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🎬 Festival Highlights

⦁ Opening Night (Thursday, Libbey Bowl) Free community screening of The Rare Breed (1966), a family-friendly Western starring Jimmy Stewart and Juliet Mills. Juliet Mills, this year’s Distinguished Artist Award recipient and Ojai local, will give a Q&A before the movie. 
⦁ 91 films total, representing 36 countries from around the world: Narrative and documentary shorts and features and Animation. Screenings run throughout the day, Thursday through Monday, at Ojai Art Center and Matilija Auditorium
⦁ Seminars and panels (Art Center Gallery) include presentation on silent films shot on the Channel Islands, post-production music panel on the role of music in independent film, distribution & film entertainment seminar led by  Tisha Morris and Michelle Edelman, AI in Film Panel featuring Mary Duda, one of the world’s foremost AI experts, with additional AI specialists joining via Zoom and in person.
⦁ Winning Screenplay Table Read: live performance with actors and a director interpreting the festival’s screenplay contest winner.
⦁ Receptions Friday and Saturday nights
⦁  Closing Day (Monday) Gold Coast showcase at Matilija Auditorium — films produced locally in Ojai, Ventura County, and surrounding area. 

We've never backed down from a fight, and we won't start now.
Join us for Boogie for Our Bodies 2026, a space-themed disco at the Wildcat Lounge. Dance out your stress, recharge your activist battery, and gear up for the year ahead with like-minded friends.
This will be an outdoor silent disco with wireless headphones rather than a speaker system. Inside we will have a regular DJ and dancing. There will be a raffle, costume contest, and more.
Please note this venue is 21+. We encourage attendees to dress up in their most out of this world attire - think astronauts and aliens, the sky is not the limit! Come get funky for our fundamental rights.

Join the Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara for a musical journey through the misty Highlands and lively village halls of Scotland, featuring special guests Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas. The musical partnership between Alasdair Fraser, long regarded as Scotland's premier fiddle ambassador, and the sizzlingly-talented Californian cellist Natalie Haas showcases dazzling teamwork, driving rhythms, and a shared passion for improvising on the melody and the groove of Scottish tunes has helped reconstruct and revive the Scottish tradition of playing dance music on violin and cello. They have toured internationally for over twenty-five years, wowing audiences at festivals and concerts worldwide with their unique sound and have released six critically acclaimed, award-winning albums along the way. From the tender beauty of Wild Mountain Thyme to the rousing anthem of Flower of Scotland, this concert captures the heart and soul of Scottish tradition. Expect fiddles to soar, cellos to sing, and bagpipes to fill the hall with spirit and fire.

Join the Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara for a musical journey through the misty Highlands and lively village halls of Scotland, featuring special guests Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas. The musical partnership between Alasdair Fraser, long regarded as Scotland's premier fiddle ambassador, and the sizzlingly-talented Californian cellist Natalie Haas showcases dazzling teamwork, driving rhythms, and a shared passion for improvising on the melody and the groove of Scottish tunes has helped reconstruct and revive the Scottish tradition of playing dance music on violin and cello. They have toured internationally for over twenty-five years, wowing audiences at festivals and concerts worldwide with their unique sound and have released six critically acclaimed, award-winning albums along the way. From the tender beauty of Wild Mountain Thyme to the rousing anthem of Flower of Scotland, this concert captures the heart and soul of Scottish tradition. Expect fiddles to soar, cellos to sing, and bagpipes to fill the hall with spirit and fire.

Please join us for an in-gallery conversation with artist Harmonia Rosales and Dr. Helen Morales about Rosales’ debut book Chronicles of Ori: An African Epic (2025). While the original stories of the Orishas were passed down through traditional oral storytelling, in Chronicles of Ori Rosales presents a linear narrative framework, weaving age-old and her own ancestral knowledge to shape a sweeping and singular literary experience. The event will take place inside the Art, Design & Architecture Museum at UC Santa Barbara on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. A book signing will follow immediately after the discussion, and books will be available for purchase at the Museum.

Harmonia Rosales is an American artist from Chicago whose work depicts and honors African myths and the diaspora. Her artwork is held by numerous public and private collections across the United States. She lives in Los Angeles, California.
Helen Morales is the James and Sarah Argyropoulos Professor in Hellenic Studies at UC Santa Barbara. In 2022 she was the lead curator of the exhibition Harmonia Rosales: Entwined at UCSB’s Art, Design & Architecture Museum. It toured (with additional material) at the Brooks Museum of Art in Memphis Tennessee, and at Spelman College.

