FALL 2026 Nemanja Radulović, Nov 4
Where Do We Go to Experience Something Together? In an age when remarkable art reaches us wherever we are, gathering with other people remains one of our oldest and most meaningful cultural traditions. Live performance asks something different of us: to be present. Passing through the doors of an Arts & Lectures event, you'll see familiar faces everywhere: welcoming you at the entrance, handing you a program, taking the stage or the seat beside you. Students and teachers. Families and friends. Longtime subscribers and firsttime visitors. Here, artists and audiences become part of the same unrepeatable moment. No two performances are ever the same. Throughout the season, we invite you to arrive with curiosity and leave with a new way of seeing the world.
Shared attention creates connection. Whether through music, dance or a new idea, we see more when we see it together. What does connection sound like? After a thrilling lecture or a memorable performance, I hear the same things: voices echoing in the lobby, conversations spilling onto the sidewalk, people laughing and lingering, reluctant to say goodnight. These are the sounds of curiosity becoming community, of people thinking together, engaging with ideas that matter and witnessing art that brings joy. This fall, we invite you to return, not only to performances and conversations, but to one another.
Warmly,
Meghan Bush Miller McCune Executive Director
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Season Sponsor
Community Partners
Akram Khan Company, Oct 6
photo: Camilla Greenwell; cover: Sever Zolak; inset: Jeff Liang, UCSB
Contents Create Your Own Series . . . . . . . . . 4 Added Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 TLI Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Fall Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-28 Coming in 2027 . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-33 Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-35 Viva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-37 Join A&L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38-39 Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Patron Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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Create Your Own Series – Save 10% – The season keeps growing. Your options do too. Mix and match any four or more eligible events across the 2026-2027 season to create an experience that’s uniquely yours – and enjoy subscriber savings and flexibility.
Visit ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu/subscribe for more information. 4
photo: Cheryl Mann
The Joffrey Ballet, Feb 27 & 28
Just Added Four Extraordinary Voices. Four Powerful Perspectives.
Rana Foroohar, Nov 19
An Evening with
Sea Change: America’s New Great Game in the Arctic Circle
Alysa Liu, Jan 28
Danielle Allen, May 11
Mary Claire Haver, M.D., Apr 7
Academic Freedom for a Stronger Democracy
Women’s Health, Reimagined: The Science of Thriving Through Midlife
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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Thematic Learning Initiative Arts & Lectures’ Thematic Learning Initiative (TLI) extends the conversation from the stage into the community, enriching lifelong learning and initiating dialogue and empowerment through special events, book giveaways and more. Our 2026-2027 theme is an exploration of health and well-being.
Move. Connect. Create. Fall Book Giveaway
American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee In American Hagwon, acclaimed novelist Min Jin Lee follows a Korean family whose search for security and opportunity takes them from Seoul to Sydney and Southern California. A sweeping story of migration, family and the pursuit of education, the novel explores the sacrifices we make for those we love and the powerful human need to create connection, meaning and a sense of belonging.
RELATED EVENT
Min Jin Lee, Nov 12 (p. 21)
FREE copies of American Hagwon will be available starting Tuesday, October 6 at Arts & Lectures’ Campbell Hall Box Office at UCSB and the Santa Barbara Public Library (40 E. Anapamu St.). Books available while supplies last.
With thanks to our visionary partners, Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin, for their support of the Thematic Learning Initiative 6
Musique au Jardin
Sat, Oct 24 / 1 PM Santa Barbara Botanic Garden FREE (registration required)
FREE EVENTS
Inspired by Les Arts Florissants founder William Christie’s legendary gardens in Thiré, France, this afternoon pairs a guided tour of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden with live Renaissance and Baroque music performed by local artists. Connect, reflect and enjoy an afternoon where living landscapes and early music unite.
RELATED EVENT
Les Arts Florissants, Nov 15 (p. 22) Community Dance Class with Doug Varone and Dancers Thu, Nov 12 / 6 PM / Carrillo Ballroom, 100 E. Carrillo St. FREE (registration recommended)
Move, flow and experience choreographer Doug Varone’s signature style in a community class led by members of his acclaimed New York company. Explore big, breath-filled dancing that blends strength, lyricism and musicality. All ages and levels are welcome.
RELATED EVENT
Doug Varone and Dancers, Nov 14 (p. 23) Beach Cleanup with Santa Barbara Channelkeeper Sat, Dec 5 / 10 AM / Goleta Beach FREE (registration required) Spend a morning caring for the coastline that we share. Join Santa Barbara Channelkeeper’s Watershed Brigade for a hands-on cleanup to fight litter and keep our local watersheds and beaches clean.
