Locals Night & Drive-In Movie Night Featuring 'Grease': Get ready to rev your engines and relive the golden age of drive-ins as the Santa Monica Pier transforms into a nostalgic beachfront cinema for “Locals’ Night” on Thursday, Jan. 15, 3:30-9:30 p.m., offering a special, first-ever drive-in movie on the Pier featuring the beloved film “Grease.” As part of the immersive drive-in experience, a limited number of vehicles will be able to drive onto the upper Pier deck, recreating a nostalgic drive-in movie night. Movie begins at 6:30 p.m. https://www.santamonicapier.org/driveinmovie
Venice Art Crawl Special Winter Edition Mixer: Art, Community & Townhouse: The mixer celebrates creativity, community, and culture. Hosted by Townhouse, this mixer promises vibrant conversations and meaningful connections. Thursday, Jan. 15, 6-8p.m., 52 Windward Ave. Venice veniceartcrawl.com
Gallery 33 Presents: Danny Minnick — 20/26: Opening night of this solo exhibition by the Los Angeles - based Neo-Expressionist painter. Known for large-scale canvases, his work moves fluidly between abstraction and figuration through bold, instinctive layers of color and line. 20/26 brings together expansive works alongside several new pieces created for the exhibition. Thursday, Jan. 15, 6:30–9p.m., The Georgian Hotel 1415 Ocean Ave. eventbrite.com/e/gallery-33-presents-danny-minnick-2026-tickets-1979074368712
MUD\WTR :club x The Oracle Project: NIGHT OF HOUSE featuring DJ Brookie Breeze: Enjoy a night of alcohol-free night of dance, connection, and club energy with intention. Expect cacao and MUD\WTR mocktails, a guided opening dance, a live DJ set, and space to move, feel. $35. Friday, Jan. 16 7 - 10:30p.m., 2515 Main St. luma.com/6j9clstp
Community MLK Freedom Celebration & Breakfast: The Santa Monica Area Interfaith Council is hosting this intimate gathering featuring keynote speaker Alisa Osunfunke Orduna, Ph.D., along with Gerald C. Rivers (“The Voice of Dr. King”), and other luminaries, weaving together breakfast, music, story, reflection, and prayer in the spirit of Dr. King’s dream. Friday, Jan. 16, 7:30–9 a.m., 1343 Ocean Park Blvd. smaic.org
41st Annual MLK Celebration: Celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his renowned legacy at the 41st Annual Celebration. 2026’s iteration will bring the local community together with the theme "Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere," featuring keynote speaker and Emmy Award-winning producer, reporter and host Bonnie Boswell. Monday, Jan. 19, 9a.m., John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center 1630 Pearl St. https://martin-luther-king-jr-westside-coalition.ueniweb.com/events/2026-coming-soon-41st-annual-event
Martin Luther King Jr. Day "Concert for Unity": The Santa Monica Symphony’s annual tribute concert. This specific program often features works by African American composers and is a cornerstone of the city’s MLK Day celebrations. Monday, Jan. 19, 3p.m., Santa Monica Symphony at Barnum Hall https://www.smsymphony.org/events/scenes-from-life-unity-annual-mlk-concert/
Ice at Santa Monica: The "Last Skate" Closing Party: This is the final day of the season for the Westside's favorite outdoor rink. Expect a "closing night" atmosphere with special music and themed sessions before the ice is melted for the year. Monday, Jan. 19, 5th St & Arizona Ave. iceatsantamonica.com
Volo Sports Launch Party: Meet new people, play games and ditch the dating apps at Volo’s free Los Angeles launch party at Santa Monica Brew Works. The community-focused adult sports platform is celebrating its LA debut with an evening of interactive games, tailgate-style activities, DJs, giveaways, and a Lakers vs. Clippers watch party. Expect hands-on fun like DIY jersey customization, recovery stations, and casual sports activations that give a preview of Volo’s upcoming leagues, ranging from kickball and pickleball to bowling and skeeball. Complimentary food and drinks will be available, and the event is open to the public with RSVP. Thursday, Jan. 22, 6 - 9p.m., 1920 Colorado Ave. eventbrite.com/e/volo-sports-la-launch-party-tickets-1979930763211
ONGOING: “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; Museum of Illusions;
What to Eat & Drink?
Andrew's Grilled Cheese and Beer Night: Join a fun twist on their classic grilled cheese night. For this pop up dinner, they'll be pairing their decadent open-faced grilled cheeses with unique and interesting wines. Plus, they're adding trivia to the mix. Friday, Jan. 16, 7p.m., 728 Montana Ave. eventbrite.com/e/andrews-grilled-cheese-and-beer-night-tickets-1979563059399
Mas Vina Please Day Party: 🍷 A day party you won’t want to miss is popping up at Noun to share special pours and coastal Caribbean food! Saturday, Jan. 17, 1 - 5p.m., 4065 Glencoe Ave., Marina del Rey instagram.com/p/DTD6fpSkiD3/
It's a Pancake Party: Breakfast for dinner just hits different. Join a one-night Pancake Pop-Up at Weary Livers, featuring fresh, made-to-order mini pancakes from Stack ’Em Up Mini Pancakes — served late-night style in your favorite cozy, chaotic, fun bar. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2819 Pico Blvd. Pancakes start at 7PM; Bar open all night. allevents.in/santa-monica/its-a-pancake-party/100001978862063702
Two SaMo Spots on The Infatuation’s “The Best Dishes In LA Right Now” List: They give love to the Hawaiian Sunrise Pizza at Cosetta (3150 Ocean Park Blvd.) and the Nam Tok Tataki at Holy Basil (2828 Santa Monica Blvd.) stating "slices of raw steak flash-poached in a concentrated, blood-thickened beef broth and showered with chopped herbs and tentacle-like pork rinds." https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-dishes-infatuation-la-december-2025
Favorite Palisades restaurant rises again in Venice, with the same heart, and stellar pasta: The patio at Cinque Terre West in Venice is petite but cozy, with a handful of tables and counter seating that offer a prime view into the bustling kitchen. Nestled onto a busy stretch of Rose Avenue, it feels smaller and even livelier than the original Cinque Terre West, a local favorite in the Gardens at Palisades strip mall in the center of the town. Vinzoni and his wife, Marlo, who lost multiple businesses in the Palisades fire, and whose home was also damaged, are once again starting to feel like part of a thriving community. https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2026-01-12/palisades-fire-cinque-terre-west-restaurant-venice
Further Afield: Smorgasburg LA Grand Reopening 2026: While Smorgasburg is weekly, the Grand Reopening after the winter break is a major food event. Over a dozen new food vendors are joining the roster for the first time today, making it a must for local foodies. Sunday, Jan. 11, 10a.m. – 4p.m., ROW DTLA la.smorgasburg.com
Looking Ahead: DineLA Restaurant Week (1/23 – 2/6); SaMo Symphony Annual MLK Concert (1/17); Frieze LA Art Show (2/26 - 3/1);
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: Drive-in Movie Night on the Pier, Ice FInale, & MLK Weekend Things to Do