Our weekly guide to food and entertainment goings-on in and around town includes the Pier Splashdown and Pie Contest events, Arts and Literacy Festival and much more.
Annual Venice Beach gRUNion Night Party: During spring and summer, on select nights during the full and new moons, hundreds of shimmering grunion fish come ashore to spawn. Join fellow ocean lovers on the sands of Venice Beach at night for the Venice Oceanarium annual gRUNion Party & lab. Free. Friday, April 26, 10:45pm at Venice Breakwater.
JAMS-SMASH Theater Presents Mean Girls Jr: Enjoy “a kid-appropriate version of this musical comedy about Cady Heron, the naive newcomer who navigates the social perks and perils of high school life, where Plastics reign and good friends can be hard to find (and keep). Through song and satire, this timely show encourages audience members to share their sparkle and adjust each other’s crowns.” Friday, April 26, 7pm, Saturday, April 27, 2pm and 7pm and Sunday April 28, 2pm at 2425 16th St. For more details visit here.
Chubbies Splashdown on the Pier: Expect a giant inflatable water slide on the Santa Monica Pier and those brave enough to slide down it will receive a free pair of Chubbies swim trunks. There will also be a live DJ, free food & drinks, a giant hammer carnival game and more. Saturday, April 27, 12–6pm.
Cellista Soars in Upcoming Aerial Cello Experience: Two top-notch entertainment forms will be merged into one, as Cellista will be performing Élégie, what she calls a “stage poem” written for Aerial Cello. Saturday, April 27, 9pm at the Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St.
PanCan PurpleStride: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will host the annual PanCAN PurpleStride Los Angeles next to the Santa Monica Pier. Everyone is invited join the nationwide Walk to End Pancreatic Cancer alongside survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, celebrities, and community members to raise awareness and funds to fight pancreatic cancer. Saturday, April 27, 2024, 9am at 200 Santa Monica Pier
Arts and Literacy Festival 2024: The year’s theme is “The ROBOTS Are Here,” and the event will host over thirty different community organizations offering games and activities that align with Santa Monica Cradle to Career Building Blocks for Kindergarten campaign. The campaign promotes social and emotional development, self-care, physical well-being and motor skills, language development and early learning to help parents, educators, early childcare providers, and other community partners work together to make sure all Santa Monica children start kindergarten ready to learn, inside and outside the classroom. This is also a great chance for middle and high school students to earn community service hours. Saturday, Apr 27, 2024 10am–2pm.
Tomato Time! Container Gardening Workshop at Santa Monica Public Library: Librarian Bobby Tsui teaches you how to grow tomatoes from seed to harvest, including selecting the proper container and potting mix, care and feeding, and dealing with common pests and diseases. A hands-on planting activity follows the presentation. Attendees will receive a seed sampler pack and have the opportunity to plant tomato seeds to take home and grow. Space and supplies are limited and on a first come, first served basis. Saturday, April 27, 3–4:30pm at the Montana Ave. Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave.
The Network SM – Queer Picnic in the Park: Get to know your neighbors, celebrate the glorious queer community we’re creating together, and talk about the future of LGBTQIA+ Santa Monica/the Westside. (The sunset is a bonus if you stay until the end.) Eat, drink, and be queer! Saturday, April 27, 3–7:30pm at Hotchkiss Park, 4th St and Hollister.
Grad Nite: Come to The Venice West on Tuesday, April 30, 7–10:30pm for live music by the Dial Ups, playing hits from the 60’s, 70’s and LOTS of 80’s! Ticket sales go to support SaMoHi Grad Nite.
What to eat and drink?
Wine Tasting Experience with Justin Winery: Mingle with the creators of Justin Wines as you savor their Paso Robles selections, expertly paired with creations by Chef Garee Battad. $86. Thursday, Apr 25, 7pm at Marina Del Rey Hotel, 13534 Bali Way.
Grilled Cheese & Wine Night at Andrew’s Cheese Shop: Expect “a starter salad with fresh greens, followed up by four open faced grilled cheeses each expertly paired with a unique wine and finished off with a (wait for it) float using Elio Perrone’s Bigaro, a sweet blend of Moscato and Brachetto.” $80/person. Friday, April 26, 7:30pm at 728 Montana Ave.
KCRW’s Good Food PieFest & Contest: At the heart of the festival is a massive pie contest where hundreds of bakers compete to impress the judges — a collection of LA’s finest chefs and food writers. The event also features baking demos, a marketplace with pie slices and lunch options, a beer garden, kids activities, exhibitions at the Fowler Museum, and music sets from KCRW DJs Dan Wilcox and SiLVA. Free and open to the public to attend. Sunday April 28, 12–5pm at UCLA Royce Quad, 10745 Dickson Ct.
Hank’s in Pacific Palisades Gets a Spiffy Makeover as an American Bistro: This EaterLA write-up details how it reopened in Palisades Village a couple weeks ago with a whole new look and refocused menu at 1033 N Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades. I checked it out last Sunday night and was delighted by the atmosphere, drinks, food, and live jazz playing outside.
Rustic Canyon’s Tuesday Supper: “Born from the concept of simplicity and cohesion, the Tuesday Supper presents a set 3-course menu featuring hyper-seasonal ingredients handpicked by the chefs from the week’s farmers’ market. With a different menu each week, diners are guaranteed a fresh experience with every visit, aligning perfectly with Rustic Canyon’s commitment to seasonal menu rotations.” $75 for a set 3-course menu. 1119 Wilshire Blvd.
Venice Cocktail Lounge Gran Blanco enters its Izakaya Era: The nearly five-year-old cocktail lounge located below the Venice sign on Windward Avenue from the founders of Great White, recently reopened following a months-long closure to revamp its menus and interiors.
Further afield: Pizza City Fest LA (4/27-28) at LA Live downtown () and Jackalope (4/27-28) returns to the heart of Old Pasadena for a two-day event offering shoppers over 200 local, hand-selected artisans to peruse. Outdoors. All-ages. Free to attend.
Looking ahead around town: Movie Fridays on 3rd St. Promenade (5/10, 6/14),MAINopoly (5/19), Eeeeeatscon (6/8-9), Make Music Day (6/21)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, reach out to me at sean@smdp.com