On Sept. 27, the Funk Zone will come alive with music, art and community spirit. September will mark the fourth in the series of five artful community events. Come early to eat at Shalhoobs or Tamar’s, grab a beer at Rincon, Lama Dog, or Fig Mountain, and shop while you visit leather artist Jess Conti or jeweler Jules at Jules by the Sea. Pick up a new outfit from Dylan Star or Tendral, and discover a vintage treasure at Assemblage or SB MidMod.

Wine taste at La Lieff, Fess Parker Funk Zone, or our newest venue, The Valley Project. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy and buy art from local artists at Doty Studio, Art & Soul Gallery, CommUnity, and Riviera Beach House. And don’t forget to walk the sunflower maze at Keep The Funk on Gray Avenue.

This month there is a “Funk Zone Live Giveaway,” which is a collaborative effort to promote the Sept. 27 Funk Zone Live event in Santa Barbara. Entrants will have a chance to win fun prizes from some of the participating businesses in the Funk Zone Live community. This month’s giveaway will kick off on the Dylan Star Boutique Instagram Account (@DylanStarBoutique) on Monday, Sept. 23, at 12 p.m., and runs through Thursday, Sept. 26, until 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced on Dylan Star Boutique’s Instagram story on Sept. 27.  

“The public response to Funk Zone Live has been incredibly positive, Funk Zone Live 2024 Coordinator Jana Brody said. “People are embracing the experience, and exploring the various venues. It’s exciting to see how much enthusiasm there is, especially with the added buzz from the Instagram prize giveaways.”

In addition, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company will host the live band Rent Party Blues, promising a soulful evening filled with energy and rhythm. LaLieff Wines will offer 30% off wines by the glass during the music set.

However, this month also brings bittersweet news as the beloved Helena Mason Gallery will be hosting its final reception, “Blue & Inner Landscapes,” marking the end of an era. Helena Mason Gallery will close its doors at the end of September.

“Unfortunately, small business owners like Natalie Olivas and Jamie Sanchez face incredible challenges in this economy,” Brody said. “That is exactly why I restarted the once popular Funk Zone event experiences. Locals need to come, shop, eat, and buy art in these locally owned, amazingly creative shops.”