ON Culture | The Joy of Painting on the Walls of Your Elementary School, Projecting a Vision of Freedom, and Kenny Loggins Live

This edition of ON Culture was originally emailed to subscribers on May 4, 2023. To receive Leslie Dinaberg’s arts newsletter in your inbox on Fridays, sign up at independent.com/newsletters.

ON the Stage (Music)

Is this really it? Tickets go on sale Friday (May 5) for what Kenny Loggins says is his final concert tour, with a stop at the Santa Barbara Bowl on Saturday, November 4. Currently touring what the Santa Barbara–based artist says may be the last time for an expansive set of shows, Loggins stated, “It’s been an amazing journey since starting with Jimmy Messina in 1971, and I’m fortunate to have had such a long touring career. I don’t see this as the end of my professional career, but certainly a halt to the grind of major touring.” He stresses that there was no overarching reason to say farewell to touring, other than “after spending a lifetime on the road, I want to have more time at home.” As for possible guests onstage, he says, “We’re hoping to have some of my longtime friends sit in whenever possible.”

I’ll be there, just in case he needs an extra friend as a backup dancer.

Kenny may be slowing down a bit, but the partnership between the Bowl and concert promoter Goldenvoice looms longer and stronger than ever. The live entertainment company just extended its deal as the exclusive booker for the historic amphitheater through 2032. As locals may or may not be aware, Goldenvoice presents all sorts of world-class events, including the recent Stagecoach and Coachella festivals, forming relationships with all of the hottest artists that continue to benefit Santa Barbara’s music fans. All of this happens under the guidance of Goldenvoice Senior Vice President, Montecito resident, and well-known booker Moss Jacobs, who in addition to one of Loggins’s last touring performances is also bringing big names like Diana Ross, James Taylor, Odesza, The Lumineers, and Van Morrison to the Bowl this season.

Also worth noting, our very own arts writer Joe Woodard is a talented guitarist who will be playing with Julie Christensen and bassist Steve Nelson on May 13 in the intimate space of the Ojai Underground Exchange. Christensen is well-known for her work with such luminaries as Leonard Cohen, Divine Horsemen, Van Dyke Parks, and many others — and has been part of the Headless Household adventure for years.