Courtesy photo.
December’s UCSB Arts & Lectures Holiday Shows to Participate in United Way of Santa Barbara County Holiday Gift Drive
Arts & Lectures and United Way of Santa Barbara County Offer Two Chances to Donate an Unwrapped Gift or Purchase a Gift Card for Local Kids and Families in Need
Wednesday, December 6, UCSB A&L presents Mariachi Sol de México in José Hernández’ Merry-Achi Christmas at 7 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre.
Friday, December 8, UCSB A&L presents Samara Joy’s A Joyful Holiday at 8 p.m. at the Granada Theatre.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures and United Way of Santa Barbara County are teaming up this holiday season to help you provide gifts for young people in need.
Audiences for Arts & Lectures’ two big holiday shows –Mariachi Sol de México in José Hernández’ Merry-Achi Christmas at the Arlington Theatre on December 6 andSamara Joy’s A Joyful Holiday at The Granada Theatre on December 8 – are invited to donate to United Way’s annual Holiday Gift Drive. Tickets to both shows are available now from UCSB Arts & Lectures (805) 893-3535 and via the Arlington and Granada box offices.
Come early on Friday evening, December 8, for a Holiday Sing-in at the Granada featuring the SBCC Choral Program directed by Nathan Kreitzer and the Allan Hancock College Choir directed by Dr. Nichole Dechaine. The Sing-in is a UCSB Arts & Lectures Thematic Learning Initiative event.
To donate to the Holiday Gift Drive, please bring new, unwrapped gift items to the performances, where they will be collected for distribution by United Way of Santa Barbara County. Appropriate gift items may include stuffed animals, art supplies, sports balls, books, general toys (Legos, Hot Wheels, Barbies, Pokemon and board games), and pre-purchased gift cards. United Way staff members will also take cash or credit card donations onsite from audience members who choose to donate toward a holiday gift or gift card.
“We are honored to once again support United Way of Santa Barbara County with their gift drive,” said Celesta Billeci, Miller McCune Executive Director at UCSB Arts & Lectures. “We know your contributions will add to the holiday joy for Santa Barbara County youth in need.”
“We are grateful for our partnership with UCSB Arts & Lectures and their continued support of United Way’s annual gift drive,” said Steve Ortiz, CEO of United Way of Santa Barbara County. “For many of the participating families, these are some of the only gifts they will be able to provide their children this year. We are thankful for the generosity of our community as they come together to create an extra special holiday season for our neighbors in need.
About UCSB Arts & Lectures — Founded in 1959, UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) is the largest and most influential arts and lectures organization between Los Angeles and San Francisco. A&L annually presents more than a hundred public events, from critically acclaimed concerts and dance performances by world-renowned artists to talks by groundbreaking authors and film series at UCSB and Santa Barbara-area venues. With a mission to “educate, entertain and inspire,” A&L also oversees an outreach program that brings visiting artists and speakers into local classrooms and other venues for master classes, open rehearsals, discussions and more, serving K-12 students, college students and the general public,
About United Way of Santa Barbara County — Since 1923, United Way of Santa Barbara County has been a key leader in local efforts to empower children, families, and communities through its own unique collaborative programs and initiatives, partnership convening efforts, volunteer development, and funding. United Way’s mission is to enrich the lives of children and families and build resilient communities by leading local programs and partnerships that improve school readiness and academic achievement, financial empowerment, and crisis response and recovery. To learn more, please visit unitedwaysb.org.
For information and images contact Chris Davis chris@wavecommsb.com