The city of Santa Barbara is preparing for one of its most colorful traditions, the Summer Solstice Parade. The event features a wide variety of performances, from African drumming and cultural folk dances to disco and samba.
Performers Get Ready
Members of La Boheme have been hard at work rehearsing ahead of the parade, practicing choreography and building the stamina needed to dance the entire mile-long route. Director and professional dancer Teresa Kuskey Oshay said, ‘I tell all my dancers, when you see that crowd, just show them your smile and your love, and they show you the love right back.’
Organizers say the dance groups are a major part of what makes the Summer Solstice Celebration unlike any other event in Santa Barbara. The parade will feature over 110 dancers, creating a wave of momentum and movement.
Student volunteer and dancer Annalisa Zaccardelli said she will be embracing the spirit of the event in full costume, wearing a samba costume with feathers. Performers spend weeks learning routines, designing costumes, and preparing physically for the non-stop procession.
The Summer Solstice Parade is one of Santa Barbara’s largest community events, drawing thousands of spectators each year. Crowds will line Santa Barbara Street to Alameda Park to watch performers showcase the results of months of preparation.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
