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For almost everyone, the very word "Motown" is synonymous with the great songs and artists of the 60s and 70s- not the auto industry! But why Detroit, and why those decades? In this class we will explore the historic relevance of that musical hub of success as we discuss the songs and bios of those great artists. No doubt Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, 4 Tops and Smoky Robinson need no introduction! It is unusual that one Record Company could produce these artists and so many more over those years. We'll also discover the behind-the-scenes people that made it all work. Come join us as we share those musical memories of Motown --- Detroit's other industry!

Tony Moon has spent 60 successful years in the music business. Beginning in 1960, he joined the L.A. group Dante and The Evergreens, which was managed and produced by Lou Adler and Herb Alpert. He later moved to Nashville, becoming the guitarist and conductor for Brenda Lee. Tony also began playing on recording sessions and was Nashville's first rock independent music producer, working with five major labels. He scored several big hits for The Vogues, including "5 O' Clock World." Tony has won several awards as a songwriter and music publisher. His songs have been released by artists as diverse as Porter Wagoner, Willie Nelson, Vickie Carr, Pearl Jam, and The Beatles.

He currently administers several Music Publishing Companies and a New York Entertainment Company.

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

This course can be attended online via Zoom.

In this course we will discuss the historical context of GenAI (generative artificial intelligence) technology and how this context influences its evolution.

Week One: Where did artificial intelligence (AI) come from?
We will briefly survey the history of technology and our desire to build “smart mechanical systems” such as the Antikythera machine, the Mechanical Turk, the Analytical Machine and the Turing Machine. We will take a quick detour into cognitive science examining some theories about human information processing. We will use this context to discuss more recent inventions, such as perceptrons, Eliza, expert systems and deep learning networks.

Week Two: What is Generative AI (GenAI)?
We will discuss a basic view of a neural network and its biological correlates, which will help us to understand the concept of natural language processing and how machines understand words. We want to see how language plays a role in cognition. This will lead us to examining the big fuss around ChatGPT and exploring some known applications of GenAI in business, arts, healthcare, defense, and more.

Week Three: What’s next with Generative AI?
We will discuss several questions about Gen AI: Does GenAI continue to get better? What are ways to improve it? What should we expect in terms of the future of GenAI capabilities in 5 years, 50 years? We might even speculate when Star Trek science fiction becomes reality.

Week Four: What does Generative AI mean to us humans?
We will conclude by discussing our relationship with technology in general and generative AI more specifically. We’ll discuss the meaning of terms like “responsible AI” and “alignment”? I’d like to end with some philosophical questions relating to consciousness and what it means to be human in the context artificial intelligence.

Ram Prayaga has over 25 years of experience building and managing technology. Ram is currently the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Atalan Tech, Inc and he is excited about their mission of improving the retention and well-being of our healthcare providers. Prior to Atalan and following a brief stint as an LAUSD high school math teacher, Ram was the founding Chief Technology Officer (Product and Technology) of mPulse Mobile, Inc. a successful health tech company. Ram is an adjunct faculty member with Cal Lutheran’s School of Management and truly enjoys the experience of learning from his students while sharing his knowledge and perspectives. Ram has a Computer Science/Math degree from the University of Bergen, Norway, and an MS in Computer Science from USC. He also completed about 3 years of graduate work in Cognitive Science at UCSD. He believes he plays soccer while others suggest he might just be chasing a ball…

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

This course can be attended online via Zoom or in-person at our Oxnard campus.

Join AWC-SB for an evening of networking, inspiration and engaging discussion at our fall season opening event. Meet local Sommelier Jamie Knee and learn how she turned her passion for wine into a career. Meet new communication professionals, reconnect with AWC-SB friends, and enjoy:

• “How to Describe the Wine in Your Glass” workshop
• AWC-SB member Jamie Knee, Petite Wine Traveler, shares how she became a global wine communicator/writer/educator
• Interactive small group breakout sessions for brainstorming and feedback on your plans or ideas

Wednesday, September 11
5:30 p.m. at WorkZones
(351 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara)

Members free; Guests $25

Register: https://awcsb.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=424507&item_id=2355926

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) kicks off its exciting new season with Las Cafeteras. Enjoy the dynamic rhythms of Las Cafeteras with three free community performances.


