Sierra Deak / Daily Nexus

CHEESE TASTING

The Isla Vista Co-op is hosting a cheese tasting on Jan. 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in honor of National Cheese Lovers Day! Three different types of cheese – cow, goat and vegan – will be available for attendees to sample. Local produce and crackers will be served with the cheeses. The co-op is located at 6575 Seville Rd., and has been open for almost 50 years following its storefront opening in 1974.

CHICKEN GALORE!

UCSB’s Food, Nutrition and Basic Skills Program will be hosting a “Chicken Galore” cooking class on Jan. 18 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Merton Co-op, which is located at 777 Camino Pescadero. The program works to help students develop cooking skills. The events are free and open to UCSB students, staff and faculty.

HIP-HOP AND SPIRITUALITY

Santa Barbara’s Student Housing Cooperative and the Merton Interfaith House will hold a free “Hip-Hop and Spirituality” concert on Jan. 20 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free pizza and vegan options will be offered. Artists include hip-hop performers Cachoburr, RAYCE and GBRL.

GRANDEZA MEXICANA

Grandeza Mexicana, a Mexican folk dance group founded in 2003, will be performing at I.V. Elementary School, located at 6875 El Colegio Rd. The performance is on Friday, Jan. 19 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will be put on by Viva el Arte Santa Barbara. The group aims to showcase Mexican folk dance and promote the cultural heritage represented through dance. The group Viva el Arte SB works with UCSB Arts & Lectures to put on concerts featuring Latin American instrumental music. The event is free, and doors open at 6:30 p.m. A reception will follow the performance.

FLOCK PARTY

The Alternative Rock/Indies/Blues group The Mallards will be performing at 6508 Del Playa Dr. on Saturday, Jan. 20. The group will go on at 10:30 p.m. following the Careless Club at 9 p.m. Members of The Mallards include Blake Berich as lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Matt Swiacki on lead guitar, Jake Morenc on drums and Ray Muhlenkamp on bass guitar. The rock group originated in I.V., and their debut EP, Fowl Play, was released in October.

MEATLESS SUNDAY

A local group called Food Not Bombs will serve free vegan food at 5 p.m. Sunday in Little Acorn Park (next to Bagel Cafe). Food Not Bombs is a large organization that spans the country and is a form of “franchise activism.” They believe that corporate and government priorities are skewed and allow hunger despite the abundance of food and food waste. Those interested in cooking can email organizers at foodnotbombsislavista@gmail.com. The dinner is regularly held every Sunday.

MINDFUL MEDITATION

Mindful Heart Programs will be hosting free meditation sessions on Monday, Jan. 22 from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. The sessions will continue every Monday until June 19 and will include a short dharma talk and guided meditation. The sessions are held at St. Michael’s University Church at 6586 Picasso Rd. in I.V.

A version of this article appeared on p.3 of the Jan. 18 print edition of the Daily Nexus.