SMDP’s Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes Black History Month events, a new “Best of Santa Monica” restaurant list, and much more!
Santa Monica’s Black History Month 2024 kicks off Feb. 1: This year’s theme is “Black Media & the Arts” and there are events throughout the month, including Food trucks & dancing on Feb. 7 @ City Yards, Food trucks & music on Feb. 15 @ Big Blue Bus Depo, & Santa Monica Greens Festival on Feb. 24 @ Virginia Avenue Park. https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/santa-monica-s-black-history-month-2024-kicks-off-feb-1-with-the-theme-black-media-the-arts
National Geographic Live Life on Thin Ice: In the Arctic north, sea ice is synonymous with the sand in the desert. NatGeo Live goes on a journey with our first Indigenous speaker Kiliii Yüyan to understand the native peoples and their relationship to a frigid land and its animals. Thursday, Feb. 1, 7:30 – 10p.m. @ BroadStage, 1310 11th St. https://broadstage.org/tickets-shows/calendar/nat-geo-live-life-on-thin-ice
Exhibition – UnHoused, A History of Housing in Santa Monica: Explore the evolution of Santa Monica’s housing through this new exhibition. From the Tongva people to its contemporary beach town metropolis, it delves into the heart of Santa Monica’s housing legacy by providing perspectives on policy and development. It moves to poignant narratives of migration, affordability, redlining, restrictive covenants, and the ever-relevant topic of rent control. PremieresFriday, Feb. 2, 11:00 am to 5:00 PM @ Santa Monica History Musem, 1350 7th St. https://santamonicahistory.org
Renowned Mezzo-Soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis Performing at St. Matthews: “Hailed by leading critics as a striking mezzo-soprano who performs with an electrifying sense of fearlessness.” Saturday, Feb. 3 @ 8p.m. @ 1031 Bienveneda Ave., Pacific Palisades https://www.musicguildonline.org/event/raehann-bryce-davis-mezzo-soprano/
Santa Monica Film Festival: It showcases award-winning independent films from local, national and international filmmakers. Saturday, Feb. 3 @ AMC 4 Santa Monica, 1441 3rd St. Promenade https://www.santamonicafilmfestival.com/
Valentine’s Day Conscious Market: Looking for the perfect gift for your Valentine? Conscious Market is your chance to support local designers and businesses 💖 Plus, there will be FREE Fitness classes all day sponsored by FIT GIRL CLUB. Saturday, Feb. 3, 9a.m. – 6p.m. @ Third Street Promenade. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conscious-market-on-third-street-promenade-tickets-772386989277
Crow Comedy Show – February is for Lovers, Mothers, & Everyone Else Too: “Enjoy a dirty* comedy show in the middle of the day instead of crying in the corner while your baby doesn’t nap.” Saturday, Feb. 3 @ 5 & 8 p.m. https://crowcomedy.com/
Cinderella: Almost 4 decades after its world premiere at Santa Monica Playhouse, the Rudie-DeCarlo musical is getting a multi-media makeover to continue the 2024 Family Theatre Series. It’s Cinderella like you’ve never seen her before, with new songs, hilarious special FX, a silent movie segment that will have you falling out of your seat, dazzling costumes, amazing magical prestidigitation, and a story about being true to your dreams and loving yourself as you are that’s as true to today as it was then. Saturdays and Sundays, Feb. 3 through April 28 https://www.santamonicaplayhouse.com/cinderella.html
SaMoHi Bands on the Road: Expect an evening of iconic music, an exclusive wine auction, a quilt raffle, silent auction items, and delicious concessions showcasing the talents of 150 student musicians. Wednesday, Feb. 6th, 5:30pm @ SaMoHi https://samohiband.com/2024/01/17/bands-on-the-road-february-6th/
What to Eat & Drink?
Abbot Kinney First Friday Food Truck Fest: About two dozen food trucks are expected to line the street for the monthly event. Friday, Feb. 2, starting at 5p.m. https://www.abbotkinneyblvd.com/
EaterLA’s List of “19 Superb Santa Monica Restaurants”: This list includes a good mix of high-end places like Citrin & Pasjoli and casual spots like Heavy Handed & Bay Cities. https://la.eater.com/maps/best-santa-monica-restaurants-los-angeles
The Infatuation’s Praises Shirube as One of LA’s Best New Restaurants: “A good izakaya is easy to love—cold beer, sake, and small plates that warm your belly after a day of hitting tiny buttons and pacing around the snack drawer. It’s a simple but effective formula, one that Shirube makes exponentially more interesting. It’s the most delicious bang for your buck in the neighborhood and a modern izakaya experience where the right amount of flair makes even a quick meal here feel special.” 424 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/shirube
Further Afield Around Town: DTLA ArtNight runs every first Thursday of the month, activating 25+ galleries along Downtown’s Historic Core. All free to attend. Thursday, Feb. 1. https://dtlaartnight.com
Looking Ahead Around Town: LA Art Show (2/14-18), Frieze Art Fair (2/29 -3/3), LA Wine & Food Festival (3/1-3)
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