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Enjoy Art, Music and Theater

There is no way I can narrow this down because my favorites may not be your favorites. So I'll just give it all to you. But . . . there is a lot of stuff here. One of the benefits of living in Santa Barbara is that although we live in a relatively small town, we have big city benefits when it comes to culture. People who have move here from big cities all tell me that they aren't missing much and that it's much more convenient. And, if you have the itch for a big city, Los Angeles is only a 90 minute drive.

ART

• Santa Barbara Museum of Art—One of the world's greatest small museums.
• UCSB Art Museum—A fine small collection, excellent Renaissance paintings.
• Atkinson Gallery at SBCC—The student/faculty gallery at SBCC.
• Westmont College Reynolds Gallery—Primarily devoted to student shows.
• Wildling Art Museum—Located in Los Olivos, devoted to wilderness art.
• Contemporary Arts Forum—Contemporary art tucked into Paseo Nuevo.
• The Easton Gallery—A private Montecito gallery, contemporary landscapes.
• Gallery 113—A coop gallery of the Santa Barbara Art Association.
• Peregrine Galleries—California plein air and American paintings.
• Sullivan & Goss—Fine California paintings and art books.
• Delphine Gallery—Contemporary artists.
• Arte Divino Studio—Gallery devoted to Mauricio Acesio.
• Karpeles Manuscript Library—The largest private collection in the world.

For more off-line galleries check out SantaBarbara.com.

MUSIC

• Santa Barbara Symphony—Our own very fine symphony orchestra.
• Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra—Our outstanding chamber orchestra.
• Community Arts Music Association—CAMA brings in outstanding orchestras.
• Music Academy of the West—The Julliard of the West, fine programs.
• Opera Santa Barbara—Major opera productions, stars from everywhere.
• Camerata Pacifica—Another outstanding chamber ensemble.
• UCSB—Varied artists brought in to Santa Barbara by the University.
• Music Theater of Santa Barbara—Light opera and musicals.
• Santa Barbara Choral Society—Our oldest choral group, beautiful productions.
• Santa Barbara Quire of Voyces—Professional singers sponsored by SBCC.
• West Coast Symphony—They produce about 4 concerts a year, free.
• Radio KDB—We are lucky enough to have our own classics station.
• The Band Scene—Enough of the highbrow scene. This is what's happening.
• Santa Barbara Bowl—Intimate outdoor stadium rocks with major performers.

Theater and Dance

• Ensemble Theatre Company—Our resident professional theater company.
• Lobero Theater—An intimate theater of visiting dance, music and theater.
• PCPA Theaterfest—Professional theater company in Solvang.
• Center Stage Theater—Weekly productions of theater and music downtown.
• UCSB Performing Arts—Drama and dance at UCSB.
• SBCC Theater Arts—Drama at SBCC.
• Circle Bar B—Dinner theater at a guest ranch.
• Summerdance—Summer contemporary dance featuring famous artists.
• Santa Barbara Chamber Ballet—Classical ballet for young people.
• State Street Ballet—Our professional ballet company.
• Santa Barbara Dance Alliance—Local dance clearinghouse produces programs.
• SB Performing Arts League—More information on the local scene.
• Santa Barbara Live—General information about art shows, theater, music.

© Chris Casebeer & Co.