SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes the Bergamot Comedy Festival, Malibu’s Annual Chumash Day, Women’s Herstory at City Hall, Yes Chef Food Fest, and much more!
Bergamot Comedy Festival: The Fest brings together up-and-coming and underrepresented comedians for shows, panels, and community programming that spotlight voices not always seen on traditional stages. Over the course of the week, attendees can expect multiple comedy showcases, free educational panels, networking opportunities and discussions with industry professionals — all designed to give performers greater exposure and local audiences a chance to discover new talent. March 24–28, The Crow, 2525 Michigan Ave. bergamotcomedyfest.org
Malibu’s 25th Annual Chumash Day Powwow: The name "Malibu" derives from the Chumash word "Humaliwo," meaning "where the surf sounds loudly." "The Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering is an opportunity for the City of Malibu to honor the original people of this land," Mayor Bruce Silverstein said. Members from tribes across the western and southwestern United States will gather to sing, dance, socialize and heal. Chumash elder Beverly Folkes will lead the opening invocation and prayer. Saturday & Sunday, March 28-29, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. malibucity.org/ChumashDay
Making Herstory at City Hall: A Candid Conversation with Santa Monica's Women Mayors: Celebrate Women’s History Month with a panel of Santa Monica’s women mayors, featuring current Mayor Caroline Torosis and former mayors Gleam Davis, Judy Abdo, Lana Negrete, and Pam O’Connor. They’ll share their personal stories, offer advice for women looking to succeed in local politics, and answer audience questions. Saturday, Mar 28, 2026 2:00 PM - 3:30p.m., Main Library 601 Santa Monica Blvd. santamonica.gov/events/4affybqvqyt3nzynj06hgdq8cj/202603281400
Juneshine's Watercolor In The Wild Afternoon: Enjoy a beginner painting workshop with kombucha. 🎨 Saturday, March 28, 7 p.m., 2914 Main St. instagram.com/reels/DUkKVJxkeaL/
Santa Monica Playhouse Presents 'Matty': The show tells the life story of Christy Mathewson, legendary Hall of Fame pitcher for the New York Giants from 1900 to 1916. Saturday, March 28, 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 29, 1:30 p.m. santamonicaplayhouse.com/matty.html
Mas Vino Please’s Wine & Wax evening: They’ll be vibing with DJ @daisyodell and there will be curated wines by Mas Vino 🍷Saturday, March 28, 7 p.m., 700 Wilshire Blvd. instagram.com/p/DWPbSFwEizF/
Singles Only Social Club Mixer: Come to Bodega Wine Bar for singles, drinks, curated mingling. 💗Monday, March 30, 7p.m., 814 Broadway instagram.com/p/DWAoraik44l
Wine Tasting 101 Class: Discover the art of wine tasting with Sommelier Murphy Perng, who will walk you through a tasting of six different wines from the world's preeminent winemaking regions. You'll learn how to see, smell, and taste wine, how to identify its aromas and flavors, and how to assess its quality based on an analysis of its length, balance, intensity, and complexity. Wednesday, April 1, 6p.m., Gourmandise School, 395 Santa Monica Place cookingschoolsofamerica.com/thegourmandiseschool/index.php
ONGOING: Museum of Illusions; The CUBE VR; Splatter Studio; Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (April)
What to Eat & Drink?
All-You-Can-Eat Moo Korean BBQ Arrives at Downtown SaMo: The restaurant features a tabletop grilling format, where diners cook their own selections, with an all-you-can-eat menu priced at about $50/person. 231 Arizona Ave. (at the corner of 3rd St. Promenade) themookbbq.com
Jeni’s Ice Cream Releases The ‘Grand Dessert’ Tour Flavors: Skip the three-course meal and head straight for the scoop shop for "Favorite Childhood Dessert" nostalgia leveled up with sophisticated riffs on old-school classics. Flavors include Key Lime Pie with a salty-sweet graham cracker swirl, a Black Tie Tiramisu with mascarpone and ladyfinger crumbles, and Basque Cheesecake, pairing burnt-sugar caramel with a ribbon of signature brambleberry jam. 64 Winward Ave., Venice jenis.com/collections/spring-flavors
Wine Camp: An Intro to Wine at FIG: Sip, learn, and savor with Ian Blackburn, founder of Learn About Wine. This monthly series features guided tastings and an elegant Bordeaux-paired dinner, offering expert insights and exceptional wines in the intimate setting of The Potting Shed. Guests will explore winemaking techniques, taste a curated selection of varietals, and gain confidence in describing flavor profiles and food pairings during this engaging two-hour experience led by an expert sommelier. $150. Saturday, March 28, 3p.m., 101 Wilshire Blvd. instagram.com/figsantamonica
Prime Rib Sundays at Chelsea: Served alongside their regular menu, guests can get a choice of soup or salad starter followed by roast Prime Rib served with cheddar bacon scalloped potatoes, sauteed spinach, au jus, and creamed horseradish. $65/person. 2460 Wilshire Blvd. chelseasm.com
Openings: ¡Salud! Venice: Bringing the vibrant spirit of Mexico City’s café culture to the Westside, husband-and-wife duo Richard and Celia Sanchez Lara opened this dual-concept space. By day, it’s a bright specialty coffee shop serving signature Nutty Mazapan Lattes and elevated Latin breakfasts like the Barbacoa Hash; by night, the lights dim for a high-energy transition into an intimate cocktail bar featuring tequila-forward drinks and a curated tapas menu. 417 Washington Blvd. saludvenice.com
Venice Boardwalk Castanea Sicilian Cafe Offers Hands-On Espresso and Coffee Classes: Learn barista techniques in hands-on espresso and coffee classes on select Thursday and Friday nights, including April 2 and 10, 7p.m., 1307 Ocean Front Walk https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coffee-espresso-class-tickets-1979226286101
Further Afield: Yes Chef Food Fest LA Debut: After back-to-back sold-out runs in New York, the viral culinary phenomenon arrives in LA for a massive two-day "gastronomic playground." This isn't your typical parking lot food fair; it’s an immersive experience featuring live 300-pound bluefin tuna cuttings, a 100-pound pig roast by Chef Aaron May, and a "pickle fountain" courtesy of Kaylin + Kaylin. Guests can sample limited-edition dishes from over 30 global and local heavyweights while enjoying roaming caviar bumps, freshly shucked oysters, and handcrafted cannolis included with entry. Saturday & Sunday, March 28 & 29, Reframe Studios, 4561 Colorado Blvd. yescheffoodfest.com
More Further Afield: Vegan Street Fair (Westwood): One of the largest free vegan events in the country, taking over the streets of Westwood. Saturday & Sunday, March 28-29, veganstreetfair.com/losangeles
Looking Ahead: U.S. Women’s Open Golf Championship (4/2-5); Santa Monica Film Festival (4/11-13); SaMo International Jazz Festival (5/1-9); Netflix Is A Joke Fest (5/4-10)
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: Laughs, Legacy, & Food & Wine Events