Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites - Kids Kaleidoscope

The Grace Fisher Foundation’s “A Winter Music Showcase” on December 7, 2024, at the Granada Theater was a feel-good evening from beginning to end. Host Charlie Schlatter introduced every moment with charm and enthusiasm that brought the audience warmly into each unique performance.

The wonderful cast of performers included Elite Dance Studio, Jackson Gilles trio, Santa Barbara Chamber Players, BFOM, Music Academy of the West’s Sing! Children’s Chorus, Kelly Caulfield, Noele Hadsall, Tessa McNees, Janette Prykhitko, Music by Grace Fisher Director John Behring, GFF Ensemble & Sing! Brandi Lentini, Move With Purpose, Will Breman, Chris Fossek.

“Circle of Grace” a film conceived by Santa Barbara television director, photographer John Behring (director Law & Order, FBI International) to celebrate the courage and creative tenacity of Grace Fisher. John’s still photography is exhibited at the Fine Line Gallery in the La Cumbre Plaza where the Grace Fisher Foundation’s Creative Arts Clubhouse is a neighbor. The concept sprang from a performance by the State Street Ballet at the gallery’s monthly 3^rd Friday open house. John was inspired to create a short film that brings ballet out of the formal setting of the stage and into the real world. He hoped to merge this concept with Grace as a central figure in a story exploring her vivid imagination. The narrative follows Grace as she creates an iconic painting, accompanied by her original orchestral score.

“Circle of Grace” was a pro bono cooperative project done by gracious filmmakers, artists, friends and volunteers who gave their time, talent and resources to complete it, and the film presentation was an amazing gift to attendees of the Winter Music Showcase and was a true celebration of Grace’s amazing talent and the gifts she brings to the world.

A lovely reception was held in the Founder’s Room of the Granada Theatre prior to the Winter Showcase where friends and supporters enjoyed Via Maestro bites and congratulated Grace on the amazing work being done by her at the Grace Fisher Foundation inclusive arts Clubhouse in La Cumbre Plaza, created in 2016 with the mission to connect people living with disabilities to music, art and dance. In 2023 the GFF opened the Inclusive Arts Clubhouse as a place for people of all abilities to create, connect and find community support.

The free programs provide opportunities for self-discovery for people of all abilities. Rachel Quittner with Nancy Newquist-Nolan who sponsor savvy senior seminars at Graces Clubhouse, where Rachel Quittner also teaches a weekly dance class are delighted their YourSBTeam.com can sponsor programs at the upbeat and happy venue created by the Grace Fisher Foundation.

Rachel Quittner, Dana Newquist, Andrea Newquist, Nancy Newquist-Nolan celebrating Grace Fisher Foundation Winter Music Showcase at Founders Room reception in the Granada Theatre.

Grace Fisher was raised in Santa Barbara, where she loved music as a young child, however, at 17 Grace developed a rare neurological disease which left her paralyzed from the neck down. She discovered mouth painting and music composition and graduated from UCSB with a BA in music composition and is now an award-winning composer and artist bringing the arts to others with disabilities. According to Grace her only limitation is her imagination!

It was so nice to see Mayor Randy Rowse mingling with guests at the

reception, who during Grace Fisher Foundation’s first year presented Grace Fisher the Mayor’s Non-Profit of the Year Award, while Grace also received the Emerging Young Artist Award at the Kennedy Center, and was also honored as Innovator of the Year by the Sough Coast Chamber of Commerce in Santa Barbara.

Grace closed the delightful musical evening by thanking Sara Wilcox, Jana Brody, all the volunteers at Inclusive Arts Clubhouse, and all the donors who helped turn a humble dream into a reality.

She thanks her advisory board members Brett Grimes, Debbie and Bill Fisher, Donna Reeves, Jen Oakley and Victoria Strong who she says helped shape and move her dream forward. Grace’s devoted sponsors include CHISPA Foundation, SB Bowl Outreach, BASH Physiatry inc., Towbes Foundation, Boone Graphics, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Santa Barbara Beautiful, Leni Fe Bland Performing Arts Partnership, Fidelity National Title Group Santa Barbara, Chico Title, Fidelity National Title.

Sheer joy could be felt throughout as guests exited the theatre, and everyone was amazed at how many talented people contributed to this perfectly lovely pre-holiday production and experience.

The public is invited to help the Santa Barbara Zoo choose a name for the new female giraffe calf that was born last month. The Santa Barbara Zoo staff have narrowed the names down to two contenders to choose from:

The new calf is growing and thriving, and now regularly spending time in the giraffe habitat with the rest of the herd.The new calf is generously sponsored by Premier Foster Feeders Nora McNeely Hurley & Michael Hurley, and Adia is sponsored in loving memory of Polly Blackburn. For information on how to support the giraffe herd, click here.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. for members and 9:30 a.m. for general admission until 5 p.m.; general admission is $25 for adults, $15 for children 2-12, and free for children under 2. Parking is $11. The Santa Barbara Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA zoos are dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great visitor experience, and a better future for all living things. With more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and is the public’s link to helping animals in their native habitats. Visit www.sbzoo.org.