Call for Entries
Application Deadline: Aug 30, 2023

Masq(parade! will showcase a series of dynamic piano-based performances in celebration of Pianos on State, with performances every fifteen minutes. Past performers include Opera Santa Barbara, The Piano Boys, Out of the Box Theatre Company, and Teen Star winner and American Idol contestant Jackson Gillies.

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This progressive performance parade was devised by Darian Bleecher and Adrienne De Guevara, members of the the Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative Outreach Committee as a separate project in collaboration with the SBAC which is the lead-organizer of Pianos on State. This progressive performance parade was created to celebrate the final day of Pianos on State with coordinated performances.  This progressive parade enlists performers and pianists to create 15-minute works to be performed in succession on the final Friday of Pianos on State, on State Street in Santa Barbara, California. This one night only progressive performance parade engages audience members through innovative presentations that consist of performance art involving mask(s) and a piano (provided).  Audience members are encouraged to don masks as well!

 Progressive Performance Parade

Event organizers Darian Bleecher and Adrienne De Guevara are seeking Santa Barbara-area musicians, performers, and performance groups to delight and entertain in a series of fifteen-minute shows. Acts must be piano-based and incorporate whimsical masks. A small honorarium will be paid to artists selected to perform.
 

Guidelines:

• Pianos on State exists to foster a sense of community, connection, and shared humanity. Piano street performances should be suitable for all ages and apolitical. Advertising, political lobbying, copyrighted images, hate speech and profanity are prohibited.

• All artists performing are required to wear a masquerade style mask as part of your performance, preferably hand-made.  A mask making workshop will be announced in September as part of this event. Stay tuned for more information on this soon.

• This project is open to artists living and working in Santa Barbara.

• As a public art program, this is an opportunity for emerging and professional performing artists to showcase their work through this short street performance. Individual artists and small collaborative teams are both eligible, though teams must use one application.

• This form of organized busking encourages tipping to the performers.

To Submit, Please Include:

• A digital video of you or your group performing. 

• Information about how you will incorporate a mask into your performance(s).

• A description of your performance concept in two or three sentences. Include the genre or style in which you will be performing.

Important Dates

The Call for Entry opens June 15th. The application deadline is August 30, 2023, at 5pm. Masq(p)arade will take place on State Street from Figueroa Street to the Arlington Theater on Oct 20 between 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

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Pianos will make their debut on State Street on Tuesday, October 3 and will be on display through Sunday, October 22. Pianos will be available for musical exploration, impromptu play and group performances from 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. for the duration of their display on State Street.  Amateur, professional and public musicians alike are invited to sit down and play. 

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Questions?

Please contact Adrienne De Guevara at outreach@sbcaw.org.