THE GRANADA CENTENNIAL FESTIVAL WEEKEND
April 12, 13, and 14, 2024
On April 9th, 2024, The Granada Theatre turned 100 years old. Three days later we commemorated our century-long history with a gala Granada Centennial celebration — a WEEKEND FESTIVAL FOR ALL OF SANTA BARBARA — showcasing our Historic Past, the Movie Palace Years; our Vibrant Present as the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts; and our Exciting Future, highlighting Santa Barbara’s talented young performers. It was a fun-filled celebration for the entire community!
FRIDAY NIGHT: CELEBRATING THE GRANADA’S HISTORIC PAST
Master of Ceremonies and film historian Ross Melnick chronicled the theater’s history and the era when The Granada was a Grand Movie Palace. Ross introduced a screening of Sherlock Jr, a Buster Keaton silent feature originally presented at The Granada in 1924. Act 2 honored the Blockbuster Era with the original–Star Wars: A New Hope, which screened at The Granada for 15 weeks in 1977.
SATURDAY NIGHT: CELEBRATING THE GRANADA’S VIBRANT PRESENT
The Granada rocked with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, the only orchestra of its kind in the country. The unique 40-piece ensemble is led by its founder, the 7-time Grammy-nominated composer/arranger Chris Walden. The orchestra was joined by four very special guest artists: superstar Katharine McPhee (American Idol), renowned jazz singer-songwriter Billy Valentine, song stylist Sheléa, and vocalist Adam “Aejaye” Jackson. Talk about vibrant!
SUNDAY NIGHT: CELEBRATING THE GRANADA’S EXCITING FUTURE
The Granada kicked off its next century in the best possible way with a special night of high-powered musical entertainment featuring Santa Barbara’s up-and-coming Solo Artists and Talented High School Performers.
Host John Palminteri introduced unforgettable solo performances by Hunter Hawkins, Jackson Gillies and Rachel La Commare. And, cast members from Santa Barbara, Dos Pueblos, and San Marcos High Schools and Euphony, the high school show choir ensemble, performed numbers from their productions of A Chorus Line, Anything Goes, Singin’ in The Rain and Sweeney Todd.
We capped off the weekend by inviting all of Santa Barbara to join us on State Street for The Granada Centennial Block Party featuring music by Santa Barbara favorite, Spencer the Gardener.
