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2026-2027 Season

Dear A&L Friends and Family, Welcome to Arts & Lectures’ 2026-2027 season! Stepping into the role of Executive Director this past year has been a deeply meaningful experience. After two decades with this organization, I am acutely aware that A&L belongs to our community. I believe wholeheartedly in the quality and breadth of our programming, and my message this year is simple: this is a season meant to ask big questions, evoke moments of awe, and open your heart and mind. I hope you are as excited as I am! We open our season with a timely entry in our popular Word of Mouth series: Scott Galloway, who joins us for a powerful evening that will challenge us to cultivate a greater sense of empathy in today’s world. Commissioning new work is central to our mission, and this year we are thrilled to feature a new creation by composer Reena Esmail, performed by violinist Hilary Hahn in an exceptional trio. We welcome back the incomparable Wynton Marsalis for his final tour as artistic director of The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to unveil an A&L-commissioned piece that traces the democratic spirit of jazz through musical portraits of American icons. Elsewhere, we say a poignant farewell to Akram Khan Company, led by visionary choreographer Akram Khan, on its final international tour, and we honor the late Butoh master Ushio Amagatsu with Sankai Juku performing his final work. This season also features performances by Chicago’s renowned Joffrey Ballet, superstar pianist Lang Lang and American music titan Lyle Lovett. The beloved Speaking with Pico series returns, and our new Family Time series brings shared experiences for all generations. I extend my deepest gratitude to our donors, patrons, students and community. Your support during this transition has meant the world to me. I look forward to sharing more moments together. Warmly,

Meghan Bush Miller McCune Executive Director

Sara Miller McCune with Meghan Bush

educate • entertain • inspire

Contents

Feb 24 The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

photos: Gilberto Tadday (Wynton Marsalis); Isaac Hernández de Lipa (inset); Steven Pisano (cover featuring GALLIM)

“See a live show you won’t forget with UCSB Arts & Lectures… A beloved local treasure that brings more than 100 events – concerts, dance performances, film screenings, author talks and more – to the UC Santa Barbara campus and nearby venues every year.” Los Angeles Times

Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13 Great Performances A . . . . . . . . . . 14-17 Great Performances B . . . . . . . . . . 18-21 Great Performances Suite. . . . . . . . . . 22 Word of Mouth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-27 Americana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-31 Jazz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-35 Hear & Now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-39 Speaking with Pico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-43 Vanguard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44-46 Global Sounds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47-49 Family Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50-52 Additional Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53-60 How to Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62-63 ¡Viva el Arte! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64-65 Membership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66-73 Patron Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74-75 Season Sponsor

Sara Miller McCune Community Partners

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Feb 27 & 28 The Joffrey Ballet 5

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Season at-a-Glance

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Fri, Sep 25 Scott Galloway, Notes on Being a Man Sat, Sep 26 José González

2026 September October

Tue, Oct 6 Akram Khan Company Thikra: Night of Remembering

Wed, Oct 7 Punch Brothers Fri, Oct 9 Lang Lang, piano Thu, Oct 15 Bernadette Peters Sun, Oct 18 Circa, Duck Pond Wed, Oct 21 Clarice & Sérgio Assad Thu, Oct 29 CelloGayageum

November

Sun, Nov 1 Lyle Lovett and his Small Large Band Wed, Nov 4 Nemanja Radulović & Double Sens Fri, Nov 6 Terrace Martin Thu, Nov 12 Min Jin Lee, American Hagwon Sat, Nov 14 Doug Varone and Dancers Sun, Nov 15 Les Arts Florissants The Magic of Monteverdi Fri, Nov 20 Sankai Juku, TOTEM

December

Feb 4 Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández 6

Tue, Dec 1 Meow Meow, Feline Festive Wed, Dec 2 Hilary Hahn, violin Matthias Goerne, baritone Yekwon Sunwoo, piano Wed, Dec 9 OCEAN in Concert

Look for more events to be added throughout the season.

2027 January

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 Sun, Jan 31 Anne Applebaum, History, Memory and Power

February

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

April

Tue, Apr 6 Cedric Burnside Thu, Apr 8 Kara Swisher, Who Wants to Live Forever? Technology and the Future of Being Human

Wed, Apr 14 Niladri Kumaar

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

Tue, Feb 23 Danish String Quartet Wed, Feb 24 The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

May

Sat, Feb 27 The Joffrey Ballet Sun, Feb 28 The Joffrey Ballet

Ten Thousand Hours Tue, May 4 Himari, violin

Portraits of Bards, Titans and Legends

An Evening with Ina Garten

Sun, May 2 Gravity & Other Myths

March

Chelsea Wang, piano Wed, May 5 Hakeem Oluseyi, Why Do We Exist?

A Celebration of the Music of Chick Corea and Beyond Tue, Mar 9 JIJI, guitar

Fri, May 7 John McEnroe

Fri, Mar 5 Stanley Clarke & Hiromi

Thu, Mar 11 GALLIM Fri, Mar 12 Leif Ove Andsnes, piano

The Science of Connection and Possibility Thu, May 6 Sunny Jain, Wild Wild East In Conversation with Pico Iyer

Dance series

See Akram Khan Company in its Final International Tour

photo: Camilla Greenwell

6 events | Save 25%

Akram Khan Company Thikra: Night of Remembering By Akram Khan and Manal AlDowayan

Tue, Oct 6 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre

“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.

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

Dance series

Doug Varone and Dancers Doug Varone, Artistic Director

Sat, Nov 14 2 PM & 7 PM / Lobero Theatre Program

Doug Varone: Double Octet (Music by Philip Glass) No Matter How It Ends (Music by Radiohead)

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.

Co-presented with UCSB Department of Theater and Dance (805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

photo: SANKAI JUKU

Butoh Master Ushio Amagatsu’s Final Work

Dance series

Sankai Juku TOTEM: Void and Height Direction, Choreography and Design by Ushio Amagatsu

Fri, Nov 20 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre

“The singular glory of Sankai Juku is that it achieves almost pure metaphor.” Time magazine 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.

“The Joﬀrey dancers, costumed and lit and shockingly talented, are like a rock concert for the eyes.” Huﬃngton Post

Two Nights - Two Programs!

