It’s that time of the year again for…

Summer movies al fresco…and otherwise

Beginning this month, through September,

it’s a kaleidoscope of

fun film options for the

whole family. Check out this preview.

Family Flick Night

This returning series launches the summer lineup and will screen three free outdoor family movies at La Cumbre Plaza,  121 S. Hope Ave,. on the first three Fridays in June. First up on June 7 is Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted that continues the saga of how a lion, zebra, hippo, giraffe, four penguins, two monkeys and three lemurs travel together through Europe without attracting attention to get back to New York. It stars Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and David Schwimmer. On June 14 it’s Despicable Me starring Steve Carell, Jason Segal and Russel Brand. And on June 21 Enchanted finds the beautiful princess Giselle adrift in a chaotic world badly in need of enchantment and stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsy and James Marsden. All  movies start at 8:30 p.m. near Macy’s and parking is free. Questions? Call 687-3500 or check www.shoplacumbre.com

Paseo Nuevo Cinemas

This new family series picks up where La Cumbre Plaza leaves off. Hosted by Metropolitan Theatres, it launches summer screenings beginning June 11 at Paseo Nuevo with Ice Age: Continental Drift, a 3D computer-animated comedy featuring Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah and Jennifer Lopez. On June 18 it’s Kung Fu Panda, June 25 it’s Rio, followed by an eclectic film lineup on Tuesday mornings through August 13. All screenings are at 10 a.m. with a $2 admission. For more information check www.MetroTheatres.com

Alfred Hitchcock Nights Films Series

This annual free series with screenings at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights at UCSB Campbell Hall, and 8:30 p.m. Friday Nights at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Garden, spotlights classic film genres. This year it’s Alfred Hitchcock: Eight Classic Films of Obsession, Mystery and Suspense beginning with Vertigo on Wednesday, July 3 at UCSB and Friday, July 5 at the Sunken Garden followed by a July lineup that features Rear Window (July 10 and 12), North by Northwest (July 17 and 19), Psycho (July 24 and 26) and Shadow of a Doubt (July 31). The stellar lineup is ongoing through August 23 including Hitchcock’s awesome The Birds on August 14 and 16. Presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures, Santa Barbara County Arts Commission, County Park Foundation and Community Services Department. Got questions? Call 893-3535 or check www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu

Friday Night Movies on Stearns Wharf

The City of Santa Barbara and Stearns Wharf Business Association jump back into the summer swim of free Friday night movies beginning August 16 with ParaNorman, an animated family film with zany zombies and ghosts. Friday night screenings will be ongoing thoughout August and September and feature a something-for-every-family-member film lineup, including the classic Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein on September 20. All screenings will begin at dusk on the seaward end of Stearns Wharf with free parking af 7 p.m. and movie snacks available for purchase. Be sure to check Santa Barbara Family Life Magazine’s monthly Event section for ongoing previews of upcoming films. Got questions? Call 897-1962 or check online at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/WharfMovies

 

Buddy Walk & Festival Promotes

  acceptance of those with Down Syndrome

“Children with Down Dyndrome are more alike than they are different,” says Melissa Fitch, chairperson of the Down Syndrome Association of Santa Barbara County (DSASBC) and organizer of the Buddy Walk & Festival where this premise can be observed and experienced — as well as celebrated. The 4th annual fundraising event is Saturday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chase Palm Park on the Great Meadow and features live entertainment, activities for all ages, a raffle, a vendor fair, and informational booths as well as a short ceremonial walk around Chase Palm Park to promote acceptance and inclusion of all individuals with Down Syndrome. It’s also a fun opportunity to meet Warner Brothers Pictures “Mumble & Erik,” the stars of Happy Feet Two, experience the talent of local singer-songwriter Jamey Geston, and plug into the sounds of the Rockshop Academy bands from 3 to 4 p.m., which marks the beginning of a DSASBC partnership with the Rockshop Academy to create inclusive programs. Registration online at www.dsasbc.org or in person the day of the event is required. Fees are $25 adults, $15 adults with Down Syndrome and $10 kids 3 to 17, and includes a festival T-shirt, lunch, snacks and all activities. One of the primary goals of the festival, according to Fitch, is to “promote acceptance and inclusion of all individuals with Down Syndrome.” For more information call 886-4411.

