Kick back and enjoy some of the finest music collections and plays at Santa Monica’s landmark theater, the Miles Memorial Playhouse between January 7 to February 5, in their comfortable and stylish setting. The series ‘ Fireside at the Miles‘ includes fireside programming every Friday and Saturday night. Check out the Miles Memorial Playhouse schedule.

Oceans Four—Mixing Media brings together works of Santa Monica artists Dave Quick, Frank Rozasy, Elena Siff, Elizabeth Comay, South Bay artist Candice Gawne and San Gabriel Valley artist Arthur Nakane who use various mediums to depict and reflect the coastal community on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. In an interview with Voice of Santa Monica, artist and curator David Quick talks about the conceptualization of the Oceans Four exhbition, various mediums employed and what should the visitors expect at this unique exhibition. Read more about Oceans Four-Mixing Media.

Oceans Four – Mixing Media
December 9, 2010 – March 13, 2011
Open Monday, Saturday & Sunday
10am – 4pm in December & January

UPDATE: Oktoberfest 2010 has been cancelled. Due to some security difficulties affecting their insurance coverage, Oktoberfest Southern California has been postponed until 2011. Every ticket holder will be fully refunded.

Having achieved success in San Francisco with its Oktoberfest by the Bay, American Showplace Productions will recreate more of the same magic for the Socal population with their first annual Socal Oktoberfest 2010, which will be held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica from October 8-11, 2010. You will be entertained to the world-famous 21-piece Chico Bavarian Band, The Internationals, traditional Bavarian dancing and world’s best beers along with a wide variety of authentic German cuisine and delicious pastries, to satisfy your sweet tooth. The cost of admission is $20 and includes entry and entertainment. Food, dessert, wine and beer will have to be purchased separately. Children are allowed only on Sunday. Admission fee is $5 for children between 13-18 years and free for those under 12.

Oktoberfest  Schedule
Grand Opening
Friday, October 8
5 PM – Midnight

Saturday, October 9 (two sessions/ $20 per session)
Session 1: 11 AM – 4:30 PM
Session 2: 4:30 PM – 12:30 AM

Sunday, October 10
11 AM – 6 PM

4 things that will make your Oktoberfest experience even better

1. Avoid the rush. Buy your tickets early online and avail fabulous discounts of $5 off per ticket on Friday and 2-For-1 Sunday.

2. More the merrier: Parking is free if you have 4 or more people in your car. It is $10 otherwise.

3. To enjoy the festivities, spend at least three or four hours at the fest and you will catch up all the Octoberfest music and dance performances.

4. Get in the spirit of Oktoberfest. Wear Trachten or other Octoberfest costumes.

Art, Music and Beer all under one roof. Now that’s a combo that you don’t find often.

Celebrating locally produced art, music and the finest craft beers around, 18th Street Arts Center, in association with Library Alehouse, is bringing you the first craft beer festival known as B.A.M. acronym for Beer, Art and Music Festival on October 2, 2010 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 18th Street Arts Center.

For a price of $35, you get to taste 20-plus breweries, savor organic gourmet and sweat treats by green truck and big swirl truck, groove to the music of 4 bands and soothe your eyes to some amazing art. What’s more? You get a B.A.M. Fest logo tasting glass and all proceeds from the event will go towards 18th Street Arts Center, a Santa Monica 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Tickets will sell out soon, so purchase tickets for BAM today.

Twilight Dance series 2010 schedule

The Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series concerts are free and run every Thursday from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Santa Monica Pier parking lot (on the pier). If you are planning to stay through the entire event, it is advised to come early so that you can park your chair at a great spot on the pier or down on the beach. Bring a light blanket, grab something to eat and enjoy the beautiful evening.

Twilight Dance Series 2010 schedule

July 29

Kailash Kher’s Kailasa, Indian Pop/Rock/Bollywood

Aug 5

Rickie Lee Jones, Duchess of Coolsville

Aug 12

Soulive, Funk Jazz Organ Trio
Breakestra, Hip-Hop Funk Beats

Aug 19

Mick Taylor, Legendary Guitarist/Former Rolling Stone

Tom Nolan Band, Blues, R&B and Soul

Aug 26

Beatlesfest

Sept 2

Dr. John & the Lower 911, New Orleans Icon

Eddie Baytos & the Nervis Brothers, World Mardi Gras Music

2010 Santa Monica Film Festival (August 7,2010)

The annual film festival will be back in Santa Monica beginning August 7, showcasing the films of new talent from around USA and the world at the Aero Theater, 1328 Montana Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90403. It will be followed by the Festival Awards Party at the Loews Hotel, 1700 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90401.

Register before August 6 and get Free Tickets to 2010 Santa Monica Film Festival

If you miss the above freebie, you can purchase tickets at TICKETWEB.com, by phone at 1(866) 468-3399 or at the theater box office.

All event pass costs: $25.00

All screening pass costs: $10.00.

Grand Opening of Santa Monica Place on August 6, 2010

Grand Opening Celebration at Santa Monica Place on August 6, 2010 begins at 10 am and we have heard that its not going to be your usual ribbon-cutting ceremony. The all day long event features KCRW DJ/Music Director Jason Bentley, special live performance by The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers-LXD and more!!!!!!

Santa Monica Place event schedule.

