Posted by lemonjelly on: Sat 26th Mar, 2011

I didn't know what to expect, I had no idea what the Zig Zag Railroad was. But the event, hosted by Jim Connelly was a treat for everyone there.

The Piano Kitchen is Connelly's music studio space, filled with musical instruments and parts. Large garage doors can raise up to open the space outside. This could be great fun for summer shows.

A variety of artists performed over the next two hours. Was it two hours? It was hard to keep track, time went by quickly.

The evening kicked off with the best crooning of Happy Birthday I've ever heard. That's what happens when half the audience has musical skills, I guess. Happy Birthday, Sean!

Nate Birkey and Connelly started with a trumpet and string bass duet. I made a video of their first piece, which had Nate both playing and singing, but the file's so large I can't post it to youtube. If it ever finds its way online, I'll update here.

Nate played a couple songs, then dashed off - he had three gigs on this one night alone!

Dow Jarvis then paired with Connelly on banjos, and performed tunes solo. Banjos get a hard rap in the mainstream but they were well appreciated by this audience.

Patrick Lindley played piano for us. Most enjoyable.

Anna Abbey joined the Gove County String Quartet for a few songs. The first, which I grabbed a snippet of, seemed sad and pretty. The second was a composition based on a childhood song, and their final song was an excellent version of Bjork's "All is Full of Love." Minus the sapphic robots, of course. 

The final group on stage was the Westmont Chamber Choir and assorted musicians in the theme of Carl Sandberg's "Rootabaga Stories." They performed the Zig Zag Railroad, written by Connelly, with banjo, musical saw and double bass, reminiscent of a barnyard hoedown. 

All this for a $10 suggestion donation. A bargain for Saturday night entertainment and art appreciation.

Tags: jim connelly, anna abbey, piano kitchen, patrick lindley, dow jarvis, westmont chamber singers, gove county string quartet, music, funk zone

Posted by lemonjelly on: Sat 26th Mar, 2011

Posted by lemonjelly on: Fri 25th Mar, 2011

My first time on this stunning property. The performance hall was beautiful. More to come!

Tags: panzumo, music academy of the west

Posted by lemonjelly on: Mon 21st Mar, 2011

Don't lament the end of butterfly season at the Coronado grove. Rejoice! Mosquito season in Ellwood is almost upon us.

Posted by lemonjelly on: Mon 21st Mar, 2011

I'm not a man about Goleta, but I am hungry, and I happen to need lunch in Goleta.

The chirashi don from the Goleta Sushi House has been my favorite. Goleta is hardly a culinary mecca, but going to Goleta Sushi House is like stepping out of Old Town into the house of your friend's grandmother. The owner dotes on me, and brings me food that fills me up and makes me happy.

Chirashi is whatever the sushi guy feels like slicing up thickly and putting into a bowl of sushi rice. Basically unassembled nigiri. It's a lot of food packed into one bowl, plus tamago or maybe some avocado. And a bowl of miso soup. $14!!

Goleta Sushi House
5744 Hollister Ave
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 683-8724

Posted by lemonjelly on: Fri 18th Mar, 2011

Posted by lemonjelly on: Thu 17th Mar, 2011

Quoi! La Tour, que c'est délicieux !

Nested in room the size of a storage cupboard is a cute little wine shop and tasting room. It's run by a fellow named Graham, the former manager of the Cheese Shop in Paseo Nuevo. When CS closed, he bought their liquor license and opened La Tour.

What's so special about it? Well, this area is so vastly represented in California wines, that offering only European ones, especially French, suddenly becomes the rarity. That's La Tour.

The interior is small. Amazingly so. And there's so much packed into it, yet is elegant old world and hip all at once. Between pours, Graham spins vinyl.

Tastings are about $10, or you can linger over a glass or bottle.

Call yourself lucky if you can get a seat. It's hardly been open a month and already has seasoned regulars. I was lucky. I may have also been the only person there without a tattoo.

Allez !

La Tour
39 E Ortega St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101  

Posted by lemonjelly on: Fri 11th Mar, 2011

The theme is "get your kicks on Route 66."

There are some sweet vintage cars, decorated with orchids.

Andy's Orchids, as usual, has an amazing display of species orchids.

There are heaps of plants for sale in the vending area, I saw some rather pretty fully blooming Phalenopsis for about $16-18 each. These stay in bloom generally for a month, not such a bad price to pay for a bouquet that effectively lasts 30 days or more, and if you're really good (which you probably aren't), it could bloom again. Bonus.

Along with the dizzying array of vibrant flowers, there's a dizzying array of vibrant orchid growers and fans. Enthusiasm, they have plenty.

It's open Saturday and Sunday at Earl Warren Showgrounds. It was open Friday, but wrapped for the evening at 5 pm.

Posted by lemonjelly on: Sun 6th Mar, 2011

First, someone puts up Banksy-esque graffiti at SBHS.

Then, someone yarnbombs a pole outside the high school.

Today, spotted at City College, plastic covering buildings, like a Cristo installation, ripping apart and wavering in the coastal breeze.

What next, balloon dog bookends appearing in our school libraries?

Posted by lemonjelly on: Sat 5th Mar, 2011

Posted by lemonjelly on: Fri 4th Mar, 2011

Sri Lankan cuisine is taking Santa Barbara by storm. First, I get wind of the Sri Lankan food truck. And today, I was able to attend a "Friday Feast" put on by Dinesh Perera, owner of thespicygourmet.com, which sells organic, fair trade south asian spices.

In their home on Alameda Padre Serra, Dinesh and his wife put together a sumptous spread of food, with the spiceful aromatics wafting throughout kitchen into the dining room. Friends helped prepare the appetizers, and demonstrated how to make "hoppers" or a Sri Lankan version of a crepe (pictured).Approximately 35 guests filled the space, and it was sold out. It cost $40 per person, or $75 per couple, including many many bottles of wine. I spied some Longoria in the mix.

The wine flowed, strangers became friends, friends got friendlier. Someone spilled a bottle of red early on. Nearly everyone had cameras, and a good number had some intimidating gear. That's foodies for ya.