Braille Institute is a non-profit organization whose mission is to positively transform the lives of those with vision loss. We offer a broad range of free programs, classes and services serving thousands of students of all ages helping to demonstrate that vision rehabilitation is a beginning, not an end.

We serve the community from seven centers, and hundreds of community outreach locations throughout Southern California, and lead popular national programs like Braille Challenge and Cane Quest. Our staff and volunteers understand losing your vision can be scary, but we believe it is not the end of independence, but a new way of living.

A variety of free classes, workshops and support groups are available to help you or a loved one stay active, remain independent and enjoy connections with others.

Sign up for individual events, workshops and seminars – free and open to everyone. Register online or call our Educational Programs Manager, Tracy Alfino, at (805) 898-8312 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.

Kids Draw Architecture Returns with “Sketch Your Communities” Event

We observe a great amount of matter plugging into Black Holes. Where does it go? It is a simple question, but there is no consensus among scientists about the answer. In this lecture, presented by the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at UC Santa Barbara, Author and Professor Carlo Rovelli will describe what we know about the inside of a black hole, and current ideas to make sense of what we do not yet know about these most astonishing objects that fill the universe.

Graduate violinist Shirley Shang will present a virtual Master of Music recital with pianist Dr. Ya-Ting Liou on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 6 pm PDT as a YouTube Premiere via the Department of Music’s YouTube channel. The program will include Johann Sebastian Bach's Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002; Gabriel Fauré's Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Op. 13; and Camille Saint-Saëns' Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso in A minor. Shang is a student of UC Santa Barbara Lecturer Ertan Torgul.

For further details visit https://music.ucsb.edu/news/event/2223

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) will sponsor free virtual presentations for people interested in better understanding Medicare.

Directed by Jonathan Moerschel, the UCSB Chamber Players will present a recital on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 6 pm PDT as a YouTube Premiere via the Department of Music's YouTube channel. The program will include Ludwig van Beethoven's String Quartet Op. 74 “Harp;" Johannes Brahms' Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major, Op. 87; Caroline Shaw's Entr’Acte for String Quartet; Johannes Brahms' Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 120; Augusta Read Thomas' Cantos for Slava (cello and piano); Wilhelm Friedemann Bach's Duo in F for two violas; Igor Stravinsky's Petrouchka – Reduction for piano duet (1911, rev. 1947); Claude Debussy's Petite Suite for piano ensemble; the premiere performance of an arrangement of John Williams' War Horse by UC Santa Barbara student Max Dei Rossi; an arrangement of Miles Davis' All Blues by Thomas H. Graf; and the "Chaconne" from Malcom Arnold's Brass Quintet.

For more information visit https://music.ucsb.edu/news/event/2227

Get your free cleanup kit!

Get your free cleanup kit!

Get your free cleanup kit!

Get your free Explore Ecology Cleanup Kit at Goleta Beach!

The Seventh Schism: Lucid Ooey Gooey | Virtual Performance Art Festival
Friday, June 4, 2021 @ 5pm PST
live on YouTube

The Department of Music will present a virtual Corwin Series Concert, "Synesthesias - New Music at UCSB 2: Graduates," on Friday, June 4, 2021 at 6 pm PDT as a YouTube Premiere via the Department of Music's YouTube channel. The spring Corwin Series program will showcase recent multimedia, mixed, and acousmatic works written within the last year by UC Santa Barbara Composition graduate students. The concert will feature works by Drew Flieder, Raphael Radna, Rodney DuPlessis, Mathew Owensby, Alexandra Jones, Dariush Derakhshani, Kramer Elwell, Stewart Engart, and Mason Hock.

Artwork: "Masking" by Rivkah Simcha

For further details visit https://music.ucsb.edu/news/event/2231