Join the Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara for a musical journey through the misty Highlands and lively village halls of Scotland, featuring special guests Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas. The musical partnership between Alasdair Fraser, long regarded as Scotland's premier fiddle ambassador, and the sizzlingly-talented Californian cellist Natalie Haas showcases dazzling teamwork, driving rhythms, and a shared passion for improvising on the melody and the groove of Scottish tunes has helped reconstruct and revive the Scottish tradition of playing dance music on violin and cello. They have toured internationally for over twenty-five years, wowing audiences at festivals and concerts worldwide with their unique sound and have released six critically acclaimed, award-winning albums along the way. From the tender beauty of Wild Mountain Thyme to the rousing anthem of Flower of Scotland, this concert captures the heart and soul of Scottish tradition. Expect fiddles to soar, cellos to sing, and bagpipes to fill the hall with spirit and fire.

Veterans Day Ceremony: Honoring our men and women in uniform who proudly serve
Presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1649 and the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation

We are pleased to be hosting the Santa Barbara community Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11th at 11:00 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early; the ceremony begins at 11:00 AM sharp and concludes with a spectacular flyover by The Condor Squadron. The ceremony will take place at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive. Known as one of the city’s most beautiful outdoor locations, the venue’s driveway will be decorated with dozens of American flags. The ceremony will take place near the main flagpole, with seating available for up to 500, with additional standing room. THIS IS A FREE EVENT.
The open air ceremony begins at 11:00 a.m. with presentations and performances by the UCSB Color Guard; Gold Coast Pipe & Drum Band; David Gonzales and the Santa Barbara Choral Society, The Prime Time Band. This year we are proud to present the Sons of the American Revolution; first ever performance of “The Veteran” by Barry De Vorson; and a flyover by The Condor Squadron.
To learn more, please visit https://www.pcvf.org/veterans-day-ceremony


Date: Tuesday, November 11th, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Price: FREE
Location: Santa Barbara Cemetery (901 Channel Drive., Santa Barbara, CA 93108)

Join us for the 10th Annual Santa Monica Playhouse BFF Binge Fringe Festival of FREE Theatre, Oct 14 – Nov 16, the only FREE Fringe Festival in the nation, offering over 36 plays, workshops and family-oriented events. The Playhouse proudly presents Maegan Mandarino’s celebration of the joy, complexity, and humanity of two titans of comedy, bringing their unforgettable legacy to life in a way that feels as fresh as it is timeless.

“A powerful testament to Mandarino’s talent, her vision and her sensitivity as a writer and performer.” BroadWorld.com.

It’s a whirlwind of laughter, music, and heartfelt storytelling, a theatrical spectacle that invites audiences to step into the touching, and surreal world of two comedy legends—Gilda Radner and Gene Wilder—explored through their larger-than-life personas and the dynamic love story that tied them together. A blend of absurdist theater and vaudeville-inspired musical numbers, BIG HAIR captivates audiences with its witty humor, emotional depth, and a dash of nostalgia. Interwoven with rare film and interview clips, the production offers a glimpse into the untamed comedy and tender romance that defined the lives of these two icons. It’s a show that promises laughs, tears, and a lingering sense of "what could have been."

Pal Mel Productions proudly supports Big Hair, continuing Gene Wilder’s legacy by championing artist-driven works and celebrating his spirit through storytelling, social media, and philanthropic events. Follow them on Instagram @genewilder_official or at their website GeneWilderOfficial.com

Post show Closing Night Wine & Refreshments Reception with the cast

Binge on Theatre this Fall – give your couch a rest!

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

with Bent Olsen, Owner of Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery

ADMISSION: DONATION

When: 2PM on Sunday, November 16th
Where: The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake
Meet & greet reception with light refreshments to follow.

Guest speaker Bent Olsen will speak on Danish Bakeries in Solvang, California. Learn how six Danish bakeries have been able to thrive in Solvang, a small village of just 6,000 residents with a unique history. Peer into the rich culture and passed down techniques of Danish baking. Get a taste for yourself and sample the Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery signature pastry. Fresh brewed coffee will be provided, courtesy of El Rancho Marketplace. The presentation will finish with a Q&A.

Website: olsensdanishvillagebakery.com
Phone: (805) 688-6314

The Neal Taylor Nature Center (NTNC) is located within Cachuma Recreational Area in a picturesque old ranch house. Developed and operated by a corps of committed volunteers, it offers exhibits on the local valley and mountain environment for all ages, emphasizing hands-on exhibits for children of all ages.

Nature Center & Gift Store Hours
Thursday through Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nature Center Admission: Donations Appreciated
(There is a $10.00 County Park Entrance Fee per vehicle)

Get crafty for the holidays! Create simple designs on linoleum blocks to print on cards or gift tags, or to make your own wrapping paper. You will learn about designing a simple shape, using carving tools, and making variations in your prints. All tools and materials are provided. For ages 13+.