Name: Sphinx Virtuosi
Start: 2026-03-12T19:30:00
Location: Lobero Theatre

As the Sphinx Virtuosi embark on their latest season, they bring along a powerful narrative of resilience, unity, and peace through the universal language of music. Featuring the prodigious talents of Sterling Elliott and Randall Goosby, this journey sees the ensemble performing across various prestigious venues, exploring a repertoire that echoes the spirit of hope and collaboration. These events challenge us to reflect on our history and aspire to a future where music transcends borders and unites us all.

Sphinx Virtuosi: A Celebration of Diversity and Peace Through Music

Embark on an enchanting journey with Sphinx Virtuosi, an illustrious ensemble of Black and Latinx classical musicians. As they grace stages across the U.S., featuring the remarkable talents of cellist Sterling Elliott and violinist Randall Goosby, their performances encapsulate a profound narrative of peace, unity, and resilience. Through the language of music, they navigate the complexities of history, stirring emotions and aspirations in a quest for harmony and understanding.

Sphinx Virtuosi: A Symphony of Peace and Resilience

Experience the soul-stirring melodies of the Sphinx Virtuosi as they bring to life a tapestry of history, resilience, and harmony. Join acclaimed violinist Randall Goosby and a collective of 18 talented Black and Latinx musicians as they perform a series of groundbreaking concerts exploring themes of peace and shared humanity. From William Grant Still's classic compositions to José White's evocative Cuban rhythms, each note invites listeners into a world where music transcends boundaries and tells stories of human endurance and hope.

Sphinx Virtuosi: A Journey Through Music, Resilience, and Unity

The Sphinx Virtuosi, a celebrated chamber orchestra, is set to captivate audiences with 'Visions of Peace,' a concert series that promises a profound musical journey reflecting resilience, unity, and shared humanity. Featuring the extraordinary violinist Randall Goosby and a diverse ensemble of Black and Latinx artists, these performances at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and Lobero Theatre will explore themes of historical reflection and future hope through a rich tapestry of musical voices. From classical masterpieces to contemporary compositions, this series is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of human connection.

Sphinx Virtuosi: A Symphony of Resilience and Harmony

Throughout March and into April 2026, Santa Barbara's historic Lobero Theatre becomes the heart of a vibrant musical celebration. From Madeleine Peyroux's soulful recital to the eclectic jazz exploration in 'Journey through Jazz', the theatre offers an array of performances. Highlighting cultural diversity, Sphinx Virtuosi's chamber music and a tribute to Elton John add to the excitement. Not to be missed is the Irish festivity of St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, alongside innovative dance and interactive rock experiences. This series is an artistic festivity you won't want to miss.

A Month of Musical Mastery: Lobero Theatre's Diverse Lineup

Randall Goosby

Sphinx Virtuosi

Lobero Theatre

In our ‘Journey through Jazz!’ residency program, students are taken on a musical and narrative trek from early Dixieland to today’s Fusion jazz, while learning basic singing and performance skills, jazz terms, American jazz history, and ethnic/music diversity. The residency closes with a school assembly and performance, and a FREE public performance at the historic Lobero Theatre!

Journey through Jazz

Hailing from both the Appalachian and Piedmont regions of North Carolina, the Rangers have long held traditional bluegrass paramount, while possessing an exceptional ability to bring it down the mountain, and to incorporate accessible influence from all walks of the region. With the band’s last few albums, they have gained recognition from well beyond the world of bluegrass, earning a reputation as some of the most influential songwriters in Americana today.

An evening with Steep Canyon Rangers

The Sphinx Virtuosi, a dynamic self-conducted chamber orchestra comprised of 18 accomplished Black and Latinx artists, returns to CAMA with a program titled Visions of Peace. Featuring acclaimed violinist Randall Goosby, the concert explores themes of resilience, peace, and shared humanity through a diverse range of musical voices. The Sphinx Virtuosi are celebrated for their “immeasurable power, unwavering command, and soulful beauty” (The Washington Post) and their commitment to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts.

Attention Elton John fans! Moon Coin Productions (Producers of ABBA Tribute “ABRA Cadabra” and Eagles Tribute “Take It To The Limit”) Presents Electric Elton – A Tribute to Elton John from Vancouver performing in Santa Barbara for the 1st time on March 13, 2026.

Electric Elton A Tribute to Elton John

Experience the true spirit of Ireland! Immerse yourself in the heart of Irish traditions with a rollicking celebration of music, song, and dance. Fiddles, bodhrán, and uillean pipes will transport you straight to the Emerald Isle for a night that will have you leaving the theatre with a jig in your step!