Sat, Feb 27 Gerald Arpino: Kettentanz Martha Graham: Secular Games Robert Joffrey: Postcards (excerpt)

photo: Cheryl Mann

Nicolas Blanc: Les Boeufoons Sun, Feb 28 Houston Thomas: Dear Chicago Nicolas Blanc: All That Remains Yuri Possokhov: Andante Amy Hall Garner: Second Nature Dance series

The Joffrey Ballet Ashley Wheater MBE The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director

Sat, Feb 27 & Sun, Feb 28 7 PM / Granada Theatre

The Joffrey Ballet returns for two spectacular nights showcasing the artistry, athleticism and emotional power that have defined the company for seven decades. Renowned for pushing the boundaries of classical ballet while championing contemporary voices and groundbreaking choreography, the Chicago-based company continues to expand and redefine the art form. Experience the remarkable range of The Joffrey’s world-class dancers across two distinct programs that place reimagined classics alongside breathtaking contemporary works. See why The Joffrey remains one of America’s most visionary and influential dance companies.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

photo: Rachel Papo

“Visceral, go-for-broke physicality… Brimming with primal energy and set to dynamic, unexpected musical selections.” The New York Times

Dance series

GALLIM Andrea Miller, Founder & Artistic Director

Thu, Mar 11 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre

Program

State Middle Length Poem Bruce Desde No Ordinary Love SAMA

“Andrea Miller is known for creating work that blends wild-child dynamism with quiet emotional resonance.” Vogue Fusing explosive athleticism with striking theatricality, the New York-based dance company GALLIM creates performances that feel rigorously crafted and fiercely present. Founded by acclaimed choreographer Andrea Miller, GALLIM is celebrated for movement of daring physicality, emotional intensity and arresting visual style. From intimate poetic reflection to ecstatic ensemble work, this dynamic program showcases one of contemporary dance’s most adventurous companies.

Camille A . Brown & Dancers I AM

Thu, Apr 15

photo: Steven Pisano

7:30 PM / Granada Theatre

“With the high-energy I AM, Brown takes her signature interweaving of African diasporic dance forms to new heights.” The New York Times Five-time Tony nominated choreographer and director Camille A. Brown deepens her explorations of Black joy in Camille A. Brown & Dancers’ I AM. With captivating live and original music, the piece launches new queries into the possibilities of imagination – and boldly investigates the future. A 2025 New York Times Critics’ Pick, I AM breaks boundaries, “pulsing with a sense of freedom and possibility that emanates from its outstanding team of 12 dancers and three musicians.”

Dance series (805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Great Performances A

“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

series

photo: Sonja Mueller

4 events | Save 20%

Lang Lang, piano

Program

Fri, Oct 9

(“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

7 PM / Granada Theatre

Mozart: Rondo in D Major, K. 485 Beethoven: Sonata No. 8 in C minor, op. 13

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

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.

Nemanja Radulović & Double Sens Wed, Nov 4 7 PM / Campbell Hall Program

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, op. 8 Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, op. 35 “Radulović and Double Sens display remarkable technical command – flawless intonation and crisp articulation at any tempo.” The Classical Review

photos: Sever Zolak; Edouard Brane (inset)

Great Performances A series

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.

“The greatest big band on the planet.” – Chick Corea Great Performances A series

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Portraits of Bards, Titans, and Legends

Wed, Feb 24 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre

“Marsalis is not only one of America’s finest jazz trumpeters but also… a prime keeper of jazz tradition.” – Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times Jazz is the art of the people. Celebrating Wynton Marsalis’ final season as artistic director, this special program reflects the energy, intelligence and democratic spirit at the heart of America’s greatest musical tradition. Raised in the clubs of New Orleans, Marsalis moves from small ensembles and Jazz Age big band traditions to musical portraits of legends, including boxer Jack Johnson, cornetist Buddy Bolden and drummer Art Blakey, alongside his concerto for baritone saxophonist Joe Temperley. He also unveils a new work set to the words of Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman and Mark Twain selected by historian Geoﬀrey Ward.

photo: Gilberto Tadday

Celebrating Wynton Marsalis’ Final Season as Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and Music Director of the The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

“A pianist of magisterial elegance, power, and insight.” The New York Times

Leif Ove Andsnes, piano Fri, Mar 12 7 PM / Campbell Hall

photo: Helge Hansen

Program

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30, op. 109 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 31, op. 110 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 32, op. 111

Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes makes a rare Santa Barbara recital appearance, bringing his “scintillating pianism and marvelous artistry” (New York Classical Review) to a program devoted to Beethoven’s final piano sonatas. Widely regarded as one of today’s supreme interpreters of the classical repertoire, Andsnes brings his luminous touch, intellectual clarity and Nordic sensibility to music of profound intimacy and transcendence. In this ambitious recital, Beethoven’s Opus 109, 110 and the monumental 111 unfold as a single culminating statement from one of music’s most visionary composers.

Great Performances A series (805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Great Performances B

Les Arts Florissants The Magic of Monteverdi William Christie and Paul Agnew, Directors

series

Sun, Nov 15

4 events | Save 20%

4 PM / Lobero Theatre “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.

Program

photos: Elisa von Brockdorﬀ ; Oscar Ortega (inset)

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

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

“A pianist who commands a comprehensive technical arsenal that allows him to thunder without breaking a sweat.” Chicago Tribune Great Performances B series

Hilary Hahn, violin Matthias Goerne, baritone Yekwon Sunwoo, piano Wed, Dec 2 7 PM / Granada Theatre

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

Tue, Feb 23 7 PM / Campbell Hall Program

Gabriella Smith: Carrot Revolution Ravel: String Quartet Beethoven: String Quartet No. 14, op. 131

Great Performances B series 20

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

The incomparable Danish String Quartet returns to surprise and delight Santa Barbara audiences with a brilliantly imagined program, reminding us why they are among the most celebrated quartets performing today: fearless, refined, endlessly curious and riveting in performance. This year, all paths lead to Beethoven. Gabriella Smith’s witty, folk-inflected Carrot Revolution and Ravel’s shimmering quartet frame Beethoven’s monumental seven-movement Opus 131, his final quartet and a strong candidate for the most transcendent of all works for strings.

photo: Caroline Bittencourt

Danish String Quartet

“An exceptional quartet, whatever repertory they play.” The New York Times

Yuja Wang, piano

“Glamorous sound, fiery technique and sharp musicality.” The New York Times

Tue, Apr 20 7 PM / Granada Theatre “She played with dazzling virtuosity, flawlessly handling the intricate passages with remarkable clarity and lightning fast speed and adding delicate embellishments and personal touches that made the music feel wonderfully fresh and spontaneous.” Bachtrack

Great Performances B series

photo: Julia Wesely

Pianist Yuja Wang returns to Santa Barbara by popular demand for a solo recital showcasing the virtuosity, emotional range and spontaneity that have made her one of the defining artists of a generation. Whether illuminating beloved masterworks or revealing unexpected connections within her extensive repertoire, Wang brings dazzling technique and probing musical insight to every performance. Expect fireworks from this “brilliant pianist,” renowned both for “getting every note to glitter” (Financial Times) and for playing that feels “bold and fresh” (The Times of London).