Born and raised East of the Los Angeles River, Las Cafeteras are a sonic explosion of Afro-Mexican rhythms, electronic beats, and powerful rhymes that document stories of a community seeking to “build a world where many worlds fit.” This dynamic group transcends genres from Afro-Mexican to Americana, from Soul to Son Jarocho, from Roots to Rock and Hip-Hop. The use of traditional instrumentation like the eight string jarana, four string requinto, quijada (donkey jawbone), and tarima (wooden platform) produce their unique and electrifying sound.


Las Cafeteras has performed with Mexican icons Café Tacuba, Natalia LaFourcade, Lila Downs, Gypsy Kings, Colombian superstar Juanes, hip-hop artist Common, Los Angeles legends Ozomatli and Los Lobos, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and many more.


For more information about Las Cafeteras and Viva, please visit https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/learn/viva-el-arte-de-santa-barbara/.


THREE FREE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES


Friday, September 6 | 7 PM | Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Rd, Goleta
Saturday, September 7 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall, 918 Obispo St, Guadalupe, CA
Sunday, September 8 | 6 PM | The Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E Cota St, Santa Barbara

ReadersMagnet is ready to take people on an exciting adventure through the beautiful world of books at the Book Confab Chicago


The self-publishing and book marketing company ReadersMagnet continues to work hard to help passionate authors share their stories with the world and build their brand and readership – one book confab at a time.

At ReadersMagnet’s book confab, established and emerging authors shine under the spotlight. They have successfully been what lovers of literature need: the perfect hub for a memorable experience for writers and readers.

In the hustling and bustling city of Chicago, the magic of literature and the power of storytelling come alive at the Book Confab Chicago. The Book Confab Chicago – ReadersMagnet’s second book confab this year and sixth overall – will be held on September 4-5, 2024, at 637 South Dearborn St., Chicago, IL.

From booktok sessions to scavenger hunts to live author interviews and more, the Book Confab Chicago will make sure to keep literature’s enchantment alive.

The Book Confab Chicago features a wide array of talented authors who are eager to share the stories beyond their stories through the exclusive and enriching booktok sessions, where lively discussions among readers and writers happen. Here, authors and their masterpieces shine.

So, for the passionate writers and readers, make sure to attend the first-ever book confab in Chicago, which will be held in front of Printers Row Park. Join ReadersMagnet in celebrating the art of literature and storytelling in the Windy City.

Get in touch with ReadersMagnet by calling (619) 202-8900 or sending an email to events@readersmagnet.com.

1st Thursday | Thursday, September 5 | 5-8:00 PM

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

Enjoy access after hours with wine and music while you explore our galleries, including our latest exhibition, Project Fiesta! Celebrating a Centennial of Old Spanish Days Fiesta.

Join Latin Jazz band Mezcal Martini for music and dancing in our courtyard from 6-7:30 pm.

Free. No RSVP required.

https://www.sbhistorical.org/events/

Concierto Íntimo

Join us for an intimate show by Seffarine

Thursday, August 22
Location: Covarrubias Adobe

The sounds that stir the dry winds of Southern Spain and Morocco, two countries separated by only a whisper of the Mediterranean, are the musical DNA of a beautifully complex extended family linking North Africa and Europe.

The musicians of Seffarine, soulful Moroccan singer Lamiae Naki and flamenco guitarist Nat Hulskamp embrace and extend this rich legacy. These diverse backgrounds meld, creating what SoundRoots describes as "an ear-caressing blend of sounds from Spain and North Africa, spiced with a bit of fiery instrumentation and percussion."

Tickets purchased through Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/concierto-intimo-seffarine-tickets-940802845637?aff=oddtdtcreator

Popular Santa Barbara band The Doublewide Kings headline a rockin’ and family-friendly outdoor “Local Vibes” concert at Elings Park on Friday, September 27 starting at 5 p.m.

The Doublewide Kings perform rollicking versions of the best of CSNY, Rolling Stones, Allman Brothers, The Band, and others, plus original songs. Local guitar phenom Jackson Gillies is sitting in.

