The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) is partnering with Anchor Rose restaurant to develop a series of collaborative harborside movie screenings and special events.
The first one will launch the book “All Hands on Deck: A Modern Day High-Seas Adventure to the Far Side of the World” by Will Sofrin, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29 at the museum, 113 Harbor Way, Ste. 190.
The All Hands on Deck event will include a reception on the Waterfront Center’s patio, a presentation based on Sofrin’s book, an optional 18th century-themed dinner, and a screening of the classic 2003 film “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” considered by some to be the best sailing movie ever made.
The reception and book signing will feature a complimentary 18th century-themed rum cocktail from Black Bart Navy Rum and the opportunity to meet Sofrin.
Sofrin’s presentation at 5:30 p.m. will include film clips, commentary and photographs. He will share the story of his maritime adventure as part of the crew that sailed the American tall ship Rose (a 180-foot-long replica of an 18th-century British frigate), 6,000 miles from Newport, Rhode Island, to Hollywood.
The ship ultimately served as the centerpiece of the film “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. “Master and Commander,” which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, will be shown following Sofrin’s talk.
Anchor Rose restaurant, in partnership with SBMM, will offer an optional dinner based on food served to officers and crew in the British Navy around the turn of the 19th century.
Cost to attend the reception, the presentation, and the film screening is free for SBMM’s Navigator Circle Members, and $35 for all others.
For an additional $40, guests can register for the dinner, which includes a glass of wine and a buffet meal featuring lobster bisque, saffron rice, chicken, swordfish, and a vegan option.
Register to attend at https://sbmm.org/santa-barbara-event/. Proceeds from the event will enable SBMM to continue offering tall-ship and other educational programs.
Sofrin, who grew up in Connecticut, describes himself as “the guy who didn’t follow any of the rules.”
Instead of going to college after high school, he became an apprentice shipwright at the IYRS School of Technology and Trades, learning to build and restore wooden boats.
He then became a professional sailor, working on yachts, logging some 30,000 blue water miles, and becoming a licensed captain.
He sailed throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Central America and both coasts of the U.S., competing in sailing events such as the America’s Cup Jubilee, Prada Classic Yacht Challenge, and 12-meter World Championships.
Sofrin is a master shipwright who has taught at MIT and built boats for Billy Joel and Estée Laudeer.
Today, Sofrin is a freelance writer for a number of maritime periodicals, as well as an accomplished maritime artist.
Next year, he will start construction of a cold-molded power boat for cruising off the coast of Santa Barbara.
To learn more, visit willsofrin.com.