$250,000 Anonymous Gift to Santa Barbara Bowl Receives Major Naming Right

The Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation is pleased to announce that, at the request of an anonymous $250,000 donor to the American Classic Campaign, the Bowl’s West Road has been renamed the Rex Marchbanks Way in memory of one the most beloved Bowl employees. An inscribed boulder was placed at the entrance gate to the major patron access road and was dedicated on November 18 at 5pm prior to the Bowl’s annual end-of-season “Hang” party.Marchbanks, who died in 2007, was the Bowl’s ever-present Operations Manager – always the first to greet all incoming artists in his signature flip-flops. “One of the things that continues to inspire donors to give to the American Classic Campaign is the creative range of named gift opportunities, whether to commemorate a lost friend or just to celebrate the presence of the Bowl in our community,” says Scott Brittingham, Campaign Chairman. “This will make Rex a part of every concert as the audience comes to enjoy a show and take in all the great changes at the Bowl.”“We are deeply touched by the generosity of this individual towards the American Classic Campaign,” says Paul Dore, Board President, “And overjoyed that the donor has chosen to remember Rex in this way.” Construction on one significant change – The Overlook – is set to start this fall. Ultimately, The Overlook will comprise an entirely new plaza, high above the Bowl, with top-quality food concessions, spacious restrooms, a large wrap-around terrace and spectacular views, providing a convenient and comfortable pre- and mid-concert gathering spot for patrons. Phase 1 of The Overlook is all about infrastructure and includes reinforcement to the hillside to secure rocks and boulders, a new spotlight platform and building, and a new outlook area with sweeping ocean views.The newly landscaped and refurbished Glen will open for the first concert of 2010 with lush indigenous plantings and upgrades including improved access, lighting, flagstone walkways and a new pre-concert reception area.To date, the Bowl Foundation has raised $18.8mm for the American Classic Campaign, $3.45mm of which qualifies for the $2mm, two-to-one anonymous Matching Challenge Grant which has a deadline of December 31, 2009. When the challenge is met, it will result in a total of $6mm in new funds to the restoration campaign.For more information on the American Classic Campaign and the Matching Grant, please contact Beth Dolinsek, Development Director, at (805) 962-7411 ext. 15 or fundraising@sbbowl.com.