Great Performances Suite 8 events (series A + B) | Save 25%

Music that spans centuries, at a price worth applauding.

Lang Lang, piano Fri, Oct 9 / 7 PM / Granada Theatre

Nemanja Radulović & Double Sens Wed, Nov 4 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall

Les Arts Florissants Sun, Nov 15 / 4 PM / Lobero Theatre

Hilary Hahn, violin Matthias Goerne, baritone Yekwon Sunwoo, piano Wed, Dec 2 / 7 PM / Granada Theatre

Danish String Quartet Tue, Feb 23 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Wed, Feb 24 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre

Leif Ove Andsnes, piano Yuja Wang, piano Tue, Apr 20 / 7 PM / Granada Theatre 22

photo: Chris Lee

Fri, Mar 12 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall

Word of Mouth series

5 events | Save 25%

Scott Galloway

“An aspirational vision of masculinity.” The Wall Street Journal

Notes on Being a Man

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. Galloway brings his sharp wit and unflinching candor to an urgent conversation about masculinity, loneliness and purpose in modern America. He confronts the growing crisis facing boys and men while arguing for a healthier, more generous vision of manhood grounded in resilience, risktaking, kindness and responsibility. Provocative, funny and deeply personal, Galloway blends cultural critique with hardearned lessons about work, family, friendship and meaning.

Fri, Sep 25 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

photo: Mateusz Skwarczek / Agencja Gazeta

Word of Mouth series

Anne Applebaum History, Memory and Power

Sun, Jan 31 4 PM / Granada Theatre

Roman Baratiak

Endowed Lecture 24

“Clear-sighted and fearless.” The Guardian (U.K.) Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, bestselling author and staff writer for The Atlantic Anne Applebaum brings her incisive analysis and global perspective to a timely conversation on world affairs. Described as “one of the world’s leading thinkers on authoritarianism and democracy” (David Frum, for The Atlantic), she examines how political turmoil and technological change are reshaping alliances, institutions and public life around the globe. A preeminent public intellectual, Applebaum offers vital insight on the defining international questions of the moment.

“It’s going to take all of us working together to protect our economic security and our way of life. The American people expect and deserve no less.” – Christopher Wray

Word of Mouth series

Christopher Wray Geopolitics and National Security

Tue, Feb 16 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

Former FBI Director Christopher Wray oﬀers an inside perspective on the global forces shaping American security in an era of rising geopolitical tension and international instability. Drawing on years overseeing high-level counterterrorism, counterintelligence and cybercrime investigations with governments and intelligence partners around the world, Wray examines how terrorism, foreign espionage, cyberattacks and global rivalries increasingly aﬀect daily life in the United States. Clear-eyed and deeply informed, he considers the challenges facing democratic institutions and the evolving strategies required to protect national security in an interconnected world.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Kara Swisher Who Wants to Live Forever? Technology and the Future of Being Human

Thu, Apr 8 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre “[A] fearsome, prodigiously sourced tech journalist and all-around media star.” Vanity Fair

Word of Mouth series 26

photo: Philip Montgomery

Veteran technology journalist Kara Swisher brings her sharp reporting and trademark skepticism to one of the defining questions of our time: how far should humanity go in the pursuit of longer life? Inspired by her CNN series on the rapidly expanding longevity industry, Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever, she examines the promises and pitfalls of anti-aging science, artificial intelligence, biotech innovation and Silicon Valley’s growing influence over the future of healthcare. She also considers how wealth and inequality shape access to these emerging technologies, and what the pursuit of longevity reveals about our relationship to mortality.

photo: Freddie Claire

“This book explains the universe and then quietly explains you. Which is unfair, because I was just trying to read about space… Smart, funny, and unexpectedly moving.” – Comedian Sarah Silverman

Word of Mouth series

Hakeem Oluseyi Why Do We Exist? The Science of Connection and Possibility

Wed, May 5 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

“Propulsive from start to finish… A sweeping, lively tour of the cosmos that makes life feel like a miracle.” Kirkus Reviews on Why Do We Exist? Astrophysicist, inventor and bestselling author Hakeem Oluseyi brings cosmic scale and human insight to one of humanity’s oldest questions: Why do we exist? Drawing on cutting-edge physics, space science and his own remarkable life story, Oluseyi examines the forces connecting the universe, consciousness and the urge to explore the unknown. A former NASA Space Science Education Lead and current CEO of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, he is known for making complex ideas engaging and accessible. Blending scientific wonder with hard-earned wisdom, he invites audiences to approach uncertainty with curiosity and possibility.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Americana series

4 events | Save 20% “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

“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

An Evening with

Lyle Lovett and his Small Large Band Sun, Nov 1 7 PM / Campbell Hall “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.

Americana series 29

Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal Wed, Jan 27 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

“She takes on big subjects with small gestures and a clear voice that refuses to showboat.” Chicago Tribune Partners in music and in life, Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal bring to the stage a musical conversation decades in the making. Steeped in the legacy of American songwriting royalty, Cash forged her own path, linking Nashville tradition with the sharper edges of contemporary roots and rock music. Since settling in New York, Cash and the ace guitarist, producer and songwriter Leventhal have created a remarkable run of deeply personal, critically acclaimed albums. Together, they embody one of the most enduring creative partnerships in American roots music.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

photo: Vivian Wang

Americana series

Cedric Burnside Tue, Apr 6 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall “Cedric Burnside carries the mantle – the joy and the burdens and the history of the North Mississippi hill country blues, a style like no other in Southern music.” The Bitter Southerner Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Cedric Burnside carries forward the driving rhythms and raw emotional power of Mississippi Hill Country blues through electrifying live performances and deeply rooted songs. “It’s in my blood; it’s in my heart. It’s what I love,” Burnside says. The grandson of legendary bluesman R.L. Burnside, he began touring as a drummer in his grandfather’s band at age 13 and has since emerged as one of the genre’s most vital voices, bringing the spirit of the juke joint into the present day.

photo: Jim Arbogast

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Jazz

series 4 events | Save 20%

Terrace Martin Fri, Nov 6 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall “One of the most talented, accomplished and respected musicians in hip-hop and jazz.” NPR

photo: Samantha J Photography

A Grammy-nominated saxophonist, producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist, 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 fivepiece ensemble, he creates a groove-driven sound that is both rooted in jazz tradition and radically forward-looking.

photo: Matt Lorentzen (Stanley Clarke); Mitsuru Nishimura (Hiromi)

“There aren’t many jazz performers like Japanese pianist Hiromi… a maximal sound that brings crowds to their feet.” The Guardian (U.K.)

