The eight-story Granada is considered a Santa Barbara skyscraper, as it was built in 1924 before the city enacted strict building height limits. The lofty structure is the area's premier venue for touring Broadway-style shows, comedians, and popular entertainers, as well as being home to local groups like the Santa Barbara Symphony, Opera Santa Barbara, and State Street Ballet (which presents a crackin' "Nutcracker" each year). The University of California at Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures series hosts creative minds from Elvis Costello to Garrison Keillor, and concerts range from Shostakovich to Stephen Stills. The Granada, the grande dame of Santa Barbara theaters, underwent a massive $65 million renovation before reopening in 2008 with state-of-the-art acoustics and a bigger stage, among other improvements. Plan ahead and get advance tickets to be sure to snag one of the 1,550 comfortable seats (sightlines were tweaked in the remodel, so even the less-expensive seats are good); last-minute tickets are available for some shows. If you can, hit the once-a-month Winston's Royal Roost Nightclub upstairs in the McCune Founders Room for happy hour, live music, and dancing.