancers in the world performing together over the course of two unforgettable nights.

“With his emphasis on everyday people and their movement vernacular and his brilliant use of speed and athleticism and conceptual clarity, Robbins set the tone for American dance in the latter half of this century.”

The Washington Post

photo: Matthew Karas

Program subject to change

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Dance series 5 events | Save 20%

“Lush movement, infectious music, and magnetic dancers.”

The New York Times

“[Abraham] likes to spread the love with his company, A.I.M, and, in doing so, broaden the viewer’s experience of what a dance concert… can be.”

The New York Times

LIVE MUSIC! Program

Kyle Abraham: The Gettin’ (music: Robert Glasper’s interpretation of We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite) If We Were a Love Song (music: Nina Simone) 2x4 (music: Shelley Washington) MacArthur Award-winning Choreographer

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham MacArthur Fellow Kyle Abraham is one of the most dynamic and in-demand choreographers working today. A bold, innovative creator, Abraham has crafted works for New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and many more. In this, his 20th anniversary season, Abraham returns with three powerful dances set to the live music that inspired them. Genre-blurring pianist Robert Glasper contributes “The Gettin’,” inspired by Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite. Vocalist Crystal Monee Hall channels the soul of Nina Simone, while saxophonist Shelley Washington scores 2x4, a bold study in contrast. Known for his emotionally charged, socially engaged work, Abraham delivers a powerful portrait of love, loss and transformation – personal, political and deeply human.

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photo: Tatiana Wills

Kyle Abraham, Artistic Director Tue, May 12 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre

Great Performances A series 4 events | Save 20%

“This could almost be a jam session in the company of friends and family, dealing with big feelings, anywhere across the globe.”

Financial Times

photo: Todd Rosenberg

“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 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.

photo: Drew Gurian

Thu, Oct 30 / 7 PM / Granada Theatre

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Great Performances A series 4 events | Save 20%

“For an hour the audience sat spellbound by a display of focused virtuosity that was so extraordinary it shouldn’t have been possible.”

The Times (U.K.) HHHHH

“Her exquisite playing combin[es] true virtuosity and a deep musical intelligence.”

The Herald (Scotland)

Debut Performance of U.S. Tour

Nicola Benedetti, violin

Director, Edinburgh International Festival Wed, Jan 28 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall Grammy-winning Scottish violinist and Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, Nicola Benedetti brings her signature blend of passion and virtuosity to an imaginative new ensemble featuring guitar, accordion and cello.

Reimagining beloved classical works by such canonical figures as Clara Schumann and Arturo Paganini through this unique instrumentation, Benedetti continues to champion the art form while captivating new audiences with her radiant tone and charismatic stage presence.

“This is an artist who exudes star quality,” raves The Herald (Scotland).

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Nicola Benedetti, violin Plínio Fernandes, guitar Hanzhi Wang, accordion Adrian Daurov, cello Program

Bloch: “Prayer” from From Jewish Life Ponce: Estrellita Sarasate: Carmen Concert Fantasy Sarasate: Caprice Basque Jay Ungar: Ashokan Farewell Peter Maxwell Davies: Farewell to Stromness Plus works by Clara Schumann and Arturo Paganini along with new commissions and arrangements of traditional Scottish music

photo: Craig Gibson

“Benedetti is an absorbing musical storyteller. Like all the best, she leaves you wanting more.”

Minnesota Star-Tribune

Santa Barbara Debut Operatic Royalty in Recital

Juan Diego Flórez, tenor Vincenzo Scalera, piano

Sat, Feb 7 / 7 PM / Lobero Theatre “Effortless phrasing and a gleaming High C that made audiences ecstatic.” OperaWire “A bel canto superstar.”

The New York Times “A beautiful tenor… he sings with intelligence and a great voice.”

– Luciano Pavarotti One of the most charismatic leading men on today’s opera stage, Juan Diego Flórez, bel canto tenor, is known for his interpretations of Puccini, Donizetti and Rossini. This rare North American appearance in the historic Lobero Theatre will include highlights from his illustrious career in bel canto as well as classic Spanish songs from his childhood in Peru.

Experience the majesty of one of the world’s most impressive vocal artists.

With breathtaking technique and unmistakable charm, Flórez brings passion and precision to every note.

photo: Kristin Hoebermann

Program includes selections

by Rossini, Donizetti, Gounod, Verdi and more

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Great Performances

A series

B series

Available as part of both A and B

4 events | Save 20%

4 events | Save 20%

Must-see Classical Highlight One of Today’s Most Captivating Musicians in a Dual Role

Yuja Wang & Mahler Chamber Orchestra Thu, Apr 23 / 7 PM / Arlington Theatre Program

Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 1 Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2 “No one can generate the roof-raising power from a Steinway that she does.” San Francisco Classical Voice Yuja Wang is a “once-in-a-lifetime type of performer.” The Observer “This is one of those orchestras in which all are stars.” The Guardian (U.K.)

photo: Gaël Cornier

photo: Wel Lai Beijing

Fresh off her electrifying 2025 duo tour with Víkingur Ólafsson, superstar pianist Yuja Wang returns to Arts & Lectures to conduct the Santa Barbara debut of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra from the keyboard. This distinctive collaboration represents another daring artistic move for Yuja Wang, who thus asserts a new level of creative leadership. For the MCO, already widely known for its lauded partnerships with pianists, Wang’s involvement magnifies the focus of international attention. Expect 19th- and 20th-century masterworks delivered with symphonic intensity and crystalline chamber clarity.

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Great Performances B series 4 events | Save 20%

West Coast Debut

Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano Time for Three Emily – No Prisoner Be

Thu, Feb 5 / 7 PM / Granada Theatre

Premier mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and the genre-defying string trio Time for Three present Emily – No Prisoner Be, a semi-staged song cycle composed

by Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Puts. This innovative collaboration sets 24 of Emily Dickinson’s poems to music, blending classical, folk and contemporary styles. Featuring evocative lighting and stage design, this special immersive experience explores themes of identity, freedom and nature through the lens of one of America’s greatest poets.

“Drawing on her formidable range of vocal color, DiDonato captures the drama within each song, and across the cycle.”

The Guardian (U.K.)

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photo: Zurich F. Kalotay

“With their staggering technique and freewheeling genre-crossing, it’s hard not to be swept up in the force of their contagious energy.” NPR on Time for Three

Great Performances B series 4 events | Save 20%

“Aside from being the most famous cellist alive, he is a musician of immense conscience, a wholeheartedly earnest presence who tends to bring out the best in whatever company he is in.”

The New York Times

photo: Austin Mann

“An extraordinary artist and a true musical genius… Every time he shares his music, it is a master class in love.”

