Downbeat 720, a high school performing arts collective sponsored by the city of Santa Monica's Recreation and Arts Department, celebrates its 25th anniversary with the start of a new season Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The free open mic night for high school students is hosted by comedian Joe Hernandez-Kolski and beatboxer Joshua Silverstein, with music by DJ Jedi. It takes place on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the first performance at 7:20 p.m. All performance-based genres are welcome, and no advance RSVP is required. Teens may perform or attend as audience members, and adults may attend when accompanying a teen performer.
The program invites students to perform music, poetry, comedy or art for fellow participants and professional artist mentors, who offer feedback to help strengthen their skills and provide a space for self-expression.
"Santa Monica is proud to celebrate 25 years of Downbeat 720 and the remarkable young artists who have made this program a creative home," Recreation and Arts Department Director Jenny Rogers said. "By giving teens a welcoming stage to share their voices, build their skills and connect with professional artists, Downbeat 720 continues to strengthen our community through the power of the arts."
Downbeat 720 was created in 2001 by Justin Yoffe, Ameenah Kaplan, Hernandez-Kolski and DJ Jedi. Professional artists who have performed for students include Grammy Award-winning musicians Aloe Blacc and Raul Pacheco of Ozomatli, comedian Craig Robinson of "The Office," Akil the MC of Jurassic 5, poet and actress Amber Tamblyn of "Joan of Arcadia" and a host of HBO's "Def Poetry." Alumni include singer-songwriter Jules Paymer and actor and singer Owen Thiele of Hulu's "Adults."
The program was held at the Miles Memorial Playhouse until 2020, when it moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned to in-person sessions at the Virginia Avenue Park Teen Center while the playhouse in Reed Park was revitalized. It returned to the Miles Memorial Playhouse in October 2025, months after the space reopened during Santa Monica's 2025 State of the City.
For more information, visit santamonica.gov/programs/downbeat-720.
Edited by SMDP Staff