{"id":2251716,"date":"2026-01-26T20:53:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T20:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2251716"},"modified":"2026-01-26T20:53:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T20:53:10","slug":"on-culture-a-full-dance-card-of-performances-films-art-and-entertainment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/on-culture-a-full-dance-card-of-performances-films-art-and-entertainment\/","title":{"rendered":"ON Culture | A Full Dance Card of Performances, Films, Art and Entertainment"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n

This edition of ON Culture<\/a> was originally emailed to subscribers on January 9, 2026. To receive Leslie Dinaberg\u2019s arts newsletter in your inbox on Fridays, sign up at independent.com\/newsletters.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

ON the Stage<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Our dance card is quite joyously full for the next few weeks, with hip hop from the French company Compagnie Herv\u00e9 Koubi performing\u00a0Sol Invictus<\/em>\u00a0on Sunday, January 25, at the Granada; followed by two Argentine dance performances of Germ\u00e1n Cornejo\u2019s\u00a0Tango After Dark\u00a0<\/em>on February 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Lobero; and then the national dance company of the Republic of Guinea, Les Ballets Africains, on February 6 at the Granada. All of this wonderful armchair travel entertainment comes to us courtesy of UCSB Arts & Lectures. Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more information.<\/p>\n

Charlie Puth | Photo: Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
It\u2019s a whole vibe at BottleRock. This is the Hendrick\u2019s Gin booth. | Photo: Nataschia Hadley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Santa Barbara Bowl season announcements are coming in quickly these days, with tickets now on sale for\u00a0Disclosure<\/a>,\u00a0Charlie Puth<\/a>,\u00a0James Taylor,<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Lord Huron<\/a>, as well as the previously announced shows by\u00a0David Byrne<\/a>, Gabriel \u201cFluffy\u201d Iglesias, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Train, and\u00a0Jack Johnson<\/a>. See\u00a0sbbowl.com\/concerts<\/em><\/a>\u00a0for all of the details.<\/p>\n

BottleRock Napa Valley, which is perhaps my second favorite place to see outdoor shows besides the Bowl, just announced their Memorial Day weekend lineup, which includes\u00a0Foo Fighters, Backstreet Boys, Lorde, Teddy Swims, LCD Soundsystem, and SOMBR, as well as Joan Jett,\u00a0 Lil Wayne, Chaka Khan, Ludacris, Kool & The Gang, Men at Work, Mt. Joy, Slightly Stoopid, Rilo Kiley, Better Than Ezra, Busta Rhymes, and dozens more.<\/p>\n

Honestly \u2014 they had me at Foo Fighters.\u00a0Go to\u00a0BottleRockNapaValley.com<\/em><\/a>\u00a0for ticket details.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
\u2018We Are Resilient\u2019 features cover art by Grace Fisher | Photo: Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ON the Page<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Mother-Daughter writing team Sissy Taran and Tiffany Howard are having a special book launch party on Sunday, January 25, to celebrate their book\u00a0We Are Resilient<\/em>\u00a0from 1-3 p.m. at the Grace Fisher Foundation Inclusive Arts Clubhouse in La Cumbre Plaza. All proceeds from the book \u2014 a powerful collection of many different voices highlighting perseverance, creativity, and strength in the face of adversity, including Grace Fisher herself \u2014 will go directly support the Grace Fisher Foundation\u2019s inclusive arts and education programs, which serve individuals of all ages and abilities throughout Santa Barbara County.<\/p>\n

The launch party is open to the public and designed to be inclusive and family-friendly. Guests are encouraged to come meet the authors, purchase signed copies of the book, and learn more about Grace Fisher Foundation\u2019s programs.<\/p>\n

