Panzumo's Spring Equinox Concert at the Music Academy of the West~

Montecito, California

by r.s.thurston photography

"We ought to dance with rapture that we should be alive and in the flesh, and part of the living, incarnate cosmos."

D.H. Lawrence

Please feel free as well to share this link with your friends and family~ The more "likes" and shares I get the more opportunities there will be for these photos to reach a larger audience~

I felt so euphoric after this concert for several reasons. It's a true gift when you find a sense of home among a group of individuals. Over the years, I've sweat, I've laughed and I've cried with these men and women. Many have become good friends and others I'm just getting the chance to know.

On Friday, March 25th I had the unique opportunity to both perform with the Djun Djun Mamas as well as photograph the whole event. I've been involved whether as spectator, supporter, or performer with Panzumo for the past 10+ years and this, by far, was their most amazing performance to date.

Set in the Music Academy of the West's brand spankin' newly renovated Hahn Hall the seats were nearly packed. Lisa Beck and Budhi Harlow organized and choreographed the night's program of West African rhythms fused with keyboards, viola, and horns as well as Tribal Fusion, West African, and Bollywood dance performances and a thundering performance by the Djun Djun Mamas. Afterwards, we poured outside to fill our bellies with scrumptious homemade dishes of coconut pudding, soups, fresh fruits, salads, and drinks.

It's a rare thing to have the opportunity to watch world-class dancing in a venue like Hahn Hall and then get fed afterwards!

Please make sure to watch the slideshow and tell me what you think~ If the music doesn't come on right away then "refresh" your web page and the click "play" again~ Lisa and I both thought this song would be a purrfect fit for the night!

If you're interested in purchasing any prints, click on "visit gallery" in the upper right hand corner of the slideshow. You can purchase prints individually from the gallery~ Feel free to email me with any questions~ Enjoy and thanks again for your support!

"Rachel S. Thurston: Entertaining and Lovable"

Featured Guide by Santa Barbara Adventure Company

Turns out I have attributes curiously similar to a Border Collie. ;)

I had the distinct honor of being featured by The Santa Barbara Adventure Company on their website blog this past month. I've worked on and off with them for around six years as a kayaking, biking, hiking, ropes course, team building, and wine tasting guide. During the last eight years I've known him, Mike Cohen has done an extraordinary job of growing his company into a force to be reckoned with in Santa Barbara. He and his fleet of super fun, experienced guides put together some truly awesome trips.

But enough about them and more about me.

Check out this article. It was so fun doing this interview and reflecting on where my interests and attention has been going the past several years~

A big thank you to Suzanne Cohen for putting this all together!

Check it out here:

http://www.sbadventureco.com/blog/rachel-thurston-entertaining-and-lovable/

For more info about their uber-fabulous trips check out:

www.sbadventureco.com

Photo by Karen Custer Thurston

Full Version of Article From Santa Barbara Adventure Company:

Alpha Resource Center’s Circle Of Life Luncheon
With Host Dennis Miller
rsthurston photography

April 3, 2011

I had the honor of photographing Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara’s Annual “Circle of Life” luncheon this past month which was hosted by comedian and talk show host Dennis Miller. I was truly touched by the amount of love and dedication in that room.

To many people, the name Alpha evokes images of their favorite thrift stores throughout town. But many Santa Barbarans may have no idea that behind these nifty threads lies a much bigger cause: Alpha is a non-profit devoted to empowering “individuals with developmental disabilities, supports families and fosters a community that values the contribution of all people.”

Many of the top sponsors have had personal friends and family members with disabilities so the organization’s mission is close to their hearts. It's an incredible organization to become involved with here in Santa Barbara driven by a very hard-working group of individuals.



Alpha will be holding a fundraiser and party this coming fall on Saturday, September 24th at Molly Houston's that will be a party not to be missed! For more info visit www.alphasb.org~

*For the slideshow, I picked the music track "One Tribe" by The Black Eyed Peas which I thought especially captured the love felt in the room that day~ If the music doesn't play with the slideshow, make sure to refresh your web page and click play again~

Enjoy!

"Bliss Salon & Spa" Photo Shoot by rsthurston photography

Santa Barbara, California

Among many goals for my business, I’ve been wanting to expand my business and network with local salon owners this past year (for what better place to find cool local women?!)

My good girlfriend Kimi Vandyk recently connected me with a sweet, beautiful little salon on Mission Street aptly named “Bliss Salon & Spa” and owned by Santa Barbara local Tracy Grossmann. Beautifully decorated with Buddha statues and warm colors, it’s a very inviting place to spend a couple of hours feeling pampered.

Tracy is looking to expand the look on their website with more colorful, artsy images as well as to celebrate their upcoming one-year anniversary with an ad in The Independent.

