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# Around Town: Salsa at Tongva, Early Pumpkin Drops & Top Westside Burgers
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/around-town-salsa-at-tongva-early-pumpkin-drops-top-westside-burgers/
- Published: 2026-08-27T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-27T16:00:09.000Z
- Author: Sean Besser
- Tags: Events, Los Angeles

**SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes outdoor films, local singles mixers, new Palisades dining, and much more!**

**Singles Night at Circle Bar:** Ditch the apps and meet local Westside singles in person at Circle Bar’s dedicated evening mixer on Main Street. **Thursday, Aug. 27, 7 - 10 p.m., 2926 Main St.** [circlebar-sm.com](http://circlebar-sm.com/?ref=smdp.com)

**Virginia Avenue Park Open House & Resource Fair:** Bring the family for an interactive community open house featuring local organization resource booths, family activities, music, and food trucks showcasing neighborhood programs for the fall season. **Friday, Aug. 28, 5 – 7 p.m. 2200 Virginia Ave.** [santamonica.gov/events/4az8aq31k5r48zdcqsrbb6gyww/202608281700](http://santamonica.gov/events/4az8aq31k5r48zdcqsrbb6gyww/202608281700?ref=smdp.com)

**Summer Friday Movie Night: Matilda at Cayton Children’s Museum:** Wrap up the Cayton’s summer screening series with a family-friendly movie night featuring Matilda. Tickets include full access to the museum’s interactive exhibit spaces prior to showtime, plus complimentary movie snacks and drinks inside the kid-tailored theater space. **Friday, Aug. 28, 5:30 p.m., 395 Santa Monica Place** [caytonmuseum.org](http://caytonmuseum.org/?ref=smdp.com)

**Ballet of Lights Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show:** The Broad Stage hosts an illuminated ballet performance bringing the classic fairy tale to life through glowing costumes and choreography. **Saturday, Aug. 29, 4 p.m., Broad Stage, 1310 11th St.** [balletoflights.com/sleeping-beauty](http://balletoflights.com/sleeping-beauty?ref=smdp.com)

**New Outdoor Music & Movie Series Saturdays at Tongva Park:** Spend your Saturday nights under the stars at TONGVA TWILIGHT: Sounds & Cinema, a free outdoor series blending live music, iconic films, and summer vibes in Tongva Park. Grab your friends, pack a picnic and enjoy complimentary popcorn on movie nights while supplies last. **This week, Son Mayor will bring its high-energy salsa orchestra to Tongva Park, complete with a complimentary salsa lesson before the performance. Saturdays, through Sept. 12, 7 - 10 p.m., 1615 Ocean Ave**. [santamonica.gov/events/tongva-twilight-sounds-cinema-series](http://santamonica.gov/events/tongva-twilight-sounds-cinema-series?ref=smdp.com)

**Marina Movie Nights:** Grab your family, a picnic dinner, and a blanket or low-profile beach chairs and make your way to Burton Chace Park for the free summer events on select **Saturdays from August 22 to September 26.** Movies start at 8 p.m. but arrive by 7 to pick out your spot on the lawn. Free admission! [visitmdr.com/annual-events/marina-movie-nights](http://visitmdr.com/annual-events/marina-movie-nights?ref=smdp.com)

**Salvation Army 2nd Chance Benefit Concert:** Tickets include a buffet dinner, drinks, and silent auction access, with 100% of proceeds supporting local, free adult rehabilitation programs. **Sunday, Aug. 30, 6 p.m., 1533 4th St.** [smdp.com/salvation-army-rehab-center-to-host-benefit-concert-aug-30/](http://smdp.com/salvation-army-rehab-center-to-host-benefit-concert-aug-30/?ref=smdp.com)

**Palisades Night at The Bungalow:** Community meets nightlife at The Bungalow Santa Monica’s monthly neighborhood party. Featuring beats from Palisades native DJ Graham Funke, themed cocktails, and exclusive merch, the evening brings together beachy vibes for a good cause—with proceeds benefiting LA Strong Sports and rebuilding the Pacific Palisades Park and Recreation Center. **Thursday, Sept. 3, Starting at 7 p.m., The Bungalow Santa Monica, 101 Wilshire Blvd.** [thebungalow.com/santa-monica/palisades-night](http://thebungalow.com/santa-monica/palisades-night?ref=smdp.com)

**ONGOING:** [Museum of Illusions](https://moisantamonica.com/?ref=smdp.com); [The CUBE VR](https://www.thecubeevents.com/santamonicaexperiences?ref=smdp.com); [Splatter Studio](https://www.nbclosangeles.com/video/california-live/paint-sip-and-create-in-santa-monica/3834517/?ref=smdp.com); [Pier Locals Night](https://www.santamonicapier.org/localsnight?ref=smdp.com) (every 3rd Thursday)

