Society Invites

SB Historical Museum’s Annual La Fiesta del Museo

by Joanne A Calitri

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum (SBHM) held its annual La Fiesta del Museo fundraiser on July 22, in the museum’s outside courtyard, which was elegantly decorated with wrought iron chandeliers, Arabic lanterns, velvet table linens, and fresh flowers. The event drew more than 300 guests in classic fiesta attire, with women in elaborate Spanish flamenco dresses in lace or silk with ornate shawls, and men in Spanish motif overshirts.

During the cocktail reception with live music, guests mingled and bid on silent

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auction items. Emcee John Palminteri announced the start of the program on the smaller of two stages with the Junior Spirit of Fiesta, Olivia Nelson, performing.

Board President Hilary Burkemper and Executive Director Dacia Harwood on the main stage welcomed and thanked the guests for their support of the museum. They gave a nod to politicians present, Mayor Randy Rowse and Congressman Salud Carbajal (24th District), along with museum board members and staff. Harwood mentioned that the funds raised from this event support 10% of the museum’s operating costs, and will also support the rebuilding of its outside areas adversely affected by the January winter storms. Burkemper announced the honoring of Marlene and Warren Miller by naming one of the museum’s galleries after them, “The Miller Gallery,” for their generous contributions.

The program had the 2023 Old Spanish Days (OSD) El Presidente David Bolton speak about the importance of OSD and the SBHM’s extensive 99-year collection of it. He announced the theme of OSD 2023, “Let’s Fiesta!”; acknowledged the former El Presidentes at the event, and for the first time in the history of OSD, stated that both the Jr. Spirit of Fiesta Olivia Nelson and the Spirit of Fiesta Jack Harwood have the same birthday, July 23.

Following the formal dinner, Palminteri led the live auction of three items yielding $12,500 and the ask yielding approximately $39,000. Next was a 30-minute flamenco dance performance by Maria Bermudez and her students, starting with Jack Harwood. The musicians for the dancers were Jose Diaz (singer/Barcelona) with guitarists Luis Moreno, Andres Vadin, and Alex Jordan, and Gerardo Morales on percussion. Additional music by Juan Zaragoza, Mariachi Las Olas, and later, the contemporary dance band Area 51 to close out the evening.

Seen at the event were Trea and Sam Cohen, Alexis and Caitlin Dakin, Richard Laurent, Gina Carbajal, Brett and Natalie Hodges, Keith Moore, Eric Mack, Beverly Cavaliere, Father John Hardin, Veda and Vito Gioiello, Patricia Chidlaw, Robert Sponsel, Jill Nida, Gary Simpson, and Angela and Chris Nelson.

411: www.sbhistorical.org

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