RELATED EVENT
OCEAN in Concert, Dec 9 (p. 28)
Look for additional events to be added throughout the season. (805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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photo: Sarah Schneider
Fall Events
Scott Galloway Notes on Being a Man In Conversation with Sam Fragoso Fri, Sep 25 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre Tickets start at $68 $24 UCSB students $27 youth (18 and under) An Arlington facility fee is included in each ticket price
Word of Mouth Series Lead Sponsor: Geof & Laura Wyatt 8
“Every era creates its thought leaders, and ours, it would seem, is Professor Galloway.” Fast Company Known to millions through his Prof G and Pivot podcasts, NYU professor and New York Times bestselling author Scott Galloway offers observations on the intersection of business, technology, economics and modern society. Following brief opening remarks anchored by his recent book, Notes on Being a Man, Galloway joins acclaimed Talk Easy host Sam Fragoso for an in-depth conversation about masculinity, loneliness and purpose in modern America. Provocative, funny and deeply personal, the evening blends cultural critique with hardearned lessons about work, family, friendship and meaning.
“Someone whose subtle, carefully crafted music delivers rewards to listeners who know how to wait.” Rolling Stone
José González Against the Dying of the Light Tour Sat, Sep 26 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall Tickets start at $33 / $15 UCSB students
José González’s latest album, Against the Dying of the Light, is in his own words, “a reflection on humanity.” In this intimate solo performance, the multilingual, Swedenbased artist blends intricate acoustic guitar textures with quietly searching lyrics to create what Billboard has called “one of the most recognizable sounds in indie rock.” He explores connection, uncertainty and collective responsibility through songs that are both deeply personal and unmistakably contemporary, alongside “gorgeously atmospheric, guitar-focused arrangements” (The Wall Street Journal).
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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photo: Sonja Mueller
See Akram Khan Company in its Final International Tour
Akram Khan Company Thikra: Night of Remembering By Akram Khan and Manal AlDowayan
Tue, Oct 6 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre Tickets start at $55 $20 UCSB students A Granada facility fee is included in each ticket price
Dance Series Sponsors: Margo Cohen-Feinberg, Barbara Stupay, Sheila Wald and Anonymous 10
“One of the most influential choreographers of his generation.” The Guardian (U.K.) A defining choreographer of the 21st century, Akram Khan has transformed contemporary dance through works of extraordinary emotional power and cross-cultural imagination. In Thikra, Khan unites an international cast of female dancers from contemporary dance and Bharatanatyam traditions in a vivid meditation on ritual, ancestry and collective memory. Created with acclaimed Saudi visual artist Manal AlDowayan, this immersive production arrives as Akram Khan Company embarks on what Khan has announced will be its final international tour.
“No band has expanded the reach of American roots and bluegrass quite like Punch Brothers have.” Songlines
Punch Brothers Wed, Oct 7 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall Tickets start at $47 / $16 UCSB students
“Few groups of any configuration can compare to the Punch Brothers for infusing consummate musicianship with elemental joy.” Santa Barbara Independent Led by mandolinist and A&L audience favorite Chris Thile, Punch Brothers is an all-star quintet lauded for its “wild virtuosity” (Rolling Stone). For two decades the band’s restless, exploratory spirit has blended bluegrass, classical music, jazz and indie rock, pushing acoustic music into uncharted territory. Their new album, The Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers, is their first entirely instrumental release, with music unfolding in vivid textures, elastic forms and the intuitive interplay that has long defined their sound.
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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photo: Sonja Mueller
“Lang the magician is slowly transforming himself into Lang the musician… his playing was so raptly beautiful that one was afraid to breathe for fear of missing anything.” Chicago Tribune
Lang Lang, piano Fri, Oct 9 7 PM / Granada Theatre Tickets start at $70 / $20 UCSB students A Granada facility fee is included in each ticket price
Program
Mozart: Rondo in D Major, K. 485 Beethoven: Sonata No. 8 in C minor, op. 13 (“Pathétique”) Beethoven: Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, op. 110 Albéniz: Suite española, op. 47 (selections) Granados: Goyescas, op. 11, no. 4 Liszt: Consolations, S. 172, No. 2 in E Major Liszt: Venezia e Napoli, S. 159, III. Tarantella 12
Superstar pianist Lang Lang returns with a program that reveals the piano at its most orchestral, expressive and spectacular. From the brilliance of Mozart and Beethoven, Lang Lang journeys into the radiant colors and rhythms of Spain with evocative selections by Isaac Albéniz and Enrique Granados before culminating in the virtuosic fire of Franz Liszt. Electrifying, poetic and larger than life, this recital showcases the full range of Lang Lang’s artistry.