– Stevie Wonder

An Unprecedented Solo Recital of World Premiere Commissions

Yo-Yo Ma in Recital

Sun, Feb 22 / 4 PM (note special time) / Granada Theatre Beloved by Santa Barbara audiences and returning once again to Arts & Lectures, legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma offers a rare opportunity to experience a full solo recital program. This singular evening features three new works commissioned specially for Yo-Yo Ma by A&L. Genre-defying South African cellist Abel Selaocoe contributes a piece rooted in African ideals and expressing the universality of the natural world. Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw’s composition imagines a sound that has, in her words, “never been heard before but has always existed.”

The program culminates in a new piece drawing on music that Yo-Yo Ma has encountered during his recent and ongoing exploration of the ways that culture can reinvigorate our connection to the natural world, with a particular focus on water. This one-night-only performance is sure to sell out.

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photo: Caroline Bittencourt

“They could be grounded in their tone or mystical. They allowed time to stand still, and they could assume the pose of excitingly aggressive rockers. They did it all.”

– Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times on DSQ

U.S. Premiere of New David Lang Commission

Danish String Quartet and Danish National Girls’ Choir Charlotte Rowan, Conductor Fri, Apr 10 / 7 PM / Granada Theatre “With his winning of the Pulitzer Prize for the little match girl passion (one of the most original and moving scores of recent years), David Lang, once a postminimalist enfant terrible, has solidified his standing as an American master.” – Alex Ross, The New Yorker Two of Denmark’s most celebrated ensembles – the Danish String Quartet and the Danish National Girls’ Choir – return to Santa Barbara for a luminous evening of music old and new. This wide-ranging program weaves Nordic folk songs together with shimmering contemporary works, including in wildness, a U.S. premiere by David Lang co-commissioned by Arts & Lectures. Lang’s work continues his sonic exploration of the relationship between humans and nature. Other highlights include And So by Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw and Þann heilaga kross by Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir. A rare collaboration between virtuosic strings and celestial voices, this performance offers a stirring blend of tradition and innovation.

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Great Performances Suite 7 events (series A + B) | Save 25%

Great things come in pairs: voices and strings, timeless masterworks and new commissions, global stars and American icons. Discover unforgettable music – a suite deal at a suite price!

30th Anniversary

Itzhak Perlman In the Fiddler’s House Thu, Oct 30 / 7 PM / Granada Theatre

Nicola Benedetti, violin Wed, Jan 28 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall

Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano Time for Three Emily – No Prisoner Be Thu, Feb 5 / 7 PM / Granada Theatre

Juan Diego Flórez, tenor Sat, Feb 7 / 7 PM / Lobero Theatre

Yo-Yo Ma in Recital Sun, Feb 22 / 4 PM / Granada Theatre

Danish String Quartet and Danish National Girls’ Choir Fri, Apr 10 / 7 PM / Granada Theatre

Yuja Wang & Mahler Chamber Orchesta Joyce DiDonato Feb 5

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photo: Chris Singer

Thu, Apr 23 / 7 PM / Arlington Theatre

Word of Mouth series

photo: Deborah Lopez

4 events | Save 20%

Bestselling Author of Eat, Pray, Love

Elizabeth Gilbert All the Way to the River

Sat, Oct 11 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre Ticket purchase includes a 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 intimate and expansive talk, Gilbert reflects on love, loss and the healing power of storytelling through the lens of her forthcoming 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.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu 21

Word of Mouth series 4 events | Save 20%

“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

Roman Baratiak

Endowed Lecture

Thu, Oct 16 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre “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 wideranging 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.

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“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 “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.

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Word of Mouth series “To perceive the world through other senses is to find splendor in familiarity, and the sacred in the mundane.”

– Ed Yong

photo: Deanne Fitzmaurice

4 events | Save 20%

Pulitzer Prize-winning Science Journalist

Ed Yong

The Amazing Nature of Animal Senses Wed, May 6 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall “Yong succeeds brilliantly in shedding light on these alien worlds – worlds that drift around us every day, like plankton around a scallop, but whose richness and extravagant strangeness we rarely pause to examine.” The Guardian (U.K.) Bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist Ed Yong invites audiences on a thrilling journey into the hidden worlds of animal senses. Based on his acclaimed book An Immense World, this eye-opening evening explores how other creatures experience sights, sounds, smells and sensations far beyond our own human perception. With humor, wonder and dazzling storytelling, the winner of the 2021 George Polk Award for science reporting reveals a planet alive with electric messages, magnetic maps and vibrations we cannot feel.

Yong’s work challenges us to see the world not only as it appears to humans, but as it is through the eyes, ears and skins of other species.

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Roots series 5 events | Save 20%

photo: Alysse Gafkjen

“An alliance of Americana virtuosos.”

The New York Times

“Together their sound is both ethereal and purposeful, a combination of searing musicianship and tender vocals.”

The Guardian (U.K.)

Grammy-Winning American Roots Music

I’m With Her

Wild and Clear and Blue 2025 Sarah Jarosz • Aoife O’Donovan • Sara Watkins Fri, Oct 3 / 8 PM / Campbell Hall (limited availability) 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.

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“[Noam Pikelny] balances breathtaking speed with crystal clear melodic articulation.”

PopMatters

photo: David McClister

“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 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.

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photo: Cole Weber

“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 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.

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“[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 Sun, Dec 7 / 7 PM / Arlington Theatre Americana star Molly Tuttle turns a new leaf this season. After an electrifying 2024 Campbell Hall appearance with Golden Highway, Tuttle debuts a new all-female quintet for her 2025 tour. A master of flatpicking guitar and a dynamic songwriter with a voice that blends grit and grace, Tuttle brings fresh energy and a Northern California perspective to the Americana scene. This new lineup of top-tier instrumentalists and vocalists promises tight harmonies, inventive arrangements and the same boundary-pushing spirit that earned her a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. Expect a night of bold reinvention and roots music at its finest.

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photo: Steve Rapport

“He’s the eighth wonder of the world.”

– Bonnie Raitt on Jon Cleary

“A portable Mardi Gras dance party.”

Rolling Stone on Cha Wa

“This prodigiously accomplished outfit… combines Crescent City R&B, gospel, blues, harmony-rich vocals, a hefty helping of funk and a whole lot of rousing high spirits.” JazzTimes on The Absolute Monster Gentlemen A Double Dose of Crescent City Soul

Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen Cha Wa Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler

Thu, Feb 26 / 8 PM / Campbell Hall Grammy-winning pianist and bandleader Jon Cleary, the reigning king of New Orleans funk, channels a musical lineage that stretches from Professor Longhair and the Meters to Dr. John and the Neville Brothers. With his powerhouse band, The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Cleary lays down deep grooves and second-line swagger steeped in that unmistakable Big Easy magic. Joining the party is Cha Wa, the electrifying Mardi Gras Indian band carrying forward the carnival traditions of Monk Boudreaux and the Wild Magnolias. With their funk-infused rhythms, blazing horns and Afro-Caribbean street chants, Cha Wa brings the spirit of the Mardi Gras parade straight to the stage.

