Our weekly guide to food and entertainment goings-on in and around town includes an Artists Fair on the beach, Grilled Cheese & Beer Night, Where to Eat or Order Passover Dinner, and much more.
Pier Locals Night: The Pier will be rolling out the red carpet for Santa Monicans for a curated series for locals, by locals. Gather your friends and family and head down to the Pier for amazing entertainment including youth activities, a car show, local DJs and live music from local bands, art exhibits, and so much more. You really won’t want to miss this incredible and unique outdoor setting to unwind, all while celebrating Santa Monica. Thursday, April 18, 3:30–9pm. More details here.
National Geographic Live — The Untold Story of Sharks: Dr. Jess Cramp will take audiences on a journey through the National Geographic archives to discover the work of pioneering women in shark science and storytelling before she dives into her work on the frontier of shark research and conservation. Thursday, April 18, 7:30pm at Broadstage, 1310 11th St. More details here.
SaMo Salvation Army Hosting Pre-Release Screening/Fundraiser of Unsung Hero: $35 donation includes: early access refreshments, raffle entry, and movie screening. All proceeds will support Homeless services as well as addiction recovery treatment in Santa Monica. Friday, April 19, at 6:30pm at LionsGate Studios, 2700 Colorado Ave. More details here.
Heal The Bay Aquarium Earth Day Celebration: Enjoy educational exhibits and demonstrations for ocean enthusiasts of all ages. Visitors can enjoy family-friendly crafts and face painting, partake in a scavenger hunt, learn all about California’s state flower the poppy and even take an Earth Month pledge to show their commitment to sustainability. Saturday, April 20, 11am–4pm at Heal the Bay Aquarium 1600 Ocean Front Walk. More details here.
CicLAvia Venice Blvd: LA’s biggest and longest running open streets initiative heads to Venice Boulevard this Sunday with a car-free course that covers a 5.75 mile stretch connecting Palms, Mar Vista and Venice. Runs 9am to 4pm. Free to attend. More info here.
Poet Laureate Welcome Reception & Poetry Workshop: Anne Carmack was recently appointed as the first Poet Laureate for the City of Santa Monica. Anne is a Santa Monica-based writer and multidisciplinary artist whose work seeks to explore the shape-shifting themes of personal narrative, individual/cultural identity, philosophy, and spirituality by wholly embracing a wide range of media including poetry, painting, photography, filmmaking, storytelling, and screenwriting. Her debut poetry collection My Own Body Breathing was an Amazon #1 Best Seller. Saturday, April 20, 2–4 pm at Main Library. More details here.
Earth Day Beach Clean-Ups: There is the Nothin’ But Sand Beach Clean Up at the Santa Monica Pier (Saturday, April 20, 10am–2pm) and Project Save Our Surf Beach CleanUp at Tower 26 (Saturday, April 20, 11am–2pm).
The Luminescence of Memory Show at RoseGallery: It “consists of a selection of daguerrotypes taken by Danh at various US National Parks, such as Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Yosemite National Parks. Beyond these beautiful silvered landscapes, Danh uses the National Parks as a way to explore his experience having immigrated to the United States from Vietnam as a child.” Runs April 20 to June 15 with an Opening Reception Saturday, April 20, 2–5pm at 2525 Michigan Ave. More details here.
Chess Tournament: ‘Rook’ing for something to do? Join us as we partner with the Santa Monica Bay Chess Club to host our annual chess tournament! Players of all levels and ages are welcome to test their skills and compete for a grand prize. Sunday, April 21, 11am at 1200 3rd St Promenade. More details here.
Santa Monica Education Foundation Wine Auction: The Ed Foundation is the only organization that raises funds for all Santa Monica public schools. Since 1982, donors have funded more than $23 million in arts and academic programs to ensure that all students thrive. This annual event takes place under the Fairmont Fig Tree. Sunday, April 21 at 101 Wilshire Blvd. More details here.
The Artist Fair — An Outdoor Gallery Market in the Park: This space was created “so artists and people that are creating pieces by hand can have a safe space to sell more upscale items without the hassle of having cheap vintage, or cheaper items that dilute the aesthetics and vibe of the event. All vendors are either artists, painters, designers, metal workers doing jewelry, wood workers making amazing house pieces and other items but the important thing is that everything is handmade and sold by the artist itself. This event is for the community to come meet the artists and shop their creations.” Free Sunday, April 21, 10am–5pm near Tower 25 in Ocean Park (2410 Ocean Front Walk). More details here.
Earth Day Tree Hugging Gathering: At Santa Monica’s beautiful landmarked Moreton Bay Fig Tree located in the courtyard of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel. Free-to-the-public. All ages welcome. Songs, poems, guest speakers and a highlighted ‘Earth Day Group Tree Hug’ encircling the tree by all event participants. Monday, April 22, 5–6pm at 101 Wilshire Blvd. Details here.
What to eat and drink?
Inside the Sugar-Fueled Fantasyland masterminded by LA’s premier pastry chef: This EaterLA write-up details how Thessa Diadem, the former pastry chef at Here’s Looking At You and All Day Baby, brings fanciful Italian desserts to the Georgian Hotel at 1415 Ocean Ave.
Fairmont Miramar’s Traditional English Tea Service featured on NBC4: This video story details their California twist on the age-old, cross-the-pond custom at 101 Wilshire Blvd.
Grilled Cheese & Beer Night at Andrew’s Cheese Shop: Expect a tangy, zippy starter salad, four courses of their famous grilled cheeses paired with four specialty beers, with an Imperial Stout Float with French vanilla ice cream for dessert. $75/person. Friday, April 19, 7:30pm at 728 Montana Ave. More details here.
Where to Eat or Order Passover Dinner: Birdie G’s headlines this EaterLA list of where to dine-in or order for seder to-go. Thyme Cafe at 1630 Ocean Park Blvd. has this Passover menu available. And Cookie Good is offering this Passover Cookie Box.
Further Afield: Coachella Weekend 2: You have another chance to head out to the desert to experience all things Coachella, with Lana Del Rey, Tyler the Creator and Doja Cat headlining again this weekend.
Looking ahead around town: Movie Fridays on 3rd St. Promenade (5/10, 6/14), CicLAvia West LA (4/21), KCRW’s “Good Food” PieFest (4/28),MAINopoly (5/19), Make Music Day (6/21)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, reach out to me at sean@smdp.com