The Santa Barbara Bowl… An American Classic

The Santa Barbara Bowl reverberates with the sound of classics – from the Old Spanish Days Fiesta to classic rockers like Bob Dylan and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; from classic jazz vocalists Tony Bennett and Ray Charles, to concert artists Van Cliburn and Sarah Brightman and contemporary superstars Pearl Jam, Sting and David Bowie. The Bowl is a jewel, an intersection of American classicism. Nestled in the hillsides above Santa Barbara, the Bowl is a premier example of 1930s Works Progress Administration outdoor art deco architecture and melds decades of music and vistas in ways no other open-air venue in America can.Significant capital infrastructure improvements have been made since 1994: A new production roof, upgraded power, better sewer lines, a larger marquee, a new storm drain and more efficient drainage systems. The stage and backstage facilities have been reconstructed increasing the overall useable square footage by nearly 200 percent.In 1981, the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation created a $22,000,000 Master Plan for Restoration and Renovation, and in 2000, thanks to the generosity of three donors, $10,000,000 of improvements were begun, including a permanent, disabled seating platform; better facilities and more amenities for performers and patrons – upgraded dressing rooms and enlarged and improved restroom facilities; and the elegant Wendy McCaw Terrace.The stage is now set for the final $12,000,000 campaign phase. When the capital improvements are completed in 2008, the Bowl’s early 20th century grace will remain but rest firmly on 21st century underpinnings.”This monumental renovation project will be first-class and in keeping with the Bowl’s distinctive architectural style,” said Scott Brittingham, member of the Bowl Foundation Board of Directors and Chairman of the $12,000,000 American Classic campaign. “But it’s not about cosmetics. Every element is necessary for the Bowl to maintain its place as one of America’s finest outdoor concert venues and to continue to attract top-tier, world-class acts by keeping up with changing industry standards that require serious support for advances in lighting, sound, staging and all areas of production. We’re in the very early stages of the campaign and gratified at the response.”For the first time, the Bowl’s acoustics will be enhanced sufficiently to accommodate major symphony orchestras and opera stars in concert.The centerpiece of the campaign is the Pavilion. This new on-stage structure will enable top-tier acts to play the venue. The stage has been completely rebuilt and the new stage housing – The Pavilion – will hold approximately 30 percent more weight, thus accommodating more lighting, associated sets, props, lifts and “video walls” that are becoming an increasingly important part of every major act today.The three-walled, permanently covered Pavilion will protect artists and their equipment from the elements, in addition to mitigating neighborhood sound issues for certain areas immediately adjacent to the Bowl. The Pavilion will serve as a proper sound reverberation chamber, enhancing the Bowl’s natural acoustics to provide concert hall quality – characteristics necessary to attract major symphony orchestras and premier vocalists.Other future improvements will include:• The Overlook – A new plaza-like area, high above the Bowl with top-quality food concessions, spacious restrooms, a large wrap-around terrace and a spectacular view.• Seating – The Bowl seats 4,500 patrons on folding chairs and aluminum benches, originally installed in 1960. These will be replaced by stadium chairs and more comfortable bench-style seating.• The Glen and the Glen Gate – Just inside the Bowl’s grounds, concert-goers enter the Bowls’ lobby; a natural outdoor wooded glen. A new gate, designed in the spirit of the original 1930’s architecture, will be installed at the entrance to this lush area.The Santa Barbara Bowl continues to commit to its pledge to upgrade patron comfort and amenities including upgraded concession areas, seating and better ADA accessibility. In accordance with this, the Founders’ Row has been created to give those who love the Bowl the opportunity to become involved in a significant way and at the same time, enjoy the best seats in the house for every concert, renewable every ten years.Creative gift planning assistance provides donors to the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation’s campaign a unique opportunity to design significant gifts, often beyond their expectations, with efficient, effective, and tax-wise gift plans that offer personal benefits to the donor and a permanent legacy to the Bowl. For more information about any of the Bowl’s gift opportunities, please call (805) 962-7411 or e-mail sbbowl@sbbowl.comSanta Barbara BowlEducation Outreach EndowmentSince 1999, the Bowl’s Education Outreach Program has been dedicated to supporting arts education for Santa Barbara area students. The program works in partnership with schools and other community-based institutions to produce live events, visual arts and music education. The Bowl has sponsored in-school events with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, the Alvin Ailey Dance Company and many others. With cuts being made to school arts programs, the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation is committed to providing schoolchildren with a wide range of artistic experiences that enhance their education. The Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation’s Education Outreach Program partnered with UCSB’S Arts & Lectures and the Children’s Creative Project in 2003 to bring more than 15 performances and master classes to over 15,000 Central Coast students.A percentage of each ticket sold at the Bowl goes to support the program, along with private donations and proceeds from special events. The endowment component of the American Classic campaign is designed to provide a predicable cash flow to the Santa Barbara Bowl Education Outreach Program. ^©2004 Santa Barbara News-Press