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Jazz series 4 events | Save 20%

“Every so often a new vocalist blows everyone 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 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.

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photo: Erin O’Brian

photo: Cedric Angeles

A Next Generation Jazz Legacy

Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane Miles Davis and John Coltrane Centennial Tue, Jan 27 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre “[Terence Blanchard’s] succinct solos are always filled with the right amount of rhythmic crackle and subtle nuance.” JazzTimes “John Coltrane’s saxophonist son puts a clear distance between his own work and his late father’s by often playing spry and subtly crafted lines in a murmur rather than unleashing cloudbursts of sound.” The Guardian (U.K.) The year 1926 saw the birth of two giants who forever changed the sound of American music: Miles Davis and John Coltrane. In this rare and powerful collaboration trumpeter Terence Blanchard and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane join forces to celebrate and reimagine the legacies of these jazz titans. A six-time Grammy winner and Oscar-nominated film composer, Blanchard has long drawn inspiration from Miles Davis, channeling his fearless innovation into his own genre-defying body of work. Ravi, the son of John and Alice Coltrane, is a thoughtful, expressive saxophonist whose career has been defined by both deep reverence and fearless individuality. Together, they lead a world-class ensemble in a centennial tribute that’s more than a look back; it’s a bold continuation of jazz’s living tradition. This electrifying event is one of only a handful of performances scheduled worldwide.

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Jazz series

photo: Martin Espino and Innercat

4 events | Save 20%

One of Two U.S. Dates

Chucho Valdés & Arturo Sandoval Legacy Quintet Sat, Mar 7 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall “Chucho Valdés is one of the great treasures of the music world… Valdés grounds his work in the aural history of mother Cuba, while seamlessly weaving in aspects of folk, jazz and classical to create a singular musical vision.” DownBeat “Both an ambassador for and an innovator of jazz, Sandoval has played a central role in expanding the music he loves most from an American vernacular into a global language.”

The Washington Post Chucho Valdés and Arturo Sandoval, icons of Afro-Cuban jazz and founding members of the legendary ensemble Irakere, reunite for an electrifying new collaboration. The Legacy Quintet celebrates their rich musical heritage with fresh compositions and inspired arrangements. Valdés, a multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, remains a driving force in Latin jazz, while Sandoval, honored in 2024 by The Kennedy Center, brings his unmatched trumpet virtuosity to the stage. An unforgettable evening with two of the music world’s most celebrated masters.

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photo: Gabriela Gabriellaa

“One of the finest piano players to emerge in decades.”

All About Jazz

Celebrating Two Jazz Giants

Emmet Cohen Quintet Miles and Coltrane at 100

Sun, Apr 12 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall “[A] piano virtuoso with a delicate touch, assured, swaggering swing feel, and debonair flow.” The New York Times An all-star quintet led by pianist Emmet Cohen celebrates the centennial of jazz geniuses Miles Davis and John Coltrane. As a dedicated champion of musical community, Cohen believes in jazz as a living, evolving conversation that unites people across time and place.

Guided by the spirit of the infinite, Cohen continues the journey set forth by the architects of jazz – seeking deeper truths through sound. Join Cohen and his ensemble for a bold, reimagined experience of the music that forever changed the course of jazz.

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Keyboard Virtuosos series 3 events | Save 20%

Handel: Suite in G minor Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze, op. 6 Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann

Gramophone and Musical America Artist of the Year

Daniil Trifonov

Tue, Sep 30 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall “Trifonov’s recital was breathtaking… a unique amalgam of fastidious tenderness and seemingly unfettered wildness.” Financial Times “He is, no other word, a phenomenon. Like Rachmaninov, he is both a dazzling pianist and a composer.” The Guardian (U.K.) 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 takes audiences on a sweeping journey through two masterful sets of variations by Brahms, works that highlight his gift for shaping sound into story and revealing the emotional depths behind the notes.

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photo: Dario Acosta

Program

“A breathtakingly brilliant pianist.”

Gramophone

“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 Opus 109

Wed, Oct 22 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall 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.

photo: Markus Jans

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

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Keyboard Virtuosos series 3 events | Save 20%

“Liu can do the impeccable glitter, but his playing is more than pyrotechnics. It is powerful, polished, and emanates from a disciplined mind.”

The Telegram

photo: Christoph Koestlin

“Spontaneity is a feature that makes his performances feel constantly alive… This is a pianist with a captivating musical personality.”

Financial Times

Winner of the International Chopin Piano Competition

Bruce Liu

Thu, Feb 12 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall Pianist Bruce Liu returns after a thrilling 2024 Arts & Lectures debut that left audiences eager for more. Since winning the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition, Liu has become one of the most talked-about artists on the international scene, known for performances that combine charm, clarity and stunning technique. This bold and colorful program moves from Ligeti’s playful “Fanfares” and Beethoven’s iconic “Moonlight” Sonata to the rhythmic flair of Ravel and the expressive brilliance of Chopin.

Don’t miss this chance to hear a rising star in full flight.

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Program

Ligeti: Étude No. 4 (“Fanfares”) Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 (“Moonlight”) Chopin: Nocturnes, op. 27 Ravel: Alborada de Gracioso Chopin: Selected Impromptus Albéniz: “El Puerto” from Iberia, Book 1 Liszt: Rhapsodie espagnole

Speaking with Pico series 3 events | Save 20% photo: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

Combining a writer’s insight with a scholar’s mastery of the material, series host Pico Iyer returns with another inspiring roster of conversational partners. A perennial A&L audience favorite!

photo: OK McCausland

“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

“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.)

Creator and Host of This American Life

Ira Glass

in Conversation with Pico Iyer Sat, Oct 4 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall 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.

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Speaking with Pico series 3 events | Save 20%

photo: Brigitte Lacombe

“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 “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.

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photo: Zoe Rodriguez

“We’re not the only species that lives and dreams on this planet.”

– Terry Tempest Williams

Writer, Naturalist and Activist

Terry Tempest Williams in Conversation with Pico Iyer

Wed, May 13 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall “Williams is one of the great chroniclers of the American west, alongside Wallace Stegner and Edward Abbey.” London Review of Books Author and activist Terry Tempest Williams joins Pico Iyer to explore the role of imagination in seeking justice and stewarding the future of the planet. In her forthcoming book The Glorians: Visitations from the Holy Ordinary, she offers a testament to the power of witness and extends an invitation to engage more deeply with one another and the living world. From wilderness to Congress and from Utah to Rwanda, her work illuminates the deep ties between environmentalism and human rights. This provocative dialogue promises to explore what power could look like when understood as not only within us and between us as humans, but also extending beyond our species.

