The Granada Theatre’s eighth annual Legends Gala, scheduled for Saturday, September 14, promises to be an unforgettable event as it celebrates the theater’s centennial year and honors the pivotal figures behind its 2008 restoration—Susan Gulbransen and Joan Rutkowski.

Throughout its impressive 100-year history, The Granada Theatre has taken on many roles. It first opened its doors in 1924 as a venue for silent movies and live performances. In the 1930s, after being acquired by Warner Brothers, it transformed into a majestic movie palace. Since then, The Granada has become a landmark performing arts venue, cherished by the people of Santa Barbara for generations.

“This year’s Legends Gala commemorates The Granada Theatre’s centennial year,” said Palmer Jackson, Jr., executive chairman of The Granada. “We are thrilled to recognize the visionary efforts of Susan Gulbransen and Joan Rutkowski, who played crucial roles in restoring The Granada in 2008. We look forward to celebrating The Granada’s rich history, its current significance, and its promising future, along with its enduring role in Santa Barbara’s cultural life.”

Susan Gulbransen, who served as board president of the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts for six years, and Joan Rutkowski, who began her role as a founding board member in 1997, embarked on the ambitious restoration project in 1998. The project reached completion in 2008, thanks to the generous support of local philanthropists like Michael Towbes, Sarah and Roger Chrisman, Sara Miller McCune, and others whose contributions were instrumental in making the extensive renovation possible.

The restoration revitalized the theater, returning it to its former glory as a state-of-the-art performance venue. This ensured that The Granada would continue to serve as a vibrant hub for the arts in Santa Barbara.

“Their pioneering efforts breathed new life into the theater and cemented its future as a beacon of culture and arts in the community,” noted The Granada.

Attendees of the gala will be treated to a gourmet banquet hosted on The Granada stage, offering a stunning view of the auditorium. The dinner will be paired with exquisite wines and cocktails. In line with the Centennial Year programming that highlights Santa Barbara talent, the evening’s entertainment will feature a specially-formed band for the gala, aptly named the One-Night-Stand-Band, performing on The One Night Bandstand.

This event not only honors the past but also looks forward to a bright future for The Granada Theatre as a cornerstone of Santa Barbara’s cultural landscape.