Bounty of Riches
Massimo Falsini, the steward of the ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR BEACH’s culinary offerings since 2018, has joined forces with the hotel’s recently arrived director of wine, Rob Smits.
A selection from local wine producers
Written by Caitlin White
Photographs Courtesy of Rosewood Miramar Beach
Massimo Falsini, the steward of the ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR BEACH’s culinary offerings since 2018, has joined forces with the hotel’s recently arrived director of wine, Rob Smits, to launch an exclusive dinner series featuring selections from local winemakers and farmers to showcase the bounty of the Central Coast. Appropriately dubbed Bounty, the series emphasizes a relaxed setting and communal dining. Smits’ wine pairings will feature the people behind each local wine producer, showcasing their pours by pairing them with excellent salads and pizzas prepared in the wood-fired oven at Massimo’s Garden, a new pop-up venue at the Miramar. 1759 S. Jameson La., Montecito, rosewoodhotels.com/en/miramar-beach-montecito
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Fashion in Motion
Fashion, dance, photography, and fine art all came together on October 15, as luxe fashion brand Merlette collaborated with Move With Purpose to raise funds for that nonprofit’s mission of empowering marginalized communities through dance and the arts.
Moving with Purpose at Art & Soul
Written by Joan Tapper
Fashion, dance, photography, and fine art all came together on October 15, as luxe fashion brand Merlette collaborated with Move With Purpose to raise funds for that nonprofit’s mission of empowering marginalized communities through dance and the arts. The organization advances children’s chances for success by using the arts to instill confidence and teach leadership, resilience, life skills, and philanthropy.
The immersive event took place at the Art and Soul Gallery in downtown Santa Barbara, with an exhibit of sponsor Lily Hahn Shining’s photography of Move With Purpose dancers presented as muses in Merlette’s signature silhouettes. Guests were also invited to explore Merlette’s collection of elegant, sophisticated apparel.
Along with ticket sales and donations from the event, a portion of October earnings from the Montecito boutique were earmarked for Move With Purpose, and a live auction of paintings by artist Pedro De La Cruz added to the proceeds, which will fund dance classes for local youth, ensuring their access to programs that foster creativity, confidence, and leadership through the arts.
“At Merlette, we believe fashion can be a catalys for meaningful change,” said founder Marina Cortbawi. “This collaboration with Move With Purpose exemplifies how art and design can uplift communities, provide access to opportunity, and inspire the next generation.”
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The Storyteller
In a sunlit studio in Santa Barbara, artist and actor LOAN CHABANOL lets her paintbrush do the talking.
Written by Amelia Fleetwood
Portraits by Cristina Trayfors
In a sunlit studio in Santa Barbara, artist and actor LOAN CHABANOL lets her paintbrush do the talking. “Painting feels like breathing,” she says. “It’s how I process things I don’t yet have words for.”A storyteller in every sense, the French-born Chabanol works from instinct, layering acrylic across canvas with the insistence of someone who must tell her story. Raised between Paris and the south of France, Chabanol left school at 15, launching a successful career in modeling, which later led to acting. Yet it has always been painting that satisfied her most deeply. “I’ve been honing my craft for years,” she says. “With no formal training, there are no rules to my creativity, and I feel I have a sense of freedom, with no limits. I have always painted, because I had an urgent need to communicate my feelings, and this always felt like the easiest way. I had to paint. It’s like breathing.”
Her work, figurative and abstract, and often including an immersive aspect for the viewer, is shaped by emotion as well as the environment the work sits in. “The gallery or the space always influences what comes,” she says. Recent shows in New York, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara (at the Tamsen Gallery) have carved her a quiet niche. Paris is next. “It feels like time to come home,” she says. When she’s not on a film set—her new movie will hit festivals later this year—or preparing for an exhibition, Chabanol takes private commissions, working closely with collectors to create intimate, intuitive work that speaks where language might fail. mikagirlstudio.com
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Dia de Diwali
This October, Michelin-recognized Bibi Ji and the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara joined forces for a Supper Club to benefit the museum.
