Thursday 1/8
Wouldn’t it have been great if in grammar school your teacher miraculously disappeared and a cool substitute came in and taught the class how to party and play instruments like rock stars? Well, now is your chance to vicariously live out your childhood fantasy by going to see the film “School of Rock” starring Jack Black tonight at Campbell Hall. The film screens at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. and students are free. For info, call 893-3535. It’s a new year, right? Why not live up to your resolution of starting a new hobby by attending a beginning West African drumming class downtown. Drums are provided and you’ll spend more time outside as well. For more info, call Pam at 564-4826.

Friday 1/9
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art and UCSB Film Studies Professor Charles Wolfe are hosting a film screening and discussion entitled “Mather, Weston and Early Hollywood,” tracing early bohemian culture in Los Angeles tonight at 5:30. The film and discussion run in conjunction with the current photography exhibit, “Margrethe Mather & Edward Weston: A Passionate Collaboration,” currently showing at the museum. For more info, call 884-6426. As far as Artsweek can tell, everyone and their mom knows this guy, Alex Pasternak. So, head on down to the Dashain Co-op, located at 6719 Sabado Tarde Road, to see Kissing Tigers, Oma Yang and Pasternak’s own band, Peyote Surf Trip, perform in honor of his 23rd birthday. This free show starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a fancy-pants cocktail party. So, gussy up, y’all!

Saturday 1/10 & Sunday 1/11
If you’ve ever dreamed of dropping out of school, running away and joining a traveling circus, here’s something to help you prepare. Come learn how, or just watch the awe-inspiring jugglers of UCSB this Saturday afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m. on the lawn next to Davidson Library. For more info, call Matthew at 961-2091. Just because the holidays have passed doesn’t mean you have to stop buying gifts for loved ones. Come spend Sunday afternoon strolling down the beautiful palm-lined beachfront of Cabrillo Boulevard and peruse through hundreds of unique local arts and crafts booths today at the weekly Arts and Crafts Show downtown.

Monday 1/12
Come witness legendary comedian and actor Charlie Chaplin return from the dead for one special night through contemporary interviews with the likes of Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese, to name a few, and old film clips in the film “Charlie – The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin.” The film screens tonight at 7:30 in Campbell Hall. A Q&A with director Richard Schickel will follow as well. Tickets are $8 for students. For more info, call 893-3535. Calling all advanced tap dancers! Here is your chance to participate in a one-time tap class and performance with “the best tap dancer alive,” Savion Glover. The event takes place tonight at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, located at 721 East Cota St. in downtown SB. For more info, call 966-6950.

Tuesday 1/13
The ever-increasing merging of politics and entertainment has resulted in the new term “Governator.” Award-winning journalist Lou Cannon’s new film “The Rise of the Celebrities: Republican Politics from Reagan to Schwarzenegger” helps examine the links between “reel” life and real politics. The film screens tonight at 8 downtown at Victoria Hall, 33 West Victoria St., and is free. For info, call 893-3535. Come join the University Art Museum in their opening ceremony of “Multiple Choice: Rediscovering the Permanent Collection” tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. For more info, call 893-2951.

Wednesday 1/14
Ever since the huge popularity of last year’s film “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” people can’t seem to get enough of Greek culture. If you’re one of those people, come dance away to the unique sounds of the group Mesagios as they perform Greek urban, popular and traditional folk music today at noon in the Music Bowl, located on campus next to the Music Building. For more info, call 893-8411. Don’t miss your chance to view the works of one of the best former regionalist painters of the 1930s American expressionist movement. The works of Dan Lutz are currently on exhibit at the Sullivan Goss Gallery downtown. For more info, call Edward at 703-1460.