Tony Award-winning Broadway Legend
“A Broadway powerhouse.” The Guardian (U.K.) “Peters is more than talented: As an actress, singer, comedienne and all-around warming presence, she has no peer in the musical theater.” The New York Times
Bernadette Peters Thu, Oct 15 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre Tickets start at $55 $20 UCSB students A Granada facility fee is included in each ticket price
Lead Sponsor: Sara Miller McCune Event Sponsor: Leslie Thomas
Join Bernadette Peters, critically acclaimed star of stage, film and television, for a magical and inspiring evening of song from the great music masters. The multi-award winner performs celebrated selections from Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim and Jerry Herman, among others, in an intimate evening at The Granada Theatre. Come and enjoy the incomparable Bernadette for a one-of-akind evening of spellbinding songs that are certain to touch your heart.
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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Circa Duck Pond Created by Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa Ensemble
Sun, Oct 18 4 PM / Granada Theatre Tickets start at $45 $20 UCSB students $23 youth (18 and under) A Granada facility fee is included in each ticket price
★★★★ “Graceful aerial solos. Jaw dropping lifts. Superhuman balances. Swan Lake as you’ve never seen it before.” The Times (U.K.)
Feathers will fly in Circa’s exuberant take on Swan Lake. The world’s most romantic ballet is reimagined as a circus spectacular, full of Circa’s signature physicality and shot through with cheeky humor and a thoroughly contemporary energy. Be swept away by sumptuous aerials, jaw-dropping acrobatics and quirky touches like a sequinned duck army and burlesque black swan. Touching, funny and utterly entertaining, Duck Pond is a tale of identity and finding your true self.
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inset photos: Pia Johnson
★★★★“Thoroughly entertaining… This circus mash-up of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling is a seasonal treat.” Time Out
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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A Brazilian Musical Legacy
“Clarice Assad is quite simply a phenomenon who has streaked across the world’s musical landscape like one of those comets that appears just once in a lifetime.” Latin Jazz Network “Sérgio Assad continues to be one of the guitar’s most interesting and challenging composers.” Classical Guitar
Clarice & Sérgio Assad Wed, Oct 21 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall Tickets start at $33 $15 UCSB students
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Legendary Brazilian guitarist and composer Sérgio Assad joins his daughter, the pianist, vocalist and Grammy-nominated composer Clarice Assad, for an evening showcasing the warmth, rhythmic vitality and rich musical inheritance of one of Brazil’s great artistic families. A founding member of the celebrated Assad Brothers guitar duo, Sérgio has collaborated with artists from Yo-Yo Ma to Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, while Clarice has earned acclaim for genre-crossing work blending classical, jazz and Brazilian traditions. Together, they reimagine beloved Brazilian songs and perform original works filled with intimacy, virtuosity and deep familial connection.
photo: Seung Yull Nah
CelloGayageum Thu, Oct 29 7 PM / Hahn Hall Tickets start at $50 / $15 UCSB students
“CelloGayageum opened up a new world.” The Korea Times Bridging the soulful resonance of Western classical music with the elegance of Korean gugak tradition, CelloGayageum engages in a dialogue across musical traditions, evoking a sound that is both ancient and modern. Founded by Austrian cellist Sol Daniel Kim and Korean gayageum virtuoso Dayoung Yoon, the duo develops original compositions rooted in folk melodies and infused with global sensibilities.
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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An Evening with
Lyle Lovett and his Small Large Band Sun, Nov 1 7 PM / Campbell Hall Tickets start at $115 / $19 UCSB students (very limited availability)
“Lovett twinkled with mischief and oozed charm.” The Times (U.K.) Four-time Grammy Award winner Lyle Lovett brings his acclaimed Small Large Band for an evening that moves between country, jazz, swing, folk, blues and gospel. One of America’s most distinctive singer-songwriters, Lovett pairs wry storytelling and dry wit with richly textured arrangements performed by an ensemble of longtime collaborators. From beloved classics to newer material, the songs unfold with warmth, sophistication and unmistakable Texas charm in a concert experience showcasing the full range of an artist who has spent decades defying musical boundaries.
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photo: Sever Zolak; inset: Charles Alexandre Englebert
“Radulović and Double Sens display remarkable technical command – flawless intonation and crisp articulation at any tempo.” The Classical Review
Nemanja Radulović & Double Sens Wed, Nov 4 7 PM / Campbell Hall Tickets start at $43 / $15 UCSB students Program
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, op. 8 Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, op. 35
Renowned Serbian violinist Nemanja Radulović leads the chamber orchestra Double Sens, an ensemble uniting musicians from France and Serbia with fearless virtuosity and infectious energy. A magnetic performer known for his rich expression and emotionally charged playing, Radulović transforms familiar works into thrilling live experiences. The group’s take on Vivaldi’s evergreen Four Seasons is lean, agile and crackling with spontaneity – music making that feels daringly alive and in the moment.