A spicy dinner duet for MCASB
This October, Michelin-recognized Bibi Ji and the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara joined forces for a Supper Club to benefit the museum. The private dinner celebrated the cultural holidays of Diwali (Festival of Lights) and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) through an exploration of 500 years of culinary dialogue between Mexico and India.
Chef Bany Vargas and Bibi Ji Owner Alejandro Medina collaborated on a menu combining the modern Indian flavors of Bibi Ji with Vargas’s Oaxacan influence, sourcing ingredients from local farmers’ markets for several weeks. The resulting dishes featured flavorful and fanciful mashups such as butter chicken tacos served on heirloom pink corn tortillas, Oaxacan guacamole with tlayudas tostadas, Bibi Ji's 5-spice chile atole, and more. Bibi Ji 1213 State St. Ste. B, bibijisb.com MCASB 653 Paseo Nuevo, mcasantabarbara.org
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Botanical Bliss
Visiting the new Strange Family Vineyards tasting room in downtown Los Olivos feels like stepping into a secret garden
Written by Gabe Saglie
Visiting the new STRANGE FAMILY VINEYARDS tasting room in downtown Los Olivos feels like stepping into a secret garden. The decor, which includes original paintings, cozy lighting, and artsy artifacts that give off a botanical vibe, is reminiscent of a sophisticated apothecary. The real stars are the wines, made by Jessica Gasca. The Chablis-inspired Chardonnays are subtly creamy and fresh, whereas the Pinot Noirs are fruit-forward and savory. The sparkling wines are getting buzz as some of the most refined in Santa Barbara County.
Garden patterns and time-weathered artifacts give the new tasting room a whimsical vibe.
All the fruit comes from the family’s 20-acre vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, which is farmed sustainably and regeneratively. The tasting room features a wine-and-chocolate-truffle pairing, a midweek happy hour, and an evening culinary party on the last Saturday of every month. The menu of zero-proof cocktails helps make this spot an extra family-friendly stop. 2933 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, strangefamilyvineyards.com
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Local Libations
Alberto Battaglini of Verona, Italy, has reopened Pony Espresso as Pony Cocktails + Kitchen with chef Jonny McDermott at the helm.
Pony Cocktails + Kitchen is now serving signature drinks
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Emmanuelle Pickett
Alberto Battaglini of Verona, Italy, has reopened Pony Espresso as PONY COCKTAILS + KITCHEN with chef Jonny McDermott at the helm. Instant classics like the porcini doughnuts, with a side of creamy Italian fonduta (melted mascarpone and fontina) for dunking, work incredibly well with Battaglini’s intricately crafted cocktails. Special drinks like a seasonal watermelon margarita—which can also be made with gin—are ideal for early evenings in the Valley. Guests can also expect classics like Sazeracs and old-fashioneds, along with creations like the Damn Bird, with gin, cucumber, basil, bergamotto, and green salt. The dinner menu stands out with rotating seasonal pasta dishes and staples like steak frites, brick chicken, and locally caught fish. 3558 Sagunto St., Ste. A, Santa Ynez, pony-cocktailskitchen-106136.square.site
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Going Nuts
There’s a lot on offer at Drovers Doughnuts, which is owned and operated by Loren Ollenburger and his wife, Sarah.
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Erin Feinblatt
There’s a lot on offer at DROVERS DOUGHNUTS, which is owned and operated by Loren Ollenburger and his wife, Sarah. Think breakfast and lunch sandwiches on savory baked “everything” doughnuts that are packed with eggs and bacon or sausage, chicken parmesan, or shredded pork; and decadent cake shakes that combine the fried dough with ice cream. But there are plenty of the namesake pastries, too—glazed, sugar, and maple—plus apple fritters that frequently sell out. 484 First St., Solvang, droversdoughnuts.com
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Ciao, Valley
STICA has settled into Santa Ynez as the grab-and-go counterpart to sister restaurant S.Y. Kitchen.