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Global Sounds series 3 events | Save 20%

“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

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.

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photo: Enrique Leyva

Thu, Oct 23 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre

“Sheer physical energy and beauty.”

The New York Times

“The dancers and musicians manage to combine a high-gloss finish with a convincing air of spontaneous excitement.” The Independent (U.K.)

The National Dance Company of the Republic of Guinea

Les Ballets Africains

Fri, Feb 6 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre A powerful blend of music, dance and storytelling, the national ensemble of Guinea offers a vibrant reflection of its rich cultural heritage. Founded in 1952, Les Ballets Africains has earned international acclaim for its precision and artistry that transcends mere entertainment. With a legacy that spans continents and decades, their performances highlight traditional rhythms, striking choreography and the dynamic interplay of movement and sound. This acclaimed ensemble of more than 40 dancers, singers and musicians shares a living tradition – rooted in history, yet constantly evolving – through a program that celebrates the depth and diversity of West African performance.

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“To call Natalie MacMaster the most dynamic performer in Celtic music today is high praise, but it still doesn’t get at just how remarkable a concert artist this Cape Breton Island fiddler has become.”

The Boston Herald

Virtuoso Fiddle Fireworks

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy and The Celtic All Stars Sun, Mar 1 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall In this unforgettable evening of music and celebration, Canada’s Celtic superstars Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy and some of the world’s finest musicians explore Celtic traditions across nations, tracing the music’s ancient roots to its vibrant global force. The Celtic All Stars lineup includes exceptional guests like vocalist Karen Matheson of Capercaillie, four-time All-Ireland Champion banjo player Enda Scahill, criticallyacclaimed Scottish piper Ross Ainslie and the duo’s multi-talented daughter Mary Frances. Don’t miss this night of fiery fiddling, electrifying energy and the heart and soul of Celtic music!

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Hear & Now series 4 events | Save 20%

SEVENTEENTH VAN CLIBURN

INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION WINNER Gold Medal Piano Debut

17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medal Winner Sat, Jan 24 / 7 PM / Hahn Hall “One of the most prestigious contests in classical music.” The New York Times “A cross between the Miss America pageant, the Olympic games, the Academy Awards, and the Pulitzer Prize.” The Boston Globe Arts & Lectures proudly presents the Gold Medalist of the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in a special debut recital. Held every four years in Fort Worth, Texas, the prestigious Cliburn Competition has been a global force in advancing classical piano since its founding in 1962. Through its renowned international contests, education programs and concert tours, The Cliburn has launched the careers of some of the world’s most celebrated pianists. In partnership with this iconic institution, Arts & Lectures offers Santa Barbara audiences a rare chance to experience a rising star at the very beginning of a major international career.

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Hear & Now series 4 events | Save 20%

“The world’s only period-instrument rock band.”

San Francisco Classical Voice on Ruckus

photo: © Fay Fox

“One of the most powerful voices of our time” Los Angeles Times

West Coast Premiere

Ruckus Davóne Tines, bass-baritone What Is Your Hand in This?

In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, visionary bass-baritone Davóne Tines joins forces with the genre-defying early music ensemble Ruckus for a musical journey through American history. Drawing on colonial hymns, Revolutionary-era ballads, Baroque masterworks, spirituals and contemporary works, What Is Your Hand in This? traces the nation from its founding ideals through the Civil War and Civil Rights movements to the urgent questions of today. With Ruckus’ electrifying period-instrument sound and Tines’ singular presence, this powerful program invites audiences to reflect on the legacies we inherit and the futures we choose to build.

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photo: Noah Morrison

Tue, Feb 3 / 7 PM / Hahn Hall

photo: Shervin Lainez

“A voice as lush and sumptuous as any singer on the scene.”

San Francisco Classical Voice

“[Lucía] represents the global evolution of jazz, where cultures from all over the world can dance together in harmony.”

Monterey Jazz Festival

Santa Barbara Debut Vocal Jazz Sensation from Veracruz

Lucía

Thu, Apr 30 / 7 PM / Hahn Hall Twenty-four-year-old Mexican jazz vocalist Lucía makes her Santa Barbara debut with a luminous blend of tradition, innovation and personal storytelling. A winner of the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Lucía bridges cultures and generations with her soulful interpretations of jazz standards like “What a Difference a Day Makes” and classics from the Latin American songbook. Her eponymous debut album, which features jazz greats Antonio Sánchez and Larry Grenadier, showcases her singular voice and deep musical roots. Expect an evening of expressive vocals, emotional range and genre-crossing artistry from one of jazz’s most compelling new voices.

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Hear & Now series 4 events | Save 20%

Program

Ligeti: String Quartet No. 2 Tyshawn Sorey: Everything Changes, Nothing Changes Schubert: String Quintet, D. 596

Santa Barbara Debut A Juilliard-born Collaboration

Sterling Elliott

Isidore String Quartet with Sterling Elliott, cello Thu, May 14 / 7 PM / Hahn Hall

Winners of the Banff International String Quartet Competition and 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Isidore String Quartet brings fresh insight and expressive intensity to the chamber repertoire.

They’re joined by their Juilliard classmate and fellow Avery Fisher honoree Sterling Elliott, a cellist whose star power and soulful artistry have earned international acclaim. This probing program traces a path from Ligeti’s surging dissonances to Sorey’s taut, meditative soundscapes and culminates in Schubert’s luminous Cello Quintet – a masterpiece of emotional unity and complexity.

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photo: Titilayo Ayangade

“Amazing… The ensemble was tight and all the playing stunning, full of clarity and nuance… Don’t pass up any chances to hear the Isidore.” Boston Musical Intelligencer

photo: Jiyang Chen

Isidore String Quartet Adrian Steele, violin Phoenix Avalon, violin Devin Moore, viola Joshua McClendon, cello

Vanguard series 3 events | Save 25%

West Coast Premiere of New Piece by Jlin

Jlin + Third Coast Percussion Thu, Feb 19 / 8 PM / Campbell Hall “[Jlin creates] something frenetic and physical but also heavy with emotion, like chamber music breaking out on the dance floor.” Stereogum “Third Coast Percussion is blurring musical boundaries and beguiling new listeners.” NPR Grammy-winning ensemble Third Coast Percussion joins forces with groundbreaking electronic composer and performer Jlin for a genre-defying evening that fuses acoustic and electronic worlds. In this bold collaboration, a decade in the making, Jlin’s polyrhythmic, footwork-inspired sound meets the precision and creativity of TCP’s contemporary classical training. The program features acoustic interpretations of Jlin’s work by TCP, a live electronic set by Jlin and a new piece performed by all five musicians on stage. Don’t miss this journey to a new sonic universe.

