May 08 Friday
"Through most of our lives and work, Cedric and I have had deep commitments to collaboration, internationalism, and solidarity movements."–Elizabeth Robinson, 2024
This exhibition documents the life’s work of Cedric J. Robinson and Elizabeth Peters Robinson, placing it in the global context of the Black radical tradition. The Robinsons were renowned for their seminal scholarship and activism that had wide-ranging influence at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), in academia, and across many public arenas. The exhibition is drawn from the Cedric J. and Elizabeth P. Robinson Archive (“Robinson Archive”) and supplemented by a variety of materials from other collections in UCSB Library’s Special Research Collections, as well as personal contributions from Elizabeth Robinson.
A deeply influential educator, Cedric Robinson (1940-2016) was a well-known scholar of racial capitalism and the Black radical tradition, and an active participant in political movements, both at home and internationally. For more than 30 years, Elizabeth Robinson has been an educator, social worker, former associate director for media at KCSB-FM radio, activist, and community media producer.
This exhibition was curated by Yolanda Blue, the Library’s Curator of American and International History, Politics, and Cultures Collections, in collaboration with New York University and UCSB Library staff.
This collaborative exhibition celebrates the intersection of art and environmental stewardship, highlighting the efforts of the Oak Group, the UCSB Cheadle Center for Biodiversity & Ecological Restoration, and Coal Oil Point Reserve to conserve the Devereux Slough. Art in Service of the Land invites viewers to explore how art documents, interprets, and amplifies the ongoing work of conservation, revealing the beauty and complexity of the North Campus Open Space (NCOS) and inspiring engagement with our local environment.
This exhibition was curated and cosponsored by the Oak Group and the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration, in collaboration with UCSB Library staff.
The Oak Group is one of the first artist groups in the U.S. to combine creativity with conservation. Since 1986, Oak Group artists have exhibited artworks painted on location to raise awareness and funds for open spaces, generating over $3 million in sales to support the preservation of lands for wildlife, recreation, ranching, and farming. The group includes 25 active members and has presented more than 100 exhibitions benefiting over 20 conservation organizations.
Long celebrated for its golden light and serene vistas, the Ojai Valley has inspired generations of artists. Ojai Mystique continues this tradition, inviting nineteen artists from across the region and beyond to immerse themselves in the landscape and translate their impressions into two paintings: a large masterwork and a smaller companion piece.
Exhibiting artists: John Cosby, Steven Curry, Carolyn Lord, Kim Lordier, Jennifer Moses, Charles Muench, John Nava, Michael Obermeyer, Jesse Powell, Ian Roberts, Ray Roberts, Dave Santillanes, Dan Schultz, Frank Serrano, W. Jason Situ, Alexey Steele, Sarah Vedder, Anne Ward, Wendy Wirth.
Ojai Mystique is curated by Jennifer Moses and Dan Schultz. Demonstrations and artist talks are scheduled throughout the exhibition.
Opening reception: Friday April 17, 2026, 5-7pm. Exhibition runs through August 9, 2026.
Ojai Valley Museum hours are Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm.
Working on a creative project that’s not quite done? Finish it up and cross it off your resolutions list! the Join other makers and spread out on our big tables, use our tools and dig through our upcycled materials to finalize your masterpiece. Get expert tips as we cheer you on to success. Ages 13+.
AVAILABLE: *LASER CUTTER *CRICUT *SEWING MACHINES *SERGER *BASIC HAND TOOLS *GLUE GUNS*TRACING TABLE *SOLDERING IRON *BLOCK PRINTING TOOLS
Shawn Jones Big Band Project
Featuring:
Shawn Jones – Vocals, GuitarHerman Matthews – DrumsSam Bolle – Bass, BGVsMarc Hugenberger – KeysEd Wynn – SaxophoneJustin Kirk – TromboneMike Fortunato – TrumpetLois Mahalia – Backing VocalsInternational touring artist Shawn Jones brings his powerful Roots / Americana / Blues / Rock sound to the stage with the dynamic Shawn Jones Big Band Project, featuring a lineup of world-class musicians. Based in Southern California and performing more than 200 shows a year across the U.S., U.K., and Europe, Shawn is known for his soulful vocals, exceptional guitar work, and electrifying live performances.
Throughout his career, Shawn has shared the stage with legends including B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Buddy Guy, and Robert Cray, and was once managed by country icon Waylon Jennings.
We are honored to announce Voices of the Valley, a one-night-only benefit concert supporting three cornerstone arts organizations that enrich the cultural life of our region!The evening will feature an exceptional lineup of artists, including:✨ P!NK, the evening’s host, with an exclusive intimate acoustic performance✨ Sky Lakota-Lynch, Broadway star of The Outsiders✨ Emma Pittman, Broadway star of The Outsiders✨ Willow Sage Hart✨ Student performers from Arts Outreach’s Summer Theater programWe look forward to gathering our community for this extraordinary evening in support of the arts!𝐴𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠:Arts Outreach provides arts education and creative access for students throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.Solvang Theaterfest sustains a historic open-air theater and presents professional and community performances that bring audiences together.Elverhøj Museum of History and Art preserves the region’s rich cultural and artistic heritage through exhibitions and educational programs.
Horse lovers and anyone concerned or curious about the future of wild horses will enjoy hearing Celeste Carlisle, who is the biologist for Lompoc's Return to Freedom (RTF) Wild Horse Conservation, with over three decades of experience.
She has worked alongside RTF to oversee and implement the fertility control program, RTF’s projects on policy changes in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and United States Forest Service (USFS) wild horse programs, and in on-range public- private partnerships for wild horse and burro management.
Celeste searches for meaningful and humane solutions to the management challenges facing wild-horses in a world with a rapidly changing climate and a multitude of stakeholder opinions.
BLUE MAN GROUP performances are a celebration of human connection. Mixing art, music, comedy and state-of-the-art technology, the show encourages audiences to reconnect with their inner (and outer) child and see the world through a new perspective. Three bald and blue men explore our cultural norms with wide-eyed wonder, poking fun at our collective quirks and reminding us how much we all have in common.
BLUE MAN GROUP is not just a show featuring three bald and blue men, it’s a total immersive experience. We think of the Blue Man as an “everyman” – he really holds a mirror up to us and our culture and helps us laugh at ourselves a bit, and see ourselves and our world a bit differently. The real goal of any BLUE MAN GROUP show is to celebrate all that we have in common as human beings—to celebrate our curiosity, our creativity, and our need for community.
Performance Schedule:Friday, May 8, 2026 - 7:30 p.m.Saturday, May 9, 2026 - 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.Sunday, May 10, 2026 - 1:00 & 6:30 p.m.
Positive Results Comedy Tour stops at The Santa Maria Civic Theater on Friday May 8th, 2026
Stand-up comedian Annie Elizabeth is hitting the road for her debut national touring show — and she’s doing it while undergoing breast cancer treatment. The Positive Results Comedy Tour comes to The Santa Maria Civic Theater, 1660 N McClelland St, Santa Maria, CA 93454 on Friday May 8th at 7:30 PM.
Annie Elizabeth is a Los Angeles-based comedian known for sharp, personal, and darkly funny storytelling. Her debut tour takes its name from the kind of news no one wants to get — and turns it into an evening of comedy that is equal parts gutsy and hilarious.
A portion of every ticket sold will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) — one of the leading organizations in the fight Annie is waging both on stage and in her own life. Annie is passionate about giving back to the cancer research that is currently saving her life.
Tickets are available now at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annie-elizabeth-presents-positive-results-comedy-tour-tickets-1986960944673?aff=oddtdtcreator
May 09 Saturday
Since 2007, UCSB Reads has fostered a shared sense of belonging by bringing the UCSB campus and Santa Barbara communities together to read a common book that explores compelling issues of our time. Conceived by then Executive Vice Chancellor Gene Lucas, the program is led by the UCSB Library in collaboration with campus and community partners. Each year, a committee of UCSB faculty, students, staff, and community members selects a thought-provoking, interdisciplinary book written by a living author that encourages a wide range of readers to engage with a contemporary social, political, cultural or scientific issue such as climate change, racial justice, technology, memory, identity, and democracy.
The program kicks off in winter with a book giveaway for UCSB students led by the Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, and University Librarian, and culminates with a free public talk by the book’s author(s) at Campbell Hall in the spring. Throughout the winter and spring quarters, the Library sponsors a variety of free learning, experiential, and social events to explore the book’s themes. The selected book is also incorporated into the university curriculum for winter and spring, allowing students to explore its themes in an academic context. UCSB Reads is generously supported by many individuals, university departments, and organizations.
This exhibition highlights the history of UCSB Reads since its inception, featuring promotional posters, selected books, custom bookmarks along with testimonials and images of participants engaging with programming throughout the years. UCSB Reads has become a beloved campus tradition that brings together thousands of people every year and demonstrates the power of literature to bridge divides, promote intellectual engagement, and build community.
