SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes a Montana Ave. shopping event, the Intelligentsia drive-thru opening, International Women’s Month honors, Padel courts grand opening, a Persian culinary transformation on Wilshire, and much more!
Padel Courts Grand Opening: Fernando Belasteguín — widely considered the greatest padel player of all time, with 16 consecutive years at world No. 1 — is traveling from Spain for the grand opening. If you haven't heard of padel, think tennis meets squash in a glass-walled box. Thursday, March 5, 1318 4th St. instagram.com/smpicklenpadel
Pottery with BeSound & Perkies - For a Cause: Join an intimate evening of pottery and connection and gather in honor of International Women’s Month to support women’s health 🤍 Enjoy talks from the founders of multiple women-led health companies and raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Thursday, March 5 6p.m., ARTime BARRO, 302 Pico Blvd. partiful.com/e/K097zi9x8TqbkvulUg36
L.A. County Dragon Boat Festival: Just a quick hop south to Marina del Rey on Saturday, March 7, for this annual high-energy race. It’s a great visual event for families and fitness enthusiasts. visitmdr.com/annual-events/dragon-boat-festival
Son Jarocho Concert: Experience Son Jarocho, an Afro-Indigenous musical tradition from Veracruz, Mexico, performed by the El Sereno-based collective, Son del Sereno. Enjoy the musicians’ live performance, followed by a 20-minute Q&A with the artists on the roots and history of this vibrant cultural expression. Saturday, March 7, 2 - 3p.m., Pico Branch Library, 2201 Pico Blvd. https://www.santamonica.gov/events/4x5ck3s2pe2wpspn3zda4zgh47/202603071400
World Premiere of 'The Best Boarding House in Delaware' Opens March 5 at Electric Lodge Theater in Venice: Emmy Award-winning actress Leigh Taylor-Young returns to the stage in the world premiere of a new play by writer/director Marja-Lewis Ryan. Inspired by the true crimes of Dorothea Puente — who operated a Social Security scam out of her boarding house for seniors — the play explores themes of trust, vulnerability and survival. The production runs through March 29, with previews Thursday, March 5, and an official opening night Friday, March 6, both at 8 p.m. Beginning March 7, performances are scheduled Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., 1416 Electric Ave., Venice. thebestboardinghouseindelaware.eventbrite.com
A Dip at Dusk: 🌊 Swim & Social invites you to spring forward into Daylight Saving Time with A Dip At Dusk, including bevvys by Kombucha Culture. Reminder that the early morning of Sunday, March 8, is when we officially "spring forward," making this event a literal way to welcome the longer days. Sunday, March 8, 6p.m., Lifeguard Tower 28 instagram.com/p/DVKXJNhD26n
Montana Ave. Spring Fling Streetwide Sale: Come celebrate the season at the Montana Avenue Spring Fling! This is your chance to shop locally while exploring new arrivals and scoring some great deals. Stroll through the neighborhood, explore unique boutiques, and indulge in some of the West Side’s finest dining. Saturday, March 7, 11a.m. - 6p.m. instagram.com/montanaavesm
Venice Street Fair: The fair will close 3rd Ave between Rose Ave and Sunset Ave for artists and small businesses. Sunday, March 8, 9:30a.m. - 4:30p.m. instagram.com/theartistfair
Santa Monica College Planetarium Offers Spring Sky Shows in March: Enjoy live-hosted shows on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons throughout March, featuring programs on spring skies, the spring equinox, and the life cycle of stars. Each show runs approximately 40 minutes and is followed by a Q&A with Planetarium Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Friday evening shows begin at 6 p.m. with "The Night Sky Show," followed by a Feature Program at 7 p.m. Sunday Family Matinée shows begin at 1 p.m. with "The Night Sky Show," followed by a Feature Program at 2 p.m. Here is the schedule: smdp.com/santa-monica-college-planetarium-offers-spring-sky-shows-in-march/
ONGOING: “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; Museum of Illusions; The CUBE VR; Splatter Studio; Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (April); “Most Loved” Businesses Voting Open through March 13
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, March 6, starting at 5p.m. https://www.abbotkinneyblvd.com/
Montauk General’s Cookie Milk Matcha at Lavain Bakery: Levain Bakery teams up with Montauk General for a three-day Cookie Milk Matcha pop-up running March 6 through 8. The limited collab drink blends Montauk General’s signature matcha with “cookie milk” steeped from Levain’s white chocolate macadamia cookies, then tops it with salted sweet cream and cookie crumble. It’s nostalgic in spirit but decidedly extra in execution. The pop-up lands at Levain Bakery Venice (1661 Abbot Kinney), Saturday, March 7. The drink drops at 10 a.m. each day and pours until sold out. Expect limited-edition merch in the mix too.
