Calendar of Events

Note to readers: This entertainment calendar is a subjective sampling of arts and other events taking place in the Santa Barbara area for the next week. It is by no means comprehensive. Be sure to read feature stories in each issue that complement the calendar. In order to be considered for inclusion in this calendar, information must be submitted no later than noon on the Wednesday eight days prior to publication date. Please send all news releases and digital artwork to slibowitz@yahoo.com)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17

Gone Girls — It’s been more than eight years since the Rainbow Girls left town for the Bay Area, leaving behind the town where they formed as a quartet in fall of 2010 out in Isla Vista, honed their chops busking in Europe the following summer, and became hometown heroes through constant appearances at the farmers’ markets and favorite local festivals as well as clubs around town. The group expanded to five for a while then shrunk down to a core three, founding members Erin Chapin, Caitlin Gowdey, and Vanessa Wilbourn (now May), and have visited such venues as SOhO whenever they’re on the road. Even the sound has been altered a bit over the years, although we’re told they’re back into working as a pure acoustic drum-less trio that finds rhythm in their stringed instruments and vocals. What hasn’t changed is the Girls’ exploration of aspects of the human experience, from hopeful love to honest self-reflection and, as their name indicates, pursuits of social justice. The trio even has a brand-new EP to promote, Rolling Dumpster Fire, which was created during quarantine and leaked out a song at a time before the full release earlier this month. So, it’s likely that their first show back at SOhO in more than two years will hit the head, the heart, and the feet. WHEN: 8:30 pm WHERE: SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State Street, upstairs in Victoria Court COST: $19-$39 INFO: (805) 962-7776, www.sohosb.com

SATURDAY, DEC 18-SUNDAY, DEC 19

Choral Concerts Come Back — Last December in the days before vaccines for COVID were widely available, there wasn’t even much thought about gathering indoors for public events let alone for group singing. But this year, just about every organization has returned to performing live concerts for the first time in two years, once again spreading joy and holiday cheer to the masses through the magic of melody and harmony, both sacred and secular. The former will fill up the concert from the Santa Barbara Choral Society, which will be once again taking on Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah, a masterwork of the genre. Artistic Director JoAnne Wasserman conducts the ensemble, which features soloists April Amante (soprano), Tracy Van Fleet (mezzo-soprano), Benjamin Brecher (tenor), and Ralph Cato (baritone). The Choral Society has been plugging the performance by sharing some facts about the piece that still seem astounding, including that Handel wrote the score — comprising some 250,000 musical notes — with a crow quill pen in just 24 days. Just imagine what he could

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

No Sweat: Annual Holiday Party Returns — I could be wrong, but methinks that the last time SOhO hosted one of these wintertime gatherings, which would be back in December 2019, they were still calling it the Ugly Sweater Party. If that’s right, it might be due to woke culture or other avenues of awareness, but the word “Ugly” has been replaced by “Holiday.” Which is fine by this writer, because I’ve got a couple of wintertime wool-blend numbers that I’ve been told, alternately, were either hideous and gorgeous — or worse yet, that nebulous word “fine.” Either way, the woven wear is only part of the appeal of the 14th annual Sweater Party, as it also heralds an appearance by that fabulous regional dance band Molly Ringwald Project, which has become a threat to Area 51 to claim its title as the area’s best party covers band. The event also boasts Green Flag Summer, aka the original rock-reggae-covers duo of Matt Kustura and Andrew Fedders, the hard rock cover band Flight 805, plus an appearance by the La Boheme dancers. What’s more, the whole thing is a benefit for Unity Shoppe so you can feel good about dancing away a December night. WHEN: 7 pm-midnight WHERE: SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State Street, upstairs in Victoria Court COST: $30 in advance, $35 at the door INFO: 805-962-7776, www.sohosb.com

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19

Butler Did It — Although she turns 75 in April, the singer Rosemary Butler shows no signs of slowing down. Which makes plenty of sense, since Butler has been belting out tunes for well north of half a century during a career that began as a bassist-singer for the all-female band the Ladybirds while she was still in high school in Fullerton. The ‘Bird appeared on L.A.-area TV and then somehow found a slot opening for the Rolling Stones way back in 1964, just the first time she’s shared stages with legendary rock artists. After serving in another all-female group called Birtha, which released two albums for Dunhill Records in the 1970s, Butler became an in-demand back-up singer for a few decades, recording and/or touring with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Warren Zevon, Neil Young, and Boz Scaggs, to name just a few. Back in 2013, Butler released a second solo album, You Just Watch Me, recorded partially in Santa Barbara, where she was teaching vocals part time, in collaboration with Browne, Kenny Loggins, and other stalwarts of the local music scene. That seemed to kickstart her solo career again, and Butler has become a staple at SOhO, at least before the pandemic hit. Tonight’s gig at SOhO, where she’ll be backed by keyboardist George Friedenthal, guitarist Rob Bonfiglio, bassist Larry Antonino, percussionist Lauri Reimer, and drummer Dann Gillen — all of whom will also be providing backup vocals for Butler — is also her first holiday show in town. We’re told she’ll sing some specially chosen Christmas songs mixed in with a few of her originals and the classic rock mix of songs that she sang on through the decades. Deck the halls. WHEN: 7:30 pm WHERE: SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State Street, upstairs in Victoria Court COST: $18 INFO: (805) 962-7776, www.sohosb.com

have accomplished with software like Sibelius or MuseScore! Over here, we’re partial to prepping for the concert by listening to our favorite version of the “Hallelujah” chorus, the one by The Roches on their wonderful 1990 Christmas album We Three Kings, which also features “Winter Wonderland” sung in a pure Brooklyn accent. This same weekend Quire of Voyces returns to action at its favorite digs, and while we haven’t heard anything about the program, you can expect the a cappella ensemble to serve up visits to Eastern Europe, the Nordic lands, American composers, and an original or two. Choral Society WHEN: 7 pm December 18, 3 pm December 19 WHERE: Hahn Hall at Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Rd. COST: $20 general, $10 students ($50 VIP tickets include reserved priority seating and a post-concert reception INFO: 805-965-6577, www.sbchoral.org Quire WHEN: 7 pm December 18, 3 pm December 19 WHERE: St. Anthony’s Chapel at the Garden Street Academy, 2300 Garden Street COST: $20 general, $15 students & seniors INFO: 805-965-5935, www.quireofvoyces.org

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19

Now Hear Thies — Keyboardist George Friedenthal is also among the many musical friends who will be backing up longtime Santa Barbara singer-songwriter Shawn Thies for her 16th annual holiday concert. Previously staged at Unity of Santa Barbara, Thies is bringing her entourage over to SOhO, where a stellar band also featuring Lorenzo Martinez, John O’Connor, Tom Ball, Bill Flores, and Dave Hunt will bring in the spirit of the season via an evening of original and favorite traditional Christmas songs, titled after her 2005 album New Beginnings at Christmas. WHEN: 7:30 pm WHERE: SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State Street, upstairs in Victoria Court COST: $20 INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com •MJ