Lead Sponsor: Sara Miller McCune (805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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Terrace Martin Fri, Nov 6 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall Tickets start at $40 / $15 UCSB students “One of the most talented, accomplished and respected musicians in hip-hop and jazz.” NPR
Jazz Series Lead Sponsor: The Nora McNeely Hurley Foundation
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photo: Samantha J Photography
A Grammy-nominated saxophonist, producer, composer and multiinstrumentalist, Terrace Martin is a visionary artist working at the intersection of jazz, hip hop, R&B and soul. Through collaborations with artists including Kendrick Lamar, Herbie Hancock, Snoop Dogg and Kamasi Washington, Martin has helped to shape the sound of contemporary music across genres. Joined by a powerhouse five-piece ensemble, he creates a groove-driven sound that is both rooted in jazz tradition and radically forward-looking.
photo: Hae Ran
Min Jin Lee
“Lee’s gift is her ability to write sweeping, magisterial books that take on ponderous political themes… and to make their unhurried quiet intrigues read like thrillers.” The New Yorker
American Hagwon Thu, Nov 12 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall Tickets start at $30 $12 UCSB students Books will be available for purchase and signing, courtesy of Chaucer’s Books Supporting Sponsor: Geof & Laura Wyatt
RELATED EVENT
Acclaimed novelist Min Jin Lee appears for a reading and conversation celebrating the release of her highly anticipated new book, American Hagwon. Lee is the author of the international bestseller Pachinko, the epic family saga named one of the New York Times Book Review’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. The latest work in Lee’s projected Diaspora Quartet, American Hagwon follows a Korean family from Seoul to Sydney and Southern California, exploring migration, family, education and the sacrifices we make for those we love. Lee is joined in conversation by UCSB Asian American Studies professor and novelist Sameer Pandya.
Fall Book Giveaway (p. 6) (805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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photo: Scott Suchman
“Varone’s ability to convey depths of emotion through highly charged, physically exciting choreography has made him a rarity among his generation.” The New York Times
Doug Varone and Dancers Doug Varone, Artistic Director
Sat, Nov 14 2 PM & 7 PM / Lobero Theatre Tickets start at $60 / $20 UCSB students A Lobero facility fee is included in each ticket price
Residency Sponsor: Jody & John Arnhold Dance Series Sponsors: Margo Cohen-Feinberg, Barbara Stupay, Sheila Wald, and Anonymous
Winner of 11 Bessie Awards, Doug Varone and Dancers is known for emotionally expressive movement, musicality and deeply human storytelling. A leading force in American modern dance, the company blends athletic physicality with lyrical fluidity in works that explore vulnerability, memory and intimacy. In Double Octet, company members and students from the UCSB Department of Theater and Dance perform to works by Philip Glass in a collaboration shaped through Varone’s nationally acclaimed Education/Performance Project. The evening also includes No Matter How It Ends, which channels the restless beauty and quiet melancholy of Radiohead’s iconic album In Rainbows through movement that feels visceral and profoundly alive.
Presented in association with UCSB Department of Theater and Dance
RELATED EVENT 22
Community Dance Class with Doug Varone and Dancers (p. 7)
photo: Elisa von Brockdorff ; inset: Oscar Ortega
Program
Monteverdi: Volgendo il ciel Baci soavi e cari Ecco mormorar l’onde Chiome d’oro Lamento della Ninfa Sfogava con le stelle Si ch’io vorrei morire A quest’olmo Il Combattimento Romanesca Zefiro Torno Ballo: Tirsi e Cloro
Les Arts Florissants The Magic of Monteverdi William Christie and Paul Agnew, Directors
Sun, Nov 15 4 PM / Lobero Theatre Tickets start at $75 / $16 UCSB students A Lobero facility fee is included in each ticket price
Event Sponsor: The Albert & Elaine Borchard Foundation
RELATED EVENT
“Astonishingly beautiful… wonderful sensuousness of tone and rhythmic precision.” The Guardian (U.K.) Les Arts Florissants brings the passionate music of Claudio Monteverdi vividly to life in a program of sensual madrigals, heartbreak, desire and dazzling vocal interplay. Led by Baroque masters William Christie and Paul Agnew, this historic French ensemble performs with exquisite artistry and dramatic immediacy, capturing a revolutionary moment when music became intensely emotional, theatrical and deeply human. Four centuries later, Monteverdi’s music still feels startlingly modern.
