We may have just celebrated the official start of summer, but UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) already has its gaze firmly set on the fall. That’s because on October 2, Santa Barbara’s premiere events programming entity will kick off its 2014-15 season — with a celebratory concert from Tony Bennett, no less. And from there, the goods only get better.
Like years past, A&L has divvied the season up into “theme bundles” for easy (and discounted) ticket purchasing. Packages range from “Family Fun” and “Talking Heads” to “Classical Music,” “Dance,” “Jazz,” and “Afrobeat,” among others. (There’s also a “Create Your Own Series” package deal for you eclectics.) But even if you’re an A&L novice, this year is boasting something for everyone. Among the 2014-15 all-stars, A&L will host Magic Johnson for his talk The Magic of Winning at the Arlington Theatre on October 24. Cartoonists Matt Groening (The Simpsons) and Linda Barry (Ernie Pook’s Comeek, What It Is) will appear at the Arlington on October 10 for the West Coast premiere of their talk, Love, Hate & Comics: The Friendship That Would Not Die. And on February 19, 2015, the Granada will welcome Food Network star Ina Garten for An Evening with Ina Garten.
Other highlights (and there are many) include Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock at the Granada (Mar. 22, 2015); wild Up at the Music Academy’s Hahn Hall (Nov. 8); Tinariwen at UCSB’s Campbell Hall (Oct. 26); NPR’s The Moth Mainstage at Campbell Hall (Nov. 5); and Jim Henson’s Dinosaur Train Live! at the Granada (Feb. 8, 2015).
Tickets for all events go on sale Saturday, August 9, at 10 a.m., but subscribers looking to purchase bundle tickets can buy now. For tickets and a full list of the Arts & Lectures season, call (805) 893-3535 or visit artsandlectures.sa.ucsb.edu.