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This Valentine's Day, celebrate the people who make our Libraries welcoming for everyone by sharing why you love the Santa Barbara Public Library!

From February 1 through February 14, Valentine-themed collection boxes will be placed at participating local businesses and schools throughout Santa Barbara. At each location, pre-printed postcards with thoughtful prompts will be available to make writing a valentine message to the library easy and accessible for all ages. These messages will be used in ongoing advocacy efforts to demonstrate broad public support for libraries.

UCSB Library is pleased to present Heejung Kim (Psychological and Brain Sciences) in the Pacific Views: Library Speaker Series for Winter 2026. In her talk, “Culture and Social Support: Implications for Health and Well-Being,” she explores how relationships lie at the heart of human life, strongly influencing our health and well-being. Yet what counts as a “good relationship” can vary widely across cultures. Different cultural values—such as prioritizing personal independence or emphasizing group harmony—shape how people set social expectations, regulate emotions, and interact with those closest to them. In this talk, Kim will present her research on how these cultural differences influence the way people use and benefit from social support when dealing with stress.

Heejung Kim is a Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at UCSB. Her research interests are in cultural psychology, looking at how culture influences psychological processes to understand why and how people engage in a range of everyday behaviors, such as acting pro-environmentally, giving and seeking social support, making product choices, and interacting with others from different cultures. Her research has been funded by multiple grants from the National Science Foundation.

Kim’s approximately 45-minute presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.

This event may be photographed or recorded.

Advance registration is recommended as space is limited.

Join us for the public debut of “LIT,” an exhibition featuring artist Rod Lathim’s most extensive collection of LightWorks sculptures to date. This special evening also marks the official launch of Rod’s new autobiographical book, Finding The Divine Child – A Journey of Spirit, Light and Art. Please come and experience this new collection of neon and light-based works, born from a highly productive and inspired 2025. This event is a unique opportunity to celebrate the intersection of art and storytelling with the artist in the beautiful setting of the Art & Soul Gallery.
If you cannot join us for the opening night, we hope you will visit the exhibition during its run through March 1st or join us for our special book signing event later in the month.
Opening Reception Details:
- Thursday, February 5th
- 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Art & Soul Gallery (State Street between Opal and The Arlington Theatre)

Additional Events & Information:
- Book Signing Event: Saturday, February 21st from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
- Exhibition Dates: February 5th – March 1st.
- Gallery Hours: Thursday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM; Sundays: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM; and by appointment.
- Book Availability: Finding The Divine Child will be available exclusively at Art & Soul Gallery throughout February.

Visit www.rodlathim.com to learn more and view a gallery of images.

Help us say good-bye to the poignant and moving work of western artist, Joe Milazzo. Joe's work is moving and will stir many emotions in you as you smile inwardly. He paints with love for his subjects and the landscape. Come and enjoy small bites and delicious wines. And, who knows? There may be some special discounts!

ESC'S DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON PRESENTS NEW 2026 VIDEO THEATRE RENDITION OF PUCK'S EPILOGUE SPEECH FROM THE IMMORTAL BARD'S "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" AT 7TH STREET & FLOWER STREET ENTRANCE OF ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMAS OF THE BLOC IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES!

Chicago-born and stage-trained actor and play director Darryl Maximilian Robinson, winner of a 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award for Outstanding Actor In A Principal Role In A Play and a 1997 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award nomination for Best Leading Actor In A Play for his critically-praised performance as Sam Semela in The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "Master Harold And The Boys" presented at the much-missed Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre of Rogers Park as well as a 2019 Broadwayworld Chicago Award nomination for Best Performer In A Musical or Revue for his critically-praised performance of the dual roles of The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright and Mayor Thomas Sapsea in the 2018 Saint Sebastian Players of Chicago revival production of Rupert Holmes' "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" staged at the more than a century old St. Bonaventure Church of West Lakeview, shares a new addition to the classic speeches that are part of his Excaliber Shakespeare Company Los Angeles Archival Project.

Joining creative forces for the 9th time with his longtime talented and frequent ESC Artistic Associate, Videographer and Photographer Danny Belrose, Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago and Excaliber Shakespeare Company Los Angeles Archival Project Founder, Artistic Director and Producer Darryl Maximilian Robinson shares a new 2026 Street Theatre Video Performance Rendition of the mercurial and magical character of Puck's Epilogue Speech from William Shakespeare's comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream" just before the pair of veteran thespians and fellow Shakespearean actors Robinson and Belrose attended a inspiring and moving screening of acclaimed, Oscar-winning Director Chloe Zhao's latest Best Picture Academy Award nominated film "Hamnet."

Darryl Maximilian Robinson's Monday Evening January 26, 2026 new Video Theatre Rendition of Puck's Epilogue Speech from The Bard's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," recorded on the sidewalk at The 7th Street and Flower Street Entrance of The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Theater of The Bloc, is available for viewing at Facebook and YouTube.

https://youtu.be/kU6PR5paqI0?si=k4bB1_IAJCuQSjS9

https://youtube.com/shorts/wDAr7nTM-WA?si=erQfrwxna-9I_t96

https://youtube.com/shorts/xvi2zXncJRM?si=wlethmBemHNC-cEV

https://youtube.com/shorts/acpPOnamtH4?si=t4xRe9P4kx3LoQs9

https://youtube.com/shorts/bP-o5eWp1ZE?si=B3dzqinm4OVJv7CO

https://theatreblogofdarrylmaximilianrobinson.blogspot.com/2026/01/escs-darryl-maximilian-robinson-shares.html?m=1

Cal Poly’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation services to qualifying individuals and families. IRS-certified Cal Poly students assist with federal and state tax returns, deductions, credits, and electronic filing.