Musique au Jardin (p. 7) (805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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JUST ADDED
Rana Foroohar Sea Change: America’s New Great Game in the Arctic Circle Thu, Nov 19 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall $30 / $10 UCSB students FREE copies of Foroohar’s new book, Sea Change, will be available while supplies last (pick up at event, one per household)
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“Rana Foroohar has an uncanny ability to sense seismic shifts in economics and politics before the rest of us.” – Evan Osnos, The New Yorker staff writer and National Book Award winner
A Financial Times associate editor and CNN global economic analyst, Rana Foroohar explains how the race for control of the world’s oceans is reshaping the global economy and redefining national security. As rapid global warming transforms the Arctic, the region has become one of the world’s most consequential geopolitical flashpoints. Drawing on extraordinary access aboard the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Healy during a voyage to the North Pole, Foroohar argues that “ships are the new chips” and shows why maritime power will shape the next era of global competition.
photo: Scott Suchman
Butoh Master Ushio Amagatsu’s Final Work
Sankai Juku
“The singular glory of Sankai Juku is that it achieves almost pure metaphor.” Time magazine
TOTEM: Void and Height Direction, Choreography and Design by Ushio Amagatsu
Fri, Nov 20 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre Tickets start at $55 / $20 UCSB students A Granada facility fee is included in each ticket price
Dance Series Sponsors: Margo Cohen-Feinberg, Barbara Stupay, Sheila Wald, and Anonymous
Legendary Butoh choreographer Ushio Amagatsu offers a final meditation on memory, nature and the passage of time in TOTEM. Performed by the internationally acclaimed Sankai Juku, the work unfolds through the company’s signature blend of sculptural movement, visual precision and hypnotic stillness. Created shortly before Amagatsu’s death in 2024, TOTEM stands as the culminating statement of one of contemporary dance’s most influential visionaries.
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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Meow Meow Feline Festive Tue, Dec 1 7:30 PM / Lobero Theatre Tickets start at $60 / $20 UCSB students A Lobero facility fee is included in each ticket price
“Meow Meow delivers repeatedly in a packed program of comedy, absurdity, and mesmerising gratuitous talent.” Australian Stage
photo: Magnus Hastings
Enter the glorious world of international chanteuse and comedienne Meow Meow and her unique brand of holiday hilarity and melodic mayhem. Wrapped in musical wonder, peals of laughter and loving audience encounters, Feline Festive is a rollicking tonic of seasonal spirit, sparkling goodwill and joy to the world. Featuring a band of superb musicians and tunes ranging from jazzy vintage showbiz to wicked, witty Weimar, French chansons and original surprises.
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photos: (left to right) Chris Lee, Caroline de Bon, Roh Seung Hwan
“Nothing [Hahn] does is for show. Technique, feelings, heart and mind are intuitively fused.” The Times (U.K.)
“Today’s leading interpreter of German art songs.” Chicago Tribune
Hilary Hahn, violin Matthias Goerne, baritone Yekwon Sunwoo, piano Wed, Dec 2 7 PM / Granada Theatre Tickets start at $55 / $20 UCSB students A Granada facility fee is included in each ticket price
“A pianist who commands a comprehensive technical arsenal that allows him to thunder without breaking a sweat.” Chicago Tribune
Three-time Grammy-winning violinist Hilary Hahn and internationally revered German baritone Matthias Goerne join forces with Van Cliburn gold medal-winning pianist Yekwon Sunwoo for a recital showcasing artists celebrated for the emotional depth, intelligence and individuality of their musicianship. At the center is a new work by acclaimed composer Reena Esmail, one of today’s most sought after musical voices, alongside intimate songs and virtuosic works for violin. This special program brings together three exceptional artists in a deeply expressive and immersive musical experience.
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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photo: 2020 Connect Images (Humpback Whale)
Musical Accompaniment by the Santa Barbara Symphony
OCEAN in Concert A Live Screening of the Film OCEAN Narrated by David Attenborough Wed, Dec 9 7 PM / Granada Theatre Tickets start at $55 / $20 UCSB students $35 youth (18 and under) A Granada facility fee is included in each ticket price
“If we save the sea, we save our world.” – Sir David Attenborough Celebrating the centennial of renowned naturalist David Attenborough, OCEAN in Concert takes viewers on a breathtaking journey showing there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder or surprise, than the ocean. With narration by Attenborough and a score by Academy Award- and BAFTA-winning composer Steven Price, this immersive presentation features the Santa Barbara Symphony under guest conductor Daniel Black performing live and in sync with the stunning imagery on screen. (David Attenborough will not be present.)
