First Thursday, January 6th

First Thursdays in Downtown Santa Barbara

1st Thursday is an evening of art and culture in downtown Santa Barbara.

On the first Thursday of each month, participating galleries and art-related venues offer free access to visual and performing art in a fun and social environment from 5-8 p.m. 1st Thursday venues feature attractions, such as art openings, live music, artists' receptions, lectures, wine tastings and hands-on activities. In addition, State Street comes alive on 1st Thursday with performances and interactive exhibits. Look for previews of forthcoming plays, symphony performances, concerts and dance productions, as well as local up-and-coming performers. The Downtown Organization also partners with Santa Barbara cultural groups for one-time 1st Thursday attractions.
1st Thursday is for locals and visitors alike. It provides an opportunity for residents to indulge in local culture, mingle with neighbors and participate in the arts community. The program also offers visitors the chance to experience, in one evening, the diversity of downtown Santa Barbara’s visual and performing arts scene. 1st Thursday is aimed at developing a lively atmosphere downtown as well as showcasing the cultural variety that Santa Barbara has to offer.

The 1st Thursday Passport is a printed guide and map to all of the 1st Thursday attractions and is available at participating galleries and venues, MTD shuttles, The Visitors’ Center, and hotel concierge desks. OR you can download a printable version from the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization's website (link below).

Expect something special in art and culture on the first Thursday of every month!

In the meantime, be sure to check out all of the other great Featured Events happening in Downtown Santa Barbara: http://www.santabarbaradowntown.com/

Information on the International Film Festival, Film Feast, Film Sips and Film Sleeps (Jan 27-Feb  6) also available on the SBDO website. Details will also be listed on this blog in the near future

Santa Barbara's Historic Cultural Arts District

First Thursday - November 4th

Get some Culture Downtown Santa Barbara

An evening of art and culture in downtown Santa Barbara on the first Thursday of each month, participating galleries and cultural art venues offer free access to Santa Barbara's rich cultural scene in a fun and social environment from 5-8 pm.  Attractions such as live music, artists receptions, exhibit openings, demonstrations and wine tastings are featured at participating venues.  In addition, State Street comes alive with public performances and interactive exhibits.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES: PIANOS ON STATE
Various Downtown Locations

Pianos on State is a collaborative musical experiment coinciding with the 2010 New Noise Music Festival and Conference. Pianos will be placed at various locations up and down State Street from November 4-7th. Amateur and professional musicians alike will be scheduled to perform and during open times anyone is welcome to sit down and play. the event will raise awareness for the 2nd Annual Instrument Drive 4 Youth taking place on December 31, 2010 that collects new and used music instruments and equipment for disbursement through the school district and other non-profit organizations.

For more information call 805 962-2098 or visit www.santabarbaradowntown.com

First Thursday Celebrations downtown Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara Downtown Organization's
First Thursdays
October 7th

An evening of art and culture in downtown Santa Barbara.  On the first Thursday of each month, participating galleries and related venues offer free access to visual and performing art in a fun and social environment from 5-8 pm. Venues feature attractions such as art opening, live music, artists' receptions, lectures, wine tastings hand ands-on activities.  State Street comes alive with performances and interactive exhibits.

Cafe Buenos Aires

1316 State Street 805 963-0242

Brazilian Carnival Night!  The Raiz Brazil Dance Grouple explores  different Brazilian rhythms such as Samba, Axe, Samba-Raggae and Frevo, combined with a theatrical approach.  Also featuring photos by Sylvia Abualy. 7 pm

Bamboo DNA

Corner of Victoria and State Streets, Chase Bank

Gerard Minakawa will bring another of his frightening bamboo bugs to State Street !  Minakawa and his Bamboo DNA crew will create a unique new creature in time for the Halloween season.

Kalinka

Corner of Anapamu and State Streets

Come listen to the exotic sounds of local band Kalinka as they dish out their Eastern Euporean Klezmer Gypsy madness

Taco Taste Off

900 State Street on Border's Patio

Cheer on and vote for your favorite  Downtown fish/seafood taco as local celebrity judges taste and critique the finest fish/seafood tacos that Downtown SB has to offer.  Judging will begin at 5:30 pm

A Bit of Flan

Casa Magazine

23 East Canon Perdido Street 805 965-6448

Enter the 2nd annual contest to see who makes the finest flan in Santa Barbara or stop in for a tasting. Judging will begin at 4:30 pm

Information from the Downtown Organization website
for more information on featured events, parking, maps and a calendar of events

http://www.santabarbaradowntown.com/