A&L “Misfits & Mixtapes: “Pretty in Pink”

Gather on the green this summer with UCSB Arts & Lectures’ 2026 FREE Summer Cinema line-up: “Misfits & Mixtapes,” featuring seven films with unforgettable soundtracks and loveable characters who refuse to fit in. Kicking off the series is Pretty in Pink at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Garden on Friday, July 10 at 8:30 pm. 

Andie is a high school girl from the other side of town. Blane is the wealthy heartthrob who asks her to prom. But as fast as their romance builds, it’s threatened by the painful reality of peer pressure. From its bittersweet story to its hip New Wave soundtrack, this hit love story from John Hughes features Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy and great supporting performances from Harry Dean Stanton, Jon Cryer, James Spader and Annie Potts. (Howard Deutch, 1986, PG-13, 96 min.)

Mixtape contest: Calling all outsiders, dreamers, rebels and romantics! Create your own coming-of-age soundtrack inspired by this summer’s Mixtapes & Misfits film series. The winning mixtape(s) will be played live before the opening-night screening of Pretty in Pink, providing the soundtrack to kick off a summer of movies under the stars. Submit a summer cinema-inspired mixtape playlist by July 5 to info@artsandlectures.ucsb.edu. Find the full list of contest rules and more details here.

Prom Party! Dress to impress in prom attire inspired by Pretty in Pink. Photo op on site. Tag @artsandlectures on socials.