Documentary Film: “More Than Just A Party Band”

The documentary film, More Than Just A Party Band, explores the meaning of creative success and community and celebrates the power of fun in the colorful life and times of Spencer Barnitz, of Spencer The Gardener, a beloved Santa Barbara cultural and musical icon.

Growing up in the idyllic 1970s Santa Barbara, a surfing basketball-playing tango-dancing musician effortlessly achieves a flash of early fame but is then forced to rewrite his definition of success when faced with a harsh music industry, unrelenting personal obstacles, and cultural shifts. The result is 40 years of his own enduring and quirky brand of music and entertainment style that some say sounds like the soul of Santa Barbara.

Friends, neighbors, musicians, even Good Morning America, join Spencer in telling the story of his music and its inspirations against a backdrop of personal setbacks, comebacks and successes while living in Santa Barbara, London, Peru, and Mexico. Stories from Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket) and Marko DeSantis (Sugarcult) describe Spencer’s role in the raucous Santa Barbara music scene of the 1980’s and 90’s. While making the film, Spencer sees his many past lives focus into a coherent story just in time to face another existential crisis.

The 80-minute film was written and directed by Robert Redfield, produced by Emile Millar, and co-written by Spencer Barnitz.

Tickets ($15) are available on the Alcazar Theater website at https://www.thealcazar.org/calendar/11852-more-than-just-a-party-band-a-film-documentary and at the Alcazar box office. Phone: (805) 684-6380.

June 17, 2023 at 7:00pm.  Alcazar Theater, 4916 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013