Artsweek

November 5, 2026

A new age of directing films: A24 and “Backrooms”

By Faith Marcelino

"Backrooms” producer Kori Adelson and associate producer Grant Donghia discussed the making of the film in a post-screening discussion hosted by the Carsey-Wolf Center.

November 5, 2026

Reel Rock 20 goes from V15 boulders to Patagonia’s frozen peaks

By Fiona Feng

A screening of Reel Rock 20 was shown in UC Santa Barbara’s Isla Vista Theater during an exciting event hosted by the Department of Recreation.

October 29, 2026

Elizabeth Holmes simultaneously reveals nothing and everything in Nathan Fielder’s unnerving documentary “You Can See Everything”

By Fiona Feng

Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s documentary explores Elizabeth Holmes’ self-deception and the power of sincerity to blur the line between truth and manipulation.

October 29, 2026

“Clayface” is a middling pile of clay

By Tanner Perez

While it is perhaps the strongest DCU project in a post-“Superman” world, “Clayface” suffers from a fair share of storytelling problems and is, unfortunately, middling at best. 

October 29, 2026

Latest “Sense and Sensibility” film adaptation loses classic Austen charm

By Sophia Benito

Georgia Oakley’s next-generation adaptation of “Sense and Sensibility” is flat and devoid of warmth, despite being a more naturalistic or realist portrayal of Jane Austen’s classic novel.

October 22, 2026

A halo over the Hub: Tiffany Day lights up UCSB

By Charlotte Davis

Hyperpop star Tiffany Day to performed in the UCen Hub and gave students a night full of dancing and signing.

October 15, 2026

“This one goes out to Tim”: Behind Creatures of the Night’s quarterly production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”

By Carly Rattner

Creatures of the Night brings “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” back on Oct. 16, honoring Tim Curry’s legacy with a new shadow cast, energetic performances and audience participation.

October 15, 2026

Jungle brings dance and funk to the Santa Barbara Bowl

By Montse Romero

Electronic-disco band Jungle performed at the Santa Barbara Bowl on Oct. 9 with retro pop-rock band RIO KOSTA as their opener.

October 8, 2026

Los Javis talk “La bola negra” at the Riviera Theatre

By Tanner Perez

Santa Barbara’s Riviera Theatre hosted an early screening of “La bola negra” followed by a Q&A conversation with the writers and directors, Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, jointly known as “Los Javis.” 

October 1, 2026

BabyChiefDoIt welcomes students back with energetic performance

By Edwin Ballesteros

For this year’s Welcome Back concert, UC Santa Barbara’s Associated Students Program Board treated students to a performance by Chicago rapper BabyChiefDoIt.

September 5, 2026

Motown Legend Diana Ross Sparkles at the Santa Barbara Bowl

By Carly Rattner

Motown legend Diana Ross graced the Santa Barbara Bowl stage on Aug. 27 as part of her “Diana in Motion” tour.

August 31, 2026

Phoebe Bridgers makes her return with the strangely intimate “Lost Weekend”

By Sophia Benito

Phoebe Bridgers' new record fills in the gap for the two years she spent out of the public eye, the complex personal losses she endured and her love life.

August 27, 2026

Rainbow Kitten Surprise rocks the Santa Barbara Bowl

By Sherine John

Rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise took the stage by storm at Santa Barbara Bowl on July 19.

August 22, 2026

Nolan’s Simplified Reading of ‘The Odyssey’ is a Moralist Spectacle

By Sophia Benito

Christopher Nolan’s seafaring blockbuster “The Odyssey” simplifies everything that makes the long-studied story and its cast of characters interesting.

July 21, 2026

‘Backrooms’ Should Be a Labyrinth with No End

By Sophia Benito

Kane Parsons' feature debut captures the eerie atmosphere that made the Backrooms a phenomenon, but its attempts to explain the mystery weaken the concept.

July 14, 2026

“Supergirl” brings super-powered heroines back to the big screen

By Carly Rattner

Milly Alcock gave a performance of a positive, chaotic role model to inspire future generations of strong women despite the film's box office performance.