Most people look at Santa Monica and see a quiet, gentle seaside community, but not this week. This edition of the Palette rips open the curtains to reveal the Santa Monica you never knew. And lies beneath that calm exterior? Art! We’ll show you what happens when an arrogant fairy queen gets a taste of her own medicine and while other publications dig through celebrity dirty laundry, we’ve got Robert Rauschenberg’s clean shirts. And for the more daring readers, you can explore the underside of our city up close and personal at the Santa Monica Scramble Scavenger Hunt. Les Fleur Des Saints L’Esprit D’Afrique Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15 and 16, 8:30 p.m. Highways Performance Space and Gallery at the 18th Street Arts Center 1651 18th St. (310) 315-1459
Choreographer Cati Jean digs deep beneath the surface as she explores the African Diaspora through music and dance, fusing cultures to create a unique experience. Jean is best known for her French-inspired cabaret at King King in Hollywood and the performance at Highways will undoubtedly display the same incandescent creativity. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Santa Monica Civic Light Opera Humanities Center Theatre Santa Monica High School 601 Pico Blvd. (310) 458-5939
You have heard about Pyramus and Thisbe haven’t you? If not, learn all about their shocking affair this weekend at Santa Monica High School’s Humanities Center Theatre. “Midsummer” is one of Shakespeare’s most accessible plays, a perfect introduction to the classics for anyone. And while Robin Goodfellow’s antics in the forest are shockingly outrageous, even the youngest audience members will hoot with laughter when Titania falls in love with a man with the face of an ass. Rauschenberg’s Clean Laundry Tuesday — Saturday, 11 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. through Jan. 20 Bobbie Greenfield Gallery 2525 Michigan Ave., B6 (Bergamot Station) (310) 264-0640
Bobbie Greenfield has the skinny on art giant Robert Rauschenberg this weekend. Not content to simply air his dirty laundry, the gallery places his clean shirts on exhibit in “Robert Rauschenberg: 28 Shirtboards.” While traveling in Italy and Morocco in 1952 and 1953, Rauschenberg created quite a bit of dirty laundry, but the laundered shirts offered him material for a series of surrealist inspired works when he discovered the cardboard backing inside each clean shirt provided an interesting and easily transportable backboard for collages. “All About Santa” Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 and 3:00 p.m. through Dec. 17 Santa Monica Playhouse 1211 4th St. (310) 394-9779
Not even the National Enquirer can hold a candle to the Santa Monica Playhouse when it comes to showing us the man behind the beard in “All About Santa.” It’s the heart-wrenchingingly hysterical tale of a new Santa as he tries to prove his worth to retired Father Claus, save the spirit of the holidays from the machinations of his evil twin and win the heart of the future Mrs. Claus. Was that Santa Claus caught in the act or was it his evil twin? Who is the guilty party, Donder or Blitzen? And how on earth do they get all those toys into one bag? Enquiring minds want to know. Santa Monica Scramble Scavenger Hunt Dec. 16, 2 to 4:30 p.m. Watson Adventures
You think you know Santa Monica? Well, put your knowledge of our little city to the test on Saturday afternoon. Watson Adventures is hosting a public scavenger hunt that will get you hopping. You’ll discover secrets about Santa Monica that no one else knows. What was she really crying about? You have to purchase your tickets online ($15) with Paypal and then you’ll get a confirmation e-mail telling you the secret location of the hunt, which you’ll print out and bring with you to check in where they will assign you to a team and you can start hunting! Check out their Web site for all the details. The California Heritage Museum 2612 Main St. (at Ocean Park) Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (310) 392-8537
And as a special bonus prize, I’ll let you in on a secret known only by the deepest insiders — California Heritage Museum has an outstanding little shop with terrifically unique gift ideas. The books and posters covering their past exhibitions are great. Psst ... check out the mermaid tiles, you’ll be glad you did!
Hamp Simmons is the cultural affairs coordinator for the City of Santa Monica. Send comments or suggestions for the Palette to artpalette.mailbox@smgov.net.
