Around Town: DogFest, Divas & Delicious Discoveries

SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes Main St.’s signature Day of the Dog Fest, skateboarding legends at Locals Night, opera under the stars, and plenty of delicious discoveries, and much more!

50 Years of Dogtown - Locals Night at the Pier: Santa Monica celebrates 50 years of Dogtown and the legendary Z-Boys with a free, all-ages Locals’ Night. The celebration features a 7:30 p.m. drive-in screening of “Dogtown and Z-Boys,” a live vinyl DJ set by original Z-Boy and skateboarding legend Tony Alva, a skate ramp, classic cars, live music, salsa, and more. Free advance reservations are required for the drive-in, chair seating and skate ramp. Thursday, Oct. 15, 3:30–10 p.m. santamonicapier.org/localsnight

Opera at the Beach Returns to the Pier: Who says opera has to involve fancy clothes and a stuffy theater? The annual Opera at the Beach simulcast is back at the Pier, where you can watch a live broadcast of Bizet’s Carmen on a giant screen under the stars. Arrive early for family-friendly crafts, face painting, balloon art, live performances, food vendors and other pre-show activities, then settle in with a blanket or lawn chair for the three-and-a-half-hour production. Best of all, it’s free. Saturday, Oct. 17, pre-show activities at 4 p.m., opera at 6 p.m., Santa Monica Pier. More details here.

Pet-A-Palooza - Day of the Dog on Main St.: Calling all dogs—and the humans who are lucky enough to live with them. Pet-A-Palooza’s Day of the Dog takes over Main Street with a free, pet-friendly festival featuring vendors, pet activities, demonstrations, and dog races. Enter your fast dog, wiener dog, corgi or doodle and see if your four-legged athlete has what it takes to claim glory. Sunday, Oct. 18, noon–5 p.m., All along Main St. Free. petapaloozawest.com/santa-monica

An Evening of Adventurous Jazz: Jazz Refractions and Soundwaves bring an evening of adventurous, improvisational music to the Westside Music Conservatory (12424 Wilshire Blvd.). The double bill features local trumpeter Kris Tiner and pianist Cathlene Pineda performing music from their album Sung, followed by Triple Dip, featuring New York pianist Russ Lossing, drummer Billy Mintz and a surprise European trombonist. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. soundwavesnewmusic.com

Eric Idle & “Weird Al” Yankovic Together in Santa Monica: This is one of those combinations you probably didn’t know you needed: Monty Python legend Eric Idle and “Weird Al” Yankovic are teaming up for an evening of conversation, comedy and music—and they’ll actually perform together with their band. Idle will also discuss his new book, Idle in Provence: A Brief History of Thyme. Honestly, we’re not sure what they’ll do together, but we’re pretty sure it will be weird. Thursday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center, 2425 16th St. More details here.

Chamber in the Chamber: Enjoy an early-evening musical interlude as live chamber music fills Santa Monica City Hall’s City Council Chambers. Thursday, Oct. 22, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., City Hall, 1685 Main St. More details here.

ONGOING: Museum of Illusions; The CUBE VR; Splatter Studio; Wellness & Waves (Saturdays through 10/17); Locals' Night Third Thursdays; “Into the Woods” at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre (through 10/18); Western Line Dancing @ Santa Monica Place (throughout October)

WHAT'S NEW & DELICIOUS?

Nancy Silverton’s Spacca Tutto Opens in the Palisades: One of LA’s biggest culinary names is bringing a new restaurant to the reborn Palisades Village. Spacca Tutto, from James Beard Award-winning chef Nancy Silverton, is a modern Italian-American steakhouse inspired in part by her acclaimed Chi Spacca. Expect a serious steak program alongside seasonal seafood and vegetables, plus Chi Spacca favorites including Focaccia di Recco and chicken pot pie. There will also be nearly 250 wines, martinis and aperitivos—because apparently the Palisades is coming back hungry. Thursday, Oct. 15, 15255 Palisades Village Lane, Pacific Palisades. spaccatutto.com

