As we approach the end of the Noughties, publications large (Rolling Stone, New York Times) and small (Pitchfork, Onion) scramble to sum up what may be one of the most eclectic decades in the arts. This year alone, we saw chart-topping albums from a teenage country crooner and a “fashion-forward” (read: possibly insane) diva in the making. In television, reality continued to rule. And at the box office, vampires reigned and Nazi headhunters reigned.
On the S.B. front, we saw another stellar Bowl season come and go, as well as some truly unreal club shows from some of rock’s youngest and brightest (Girls, Devendra Banhart, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros). Early on, the Santa Barbara International Film Fest filled the streets with a healthy smattering of Hollywood’s elite (Clint Eastwood, Kate Winslet, Mickey Rourke) and top-notch cinema. UCSB’s Arts & Lectures ushered in its 50th year with more programming then we can list, and somewhere along the way, the Granada finally found its stride, hosting cello great Yo-Yo Ma and the world premiere of Seance on a Wet Afternoon.
Below, a smattering of The Indy‘s staff dish on their favorite moments of ’09, and reflect back on a mighty year in the arts.