“A little over 50 years since his solo debut, Clarke reminds the audience that there are still new ways to be dazzled by the innovative and solid fullness of his instrument.” NPR

Stanley Clarke & Hiromi featuring the PUBLIQuartet A Celebration of the Music of Chick Corea and Beyond

Fri, Mar 5 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

Jazz series Four-time Grammy Award-winning bassist and NEA Jazz Master Stanley Clarke teams with frequent collaborator Hiromi – “one of jazz piano’s most brazenly virtuosic players” (The New York Times) – to pay tribute to Chick Corea. A leading architect of jazz fusion, Corea spent six decades blending jazz with rock, Latin and classical influences, creating timeless standards and earning 27 Grammy Awards. Performing with genre-defying string ensemble PUBLIQuartet, Clarke and Hiromi bring bold new textures to the music of one of jazz’s defining innovators.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Don Was & The Pan-Detroit Ensemble 50th Anniversary Blues for Allah Tour

Tue, Apr 27 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

photo: Myriam Santos Studio; Jeﬀ Dunn (inset)

“Some of the best of the best that Detroit ‘Music City’ has bred… Musically, they form a unit that is seemingly so tightly knit together that you couldn’t fit oxygen molecules between them.” Goldmine Magazine

Legendary producer and bassist Don Was brings his musical sixth sense to The Pan-Detroit Ensemble, an all-star collective drawing on the city’s deep jazz, funk and rock traditions. A multi-Grammy-winning producer for The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Iggy Pop and B.B. King and president of the storied Blue Note Records, Was has helped shape the sound of American music for decades. Now, the lifelong Deadhead reimagines Blues for Allah, the Grateful Dead’s adventurous 1975 masterpiece, channeling its spirit of improvisation, groove and fearless experimentation through expansive arrangements and virtuosic interplay. Part tribute, part reinvention, this immersive evening opens a beloved classic to unexpected new directions.

Jazz series

photo: Ebru Yildiz

Jazz series

Sunny Jain

“A global musical alchemist and cultural agent provocateur.” Songlines

Wild Wild East

Percussionist and bandleader Sunny Jain delivers a cinematic, joyful blend of South Asian rhythms, jazz, surf rock and spaghetti-western swagger. The son of Indian immigrants who grew up on The Cure and progressive rock, Jain moves fluidly between jazz drumming and his work leading Red Baraat, the genre-bending ensemble known for high-energy performances. With Wild Wild East, he draws on influences from Ennio Morricone to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to create a psychedelic sound world powered by propulsive grooves, improvisation and Bollywood-infused beats.

Thu, May 6 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Hear & Now series

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CelloGayageum Thu, Oct 29 7 PM / Hahn Hall “CelloGayageum opened up a new world.” The Korea Times

photo: Seung Yull Nah

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.

photo: Kevin Condon

Hear & Now series

Viano Quartet Thu, Feb 18 7 PM / Hahn Hall Program

Haydn: String Quartet in C Major, op. 20, no. 2 Reena Esmail: New work Dvořák: Cypresses, B. 152 (selections) Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 4 in E minor, op. 44, no. 2

“The Vianos are an electrifying collective… There’s an aura of rightness and purpose to their playing, of four individuals functioning as a single instrument.” Boston Classical Review Winners of the 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grant and first prize at the Banﬀ International String Quartet Competition, the Viano Quartet is distinguished by technical brilliance, emotional intensity and adventurous programming. With striking precision, restless curiosity and a vivid sense of discovery, the Viano has performed at leading venues worldwide, including Lincoln Center, London’s Wigmore Hall and Konzerthaus Berlin. Rich in contrast and emotional depth, the Viano’s Santa Barbara debut program highlights the enduring expressive power of chamber music across eras and traditions.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

JIJI, guitar Tue, Mar 9 7 PM / Hahn Hall “A breath of fresh air in the world of the classical guitar.” San Francisco Classical Voice One of the most exciting young voices in classical music today, JIJI has been praised as “one of the 21 composers/performers who sound like tomorrow” (The Washington Post) and was the first guitarist to win the prestigious Concert Artists Guild International Competition in 30 years. Her eclectic recital spans from Hildegard von Bingen and Claudia Sessa to works by Max Richter, Laurie Spiegel and Godspeed You! Black Emperor, alongside original compositions and arrangements by JIJI herself. Blending classical masterworks, contemporary compositions and electric guitar experimentation with magnetic stage presence, JIJI delivers a live performance that is as technically dazzling as it is boldly original.

photo: Kim Cheonga

Hear & Now series

“Himari’s musicality is the real deal. Her solo prelude was uncommonly expansive, as though she had all the bow in the world to spin out that first, endless phrase.” Chicago Tribune

Hear & Now series

Himari, violin

Chelsea Wang, piano Tue, May 4 7 PM / Hahn Hall Program

Schubert: Violin Sonata in A Major, D.574 (“Grand Duo”) Grieg: Violin Sonata No. 3, op. 45 Messiaen: Fantaisie Kreisler: Viennese Rhapsodic Fantasietta Ravel: Tzigane

“Himari is a once-in-a-generation artist of awesome capabilities. This time reality almost surpassed the hype.” Observer Violinist Himari and pianist Chelsea Wang make their Santa Barbara recital debut with a program of extraordinary range. A prodigious talent, Himari began playing the violin at age 3. At age 6, she performed with a professional orchestra, and in 2022 became the youngest student to enter the Curtis Institute of Music. Now 14, Himari appears on major stages worldwide, including her European debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker and performances with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Marin Alsop. In Japan, tickets for her recital tour sold out in under five minutes, underscoring her rapidly rising profile.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Speaking with Pico

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize

series

photo: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

photo: Princeton University, Oﬃce of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2018)

4 events | Save 20%

Combining a writer’s insight with a scholar’s mastery of the material, series host Pico Iyer returns with another inspiring roster of conversation partners. An A&L audience favorite!

Yiyun Li

“One of our finest living authors.” The New York Times Book Review

In Conversation with Pico Iyer

A uniquely insightful and courageous voice in contemporary literature, Chinese American writer Yiyun Li is acclaimed for her richly observed novels, essays and short fiction. In 2026, her memoir Things in Nature Merely Grow, described by Harper’s as “poignant… halting, haunted,” received a Pulitzer Prize and Li was named to Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. Known for writing with clarity and emotional depth about memory, grief, exile, identity and the fragile complexities of human connection, Li’s forthcoming novel, Music Against the Night (October), is a sweeping historical saga following two aspiring musicians destined to be husband and wife.

