Downtown Business Spotlight is a virtual interview series hosted by the Santa Barbara Independent and Downtown Santa Barbara where we chat and get to know our Santa Barbara Business owners every other week.

THURSDAY, March 24, 3pm, Live on Zoom

TOPIC: Summer Camp

Join Robin Elander in conversation with Brian McDonald (Ensemble Theatre Company), Michelle Cyr (Santa Barbara Botanic Garden), and Adam Porte (City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department) in this week’s Downtown Business Spotlight.
Did you miss the last Downtown Business Spotlight? Watch it here!
TOPIC: Burger Week
Join Matt Kettmann in conversation with Falah Maayah (Foxtail Kitchen) and Jay Ferro (Kyle’s Kitchen) in last week’s Downtown Business Spotlight.
State Street Promenade Market
Every Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm
The market is located between Carrillo and Figueroa streets every Thursday. We feature local artisans, businesses, and vendors every week. Apart from being a local's market, this is a community event.

We invite you to come and meet your local business owners, non-profits, and community leaders and enjoy all of the wonderful things our community has to offer. Enjoy local goods, yummy food, and even LIVE performances!
 

Follow us on Instagram
Cocktails & Real Estate
March 24, 6:30pm
Join us at Engel & Völkers Santa Barbara for Cocktails & Real Estate. Every month a different real estate-related topic is covered such as home loans, real estate investing, financial management, etc. to provide people with the opportunity to put themselves on a path to homeownership. Drinks and snacks are provided for free! Come with your questions and suggestions for what you would like to see in our future seminars!
As One at Lobero Theatre
March 25 & 27, 7:30pm & 2:30pm
Hannah, a transgender woman, discovers her gender identity and learns to love herself in this ground-breaking new 75-minute chamber opera. Music and concept by Laura Kaminsky, libretto by Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed and film by Ms. Reed. OSB Premiere

Watch a trailer for the production of As One at Orchestre Classique de Montreal (different production and cast) here.

Starring OSB Studio Artist alumni Evan Bravos and Ashley Armstrong.
Restaurant Opening Alert! Shalhoob's at the Market

Come welcome the newest addition to the Santa Barbara Public Market - Shalhoob's at the Market! Open now!

Check out their delicious juicy burgers, hand cut fries and the amazing selection of beers on tap!

Be sure to follow Shalhoob's on instagram!
Downtown Business Highlight: Asher Market
Asher Market is a local shop in Santa Barbara specializing in selling unique home decor, gifts and children's clothing using luxurious yet practical alpaca yarn.

A few highlights of alpaca products:
  • Alpaca is up to five times warmer than sheep's wool
  • Alpaca is generally safe for people who are allergic to sheep's wool because it does not contain lanolin
  • Alpaca products are lightweight yet still warm. Pro tip: on a cold night, sleep with your throw under the blanket for extra warmth
  • Alpaca products fold compactly making them the perfect travel item; and, upon your return home, you can wash them!

Be sure to check out their website by clicking the button below!
Santa Barbara Museum of Art Presents West Coast Debut of Through Vincent’s Eyes: Van Gogh and His Sources
February 27 – May 22, 2022
Landmark Exhibition Features Over 100 Works from 25 Museums September 20, 2021 — Organized by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) and in partnership with the Columbus Museum of Art, Through Vincent’s Eyes: Van Gogh and His Sources seeks to immerse viewers in the visual imagination of one of the most idolized artists in the world. By floating 20 works of art by Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh in a sea of over 75 works of art by those that he admired, the exhibition provides an unprecedented opportunity for visitors to dive deeply into the rich, visual culture of Van Gogh’s late 19th-century world. Celebrated works of art by Van Gogh will be juxtaposed with works by the many artists he admired, thereby dramatizing both the artist’s indebtedness to and radical departure from the art world of his day. Opening November 12, 2021 in Columbus, OH and February 27, 2022 in Santa Barbara, CA, Through Vincent’s Eyes is curated by Santa Barbara Museum of Art Deputy Director and Chief Curator, Eik Kahng, and will be the first international loan exhibition to be presented following SBMA’s $50 million renovation of the original 1912 building and connected exhibition spaces.
How to Build an Orchestra
March 26, 4:00pm
London Symphony Orchestra Family Concert at the Granada Theatre

When it comes to making music, there’s nothing like an orchestra! Learn how the instruments come together to make onstage magic with LSO presenter Rachel Leach. Paired with an award winning book by Mary Auld and Elisa Paganelli with an introduction by Sir Simon Rattle.

