Santa Barbara's Finest Open Mic - The Ratpack Showcase

In downtown Santa Barbara, on the northern edge of Paseo Nuevo, there is a small restaurant called The Blue Owl. Their food offerings are quite varied, ranging from Vietnamese-inspired fried rice bowls to Californian burritos and vaguely Italian focaccia sandwiches, along with a selection of locally-brewed kombuchas and herbal teas. But this is supposed to be a music event review - why are the venue’s food and drinks so relevant?

Well, The Blue Owl’s live music lineup is as diverse as their menu! Every Wednesday, the restaurant hosts a variety concert called The Ratpack Showcase, which is best described as a fresh and novel take on the time-honored tradition of open mic events.

The Ratpack Showcase begins much like any other open mic, as local, often up-and-coming musicians take turns performing a song or two on a small but well-lit stage tucked in the back corner of the venue. You can expect to hear a wide assortment of music, from covers of popular songs to new interpretations of classic tunes, and even original pieces played by the artists who wrote them! Guitars and piano are by far the most popular self-accompaniment instruments among performers here, although we have seen a fair amount of less common ones, including ukuleles, a requinto, an autoharp, and some unique handcrafted oddities.

The open mic segment lasts an hour and a half, after which the primary attraction commences: the namesake Showcase, where three featured artists are allotted 30 minutes each to play a set of their own. Their performances are scheduled in advance by the event organizers, giving musicians a couple weeks to rehearse. The main purpose of The Ratpack Showcase is to offer exposure to these artists, by providing them an opportunity to share their original songs (and/or tastefully selected covers) in a welcoming and supportive environment. A number of these performers have then gone on to land paid gigs around town!

The Ratpack Showcase was founded by Brandon Kinalele, a seasoned live musician and SBCC graduate who set out to create a weekly event centered around the values of curated musical entertainment and community participation. Seeking to improve on the ambiance of a typical open mic, he focused on delivering a better visual and sonic experience for performers and audience alike. The Blue Owl's stage is illuminated with flattering lights, and a professional-grade sound system projects the music throughout the whole space. In addition, all performances are recorded, and artists will receive a high-quality audio file to use as a demo for securing future shows.

The Ratpack Showcase is a unique event among the Santa Barbara music scene. It combines the variety and inclusivity of an open mic with the curated programming of a multi-act show, creating a diverse live music experience that never fails to entertain and enrapture the audience. From the first-time performer to the accomplished musician on an interstate tour, everyone is welcome on The Blue Owl’s stage. Since its inception in the summer of 2022, the Showcase has become a popular weekly gathering spot to grab a bite while discovering the new sound in town.