Posadas (Dec. 11), La Pastorela (Dec. 19, 20) to be presented at El Presidio de Santa Barbara Historic Park
From Amigos805 staff reports
Una Noche de Las Posadas will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 with La Pastorela presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park.
The public is invited to participate in Santa Barbara’s oldest Christmas traditions as the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) presents the 25th annual Una Noche de Las Posadas at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, and La Pastorela at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 and, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, the organization reported in a media release.
Both events begin at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park. Share in the festivities that date back to the city’s earliest residents, celebrating the season with song, story, and merriment.
Las Posadas (The Inns) commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem and their nine-day search for shelter. Una Noche de Las Posadas, a one-night version of the celebration, begins with traditional holiday songs performed in the candlelit Presidio Chapel by El Coro del Real Presidio de Santa Bárbara. Guests are invited to join the choir in a procession led by children portraying an angel, Joseph, Mary, and their small burro as they stroll and sing their way to State Street and into De la Guerra Plaza, in search of lodging. The procession ends at Casa de la Guerra as Joseph and Mary finally find shelter and attendees enjoy more singing, traditional refreshments and a piñata for children. This holiday tradition was brought to Santa Barbara by its Spanish and Mexican settlers and is still observed throughout the American Southwest as a religious and social celebration.
SBTHP and Los Pastores de Santa Barbara present the return of La Pastorela, one of Santa Barbara’s original Christmas celebrations. La Pastorela is the tale of the pastores’ (shepherds) journey to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Christ. The shepherds’ journey is fraught with temptations, distractions, and peril as the devil tries to prevent them from reaching their special destination. While hundreds of unique versions of the play exist, this pastorela was transcribed and saved in the mid-nineteenth century by Pablo de la Guerra, the then-patriarch of the local de la Guerra family. Based on performances he witnessed in Santa Barbara, the de la Guerra version is housed at the Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library among the de la Guerra family papers. The performance is conducted entirely in Spanish and incorporates Early California song and dance.
La Pastorela
La Pastorela is produced and directed by Elvira Tafoya of Los Pastores de Santa Barbara. Tafoya has been involved in La Pastorela performances in Santa Barbara since 1975 and has successfully collaborated several times with SBTHP to conduct performances in the Presidio Chapel. Keeping with tradition, Los Pastores has recruited amateur actors from the community to take on the ten principal roles in the play. Tafoya, an accomplished teacher and organizer in the Santa Barbara community notes: “We are excited to have Pastorela back at the Presidio. This project gives us the opportunity to keep a Mexican tradition alive and to share it with the entire community.”
About the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP): For more than 50 years the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) has worked to protect, preserve, restore, reconstruct, and interpret historic sites in Santa Barbara County. Founded in 1963 by Dr. Pearl Chase and other concerned community leaders, SBTHP operates El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park — Santa Barbara’s 18th century birthplace — under a unique agreement with California State Parks. The State has purchased the building that housed Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens, providing an opportunity to interpret the history of Santa Barbara’s Asian American community in the Presidio Neighborhood. SBTHP owns and operates Casa de la Guerra, the 1820s home of Presidio Comandante José de la Guerra and his family — the restored home is now a museum featuring original furnishings and rotating exhibits. In 2009, SBTHP signed an agreement with State Parks to manage and develop the Santa Inés Mission Mills, located near the town of Solvang, as a future California State Park. In 2011, SBTHP was awarded the Trustees’ Emeritus Award for Excellence in the Stewardship of Historic Sites by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. With the help of continuing education programs and exhibits, SBTHP strives to encourage community involvement and foster an appreciation for Santa Barbara County’s distinctive history. Learn more at www.sbthp.org.
Channel Islands Harbor to present 50th Holiday Parade of Lights
Photo courtesy of Bass Images
Channel Islands Harbor will hold its 50th Annual Parade of Lights from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, with the parade beginning at 7 p.m.
Everyone is invited to enjoy a full day of holiday activities, including a snowplay area, Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday artists’ market, exhibitors, live music and children’s activities, event organizers reported in a media release.
In honor of the Harbor’s 50th Anniversary, this year’s parade theme is “Celebrate the ‘60s.” Santa and his reindeer will ride through the sky, to mark the beginning of the parade. The parade starts in front of Peninsula Park and heads to the Main Channel, turns at Hobie Beach, loops in front of the launch ramp then heads back to Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club and repeats the route for a second run. The parade can be viewed from parks and walkways that line the route as well as from most Harbor restaurants. Boat charters are available for those who want to watch the parade from the water.
Visit www.channelislandsharbor.org for more information.
City of Oxnard celebrates the holiday
Oxnard’s small town charm comes alive in December with festive events, sprinkled with excitement ranging from massive light displays to its “Christmas Victorian Home Tours” at Heritage Square.
Continuing through Jan. 1, visits can enjoy the “Winter Fantasy Music & Light Show” under the illuminated 110-foot high Christmas Tree in Plaza Park in downtown Oxnard, the largest Christmas Tree in Ventura County, event organizers reported.
The houses in historic Heritage Square in downtown Oxnard will be all dressed up for Christmas during the “Christmas Victorian Home Tours” taking place through Dec. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors can stroll through the 1800’s-style Victorian houses that are filled with history and storybook tales. While at Heritage Square, don’t miss the 7th Annual Gingerbread House Contest featuring works of art from the community.
Get a topside view of Oxnard’s holiday lights in downtown Oxnard aboard a grand double-decker during the Oxnard Holly Trolley Tours. The 50-minute guided tour meanders through downtown Oxnard and the National Henry T. Oxnard Historic District including a stop at Heritage Square to enjoy hot cocoa and cookies. The tour is offered December 15, 16 and 17 departing at 8 p.m. The cost is $10 per person.
Finally, take a leisurely stroll or drive along Oxnard’s Christmas Tree Lane, Ventura County’s largest holiday light display. The lights can be enjoyed nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. along ‘F’ and ‘G’ Streets, between 5th and Palm in the National Henry T. Oxnard Historic District.
25th annual Living Nativity to presented in Santa Barbara
The community is invited to see The Living Nativity from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 21-23 at 305 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara.
For 25 years the congregation of the First United Methodist Church has offered a beautiful seasonal gift to the community by staging a re-creation of the Holy Night for three nights just before Christmas. Christmas music softly playing adds to the “awe” factor. Call 805-963-3579 or website www.fumcsb.org for more information.
Christmas Eve Services in Santa Barbara
First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara will celebrate Christmas with worship services on Christmas Eve. Courtesy photo.
First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara will celebrate Christmas with worship services on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at 305 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara.
The 7 p.m. service is a family service featuring a time with the children, favorite Christmas carols, and candle lighting.
The 9 p.m. service features candlelight communion, Christmas carols, anthems by the Chancel Choir under the direction of Nathan Kreitzer accompanied by organist Dr. Steve Hodson, and a brief Christmas message.
The traditional seasonal decoration in the sanctuary of the historic 1927 Spanish Colonial Revival style church includes a unique display of crèches on the communion rail.
The First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara will celebrate its 150th year in 2017.
The church at the corner of Garden and Anapamu streets, one block from the SB Courthouse. Onsite parking is available with the parking entrance off Garden Street. Call 805-963-3579 or website www.fumcsb.org for more information.