Learn more about the book and LSO family resources here
Sip & Paint a Van Gogh
March 26 - May 21st, 1:00pm
Experience Vincent Van Gogh’s artistic vision and painting style in this unique Sip & Paint A Van Gogh class series in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s exhibit, “Through Vincent’s Eyes”.

Local artist and Paseo Nuevo’s Marketing Coordinator, Danielle Renée Art will be guiding a Sip & Paint class series once a month during the length of the SBMA exhibit. Each class will recreate one of Vincent Van Gogh’s famous paintings including Starry Night, Sunflowers and Almond Blossoms. Class attendees will learn about the famous painter, his signature style and take home their very own Van Gogh’esque painting. Paired with the ticket purchase, attendees will also receive one glass of wine or a non-alcoholic beverage to sip as they follow along and recreate one of his designs step-by-step on canvas using acrylic paint.
Time; 1pm-3pm 
Class Options;
March 26 - Starry Night
April 30 - Sunflowers
May 21 - Almond Blossoms
Shaker Mill 3 Year Anniversary Party
March 27, 3:00pm
We hope you can join us this Sunday to celebrate Shaker Mill's 3 year Anniversary!

Theme: Bad 80’s Beach vibes

DJ: @harveyleche 3 pm to 8 pm

Specials: $8 Espresso Martini @coastalcoffeecollective @cutlers_distillery
$8 Daiquiris

Check Out Shaker Mill on Instagram!
Art & Bubbly Party
March 27, 5:30pm
Not your usual paint night! Come and explore your inner creativity with abstract painting techniques for ALL levels! All materials and a glass of bubbly free with registration! Come and have fun, bring friends and laugh, sip wine and create away.

Downtown Santa Barbara, at The Red Piano 519 State St. March 27th 5:30-7:30pm
Latin Night at Backstage
March 27, 7:00pm
Latin Night is BACK! The last Sunday of every month. Kick off night is Sunday March 27, 2022 with @djhndrixx and @_throwbackjay_

Enjoy $5 Wells, $6 Buchanan's, and $25 Beer Buckets (5 Beers)

Doors Open at 7pm

For Reservations Call: 805-957-4111 or email [email protected]
Invitation to Be Part of The Housing Element Update
Community Development Long Range Planning staff is starting the process to update the 2015 Housing Element for the City of Santa Barbara. The Housing Element will create goals and actions to address housing opportunities, new housing development, preservation and improvement of existing housing, regional cooperation and jobs/housing balance, and public education and information. The update will occur throughout 2022 and the locally adopted draft Housing Element is due to the State Department of Housing and Community Development in early 2023.

If you would like to be added to the interested parties list for the Housing Element, please click here and enter your email on the right where it says “Stay Informed”.
Downtown Beautification Day
April 2nd, 9:00am
Our next Beautification Day is Saturday, April 2nd from
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Join the Downtown Santa Barbara Organization in celebrating and caring for our downtown businesses and community.

Beautification days help keep our community clean and help support our downtown businesses and community. Volunteer to be a part of helping keep our community extra clean, beautiful, and resilient!  

Click the button below to learn more and sign up to volunteer and be a part of the Beautification Team!
Annual Awards Breakfast
April 27, 7:30am
Downtown Santa Barbara invites you to the 2022 Annual Awards Breakfast at the historic El Paseo Mexican Restaurant. This event includes networking, delicious buffet breakfast, and the announcements of the 2021 Volunteer of the Year, Entrepreneur of the year, Citizen of the Year, Business Champion of the Year, and the Harriet Miller Youth Leadership Award recipient.

Get your tickets today, this event is expected to sell out!