Going North

* Theater--The Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara will open Douglas Carter Beane’s off-Broadway comedy “As Bees in Honey Drown” on Friday. The play explores the modern obsession with the rich and famous through the character Evan, who has just published a novel and receives his first taste of fame. Performances will be held at Alhecama Theatre, 914 Santa Barbara St. Show times: Tuesday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m. Through July 23. $20-$28. 962-8606. Internet: https://www.ensembletheatre.com.

* Extroverted--Santa Barbara’s annual Summer Solstice Celebration Parade honors both the spirit of commedia dell’arte, a long-standing theatrical tradition of Italy, and the origins of Solstice in Santa Barbara. Nearly 1,000 participants, ranging from seasoned performers to first-time revelers, will take part in the Mardi Gras-type parade, beginning Saturday at noon at the 500 block of State Street. At 1 p.m., the festival, with the theme “Dance of Light,” gets underway at Alameda Park, at Micheltorena and Santa Barbara streets, and will include live bands, food and souvenir booths. Festivities continue at the park till 6 p.m. and then move to Santa Barbara Courthouse’s Sunken Gardens, beginning at 7. Performance artist Sha Sha Higby will headline a varied program. Free. 965-3396.

* Native Culture--Navajo storyteller Geri Keams will give a special program Sunday in connection with the “Strands of Life: The Nature of Native American Basketry” exhibit at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Keams will offer stories and songs indigenous to the Painted Desert region in Arizona. Show time: 2 p.m. $6 general; $5 seniors and students; $4 children 12 and under. The museum is at 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, Santa Barbara. 682-4711.

* Pop Star--Natalie Merchant and her band will perform a tribute to American folk music Sunday at the Santa Barbara Bowl, 1122 Milpas St. Show time: 7 p.m. $24-$41. 962-7411.

* Summer Tradition--Music Academy of the West Summer School and Festival, one of the most highly regarded summer education programs in the world, will open its 2000 session next week. More than 130 young artists from around the world attend the eight-week summer program, which also offers the public an array of orchestra and chamber concerts, opera, master classes and more in a variety of settings. The 54th annual season-opening alumni concert will be held July 1 at 8 p.m. at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. The concert will honor the 2000 Distinguished Alumnus winner Lotfi Mansouri, general director of the San Francisco Opera. For a complete schedule of master classes and performances, call 969-4726. For ticket information, call 969-8787. Internet: https://www.musicacademy.org.