Lead Sponsor: Sara Miller McCune Event Sponsor: Patricia Bragg Foundation Supporting Sponsor: Natalie Orfalea Foundation & Lou Buglioli Presented in association with the 2026 California Ocean Summit
RELATED EVENT 28
Beach Cleanup with Santa Barbara Channelkeeper (p. 7)
JUST ADDED
Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
An Evening with
Alysa Liu Thu, Jan 28 / 7 PM / Arlington Theatre Tickets start at $40 / $16 UCSB students $19 youth (18 & under) An Arlington facility fee is included in each ticket price
photo: © Melanie Heaney / U.S. Figure Skating
“How can someone be so casual about being the best in the world? She’s somehow made her triumphs feel unsentimental to herself but meaningful to everyone else.” – Bowen Yang for Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2026 At 20, Bay Area native Alysa Liu, who won two figure skating gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, has emerged as a defining voice of her generation. After landing a triple Axel at 12 and winning the U.S. National Championship at 13, she retired at 16, stepping away from elite skating to prioritize her mental health and well-being. Her triumphant return to competition has yielded much more than success on the ice. With her refreshing individuality, Liu embodies a rare combination of authenticity and courage, making her a role model for anyone determined to define success on their own terms.
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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JUST ADDED
photo: Callie Walker
“As a caretaker for my grandmother and mother, I bore witness to the devastation women and their families experience due to the lack of real science and options supporting our health. This all changed when I discovered Mary Claire Haver’s work.” – Brené Brown
Mary Claire Haver, M.D. Women’s Health, Reimagined: The Science of Thriving Through Midlife Wed, Apr 7 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre Tickets start at $35 / $16 UCSB students A Granada facility fee is included in each ticket price
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Combining decades of clinical experience with a clear, practical approach to women's midlife health, Dr. Mary Claire Haver has transformed the conversation around menopause by bringing the latest scientific research to millions of women seeking reliable, evidence-based guidance. A board-certified OB-GYN, Haver addresses hormones, nutrition, longevity and quality of life, empowering women to make informed decisions and advocate for their own care. Joining Haver is UCSB neuroscientist Dr. Emily Jacobs, whose groundbreaking research on the brain across pregnancy and menopause is reshaping our understanding of women’s health.
JUST ADDED
photo: Melissa Blackall
“One of our most insightful democratic theorists.” The Washington Post
Danielle Allen Academic Freedom for a Stronger Democracy Tue, May 11 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall $20 / FREE for UCSB students
At a time when universities and democratic societies are confronting questions of free speech, academic freedom and civic trust, Danielle Allen brings historical perspective and philosophical clarity to some of today’s most urgent public debates. A MacArthur Fellow and Harvard professor, Allen has devoted her career to exploring how citizens and institutions can strengthen democracy. Through scholarship grounded in both history and public life, she explores how democratic institutions can cultivate truth-seeking, intellectual diversity and the conditions for open inquiry.
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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Coming in 2027 January
Jan 27 Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal
Wed, Jan 20 The Surge: An Ode to Sinéad O’Connor Fri, Jan 22 Lara Downes, Sounds Like America A Musical Conversation with Imani Perry Tue, Jan 26 Yiyun Li In Conversation with Pico Iyer Wed, Jan 27 Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal Thu, Jan 28 An Evening with Alysa Liu - Just Added Sun, Jan 31 Anne Applebaum, History, Memory and Power
February
Feb 19 Michael Pollan
Thu, Feb 4 Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández Tue, Feb 16 Christopher Wray Geopolitics and National Security Thu, Feb 18 Viano Quartet Fri, Feb 19 Michael Pollan In Conversation with Pico Iyer Sun, Feb 21 Ezekiel J. Emanuel, M.D., Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life Tue, Feb 23 Danish String Quartet Wed, Feb 24 The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Portraits of Bards, Titans and Legends Sat, Feb 27 The Joffrey Ballet Sun, Feb 28 The Joffrey Ballet
March Fri, Mar 5 Stanley Clarke & Hiromi A Celebration of the Music of Chick Corea and Beyond Tue, Mar 9 JIJI, guitar Thu, Mar 11 GALLIM Fri, Mar 12 Leif Ove Andsnes, piano
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Feb 27 & 28 The Joffrey Ballet
Look for more events to be added throughout the season.