Bryan Lazar * The Reconcilers * Jam Stain perform at the Santa Monica Pier on August 1

Some cool folks will be playing at the Rusty’s Surf Ranch, 256 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401-3126 from Saturday, July 31st at 9:00pm – August 1 at 12:30am. Admission ticket are $7 / $12 if under 21.

BRYAN LAZAR
This rock guitarist/vocalist from Thousand Oaks, California is heavily influenced by John Mayer and Incubus.

THE RECONCILERS
Come out and support this indie rock five-piece band from Los Angeles. Check out the music: better than nothin’(version 2) by the Reconcilers(LA).

JAM STAIN
This blues funk jam band has “stained” the hearts and minds of listeners everywhere with their own brand of improvised music. Check out his music:  Born Under a Bad Stain (Ft. Chris Woods) by Jam Stain.

Interview with choreographer Holly Rothschild, Annnberg beach house’s new artist in residence

Annnberg beach house recently welcomed choreographer Holly Rothschild to their artist-in-residency program, a city initiative undertaken to promote arts in Santa Monica and to honor Marion Davies’ artistry and her support of artists. During her stay at the Annenberg Beach House, Holly Rothschild plans to organize several free workshops involving participation of the local Santa Monica community, and helping them in understanding various tools and techniques used in creating site-specific performances. Read More.

Kick back and enjoy some of the finest music collections and plays at Santa Monica’s landmark theater, the Miles Memorial Playhouse between January 8 to February 6, in their newly transformed comfortable and stylish setting. The series ‘Fireside at the Miles‘ includes fireside programming every Friday and Saturday night. On Friday night they offer an eclectic mix of music events, while for Saturdays they have invited Santa Monica based theater companies to present lively readings of Pulitzer Prize winning American drama’s. For program schedule and other details click: Fireside at Miles

Santa Monica Playhouse ushers in its 50th anniversary with its internationally acclaimed Family Theatre Musical Alice and the Wonderful Tea Party. “Alice” will play every Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 and 3:00pm through March 7. You can make reservations by calling 1-310-394-9779 ext 2 or visit Santa Monica Play House. Admission tickets are $10.50 for kids 12 and under and $12.50 for adults. If you come in costume you will receive a two-for-one coupon for any future Playhouse Family Theatre performance. Read more: Interview with Evelyn Rudie, Co-artistic Director, Santa Monica Playhouse.

Dr. Majid Naficy will present readings of his new verse drama, “Shaherezad in Santa Monica” on January 18, 2010 at 6:30pm at the Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90401. This will be Naficy’s last reading under the “artist in resident” program, a city initiative undertaken to promote arts in Santa Monica. Read More: Interview with poet Majid Naficy.

The longest running art fair in Los Angeles, the photo l.a. 2010 will be back in its home-ground Santa Monica, from January 14 -17, 2010. Now in its 19th year, photola has earned the reputation of being one the foremost art fairs and leading photo-based event in the country. Read More.

The 9th Annual LA Opera series will be presenting Rossini’s Barber of Seville on Nov 19 at 7 p.m. at the Santa Monica Public Library (multipurpose room, 2nd floor). The remaining 3 of the six-part series include behind the scenes in Opera on Jan 21, introduction to the ring cycle and götterdämmerung on Feb 18 and the specialty ring talk on May 20. The program series which is a collaborative event of ‘The Living Room’ a place for adults and LA Opera’s community programs, is open and free for all groups. Since the space is limited, the seating’s are on first arrival basis. For more information, visit Santa Monica Public Library or contact them at (310) 458-8600.

Juan Diego Flórez will perform today, November 3, 2009 at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center at 7.30 p.m. The peruvian operatic tenor who is world renowned for his roles in bel canto operas sings selections from Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti.

Santa Monica Symphony, will perform classical and modern symphonic music under its popular music director and conductor Allen Robert Gross on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 7.30 p.m at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

Events in Santa Monica this October 2009

Dengue Fever, a six-member band from Los Angeles will be playing at The Broadstage tomorrow, October 30 at 7:30 p.m. The band which has been featured in several films and television serials is known for its unique Cambodian pop music style.

Cirque Du Soleil’s Kooza will perform tomorrow, Friday, October 16th at the Santa Monica Pier. Bringing with it a mixture of acrobatic performance and the art of clowning, it promises to offer its audience a performance which is second to none.

On September 14 2009, the 8th annual Taste of Santa Monica in partnership with Cirque Du Soleil’s Kooza, will present a food-filled day, featuring neighborhood restaurants, live music and great prizes.

Peer into Santa Monica pier’s history, as it celebrates its centennial on September 9, 2009.While a lot of things have changed in the last century in and around pier, the pier continues to stand for what it always has- a place for fun, food, frolic and more.

Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series (July 2- September 3)

September 3,2009: Grand Finale by Patti Smith.

August 26, 2009: Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series presents Lowrider Band, and so “Very Be Careful”.

August 20, 2009: Social action & Surfboards perform at Santa Monica Pier.

August 13: Multi-ethnic, fusion of Israeli pop music and other global Sounds: Idan Raichel Project (Israel) & Elijah Emanuel (Bilingual Reggae from Panama)

August 6, 2009: Paul Thorn and Dave Alvin along with his Guilty Women perform at the Santa Monica pier.