Sushi & Sake Night at Divine Vintage: Embark on a journey with sake expert Kerry-San as she delves into the history, production process, and the diverse styles of sake. Enjoy this experience alongside a curated selection of sushi and sashimi. Tuesday, March 10, 6p.m., 1025 Montana Ave. https://www.divinevintage.com/products/sushi-sake-wine-class
Intelligentsia Drive Thru Opens: ☕ Intelligentsia is switching things up by opening a drive-through/walk-up window and patio at 3010 Pico Blvd. instagram.com/p/DVMj1_Wk1oQ/
Chattanooga Restaurant Bringing “Pure Persian Flavor” To former Izzy’s Deli Space: Signage is up at 1433 Wilshire Blvd. and this article has an artist rendering of the interior for a new spot promising “Pure Persian Flavor.” This is believed to be owned by the nearby Tehran Market on Wilshire Blvd., which could represent a significant "culinary anchor" shift for that block of Wilshire, moving from a traditional deli to "Pure Persian Flavor." toddrickallen.com/2026/02/26/chattanooga-restaurant-bringing-pure-persian-flavor-to-santa-monica/
Chez Luna Bringing Pet Adoptions And Lattes To SaMo: An exciting new concept is heading to 2929 Main St. Window paper is up announcing the arrival of Chez Luna. Chez Luna is billing itself as a pet “adoption cafe” and describes itself as: “A first-of-its-kind space where premium lattes meet live puppy love.” Coffee and pooches? Sign me up. They are aiming for a summer opening. toddrickallen.com/2026/02/11/chez-luna-bringing-pet-adoptions-and-lattes-to-santa-monica/
The Win-Dow Opening on Montana Ave.: With 6 locations around SoCal, The Win-Dow specializes in “classic smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and $8 grain bowls”, but also offers a shaved kale salad, a vegetarian burger, hand-spun shakes, and dipped cones. 930 Montana Ave. toddrickallen.com/2026/02/18/the-win-dow-opening-in-santa-monica/
Further Afield: Holi & The Beach Celebration: Fitoor Santa Monica will be the premier food vendor at one of the Largest Holi Festivals in the country, Holi and the Beach, in Redondo Beach, CA. ABOUT: A Holi experience like no other in Los Angeles. Holi & The Beach 2026 returns March 7, with an all-new bigger music stage, amazing experiences and an epic day of non-stop color play. We invite you to embark on an electrifying outdoor Holi day party featuring celebrity DJ’s, 5000+ people, food vendors, and an afternoon of messy, color fun on the BEACH. Expect super fun activations, photo-booths and more-making LA’s favorite Holi not to be missed. Holi & The Beach is produced by LA’s #1 Bollywood event company, Radio5 Events. TICKETS: Start at $15 and can be purchased at holiandthebeach.com
Looking Ahead: Venice Art Crawl (3/19); Bergamot Comedy Festival (3/24–28); Downtown Easter Celebration (3/29); U.S. Women’s Open Golf Championship (4/2-5); Santa Monica Film Festival (4/11-13)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, you can reach out directly to me at sean@smdp.com. Here are my past columns and let me know if you have any feedback on Around Town: Spring Flinging Forward with Padel, Pottery & Persian Flavors