This is an especially action-packed First Thursday in Santa Barbara.  It will, in fact, be hard to see all of the great things going on this evening, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying.

To start off, there is a great underground show at 123 E. Carrillo St. The show will feature work by The Protist, some ridiculously awesome sculptures by Inga Gyzyte, and stop-motion animation by Viva Design Inc. This one goes from 5 to 10, so it would make a perfect last stop on your First Thursday tour.

At the AG2 gallery, our friend Bill McVicar is putting on a show of work by museum guards called “Please Don’t Touch the Art“. I have been excited about this show since the moment I heard about the idea. This is one of the most original shows I’ve heard about in ages.

Other highlights tonight include:

SANTA BARBARA CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORUM

653 Paseo Nuevo, 2nd Floor

Forum Lounge: John Williams, a multimedia interactive installation. Multimedia artist John Williams uses vinyl records, record players, speakers, effect pedals, slide and 8 mm projectors to create an ultra-sensory environment of small assemblage sculptures with projections and sounds created in real time. As Williams converts the gallery space into one giant kinetic sculpture, the viewer becomes an active participant in his improvised visual choreography. 7pm.

WHEELHOUSE

528 Anacapa Street

WheelHouse, along with Bike Moves, is proud to present The WheelHouse Hoedown! Bring your boots, hat and wranglers to this county fair themed event featuring Brengrass, a local folk music group. There will also be fun events throughout the night including a pie eating contest and mini bike races. Yee-Haw!!!

THE GRANADA

1214 State Street

Let us entertain you with an evening of lively arts! Santa Barbara Artists Collaborative presents surprise vignettes and mini performances throughout the theatre. Enjoy the colorful pop art paintings of Stephen Holland on display upstairs in The McCune Founders Room. And enjoy a diverse line-up downstairs including Kit of Astrohoops as you sip savory wines available at our no-host wine bar.