\n

ON the (Big) Screen<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"\"
\u2018Wings of Desire\u2019 | Photo: Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mark your calendars. I\u2019m so excited for the beautiful new McHurley Film Center to open downtown! One of my favorite movies of all time, Wim Wenders\u2019\u00a0Wings of Desire<\/em>\u00a0(view trailer\u00a0here<\/a>) is coming to SBIFF\u2019s Film Center on February 25, for one night only, with a 4K Restoration. This truly is one of the most beautiful and romantic films ever. It\u2019s the timeless story of an angel who\u00a0tires of his purely ethereal life of merely overseeing the human activity of Berlin\u2019s residents and longs for the tangible joys of physical existence when he falls in love with a mortal. Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for tickets and information.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u2018Pistachio Wars\u2019 screens at UCSB on Jan. 27 | Photo: Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cool things are also constantly happening at UCSB\u2019s Carsey Wolf Center, and a screening that caught my eye is\u00a0Pistachio Wars,<\/em>\u00a0on Tuesday, January 27. The 2024 documentary\u00a0follows journalist Yasha Levine as he investigates a small-town water deal and uncovers a hidden side of California\u2019s health-food industry. At the center is the agricultural empire of America\u2019s wealthiest farmers, Stewart and Lynda Resnick of the Wonderful Company (Wonderful Pistachios, POM Wonderful, and Fiji Water). These billionaires dominate California\u2019s pistachio industry, but more importantly, own much of the state\u2019s water, more than the entire city of Los Angeles. The film unveils how the hidden world of industrial agriculture fuels the state\u2019s growing climate injustices, from worsening droughts to increasingly destructive megafires.<\/p>\n

View trailer\u00a0here<\/a>. The event is at 7 p.m. on Jan. 27, followed by a conversation with filmmakers\u00a0Yasha Levine & Rowan Wernham. Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for tickets (it\u2019s free but tickets are requested).<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u2018Eternal Stoke\u2019 | Photo: Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We\u2019ve got loads of SBIFF coverage coming your way for the next few weeks, but I wanted to give a special shout out to the local films that will be featured. This includes four features:\u00a0Eternal Stoke<\/em>, the world premiere of the final cut of Joshua Pomer\u2019s film tracing Santa Barbara surfer Chris Brown from prodigy to world-tour standout and urchin diver. A portrait of brilliance, community, and the enduring mystery surrounding his untimely death, the film screens on February 11, February 12, and February 13.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u2018Imbalance\u2019 | Photo: Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Imbalance<\/em>, the world premiere of Dale Griffiths Stamos\u2019s story about an esteemed philosophy professor (played by Sharon Lawrence) guided by principles of rationality, who finds herself \u2014 in the midst of the #MeToo movement \u2014 confronting a passion for her teaching assistant (she\u2019s also his advisor) that challenges her ideals. The film premieres on February 10, with an additional screening on February 12.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u2018Relatively Normal\u2019 | Photo: Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Relatively Normal<\/em>, the world premiere of Amy Wendel\u2019s story of a 16 year-old girl who is stuck at home during the pandemic and knows she\u2019ll survive COVID, but isn\u2019t sure she\u2019ll survive her dysfunctional family. The film premieres on February 6, with additional showings on February 7 and February 9.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u2018Stand By, Mother\u2019 | Photo: Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Stand By, Mother<\/em>\u00a0is also a world premiere. Directed by Kerrilee Gore, when a mysterious book comes alive in the hands of a curious boy, he finds himself on a magical, musical journey \u2014 without ever leaving his garage. The premiere is on February 10, with another showing on February 13.<\/p>\n