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Vanguard series 3 events | Save 25%

“The foremost ambassador of contemporary chamber music.”

Polar Music Prize Citation

Kronos Quartet - David Harrington, violin - Gabriela Díaz, violin - Ayane Kozasa, viola - Paul Wiancko, cello Quentin E. Baxter, percussion Laura Ortman, Apache violin, amplified violin Wu Man, pipa West Coast Premiere

Kronos Quartet Three Bones

Sat, May 2 / 6 PM (note special time) / Campbell Hall The game-changing Kronos Quartet presents a semi-staged, multisensory exploration of the histories of Indigenous, Gullah-Geechee and Chinese American communities in the United States. The first panel of this musical triptych features the visceral, gripping and poignant artistry of Apache violinist and composer Laura Ortman. The second panel highlights connections between Western African and American cultures nearly lost to history, centering on Lorenzo Dow Turner’s Amelia’s Song, Charlton Singleton and more, featuring Grammywinning percussionist Quentin E. Baxter. Pipa virtuoso Wu Man and other guests join in the triptych’s final panel, featuring new music by Dai Wei, personal histories of Chinese Americans who expanded civil and immigrant rights in San Francisco, and more.

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photo: Danica Taylor

“Kronos Quartet remains a living, breathing worldheritage site for music.” NPR

photo: Philip Glass, Kiev Restaurant, New York City, 1993 (photo: Allen Ginsberg)

“Philip Glass is one of the dominant, boundary-crossing influences of the past half century.”

The Guardian (U.K.)

90th Birthday Celebration

Philip Glass and The Poets Sun, May 17 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall Approaching the composer’s 90th birthday, Arts & Lectures presents Philip Glass and The Poets.

This special event, featuring some of his favorite interpreters and special guests, celebrates Glass’ extraordinary relationships and collaborations with poets. Throughout his long career, Philip Glass has drawn inspiration from poets’ words, their lives, and the depths of their creative practice. From Rumi to Leonard Cohen and beyond, poetry has played a key role in the evolution of his music. In particular, his friendship with American beat poet Allen Ginsberg spawned multiple collaborations; this evening will include previously unreleased recordings of Ginsberg reading his poetry set to some of Glass’ most intimate chamber music. Co-commissioned by Pomegranate Arts. (Philip Glass will not be performing.)

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Additional Events “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

photo: Chris Phelps

“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 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 Grammywinning “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.

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photo: Anne Fishbein

Santa Barbara Favorite

An Evening with

David Sedaris Fri, Nov 7 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre “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 one-of-a-kind voice in person.

Books will be available for purchase and a signing follows the event

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Additional Events Feel the Beat of Te Fiti!

Sun, Nov 16 / 2 PM / Arlington Theatre 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.

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“If everyone played the ukulele, the world would be a better place.”

– Jake Shimabukuro

photo: Sienna Morales

“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 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 Jake Shimabukuro transport you to a world where music and the spirit of aloha intertwine to create an unforgettable holiday experience.

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Additional Events

photo: Mario Gallucci

“She brings her trademark humor and offbeat sensibility to each of her chosen mediums, creating narratives that flip our understanding of relationships inside out.”

Los Angeles Review of Books

One of The New York Times’ 10 Best Books of 2024

An Evening with

Miranda July Tue, Jan 20 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall “By tangling explicitly with reality across mediums, July pushes autofiction to new limits.” The Guardian (U.K.) Join celebrated author, filmmaker and performance artist Miranda July for a conversation spanning her groundbreaking work across multiple disciplines and media. Known for her singular blend of vulnerability, humor and imagination, July arrives on the heels of widespread acclaim for her 2024 novel All Fours, a bold exploration of desire, identity and reinvention. Expect the unexpected as July revisits highlights from her groundbreaking films, installations and performances. Share this wild ride through the artist’s creative process, revealing her intimate relationship to risk and provocative take on the evolving role of the artist in contemporary life.

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Following Sold-out Runs in London Two Performances!

LIVE MUSIC!

Germán Cornejo’s

Tango After Dark Sun, Feb 1 / 2 PM & 7 PM / Lobero Theatre “Sexy, sensuous, stylish and seriously impressive. This is an utter feast for the eyes and a riveting recital of physical poetry.”

Broadway World (U.K.)

photo: Danny Kaan

photo: Federico Paleo

This intimate and electrifying dive into the soul of Argentine dance is led by World Tango Champions Germán Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi.

Joined by a cadre of exceptional dancers, a powerhouse singer and a live band performing Astor Piazzolla’s revolutionary nuevo tango, this sultry ensemble delivers a breathtaking, high-octane performance. Cornejo’s innovative choreography fuses deep-rooted traditions with a contemporary edge, capturing the seductive pulse of Buenos Aires. Following sold-out runs in London, this highly anticipated Santa Barbara premiere unveils tango in its purest form: bold, sensual and unforgettable.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu 55

Additional Events

photo: Paul Richardson

“If any book could make a thinking person hopeful about the future, this is it.”

– Elizabeth Kolbert, author of The Sixth Extinction

Celebrating Earth Day Bestselling Author and Climate Journalist

Bill McKibben

Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization Tue, Apr 21 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall “Trust Bill McKibben to find light in the darkness – and oh what a light it is! This is the energizing vision and game-plan so many of us have been waiting for, and of course it comes from one of our era’s most imaginative and trusted voices.” – Naomi Klein, author of This Changes Everything “Probably America’s most important environmentalist.” The Boston Globe Pioneering climate journalist and environmental activist Bill McKibben arrives bearing calls to action and optimism. In Here Comes the Sun (August 2025), McKibben lays out a hopeful path forward driven by the cheapest energy in history: solar power. With urgency and clarity, he traces the stunning global rise of solar and wind energy and exposes the fossil fuel industry’s desperate efforts to resist change. Blending hard science with compelling storytelling and seasoned advocacy, McKibben offers not just a way out of climate catastrophe, but a vision for a more equitable, democratic future fueled by the light from above.

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Subscribe to a series and save up to 25%

Create Your Own series

Lila Downs Oct 23

Juan Diego Flórez, tenor Feb 7

Miranda July Jan 20

For maximum flexibility, select your favorite 4 or more events from the 2025-2026 season lineup to create your own series and save 10% on each ticket.* Order early to get the best seats before single tickets go on sale August 19. *Select events and student/youth tickets are not eligible for further discount.

