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Local News for a Global Village | www.VoiceSB.com
She & Him Deck the Arlington with Christmas Spirit
December 17, 2021
COMMUNITY NEWS
Geronimo Hospitality Group Acquires Hotel Santa Barbara
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TATE STREET’S ICONIC HOTEL SANTA BARBARA HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE GERONIMO HOSPITALITY GROUP’S EXPANDING COLLECTION of hospitality brands. An owner and operator of six award-winning boutique hotels nationwide, Geronimo Hospitality Group plans to start renovations on the property in 2022 along with its sister company, commercial real estate developer Hendricks Commercial Properties. Ultimately the company intends to honor Hotel Santa Barbara’s historic nature while adding modern amenities. “We are excited to welcome Hotel Santa Barbara to the Geronimo Hospitality Group family of brands, and can’t wait for locals and travelers alike to experience our unique spin on hospitality,” said Jeff Whiteman, Chief Operating Officer at Geronimo Hospitality Group. “Santa Barbara is a very special place and we look forward to providing guests with memorable experiences for years to come.”
M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel opening their show at the Arlington Theatre
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Review by Daisy Scott / VOICE
AKING THE ARLINGTON THEATRE BY STORM, She & Him triumphantly rang in the holiday season with captivating vocals and masterful guitar playing as they performed a charming set of Christmas music and original hits. Featuring singer/actress Zooey Deschanel and singer-songwriter/guitarist M. Ward, the December 2nd concert kicked off the duo’s Very She & Him Christmas Party tour. Despite the well-known nature of the evening’s songs, Deschanel’s expressive voice combined with Ward’s stunning guitar solos brought distinctive flair to each tune, creating a fun atmosphere of holiday wonder and joy. Anticipation filled the air as audience members filtered into the Arlington Theatre for the venue’s first UCSB Arts & Lectures event in over 20 months. One glance at the crowd and She & Him’s wide appeal was immediately apparent — college students eagerly chatted as families and couples found their seats. The Dos Pueblos Jazz Band completed the festive feeling by playing carols outside while entering guests donated toys to United Way of Santa Barbara County’s gift drive. Guest comedian Pete Lee opened the night with a brief stand-up set, cracking jokes about Santa Barbara’s reputation, pandemic observations, and personal anecdotes. When the crowd was warmed up, Deschanel and Ward took the stage to perform The Christmas Song against the Arlington’s lowered red curtain. The curtain lifted mid-song, revealing a simple yet elegant set of pillar lights, a crumpled curtain backdrop, and some bordering Christmas trees. She & Him then launched into an impressive set of favorites, including Winter Wonderland, The Man with the Bag, Sleigh Ride, The Christmas Waltz, and a touching homage to Frank Sinatra’s rendition of Christmas Memories. Deschanel exhibited her range as a singer and performer, her voice at one moment making audience members tap
their feet, and another heightening more nostalgic songs’ inherent sentimentality. Ward matched and amplified Deschanel’s energy at every turn with his sincere voice, skillfully playing electric and acoustic guitar riffs in manners reminiscent of Les Paul and Chuck Berry — a feeling that was confirmed by his later playing Run Run Rudolph. In short, it was evident Deschanel and Ward were having fun, styling songs in a way that honored their classic appeal yet contributed more jazzy, and at times, bluesy feelings. The duo also repeated their 2011 album’s decision to switch the male and female parts for the song Baby It’s Cold Outside, with Deschanel commenting on the importance of consent and the song’s original context. This and other performances were made all the more memorable by She & Him’s accompanying drummer, bassist, and organist/pianist, as well as two phenomenal vocalists who joined Deschanel for numerous numbers. At the show’s halfway point, Lee joined Deschanel to banter on-stage. The concert then transitioned to feature some of She & Him’s upbeat, more rock n’ roll styled originals, including I’ve Got Your Number, Son and In the Sun. The night culminated with a return to the Christmas theme, including a rendition of Holiday, complete with a disco ball, and the ever-popular All I Want for Christmas is You. Audience members rose to their feet, clapping until She & Him reemerged. It was this encore performance that sealed the night as a memorable experience, with Deschanel and Ward wistfully singing Stars Fell On Alabama and You Really Got a Hold on Me. The pair ended with a holiday medley of Silent Night, and Carol of the Bells before starting to sing Joy to the World. Suddenly, She & Him launched into the chorus of Three Dog Night’s iconic 1970 song Joy to the World, creating a delightful mash-up that ended the night on a positive, festive note.
To learn more about Hotel Santa Barbara, visit www.hotelsantabarbara.com
Daniela Candillari Announced Music Academy’s Principal Opera Conductor DANIELA CANDILLARI has been appointed to serve as Principal Opera Conductor of the Music Academy of the West’s Summer Festival. A three years-long designation, during her residency Candillari will prepare the Vocal Institute’s singers as well as the Academy Festival Orchestra who perform in the Granada Theatre. Previously, Candillari conducted the west coast premiere of composer Jennifer Higdon’s Cold Mountain at the Music Academy in 2019. She holds her Doctorate in Musicology from the Universität für Musik in Vienna, a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and a Master Daniela Candillari of Music and Bachelor in Piano Performance from the Universität für Musik in Graz. www.musicacademy.org
Todd Aldrich Joins SB Symphony Board
Todd Aldrich
TODD ALDRICH has been announced as the newest member of the Santa Barbara Symphony Board of Directors. Now a Corporate Director for a manufacturing firm in the plastics industry, Aldrich previously held senior leadership roles in emerging and growth companies in medical technology, health care, banking, and insurance, as well as practiced law. A lifelong lover of singing and symphonic music, Aldrich and his wife, Allyson, are members of the Symphony’s Crescendo donor initiative. Beyond his involvement with the Symphony, he also serves as volunteer President and Board Chair for the SB Choral Society and on the Board of the Montecito Rotary Foundation. Aldrich is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. www.thesymphony.org
Jaan Landheer Joins Mental Wellness Center JAAN LANDHEER has joined the Mental Wellness Center as the new Program Manager for the Fellowship Club, which aims to help adults who live with serious mental health challenges. The group has an all-peer staff who identify as experienced in recovery as well as are professionally qualified for their positions. A born and raised Santa Barbaran, Landheer assumes this role after previously working as a therapeutic behavioral specialist for youth at Casa Pacifica. He is an alumnus of UC Santa Cruz. www.mentalwellnesscenter.org
Jaan Landheer
SB Channelkeeper to Host Post-Alisal Fire Erosion Control Event
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O PREVENT SOIL EROSION FOLLOWING THE ALISAL FIRE AND AMIDST HEAVY RAINFALLS, the Santa Barbara Channelkeeper’s Watershed Brigade will host a Fire Erosion Control Event from 9am to 1pm on Saturday, December 18th. Taking place at The Harris Family Ranch on the Gaviota Coast, volunteers will work to protect local creeks from fire-related contaminants, such as ash and sediments, as well as curb erosion. Actions will include spreading straw and vegetation along exposed areas, digging and recontouring, and installing straw wattles to manage stormwater runoff.
For info or volunteer, visit: www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4fa5ae2ba4fbc70-watershed2