Pinsa by the slice is a popular takeout item.
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Bri Burkett, Sister B Studios
chef Luca Crestanelli
STICA has settled into Santa Ynez as the grab-and-go counterpart to sister restaurant S.Y. Kitchen. Both concepts by chef Luca Crestanelli focus on Italian-leaning cuisine with local ingredients, supremely fresh produce, and careful sourcing, and Stica is the place to stock up on takeout snacks and curated kitchen essentials. Wine-country visitors looking for a casual snack or a savory nibble between tasting-room visits can rely on the prepared-food menu, which includes perfectly gooey paninis and hearty salads. Also in stock: dry goods and pantry staples like pastas, olive oil, peppers, sauces, and soups for preparing a feast of your own at home. 3563 Numancia St., Ste. 104, Santa Ynez, @stica_sy
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Royal Roast
There goes the little king,” says Ryan Dobosh, owner of Buellton’s bright new coffee shop, as his toddler son, Roger, bursts into the kitchen with his mother, Grace Gates.
The spacious, sunny interiors at the original location—later this year, Little King will open a second location at The Post in Montecito
Written by Caitlin White
Photographs by Elisenda Farison
“There goes the little king,” says Ryan Dobosh, owner of Buellton’s bright new coffee shop, as his toddler son, Roger, bursts into the kitchen with his mother, Grace Gates. Together the husband-and-wife duo run LITTLE KING COFFEE, a stylish space designed with the community in mind that has quickly become a stop for travelers passing through, too. Serving pastries and baked goods from Wayward Baking in Los Osos, plus excellent drip coffee, tea, and espresso, the welcoming venue is tucked into the corner of a strip mall just off Highway 101. 290 Valley Station, Ste. 101, Buellton, littlekingcoffee.com
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Artistic Blends
Creativity takes center stage at the new Artiste Winery & Gallery in historic Santa Ynez.
Written by Gabe Saglie
Creativity takes center stage at the new ARTISTE WINERY & GALLERY in historic Santa Ynez. Here, the wines are inspired by art: paintings and photographs by regional artists that grace both the bottles and the walls. Winemaker Bion Rice pushes his own creative boundaries with unique blends—think Pinot Noir and Grenache—and hosts workshops that allow guests to do the same. “It can be a romantic thing, blending as a way to get to know each other’s tastes and have something to open years from now as a reminder of their experience,” he says. “[The wines] also make great gifts.”
The tasting room features a rotating gallery and can serve as a private event space, while the sprawling outdoor patio along Edison Street is a great people-watching spot. Pop the cork on “True Blue,” a 2023 Pinot Noir blend with label artwork Messenger #4 by our cover artist David Florimbi that honors Santa Barbara Magazine’s 50th anniversary. 1095A Edison St., Santa Ynez, artiste.com
Wild Horses: A true blue toast to our 50th!
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Steward of the Land
Twenty years ago, Dale Hampton, the pioneer Santa Barbara County grape grower, planted 20 acres of Syrah near Los Olivos
The 20-acre Living Life Vineyard is also vintner Paula Tabalipa’s backyard.
Written by Gabe Saglie
Photography by Karina Spritze, Jeremy Ball
Twenty years ago, Dale Hampton, the pioneer Santa Barbara County grape grower, planted 20 acres of Syrah near Los Olivos. It was a visionary move back then: No one was planting Syrah in the area. But the gamble would pay off, as the vines ultimately began producing grapes that are considered world-class. Today, the vineyard has a new name—Living Life—and the woman who owns it takes her role as caretaker very seriously.
“I’ve got history in my hands,” says Paula TABALIPA, who launched her eponymous wine brand when she and her husband, Skechers cofounder and president Michael Greenberg, acquired the vineyard in 2018.