Tue, Jan 26 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

photo: Christopher Michel

Speaking with Pico series

Michael Pollan In Conversation with Pico Iyer

Fri, Feb 19 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre

“Pollan’s great gift is being able to parse complicated ideas in pain-free prose – and it’s always fun being along for the ride.” The Guardian (U.K.) Writer and cultural critic Michael Pollan has transformed the way we think about food, nature, medicine and consciousness. Blending investigative rigor with elegant, accessible prose, his bestselling books, including The Omnivore’s Dilemma and How to Change Your Mind, explore the connections between our bodies, minds and the natural world. Now, Pollan joins Pico Iyer for a wide-ranging conversation about perception, spirituality and living with intention inspired by his latest work, A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Margaret Atwood In Conversation with Pico Iyer

Fri, Apr 23 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre

“With dry, ironic wit, a poetic sensibility and more than a hint of the Gothic, she has uncompromisingly observed the psychology of people in her society.” The New York Times A towering literary figure, Margaret Atwood has reshaped contemporary writing and cultural thought through her prolific body of novels, poetry and essays. Atwood has long illuminated the fragile boundary between the plausible and the prophetic, and her landmark work The Handmaid’s Tale became a touchstone for discussions of power and gender. She is a two-time Booker Prize winner (The Blind Assassin; The Testaments) and recipient of the PEN America Lifetime Achievement Award. Expect an evening of piercing insight and sharp wit from an essential voice in modern literature at the height of her influence.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

photo: L. Mora

Speaking with Pico series

John McEnroe In Conversation with Pico Iyer

Fri, May 7 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre “John McEnroe was Pablo Picasso using a tennis racquet instead of a paintbrush.” – International Tennis Hall of Fame Few athletes have fused competitive brilliance, cultural notoriety and personal candor as memorably as John McEnroe. The tennis legend who transformed the sport with his artistry, intensity and unmistakable swagger joins Pico Iyer for an evening of lively conversation about ambition, performance, reinvention and life beyond the court. A Hall of Famer, bestselling author, broadcaster, musician and philanthropist, McEnroe remains as sharp, funny and outspoken as ever. Together, he and Iyer explore the pressures of fame, the psychology of competition and the unexpected paths that open after greatness.

Speaking with Pico series 43

Vanguard series

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Meow Meow Feline Festive

Tue, Dec 1 7:30 PM / Lobero Theatre “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.

photo: Kate Garner (right and inset)

“Tayeh makes movement that feels ancient and new, ritualized and chaotic, punk and elegant, all at once.” Times Union

Vanguard series

The Surge: An Ode to Sinéad O’Connor Directed and Choreographed by Sonya Tayeh A Joyce Theater and Factory International Production

Wed, Jan 20 7:30 PM / Lobero Theatre

“Tayeh’s choreography – expertly performed by a delightful and delighted polymorphous ensemble – is a perpetual motion machine of often bruising sensuality.” The New York Times In this original evening-length work, Tony Awardwinning choreographer Sonya Tayeh (Moulin Rouge!) draws on the music and words of Sinéad O’Connor to create a fierce, tender meditation on voice, protest and the courage to defy the norm. Performed by a 10-woman ensemble, The Surge channels O’Connor’s indomitable spirit through movement and narration in a work of striking emotional force. Acclaimed for her “powerful physical style” by modern dance luminaries including Janet Eilber (Martha Graham Dance Company), Tayeh has emerged as a defining voice in contemporary dance theater.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Gravity & Other Myths Ten Thousand Hours

Sun, May 2

“This company’s talent extends way beyond acrobatics, into visual storytelling, movement and contemporary dance.” Stage Whispers

7 PM / Granada Theatre “An almost mind blowing level of skill on display and what can be achieved with a dedicated pursuit of perfection.” The Clothesline

Vanguard series 46

photo: Millissa Martin

Blink, step, jump, balance, flip, fly. Eight extraordinary acrobats push strength, trust and precision to their limits in Ten Thousand Hours, the exhilarating new work from Australia’s award-winning Gravity & Other Myths. Set to a propulsive live percussion score, this fiercely collaborative performance explores the discipline and devotion required to master a craft. With breathtaking lifts, throws and balances, the company reveals not only the spectacle of virtuosity but the labor and resilience behind it.

Global Sounds

A Brazilian Musical Legacy

series

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Clarice & Sérgio Assad Wed, Oct 21 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

“[Clarice Assad is] a fine, fresh singer and pianist who is also a first-rate storyteller.” Jazz Times “Sérgio Assad continues to be one of the guitar’s most interesting and challenging composers.” Classical Guitar 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.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Global Sounds series

Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández 75th Anniversary Tour

Thu, Feb 4 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre

“The most emblematic folk dance ensemble in our country and around the world, revolutionizing the concept of traditional dances and Mexican dance.” El Sol de Irapuato Hailed as Mexico’s premier folkloric dance ensemble, Ballet Folklórico de México celebrates 75 years with a vibrant anniversary program honoring the richness and diversity of Mexican culture. From preColumbian rituals to mariachi-filled fiestas, this internationally acclaimed company translates folk festivals into richly theatrical performances with breathtaking choreography, dazzling costumes and live music. Founded in 1952 by visionary choreographer Amalia Hernández, Ballet Folklórico brings the traditional music, dance and costumes of Mexico vividly to life.

photo: Samira Kelkar

“Undeniably one of the finest musicians of his generation.” The Times of India

Global Sounds series

Niladri Kumaar, sitar The Space Between the Notes Honoring Zakir Hussain

Wed, Apr 14 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

Virtuoso sitarist and composer Niladri Kumaar brings his groundbreaking blend of Indian classical and contemporary music to an evening honoring his longtime collaborator Zakir Hussain. Drawing on material from Space Between the Notes, their only recorded live performance together, Kumaar performs on both sitar and his self-designed Zitar (electric sitar) alongside an ensemble of Indian and American musicians. Rooted in centuries-old traditions while reaching boldly across genres and cultures, the program pays tribute to musical dialogue and the lasting influence of one of India’s most revered artists.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Family Time series

photo: Damien Bredberg

3 events | Save 20%

Circa Duck Pond Created by Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa Ensemble

Sun, Oct 18 4 PM / Granada Theatre

★★★★ “Graceful aerial solos. Jaw dropping lifts. Superhuman balances. Swan Lake as you’ve never seen it before.” The Times (U.K.) ★★★★ “Thoroughly entertaining… This circus mash-up of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling is a seasonal treat.” Time Out 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.

photo: 2020 Connect Images (Humpback Whale)

Family Time series 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 Presented in association with the 2026 California Ocean Summit

“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.)