Troubadour rocker Johnny Irion performs a solo opening set and joins the band for a few songs. His songs are “handcrafted as lovingly as the jeans on the back of [Neil Young’s] After the Goldrush,” says Rolling Stone. A new release “Sleeping Soldiers of Love” just dropped.

Arwin Lewis is renowned for her angelic yet soulful voice, melody-laced folk, gritty blues, potent rock ‘n’ roll, and popular SoundCloud podcast.

Opening the evening are Scarlett & Amelia, a budding local teen duo known for their remarkable vocal blend.

Advance general admission tickets are $29 for adults and free for children under 12. Purchase online at www.elingspark.org/events/kings. Parking is limited and costs $10 per car. Ridesharing is encouraged. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Camerata Pacifica launches its 2024-25 season with an all-French chamber program bursting with aural texture and musical bravura September 15-20, 2024, at four Southern California venues. Debussy’s brilliant and painterly Images, Book II, is bookended by Ravel’s Sonata for Violin and Cello, a spare but captivating work with memorable melodies dedicated to Debussy, and Ravel’s poetic Piano Trio in A Minor, a masterpiece that shimmers with harmonic originality.

The performances are Sunday, September 15, 3:00 pm, at Thousand Oaks’ Janet and Ray Scherr Forum; Tuesday, September 17, 7:30 pm, at The Huntington’s Rothenberg Hall in San Marino; Thursday, September 19, 8:00 pm, at Zipper Hall in Downtown Los Angeles; Friday, September 20, 7:00 pm, at Santa Barbara’s Music Academy of the West.

Showcasing their virtuosity in the technically demanding repertoire are Paul Huang, Camerata Pacifica’s Bob Christensen Chair in Violin, “a compelling podium presence” (Culture OC), and recipient of the 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 2017 Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists; Columbian cellist Santiago Cañón- Valencia, hailed as “technically flawless” (The Strad), named a 2022 BBC New Generation Artist, and Silver Medalist and “Audience Favorite” at the 2019 XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition; and Principal Piano Gilles Vonsattel, “a pianist well worth watching” (The New York Times). Camerata Pacifica is a chamber music collective renowned for its musical versatility and bold programming that illuminates the limitless scope of the chamber music repertoire.

Camerata Pacifica’s next program, October 25-30, 2024, traverses groundbreaking music from the 20th century and the dawn of the era with works by Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, and Mei Fukushima.

For tickets ($75 at The Huntington, Music Academy of the West, and Zipper Hall; $80 at Janet and Ray Scherr Forum) and information, visit www.cameratapacifica.org.

Camerata Pacifica launches its 2024-25 season with an all-French chamber program bursting with aural texture and musical bravura September 15-20, 2024, at four Southern California venues. Debussy’s brilliant and painterly Images, Book II, is bookended by Ravel’s Sonata for Violin and Cello, a spare but captivating work with memorable melodies dedicated to Debussy, and Ravel’s poetic Piano Trio in A Minor, a masterpiece that shimmers with harmonic originality.

The performances are Sunday, September 15, 3:00 pm, at Thousand Oaks’ Janet and Ray Scherr Forum; Tuesday, September 17, 7:30 pm, at The Huntington’s Rothenberg Hall in San Marino; Thursday, September 19, 8:00 pm, at Zipper Hall in Downtown Los Angeles; Friday, September 20, 7:00 pm, at Santa Barbara’s Music Academy of the West.

Showcasing their virtuosity in the technically demanding repertoire are Paul Huang, Camerata Pacifica’s Bob Christensen Chair in Violin, “a compelling podium presence” (Culture OC), and recipient of the 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 2017 Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists; Columbian cellist Santiago Cañón- Valencia, hailed as “technically flawless” (The Strad), named a 2022 BBC New Generation Artist, and Silver Medalist and “Audience Favorite” at the 2019 XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition; and Principal Piano Gilles Vonsattel, “a pianist well worth watching” (The New York Times). Camerata Pacifica is a chamber music collective renowned for its musical versatility and bold programming that illuminates the limitless scope of the chamber music repertoire.

For tickets ($75 at The Huntington, Music Academy of the West, and Zipper Hall; $80 at Janet and Ray Scherr Forum) and information, visit www.cameratapacifica.org.