Ezra Klein Nov 4

Tango After Dark Feb 1

Nicola Benedetti, violin Jan 28

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu 57

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¡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, the GuadalupeNipomo Dunes Center, the Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association and UCSB Arts & Lectures serving Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria, Guadalupe.

Performances are FREE (no registration required)

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

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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, Interim Senior Director of Development, at (805) 893-5679.

photos: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

Learn more about the award-winning ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! program.

Call Jenna Hamilton-Rolle, Director of Education & Community Engagement, at (805) 893-5829 for information.

For nearly two decades, Viva has brought vibrant cultural performance and educational opportunities to the most underserved in Santa Barbara County.

“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

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Access for ALL | Arts & Lectures Learning 1

Through Access for ALL, inspirational, dynamic learning experiences are possible for students and lifelong learners across classrooms, our community and the UCSB campus.

“Exposure to the arts at a young age is so important.

It enriches the lives of the next generation. They are the future audience and supporters of the arts. We are pleased to support the expansive educational programs A&L provides to our local students.”

– Maxine Prisyon, William H. Kearns Foundation

UCSB Students

• Classroom visits • Master classes • Panel discussions • Lecture-demonstrations • Discounted and free admission to A&L mainstage events

“Art, whether you are a maker of it or a receiver of it, can teach you how to be artful and gentle with the things that you don’t fully understand about the world and about yourself.”

– Jacob Collier

K-12

• Matinee field trips for students from across the county • Assemblies • Workshops • Q&As Lifelong Learners

• Thematic Learning Initiative (TLI): Extending the • • •

conversation through film 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, Interim Senior Director of Development, at (805) 893-5679 to learn more.

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Thank you to our Education and ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! Sponsors 2

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

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Little One Foundation and Belle Hahn Lucky One Foundation and Hahn Shining Family The Roddick Foundation Stone Family Foundation

photo 1: Isaac Hernández; 2 & 3: A&L staff ; 3: David Bazemore

Towbes Fund for Performing Arts, an interest area of the Santa Barbara Foundation

University Support:

1. Grammy Award-winning musician Jacob Collier leads a FREE master class for UCSB students 2. Story Pirates visits Guadalupe Elementary School 3. Fredrik Sjölin of Danish String Quartet teaches a master class for UCSB music students 4. Elementary school students enjoy a free performance by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as part of A&L’s Arts Adventures bus-in program.

Office of the Chancellor Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor

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Arnhold A&L Education Initiative 1

A&L’s mission to educate, entertain and inspire received a big boost from Jody & John Arnhold with a leadership gift to create the Arnhold A&L Education Initiative.

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Through this initiative, A&L is deepening its signature cross-campus collaborations, connecting featured guests with students in the classroom.

“The Arnhold Education Initiative enables thousands of UCSB students access to many extraordinary arts events. Without the Arnholds, many first- and secondgeneration college students or non-arts majors would have had no access to some of today’s most important artists. Some students had never been to the theater in their lives. They told their whole families what they saw, what it meant to them.

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“For faculty, the Arnhold Initiative is fundamental to our ability to teach and to our students’ hope to become like the artists they see on the stage.”

photos: David Bazemore

– Professor Ninotchka Bennahum, Director of Dance Studies, UCSB Department of Theater and Dance

Our deepest thanks, and a standing ovation, to Jody & John Arnhold.

1. Lil Buck leads a dance class at Santa Barbara High School 2. Bassist Carlos Henriquez of Wynton Marsalis Ensemble teaches a music workshop 3. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater member leads a dance master class for UCSB students

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Wynton Marsalis, Celesta M. Billeci and John Arnhold

photo: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

Fatoumata (April 2024)

photo: David Bazemore

Robert Reich at U.S. Wealth and Poverty Class (April 2024) Astronaut and UC Regent José Hernández with UCSB students

Thank You to Our UC Santa Barbara Campus Partners Office of the Chancellor Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor American Indian Cultural Resource Center American Indian and Indigenous Collective American Indian and Indigenous Student Association Art, Design & Architecture Museum Black Graduate Student Association The Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality and Democracy Bren School of Environmental Science & Management Center for Aging and Longevity Studies Center for Black Studies Research Center for Information, Technology and Society Center for Middle East Studies Center for Responsible Machine Learning Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships Carsey-Wolf Center College of Creative Studies College of Engineering College of Letters and Science Counseling and Psychological Services Data Science Initiative Department of Anthropology Department of Art Department of Asian American Studies Department of Black Studies Department of Chican@ Studies Department of Computer Science Department of English Department of Feminist Studies

Department of Film & Media Studies Department of Global & International Studies Department of History Department of Linguistics Department of Mathematics Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Department of Music Department of Political Science Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences Department of Recreation’s Adventure Programs Department of Religious Studies Department of Sociology Department of Statistics & Applied Probability Department of the History of Art & Architecture Department of Theater & Dance Disabled Students Program Division of Humanities & Fine Arts Division of Math, Life, & Physical Sciences Division of Social Sciences Division of Student Affairs Economic Forecast Project Educational Opportunity Program Environmental Studies Program Feminist Futures Initiative Gaucho Rocket Project Gaucho Underground Scholars Gevirtz Graduate School of Education Graduate Students for Diversity in STEM (GSDS)

Interdisciplinary Humanities Center Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics MultiCultural Center Non-traditional Student Resource Center Office of Black Student Development Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office of Education Partnerships Office of Student Life The Program in Latin American and Iberian Studies Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity Students for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) UCSB Alumni UCSB Athletics UCSB ESTEEM Scholars UCSB Global Engagement UCSB Health & Wellness UCSB Library UCSB Promise Scholars UCSB Propel Scholars UCSB Reads UCSB Student Engagement & Leadership UCSB Summer Culture and Community Grant Program Walter H. Capps Center for the Study of Ethics, Religion, and Public Life Women in Science and Engineering Women of STEM Women’s Center Writing Program

Thank you to UCSB students for their continuing support through activity fees. These funds directly support reduced UCSB student ticket prices and educational sessions with A&L artists and thought-leaders.

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Join Arts & Lectures Today Sponsors, Subscribers and Advocates

Your Gifts Make a Difference

“For the past 25 years, UCSB Arts & Lectures has brought us incredible world-class musicians, thought leaders, cultural icons, authors, dance companies, comedians, and top scientists. We’re so fortunate to have these amazing talents just a short drive away from our homes. The icing on the cake is the opportunity to meet many of them in person at more intimate gatherings.”

– A&L Ambassador Luci Janssen & A&L Council Co-chair Rich Janssen with jazz pianist Hiromi

“Arts & Lectures has something for everybody!

