2013 Summer Arts Preview

Oh, summer. Whether you’re currently basking in the joys of summer vacation or simply looking for a reason to get outside, this season’s arts calendar has got you covered. Want to catch some side-splitting live theater under the stars? Look no further than PCPA’s production of Spamalot, which heads to Solvang Festival Theater this July. Say you’re a fan of indie rock? This summer brings the romantically synth-filled sounds of The Postal Service to the Santa Barbara Bowl. Head southeast, and you’ll find even more sonic treats, like the Ojai Rancho Inn’s newly launched summer concert series, featuring intimate outdoor shows by bands like Nite Jewel and No Age. And if it’s classical music you’re after, you’re also in luck; this week the picturesque Music Academy of the West kicks off its Festival Orchestra with loads of adventurous new programming. Below, The Independent’s arts editors break down the must-see events of the summer, genre by genre, for your book-marking pleasure. Take note: 2013 is going to be a scorcher.