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Two of 2024's biggest new hitmakers consolidate their hold on the top of the pop charts, while a pair of stars from a previous generation — Katy Perry and Lady Gaga — both stumble with new work.

Doors open at 6pm, program begins at 6:30pm Dianne Lake was a beautiful and innocent wide eyed seventh grade student – whose hippie parents abandoned their traditional suburban lifestyle to join a cult called, The Wavy Gravy’s Hog Farm Commune in Tujunga, California. Along the way her parents met a man named Charles Manson. They were so impressed by him and, as unbelievable as it sounds, they turned their young daughter over to Manson. Dianne was just 14. What happened next is a personal odyssey that is hard to believe. She travelled with Manson’s raggle-taggle band of runaways and social misfits until they settled at the notorious Spahn Movie Ranch in Chatsworth, California. She became a chattel, a slave to Manson’s sexual whims and part of his depraved world of mind-blowing drugs which culminated in a series of horrendous, high profile Los Angeles murders in the Summer of l969. While never involved with any murders, Dianne was arrested and her life was almost destroyed. Today, in her late Sixties, she is a devout, church-going grandmother, who lives in Ventura County. She will tell her own unbelievable story of survival and redemption in the Museum of Ventura County’s newest episode of “Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with Dianne Lake” on Thursday March 24. Her story sounds like pure fiction but it’s all true. Museum members who register for this event (either in person or via Zoom) will be entered into a drawing to receive an autographed copy of Ivor Davis’ “Manson Exposed: A Reporter’s 50-Year Journey into Madness and Murder“. Become a member now and register for this event for your opportunity to receive the autographed book. Proof of vaccination will be required on arrival for in-person attendees. Masks will not be required for this event. If you would like a mask, we’re happy to provide one for you. Registration for Zoom closes at 4:30pm on March 24th.

Grammy-winning pianist Bill Cunliffe returns to Ojai for a special performance on Friday, September 30 at 7 pm. Come see this world-class musician at a new venue, Starborn Wellness Concert Hall in Meiners Oaks. Plus drummer Joe La Barbera and bassist Mike Gurrola join Bill on stage for this stellar night of jazz.

Imagine receiving an invitation to a gala featuring Bill Evans, Oscar Petersen, and Chick Corea. A piano performance by Bill Cunliffe is all that and more. It draws on Cunliffe’s decades of experience as a formidable jazz pianist and his considerable skill as a storyteller and teacher, producing a show that is greater than the sum of its dazzling parts. Bill has received four Grammy Nominations that resulted in his 2010 Grammy Award. He toured or recorded with Frank Sinatra, Freddy Hubbard, James Moody, Joe Henderson, Mary Lou Williams, and many others.

Joe La Barbera, an American jazz drummer and composer, is best known for his performances with pianist Bill Evans. His reputation grew in the 1970s when he recorded and toured with Chuck Mangione. He spent much of the 1980s and early 1990s with Tony Bennett. He also worked as a sideman for Jim Hall, Art Farmer, Art Pepper, John Scofield, Toots Thielemans, and Phil Woods.

Mike Gurrola quickly became an in-demand bassist on the international jazz-scene. He’s known for his solid technique, attentive musicianship, and his strong passion and love for the music. A Grammy-winner, and protégé of the great Ray Brown and John Clayton, Mike has toured and recorded with Eric Reed since 2013. He also stays busy with jazz A-listers including Benny Golson, Benny Green, Jeff Hamilton, Mary Stallings, Ralph Moore, Willie Jones III, and Roy McCurdy.

Tickets: $20 online, $25 at the door. Doors open at 6.30 pm. Free parking in the Ace Hardware lot.

No refunds. Questions? Call: 805-746-0936.

Motivational speaker Kathy Gruver, PhD will present “Be Yourself…But Who Is That?” at the next Association for Women in Communications, Santa Barbara chapter’s next meeting, scheduled from 5:30 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, at Workzones, 351 Paseo Nuevo in Santa Barbara. In her talk, Gruver will provide practical, easy, and effective techniques to know one’s communication personality in order to become better leaders and more efficient communicators.

The event is free for members and $25 for nonmembers. For more information visit awcsb.org.

