All Events
Music Performance
Sihasin
Jeneda and Clayson Benally
MCC Theater
For 3 decades , brother and sister Jeneda and Clayson Benally have been recording and touring, bringing their empowering organic conscious raising charged music to communities throughout Europe and North America.Multi award winning musicians Jeneda and Clayson Benally from the (Dine) Navajo Nation inNorthern Arizona create an explosive duo of just bass, drums and vocals with a traditional Navajo backbone bridging folk, rock, world, pop and a little punk.As brother and sister they grew up protesting the environmental degradation and inhumane acts of cultural genocide against their traditional way of life. Sihasins music reflects hope for equality, healthy and respectful communities and social and environmental justice.Accomplishments:Their first album “Never Surrender” produced by Grammy award winner Ed Stasium has won just about every award on the American Indian Music Scene. “Never Surrender” spent 18 weeks on Sirius XM'S Aboriginal countdown reaching the #1 spot and was highlighted in the Huffington Post as the #1 Freedom Fighting band to get you through the Trump Years. Sihasin's second album “Fight Like A Woman” also produced by Ed Stasium, released in May 2018 hasreceived 11 nominations in the Native American Music Categories, has won 2 Global Music Awards, Best Pop in the Indian Summer Music Awards and 5 nominations in the Native American Music Awards and is in current rotation throughout the world on Undercurrents radio and many college and independent radio stations.Sihasin is a rare band that does more than just perform. They leave their audiences with anexhilarating feeling of hope and respect and cultural appreciation. The duo also gives presentations and workshops on Native American culture and history. Workshops combine the creative process of solution -finding with music and are tailored for every age group especially in schools but not limited to libraries, conferences, concerts and festivals.Sihasin has been featured in The London Sunday Times, NPR's All Things Considered, ArizonaHighways, The Huffington Post, Ryot Magazine, Radio France's RFI, Arte TV, PBS, ABC and many many more.Sihasin has recently performed at the Kennedy Center, Grassroots Festival, Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado in Mexico, Tanz n Fest in Germany, The Museum of Native American History, Globalquerque, SXSW, World Fest, The Woody Guthrie Center and many more. They have had a national television commercial with Tony Bennett for Hyundai cars, they have done over 30 tours in Europe and many more across the U.S. Mexico and Canada. They are looking forward to continue to touring the world bringing their message of Hope, respect and understanding.
Doors open at 6:30 pm
Co-Sponsors: CISM - KCSB
Cup of Culture
Small Island Big Song, An Oceanic Songline - Film Screening
MCC Theater
Filmed over three years on 16 Island nations across the Pacific & Indian Oceans, this grassroots musical follows the ocean highways uniting ancient musical lineages. From Madagascar to Rapa Nui/Easter Island, Taiwan to Zenadth Kes/The Torres Strait. A heartfelt plea for environmental awareness and cultural preservation from those on the frontline of the climate crisis.
Producer BaoBao Chen / Director, Production & Music Tim Cole / Cinematographer Tim Cole & BaoBao Chen / Length 83 mins / Year 2019
Co-sponsor: Center for Taiwan Studies
Cup of Culture Series
Songs That Never End
Film Screening/Online
Having fled their home in Iran, the Dayan family is greeted in Houston with hurricanes and perilous politics. Nine-year-old Hana is bold and brilliant and struggles to be heard while her family comes to grips with life in the sprawling Texan metropolis, constantly reaching out to all that is gone but is still here: a hunger for the future, and songs about a kind world. Post-film discussion with filmmaker, Yehuda Sharim, to follow. 1h 54m. 2019.
Art Exhibit
Stay Home, Stay Woke!
Showcasing UCSB Students
Online
In the spirit of keeping ourselves, loved ones, and community safe, we’re all staying home – but that doesn’t mean our advocacy for justice has to be put on hold! We understand art as a platform for the political and revolutionary consciousness we need now more than ever as we navigate a pandemic. Stay Home, Stay Woke! is a virtual art exhibition showcasing UCSB students’ creative expressions. Join us as we appreciate and honor our student community’s artwork!
