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Santa Barbara Public Library and UCSB Library present a free lecture by Melanie Cervantes, artist and cultural worker. A co-founder of Dignidad Rebelde, a graphic arts collaboration that produces screen prints, political posters and multimedia projects that are grounded in Third World and Indigenous movements, Melanie will discuss her work as a visual artist, inspired by the people around her and her communities’ desire for radical social transformation.

This event may be photographed or recorded.

Image Description: Image of Melanie Cervantes working on a graphic print

A brave reminder that choosing yourself isn’t betrayal, it’s truth-telling.
Kerry Docherty—co-founder of the lifestyle clothing brand Faherty—takes the stage to discuss “Selfish: Unlearning, Reclaiming & Telling the Truth,” her provocative memoir. She’ll be joined in conversation by Molly Rosen, the founder of the Brooklyn Writers Collective, an international creative community devoted to the power of personal narrative, and actor Jordana Brewster.
After years spent prioritizing other people’s needs (her husband, their business, their children) over her own, Kerry reached a threshold she was ready to cross: putting herself first.
Determined to feel seen—as an artist, activist, poet, romantic—she began to steal simple moments for herself, replacing her to-do lists with poems, pushing the business towards the things she cared about, and widening her circle of creative friends. However, as she leaned more deeply into her passions and purpose, she found herself veering into an ambiguous relationship with a musician, a potentially destructive direction that would seriously test her marriage.
With incisive observation, biting humor, and searing honesty, “Selfish” details Kerry’s twisting, sometimes conflicted journey to self-understanding. It chronicles her efforts to reconcile capitalism with her own heart’s desire, her complicated family dynamics, her struggles with motherhood, and her efforts to rediscover parts of herself buried under other people’s expectations.

Mark the date for the public reception of this year’s MFA Exhibition. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to all.

After a sell-out closing night in April, Steve Stajich’s new play “Larry’s Back…” is back for one night only to support the Santa Monica Playhouse Benefit Series.

At dinner, Olivia, her husband Larry and their lawyer Desmond toast the success of their venture – a socially-minded business to help single moms - when Larry makes a startling and upsetting announcement and hastily leaves the house. Desmond and Olivia are certain Larry is acting out some bizarre gag. But is he? And when will Larry be back? Steve Stajich’s new play starts with a mystery, moves through the disruption of a marriage, eventually reveals the truth behind Larry’s behavior, exploring the sometimes bizarre and unknowable reasons why we do the things we do.

Says playwright Stajich: “The pursuit of theater storytelling requires disciplined actors, a supportive environment, and the most important element of all: YOU…audiences seeking something more than our screens can provide. Something that reminds us we are not the chaos on CNN; that even when we’re not quite ourselves, we can love with dedication, spirit and the guidance of our souls. Come share our humanity and help us make theater.”

Written and directed by Steve Stajich, featuring Mary Carrig (Law & Order True Crime, The Escort, Criminal Minds), John Malone (The Obit, Auto Parts, Little Black Lies), Frank Wiley (10 Little Indians, Strays, Elkhorn S2). Production Stage Manager Haleigh Byers.

Proceeds support the Santa Monica Playhouse Save the Main Stage Campaign.

Join the Satellite Coast Research Project (UC Santa Barbara) for a community drawing workshop. Participants will explore their experiences of Lompoc, the Vandenberg Air/Space Force Base, and rocket launches through a series of guided drawing exercises. Together, we will experiment with different ways to communicate experiences and concerns through drawing techniques. All supplies provided and no artistic experience necessary! Light refreshments will be provided. This workshop is designed for adults 18+.

The 5th Annual Down the Rabbit Hole Craft Beer & Music Charity Festival returns to Thousand Oaks on Saturday, June 20, bringing together live music, craft beverages and food in a festive community setting.

Presented by Pedals & Pints Brewing Company and the Westlake Village Rotary Club, festival goers can enjoy two stages of live Americana & Country music featuring artists Nikki Lane, Uncle Lucius, Jake Kohn and Emily Nenni, with additional performances throughout the day from 1pm through 9:30 p.m.

From noon to 3:00 p.m., attendees can sample tastings from more than 30 breweries, wineries, distilleries, and specialty beverage producers from Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The festival includes a curated artisan vendor marketplace, a Dave & Buster’s Fun Zone, and local food trucks.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Ventura County Fire Department’s Widows, Orphans & Assistance Fund as well as The Westlake Village Rotary charitable programs.

The festival takes place in the south parking lot at The Oaks Mall, across from Pedals & Pints Brewing Company. Craft beer tasting and music, music-only, and VIP ticket options are available. For tickets and festival information, visit https://rabbitholefest.com. Questions: info@rabbitholefest.com.

Braver Angels’ National Ambassador, John Wood Jr. will speak in Santa Barbara on May 23 to articulate the grassroots organization’s renewed vision. Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. The event starts at noon at Oceanhills Covenant Church in downtown Santa Barbara, with plenty of free parking.

John Wood Jr is Braver Angels’ national ambassador and director of public engagement. He comes to Santa Barbara to deliver an important message from the leadership team about our renewed vision and mission and to relaunch the Santa Barbara chapter that began in 2016. Throughout our history as a nation we have always had to meet each moment of division and discord with courage and willingness to engage with the ideas that can divide us. Braver Angels’ vision is an America that recognizes difference as a strength, and not a weakness. There is no better messenger than Wood.

North America’s largest award-winning interactive true crime murder mystery dinner show invites you into a night of laughter, mystery, and audience-driven intrigue. Enjoy a full dinner while a hilarious crime unfolds around you—but stay alert. The culprit is hiding in plain sight, and before the night is over, you could find yourself named a Prime Suspect.

Now playing at Los Robles Greens - Sunset Ballroom in Thousand Oaks, CA, this murder mystery dinner experience is unlike traditional dinner theater. Our professional actors are not in costume and are secretly planted among the guests, creating a modern, social, and highly interactive evening. Each ticket includes our signature live murder mystery show, a complete dinner, waitstaff gratuity, and plenty of unexpected twists. Reserve your tickets now and crack the case before it’s too late.

Planning a group celebration or private event in Thousand Oaks? We specialize in custom private shows for companies, parties, and organizations of nearly any size—hosted at our public venue or brought directly to your location. Perfect for team outings, corporate events, and unforgettable celebrations.

Gently used books, CD’s, DVD’s and puzzles at low, low prices. Come early for the best selections. **All proceeds go to support the Buellton Library.**

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum will host an artist walkthrough of Aquean at 12:30 p.m. on May 16, 2026, followed by book signings with artists David Ellis and Larry Vigon. This evocative multimedia exhibition explores time, tides, and transformation through paintings, photographs, video, and mixed media that examine the sea as both subject and metaphor. Highlights include Ellis’s Lobospheres: The Lost Souls of Point Lobos, a 20-year photographic exploration of wave-carved forms, and Vigon’s Flotsam & Jetsam, an immersive body of paintings, prints, found objects, linocuts, video, and dimensional collages. Visit sbmm.org for details.