For those that have a basic understanding of Qi Gong already and are ready for more advanced forms. This is the continuation of Qigong Level 1 workshop.

Join us for a rare and deeply nourishing seminar that bridges ancient wisdom and modern well-being. This immersive experience invites you into the timeless tradition of Shaolin Qi Gong and Kung Fu—arts rooted in mindfulness, healing, and the harmonious integration of body, mind, and spirit.

Under the guidance of Shifu Yantuo, a 34th-generation Shaolin master, you’ll be introduced to powerful yet gentle practices designed to awaken life force (Qi), enhance self-awareness, and cultivate resilience from the inside out.


What to Expect
* Insight & Wisdom: A rich introduction to internal Qi Gong—exploring flowing movement, breathwork, and meditative awareness as tools for healing and personal empowerment.
* Tea Ceremony: Begin with a calming tea ritual led by Flowing River, inviting presence, intention, and connection.

Qi Gong Practice - Level 2
* Ground yourself with standing meditation to activate internal energy.
* Learn the Eight Brocades, an accessible and profound Qi Gong form that opens energy pathways and promotes vitality.
* Conclude with a silent meditation to absorb and integrate the practice in deep stillness.


Why Attend?
* Deepen your mindfulness practice through embodied movement
* Experience traditional Qi Gong directly from a Shaolin lineage
* Support emotional balance, immune strength, and holistic well-being
* Reconnect with a sense of calm, clarity, and presence


Whether you're new to these practices or seeking to deepen your path of self-discovery, this seminar offers a sacred space to realign, reflect, and grow.

Facilitators

Shifu Yantuo

Common name: Wang Lu, Buddhist name: Shi Yan Tuo a 34th generation Shaolin disciple. Native of Shandong province of China. He has been learning local traditional martial arts from his father since he was six years of age. In 1997 given a special opportunity, he was able to enter and train in Shaolin Temple. In 2000 he formally became the 34th generation of Shaolin Warrior monk under his teacher, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, Shi Yong Xin. Under both his master’s strict and compassionate guidance and his long hours of practice, he quickly mastered traditional Kung Fu hand forms, weapons, sparring forms, and internal Qi Gong forms. Over the course of his training, he grasped the spirit of “Zen Kung Fu Are One” which embodies the need for both spiritual and physical training. Always keeping the essence of this phrase in mind, he quickly rose up the ranks and became one of the top students of the 34th generation. During the time when he was still training in the temple, he was able to participate in many international exchanges in America, Europe, Australia, Thailand, Korea and some more countries. In 2008, the Shaolin Temple was given the privilege to go to Seoul, Korea’ s Shaolin’s Cultural Center to spread the teachings of Shaolin. In 2009, he was given the rare opportunity to begin teaching in Los Angles and Bay Area. In 2014 he established school the Shaolin Temple of San Diego until 2020.

Now based in Seattle, WA teaching via online, in person, and traveling for seminars. He wishes to spread the spirit and essence of Shaolin Arts and Kung Fu to others.


Flowing RIver

Flowing River is a poet, musician, and spiritualist that studies under the tutelage of Bhai Bahadur Singh Ji and the Sangat of the Divine Light. Having traveled to over 30 countries over the past 15 years he has amassed a wealth of knowledge on how to cleanse, clear, and purify the mind, body, and spirit. Flowing River shares this wisdom freely with all who are ready to make a positive change in their lives for the better. Now he aims to cultivate conscious community through cups of tea that warm the heart and enlighten the soul.

Discover inner stillness, cultivate vitality, and reconnect with your true nature.

Join us for a rare and deeply nourishing seminar that bridges ancient wisdom and modern well-being. This immersive experience invites you into the timeless tradition of Shaolin Qi Gong and Kung Fu—arts rooted in mindfulness, healing, and the harmonious integration of body, mind, and spirit.

Under the guidance of Shifu Yantuo, a 34th-generation Shaolin master, you’ll be introduced to powerful yet gentle practices designed to awaken life force (Qi), enhance self-awareness, and cultivate resilience from the inside out.


What to Expect
* Insight & Wisdom: A rich introduction to internal Qi Gong—exploring flowing movement, breathwork, and meditative awareness as tools for healing and personal empowerment.
* Tea Ceremony: Begin with a calming tea ritual led by Flowing River, inviting presence, intention, and connection.