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Family Time series “A show that tackles important and serious themes with humor, whimsy and some darn cute puppets.” Chicago Tribune

Sun, Apr 25 Leonardo is a terrible monster. He tries so hard to be scary, but he just… isn’t. Based on the beloved books by Mo Willems, Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster follows a gentle monster who struggles to scare anyone – until an unexpected friendship changes everything. Created by Emmywinning performance collective Manual Cinema, the production uses hundreds of illustrated paper puppets, book pages, two-dimensional props, furry monster puppets and songs to create a visually inventive theatrical experience that brings Willems’ lovable characters to life.

photo: Rebecca J Michelson

2 PM / Campbell Hall

photo: Robert McCune

Additional Events

José González

“Someone whose subtle, carefully crafted music delivers rewards to listeners who know how to wait.” Rolling Stone

Against the Dying of the Light Tour

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, Sweden-based 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).

Sat, Sep 26 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Tony Award-winning Broadway Legend

Bernadette Peters Thu, Oct 15 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre “A Broadway powerhouse.” The Guardian (U.K.) “Peters is more than talented: As an actress, singer, comedienne and allaround warming presence, she has no peer in the musical theater.” The New York Times 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.

photo: Hae Ran

Min Jin Lee American Hagwon

Thu, Nov 12 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

“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 Acclaimed novelist Min Jin Lee appears for an evening of reading and conversation upon the release of her highly anticipated new book American Hagwon. She is the author of the international bestseller Pachinko, an epic family saga following a Korean family’s migration to Japan and a New York Times Book Review 100 Best Books of the 21st Century selection. Through her awardwinning fiction, Lee has become one of the most celebrated literary voices of her generation, exploring themes of race, ethnicity, immigration, class, religion, gender and identity with “a compassionate, clear gaze at the chaotic landscape of life itself” (The New York Times).

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Lara Downes Sounds Like America A Musical Conversation with Imani Perry

Fri, Jan 22

“A trailblazing pianist who combines exquisite musicality with an acute awareness of how an artist can make a positive and lasting social impact.” Piano Magazine

7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

photo: Lydia Daniller

“Perry proves herself to be a radiant storyteller... like Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker, and Nina Simone before her.” Oprah Daily

Pianist, scholar and NPR host Lara Downes brings her acclaimed Declaration Project for an evening that blends music, history and conversation. As part of NPR’s America in Pursuit series, Downes joins National Book Award-winning author and MacArthur Fellow Imani Perry for a thoughtful exploration of the presence and power of grace, the possibility of redemption and the necessity of forgiveness and empathy in the American past and present. Centered on the enduring resonance of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” this evening of live performance and dialogue reflects on the ideals, contradictions and possibilities that have shaped the nation across 250 years of history.

photo: Sarah Miller

Ezekiel J . Emanuel, M .D . Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life

Sun, Feb 21 7 PM / Granada Theatre Co-presented with

“With his signature clarity and candor, Ezekiel J. Emanuel debunks disinformation, punctures pseudoscience, and reveals what really counts for longevity.” – Adam Grant Renowned physician, bioethicist and health policy expert Ezekiel J. Emanuel cuts through the noise of today’s “wellness industrial complex” with a practical, evidence-based guide to living well. Drawing on decades of experience in medicine and public policy, Emanuel explores the habits that matter most for long-term health, happiness and purpose – and the trends, hacks and anxieties we can leave behind. Based on his bestselling new book, Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life, this engaging talk oﬀers a humane vision of wellness grounded in science, balance and common sense.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

photo: Humberto Howard

La Santa Cecilia Los Años Tour

Fri, Apr 16 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

“La Santa Cecilia is now so completely in command of its music, instruments and voices that these performances are flawless. The interplay between the band and La Marisoul is now on the level of sublime intuition.” NPR Blending cumbia, bolero, bossa nova, rock, jazz and klezmer into a vibrant transnational sound, La Santa Cecilia has become one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Latin music. Fronted by the magnetic vocalist La Marisoul, the Grammywinning Los Angeles ensemble channels the stories, struggles and celebrations of a bicultural generation with music that is both deeply rooted and joyfully eclectic. According to La Marisoul, “there’s just something about getting together with your friends and enjoying music in its simplest form, with the guitar, con un Mezcalito, and sin más, no?”

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain Thu, Apr 22 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

“A highly entertaining zig-zagging night of music… with an impressively rich orchestral palette using only ukuleles, their singing voices, and a wee bit of whistling.” Santa Barbara Independent A Santa Barbara favorite that is beloved worldwide for their oﬀ-beat humor and four-stringed virtuosity, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has been delivering “zany pop mastery” and “clever, genre-spanning fun” (San Francisco Chronicle) for four decades. With a genredefying program of unexpected covers and brilliantly reimagined arrangements, the self-styled “sultans of ping” careen from classical to pop, punk and bluegrass in a virtuosic, laugh-out-loud evening unlike any other.

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

photo: Quentin Bacon

Simply Ina

“America’s reigning queen of tastefully deployed butterfat.” The New Yorker

An Evening with Ina Garten

For more than two decades, Ina Garten has shaped the way Americans cook and entertain through her recipe for elegant, approachable living. Now, she reflects on her remarkable journey, from running a small specialty food shop to becoming one of the country’s most beloved tastemakers, sharing behindthe-scenes stories, favorite recipes and the enduring philosophy that defines her work: simple food, prepared with care, brings people together. Spend an evening with the Barefoot Contessa for a culinary conversation centered on her latest book, Simply Ina.

Wed, Apr 28 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

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Gravity & Other Myths, May 2 61

Access for ALL UCSB Arts & Lectures takes artists and ideas beyond the stage and into classrooms, theaters and community spaces throughout Santa Barbara County – creating opportunities for discovery, creativity and connection for audiences of all ages.

“Students getting the opportunity to learn and play with professional musicians is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.” – Devon Nelson, music and band teacher, Goleta Valley Junior High School

For TK-12 Students

Each year, young people enjoy matinee field trips, in-school assemblies, classroom workshops and conversations with visiting artists and speakers. These experiences mark an introduction to the performing arts, opening doors to creativity, cultural discovery and the shared joy of live performance.

NYCB principal dancer Tiler Peck leads a master class for UCSB students

By the Numbers 38 total schools reached annually 200+ free engagement opportunities annually 3,000+ community members served annually 4,000+ TK-12 students served annually 4,400+ UCSB students served annually 62

Students engage directly with internationally acclaimed artists and thought leaders through master classes, workshops, lecture-demonstrations and discussions that connect classroom learning with real-world artistic practice.

For Lifelong Learners

Public workshops, post-event discussions, community partnerships and special initiatives create opportunities for audiences of all ages to engage more deeply with the artistic and cultural experiences that shape each season.