In addition, the short films by Santa Barbara filmmakers include:\u00a0The Bear Beneath, Committee Animal, The Crash Out, Fil-Am, The Gift of Darkness, La Tormenta, The Green Truck,\u00a0<\/em>My Type<\/em><\/a>, Memory Experiment, Nuns with Guns, The Other Roe, A Sunday on the Moon, My 14 Year Old Self,<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Wonders of the Wolf<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The SBIFF app is my favorite way by far to navigate the schedule, but you can also get the information and schedule at\u00a0sbiff.org<\/em><\/a>. My story about a few of the additional highlights is\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ON the (Small) Screen<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Super Bowl Sunday is coming on February 8, and everyone knows that in addition to the half-time show with Bad Bunny as the headliner (see awesome official trailer\u00a0here<\/a>) and Green Day (special tribute hometown act), Brandi Carlile (\u201cAmerica the Beautiful\u201d during the pre-show), Charlie Puth (National Anthem), and Coco Jones (\u201cLift Every Voice\u201d during the pre-show), the food is the other part that\u2019s guaranteed to be good. According to a recent survey from a company called RotoGrinders, buffalo wings are the top Super Bowl snack food in California, with queso as the most popular dip. (I would bet it\u2019s actually guacamole here in Santa Barbara.) Along with the general category of chips & dips, pizza and nachos were also popular Super Bowl snacks.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Favorite Super Bowl Snacks by State | Credit: RotoGrinders<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

ON the Walls<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"\"
\u2018Fare Trade\u2019 and Santa Barbara Papel Picado at City Hall | Photo: Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There\u2019s a closing reception tonight (January 23) at Santa Barbara City Hall Gallery for the exhibit\u00a0Fare Trade<\/em>, which features photography by Patricia Houghton Clarke and Brett Leigh Dicks, documenting taquerias and diners across Santa Barbara County and Western Australia. This exhibition is paired with iconic\u00a0Santa Barbara Papel Picado<\/em>, a site-specific installation by Irene Ramirez inspired by local landmarks and traditions.<\/p>\n

Taking place from 5-7 p.m., the event also includes a live poetry reading organized by City of Santa Barbara Poet Laureate (and\u00a0Independent<\/em>\u00a0writer) George Yatchisin featuring ekphrastic works by local poets, including former Poets Laureate Melinda Palacio (who writes our poetry column), Chryss Yost, and Natalie Damjanovich-Napoleon, a former Santa Barbaran who will be attending from Australia. Read Joe Woodard\u2019s thoughtful review of\u00a0Fare Trade<\/em>\u00a0(which debuted at the Architectural Foundation Gallery)\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

ON the Air<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"\"
The \u2018Independent\u2019s Senior Writer Matt Kettmann (left) and a friend move a couch in Isla Vista in the late 90s. | Courtesy of Matthew Kettmann <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u2019m such an audiobook addict that I\u2019m not much of a podcast person. However \u2014 with no bias whatsoever \u2014 I can highly recommend Christina McDermott\u2019s (our Mickey Flacks Fellow) \u201cWelcome to Isla Vista\u201d series about how Isla Vista came to be the way it is. Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for the scoop. It\u2019s so interesting and well done. I\u2019ve been entertained and also learning new things every week.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
In Memory of Bobby Weir show flyer | Photo: Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ON the Calendar<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Deadheads will gather to honor one of their heroes with a very special tribute to Bob Weir on\u00a0Sunday, January 25, at SOhO.\u00a0Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and founding member of the Grateful Dead, Weir passed away on January 10 at 78 years old, and folks can celebrate him with a\u00a0multi-generational lineup that includes the longest continually running Santa Barbara Grateful Dead tribute band, No Simple Highway, along with The McCrees and three local bands hailing from the next generation of Deadhead musicians: Ladyfinger, Jackson Gillies & Jax Plays Dead, and Dead Set 805.<\/p>\n

The doors open at 4 p.m. for this all ages show. Music begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more information.<\/p>\n

For a complete calendar of events this week and beyond, visit\u00a0independent.com\/events\/<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\t<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Former
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"The
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.independent.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This edition of ON Culture was originally emailed to subscribers on January 9, 2026. To receive Leslie Dinaberg\u2019s arts newsletter in your inbox on Fridays, sign up at independent.com\/newsletters. ON the Stage Our dance card is quite joyously full for the next few weeks, with hip hop from the French company Compagnie Herv\u00e9 Koubi performing\u00a0Sol […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2251717,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2251716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ON-Culture-A-Full-Dance-Card-of-Performances-Films.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2251716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2251716"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2251716\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2251718,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2251716\/revisions\/2251718"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2251717"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2251716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2251716"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2251716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}