Qi Gong Practice - Level 1
* Ground yourself with standing meditation to activate internal energy.
* Learn the Eight Brocades, an accessible and profound Qi Gong form that opens energy pathways and promotes vitality.
* Conclude with a silent meditation to absorb and integrate the practice in deep stillness.


Why Attend?
* Deepen your mindfulness practice through embodied movement
* Experience traditional Qi Gong directly from a Shaolin lineage
* Support emotional balance, immune strength, and holistic well-being
* Reconnect with a sense of calm, clarity, and presence


Whether you're new to these practices or seeking to deepen your path of self-discovery, this seminar offers a sacred space to realign, reflect, and grow.

Facilitators

Shifu Yantuo

Common name: Wang Lu, Buddhist name: Shi Yan Tuo a 34th generation Shaolin disciple. Native of Shandong province of China. He has been learning local traditional martial arts from his father since he was six years of age. In 1997 given a special opportunity, he was able to enter and train in Shaolin Temple. In 2000 he formally became the 34th generation of Shaolin Warrior monk under his teacher, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, Shi Yong Xin. Under both his master’s strict and compassionate guidance and his long hours of practice, he quickly mastered traditional Kung Fu hand forms, weapons, sparring forms, and internal Qi Gong forms. Over the course of his training, he grasped the spirit of “Zen Kung Fu Are One” which embodies the need for both spiritual and physical training. Always keeping the essence of this phrase in mind, he quickly rose up the ranks and became one of the top students of the 34th generation. During the time when he was still training in the temple, he was able to participate in many international exchanges in America, Europe, Australia, Thailand, Korea and some more countries. In 2008, the Shaolin Temple was given the privilege to go to Seoul, Korea’ s Shaolin’s Cultural Center to spread the teachings of Shaolin. In 2009, he was given the rare opportunity to begin teaching in Los Angles and Bay Area. In 2014 he established school the Shaolin Temple of San Diego until 2020.

Now based in Seattle, WA teaching via online, in person, and traveling for seminars. He wishes to spread the spirit and essence of Shaolin Arts and Kung Fu to others.


Flowing RIver

Flowing River is a poet, musician, and spiritualist that studies under the tutelage of Bhai Bahadur Singh Ji and the Sangat of the Divine Light. Having traveled to over 30 countries over the past 15 years he has amassed a wealth of knowledge on how to cleanse, clear, and purify the mind, body, and spirit. Flowing River shares this wisdom freely with all who are ready to make a positive change in their lives for the better. Now he aims to cultivate conscious community through cups of tea that warm the heart and enlighten the soul.

As part of its monthly lecture series, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) is pleased to present “Sinkable: The Mysterious World of Shipwrecks and the Titanic” with Daniel Stone on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. In his presentation, Stone will draw on his book, SINKABLE: Obsession, the Deep Sea, and the Shipwreck of the Titanic, as he dives into the incredible culture of shipwrecks in human history and in our own waters. Timelier than ever, Stone utilizes the Titanic as a lens to explore the topic of shipwrecks, including the fascinating science and aftermath.

Since the beginning of 2022 alone, several major shipwrecks have been found. From Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance to the Atlanta, which was found in Lake Superior, and to an ancient wreck found off the coast of Greece and the discovery of a marble head of Hercules from 2,000 years ago, each discovery brings new attention and fascination with the deep sea and its treasures. Driven by his own curiosity about shipwrecks, Stone spent years interviewing marine biologists and astrophysicists, wreck experts, historians, and many more. From the Titanic to the USS Maine, Stone’s book, and presentation, takes readers on a deep dive into the depths of the world’s oceans and the people who devote their lives to tracking lost ships and lost treasure.

“So many of us grew up living with the ghost of the Titanic without realizing that she was still alive, only in another form,” said Rachel Lance, author of In the Waves: My Quest to Solve the Mystery of a Civil War Submarine. “Daniel Stone pushes back the murky waters of the ocean to reveal the secret second phase of a ship’s life, the one that occurs after it has disappeared from the view of all humanity, except for intrepid explorers and daring optimists. The story is beautifully written, captivating from the first line, and an engrossing reminder of the inextricable link between those of us living above the ocean, and the things lurking below it. Including the shipwrecks.”

