GOINGS ON : Santa Barbara Film Festival Set to Open : World premieres, appearances by leading figures in filmmaking, documentaries and foreign movies are scheduled.
Hear that buzzing? It’s coming from Santa Barbara, where movie buffs are getting ready for the ninth annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival--10 days of world premieres, documentaries, short films, celebrity sightings and salutes to the stars, all beginning Friday.
Here’s a brief rundown of some of the highlights from the first week:
Friday: Opening ceremonies at the Arlington Theatre, starting at 8 p.m., with the world premiere of “Healers,†a drama-comedy about the life philosophies of two paramedics in a small town, written by Santa Barbara’s Russ Reina. Admission is $12.
Saturday: Sissy Spacek and Maureen Stapleton star in the world premiere of “Trading Mom,†the story of three children who go in search of the perfect mother, at 1 p.m. at the Fiesta Five theater.
“An Evening With Alfre Woodard,†a two-time Emmy Award winner (“Hill Street Blues,†“L. A. Lawâ€) and an Academy Award nominee (“Cross Creekâ€) at the Fiesta Five. Woodard’s film “Passion Fish,†in which she plays a care-giver to a disabled actress, will be shown. Woodard will be interviewed onstage following the screening. Show time is 7 p.m. Admission is $15.
Sunday: “Saviors of the Forest,†an American / Ecuadorean documentary about the rain forest, will show at 10 a.m. at the Fiesta Five.
“Chuppa: The Wedding Canopy,†will have its world premiere at 11 a.m. at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. It’s the story of Helma and Beno Schneider who, after 50 years of marriage, finally have a traditional Jewish wedding. The Schneiders are among the invited guests.
“A Salute to Buddy Rogers,†featuring a showing of his 1927 comedy classic “My Best Girl†(with his former wife Mary Pickford), will begin at 2 p.m. at the Museum of Art. Rogers will be on hand to talk about his life and career, which included roles in “Wings,†winner of the first Academy Award for Best Picture.
Monday: “Handgun,†a comedy version of the classic action / heist adventures, starring Treat Williams, will screen at 3 p.m. at the Fiesta Five.
Tuesday: The Argentine / Canadian production “ El Lado Oscuro del Corazon (Dark Side of the Heart),†the story of a man’s search for love, will be shown at 5:15 p.m. at the Fiesta Five.
Wednesday: “but . . . seriously,†a political satire that mixes news clips with bits of political commentary from the best stand-up comedians past and present.
Festival passes are $250 (with special parties and events) and $150 (no parties or events). Tickets for individual, regular screenings are $7.
The Arlington is at 1317 State St., the Fiesta Five at 916 State St., and the Museum of Art at 1130 State St. For information, call 963-0023. We’ll fill you in on the rest of the festival next week.
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L’Orchestre National de France, which first toured the United States in 1948, will stop at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara tonight as part of its ninth visit to the United States. Led by Music Director Charles Dutoit, the 60-year-old orchestra is scheduled to perform Debussy’s “La Mer,†and Berlioz’s “Overture du Corsaire†and “Symphony Fantastique,†Op. 14. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $49, $37, $25 and $19. Call 963-4408 or 966-4324. The theater is at 1317 State St.
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Guitar greats Joe Pass, Leo Kotke, Pepe Romero and Paco Pena will bring their considerable talents together for a “Guitar Summit†on Friday at Santa Barbara’s Lobero Theatre. All four master musicians share ranking at the top of their field, yet all specialize in different styles. Pass is known for his jazz, Kotke for steel-string acoustic sounds, Romero for classical interpretations and Pena for his flamenco style. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. General admission is $25. Call 963-0761. The Lobero is at 33 E. Canon Perdido St.
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Still looking for the meaning of life? Then you may be interested in what author-humanitarian Laura Archera Huxley has to say on the topic. Huxley, widow of writer Aldous Huxley, will hold an informal discussion about life at 1 p.m. Sunday at Montecito’s White Winds Studio. Prior to her talk, folk harpist Lauren Green and bassist Randy Tico will team up for a mini-concert. Tickets are $15, which includes refreshments. Reservations are suggested. Call 969-5718. The studio is at 113 Middle Road.
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Blues legend Mose Allison, the “philosopher king of the blues,†will bring his satirical style to Santa Barbara’s SOhO night club for a dinner-show Sunday. Food will be served beginning at 7 p.m., with the concert starting at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Call 962-7776 for reservations. SOhO is at 1221 State St.
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