Penfolds & La Monique 75th Anniversary Dinner: Celebrate a pair of major milestones as La Monique marks its first anniversary while teaming up with legendary Australian estate Penfolds for the 75th anniversary of Grange. Hosted by Penfolds Chief Winemaker Peter Gago, the intimate evening features rare library vintages, the new 100-point Grange and the 50-Year-Old Rare Tawny, paired with a curated menu by Chef David Fricaud featuring dishes like Beef Wellington and Butternut Squash Agnolotti. $500 per person. Thursday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m., 849 Ocean Ave. opentable.com/r/la-monique-santa-monica

Whistle Pig Boss Hog - General Tasting: Guests will enjoy a guided tasting of WhistlePig 10-Year, 12-Year, and 15-Year, accompanied by cheese and charcuterie. Each ticket also includes a bottle of Wally’s WhistlePig 12-Year Single Finish to take home. Saturday, Oct 17, 6 p.m., 214 Wilshire Blvd. More details here.

Sunday Curry Club is Back: Spice up your Sunday with Curry Club at Chelsea Restaurant. This special experience celebrates the comforting, flavor-packed world of curry with a communal dining experience for $48. Sunday, Oct. 18, 2460 Wilshire Blvd. More details here.

Rustic Canyon 20th Anniversary: “Tallula’s Returns” Takeover: A night honoring beloved former Rustic Canyon Family concepts features a takeover by chef Saw Naing (now of The Dutchess in Ojai). Naing cooks classic Mexican dishes and playful twists from Tallula’s, accompanied by agave spirit cocktails from longtime bar manager Justin Dicken and wine pairings curated by wine director Kathryn Coker. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1119 Wilshire Blvd. resy.com/cities/los-angeles-ca/venues/rustic-canyon

Oktoberfest Meets Salt: Salt Restaurant’s Origins Culinary Series gets a German twist with an Oktoberfest-inspired dinner featuring Firestone Walker beers paired with a multi-course menu. Expect seasonal dishes, craft beer and plenty of Bavarian flavor in this special evening celebrating the flavors of fall. Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 p.m., Marina Del Rey Hotel, 13534 Bali Way More details here.

What’s New & Delicious: Matilda’s Bakery: Santa Monica has a new neighborhood bakery with a European accent. Matilda’s marries Old World baking traditions with California ingredients, turning out slow-fermented breads, four-day croissants, traditional sausage rolls and a shakshouka croissant. There’s also a butter menu featuring eight varieties to accompany its French-style baguette, plus coffee from Caffè Luxxe. Come for the pastries, stay for the butter. 3200 Airport Ave., Check hours at matildasbakery.com

Tar & Roses Announces Closure on Oct. 24: Downtown Santa Monica's beloved culinary anchor, Tar & Roses, has announced it will close its doors after 15 incredible years. Chef-owner Mark Gold and the team shared a heartfelt farewell to the community, thanking loyal diners and staff who have gathered there over the last decade and a half. Their final day of service will be Saturday, Oct. 24, giving fans two weeks to stop by, share a final meal, and raise a glass together. 602 Broadway. instagram.com/tarandrosesla

Pasjoli Listed by The Infatuation as One of "The Best French Restaurants In LA": "Pasjoli used to be a fancy restaurant with tableside pressed duck and a multi-course tasting menu. But it’s more laidback these days, with a menu that leans in the direction of decadent bar food, like deboned cordon bleu chicken wings stuffed with prosciutto and molten cheese, a gooey burger with marrow aioli, and a French onion soup capped with gruyère that explodes when your spoon pokes in. The prices aren’t too daunting for a random Tuesday night dinner, but Pasjoli is still the kind of spot where you might overhear a business deal or spot a celebrity couple on a discreet date. Oh, and the pressed duck remains—for $350." 2732 Main St. More details here.

Further Afield: The Beverly Hills artSHOW: This free festival is a vibrant day of music, dance, interactive workshops, culinary delights and so much more, showcasing the rich tapestry of over 20 cultures from around the world. Oct. 17 & 18 More details here.

Looking Ahead: LA Times Food Bowl (10/23-24); Montana Avenue Halloween Hop (10/31); Día de los Muertos at the Pier (10/31); SaMo Pier Swiss Winter Village (11/14 - 1/3)

Know something I missed? Send tips, events and questionable culinary decisions to sean@smdp.com or instagram.com/seanbesser. Check out my past Around Town columns here.