The diversity of programming allows us to enjoy performances by creatives we know, and be introduced to new artists we don’t. Whether from the worlds of music, dance, literature, politics and more, we thank you for bringing the best and brightest to our community year after year.”

photo: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

– A&L Partners Laura & Geof Wyatt with violinist Itzhak Perlman

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photo: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

photo: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

Find your place at Arts & Lectures and play a critical role in the vibrant cultural life of our community. Help us educate, entertain and inspire.

“We support Viva el Arte because EVERYONE deserves to see amazing artists perform, regardless of their income bracket.

Viva el Arte makes that happen – bringing Grammy winners and incredible artists right into our schools and neighborhoods for free. Art changes lives. It connects us to our roots and shows us what is possible. When we support Viva, we’re making sure that no one in our community misses out on those powerful experiences that can shape who they become. That’s why we believe in their mission of arts access for all.”

– ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! supporters Justine Roddick & Tina Schlieske with former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

$100+

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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.

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The Benefits of Giving

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$10,000+

Unrivaled access to A&L’s most exceptional experiences – crafted just for you

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Invitations to dinners with artists or lecturers and other A&L members

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Opportunity to host reception with an artist or lecturer

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Sponsorship opportunities

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Complimentary reserved parking for all ticketed Campbell Hall events

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Opportunity to introduce guests to Arts & Lectures with a pair of complimentary tickets to an A&L public event, as available

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Access to reserved VIP seating at A&L Summer Cinema Series at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Garden

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VIP Ticketing Concierge Service and Priority Seating

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Complimentary ticket exchange when your plans change

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Invitations to Producers Circle Receptions with featured artists and speakers

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Access to Intermission Lounge in the McCune Founders Room during A&L performances and lectures at The Granada Theatre

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Invitation to A&L’s exclusive Season Announcement Party

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Opportunity to attend master classes and other educational activities

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Invitation to a member appreciation event

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Recognition in A&L event programs or digital media

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To learn more about membership, contact membership@artsandlectures.ucsb.edu or (805) 893-2174.

photo: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

Author Richard Powers answers questions at a Leadership Circle reception at a private home.

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Thanks to the generosity of our members, we educate, entertain and inspire.

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photos 1, 3 & 4: Isaac Hernández de Lipa; photos 2 & 5: David Bazemore;

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1. A&L Council member Sara Miller McCune with former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg 2. A&L Council member Lynda Weinman and A&L Program Advisor Bruce Heavin with bestselling author Anne Lamott 3. A&L Community Partner Lou Buglioli and A&L Council member Natalie Orfalea with writer Pico Iyer and poet Yung Pueblo 4. A&L Partner John Arnhold with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis 5. A&L Partner Audrey Fisher and A&L Council member Timothy O. Fisher with Pink Martini bandleader Thomas Lauderdale and lead vocalist China Forbes

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1. A&L Partner John MacFarlane, Dylan MacFarlane and A&L Council Co-chair Patty MacFarlane with Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Jennifer Doudna 2. A&L Council Co-chair Dorothy Largay and A&L Partner Wayne Rosing with former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg 3. Jazz Series Lead Sponsors Michael Hurley and Nora McNeely-Hurley with jazz great Wynton Marsalis 4. A&L Partner Ed McKinley and A&L Council Co-chair Kath Lavidge with astronaut José Hernández 5. A&L Partner Pete Muller and A&L Council member Jillian Muller 6. A&L Ambassador Crystal Wyatt and A&L Council member Cliff Wyatt and their family with Pete Buttigieg 7. A&L Ambassador Eva Haller with beloved interviewer Pico Iyer

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1. A&L Council member Susan McCaw with historian Sir Niall Ferguson 2. Dilling Yang and UCSB Chancellor Henry Yang with astronaut José Hernández 3. A&L Partners Kevin and Laura O’Connor with Sir Niall Ferguson 4. A&L Partner Chuck Zegar and A&L Council member Merryl Zegar with violinist Itzhak Perlman 5. A&L Ambassador Heather Sturgess and A&L Council member Tom Sturgess with psychotherapist Esther Perel 6. A&L Council member and Ambassador Anne Smith Towbes with former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg 7. A&L Council Co-chair Patty MacFarlane with cellist Yo-Yo Ma 8. Thomas Rollerson of Advocates for Good with Pete Buttigieg 9. A&L Partner Martha Gabbert with CRISPR pioneer Dr. Jennifer Doudna 10. Great Performances Suite Sponsor Elisabeth Fowler with Yo-Yo Ma 11. A&L Ambassador Maxine Prisyon with A&L Associate Director Meghan Bush 12. A&L Ambassador Robin Himovitz and A&L Partner Roger Himovitz with interviewer Pico Iyer and novelist Richard Powers 13. A&L Partner Linda Stafford Burrows with movement artists Jon Boogz and Lil Buck

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photos 1-4, 6, 8, 12 & 13: Isaac Hernández de Lipa; photos 5, 9 & 11: Grace Kathryn Photography; photos 7 &10: David Bazemore

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1. A&L Miller McCune Executive Director Celesta M. Billeci with former UCSB Executive Vice Chancellor Gene Lucas 2. Great Performances Suite Sponsors Jill and Bill Shanbrom with star pianists Víkingur Ólafsson and Yuja Wang 3. Nancy Hunter and A&L Partner Betsy Atwater 4. Nick Schneider of the Patricia Bragg Foundation with environmentalist Kristine McDivitt Tompkins 5. A&L Partners Bob and Siri Marshall with interviewer Pico Iyer 6. Rabbi Steve and Marian Cohen with A&L Associate Director emeritus Roman Baratiak 7. A&L Partner Mary Becker with Homeboy Industries founder Father Gregory Boyle 8. A&L Partners Gary Bradhering and Sheraton Kalouria with journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin 9. Dance Series Sponsor Sheila Wald with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing 10. A&L Partners Marcia and John Mike Cohen with satirist Fran Lebowitz 11. A&L Partners Ellen and Peter O. Johnson with historian Sir Niall Ferguson 12. A&L Senior Director of Public Lectures Caitlin O’Hara with food writer Ben Mims and chef and restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi

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1. A&L Leadership Circle member NancyBell Coe with pianists Emanuel Ax and Jean-Yves Thibaudet 2. A&L Ambassadors Belle Hahn and Eva Haller 3. A&L Ambassador Lily Hahn Shining and A&L Partner Stewart Shining 4. Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara Executive Director Lori Willis with Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Jennifer Doudna 5. Hear & Now Series Sponsor Dr. Bob Weinman with pianist Alexander Malofeev 6. A&L Partner Barbara Stupay, Mary Ellen Tiffany, A&L Partner Margo Cohen-Feinberg, A&L Miller McCune Executive Director Celesta M. Billeci and Ellen Zissler 7. Adrienne Stone of the Stone Family Foundation and Marybeth Carty of the Natalie Orfalea Foundation 8. A&L Interim Senior Director of Development Elise Erb, A&L Ambassador Robin Himovitz and Santa Barbara Foundation President and CEO Jackie Carrera 9. A&L Partners Susan and Bruce Worster with astronaut José Hernández 10. A&L Miller McCune Executive Director Celesta M. Billeci and Diana and Simon Raab 11. A&L Leadership Circle members Todd and Allyson Aldrich and A&L Partners Marilyn and Dick Mazess with pianist Amy Yang and violinist Tessa Lark

