Looking for ways to get involved in the local art scene? Well, whether you want to bust a few moves on the dance floor or discuss screenwriting strategies with local film students, I.V. has plenty of options for good little boys and girls who know that sharing your talents is caring.

Whether you want to share your poetry, show off your musical talents or bust out your inner stand-up comedian, Open Mic Nite is the place for you. In the past, Open Mic Nite has hosted everything from comedy, acoustic music, live bands, poetry readings and more. Open Mic Nite usually takes place at Giovanni’s Pizza at 6583 Pardall Road, but you definitely want to check out http://www.myspace.com/openmiciv for up-to-the-minute info about where, when and how you can participate.

If you like stepping up to the mic, then KCSB might be the place for you. This UCSB-based non-commercial radio station is largely operated by students and locals and features programs with topics ranging from politics to sports, with plenty of good music in between. Fall orientation for those interested in working at the station is at 6 p.m. at Storke Tower on October 4. For more information, check out http://www.kcsb.org.

Future Kaufmans and Coppolas should be sure to check out the UCSB Filmmaker’s Production Co-Op. This group, which has been at UCSB for over 20 years, offers students an opportunity to discuss, coordinate and create their own films by providing a stable of equipment that members can check out and a network of like-minded film geeks to support each other. The UCSB Film and Media Studies Department also features a Screenwriting Club, which meets every Sunday in Ellison Hall to provide education and networking opportunities for budding film and television writers. More information about both these clubs is available at http://www.filmstudies.ucsb.edu/undergraduate/clubs.html.

Interested in doing some learning outside the classroom? Check out the Isla Vista Community Free Skool. This group facilitates community-based learning by connecting people looking to share their knowledge with people looking to learn. In the past, free classes offered by the I.V. Free Skool have included yoga and magic. For more information, check out http://www.freewebs.com/ivcfreeskool.

Looking to boogie down without all the hassles of actually being a dance major? Lucky for you, any non-dance major can take modern dance and ballet classes through the UCSB Division of Dance that are designed specifically for those who are not majoring in dance. The classes are fun and worth either one or two units. For more information, check out www.dramadance.ucsb.edu.

Finally, for the drama queens and kings out there, check out Monstrous Little Productions. This group of students puts on low-budget, high-quality productions every year that are perfect for beginners or those interested in acting who want to do something a little more low-key than the big Drama Department events. For more information, check out http://ucsb.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2200892427.

So, my little muppets, it’s time to get involved in the show, or the open mic, or the radio station, or the movie shoot or something. It really does not matter what you do, as long as you do something while you’re here at UCSB. If none of the above options strikes your fancy, then check out the UCSB Office of Student Life at http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl/, for a complete listing of the clubs here at UCSB.