Contact Jenna Hamilton-Rolle, Director of Education & Community Engagement, at (805) 893-5829 for more information about A&L’s education programs.

photos: Isaac Hernández de Lipa (top left); David Bazemore (this page, top right and bottom)

For UCSB Students

K-12 students meet ukelele master Jake Shimabukuro following a free student matinee at the Arlington Theatre

Author and historian Ibram X. Kendi in a Q&A with UCSB students

Your support helps make these experiences possible across campus and throughout the community. Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich with UCSB history students

Contact Heather Silva, Managing Director of Development, (805) 893-3755 to learn more about supporting arts education.

¡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. Created in 2006 out of a commitment to arts access for all, Viva works with dozens of local partners to present high-quality artists – Grammy winners and recognized cultural ambassadors – who share their knowledge, passion and commitment. Schools, neighborhood spaces and community centers come alive in these programs for youth and families. ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! is a collaboration between The Marjorie Luke Theatre, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, the Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association and UCSB Arts & Lectures serving Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Guadalupe and New Cuyama.

Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande performs at The Marjorie Luke Theatre

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.

Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles with young fan after a performance in Guadalupe

photos: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! programs are FREE and open to ALL.

“On behalf of the California Senate, I am proud to celebrate ¡Viva el Arte!... For two decades, this program has expanded access to the arts, connecting our community to diverse cultures and language, and ensuring more people can enjoy the arts.” – Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón

Gaby Moreno with students at El Camino Elementary School

Ballet Nepantla performs at The Marjorie Luke Theatre Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar band members with students from Aliso Elementary School in Carpinteria

Each year Viva serves 8,300+

Community members and students throughout Santa Barbara County, from Carpinteria to New Cuyama with

55+

Free events including performances, assemblies, workshops and more Join us in securing the future of this vital partnership. Contact Elise Erb, Senior Director of Development, at (805) 893-5697.

Join Arts & Lectures Today Sponsors, Subscribers and Advocates

Experience the arts. Engage with ideas. Connect with others.

“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

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.

Why join? Better seats, early access, and a built-in community of people who enjoy a great night out as much as you do. See page 67 for details about membership.

A&L Ambassador Andrew Primack and Leadership Circle member Liisa Primack with Nancy and Mike McConnell

photos: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

Producers Circle members enjoy a private dinner reception before Ballet Festival: Jerome Robbins

Ex ec

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Invitations to dinners with artists or lecturers and other A&L members

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Opportunity to host reception with an artist or lecturer

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Event sponsorship opportunities

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Complimentary reserved parking for all ticketed Campbell Hall events

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A pair of complimentary guest tickets to an A&L public event

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Reserved VIP seating at A&L Summer Cinema Series

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VIP Ticketing Concierge Service and Priority Seating

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Complimentary ticket exchange when your plans change

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Invitations to Producers Circle Receptions

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Access to Intermission Lounge at A&L events at The Granada Theatre

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Recognition in A&L impact reports or digital media

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To learn more, contact Austin Janisch, Annual Giving and Membership Manager, at (805) 893-2174 or Austin.Janisch@ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu 67

Jonathan Groff

1. A&L Council member Susan McCaw and Mayo Shattuck with actor and singer Jonathan Groff 2. A&L Council member Cliff Wyatt and A&L Ambassador Crystal Wyatt with Jonathan Groff 3. A&L Program Advisor Bruce Heavin and A&L Council member Lynda Weinman with Jonathan Groff and actor Jane Lynch 4. A&L Partner Mary Becker with Angela Antenore, Hilary Peattie and Gabi Barysch-Crosbie 5. A&L Partners Gay-Lynn and Robert Blanding 6. A&L Leadership Circle member Thomas Perakos with Elizabeth O’Neil and Leslie and Harrison Bains 7. A&L Leadership Circle members Kenneth and Nanette Pigaga with Mark Ismond and Steve Thomas 8. A&L Miller McCune Executive Director Meghan Bush and A&L Associate Executive Director Caitlin O’Hara with Jonathan Groff and Jane Lynch 9. A&L Partner Julie Keller with Marlene Veloz

photos 1-4, 6-9: Isaac Hernández de Lipa; photo 5: Nell Campbell

An inspiring and successful night celebrating arts education

Be Part of What Brings Us Together

Join Arts & Lectures and help create the moments that connect and inspire our community. 1

photos: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

1. A&L Council member Sara Miller McCune with violinist Itzhak Perlman 2. A&L Partner John Arnhold with blues musician Taj Mahal 3. A&L Community Partner Lou Buglioli and A&L Council member Natalie Orfalea with radio host Ira Glass 4. A&L Partners Geof and Laura Wyatt with journalist and commentator Ezra Klein 5. A&L Partner Ed McKinley and A&L Council member Kath Lavidge with International Rescue Committee President David Miliband

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

“We give because we’ve seen how Arts & Lectures brings extraordinary artists and ideas to our community, opening minds and bringing people together – and we want that experience to be available to everyone.” – A&L Council Co-Chairs Dorothy Largay and Patty MacFarlane 6

photos: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

1. UCSB Chancellor Dennis Assanis and Eleni Assanis with author and commentator Fareed Zakaria 2. A&L Council Co-chairs Dorothy Largay and Patty MacFarlane with cellist Yo-Yo Ma 3. A&L Ambassador Eva Haller with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato 4. A&L Council member Jillian Muller with International Rescue Committee President David Miliband 5. A&L Ambassador Heather Sturgess and A&L Managing Director of Development Heather Silva 6. A&L Partners Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley with violinist Nicola Benedetti 7. A&L Council member Rich Janssen and A&L Ambassador Luci Janssen with Joyce DiDonato

photos: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

1. A&L Partners Bob and Siri Marshall with authors Colm Tóibín and Pico Iyer 2. A&L Partners Mark Horowitz and Monica Wyatt 3. A&L Partner Linda Staﬀord Burrows with bass-baritone Davóne Tines 4. A&L Partners Mason Morfit and Jordana Brewster with filmmaker and writer Miranda July 5. A&L Partners Merrill Sherman and Laura Wyatt 6. A&L Ambassador Robin Himovitz and A&L Partner Roger Himovitz with violinist Itzhak Perlman 7. A&L Partner Betsy Atwater and Producers Circle member Gail Gelles with Pico Iyer 8. A&L Partners Susan and Bruce Worster with trumpeter Terence Blanchard and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane 9. A&L Leadership Circle member NancyBell Coe with pianist Víkingur Ólafsson 10. A&L Partner Margo Cohen-Feinberg and Ellen Zissler with NYCB principal dancer Tiler Peck 11. A&L Council member Anne Smith Towbes with pianist Aristo Sham 12. A&L Partner Gary Bradhering and A&L Ambassador Sheraton Kalouria with civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