Dino Doc

Three dinosaurs star in new summer show at the  zoo

A 16-foot long parasaurolophus named Lily and a hand-held “baby” triceratops named Tulip (pictured below) join Duncan, the Zoo’s popular T. Rex, in a new summer stage show at the Zoo call “Dino Doc.” The baby triceratops was named Tulip just in time for the new show by Santa Barbaran Liz Wilson, who won a contest recently held by the zoo to find a fun name for the baby dinosaur. During the family-friendly 15-minute presentation, the human hosts introduce the three dinosaurs and show how veterinarians treat the Zoo’s animal residents. “We can’t bring elephants out every day to show a check-up,” says Zoo CEO Rich Block. “But we can use these realistic looking dinosaurs to show what it entails, and let the kids help with the exams.” Duncan seems to be limping. So how do you get a dinosaur to stand still for an exam? Lily the duckbill has a surprise in store; she sneezes! Maybe she has a cold.  Ava Mitchell (pictured with Lily) gets a chance to listen to the dinosaur’s heartbeat, as will other young volunteers from the audience get a chance to check their eyes and ears, and do other exams that mimic the Zoo’s exams. After each show, the dinosaurs spends a few minutes at the edge of the stage for photo-ops with audience members. The dinosaurs were designed and hand-built by the Chiodo Bros., a Hollywood “creature shop.” The shows are free with Zoo admission and performances are held in an outdoor theater on a grassy hilltop at noon and 3 p.m. weekends only through June 23; then daily from June 21 through Labor Day. Need more information? Call 962-5339 or check www.sbzoo.org

 

 

 

 

C R E A T U R E S

is the theme of the 2013

Summer Solstice Celebration

Given its mix of moxie and imagination, and with more than 1,000 entrants embracing this year’s theme, “Creatures,” the 39th annual Summer Solstice Celebration could be one of the most wildly fun — as well as most memorable — weekends you’ll have all year. The celebration begins with the Solstice Festival the evening before the parade at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 21, at Alameda Park with nonstop theatrical and musical entertainment until 9 p.m. — which helps prime and launch the playfulness of the weekend. The next day, Saturday, June 22, the parade begins at noon at State and Cota streets, proceeds up State to Micheltorena Street, turns right and ends at Alameda Park where the festival festivities,  in full swing since noon, will continue until 8 p.m. with an unparalleled kaleidoscope of celebration elevated to an art form. But it doesn’t end there. The next day, Sunday, June 23, the festival continues at Alameda Park from 1:30 through 6 p.m. and features live entertainment on the main stage, including soft jazz, as well as entertainment on the children’s stage from 1:30 to 6 p.m.  And all of the arts and crafts booths, food booths and a beer and wine garden will be open for all three days of the festival. If you need more information, particularly if you’re interested in volunteering your own “creatures” creativity, being in the parade itself, or lending a unique service to the Solstice workshop, call 965-3396 or check online at www.solsticeparade.com

 

Circus Vargas

M a g i k a r i a

A magical experience from the

ambassadors of laughter

In the style of  comedic greats such as Chaplin and Keaton, Matti Esqueda and Jon Weiss (pictured) merge the  arts of acting, mime and improvisation into an amalgamation of clowning genius in Circus Vargas’ newest spectacular, Magikaria. It opens in Santa Barbara with performances Thursday, June 20 through Monday, 24 at Earl Warren Showgrounds — and in San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn June 28 through July 3. With a repertoire of understated skits, hilarious in their simplicity, Esqueda and Weiss manage to make even the most austere of audience members erupt into fits of laughter, as well as amaze  with elaborate illusions, death-defying daredevilry and feats of acrobatic and aerial artisty. It’s a journey to a realm of fantasy as far as magic will allow, a world where anything is possible and laughter is paramount. “Laughter is always the best medicine,” say Esqueda, “especially in trying times.” And, agrees his partner Jon Weiss, “We don’t know anyone who couldn’t use a little of that magic right now!” Arrive 30 minutes early for an interactive pre-show where kids (of all ages) can create their own magic under the  big top. Performances at varying times daily from June 20 through 24 at Earl Warren Showgrounds and varying ticket costs ranging from $20 through $65 depending on seating section, with a reduced ticket cost for kids ages 2 -10. For further  information call 1-877-468-3861 and to purchase tickets online go to www.circusvargas.com

 

It’s Time to Get On Board…

for the Parkinson Association Fundraiser

Railroad Days

In this rapidly expanding age of new technologies, trains are still an integral and necessary part of our daily life; but not so highly spotlighted and embraced is the model train as a primary hobby and fascination for younger generations in a world of Xboxes, iPhones, texting and  Facebookers  who are also learning about space stations and drones, to name just a very few 21st century advances. So the Parkinson Association of Santa Barbara’s annual Railroad Days is an opportunity to experience the sustained “technology” of an era that didn’t require a screen to view, is a commercial survivor, and has been captured and recreated in miniature forms in the precision world of model trains for hobbyists and aficionados — of all ages. The event is Saturday and Sunday, June 8  and 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1143 Camino Viejo in Montecito. The layouts are hand-made by Gary Siegel and showcase indoor HO scale trains in a layout modeled after the Louisville and Nashville Railroad of Kentucky; and G scale outdoor train layouts modeled after the Southern Pacific Santa Cruz Division featuring dwarf Alberta Spruce trees, redwoods, maples, oak trees, and a running creek set against a garden in bloom. The trains will be running all day, both days, and there’ll be food, raffle prizes and a scavenger hunt for kids. It’s an awesome event for the whole family. Admission is $5 and free to kids 2 and  under. Got questions? Call 683-1326, 9697687 or email MyPASB@gmail.org