Artsweek

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.

July 2, 2026

What Makes ‘A Real Pain’ Real: An Evening with Jesse Eisenberg

By Carly Rattner

The actor, writer, and director took the stage at Campbell Hall to discuss the making of his 2024 film "A Real Pain."

June 27, 2026

When Film Keeps it Reel, We Get Loud: UCSB’s 35th Annual Reel Loud Film and Arts Festival

By Yogita Sharma, Daisy Hernandez

The 35th annual Reel Loud Festival united UCSB filmmakers and musicians for a showcase of creativity and talent.

June 22, 2026

Behind the Curtain: “Here/Now” and the Joy of Dance and Community

By Gianna Dossa

Kennadi Davis crafted not just a performance, but a collective experience with her show "Here/Now."

June 5, 2026

May the fourth be with us: A “Connectivity” series screening

By Carly Rattner

May 4 brought a filled audience to Pollock Theater, where the Carsey-Wolf Center screened “Star Wars: A New Hope” to honor the film’s legacy and community.

June 5, 2026

Frost Children bring high-energy hyperpop to The Hub

By Yogita Sharma

On May 7, Frost Children filled the Hub with their signature fusion of hyperpop and electroclash.

June 5, 2026

The Met Gala in Review: Mirrors of the Met

By Abigail Sylvester

The 2026 Met Gala's theme did not disappoint and neither did the attendees’ artistic teams.

June 5, 2026

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ is nostalgic but shallow

By Sophia Benito

Two decades after the events of the original film, 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' tries hard not to be a repeat of the original, but can’t stand on its own merit.