April Tue, Apr 6 Cedric Burnside Wed, Apr 7 Mary Claire Haver, M.D. - Just Added Women’s Health, Reimagined: The Science of Thriving Through Midlife Thu, Apr 8 Kara Swisher, Who Wants to Live Forever? Technology and the Future of Being Human Wed, Apr 14 Niladri Kumaar, sitar The Space Between the Notes, Honoring Zakir Hussain Thu, Apr 15 Camille A. Brown & Dancers, I AM Fri, Apr 16 La Santa Cecilia, Los Años Tour Tue, Apr 20 Yuja Wang, piano Thu, Apr 22 The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain Fri, Apr 23 Margaret Atwood In Conversation with Pico Iyer Sun, Apr 25 Manual Cinema Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster Tue, Apr 27 Don Was & The Pan-Detroit Ensemble 50th Anniversary Blues for Allah Tour Wed, Apr 28 Simply Ina An Evening with Ina Garten
May Sun, May 2 Gravity & Other Myths Ten Thousand Hours Tue, May 4 Himari, violin Chelsea Wang, piano Wed, May 5 Hakeem Oluseyi, Why Do We Exist? The Science of Connection and Possibility Thu, May 6 Sunny Jain, Wild Wild East Fri, May 7 John McEnroe In Conversation with Pico Iyer Tue, May 11 Danielle Allen - Just Added Academic Freedom for a Stronger Democracy (805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
Apr 8 Kara Swisher
Apr 15 Camille A. Brown & Dancers,
Apr 20 Yuja Wang, piano
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Access for ALL Arts & Lectures Learning
photo: David Bazemore
Arts & Lectures’ education programs create opportunities for people of all ages to engage with artists and ideas through performances, conversations and hands-on learning. From TK-12 students and UCSB undergraduates to lifelong learners, the programs connect our community with experiences that broaden perspectives and inspire curiosity.
Master class with Danish String Quartet member Frederik Øland at The Waldorf School
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200+
total schools reached annually
free engagement opportunities annually
3,000+
4,000+
4,400+
community members served annually
TK-12 students served annually
UCSB students served annually
By the Numbers
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A Glimpse of What’s Ahead This Fall ■
Members of UCSB’s cross-disciplinary Masculinities Collective join a small-group conversation with Scott Galloway, exploring masculinity, identity and the questions at the heart of his New York Times bestseller Notes on Being a Man
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UCSB dance students spend a week in rehearsal with Doug Varone and Dancers, learning alongside members of the acclaimed New York company before taking the stage with them at the Lobero Theatre.
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More than 1,000 TK-12 students from throughout Santa Barbara County are bused to The Granada Theatre for an Arts Adventures presentation of OCEAN in Concert. Narrated by David Attenborough and with music performed live by the Santa Barbara Symphony, the program highlights the extraordinary marine ecosystem of the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Protected Area.
photo: David Bazemore
Arts & Lectures makes these and many more opportunities possible, all season long.
NYCB principal dancer Tiler Peck leads a master class for UCSB students Contact Jenna Hamilton-Rolle, Director of Education & Community Engagement, at (805) 893-5829 for more information about A&L’s education programs.
Contact Heather Silva, Managing Director of Development, (805) 893-3755 to learn more about supporting arts education.
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! brings people together to share the rich cultural heritage of Latin America, serving thousands of students and community members each year throughout Santa Barbara County.
Las Cafeteras at Carpinteria Veterans Memorial Builiding 36
Gaby Moreno with students at El Camino Elementary School
Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar band member after a performance at The Marjorie Luke Theatre
photos (bottom row): Isaac Hernández de Lipa; top photo: A&L staff
Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar band members with students from Aliso Elementary School in Carpinteria
Coming in Fall of 2026
Performances are FREE (no registration required)
Los Vega
Traditional son jarocho Thu, Sep 24 / Carpinteria Arts Center Fri, Sep 25 / Isla Vista Elementary Sat, Sep 26 / Guadalupe City Hall Sun, Sep 27 / Goleta Lemon Festival
LADAMA
Soulful Latin fusion Thu, Nov 5 / Carpinteria Arts Center Fri, Nov 6 / Isla Vista Elementary Sat, Nov 7 / Guadalupe City Hall Sun, Nov 8 / Marjorie Luke Theatre ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! is a collaboration between The Marjorie Luke Theatre, the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, Guadalupe Visual and Performing Arts Center, the Isla Vista School PTA and UCSB Arts & Lectures serving Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Guadalupe and New Cuyama.
To 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. Join us in securing the future of this vital partnership. Contact Elise Erb, Senior Director of Development, at (805) 893-5697. (805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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Join Arts & Lectures Today More Than Events. A Community. Experience the arts. Engage with ideas. Connect with others. An Arts & Lectures membership offers access to exceptional events and the opportunity to build community with others who share your curiosity and love of being part of something special.