The cost is free for SBMM’s Navigator Circle Members, $10 for all other members, and $20 for members of the public. There will also be a pre-lecture reception for members only from 6:15-6:45 p.m.

Register at https://sbmm.org/santa-barbara-event/sinkable-the-mysterious-world-of-shipwrecks-and-the-titanic-with-daniel-stone/ and learn how to become a member at https://sbmm.org/santa-barbara-maritime-museum-membership/.

The lecture series is generously sponsored by Marie L. Morrisroe. The lecture reception is generously sponsored by Hank and Mari Mitchel and Tim and Louise Casey.

About Our Speaker – Daniel Stone

A native of Los Angeles, Daniel Stone is a national bestselling writer on adventure, history, and science. He is a former senior editor for National Geographic and a former White House correspondent for Newsweek. His first book, The Food Explorer, was a national bestseller and selected as the American Horticultural Society’s book of the year. The Food Explorer is currently in development for a TV series. His book Sinkable, released in 2022, is about shipwrecks, the deep sea, and the strange underworld of shipwreck obsession.

Stone is also a professor of environmental science and policy at Johns Hopkins University, where he teaches environmental communication, history, and storytelling. He is an occasional contributor to The Washington Post, Time Magazine, and Vice, and has presented at the National Academy of Sciences. A lover of science and the outdoors, he currently lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and two sons, one of whom is a dog.

'Tis the season for a handful of familiar Christmas songs to monopolize the top spots on the Billboard pop chart. But a few newer songs are making a play to join the annual holiday jukebox.

Make it a memorable Memorial Day weekend with a visit to the Carpinteria Valley Historical Society and History Museum’s outdoor fundraiser, The Marketplace, scheduled for Saturday, May 27, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the museum grounds at 956 Maple Ave. in downtown Carpinteria.

Known for its variety of vendors and their unique offerings — which includes handcrafted gifts, specialty foods, toys, antiques, furniture, jewelry, clothing, plants, musical instruments, household items including quilts, kitchenware, and chinaware, and tons more — the Marketplace has something for everybody. Prices at Granny’s Attic, the booth operated by the museum, start at 25 cents.

Janet Rutland, owner of Silverquest, offers a curated collection of sterling silver jewelry from around the world, but mainly from artists in Mexico. She and her husband Mickey will be at booth #6. “We have searched for jewelry in the most interesting places! We have unique styles and something for everyone! I am also located at The Vintage Nest in Fillmore,” suggests Rutland. “Please support this beautiful work.” For more information, email janet@silverquestia.com, call 805-727-0322, or visit @silverquestia.

Hot dogs, cold beverages, and snacks will be available for purchase, and as always admission is free to the Marketplace. Musical entertainment includes Mavis Hansen and the Ukulele Jammers.

For more information, call (805) 684-3112, email info@carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org, or visit carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org. The next Marketplace is scheduled for June 24.

40th Annual Light Up a Life Ceremony

Join Hospice of Santa Barbara for their 40th Annual Light Up A Life. This beloved community tradition takes place to remember and honor those you miss this holiday season.
Light Up a Life will host four ceremonies, featuring speakers and special guests, entertainment, refreshments, and the lighting of a memorial tree. Guests can also hang one or more stars in memory of a loved one who has died or in honor of someone living.

Locations include:

Santa Barbara (Lobero Theatre) - Sunday, December 3 at 5:30 pm
Montecito (Upper Village Green) - Wednesday, December 6 at 4:00 pm
Carpinteria (Seal Fountain) - Saturday, December 9 at 5:00 pm
Goleta (Camino Real Marketplace) - Sunday, December 10 at 5:00 pm


In addition to the four in person ceremonies, you can also dedicate a star to a loved one on HSB’s Virtual Tree of Remembrance. For a suggested donation of $15, you can dedicate a digital star(s) with their loved one’s name, photo, and a special message.
All events are free. To learn more and dedicate a star to a loved one in person at one of the four locations or on the Virtual Tree of Remembrance, please visit: http://www.hospiceofsb.org/lual