SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes Ciclavia, “MOVE Santa Monica”, Gnocchi + Wine Night at AJA Vineyards, and much more!
Sunset Picnic at Annenberg Community Beach House: Grab your picnic basket and your favorite people - or come solo and join a communal table - and enjoy a sunset evening at the beach. Vibe to musical duos and take in the glow of the summer sunset while enjoying complimentary s'mores and fun activities! Check out their calendar of events – including sunset swims, community picnics, youth/adult classes & more. Thursday, Aug. 14, 5 - 8p.m., 415 Pacific Coast Hwy. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/august-sunset-picnic-tickets-1412860326269
MUD\WTR presents: Day Camp - A field day for the body and mind: Day Camp brings together movement, creativity, mindfulness, and play. Expect live music, cold plunging, life size chess, breathwork, a community art mural, surprise challenges, free samples and more. Saturday, Aug. 16, 10a.m. - 3p.m.,2515 Main St. https://lu.ma/mntt2zin
Marina Del Rave - Deep House Block Party at Edgemar: Join a daytime deep house block party in Edgemar’s beautiful open-air courtyard. Saturday, Aug. 16 1p.m., 2435 Main St. https://partiful.com/e/8CTDUlrwMn8vJ32xgpBK
Gather & Grow: Sunshine & Strings: This biweekly series at Christine Emerson Reed Park invites families to enjoy hands-on artmaking, live music and interactive performances. Saturday, Aug. 16, 4p.m., 1130 Lincoln Blvd. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunshine-strings-tickets-1475280165689
Ripe For The Picking: The Annual Best Tomato in Santa Monica is upon us. Is your Big Rainbow, Cherokee Purple or Better Boy the cream of the crop? Bring your home grown tomatoes and see how they compare to others. All tomatoes must be registered by 9:30 am to be eligible for the competition. Don’t grow tomatoes? Come see what type of tomatoes others are growing, see if you can find the Moon and Stars, measure yourself against our glass gem corn, check out the trombetta squash and view the new mural on the garden shed. Garden pancakes ready at 9, warm conversation all morning. Saturday, Aug. 16, 9 - 11a.m., Ishihara Park Learning Garden, 2909 Exposition Blvd.
Butterfly Brawl Charity Boxing Match on the Pier: The event will feature 15 professional boxing matches headlined by undefeated knockout artist DeAngelo Evans (13-0, 12 KOs) facing Justin Cardona. Mexican Olympian Brianda Tamara Cruz and lightning-fast combination puncher Chantel Navarro are also scheduled to compete. Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys will provide entertainment with a DJ set. Saturday, Aug. 16 from 2-10 p.m., 200 Santa Monica Pier. https://smdp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/charity-boxing-match-comes-to-the-santa-monica-pier-on-saturday/
MOVE, Santa Monica: Think Coachella Meets Fitness. MOVE is a choreographed 2-hour movement session that will blend breath-work, self-love and yoga with low-impact training, contemporary movement, high-energy dance + HIIT together. Sunday, Aug. 17, 9a.m. - 1:30p.m., Santa Monica Pier https://www.sweatpals.com/event/move-santa-monica
CicLAvia: The group will host its 61st car-free open streets event, connecting Culver City, Mar Vista and Venice along a 6.75-mile route “to reimagine city streets as welcoming spaces for the day in one’s favorite people-powered way for all ages and abilities.” Always free, you can enjoy the day by walking, jogging, biking, skating, or simply spectating.Sunday, Aug. 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ciclavia.org
Venice Art Crawl: Enjoy a fun filled evening with local art, live music, pop-up experiences, and community vibes. Meet visionary artists, uncover hidden gems, and experience creativity at every turn. Thursday, Aug. 21, 6–10p.m. VeniceArtCrawl.com
ONGOING: “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; LiteBrite Experience; Night Market at The Bungalow (through 8/28); David Bowie Art Exhibit at Santa Monica Art Museum (through 8/31); Wellness & Waves (through 10/11); Penmar Sunset Sessions (through 10/31)
What to Eat & Drink?
Gnocchi + Wine Night at AJA Vineyards: Learn how to make Gnocchi from Private Chef Joanna Barajas, while enjoying cheese, charcuterie, and 2 glasses of wine per ticket. $125. Sunday, Aug 17, 4 - 8p.m., 1417 2nd St. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gnocchi-wine-night-tickets-1409361039809
Lunetta’s Summer Grill Nights + Neft Vodka Cocktails: Chef Raphael Lunetta is serving up a Summer Grill Nights menu featuring premium meats, fresh-caught seafood, vibrant market sides, and two handcrafted Neft Vodka cocktails — Peachy Keen (white peach, lavender lemon, bitters) and Le Chèvre (Lo-Fi Vermouth, goat cheese stuffed olives). Wednesday, Aug. 13 through Saturday, Aug. 16, 2420 Pico Blvd. www.lunettasm.com
Wally's Summer Soirée - Midnight Sparkle: Think glamour, golden-hour glow, and a complimentary glass of Prosecco to toast the night. With DJ Nelson providing the soundtrack, it’s an evening made to shimmer.Thursday, Aug. 21, 214 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1020850&restref=1020850&experienceId=514833
TimeOut Magazine Includes Sidecar Donut on its "Best Doughnut Shops in LA" List: It nabs the #2 overall spot praising their "small-batch, freshly made treats in unique flavors like huckleberry, blueberry pancake and Meyer lemon. Sidecar commits to frying doughnuts throughout the day, which means you’re basically guaranteed a great product, no matter what time it is. Cake doughnut lovers will enjoy the Saigon cinnamon crumb and sprinkle-covered celebration cake, but if you’re more of a yeast-raised person, order the butter and salt, which combines luxurious brown butter with fleur de sel." 631 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/restaurants/best-donut-shops-los-angeles-doughnuts
Multiple SaMo Shops Make The Infatuation's "Best Sandwich Shops in LA" List: Bread Head (1518 Montana Ave.), Bay Cities (1517 Lincoln Blvd.), Lady & Larder (828 Pico Blvd.), and Tre Mani (1620 Ocean Park Blvd.) all get recognition. Breadhead gets the highest ranking, stating “LA is flooded with fancy focaccia sandwiches. But it only takes one bite of the pork-stuffed Combo Grinder to know this spot is doing something special.” https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-sandwich-shops-in-la
Further Afield:Miznon at Grand Central Market in Downtown LA: Chef Eyal Shani’s celebrated Mediterranean street‑food concept from Tel Aviv has opened its first West Coast location, serving its signature stuffed pitas—such as charred cauliflower with tahini, smash‑burger-style cheeseburger, and a steak & egg version—alongside non‑pita dishes like lamb kebabs and brisket platters. I went there last week and was blown away by the flavors! 317 South Broadway, 11a.m. – 9p.m. daily https://www.instagram.com/miznonusa/
Looking Ahead: Dog Daze of Summer on Montana Ave. (8/23); Red Bull Origin Venice Beach Open (9/5-7); A PIERfect Benefit (9/6); Thai Fest by the Beach (9/20-21); The Other Art Fair (9/25-28); Abbot Kinney Festival (9/28); Main St. Day of the Dog Festival (10/18); OTH Santa Monica Seafood Festival (10/19)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, you can reach out directly to me at sean@smdp.com. Here are my past columns and let me know if you have any feedback on Around Town: Ciclavia Returns Along With Other Wellness Events