The eight of us were lucky enough to catch a break in this crazy spring weather last week on the morning of our shoot.….relishing the early morning sunshine pouring through the windows of the salon then tramping about at one of my favorite local gardens where you can assured something will always be in bloom!

I’m looking forward to continuing my relationship with the women at Bliss Salon~

Check them out…it’s a gorgeous place to spend an hour or two feeling doted on…

Pictured in these images are the following gorgeous women:

Tracy Grossmann, Mimi Anderson, Laurie Campbell, Alison Fuller, Angela Ireland, Laura Weidl, and Lauren Woodard.

Note: If the music doesn't come on when you click on "play," try refreshing your screen and clicking "play" again.

Magical Moments in Santa Barbara....

‎"Our hearts were drunk with a beauty our eyes could never see."

George William Russell

Viva La Santa Barbara Women’s Festival 2011!

Founded by Patty Dedominic

Santa Barbara, California
http://www.womensfestivals.org/womens-conference-santa-barbara-producer.php
Organized by a host committee and an intrepid group of volunteers…
March 5-6th 2011 at Earl Warren Fairgrounds

I’ve lived in four states, along both the Canadian and Mexican borders, and spent a few years of my life living and traveling abroad. I’ve spent countless years working in male dominated fields of river guiding and the testosterone-powered world of rock n’roll (King Bee) but since coming to Santa Barbara I’ve been surrounded by the most magical amazing women of my life!

Among a million other reasons why Santa Barbara is the most amazing place I’ve ever lived is one very surprising and unique quality. The women. I’ve never lived in a place that had a greater concentration of seriously rockstar diva goddess uber-talented gorgeous amazing creative female spirits than I’ve found in Santa Barbara

Enter the Women’s Festival. We couldn’t find a greater way to celebrate International Women’s Day (3/8) than by rubbing shoulders, sharing ideas, laughing, networking, and cavorting with a few of the yin-spirited (?) movers and shakers from Santa Barbara.

Because of a connection with a good girlfriend of mine who was involved with helping to promote the event this year (the ever-so-marvelous Kimi Vandyk!) I had the honor of being one of the photographers this year for the Women’s Festival (I had great fun sharing the role with Kenji of Kenji Photography…I think we’re two of the most extroverted photographers you may come across). Earl Warren was positively abuzz with creative energy as men and women shared ideas, sampled products, attended roundtable discussions, watched some beautiful dancing (Tribal and Middle Eastern) outside, sampled chocolates, coffee, beauty and health products, and had an all-round blast basking in each other’s energy.

It was my first year experiencing the festival and I look forward to seeing it continue to grow in the coming years. I celebrate living here in Santa Barbara but more importantly, I’d like to celebrate what an incredible group of women (and men!) live in our beloved town!

I’ve put together a slideshow of a few of my favorite shots from the weekend…

Enjoy!

WEV'ing Up For 2011!

r.s.thurston photography exhibition

Santa Barbara, CA

For years I've been wanting to blow up (no fire needed) a bunch of my favorite images from over the years and do a show. Woohoo! It's finally happened. Women's Economic Ventures (the cool non-profit which features an entrepreneurial course twice a year) has asked me to be their Featured Artist this spring.

R.S. Thurston Displayed in WEV's Santa Barbara office: March - May 2011 R.S. Thurston is a travel, food and fine art portrait photographer who has traveled to six continents. Her love for movement and natural light infuses her photography with a whimsical, fantasy-like air. Over the years her photography has been featured in theLos Angeles Times, Santa Barbara Magazine and Food and Home Magazine. One of her greatest joys in photography is creating intimate connections with her clients who have described their time with her as “phenomenal,” “magical” and “beautiful.” A WEV graduate, she loves creating connections with her clients and making the process of taking the photos as much fun as receiving the final outcome – the images. Whether you’re looking for beautiful new portraits of you and your loved ones or wanting to create a fresh new look for your website and business cards…..R.S. Thurston is your go-to gal! R.S. Thurston's work includes ”Goddess Photography,” in which she celebrates women of all ages, shapes and sizes in helping them feel radiant, beautiful and strong; lifestyle photographs of you and your loved ones, including babies, pregnancy, families and couples; promotional photographs of dancers, artists and musicians; sumptuous food photography for chefs, caterers and restaurants; event photography; travel photography from six continents available in prints and notecards; and so much more. View her work or contact her at rachel@rsthurston.com

http://www.wevonline.org/success-stories/featured-artist

*Many of you may know that I took their course last fall....it's a great opportunity for business owners (both men and women) to hone their skills in writing a business plan, doing cash flow projects, and becoming more savvy at pitching their business ideas. I've made some good friends in the program with whom I continue to meet regularly for a little mutual cheerleading.