“The Producers Circle is a great community. It opens up your world and expands your social circle the same way the performances expand your perspective.” – Producers Circle member Nancy McConnell
Your membership makes it possible.
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A&L Ambassador Andrew Primack and Leadership Circle member Liisa Primack with Nancy and Mike McConnell
photo: Jeff Liang, UCSB; inset: Isaac Hernández de Lipa
Arts & Lectures is more than what you see on the stage. Your support helps us present world-class artists and speakers while also providing students and the Santa Barbara community with access to transformative arts experiences.
Why join?
Better seats, early access, and a built-in community of people who enjoy a great night out as much as you do.
photos 1, 2, 4, 5 & 7: Isaac Hernández de Lipa; photo 3: Monie DeWitt; photo 6: Jeff Liang, UCSB
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Learn more and join today at ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu/giving Opposite: Producers Circle members at Arts & Lectures' 2026-2027 Season Reveal Party 1. Producers Circle members enjoy a private dinner reception before Ballet Festival: Jerome Robbins 2. A&L Council Member Sara Miller McCune with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis 3. A&L Community Partner Lou Buglioli, A&L Council Member Natalie Orfalea and A&L Partner Betsy Atwater with interviewer Pico Iyer and author Terry Tempest Williams 4. A&L Ambassadors Robin Himovitz and Sheraton Kalouria 5. A&L Associate Executive Director Caitlin O’Hara, A&L Council Member Kath Lavidge and A&L Partner Ed McKinley, Miller McCune Executive Director Meghan Bush and A&L Council Co-chair Patty MacFarlane 6. A&L Partner Mary Becker, Dayna Kelly and Marybeth Carty of the Natalie Orfalea Foundation 7. A&L Ambassador Crystal Wyatt and A&L Council Member Cliff Wyatt with International Rescue Committee President David Miliband
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Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors
University Support:
Office of the Chancellor Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
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UCSB Arts & Lectures Calendar, Issue# 2026-2027.2. This free publication is printed quarterly in fall, winter and spring. Arts & Lectures, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5030
Patron Information A&L Ticket Office
Due to the nature of live events, artists, programs and prices are subject to change.
(805) 893-3535 info@ArtsAndLectures.ucsb.edu
Tickets
Plan Your Visit
Donations and Exchanges
Accessibility
Donation and exchange requests must be received at least two full business days before the event. Exchanges are $5 per ticket and subject to availability; fees are waived for subscribers and Producers Circle members. Additional payment is required for higher-priced tickets; no credit is given for exchanges into lower-priced tickets.
Student and Youth Discounts
UCSB student-rate tickets are available to currently enrolled full-time UCSB students, one ticket per ID. Valid UCSB student ID is required. All Student and Youth ticket holders may be asked to show proof of eligibility.
Contact the A&L Ticket Office in advance with accessibility questions or accommodation requests so we can help you plan your visit.
Suitability for Children
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to use their discretion when determining whether an event is appropriate for their child. Age guidance is provided for select events when available. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket.
Late Seating
Group Sales
Groups of 20 or more may receive special rates for select events. Contact the A&L Ticket Office with inquiries.
A&L makes every effort to begin events at the published start time. Late seating and re-entry occur only at appropriate points in the program, as determined by the artist. Reserved seats are not guaranteed after the event begins.
Fees
Venues
All tickets and orders are subject to service charges and/or facility fees. Prices and fees are subject to change.
Authorized Ticket Sellers
Purchase tickets only from the A&L Ticket Office and website or the venue’s official ticket office or website. A&L cannot guarantee, replace or refund tickets purchased through unauthorized sellers or the secondary market. Contact the Ticket Office if you’re unsure whether a seller is authorized.
Changed, Canceled and Postponed Events
All sales are final. Refunds are available only for canceled events; service charges may not be refundable. In the event of a cancellation, postponement, venue or schedule change, A&L will make every effort to notify ticket holders. Keep your email address and phone number current with the Ticket Office to receive important event updates.
A&L presents events at venues on the UCSB campus and throughout Santa Barbara. Visit the A&L website for venue details and directions.
Parking
A fee is required to park on campus. Purchase parking on arrival at a permit dispenser or through the ParkMobile app (license plate number required). Parking for A&L’s Campbell Hall events can also be purchased in advance via the UCSB Transportation & Parking Services website (tps.ucsb.edu).
Visit the A&L website for more patron information and policies.
(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
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JUST ADDED
Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
An Evening with
Alysa Liu Thu, Jan 28 / 7 PM Arlington Theatre
(805) 893-3535 www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
Santa Barbara, California 93106-5030