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photos 1, 3, 5, 7-9, 11-12: Isaac Hernández de Lipa; photos 2, 4, 6 & 10: Grace Kathryn Photography

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1. A&L Leadership Circle members Sharon and Bill Rich 2. A&L Executive Producers Circle member Pat French, A&L Miller McCune Executive Director Celesta M. Billeci, Hannah-Beth Jackson, A&L Council Co-chair Dorothy Largay, Santa Barbara Foundation President and CEO Jackie Carerra, A&L Executive Producers Circle member Susan Rose, A&L Council member Sara Miller McCune, Judy Hopkinson and A&L Executive Producers Circle member Pamela Gann with journalist Josie Cox 3. Celesta M. Billeci and A&L Producers Circle members Peggy Lubchenco and Steve Gaines 4. A&L Leadership Circle members Jennifer and Jonathan Blum 5. Cybil Nightingale and Northern Trust Senior Vice President Tim Nightingale with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis 6. A&L Ambassador Donna Fellows and A&L Leadership Circle member Dave Johnson 7. A&L Ambassador Winnie and A&L Producers Circle member Hod Dunbar 8. A&L Ambassador Sherry Villanueva with chef Yotam Ottolenghi 9. A&L Producers Circle members Ruth and Alan Heeger with astronaut José Hernández 10. A&L Leadership Circle members Richard Powell and Julie Ringler 11. A&L Leadership Circle member Jane Eagleton and Jere Lifshitz 12. A&L Leadership Circle member Leslie Bhutani with novelist Richard Powers

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Cheers to 25 Years at the Helm of Arts & Lectures!

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“This community around you is a testament to the insight, industry and just the pure love that you’ve poured into your tenure. Thank you for all that you’ve done. You’ve used every tool at your disposal to make life more livable, and you’ve brought a righteous national acclaim to this program. You dreamt it, you predicted it, and you made it be. Celesta, you are truly one of those almighty angels.” – Wynton Marsalis “I don’t know another presenter who can bring all of herself to every one of her events. To each audience member, supporter, sponsor and guest performer, the very best of what she has, year after year, event after event… you are leaving a continuous legacy of what it means to host and present and to nurture generations of people. With all good wishes and love Celesta!” – Yo-Yo Ma

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1. A&L Miller McCune Executive Director Celesta M. Billeci with son Alexander Hajda, jazz legend Wynton Marsalis, and husband John Hajda 2. with visionary artist Yo-Yo Ma 3. with poet Amanda Gorman 4. dancing with choreographer Lil Buck 5. with close friends former A&L Associate Director Roman Baratiak and former A&L Senior Director of Development Sandy Robertson 6. with human rights activist Malala Yousafzai 7. with A&L’s favorite interviewer Pico Iyer

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photos1&2: David Bazemore; 3,5&7: Isaac Hernández de Lipa; 4&6 Kim Citro Photography

Thank you Celesta... from the artists, audience, your colleagues, and your community. We are better people, in a better place, thanks to your dedication.

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How to Order Online

www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Phone

(805) 893-3535 Hours: Mon-Fri, 10 AM-5 PM Sat, 12 PM-4 PM (Oct-May)

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.

Mail

Send order form and payment to: Arts & Lectures Ticket Office University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5030 Make checks payable to UC Regents.

Questions?

photo: NYC Dance Project

(805) 893-3535 info@ArtsAndLectures.ucsb.edu

Ballet Festival: Jerome Robbins Curated by Tiler Peck A Joyce Theater Production

Mar 3 & 4 73

Patron Information

Visit the A&L website for more patron information and policies.

Due to the nature of live events, artists, programs and prices are subject to change.

A&L Ticket Office

(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, 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

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., “e-cigarettes”) 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.

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.

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UCSB Arts & Lectures Season Brochure, Issue# 2025-2026.1.

This free publication is printed annually. Arts & Lectures, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5030

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors

photo: Andrée Lanthier

Sutra

with Monks from the Shaolin Temple Oct 29

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2025-2026 Season Santa Barbara, California 93106-5030

September 30 Daniil Trifonov, piano October 2 Samara Joy

3 I’m With Her

4 Ira Glass in Conversation with Pico Iyer

11 Elizabeth Gilbert

16 Fareed Zakaria

18 Noam Pikelny and Friends

21 Boz Scaggs

22 Víkingur Ólafsson, piano

23 Lila Downs, Día de Muertos

25 Blind Boys of Alabama with special guest Cory Henry

29 Sutra with Monks from the Shaolin Temple

30 Itzhak Perlman, In the Fiddler’s House November 4 Ezra Klein

5 Ballet Preljocaj

7 David Sedaris

16 Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert

19 Colm Tóibín in Conversation with Pico Iyer December 7 Molly Tuttle

10 Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawai‘i January 20 Miranda July

24 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

Get the best seats, subscriber benefits and save up to 25% when you purchase a series Yuja Wang & Mahler Chamber Orchestra Apr 23

photo: Julia Wesely

Gold Medal Winner

25 Compagnie Hervé KOUBI

27 Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane

28 Nicola Benedetti, violin February 1 Tango After Dark

3 Ruckus and Davóne Tines

5 Emily: Joyce DiDonato and Time for Three

6 Les Ballets Africains

7 Juan Diego Flórez, tenor

12 Bruce Liu, piano

19 Jlin + Third Coast Percussion

22 Yo-Yo Ma in Recital

26 Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen Cha Wa March 1 Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy and The Celtic All Stars 3 & 4 Ballet Festival: Jerome Robbins Curated by Tiler Peck

7 Chucho Valdés and Arturo Sandoval Legacy Quintet April 10 Danish String Quartet and Danish National Girls’ Choir

12 Emmet Cohen Quintet

21 Bill McKibben

23 Yuja Wang & Mahler Chamber Orchestra

30 Lucía May 2 Kronos Quartet

6 Ed Yong

12 A.I.M by Kyle Abraham

13 Terry Tempest Williams in Conversation with Pico Iyer

14 Isidore String Quartet with Sterling Elliott, cello

17 Philip Glass and The Poets