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# Bringing arts, culture to life in Santa Monica
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/bringing-arts-culture-to-life-in-santa-monica/
- Published: 2007-04-12T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T23:53:07.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By HAMP SIMMONS is the cultural affairs coordinator for the City of Santa Monica. Send comments or suggestions for the Palette to*

IF YOU’VE FINISHED YOUR TAXES AND THEY’RE MAKING THEIR PILGRIMAGE to Fresno for processing, you can reward yourself with musical delights, poetic enchantments, visual treasures or literary masterpieces this weekend. At Highways, they’re Singing the Body Electric while over at the First Methodist Church, the Verdi Chorus will be singing Tchaikovsky and Puccini. At Bergamot Station artists are celebrating a woman’s right to vote and at the Ruskin, writers, directors and actors are whizzing on by at 78 rpm. Whatever award you deserve (or want) for being a responsible, good citizen, it’s here for you in Santa Monica!

Eighty-seven female artists (including local talents Phyllis Green and Jody Zellen) commemorate 87th birthday of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote. My favorite moment of that particular movement occurs when Mrs. Banks leads Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Katie Nana and Mrs. Brill on an impromptu suffrage march through the house. I think that was the beginnings of my life as an activist — I figured if Mary Poppins marched for equal rights so would I! So get on over to Bergamot Saturday night and raise your umbrella high! You’ll also enjoy the new exhibition at the Schomburg Gallery along with all the other great art you’ll find at the complex.

Santa Monica loves books and we love our new library. Folks line up in the morning before the doors open. There are worlds to explore, things to learn and important facts to uncover. Three or four people pass through the library doors every minute they are open. They’re coming by the millions. Join the crowd on Saturday and enjoy taiko drummers, live music, storytelling, crafts, and more! While you’re there, pick up a resource guide to this year’s Santa Monica Reads book, “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 12, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/041207.pdf?ref=smdp.com)