Toad

The Santa Barbara Independent's ON Culture column previews a stretch of local arts and entertainment news. Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson is bringing his laid-back Ohana spirit to the area, while upcoming events include magic shows, a performance by the rock band Toad, and exhibitions of upcycled art. The roundup highlights the range of cultural happenings residents can look forward to in the coming weeks.

Researchers are mapping climate refuges in Panama as part of efforts to give harlequin toads a second chance. The critically endangered amphibians, once abundant across Central America, have been decimated by disease and habitat loss, and identifying cooler, wetter refuges could help conservationists protect the places where surviving populations can endure as conditions change.

Glen Phillips, frontman of Toad the Wet Sprocket, is scheduled to perform at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, California. The announcement comes via local outlet Coastal View News, which flagged the upcoming show. Phillips has a long history of solo and band performances in the Santa Barbara area, and the Lobero date gives fans a chance to hear material spanning his band's catalogue and solo work. Further details on the date and ticketing were not provided.

The musical 'A Year with Frog and Toad' is drawing attention, with coverage in Nashville highlighting a local production of the show. The musical, based on Arnold Lobel's beloved children's books about two amphibian friends, is being staged for audiences, and theatre watchers are discussing the production and its enduring appeal for families.

A gardener reports seeing an unusual range of new wildlife in their garden this summer, including a praying mantis and a tiny toad. They credit the biodiversity to the many flowers planted by their spouse, noting that the newly attracted creatures are now helping keep pests away from the plants naturally.

A photographer has shared a moody dusk landscape image of a lake or pond with frogs and toads, inviting viewers to count the amphibians in the frame. The shot uses off-camera flash in a hazy forest setting, shot on Ilford HP5 film, and is drawing modest appreciation from nature and wildlife photography enthusiasts.

Wildlife photographers are sharing a close-up image of a toad lurking half-hidden, watching patiently from cover. The shot, tagged for Wildlife Wednesday, is drawing appreciation for its sharp detail and the amphibian's camouflaged pose, adding to the steady stream of nature photography circulated by hobbyists across social platforms.

Texas rock band the Toadies are marking more than thirty years together, telling WOUB Public Media that playing their music again is 'like riding a bike'. The interview covers the band's long career and enduring songbook, best known for their 1990s alternative rock hits. The band says the material still comes naturally after decades on stage.