Anonymous
Source: Old Spanish Days
Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara announces the lineup for Fiesta Music and Dance Fridays, a live-streamed concert series.
Audiences can watch a great lineup of popular local bands from anywhere in the world streamed to a Smart TV or on any internet-connected device, such as a phone, tablet or computer. Scheduled acts include: Area 51, Spencer the Gardner, False Puppet, King Bee and Mezcal Martini. In between sets, Old Spanish Days will bring forward local dance acts and history segments. Every Friday in July, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Fiesta Music and Dance Fridays will be streamed for free to the Santa Barbara community and beyond.
“I am excited and proud that we are fulfilling our commitment to keeping the Fiesta Spirit alive during this challenging time”, said El Presidente Erik Davis. “I’d like to thank the City of Santa Barbara, our dedicated sponsors and community donors for helping us achieve our goal of honoring our rich traditions in a safe way while bringing Fiesta joy to all in this time of uncertainty.”
Fiesta Music and Dance Fridays will be streamed on the Old Spanish Days website at www.sbfiesta.org/live-stream, and on the Fiesta Facebook and YouTube pages. All concerts will be archived and will also be broadcast on TV Santa Barbara, community access channels 17 & 71.
The series officially kicked off Friday, June 26th with an intimate concert with the internationally acclaimed Flamenco Latin Guitarist Tony Ybarra. He was joined by Bassist Santino Tarfarella and Percussionist El “Lalo” Smith. During intermission Old Spanish Days historian David Bolton provided a fascinating history of the Spirit of Fiesta tradition followed by stunning dances by the Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta.
“Our first concert proved that bringing joy, hope and optimism to our Santa Barbara community is possible even during a global pandemic,” El Presidente Davis said. “We will get through this together.”
If you would like to support Old Spanish Days, please consider a tax deductible donation at www.sbfiesta.org/support or purchase items like the 2020 poster from the online store at www.sbfiesta.org/shop. All proceeds benefit Old Spanish Days.
Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation dedicated to honoring and preserving Santa Barbara’s history, spirit, culture, heritage and traditions. Putting the health and safety of the community first, Fiesta 2020 has been reimagined and will hold many of its signature events online, on television or in ways that adhere to physical distancing practices, all while promoting and encouraging community-wide participation.
The theme of this year’s Fiesta is “¡Vamos a Bailar!”, in English, “Let’s Dance!”.
More information about Fiesta 2020 can be found at www.sbfiesta.org
Additional information about the lineup can be found below.
Area 51 July 3rd
The ever-popular and local favorite Area 51 will be playing Funk, Soul, Motown, R&B, Rock, Disco and popular hits from the past and present. If you’ve ever joined us at Fiesta Ranchera in Goleta and heard them play under the stars, you know everyone will be dancing!
During intermission, we will introduce the 2020 “Honorary Presidente(s) and Presidenta(s)”. This is an annual tradition where the current El Presidente or La Presidenta names people important in their lives and those who have helped them on their journey to lead this historic festival.
The Spirit of Fiesta, Alena Velasco will open the show and dancers from the Garcia Dance Studio will perform during intermission.
Spencer the Gardener July 10th
Spencer the Gardener describes themselves as “California sun-kissed, Latin-tinged, genre-bending, big-band surf mariachi indie pop is distinctively quirky and sonically unrivaled”. How can you not have fun!? Inspired by bands like Cake, Jane’s Addiction, B-52’s, They Might Be Giants, Violent Femmes, and Latin Playboys, Spencer the Gardener will get you dancing!
False Puppet July 17th
False Puppet is a three-piece rock band from Santa Barbara, CA consisting of Tyler Benko (Guitar and Vocals), Brennan Benko (Drums), and Channing Peake (Bass). Stylistically, their music features influences ranging from blues to hardcore, however they are most easily classified as rock and roll. In addition to becoming mainstays in the local Santa Barbara music scene, the trio has toured extensively across the country, most notably as members of the 2015 Vans Warped Tour.
King Bee July 24th
If you’ve heard of King Bee, you know why Santa Barbara locals say, “They’re the ultimate dance party band!” If you haven’t heard King Bee’s massive repertoire of hand-picked top hits from SEVEN DECADES, what are you waiting for? Find out what the buzz is all about and be sure to bring your dancing shoes! We hope you enjoy it!
Mezcal Martini July 31st
MEZCAL MARTINI is a Latin Jazz band whose musical consciousness has been shaped by the likes of Poncho Sanchez, Tito Puente, Willie Bobo, and Mongo Santamaria, playing many of their tunes and arrangements. MEZCAL MARTINI also takes a very non-traditional approach towards Jazz standards by infusing them with Latin rhythms. Their music is punctuated with infectious grooves and scintillating horn lines. We’re going to dance, dance, dance!