Living Life, part of the couple’s Santa Ynez Valley home, is farmed sustainably. Their own grapes go into the Estate Syrah, a rich, luscious, elegant wine, and the aromatic and fresh No. 1 Rosé. The lively Sauvignon Blanc is made from organic grapes from the Happy Canyon AVA.
Winemaker Brandon Sparks-Gillis helms production, although Tabalipa is proudly hands-on, with various enology courses under her belt. Living Life is “fueling a passion,” she says, “so I’m going as deep as I can.” tabalipawineco.com
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History and Craft
In the heart of downtown Santa Ynez, a 100-year-old barn that once housed a saddle shop has found new life as The Hardt—a design studio, workshop, and event venue.
Written by Hana-Lee Sedgwick
Photographs by Emmanuelle Pickett
In the heart of downtown Santa Ynez, a 100-year-old barn that once housed a saddle shop has found new life as THE HARDT—a design studio, workshop, and event venue. Interior designer Blair Moritz and furniture maker Jacob Gerhardt have reimagined the space, preserving its historic frame while infusing it with a mix of antique art and vintage furnishings curated by Moritz and custom pieces handcrafted on-site by Gerhardt. Says Gerhardt, “When a place holds this much history, you feel it. It reminds you why craftsmanship matters.” The space also serves as a venue for intimate get-togethers, musical performances, and artistic events. “It’s a gathering place for creativity and connection—warm, inviting, and inspiring,” says Moritz. 3580 Manzana St., Santa Ynez,
@thehardtstudio
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Partners in Vine
Meet three of the Central Coast’s winemaking couples
Meet three of the Central Coast’s winemaking couples
Âmevive wines use fruit from some of the oldest vines planted and still in production in Santa Barbara County.
Written by Matt Kettmann
Photography by Frankie Hildebrand, Nate Stutz, Bradley Miersma
The prospect of working alongside one’s spouse isn’t every couple’s dream. But there’s something different about those who work in wine, where life partners are often business partners as well. Whether it’s because of the teamwork required to run an enterprise, the romance of following the earth’s seasons, or the collaboration in pursuit of an artisanal craft, winemaking success can certainly be achieved with your loved one. Few people embody this combination of passion for both the work and each other than these three Central Coast couples.
Alice Anderson met Topher De Felice while skiing in Colorado, where she was waiting for her visa to renew in order to return to winemaking in France. He was a carpenter between projects, so he followed her to Europe, where their relationship grew serious. They returned to Santa Barbara County to launch ÂMEVIVE in 2019 and now farm 19 acres across the Los Olivos District, making about a dozen wines each year.
“We’ve always shared a love for the outdoors, working with our hands, and creating something tangible,” Anderson says. “Working together means we don’t really get to leave work at work. But even in the stress, it helps to remember you’re navigating all of it with someone you love.” The couple tends to split duties and focus on their own projects. “We each have our own strengths and perspectives, and we lean into them,” she adds. “It gets easier every year.” amevivewine.com
A key to happiness for San Luis Obispo County–based winemakers Mikey and Gina Giugni is that they each have their own brand. He makes about 20 wines and ciders under SCAR OF THE SEA, which was founded in 2012, while she produces a dozen wines as LADY OF THE SUNSHINE, which started five years later.
“It helps maintain balance,” says Gina, who met Mikey in 2014, when she was still a Cal Poly student. “We collaborate and support each other across both businesses, but we also run both brands as one business behind the scenes. This setup allows us to streamline operations while reflecting our personal identities into the wines we make.”
Having someone to trust for direct feedback is critical. “We’re honest sounding boards for each other and openly discuss all aspects of our wines,” Gina says. “That kind of trust and transparency helps us grow—both together and as individual winemakers.” scaroftheseawines.com; ladyofthesunshinewines.com
Climbing initially brought Natalie Siddique and Ryan Pace together in 2014. He was already deep in the wine industry, and it didn’t take long for her to get bitten by the bug. In 2016 they launched OUTWARD, which now produces more than a dozen different wines from their warehouse winery in Grover Beach.
