Santa Barbara Friday Night, Santa Barbara Film Fest 2014, Westmont Performers

I would describe Santa Barbara as a cultural city. For example the intrigue Spanish architecture we have displayed here in town and the diverse crowds of people one can see walking downtown. And that's where I was this weekend embracing the cultural environment in downtown Santa Barbara. This was the first weekend of Santa Barbara Film Festival, which attracted many people from all over, to our movie theaters, specially the Arlington (http://sbiff.org/). I was fortunate to meet Amy Adams last year, while interning with the Festival. I was also able to meet Jennifer Lawrence and Ben Affleck, they were so modest and humble.
 
This was the perfect weekend to display your talent for massive crowds of movie goers. Santa Barbara has many talented street performers, not just on these weekends, but every weekend. My friend, Alexia and my sister Jasmine, and I decided to get frozen yogurt at the popular, Yogurtland, and went for a walk this Friday. We suddenly came across a group of musicians singing a song entitled, "Rivers and Roads" by The Head and the Heart, and decided to sit down and listen to them for what we thought would be one more song. We got completely mesmerized by their enriching singing voices that intertwined so beautifully with their instruments (Guitar, drums, viola, violin, even ukulele) . They displayed an emotionally performance of many crowd requested songs including, "My Girl" by The Temptations and "A Team"  by Ed Sheeran.  I talked to them during their brief breaks and they told me they were all Westmont students and were all apart of the music department there.



(Right to Left) John-Vocals/ Percussion, Katrina- Viola, Emily- Chello/vocals, and Trey- Guitar/Vocals                       





(Right to Left) Trey, Michelle- Percussion/vocals, Martin-Violin, and Lalia-Violin   

(Video above is a song they dedicated to all the ladies in the crowd, " Love Song" by Taylor Swift) You could only imagine the crowd of people they attracted. A couple sat next to us and watched the performers for a song or two. They were a man and women, who looked like they could of been visiting for the weekend. I noticed the women had some sort of disability because she had a cane in her hand and her partner was helping her walk. Soon, I saw them slow dancing passionately and enjoying each other's company. The women started crying while holding on to her boyfriend, and I suddenly realized what her disability was. She was blind. I, myself began to hold back tears, but I felt at peace listening to these gifted musicians and witnessing such a powerful moment. Crying was essential at this performance, but I suddenly started to cry of laughter because of a new friend we met that night. He was also watching the performance and sat in place where the couple were before they left. I think we were there for an hour until it got a little late then we all expected. The performers ended with "Rivers and Roads" and we all headed our separate ways.

 

Jaz, Alexia, and I went back to my house to re-watch the Grammy's that took place last weekend. This was a great night, a night I'd like to call a Friday in the Beautiful Santa Barbara surrounded my many amazing people.

 

-KIKI REYES

P.S: My Westmont friends said they perform every other Friday near Macy's

 








First Week of a Busy Semester, SBCC, Final Schedule

Hello everyone! I have just finished my first week at SBCC, and I confess it's going to be a busy semester. This is my schedule:

M/W: 9:35-10:55am (Survey of British Literature), 12:45-2:05pm (American Literature), and 3:00-5:05pm (Film Studies)
T/Th: 9:35-10:55am (Beginning Acting)
Online ( Education 101)

I am very fond of my two English classes, British and American Literature, but acting is might be my most challenging class I have this semester. I know weird to think that many pages of literature analysis is less difficult than acting. Okay I'm lying to myself all these classes are difficult. Luckily, there are a few familiar faces in each of my classes. It's pretty comforting, yet still it doesn't change my fear of public speaking, which will be debuted in my acting class. I just need to be more relaxed and drink two cups of "Sleepy Time" tea before acting class or maybe "Sleepytime Extra." This reminds me of energy drinks! Please make sure to be careful with those drinks! 

Well, I hope your first week was as fascinating as mine was :) 

-KIKI REYES

Martin Luther King Day Event in Santa Barbara

ATTENTION EVERYONE!

One thing I forgot to mention was I started my dance training with Fusion Dance.

The Fusion Dance Company will be performing at an event for Martin Luther King Day. This event will include many other diverse community performers. It will take place at the Arlington at 11am  on 1/20. For more information click the link below.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Arlington Theater Program

-KIKI REYES

P.S: I might make an appearance in Fusion's Dance....

2014, Spring Semester, Winter Break

Hello... Welcome to 2014 and Spring Semester. If you're just tuning in to this blog now, welcome! My name is Kiki Reyes and I will be guiding you through your Spring Semester at Santa Barbara City College or giving you examples of how the student life is here at the number one community college in the nation. If you're thinking about going here and are indecisive about your decision, my advice to you is to come visit. You will fall in love at first sight.

