Legends Gala 2025
On Saturday, September 13, 2025 the Granada Theatre will host its ninth annual Legends Gala honoring local legends who, through lifetime achievement, have illuminated and advanced the performing arts in a significant way. This years honorees are:
PHILANTHROPISTS
John C. Mithun Foundation – Mercedes Millington and Susan M. Torrey
ARTIST
Nir Kabaretti
CULTURAL ORGANIZATION
Lobero Theatre
The elegant black-tie banquet is hosted on the stage of the historic Granada Theatre overlooking the magnificent auditorium. The program for the evening includes live entertainment, a gourmet three-course dinner featuring local fare, wines and signature cocktails, and the “Legends Awards” to celebrate and pay tribute to the distinguished honorees.
Legends Gala Committee
Susan Jackson and Maria Schmidt, Co-Chairs
Laura Abrignani
Deirdre Hade Arntz
Deborah Bertling
Meg Burnham
Melody Ellison
Brooks Firestone
Susan Gulbransen
Gretchen Lieff
Stephanie Nicks
Joan Rutkowski
Anne Towbes
Merryl Snow Zegar
Legends Gala Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Susan and Riley Bechtel
Meg and Dan Burnham
Sarah and Roger Chrisman
The Ann Jackson Family Foundation
Silver Sponsors
Deirdre and William Arntz
Linda Stafford Burrows
Zora and Les Charles
Susan and Gary Gulbransen
William K. Jones
Jamie Maguire Foundation
Maria and Mark Schmidt
Anne Towbes
Zegar Family Fund
Gold Sponsors
Leslie E. and Harrison Bains
Melody Ellison
Kate and Brooks Firestone
John C. Mithun Foundation – Mercedes Millington and Susan M. Torrey
Bronze Sponsors
Roxana Anson
Rodney Baker and Robert Ooley AKA R & R
Deborah and Peter Bertling
Ruth Ann Bowe
Louise and Tim Casey
Community Arts Music Association (CAMA)
Cottage Health
Bella Domani
Nancy and Frederic Golden
Roberta Griffin and Michael Annese
Gerhart Hoffmeister
Rachel Kaganoff and Tessa Kaganoff
Lynn P. Kirst
Ruth Matuszeski
Hillary and Bayard Maybank
Yakko and Richard Meyers
Mrs. John McCann
Mosher Foundation
Stephanie and Dewey Nicks
Rick Oshay and Teresa Kuskey
Jenna Jobst Reichental and Avi Reichental
Christine and Stefan Riesenfeld
Sybil Rosen
Santa Barbara Foundation
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Mary Jane Steele
Carol Vernon and Robert Turbin
Kathleen Weber
Ross and Karen Williams
Past Legends Honorees
The 2024 Legends Honorees
The Granada Theatre
Susan Gulbransen
Joan Rutkowski
The 2023 Legends Honorees
Brooks and Kate Firestone – Philanthropists
Ensemble Theatre Company at the New Vic – Cultural Organization
Fannie Flagg – Artist
The 2022 Legends Honorees
Joan and Palmer Jackson – Philanthropists
State Street Ballet – Cultural Organization
Allen Sides – Artist
The 2019 Legends Honorees
Dan and Meg Burnham – Philanthropists
Opera Santa Barbara – Cultural Organization
Carol Burnett – Artist
2018 Legends Honorees
Sara Miller McCune – Philanthropist
Santa Barbara Symphony – Cultural Organization
Kenny Loggins – Artist
2017 Legends Honorees
Anne and Michael* Towbes – Philanthropists
Music Academy – Cultural Organization
Marilyn Horne – Artist
2016 Legends Honorees
Irma and Morrie Jurkowitz – Philanthropists
UCSB Arts & Lectures – Cultural Organization
Christopher Lloyd – Artist
2015 Legends Honorees
Sarah and Roger Chrisman – Philanthropists
CAMA – Cultural Organization
Barry DeVorzon – Artist