Free · Every Thursday
The weekend's best plans by day, what just opened, the homes that sold, the news worth knowing and the sunset and beach outlook. One short email, from a local.
This weekend · Nov 6-8
I've got a busy one for you: Verdi at the Lobero, local rockers and the Symphony at the Granada, a film festival opening, and a first-year collector car show on the Carpinteria polo fields.
All 12 picks and 111 listingsA hometown rock band with a full orchestra behind it on a Saturday night at the Granada, plus a costume contest for anyone who still owns bell-bottoms.
Local rockers The Doublewide Kings rejoin the Santa Barbara Symphony and Nir Kabaretti with a fresh set of 60s and 70s psychedelic songs. Wear a period costume to enter the contest.
Year two of this outdoor and environmental film festival opens with a reception, then The Siege of Paradise at 8, a Central Coast premiere about Cinque Terre locals versus summer tourists. Director Gar O'Rourke attends.
AliWay, a local five-piece funk and rap band, plays the winery's barrel room. It's free to get in and 21+, with Carr wine at the bar and Buena Onda empanadas available for delivery.
Terrace Martin is a Grammy-nominated saxophonist and producer who has worked with Kendrick Lamar, Herbie Hancock and Kamasi Washington. He brings a six-piece band that mixes jazz, hip hop, R&B and soul. UCSB students pay $15 with ID.
Opera Santa Barbara stages Verdi's Rigoletto, a tragedy about a jester, a father's love and a curse, sung in Italian with English captions. It runs 2 hours and 20 minutes with one intermission, and there's another performance Tuesday evening.
Also Sun 2:30 PMIn its first year, this outdoor festival pours wine, craft beer, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks alongside food from local spots like Bistro Amasa and Convivo. It's 21+ and rain or shine, and the money goes to the museum's science programs for kids.
Vocalist Catina DeLuna and pianist Otmaro Ruiz lead the Grammy-nominated Lado B Brazilian Project through samba, choro and baião, digging past the usual bossa nova. Larry Koonse, Edwin Livingston and Ana Barreiro round out the band.
Antonio Barret headlines, with Bradberri, Jacob Edward Cole and Jess Bush also on the bill. It's 21+ and standing room in the stage room. Doors open at 7, and you can get dinner in the back bar room before the show.
A night of improv, $10 at general admission. Tickets are limited and the door only sells what's left, so order online ahead if you're set on going.
Collector cars fill the polo fields for the show's first year, with live music through the day. Bring the kids or grandkids; students 17 to 21 just need their student body card.
If you live in Santa Barbara, Ventura or San Luis Obispo County, SBMA is free today. You can join a docent-led tour, and the Art Learning Lab is open 12 to 4 for the kids.
For one night, the Carpinteria Photography Club puts its photographs on the Alcazar's big screen with music playing behind them. This is the second year they've done it, and all proceeds go to the theater.
This weekend's picks are done. See what's coming up
Next weekend · Nov 13-15
My picks land in Thursday's email. Until then, here are a few things already listed.
All 95 listed so farNext launch from Vandenberg
Fri Nov 64:46 PM
New dateDaytime Heads south-southeast, passing about 40 miles off the coast.
Moved from Sun Nov 1, then Mon Nov 2, then Tue Nov 3.
Mon Nov 97:03 PM
New dateNight launch Heads south-southeast, passing about 40 miles off the coast.
Moved from Sun Nov 8.
Thu Nov 128:23 PM
Night launch Heads south-southeast, passing about 40 miles off the coast.
Around town
Today's beach call, which trails are open, tonight's sunset, the next rocket launch and where to eat, all checked every morning.
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A short email, with enough detail to plan your weekend from.
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SB Savvy · Thursday
This Weekend in SB: Nov 6-8
This weekend: 12 picks
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
New this December
Santa Barbara's holiday lights, pinned by the people who hung them. Add your house, plan a drive, then vote for the best on the South Coast.
From the editor
I'm Zach. I came to Carpinteria in the summer of 2007 and moved to Santa Barbara in 2020. When I'm outside, I'm usually on a run or at Hendry's Beach. A lot of the rest of the time I'm driving my kids to school or activities.
After almost 20 years here, I'm still finding new things. Santa Barbara has so much to offer, but most of it is easy to miss unless you know where to look. I started SB Savvy to help everyone else find it and make the most of living here.
We pull from all over town and put it in one place. The site is checked every morning, so you can see today's beach call, which trails are open, tonight's sunset score, the next launch from Vandenberg and where to eat.
Every Thursday, the newsletter brings it together for the weekend: the best things to do, new places about to open, the homes that sold and whether the sunset is worth the drive.
Send me a note anytime. I read every one, and the best tips come from readers.
Zach
Editor, SB Savvy · More about how it's made
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A place opening, a road closing, an event, a great photo, a mistake on the site. Send it in. I read every one.
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