MAKING A STATEMENT: Controversial Japanese street artist 281 Anti Nuke's work will be featured at the fundraiser Artworks for the Cure at the Barker Hanger this weekend. (Image courtesy Roth Management) Try your hand at tagging! The exciting fundraiser Artworks for the Cure is back for its third year starting Friday in the Barker Hangar... Read more →

AT WORK: Veterans are part of the cast in 'Tracers' at the USVAA Theatre in Culver City. (Photo courtesy Emil Petrinic/USVAA) Powerful! Mesmerizing! Brilliant! It’s “Tracers,” the emotionally charged ensemble piece about the Vietnam war. Written by playwright John DiFusco in 1980 and performed at Los Angeles’ Odyssey Theatre... Read more →

Santa Monica is known for being a progressive city, taking the lead on a host of issues, including environmental sustainability and social justice, protecting against the dangers of second-hand smoke and providing new models to house the homeless. However, when it comes to the divisive issue of medical marijuana, Santa Monica is behind the... Read more →

The Georgian Hotel has been a fixture on Ocean Avenue for 80 years. (Daniel Archuleta daniela@smdp.com) OCEAN AVE — Once a favorite retreat of Hollywood’s golden age personalities, The Georgian Hotel is wiping the dust off its red carpet and welcoming guests to celebrate its 80th anniversary. In partnership with the Santa Monica... Read more →

Garrett Backstrom stars in 'Hello Herman.' MAIN STREET — The lonely, awkward teenager gets one more mean text, or is shoved in the hallway once too often, and he snaps, with what follows breaking the hearts of parents who had never noticed the kid’s growing isolation. This is the subject of Santa Monica director Michelle Danner’s... Read more →

Pier del Sol, 2011 (File photo) Special Olympics Southern California’s annual Pier del Sol fundraiser will return to the Santa Monica Pier this Sunday, Oct. 13. The daylong event will start at 10 a.m. and feature food, fun and entertainment for the whole family. “Pier del Sol is one of our premiere events of the year,” said... Read more →

Tacos Por Favor may not look flashy on the outside, but it has some of the best tacos inside. (Daniel Archuleta daniela@smdp.com) Mexican food reminds me of Mexican music. Someone is singing or playing a melody, someone else is echoing on the side, there’s a deep bass keeping rhythm in the background, several other instruments playing... Read more →

Street artist Dillon's work titled '.38 Special.' (By Dillon) DOWNTOWN — The work of street artist and local resident Dillon will be featured in a new exhibition opening this weekend at the Jeanie Madsen Gallery. The artist has recently garnered much attention for his provocative art. He was attracted to art at an early age. “I... Read more →

COOL VISUALS: View of the San Francisco Bay from Sausalito, Calif.'s The Inn Above Tide. (Photo courtesy Jay Graham) BAY AREA — If you feel like heading north for a change of scenery and climate, what could be better than visiting eclectic picturesque Sausalito, Calif., located on a hillside between the San Francisco Bay and the Marin... Read more →

Lorenzo Pisoni never ran away from home to join the circus. His home was the circus, the Pickle Family Circus, a one-ring conglomeration of jugglers, clowns, acrobats and other unique performers that was established and run by his parents. He began his career at the age of 2, toddling onstage at intermission to imitate the performances of... Read more →