**What to Eat & Drink?**

**Abbot Kinney Supper Club:** Expect a golden hour dinner party with long tables, good people, and a Japanese-inspired six-course menu with a little California flair. **Friday, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m.** [https://www.instagram.com/p/DcJ1kKoJes7/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcJ1kKoJes7/?ref=smdp.com)

**Fall Arrives Early at Randy’s Donuts:** Because waiting until September is overrated, Randy’s Donuts is kicking off pumpkin season early with offerings like Pumpkin Cake donuts with cream cheese icing, Pistachio Crumb raised donuts, and Cinnamon Coffee Cake donuts, paired with iced or hot Pumpkin Pie and Pistachio Lattes. **Available starting Monday, Aug. 31, 829 Wilshire Blvd.** [randysdonuts.com](http://randysdonuts.com/?ref=smdp.com)

**Multiple Santa Monica Ice Cream Shops Listed in LA’s Top 10:** A viral top 10 countdown spotlighting the city's top scoop destinations gave big shoutouts to local staples like Sweet Rose Creamery (225 26th St.) and Rori's Artisanal Creamery (910 Montana Ave.), celebrating their organic ingredients, inventive flavor rotations, and neighborhood charm. [instagram.com/reel/Dbd9xskD5wA](http://instagram.com/reel/Dbd9xskD5wA?ref=smdp.com)

**Pasjoli & The Office on "The Best Burgers In LA" List:** The Infatuation heaps praise on the Pasjoli (2732 Main St) burger: "The thick, dry-aged patty is pan-seared and basted in herb butter, then blanketed with cheddar and bone marrow aioli. A handful of crisp shallots and a thick ring of sautéed red onion are the only vegetables in sight." Father's Office (1018 Montana Ave) gets serious love too: "Topped with caramelized onions, gruyere and Maytag blue cheese, bacon compote, and arugula, this is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and tangy." [theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-burger-la](http://theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-burger-la?ref=smdp.com)

**Palisades Village reopens with new restaurants from Nancy Silverton and Timothy Hollingsworth:** The Caruso-owned Palisades Village reopened on Saturday after more than $100 million in repairs. Celebrity chef Timothy Hollingsworth opened Alphabet Bar & Grill in the former Hank’s space. Designed as the Village’s neighborhood restaurant, it serves American classics, such as rotisserie chickens with a range of sauces and just-charred burgers under cheddar and buttery onions. Caruso had hoped to work with Nancy Silverton for years. But it was the mission of aiding the Palisades that finally spurred the Mozza, Chi Spacca and La Brea Bakery founder to conceptualize Spacca Tutto, an Italian-leaning steakhouse set to debut in Palisades Village next month. [https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2026-08-20/palisades-village-reopen-nancy-silverton-timothy-hollingsworth-new-restaurants](https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2026-08-20/palisades-village-reopen-nancy-silverton-timothy-hollingsworth-new-restaurants?ref=smdp.com)

**Further Afield: Fiesta La Ballona:** Culver City’s marquee summer festival celebrates its 75th anniversary at Veterans Memorial Park with live music across two stages, carnival rides, games, beer gardens, and over 40 local food vendors. Free admission. **Friday, Aug. 28 – Sunday, Aug. 30, Veterans Memorial Park, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City** [fiestaballona.org](http://fiestaballona.org/?ref=smdp.com)

**Looking Ahead:** [Thai Fest by the Beach](https://www.thaifestbythebeach.com/?ref=smdp.com) (9/19-20); [A Pierfect Benefit](http://santamonicapier.org/apierfectbenefit?ref=smdp.com) (9/19); [Ocean Way Festival](https://www.oceanwayfestival.com/?ref=smdp.com) (9/26-27); [Off the Hook Seafood Festival](https://offthehookseafoodfest.com/?ref=smdp.com) (10/11); [Main St. Day of the Dog Festival](https://www.petapaloozawest.com/santa-monica?ref=smdp.com) (10/18)

If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, you can reach out directly at[ ](https://www.instagram.com/seanbesser/?ref=smdp.com)[instagram.com/seanbesser](https://www.instagram.com/seanbesser/?ref=smdp.com) or email me at [sean@smdp.com](mailto:sean@smdp.com).[ ](https://smdp.com/author/sean/?ref=smdp.com)[Here](https://smdp.com/author/sean/?ref=smdp.com) are my past columns and let me know if you have any feedback on **Around Town: Salsa at Tongva, Early Pumpkin Drops & Top Westside Burgers**