Sing your heart out with the Kerry Traditional Band on some great Irish songs including: The Wild Rover, Ireland’s Call, Raglan Road, Parting Glass and Black Velvet Band. Perfect for the entire family. A great Irish night!

St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland

Leap into a world of imagination with RECESS!, State Street Ballet’s fun-filled, family program featuring three delightful works. Alexei Kremnev’s Carnival of the Animals takes audiences on a charming zoo adventure, while Jerome Robbins’ Interplay bursts with playground energy. Closing the program is a new contemporary work by Kassandra Taylor Newberry bringing the world of video games to life. Full of creativity, humor, and charm, RECESS! is pure joy for kids and kids-at-heart!

Recess!

Booker T. Jones is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer, and arranger. Best known as the frontman of the band Booker T. & the M.G.’s, he has worked with countless award-winning artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Jones is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Musicians Hall of Fame inductee, GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and arguably the most famous Hammond B3 player in history. He continues to record and tour internationally, both as a solo artist and as head of the Booker T’s Stax Revue.

Booker T. Jones

With five GRAMMYS®, 14 Blues Foundation Awards, and a groundbreaking career spanning nearly 50 years under his belt, Keb’ Mo’ stands as one of the most accomplished and respected artists working in contemporary roots music today. Keb’ got his start working behind the scenes as a guitarist, songwriter, and arranger before breaking out internationally with the release of his 1994 self-titled debut, which earned widespread acclaim for its genre-bending take on old school sounds.

Keb’ Mo’

For nearly two decades Donavon Frankenreiter has been traveling the globe, first as a professional surfer and now as a musician. Born in Southern California, Donavon spent most of his youth chasing waves, turning pro at the age of 16.

These days instead of surf competitions, it’s concert halls that bring Frankenreiter to town, where he entertains audiences with his unique blend of laid-back grooves, philosophical lyrics and soulful delivery.

The Ask me Anything Tour is a seated, interactive, concert experience. Guests will be able to ask questions during the set, hear stories Donavon has never told before, come up on stage to jam for a song, request songs you’ve always wanted Donavon to play, and so much more.

Exclusive merch items, original paintings by Donavon, and clothing from The Barn 808 will be available! Don’t miss it!

Donavon Frankenreiter

Richard Thompson’s musical influence cannot be overstated. Having co-founded the groundbreaking group Fairport Convention as a teenager in the ‘60s, he and his bandmates invented the distinctive strain of British Folk Rock. Thompson, who has spent over 30 years as a highly successful solo artist, received an OBE (Order of the British Empire), has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “the finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix,” and Rolling Stone has named him one of the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time. The artist has received lifetime achievement awards for songwriting from the BBC Radio 2 Awards, the Americana Music Association, and was awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award.

A wide range of musicians have recorded Thompson’s songs including Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Sleater-Kinney, Del McCoury, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Jones, David Byrne, Don Henley, Los Lobos, and many more. His massive body of work includes many GRAMMY® nominated albums as well as numerous soundtracks. His genre defying mastery of both acoustic and electric guitar along with engaging energy and onstage wit continue to earn him new fans and a place as one of the most distinctive virtuosos and writers in Folk Rock history. In May of 2024, Thompson released the anticipated Ship To Shore, his first studio album in six years.

Zara Phillips is a singer/songwriter, actor, author, and activist. As an adoptee herself, much of her work is centered around the adoption world and is focused on improving understanding the lifelong impact of adoption. She is a mother of three and tours with her husband, musician Richard Thompson. She divides her time between London and New Jersey.

Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips

The band celebrates the 30th anniversary of their breakout album, Nerf Herder, rocking all tracks – plus, beloved fan favorites from their multi-album catalog.

Originally released on Joey Cape’s pioneering punk label My Records, the eponymous album told tales of absurd joy and self-deprecating humor through witty high-energy songs like, “Down On Haley” and “Diana.” Upon release, lead single “Van Halen” rose to the top on San Francisco’s Live105, then spread nationwide, making Billboard’s alternative chart. The album and band were soon snapped up by Clive Davis for his Arista Records. MTV videos for “Van Halen” and “Sorry” quickly followed, as did their theme for Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and national and international tours with Weezer, The Bloodhound Gang, and more.

Nerf Herder

First-ever duo album, Memory Bank, became the longest-charting release at Americana radio and was the soundtrack to their sold-out North American tour, further affirming their unique synergy and appeal. The Never Going To Let You Go Tour brings Drew and Ellie back to those intimate, connection-driven evenings—melding original storytelling, harmony-rich performances, and the warmth that has made their music a fixture in fans’ hearts.

Sphinx Virtuosi

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