1st Thursday
An award-winning program highlighting local arts, culture and entertainment.
Downtown Santa Barbara always loves the start of a new month. With a local event like 1st Thursday, who wouldn’t?
Held on the first Thursday of each month, 1st Thursday is a splendid evening of art, music, theatre and culture located in downtown Santa Barbara. Participating galleries and art-related venues open their doors and offer free access to visual and performing arts in a fun and social environment. 1st Thursday attractions include art openings, live music, artists’ receptions, lectures, wine tastings and hands-on activities. That’s not all—many Downtown Santa Barbara partners, including non-conventional galleries, retailers and restaurants, participate in the festivities and offer one-time 1st Thursday attractions.
1st Thursday gives visitors a chance to preview forthcoming plays, symphony performances, concerts, dance productions and local up-and-coming performers. It’s safe to say that State Street truly comes to life the first Thursday of every month.
“1st Thursday is for locals and visitors alike,” the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization website says. “It provides an opportunity for residents to indulge in local culture, mingle with neighbors and participate in the arts community. The program also offers visitors the chance to experience, in one evening, the diversity of downtown Santa Barbara’s visual and performing arts scene. [1st Thursday] is aimed at…showcasing the cultural variety that Santa Barbara has to offer.”
The next 1st Thursday event is Thursday, April 4th and the theme is poetry.
Check out the special events going on here, and visit the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization website for details and the most up-to-date content.
Participating Galleries & Performing Arts Venues
33 Jewels at El Paseo, 814 State Street, 805-957-9100
Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara, 229 East Victoria Street, 805-965-6307
Artamo Gallery, 11 West Anapamu Street, 805-568-1400
Brooks Institute: Gallery 27, 27 East Cota Street, 805-690-4900
Channing Peake Gallery, 105 East Anapamu Street, 805-568-3990
Divine Inspiration Gallery, 1528 State Street, 805-962-6444
Faulkner Gallery at the Santa Barbara Public Library East, 40 East Anapamu Street, 805-962-7635
Faulkner Gallery at the Santa Barbara Public Library West, 40 East Anapamu Street in the S.B. Public Library
Gallery 113, 1114 State Street #8, in La Arcada Court, 805-965-6611
James Main Fine Art, 27 East de la Guerra Street, 805-962-8347
Jane Deering Gallery, 128 East Canon Perdido Street, 805-966-3334
Santa Barbara Arts, 1114 State Street #26, in La Arcada Court, 805-884-1938
Santa Barbara Contemporary Forum, 653 Paseo Nuevo, Upper Arts Terrace, 805-966-5373
Lumnos Gallery at Santa Barbara Frame Shop and Gallery, 1324 State Street, Suite J, 805-729-2184
Santa Barbara Historical Museum, 138 East de la Guerra Street, 805-966-1601
Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State Street, 805-963-4364
Sullivan Goss: An American Gallery, 7 & 11 West Anapamu Street, 805-730-1460
Special Performances
Kat Devlin, 900 State Street, Marshall’s Patio
My Haiku on Wheels with MTD, 900 State Street
Santa Barbara High School Visual Arts and Design Academy (VADA), Corner of State and Anapamu Streets
Sounds Impressions, Paseo Nuevo Center Court (5-7 p.m.)
The Poetry Booth, Paseo Nuevo Center Court
Partner Events
Adama Vegan Comfort Cuisine, 429 Chapala Street, 805-560-1348
Bella Rosa Galleries, 1103 A State Street, 805-966-1707
Casa Magazine, 23 East Canon Perdido Street, 805-965-6448
Encanto, 1114 State Street #22, in La Arcada Court
Imagine, 11 West Canon Perdido, 805-899-3700
Industry Home, 740 State Street #1, 805-845-5780
Metropolitan, 1226 State Street, 805-845-7571
Plum Goods, 909 State Street, 805-845-3900
Sojourner Café, 134 East Canon Perdido, 805-965-7922
Workzones, 351 Paseo Nuevo, 805-966-3722
*Photo from www.santabarbaradowntown.com
DETAILS
www.santabarbaradowntown.com/about/1st-thursday
Date: Recurring monthly on the 1st Thursday
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Santa Barbara, 27B E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Admission: Free
Contact: SB Downtown Organization
Phone: 805-962-2098
WHERE TO STAY
Spanish Garden Inn
Santa Barbara’s finest luxury boutique hotel, located downtown. 915 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. 805-564-4700.
www.spanishgardeninn.com
Inn at East Beach
Whatever makes your ideal California weekend getaway, The Inn at East Beach Hotel in Santa Barbara is here to help you stay well – and well within your budget! 1029 Orilla Del Mar, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. 805-965-0546.
www.innateastbeach.com