Ryan Pace and Natalie Siddique in their Grover Beach cellar;
“The highs are high, but the lows can be very low,” Siddique says. “Entrepreneurship is an endless puzzle, so it requires consistent adjusting between us to make it all work.” The roots of their relationship provide endless inspiration. “Over the years, wine has been and continues to be our way of exploring the world together, mixing climbing trips with wine-region visits and education across many parts of the globe,” she says. “Working with your significant other is definitely not for everyone. But we feel tremendously fortunate that we have such an intertwined partnership in all aspects of our life together: wine, climbing, and love.” outwardwines.com
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Chukker Chic
In continued celebration of our 50th anniversary special edition Summer issue, Santa Barbara Magazine hosted an afternoon of high goal polo at the Santa Barbara Polo Club
In continued celebration of our 50th anniversary special edition Summer issue, Santa Barbara Magazine hosted an afternoon of high goal polo at the Santa Barbara Polo Club. The first match was the kickoff to the Pacific Coast Open, one of the more illustrious tournaments in the country.
Nestled front row fieldside in the ocean tent, guests were met with a curated experience with luxury goods partner Homer Maker, an exclusive wine collaboration pouring with Artiste, and the opportunity to book a portrait session with our contributing photographer Lindsey Ross and her 100-year-old tintype camera (featured in “Game Day”).
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Solar Power
“I feel like I’m in a daily trance with the mountains, trees, springs, creeks, ocean, and dark night skies”
Amanda Chantal Bacon
Written by Jessica Ritz
“I feel like I’m in a daily trance with the mountains, trees, springs, creeks, ocean, and dark night skies,” wellness maven and Moon Juice founder AMANDA CHANTAL BACON says about her move to Montecito with her husband and their two children. “I am so grateful to be able to raise my family here, weave deeper into the community, and drive 18 miles per hour on country roads.” moonjuice.com
Follow her summer beauty regimen for a high-impact, low-maintenance strategy. CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Roz Milk Hair Serum, $52; Moon Juice Milk Cleanse, $32; Activist Mānuka Honey Lip Balm, $35; KS&CO Sheer Tinted Brow Gel, $36; Moon Juice Plump Jelly, $58.
Try mixing 1 tsp Moon Juice Mini Dew, pomelo flavor, $44, with 1 tsp matcha powder, 4 oz lemonade, 4 oz sparkling water, and ice.
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Stripe a Pose
Artist LULU DE KWIATKOWSKI (aka Lulu DK) and designer NATALIE MARTIN have finally merged their respective talents.
Written by Jessica Ritz
Photographs by Ashley Turner
Artist LULU DE KWIATKOWSKI (aka Lulu DK) and designer NATALIE MARTIN have finally merged their respective talents. The duo’s collaborative debut transforms Lulu DK’s Martin Stripe motif in four joyful colorways into light, breezy cotton and silk pieces, perfect for sun-soaked Santa Barbara summers. “Like building a personally expressive gallery wall with Lulu’s prints, the Natalie Martin customer can customize a look all their own—as bold and playful as their imagination takes them,” Martin says. luludk.com; nataliemartin.com; dianiboutique.com
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The Sublime Saladino
Internationally renowned designer JOHN SALADINO (1939–2025) died at his Montecito home on July 26, 2025, at the age of 86.
The Montecito-based interior designer passed away at age 86
Written by Lorie Dewhirst Porter
Internationally renowned designer John Saladino (1939–2025) died at his Montecito home on July 26, 2025, at the age of 86. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Saladino first visited Montecito as a teenager on a family road trip and was instantly smitten. At that moment his illustrious career was far in the future: a nearly 40-year span during which he helmed his highly successful design firm in New York City, was constantly profiled in national shelter magazines, kept a roster of prominent clients all over the world, and even designed his own furniture. Not to mention his educational chops: Saladino graduated from both the University of Notre Dame and the Yale School of Art and Architecture, and spent two years in Rome working for architect Piero Sartogo.
