As the calendar turns to August, Santa Monica’s summer continues with a community celebration of arts and culture.
Saturdays throughout the month will feature the Endless Summer C.A.M.P. (Community, Art, Music, Picnic) series at Tongva Park, highlighting world music and art from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each week. The series kickoff was held on August 3 with a Bollywood dance performance by Joya Kazi Entertainment along with a bells and beads adornment workshop held by Matti Sands.
A partnership between the city’s Recreation and Arts Department (RAD), Cultural Affairs Division and Community Arts Resources, the family-friendly events highlight a focus on "park activation" for new RAD Director Jenny Rogers.
"It really highlights the global community that is Santa Monica, featuring world music and dance and puppetry and animals from all over the world … Tongva kind of welcomes people into Santa Monica, we have City Hall right across (from) the park, it just feels like a really important place to elevate and welcome people from all walks of life," Rogers said. "We’re really looking forward to having just a sense of community, belonging and inclusiveness; celebrating the diversity that makes us such a special community."
The partnership was able to bring in what Rogers called an "incredible array of performers," including this Saturday’s showcases. Philippine dance, music and songs will be performed by Kayamanan Ng Lahi; while traditional Mexican folklorico dancing will be on-hand from Academia de Danza Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo’s youth ballet.
Later in the month, Bob Baker Marionette Theater comes to Tongva on August 17, along with a performance by Grammy-nominated family artists Andrew & Polly. The final Saturday on August 24 features animals from around the globe with Conservation Ambassadors and Zoo to You, as well as mini rock concerts from the youth bands of KID ROW.
Rogers encourages attendees to "pack a picnic, bring blankets and beach chairs" to take advantage of Tongva’s open space and amenities. The park’s splash pad and playground will be available for kids, as well as different arts and crafts stations each week.
Once August shifts to September, the fourth annual Americana in the Park series will take over at Gandara Park, expanding on a city partnership with McCabe’s Guitar Shop.
"We’re going to be exploring Americana music from its roots to more modern forms, and we’re going to be featuring all manner of exciting groups, including a youth mariachi band and a community sing-along … people that love music should definitely come out," Rogers said.
Bringing Tongva and Gandara in the spotlight is just part of Rogers’ plan to expand local park activities, and the director encourages the public to reach out if they want to see events at other locations.
"(This) feels like a community that really cherishes and loves to gather together in celebration of arts and culture, so we’re looking forward to doing more of that in the future," Rogers said.