When: Every Saturday, from January 31st to March 14th

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Where: Third floor of the Cal Poly Business Building

How: Appointments can be scheduled online; walk-ins are accepted when possible.

More Information: https://orfalea.calpoly.edu/volunteer-income-tax-assistance

Embark on a captivating Brazilian Vintage Revival with Baila Nova, a quartet boasting over 60 million YouTube views and 185,000 subscribers. Led by vocalist Laura Vall, Baila Nova blends lively Samba, dance-infused Latin grooves, sultry Bossa Nova, and Latin rhythm-infused pop songs, offering a unique musical perspective that radiates power, beauty, and good vibes. Hailing from Spain, Denmark, and the USA, the quartet’s authenticity shines through their rich Brazilian staples. Formerly known as NOVA, the band rebranded after a transformative European tour in 2023, infusing their music with more vibrant Latin elements. With a history dating back to 2014, including a double compilation album for their 10th anniversary and innovative releases during the COVID-19 pandemic, Baila Nova continues to captivate audiences worldwide. As they gear up for a new original album, experience their enchanting sounds on YouTube, their website, or social media (@wearebailanova).

Join the global journey with Baila Nova and let the rhythm of their Brazilian beats transport you.

“This is a company that knows what its audience expects from an evening of theatre!”
LA TIMES

Get ready for a joyful, heart-tugging, and utterly unforgettable event honoring the past while boldly moving on and moving forward as we journey through 66 years of Playhouse and bid farewell to two members of the Playhouse Family!

As cherished Actors’ Repertory Theatre members Graham Silbert (33 years) and Joey Perez (12 years) prepare to take their next steps in NEW YORK, they return to the stage that helped shape them for an evening filled with music, laughter, and hope. Their journey reminds us that theatre is always moving forward, carried by the artists and communities who believe in it.

“The Playhouse is truly a gem in this city, and visiting it should be on the top-of everyone's Los Angeles to-do list.” UCLA DAILY BRUIN

If you’ve ever attended a Family Theatre Musical, taken a class here, or laughed, cried, and applauded through our Jewish Heritage Series, Love In Bloom, Fairytales for Pride, and more - you already know them. And you know how deeply their work is woven into the fabric of this theatre.

Follow Graham and Joey as they reunite with Actors’ Repertory Theatre to revisit favorite moments from Cinderella, Author! Author! – An Evening with Sholom Aleichem, Don’t Start the Games Without Me, Dorothy’s Adventures in OZ, Audition: The Musical, Alice and the Wonderful Tea Party, Dear Gabby, and so much more.

This special event is a joyful celebration of music, humor, and shared memories - an evening that honors not just two beloved artists, but the spirit of the Playhouse itself. More than a farewell, it’s a chance to laugh, reminisce, and celebrate the creativity, community, and sheer delight that live theatre brings to our lives, reminding us why this stage has always been a place of connection, joy, and belonging.

Each performance includes a sumptuous sweets-and-savories reception, and all proceeds support the Save the Main Stage Campaign, helping us restore, renew, and re-envision the heart of the Playhouse.

Joining Graham and Joey for this unforgettable send-off are Karla Bermudez, Holly Gibson, Isabel Lindley, Madeleine LeMay, Michala Peltz, and, of course, Chris DeCarlo and Evelyn Rudie.

Santa Monica Playhouse programs are supported in part by generous grants from the We Are Santa Monica Fund, the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Arts Commission, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, and Playhouse PALS.

This course focuses on the most popular, influential, and enduring artists of the British Invasion, which spanned roughly the years 1964 to 1968. We will examine the roots of those artists in their native Great Britain, and then show how they crashed the U.S. charts on the heels of the Beatles, who paved the way for their compatriots to take advantage of the lucrative American market. The Beatles were not just the first to do so – in spectacular fashion – but they also set a standard for British groups that came after them; groups that were self-contained, meaning they wrote their own songs, developed their own style, and had unique visual and musical trademarks. You do not need to have taken Part 1 of this course to attend Part 2.

Part 2 of this course will focus on the following:

Week 1: The Animals, The Kinks

Week 2: The Moody Blues, The Who

Week 3: The Rolling Stones

Week 4: One Hit Wonders

This course can be attended either in-person at the Thousand Oaks campus or virtually via Zoom.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people ages 50 and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university-level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.

As the center of the vast Ancient Roman Empire, the city of Rome developed as a thriving and monumental city, richly decorated and promoting the power of the Emperor. Walking the streets today, you still pass by many Roman ruins strewn throughout the city. Even more objects of art from the Roman Empire are preserved in the dozens of museums found in the city. This class will look at the history of Ancient Rome through the monuments that can still be found within the ancient walls.

This course can be attended either in-person at the Thousand Oaks campus or virtually via Zoom.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people ages 50 and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university-level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.