In fact, the designer was almost 60 years old when he moved West and claimed Montecito as home. By that time, Saladino’s aesthetics were well established: a rigorous respect for classical proportions combined with a keen understanding of modern design principles. He garnered numerous residential commissions throughout California, as well as local projects including Las Tejas, a majestic 14-acre Montecito estate dating from 1898, which he renovated in the late 1980s and documented in his first book, Style by Saladino. Perhaps most notable was his transformation of an early 1930s-era stone villa in Montecito for himself, a project that required four years and 14,000 18th-century Italian terra-cotta tiles to cover the roof. Saladino dubbed the residence “Villa di Lemma” (a humorous faux-aristocratic spelling of dilemma). It was the site of many lavish parties, and was extensively profiled in his second book, Villa, which also included the designer’s entertaining tips and personal recipes. (One memorable event featured alfresco dinner for 96 guests seated at a single 80-foot table.)
In recent years Saladino resided in a single-story home in Montecito, a place he slyly referred to as “the Departure Lounge.” The repository of a lifetime of collecting, the residence contained only those possessions the designer could not live without, items deemed precious not only for their value, but also their ability to conjure their owner’s memories. As with all Saladino creations, the overall effect conveyed luxury infused with an occasional dash of whimsy. “I think that a house should be a sanctuary where you close the door on reality,” he once said. “Home is a place that you edit to perfection against the onslaught of the real world.”
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Garden Party
Although cookbook author and master gardener VALERIE RICE has had plenty of success in the food world on her own, chairing an event that felt like a celebration of all the women who inspire her in the industry was a recent career high point.
Alice Waters
Written by Caitlin White
Photographs by Jack Dahlia
Although cookbook author and master gardener Valerie Rice has had plenty of success in the food world on her own, chairing an event that felt like a celebration of all the women who inspire her in the industry was a recent career high point. “DINNER IN THE GARDEN,” honoring Alice Waters, was a chance for the central coast culinary community to honor Waters one last time as the recipient of the Julia Child Award before it was awarded to the next candidate. “It honestly gave me goosebumps to be involved in something so uniquely Santa Barbara,” Rice says. “It was truly a magical blend of my cherished mentors and passions, creating an experience that felt like a joyful celebration of everything I love.”
Hosted at the Lath House at the Bellosguardo Foundation, an Italianate villa built in 1902, which has been converted into a museum and is now open to the public, the event featured organic produce from Rincon Hill Farm and exquisite wines by Rajat Parr, along with cooking by local legends like Suzanne Goin, Daisy Ryan, and more. “It was both a joy and an honor to have my dear friend Suzanne Goin, who wrote the introduction to my cookbook, join us in bringing this meal to life,” Rice says. “The entire team of chefs worked harmoniously, making collaboration effortless as we shared a common vision. I’m still dreaming of the salad she made in Alice’s honor.”Along with Waters, the legacy of Julia Child had a considerable impact on the event. “As a kid, I was a devotee of Julia Child’s PBS show alongside Jacques Pépin, which truly ignited my passion for cooking,” Rice says. “I cherish the memories of spotting her around town in the very early 2000s at her favorite restaurants and the farmers market. She was a beacon of positivity and inspiration in the kitchen.” In conjunction with Santa Barbara Culinary Experience, the event also featured generous contributions from Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Field + Fort, Luretík, and Presqu’ile.
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A Glorious Garden Party
Some would argue that Lotusland on any day is a GARDEN OF DREAMS, but since the 31st annual Lotusland Celebrates summer gala was subtitled Jardin des Rêves, special flourishes were in order.