If you've been tuning in from last semester, I hope everyone is enjoying their last two weeks of winter break. l've been using this time off to focus on things that matter to me which include spending time with my family and friends, my music, and my future plans for school. I have also been working a lot at the driving school I am currently employed at. Here's a few things I've done this break:

1. Sent in my transcripts for the universities I've applied to (Fall 2014).

2. Went hiking several times with my friends.

(Lizard's Mouth)

(Inspiration Point) 

3. Delivered presents with my sister dressed as elves.

4. Rung in the Year New with my closest friends 

5. Reapplied to the Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation (You still have until the 31st, this is only for Santa Barbara natives http://www.sbscholarship.org) and FAFSA (https://fafsa.ed.gov/)

~Update on College Acceptance: I have been admitted to CSU Channel Islands

I have already been on the SBCC Campus a few times and I've noticed some construction going on; They're making this school more beautiful than it already is. 

Well thanks for tuning in and I am looking forward to share my Spring Semester with you guys!

- KIKI REYES

P.S: The bookstore is open! Here are the hours:

Campus Store Hours:

January 8th through 17th from 7:45am - 4pm

Closed weekends and January 20th.

Open January 21st - 24th 7:45 - 6pm

Open Saturday January 25th from 10am - 3pm

Open January 27th - 30th 7:45am - 7pm

Open January 31st 7:45 - 5pm

Open February 3rd - 6th 7:45 - 7pm

Open February 7th 7:45 - 4pm

February 10th

7:45am - 6pm Monday - Thursday

7:45am - 4pm Fridays

Remember December, Finals, Christmas Parade, EP, Happy holidays

Cookie's feeling a bit cold

Remember when I said that December was all about the real winter weather and you didn't believe me because a week after that post it was about 80 degrees? Well, I'm not going to say I told you so because currently wearing I'm two layers of clothes and much rather be in 80 degree weather.

Creative Writing Portfolio

Yesterday I had two finals, I have to admit they were quite difficult, but at least I'm done... Actually I have two more so that would make me half done. The stress is still around, but luckily I was able to get all my stress out by attending dance class with my sister. I really enjoyed it and I'm obviously not the best dancer, but I'm looking forward to continue improving. I probably will be attending more dance classes this winter break! 


Also, did you guys go to the Christmas Parade downtown? Isn't Santa Barbara breath-taking in the winter with all those lights going down state street. Amazing. It's weird, I've been in the Christmas Parade many times with my Dance Team and my high school marching, so it was different watching from the outside. My friend Jack is now the colorguard instructor of the colorguard program we use to be apart of so I got to see my high school practice their performance before they marched downtown. They were very excited and eager to perform. 

Jack, Me, Wes, and Jasmine at the Parade

My sister and Jack

Well I'm hoping that you guys have a great winter vacation and make it safely to your families. Take some time to yourself to relax and realize that the future is beautiful and bright. Make good choices and be safe! I will be working at the driving school and recording a new EP, so I hope to see you guys all next year, 2014! HAPPY HOLIDAYS
If you want to email me any questions about our school or things to do around Santa Barbara during winter break, just ask me I'm an SB native.


stephkikireyes@gmail.com 

-KIKI REYES

P.S: So, my friends and I are thinking of going to LA this weekend and explore the city, seems like the adventure I've been craving. Maybe I can get more inspiration for my music on this trip. :)

***TO BE CONTINUED AFTER THE BREAK*** <3

Music with Xochipilli, Songwriting, Folk and Techno, Bonnie and Clyde

I'm really looking forward to break because I can really focus on my music. My friend/ songwriting partner, Xochipilli and I will be possibly working on a acoustic EP this winter. I originally took a break from music to focus on school, but I would always find myself writing songs. 

Well anyways his genre of music is so different than my folk rock, he's more of techno/ dance artist, which really hard to collaborate with when we wrote our first song, "Bonnie and Clyde" together.  I remember it was suppose to be a dance track, but I spent hours singing the same two lines trying to make it work, but it didn't sound natural it was more artificial. On our break from recording he started playing our song on piano and I started singing in my normal singing range, then he harmonized with me. That moment was so powerful for us. The song ended exposing our music abilities and taking it to the next level.
I'm very proud of this track. (Download it here, its worth your time http://www.mediafire.com/download/ydox96j32yyj8pv/08+Bonnie+and+Clyde+Ft.+Kiki+Reyes+%28Album+Version%29.mp3)

Xochipilli, (as known as Andrew Gutierrez) has a new EP entitled, Human, coming out soon. I was able to help pick out the song order and I got a preview of this album. I can't wait for you guys to hear it.

I know me and my music obsession. 

-KIKI REYES

Week Before Finals (Poem Edition)

'Twas the week before finals and all through the class
were students concentrating and others were out,
perhaps with the flu or maybe with stress
they procrastinated until last minute
that's my best guess.


City college seems empty, but only because 
every one runs to the library
after class is done.
Some share tables with new friends
reviewing pages of notes, thinking it never ends!


With motivation that sings so gently in our minds,
winter break taunts us, but we can't hide,
from the adventures that await
during those weeks of freedom,
the patience, we cant take
so we're force to leave them.


Its only for now, but soon instead of diving in books
we'll be diving in our beds.
Catching up on sleep, watching netflixs
drinking hot tea, talking on our iphones with friends.


My advice to you is stay strong,
we have a week, only a week, 
it's not that long.



-KIKI REYES