By Lori Bartlett
Daily Press Staff Writer

18th Street — In the wake of the rush and chaos of the holidays, a calm, relaxing night of art and culture is what the 18th Street Arts Center has planned for this Saturday. The “ArtNight at 18th Street” event is a free festival held four times a year featuring group art shows, music, food and drinks.

Just over two hours long (beginning at 6 p.m.), the festival offers a lot in a limited amount of time, insists program coordinator Michael Sakamoto.

“There’s art, there’s music, there’s lots of people, food, refreshments, drinks — it’s just a really open, fun, convivial, creative, stimulating atmosphere,” he said Thursday. “We basically do it for the general public ... as something that highlights the vibrancy of Santa Monica, as well as LA in general.”

In the past, the event has been a big attraction for the 18th Street Arts Center, with nearly 400 people in attendance for the Nov. 4, 2006 show.

This Saturday’s “ArtNight” features two opening receptions and exhibitions. The first in the main gallery, entitled “The Book of Lies: Volumes I, II, and III,” is a group show of contemporary artists in a variety of mediums who explore the world of truth, lies, deception and knowledge. The 72-piece exhibition is curated by Eugenia Butler and explores the idea of truth versus fiction through many artists visions.

“It’s an on-going dialogue with dozens of artists, mostly in California, but also some out of state, who are dealing with the whole concept of what is reality, said Sakamoto. “How we as individuals, as human beings perceive reality around us, reality of our lives ...

“Some are very personal, some are political, some are sound pieces, obviously visual art pieces ... it’s just all over the place.”

The second exhibition is a photo-based installation called “Toccata” by artist-in-residence Joe Biel. The show is basically small images which represent his thoughts as the visual image-making process develops.

In addition, a handful of studios will be open showing national and international works. Artists range from locals to as far out as Australia and Taiwan.

At 7:30 p.m., guests can put on their dancing shoes as a live concert by samba percussion group, Carlinhos and Os Amigos de Ouro, performs. The group is led by Carlinhos Pandeiro de Ouro, who is a musical legend in Brazil and has been playing Pandeiro for more than 50 years.

“Basically, they are going to put on a master classic concert for the audience,” Sakamoto said. “It’s going to be really great.”

“ArtNight” also features a free open bar hosted by IZZE and Hpnotiq, and Mexican food.

“It’s a way for the public to be exposed to art and culture on all levels; local, national, and international — for free. And that you just don’t find most places,” said Sakamoto.

“ArtNight at 18th Street” is a free event at the 18th Street Arts Center, 1639 18th St.

For more information, call (310) 453-3711 or on the Web at www.18thstreet.org.

lorib@smdp.com