Written by Joan Tapper
Photographs by David Mendoza III
Some would argue that Lotusland on any day is a Garden of Dreams, but since the 31st annual Lotusland Celebrates summer gala was subtitled Jardin des Rêves, special flourishes were in order. For the 500 guests who came to support the garden’s mission of sustainability, conservation, and education on Saturday, July 19, that meant entering the event in front of Colette Cosentino’s painted dreamscape and following that picturesque moment with a delightful butterfly release in the Bromeliad Garden.
Meanwhile, event cochairs Julie Morley and David M. Jones had Lotusland’s grounds transformed with a series of atmospheric French vignettes: a market scene called Marché des Rêves, designed by Merryl Brown Events; a Bar à Champagne with cocktails by The Flair Project; a floral Atelier des Fleurs; and a delectable array of pastries at the Rêve Patisserie. For anyone imagining a drive along the French (or Santa Barbara) Riviera, there was also a Concours d’Elegance on the Main Lawn, featuring vintage autos from 1938 to 1972.
After a three-course dinner by Duo Catering, with French wines provided by Abacus Life, attention turned to the some of the reasons Ganna Walska Lotusland remains a preeminent botanical garden. Actress Camilla Belle paid tribute to the property’s role as a place of emotional refuge after the ravages of the Palisades fire, and filmmaker Louis Schwartzberg premiered his short work, Botanical Beauty, created for the gala and narrated by Lotusland member Gwyneth Paltrow.
An exciting live auction underscored the generosity of attendees, who raised a record amount on an incredible array of items: a private superyacht voyage, a rare Nelumbo ‘Yimeng Red’ lotus, a lemon arbor designed by Marc Appleton, a private art tour of Hill House Montecito, an insider NY Fashion Week experience, and an exclusive visit to Jay Leno’s Big Dog Garage. An online auction with garden-inspired events, furniture, fine art, and luxury getaways added to the funds that will, noted Board president Mari Mitchel, help carry out the garden’s mission as well as infrastructure restoration and maintenance.
Added CEO Rebecca Anderson, “We are deeply grateful to our volunteer committee, sponsors, partners, donors, and friends for making this year’s event such a resounding success.”
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Striking a Chord
The MUSIC ACADEMY OF THE WEST hit all the right notes when it held its annual gala at the Montecito Club on July 11
Photographs by David Mendoza
The Music Academy of the West (MAW) hit all the right notes when it held its annual gala at the Montecito Club on July 11, welcoming more than 400 guests to the spectacular open-air ocean-view setting. Chaired this year by board member Mally Chakola and Casey Kallenbach, the event supports the full-tuition scholarships for the 150 fellows who attend the summer festival, now in its 78th year.
“This is about training the next generation of musicians,” said Shauna Quill, MAW’s president and CEO, about the instrumentalists and vocalists who have come from 19 countries around the globe. The funds also further music education in Santa Barbara County, through the year-round Sing! children’s choir, and underwrite community-access tickets to concerts.
After hors d’oeuvres and drinks on the lawn and a seated dinner catered by the Montecito Club, mandolinist Chris Thile headlined the evening’s entertainment, performing the “Allegro” from the Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor by J. S. Bach with violin fellow Angeles Hoyos and members of the Academy Chamber Orchestra led by conductor Daniela Candillari. Thile’s sheer joy in music-making across all genres was evident in the other pieces on the program—Caroline Shaw’ “And So,” and the Punch Brothers’ “Julep” and “My Oh My,” in which the Sing! youngsters joined in.
Along with a silent auction and lively paddle raise conducted by Arietta Wines co-proprietor Fritz Hatton the evening raised more than $750,000. “The Music Academy is a high-intensity experience,” said Thile, who marveled at the fellows’ high level of musicianship he had recognized during rehearsals. “They will populate the world’s great orchestras. I think that the last barriers between ‘learned music’ and ‘intuitive music’ are coming down,” he added. “I believe these musicians will change the way music is happening.” musicacademy.org