Tonight’s First Thursday is shaping up to be one of the best of the year. Not only because it is November and we finally have some beautiful weather, but this month’s art offerings are exceptional. Besides Pianos on State and the first ever Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative Art Crawl, there are some really exciting exhibits to check out, including the Bang Bang underground show which I’m particularly excited about.  Below are my selected highlights of places to make sure not to miss tonight as you hit the street.

125 E. Carrillo Street
The BANG BANG Underground Art Production is inviting everyone for the one-night event at 125 E. Carrillo Street ( orange door in the back). The event will start at 5pm and last till at least 10pm. The featured artist of the night are Sherry Wetzel, Inga Romualdo Guzyte and the musician Chris Wilson and more… They will have snacks and drinks for the hungry and thirsty ones!

This one is a bit off of the beaten path, but it is well worth it. The last show at this place nearly sold out. If you want first pick you better get there early.

THE SUPPLY ROOM @ PRESIDIO MOTEL
1620 State Street
(805) 963-1355
Featuring local artist Stephanie Dotson. She will be showcasing a collection of recent encaustic paintings layered with ink and resin. Stephanie currently lives and teaches printmaking in Santa Barbara.

CANARY HOTEL
31 West Carrillo Street
(805) 884-0300
Linda Stewart-Oaten, recipient of The Arts Fund’s 2010 Individual Artist Award (IAA) in General Fiction, will premier her winning piece, “Flames”, in a public reading. Also reading will be IAA Honorable Mention winners: Jim Alexander, Catherine Gee, and Fred Nadis.

BROOKS INSTITUTE GALLERY 27
27 East Cota Street
(805) 690-4913
Construction & Reconstruction: this group exhibition features samples of the culminating work of six emerging photographers from the Master of Fine Art Photography program. The selection of works from these groundbreaking artists ranges from the truly novel to reinterpretations of the familiar. The pieces reflect a variety of personal experiences, expressions, concerns and interests. Wine will be provided by Olive House.

SANTA BARBARA CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORUM
653 Paseo Nuevo, 2nd Floor
(805) 966-5373
Forum Lounge: Without Sun. In two showings, 7pm and 8pm, artist Brody Condon will present the live performance Without Sun: Modification (2009). This dance and spoken word piece is based on an edited compilation of “found online performances” of individuals on a psychedelic substance which will be screened before the performance. Condon worked with dancer Linda Austin and actor Russell Edge to re-interpret the erratic movements and verbalizations of people in the throes of revelatory and frightening psychoactive experiences.

It’s that time again to get your walking shoes on and hit State Street for an evening full of art viewing. It looks as though the June Gloom of the last few weeks has given us a break and it is a perfect day to get out and about on the town. Here is a suggested itinerary of places not to be missed:

AG2 GALLERY @ THE FRENCH PRESS
1101 State Street
(805) 963-9800
Hope and Spirit of Haiti: A photographic journey revealing a spirit of regrowth and resilience in post-earthquake Haiti. How does the Haitian spirit thrive in the wake of natural disaster? This is what photographer, Lindsey Ross, set out to find. Feel the energy with lively cultural music. Refreshments served.

Lindsey is an adventurous and dedicated photographer, and I’m super excited about this one.

CANARY HOTEL
31 West Carrillo Street
(805) 884-0300
World-renowned artist Emma Ferreira has been a full-time contributor to the contemporary art world since 1998. Emma’s entrepreneurial spirit allows her to use her creative gifts to support her countless philanthropic endeavors.

I haven’t been in this space in the Canary, so it will be interesting to see.

THE GRANADA
1214 State Street
(805) 899-3000
Summer Speakeasy: Escape the summer heat in the cool downstairs as we revisit the end of the roaring 20s with swanky music, wine sampling courtesy of Santa Barbara Winery, beer tastings and an Old Hollywood art exhibit from our Hall of Fame of entertainment icons who appeared in their heyday.

SANTA BARBARA CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORUM
653 Paseo Nuevo, 2nd Floor
(805) 966-5373
Forum Lounge: FAST-FORWARD: A Screening of Contemporary American Video Art: Curated by Annie Wharton, FAST-FORWARD is a compilation of short length videos by several artists working in the medium. The videos encompass a wide range of subject matter ranging from corporeal, action based performances to humorous slices of life. In addition, CAF will show works on monitors and projections by several other artists. 7pm.

COUCH
9 West Ortega Street
(805) 965-8505
Not to be missed, the very unusual necromantic art of multi-media artist Kimberly McBride. She uses video, music and paint to channel cultural icons from Marilyn Monroe to Kurt Cobain. Kimberly will be painting live using her brushless technique. Join us for an artist reception and refreshments.

THE CHURCH GALLERY
125 West Ortega Street
(805) 451-8845
A Certain Slant of Light: New Works by Cyndee Howard and Lisa Schulte, is a two-person exhibition exploring the notion of light as a formal as well as thematic medium. Curated by Miki Garcia, the exhibition features new works in photography by Howard and neon sculpture by Schulte.

C4
914A Santa Barbara Street, at the Built Green Resource Center
The Green Building Art Show brings together work by a diverse group of designers, architects and artists who specialize in green building. In addition, C4’s Build Smart mobile demonstration trailer will be onsite. Refreshments will be served.

BROOKS INSTITUTE GALLERY 27
27 East Cota Street
(805) 690-4913
Brooks Institute’s Gallery 27 will have on display a selection of work from local student artists. Refreshments will be served.

If there are any great events going on that I have missed, send me a message and I’ll do my best to update the post.