Welcome to the Santa Monica Art Palette for the weekend of July 8. It’s a good weekend to be in Santa Monica. The goal of the Art Palette, created by City Hall’s cultural affairs division, is to showcase the many eclectic arts and cultural opportunities available in Santa Monica every week, highlighting one or more of the many happenings within our borders. Artist Steve Hurd will offer decorating tips for the inebriately inclined and Jane Fonda and George Segal will key us in on the finer points of bank robbery and extortion. What more could you ask for?
The Powerhouse Theatre continues its production of John Patrick Shanley’s Danny and the Deep Blue Sea through July 23. Hezekiah Lewis directs this inspiring story of hope and love with performances Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m.
On Saturday night, head on over the Bergamot Station and take a look at Steve Hurd’s first solo exhibition. Hurd is known for his drippy renditions of women’s magazines and home decorating interiors in which old English Malt liquor bottles are sprawled about — must be the same decorator who did the dorm rooms across the hall from me when I was in college. I’ve heard from someone who is definitely in the know that Hurd is “the coolest artist ever,” and that this is going to be one groovy art opening. The gallery will be hosting a reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and the show will remain on exhibition through Aug. 26.
The Palette is dedicated to spotlighting events in Santa Monica but we’re going to break that rule for a moment to help promote the work of one of Santa Monica’s most important arts agencies — The Virginia Avenue Project. Working with professional actors and writers, young people from the Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) have written and produced nine short plays filled with comedy and music. Performances are free, the plays are terrific, the kids are amazing, and Virginia Avenue Project is truly one of Santa Monica’s most valuable resources. Don’t miss it.
Virginia Avenue Project What happens when all signs are pointing in the direction away from where you're headed? Find out, as the Project's One-on-One program produces two shows that direct you to summer comedy and music.
The Santa Monica Theatre Guild continues its new play festival, Next Stage, on Sunday and Monday with The Salt Water Women by L. Lewis Stout. The story centers on three women who meet accidentally on an Oregon beach. One woman murdered her husband, while another’s infant was stolen at birth, and a third simply cannot decide her own fate. Tickets for the series are only $5 and the audience is invited to participate in lively discussions afterward with the playwright and the actors.
Fun with Dick and Jane And finally this week, tickets are now available for a stellar evening at the Aero Theatre benefiting the Santa Monica Conservancy. A special screening of the original (good) version of Fun With Dick and Jane will be screened in honor of local benefactor Max Palevsky. But that’s not the best of it — following the screening there will be a panel discussion and reception with the stars of the movie, Jane Fonda, George Segal and Ed McMahon.
Well, that wraps it up for this week’s Palette. I want to remind you all of the new Art Trek Map created by City Hall’s cultural affairs division in partnership with the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau. This comprehensive listing of every gallery, theatre, museum, public artworks and other cultural venues in Santa Monica can be found at key tourist destinations throughout Santa Monica. Check it out — it’s the very best guide to arts in Santa Monica and essential reading for anyone looking to have a good time.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 7, 2006. Read the original PDF.