The Summer Solstice Parade has grown
over the 34 years to an organization
that works year-round to put on the colorful
parade with over 1,000 directly participants
and a attendance of more than 100,000 on
the streets of downtown Santa Barbara. The
parade is since while ago a popular event
and directly connected with the summer’s
grand opening in the California Riviera.
Started by a man named Michael Gonzales,
actually for his birthday, which was on May
Day, he decided to have a parade. He was
part of the Mime Caravan, a group of mimes
from San Francisco. After a couple of years,
he and his friend Michael Felcher decided to
join forces to include a musical performance
following the parade. This was stage at the
sunken gardens, at the County Courthouse
in Santa Barbara. The date was the Summer
Solstice and than they used that date ever
since.
In past years, the production had to search
for a new location to build the parade each
year and sometime did not find it until almost
one month prior to the event. Finally,
this year of 2008 they got a permanent
wherehouse shop that will be open yearround
for use by all sorts of performing arts
groups during the time people are not making
floats for the parade. They offer a community
arts workshop for the two months
prior to the event where the entire community
is invited to join in the making of the
event parade. As support, they hire a staff of
artists, costumers and mask makers to help
people make their creations.
Many of Santa Barbara's local dance companies
participate, including Brazilians
Vanessa Issac's/Ginga Cultural Center and
Mariano Silva/Batuque SB. The Brazilian
music is represented by local Brazilian
& Lovers of Brazil drummers living in the
county, as well the capoeiristas from the two
groups in the city, Sul da Bahia and Batuque.
The Brazilian groups are always a big hit.
This year 2008, they will have a special participation
from a samba group coming from
San Diego, a fabulous group of costumed
“Carnivale”who come from San Luis Obispo,
as well a huge group of Tahitian Dancers to
name just a few. The Solstice Summer Festival
kicks off is at Alameda Park, on Friday
Night and continues on Saturday where the
parade ends at the park featuring live bands,
dancing groups, a fine art section of people
selling their arts & crafts, booths of foods
and beverages, and a Kids Festival with their
own stage.
The event executive director, Claudia Bratart
told us that the Festival attracts many Brazilians
as it has a similar feel to Carnaval, and
add, “The event does not have the corporate
look like many other parades. It is very original
and the creativity, music, and passion of
the people, attracts folks from around the
world. Perhaps, it has to do with climate
and the attitude. People are friendlier and
the pace is not as hectic as some other cities
in California”. The Solstice Wherehouse
is open Wed. to Fri. from 3pm-8pm. and
weekends from Noon to 6pm. It is located at
631 Garden Street, downtown SB. More info:
www.solsticeparade.com
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