Hundreds come out for Funk Zone events to close out 2018
The Santa Barbara Funk Zone had a day of activities and music to wrap up 2018 culminating with a spectacular community party at the Hotel Californian.
The main plaza featured a free show. It featured local youth performers and rising stars on the main stage. That was followed by the acclaimed La Boheme dancers who did two glamorous appearances in the evening event.
The funk-rock band Thumpasaurus in from Los Angeles brought a dance beat that got the crowd stirring in the 40 degree weather.
The wall had a projection of the Times Square events going on in New York. That led up to the 9 p.m. countdown in Santa Barbara to welcome the New Year with a scream and celebration as early as possible. Confetti was fired in the air and those attending hugged, kissed and exchanged good wishes for 2019.
Later there was also another celebration inside at midnight to coincide with the West Coast New Year’s clock.
The outside event on the main lawn was open to the public without a charge. Many people came out to celebrate with their family and friends. Visitors to Santa Barbara also joined in as part of their night on the town for New Year’s Eve.
The La Boheme dancers stayed after their performances to bring the crowd out for a festive free style party scene unlike anything the city has seen before at the location. Years ago the site was vacant or had aging buildings, until the Hotel Californian opened in late 2017 as part of a rejuvenation of the area.
An upstairs roof top party came with a special fee and featured flowing champagne and light foods prepared by the hotel staff, along with cozy furniture and heaters.
Throughout the day the Funk Zone businesses had many activities and celebrations that brought out hundreds of people.
They included a Noon-Year’s eve for kids at the MOXI museum complete with a balloon drop and many special events at the area tasting rooms.
The outside amplified music was shut off at 10 p.m. to comply with a city ordinance and the celebration moved inside for the rest of the night.
For more information about the Hotel Californian go to : https://www.thehotelcalifornian.com/
For more information about Thumpasaurus go to : https://thumpasaurus.com/
