SMDP’s Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes Black History Greens Festival , the Venice Mardi Gras Parade , the Samo chef who trained “The Bear” star Jeremy Allen White, and much more!
The First Santa Monica Open Pickleball Tournament: The format is a rotating partner round robin. $75. Friday – Sunday, Feb. 23-25 @ Santa Monica Pickleball Center, 2501 Wilshire Blvd. More details here.
Monster Energy Immersive AR Experience: Monster is unveiling a new flavor with an interactive experience outside The Brig @ 1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Friday, February 23 & Saturday, Feb. 24, 6p.m – 12a.m.
Black History Greens Festival: This event is themed “Acknowledging the Past, Living in the Present, Building for the Future,” and attendees can engage in cooking demonstrations, book readings and dance performances. FREE. Saturday, Feb. 24, 10a.m. – 2p.m. @ Virginia Avenue Park.
Smart Gardening Workshop : Learn about backyard and worm composting, water conservation, Grasscycling, and edible gardening. Saturday, Feb. 24, 3 – 4:30p.m. @ Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
Bruce Lurie Gallery “Give Us Our Flowers” Exhibition: Guy Stanley Philoche’s painting style incorporates vintage subjects to convey a tribute to the resilience of human spirit. Opening receoption Saturday Feb. 24, 6 – 9 p.m. with the exhibit running until March 18 @ 873 Vía De La Paz, Pacific Palisades. https://www.luriegallery.com/events
Heal the Bay Aquarium Comedy Club: Where else can you watch comedy while the fish are swimming around you? And it’s BYOB! $28. Saturday, Feb. 24, 7p.m. @ 1600 Ocean Front Walk. https://healthebay.org/event/aquarium-comedy-club-february/
Malibu Lagoon State Park Bird Walks: More birds than you can shake a stick at. What can I say? Birds you’ve never even heard of! Marbled Godwit, Black Turnstone, Heermann’s Gull, Frabulated Wigulet, Pelagic Cormorant, Western Roof Owl, maybe 65 other species. A quiet beach on a quiet day. Who can complain about that? Dress in layers. Sunday, Feb. 25, 8:30a.m. Adults; 10a.m. Parents & kids. https://smbasblog.com/
Venice Beach Mardi Gras Parade: Marking its 25th year, participants are urged to don their most festive costumes and join the lively, irreverent celebration. Sunday, Feb. 25, 11a.m. – 6p.m. https://www.venicepaparazzi.com/2024/01/22/mardi-gras-parade/
Pistachio Eating Championship: Monday is World Pistachio Day (because why not?) and LA Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa tackles World Champion Competitive Eater Joey Chestnut and other Major League Eating’s top competitors at Pacific Park for another world-record attempt at cracking pistachios. Monday, Feb. 26, 11a.m. https://pacpark.com/wonderful-pistachios-get-crackin-eating-contest/
Live Talk with Billy Dee Williams: The film legend will discuss his memoir, “What Have We Here?: Portraits of a Life” that recalls his remarkable life of nearly eight decades as a heralded actor who’s played the roles he wanted in a career unchecked by racism and typecasting. Monday, Feb. 26, 8p.m. @ New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd. https://livetalksla.org/events/billy-dee-williams/
What to Eat & Drink?
Velenosi Wine Dinner @ Orto Santa Monica: Explore the delicious wines of Velenosi from Le Marche, Italy. Savor a four course wine dinner paired with a 4 oz pour per course. The owner of the vinery, Angela Velenosi will be guiding the tastings. $110. Monday, Feb. 26 @ 502 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
Meet the chef who trained “The Bear” star Jeremy Allen White: NBC4 published this video story with Chef Dave Beran, owner & head chef of Pasjoli @ 2732 Main St., where he shares what it was like training the award-winning actor.
Cassia Debuting All New Menu: Chef Ng is bringing back favorites from his previous Spice Table restaurant, including an updated take on Hainanese Chicken Confit, now served with duck fat fried rice and 3 sauces (ginger-scallion, chile-lime & sweet soy), a variety of wood-grilled Satay like Lemongrass Chicken, Beef Short Rib and Mushroom, and new cocktails and more. 1314 7th St. View menu here.
EaterLA Previews New “Burgette” at 111 Santa Monica Blvd.: This write-up states “All-American Burgers Get a French Makeover at Santa Monica’s Newest Spot.” Opening date is expected March 15.
Rave Review for Atla: “ If you’re west of Lincoln Boulevard, consider Alta a can’t-miss catch-all for lunch, cocktails, or a high-stakes date night. But beyond that, it’s also something else: the undisputed best Mexican restaurant on the Westside.” https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/atla-venice
Further Afield: L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run: Participate in a 5K or 10K run or walk, a one-mile dog walk as well as a 20 or 50-mile bike ride during this Chinatown tradition. All courses start and end at Chinatown Central Plaza, which will host a concurrent family-friendly festival. Feb. 24-25. https://firecracker10k.org
Looking Ahead Around Town: Frieze Art Fair (2/29 -3/3), LA Wine & Food Festival (3/1-3), L.A. Marathon (3/17)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, you can reach out directly to me at sean@smdp.com.Let me know if you have any feedback on Around Town: Black History Greens Festival & Venice Mardi Gras