¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! brings people together to share the rich cultural heritage of Latin America, serving more than 15,000 students and community members each year throughout Santa Barbara County.

Viva builds bridges through live performance, shared experience and joyful, personal discovery. Created in 2006 out of a commitment to arts access for all, Viva works with dozens of local partners to present high-quality touring artists – Grammy winners and recognized cultural ambassadors – who share their knowledge, passion and commitment. Schools, neighborhood spaces and community centers come alive in these free programs for youth and families.

2023-2024 FREE Community Concerts

Perla Batalla

Mestiza, Mexican and Latin American songs from a world-class vocalist and Grammy nominee

Vi, 8 de septiembre | Fri, Sep 8 | 7 PM | Isla Vista Elementary
Sa, 9 de septiembre | Sat, Sep 9 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall
Do, 10 de septiembre | Sun, Sep 10 | 6 PM | Marjorie Luke Theatre

Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles

The nation’s premier Mexican folk dance company

Vi, 13 de octubre | Fri, Oct 13 | 7 PM | Isla Vista Elementary
Sa, 14 de octubre | Sat, Oct 14 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall
Do, 15 de octubre | Sun, Oct 15 | 6 PM | Marjorie Luke Theatre

Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles

America’s first all-female mariachi

Vi, 19 de enero | Fri, Jan 19 | 7 PM | Isla Vista Elementary
Sa, 20 de enero| Sat, Jan 20 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall
Do, 21 de enero | Sun, Jan 21 | 6 PM | Marjorie Luke Theatre

Quitapenas

Dance music from the Afro-Latin diaspora

Vi, 8 de marzo | Fri, Mar 8 | 7 PM | Isla Vista Elementary
Sa, 9 de marzo | Sat, Mar 9 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall
Do, 10 de marzo | Sun, Mar 10 | 6 PM | Marjorie Luke Theatre

Jarabe Mexicano

Bordeño soul celebrating the roots music of the US-Mexico border region

Vi, 17 de mayo | Fri, May 17 | 7 PM | Isla Vista Elementary
Sa, 18 de mayo | Sat, May 18 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall
Do, 19 de mayo | Sun, May 19 | 6 PM | Marjorie Luke Theatre

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! is a collaboration between UCSB Arts & Lectures, The Marjorie Luke Theatre, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, and the Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association serving Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Guadalupe and New Cuyama.

Check the Viva Facebook page for updates and free workshops.

Support Viva

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! is sponsored by Kath Lavidge & Ed McKinley, Anonymous, Dorothy Largay & Wayne Rosing, Audrey & Timothy O. Fisher, UCSB Office of Education Partnerships, The Stone Family Foundation, Linda Stafford Burrows, and Anonymous. Additional support comes from the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission, the California Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The program is supported in part by the Santa Barbara Independent, the Santa Maria SUN, El Latino CC, Radio Bronco, Entravision/Univision Costa Central, and the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Viva is co-presented by The Marjorie Luke Theatre, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center and UCSB Arts & Lectures, in partnership with the Isla Vista School Parent-Teacher Association.