Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles performs a free concert at the Marjorie Luke Theatre (photo: Isaac Hernández de Lipa)
¡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.
2025-2026 FREE Community Concerts
Grupo Bella
A unique experience of blending the old Música de Raiz with new and fresh sounds
Thu, Sep 18 | 7 PM | Carpinteria Vets Memorial Building
Fri, Sep 19 | 7 PM | Isla Vista Elementary
Sat, Sep 20 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall
Sun, Sep 21 | 6 PM | Marjorie Luke Theatre
Gaby Moreno
Grammy Award-winning Guatemalan singer-songwriter and guitarist
Thu, Nov 6 | 7 PM | Carpinteria Vets Memorial Building
Fri, Nov 7 | 7 PM | Isla Vista Elementary
Sat, Nov 8 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall
Sun, Nov 9 | 6 PM | Marjorie Luke Theatre
Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles
America's first all-female mariachi ensemble
Thu, Jan 15 | 7 PM | Carpinteria Vets Memorial Building
Fri, Jan 16 | 7 PM | Isla Vista Elementary
Sat, Jan 17 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall
Sun, Jan 18 | 6 PM | Marjorie Luke Theatre
Las Cafeteras
Chicanx band from East Los Angeles known for blending son jarocho and spoken word
Thu, Mar 19 | 7 PM | Carpinteria Vets Memorial Building
Fri, Mar 20 | 7 PM | Isla Vista Elementary
Sat, Mar 21 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall
Sun, Mar 22 | 6 PM | Marjorie Luke Theatre
Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande
A professional company and beacon of excellence and cultural pride in the Rio Grande Valley
Thu, Apr 16 | 7 PM | Carpinteria Vets Memorial Building
Fri, Apr 17 | 7 PM | Isla Vista Elementary
Sat, Apr 18 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall
Sun, Apr 19 | 6 PM | Marjorie Luke Theatre
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! is a collaboration between The Marjorie Luke Theatre, Guadalupe Visual & Performing Arts Center, Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association and UCSB Arts & Lectures, serving Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Guadalupe and New Cuyama.
Follow Viva on social media for updates and more information on free performances and workshops:
@vivaelartesantabarbara | @vivaelartesb
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! is sponsored by Connie Frank & Evan Thompson, Kath Lavidge & Ed McKinley, 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.