••• Santa Barbara Art Essentials is moving later this year: “Our current downtown space is going to become an expanded Christ Presbyterian Church and we have been compelled to look for new digs.” Here’s hoping it finds somewhere downtown; businesses like this add so much life to a city. (Thanks to F. for the tip.)
••• Everything you need to know about this year’s July 4th celebration at the harbor.
••• “Any idea what the Classic Charter buses consistently going up and down Hot Springs Road are?” asked E. They’re transporting Music Academy of the West fellows between the campus and Westmont College, where they’re being housed during the Summer Festival, which runs through early August.
••• Two more Santa Barbara Bowl shows were announced: the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival (August 3) and [Oxnard’s own] Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals (September 26).
••• October 4 at the Arlington Theatre: “André 3000’s New Blue Sun live performances are a mesmerizing blend of musical exploration and raw emotion, showcasing his unique artistry. Joined on stage by Carlos Niño, Surya Botofasina, Nate Mercereau and Deantoni Parks, the group’s masterful instrumentation captivates audiences with the same approach to how New Blue Sun was formed—inspired by the present moment and alive with the surroundings.”
••• December 17 at the Lobero Theatre: “Classic holiday tunes come to life as [Montecito’s own] Jane Lynch, Kate Flannery, Tim Davis, and the Tony Guerrero Quintet take the stage in this hilarious and heartwarming holiday extravaganza. A delightful blend of comedy and music, ensuring a swingin’ good time.”
••• Does anyone out there know the outcome of the recent auction of the former St. Anthony’s Seminary complex at 2300 Garden Street? The website says a sale is pending, but to whom? And for how much? UPDATE: The price was $16.7 million, reports the Independent, but the buyer remains unknown.
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That is terrible news about Art Essentials. Having a church there adds nothing to downtown. It’s empty most of the time and gives dead storefront vibes and often has people camped out in front. It doesn’t seem very Christian to me to push out a neighbor who’s been there much longer than you. The church should do the right thing and seek a different location for itself.
Agree 100%. So much for the golden rule.
I work right near there and you are 100% correct. Art Essentials has been there a long time and is exactly the kind of unique and interesting store we need downtown. I’m appalled that a church would do something like that. And by the way, I’ve never seen anyone actually use that church.
If they build it, they may attend?
I’ve been shopping at Art Essentials since they sublet space in the Frazzee paint store on Chapala, that had to be about thirty years ago. While I love the store I hope they relocate to an area with somewhat reasonable rents, not downtown. And BW, Liz & NL seem to be church haters. Y’all don’t see anyone using the church? I could say the same thing about every church in town, and look at the amount of real estate they occupy that could be used to house the homeless. . . I’m pretty sure that’s what their Lord commanded them to do, but why take the Bible literally? One more thing, I watched the ABR meeting when the church proposed taking over AE. I was surprised and impressed that the interior design is modest and probably fits with the needs of the parishioners. I think it would be nice if more churches scaled down their footprint (tax free, btw) and actually took care of the poor and the meek.
John palmintieri reported on the St Anthony seminary auction: originally wanting $25m, no reserve, and they got $16m +-
hasn’t closed escrow yet