photos: Isaac Hernández de Lipa

1. A&L Partner Sheila Wald and Bill Pierce with NYCB principal dancer Tiler Peck 2. A&L Leadership Circle members Harry and Jacquie McMahon 3. A&L Leadership Circle member Bill Rich with singer-songwriter Molly Tuttle 4. A&L Partners John Mike and Marcia Cohen 5. A&L Leadership Circle members Jonathan and Jennifer Blum with cellist Yo-Yo Ma 6. A&L Leadership Circle member Jane Eagleton with authors Pico Iyer and Colm Tóibín 7. A&L Ambassador Andrew Primack and A&L Leadership Circle member Liisa Primack with A&L Executive Producers Circle members Nikolas Primack and Zachary Krasman 8. A&L Executive Producers Circle members Viollette and Curt Menefee, A&L Ambassador Winnie Dunbar and A&L Executive Producers Circle member Hod Dunbar with trumpeter Terence Blanchard 9. A&L Leadership Circle members Elizabeth and Andrew Butcher 10. UCSB Asian American Studies Chair Sameer Pandya and Emilie Neumann with saxophonist Ravi Coltrane 11. A&L Community Partner Lou Buglioli, A&L Council member Natalie Orfalea and A&L Ambassador Crystal Wyatt 12. A&L Partners Adrienne Stone and Irene Stone

photos 1-4, 6-9: Isaac Hernández de Lipa; photo 5: Nell Campbell

1. UCSB Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost David Marshall with former UC President Michael V. Drake 2. A&L Council Co-chair Patty MacFarlane with U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal 3. Former A&L Executive Director Celesta M. Billeci and Assemblymember Gregg Hart 4. A&L Ambassador Winnie Dunbar and A&L Sr. Director of Development Elise Erb 5. A&L Leadership Circle member Nancy Barasch and Molly Presser 6. A&L Ambassadors Deva Dalporto and Jen Drucker 7. A&L Executive Producers Circle members Nicole and Kirt Woodhouse 8. A&L Justice for All advisory commitee members Daina Ramey Berry, Sharon Tettegah, Susannah Scott, Charlie Hale, Beth Pruitt and D. Inés Casillas with former UC President Michael V. Drake 9. A&L Justice for All advisory committee member Jeﬀrey Stewart and A&L Miller McCune Executive Director Meghan Bush with saxophonist Ravi Coltrane

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Patron Information

Visit the A&L website for more patron information and policies.

Due to the nature of live events, artists, programs and prices are subject to change. A&L Ticket Oﬃce

(805) 893-3535 info@ArtsAndLectures.ucsb.edu

Ticket Donations and Exchanges

Ticket donations or exchange requests must be received at least two full business days prior to the event. Ticket exchanges are available to all patrons for a $5 fee per ticket (no exchange fee for subscribers and Producers Circle members). Tickets are exchanged at face value and are subject to availability. Tickets of a higher value exchanged for a lower value are considered an even exchange; tickets exchanged for a higher value need the diﬀerence paid. It is the policy of UCSB and the UC Regents that a modest portion of gifts and/or the income from gifts may be used to defray the costs of raising and administering funds.

Changed, Canceled and Postponed Events

All sales are final. No refunds or returns are permitted, except in the case of an event cancellation. Service charges may not be refundable. In the event of a cancellation, postponement, venue change or schedule change, the A&L Ticket Office will make every effort to notify the purchaser in advance. A&L will not be responsible for losses (monetary or otherwise) if we are unable to contact you in the event of such a change. Please make sure your current email address and phone number are on file with the A&L Ticket Office; they will be used to communicate event guidelines, ticketing info and other important updates.

Purchase of Tickets From Unauthorized Sources

UCSB Arts & Lectures assumes no liability for tickets purchased through unauthorized channels including Tickets Center, StubHub, Event Tickets Center, Vivid Seats and other secondary market or ticket broker services. We strongly advise against purchasing tickets from any source other than the Arts & Lectures Ticket Office, www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu, or the venue ticket office and official website. Tickets purchased from unauthorized sources may be stolen, counterfeit or otherwise compromised and, if so, are not valid for admission. If you are unsure if a ticket seller has been authorized to sell A&L tickets, please contact the Ticket Office prior to purchasing from that source. A&L does not replace or refund tickets purchased through the secondary market.

Accessibility

A&L is committed to making events accessible to all who wish to enjoy them. Please contact the A&L Ticket Oﬃce in advance to ensure the best possible experience and receive information about accessible seating, assistive listening devices, large-print programs and other accommodations.

Suitability for Children

A&L’s performing arts season is designed primarily for adult audiences. Contact the ticket oﬃce if you have questions about the appropriateness of an event. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter the theater.

Late Seating

A&L makes every eﬀort to begin events at the published start time. Late seating and reentry will take place during appropriate points in the program determined by the artist. Reserved seats are not guaranteed after the event begins.

UC Santa Barbara Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy

Under the authority of California Government Code 7597.1, smoking and the use of all tobacco products, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e.g., “e-cigarettes”) are prohibited anywhere at all indoor and outdoor spaces managed by UC Santa Barbara.

Venues

A&L presents events at a variety of locations on the UCSB campus and around Santa Barbara. Visit the A&L website for specific venue details.

Parking at the UCSB Campus

A fee is required to park on campus. Purchase short-term parking on arrival at a permit dispenser (available in all campus parking lots) or using the ParkMobile app. License plate number required; select lots are closed to visitor parking. Parking for A&L’s Campbell Hall events can also be purchased in advance online. Visit the UCSB Transportation & Parking Services website (www.tps.ucsb.edu) for more information.

Student and Youth Discounts

UCSB student-rate tickets are available to full-time UCSB students who have completed enrollment (one ticket per ID). A valid UCSB student ID is required at the time of purchase and at the event. “All Student” ticket holders must show current student ID at the event. “Youth” ticket holders of high school age may be asked to show ID at the event.

Ticket Prices & Fees

All tickets and orders are subject to service charges and fees. Ticket prices and fees are subject to change without notice.

Group Sales

Once single tickets are on sale, groups of 20 or more may take advantage of special rates for select events. Contact the A&L Ticket Oﬃce with inquiries.

UCSB Arts & Lectures Season Brochure, Issue# 2026-2027.1. This free publication is printed annually. Arts & Lectures, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5030

Feb 27 & 28 The Joffrey Ballet

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors

photo: Cheryl Mann

University Support:

Oﬃce of the Chancellor Oﬃce of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost

– Purchase a Series – Best Seats. Early Access.

Santa Barbara, California 93106-5030

Save Up to 25%!

The Joffrey Ballet Feb 27 & 28

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu