San Marcos High School (SMHS) Band Boosters will host a FUNdraiser, 5-9 p.m. Friday, April 25, outdoors at Draughtsmen Aleworks Mosaic Locale, 1131 State St., Santa Barbara.
The free-to-attend, family friendly event will feature live music from the funky jazz quintet Channel Five, a performance by SMHS’s award-winning Jazz Ensemble, and La Cumbre Junior High’s Drumline.
The event illustrates the small instrumental music community within Santa Barbara Unified School District, and spotlights the need for additional funding to support the arts in our schools, the Band Boosters said.
San Marcos High School Band, which performs throughout Southern California, has a rigorous – and expensive – travel schedule, according to the Band Boosters. All proceeds from the event will support the band and help defray the competition costs.
“We are thrilled to support Michael and the students at San Marcos and to collaborate with them on such a great event,” said Charlie Ortega, a founding member and saxophonist of Channel Five and the instrumental music director for La Cumbre Jr. High.
“It will be really fun to see both school’s students performing together, and an opportunity for the Royals to get a preview of next year’s freshman,” Ortega said.
“We are so appreciative of Charlie and his band for donating their time and talent to our cause,” said Michael Kiyoi, SMHS director of instrumental music. “It takes a big financial commitment to make our instrumental music program run, and we need all the help we can get.
“This is something a little different for us, and will be a wonderful learning experience for all the students. And we’re really excited to be back at Draughtsmen’s Mosaic Locale with its centrally-located downtown location and great acoustics,” Kiyoi said.
In addition to the music, the FUNdraiser will include food from Bombazo Burritos, which will donate $2 from every item sold to the Royals; a bake sale of homemade goodies; and silent auction featuring items and experiences. Tickets will be sold with chances to win door prizes including gift certificates for restaurants and services, and themed baskets.
Draughtsmen Aleworks will also donate $1 per tap purchase to the SMHS Band.
“We are excited to again partner with the San Marcos High School Band, support their incredible music program, and raise funds for the student musicians to thrive and travel for competitions,” said Tami Snow, partner at Draughtsmen Aleworks.
“This event has an amazing lineup with bands from both San Marcos and La Cumbre performing and Channel Five as the headliner. They will have everyone enjoying the night in the courtyard for sure,” Snow said.
The band is accepting raffle item donations as well as paid sponsorships to support their program.