SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes Dog Daze of Summer event on Montana Ave., Endless Summer C.A.M.P., Venice Art Crawl, and much more!
Santa Monica Forward Summer Family Picnic: Join Santa Monica Forward for a summer picnic in the park. The Colorado Center is an office park with a public park, providing an ideal setting to meet other families and talk about what we can do to make Santa Monica a better place. We will provide pizza, pasta, and salad from Santa Monica Pizza Kitchen. Please bring your favorite non-alcoholic beverages or enjoy some seltzer waters and juice boxes. Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Colorado Center, 2450 Broadway Ave. https://actionnetwork.org/events/santa-monica-forward-family-picnic
Westside Chamber Orchestra Free Summer Series: Join the Westside Chamber Orchestra this summer at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for free programs. Saturday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m., 958 Lincoln Blvd. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-westside-chamber-orchestra-barber-mozart-walton-tickets-1329194920789
6th Annual Back 2 School Festival: Join It’s Bigger Than Us (IBTU) for a powerful day of healing, service, and community joy—featuring free backpacks, fire relief resources, youth performers, a skatepark activation, wellness services, games, raffles, and more. This event is free and open to the public, with special giveaways for families who pre-register and check in. Saturday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 1 Windward Ave., Venice https://www.eventbrite.com/e/its-bigger-than-us-6th-annual-back-2-school-festival-venice-beach-tickets-1514133015609
Endless Summer C.A.M.P. (Community | Art | Music | Picnic): This festive afternoon in Tongva Park brings together a variety of music, dance and performance from all around Los Angeles in one of Santa Monica’s most iconic green spaces. Attendees can participate in a bubble party, watch a comedic opera retelling of “Cinderella”, and more. Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 1615 Ocean Ave. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/endless-summer-tickets-1485135402969
Dog Daze of Summer on Montana Ave.:The event encourages you to “Bring your furry best friend for a day of shopping, treats, and giveaways as you explore the charming boutiques and restaurants along Montana Ave.” Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/2504709806566615/
Anniversary Party at The Surfing Fox: Enjoy an all-day celebration at the Pierside Hotel’s restaurant with giveaways, games, birthday cake, specials, live music and more, starting with free La Colombe Coffee iced creations from 7 – 9 a.m., followed by a birthday brunch with live music & celebratory cake cutting, patio games and free portraits, and burgers and beers and patio games. Sunday, Aug. 24, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m., 120 Colorado Ave. https://www.thepiersidehotel.com/events/anniversary-party-at-the-surfing-fox/
Cinema Sundays at Sunset on the Promenade: This summer, Third Street Promenade transforms into Santa Monica's most charming outdoor movie theater. Sunday, Aug. 24, 6 p.m., is Lilo & Stitch in front of the Apple Store, 1415 3rd Street Promenade https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinema-sundays-at-sunset-tickets-1588204385069
Pickle n Tequila x Sushi Roku Off the Court Happy Hour: Celebrate the launch of three new frozen cocktails, mingle with the community, and dive into the exclusive extended happy hour menu. $8 ticket includes: (1) complimentary cocktail OR beer/wine Sushi Roku's extended happy hour menu. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 6 - 8 p.m., 1401 Ocean Ave. https://www.sweatpals.com/event/off-the-court-at-sushi-roku-028
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?
Spill the Tea with the Mayor at Dr. T House: Lana Negrete is hosting a meet and greet and community discussion on Thursday, Aug 21, 5 - 7 p.m., 1709 Pico Blvd. https://www.instagram.com/drteahouse
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
Chai Rave at Fitoor: The Ultimate Desi Daytimer $10 Sip chai, feel the beat, and dance under the stars at the ultimate brunch dance party: Chai Rave, where South Asian flavor meets global sound. Enjoy unique and bold flavors of tea and coffee, an option of Indian and American breakfast staples, and electrifying DJ sets blending Indo-house, Afrohouse, and EDM at the glitzy Fitoor in Santa Monica. Tickets are $10 per person for Music x Bites x Vibes. Saturday, Aug. 23, 9:30a.m. - 2:30 p.m., 1755 Ocean Ave. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chai-rave-the-ultimate-desi-daytimer-grand-launch-aug-23-fitoor-tickets-1510888390849
Wally's Summer Soirée - Last Party of Summer: Enjoy a grand finale soirée at Wally’s Santa Monica with a complimentary glass of Prosecco, dance to the sounds of DJ Nelson, and celebrate the season’s end in style.Thursday, Aug. 28, 214 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1020850&restref=1020850&experienceId=514834
Tipsy Scholar Chardonnay Master Class: Taste and learn about Chardonnay from resident sommeliers. Flights are $40 and include an AJA Rosé trucker hat. Reservations are $10 per person. Thursday, Aug. 28,AJA Vineyards, 1417 2nd St. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-tipsy-scholar-chardonnay-master-class-tickets-1507756573499
Multiple SaMo Eateries on "The Best Burgers In LA" List: The Infatuation gives love to Fathers Office, Birdie G's and Pasjoli. They describe the Birdie G’s burger as “Halfway between a steakhouse and a diner burger, the patty is crusted in peppery steak seasoning, grilled over wood until its edge-to-edge rosy pink, then cradled in a milk bread bun from the dough wizards at Petitgrain Boulangerie” along with onion jam, melted havarti, pickles and tangy steak sauce. https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-burger-la
Further Afield:Fiesta La Ballona: Culver City’s annual summer festival returns this Friday to Sunday at Veterans Memorial Park, featuring live performances, carnival rides, pool movie screenings, games, a beer and wine garden, food trucks, and a vendor village with local groups and artisan wares. 4117 Overland Ave. https://www.fiestalaballona.org/Home
Looking Ahead: 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); Montana Ave. Art Walk (9/27); 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: More Summer Events