The Granada has burst back onto the Santa Barbara arts scene for the first time in four years, bringing with it a renewed taste for theatre, dance and music.

Opened in 1924 in the heart of downtown. From the very beginning, the eight story structure was a spectacle to behold. Complete with a massive and lavishly constructed chandelier, a mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ, spacious seating and elegant lounges, the venue was a major attraction to Santa Barbara’s downtown arts district. It was a place where friends could meet and tap their toes to the dazzling genius of artists like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; a place where parents could foster an appreciation for culture in their children; a place that the community could be proud of.
Over the years the venue has housed a number of arts organizations, including the Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera and the Santa Barbara Symphony, but was eventually transformed to function solely as a triplex movie house. In 2001, as the need for a permanent home for the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts became more and more pressing, discussions of remodeling the iconic building sprang up anew. After reaching an agreement with city leaders and Granada owner Rob Rossi, it was decided that the majestic structure would undergo the most elaborate (and costly) renovation process that the city had ever seen.

While the word itself means pomegranate*, the Granada most likely borrows its name from an ancient city in the Andalusia region of Southern Spain. Founded in the eighth century, Granada first flourished as a Moorish stronghold before being captured by Castilian troops (sent by Ferdinand and Isabella) in 1492. After years of religious and ethnic cleansings, the territory eventually entered a Golden Age of Spanish art, literature and architecture.

The Granada (and the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts) has weathered through long years of stop-and-start progress. But now, thanks to community activists, city planners, and local donations, it has been fully restored to its original glory. So get ready Santa Barbara because music, dance, theatre are making a comeback to the 1200 block of State Street.
To join in on the fun and be a part of history in the making, call the Granada Box Office (805-899-2222) today for the hottest ticket in town!

* Introduced to California by Spanish settlers in 1769, according to the California Rare Fruit Growers organization