Our weekly guide to food and entertainment goings-on in and around town includes the return of Cirque du Soleil, Venice Art Crawl, Wags & Witches party, a new Michael Mina restaurant, Lady & Larder charcuterie plate on Netflix hit Nobody Wants This and much more.
Pier Locals Night: Expect youth activities, a car show, performances from SAMOHI's jazz band, pep squad, and more. Free. Thursday Oct. 17, 3:30–10pm More info here.
Final Third Thursday of the Year at 3rd St. Promenade: The free block party features live music from DJ Asha, No False Ego, and Good Cop Bad Cop, plus free face painting and caricatures, and local vendors. Bring your pups, friends, and family for an evening of fun, dancing, and outdoor dining for the perfect sunset experience. Thursday, Oct. 17, 5pm–8pm, 1200 Block, 3rd St. Promenade Details here.
The Venice Art Crawl Turns 14: Immerse yourself in a captivating evening of artistic whimsy and entertainment as they showcase the talents of local artists. They are encouraging all guests to be in their most eclectic attire. There will be surprise performances throughout the evening, live music, delicious refreshments, and most of an interesting mix of fellow art lovers. Thursday, Oct. 17, 6pm–10pm, Lantern House, 52 Windward Ave, Venice. More info here.
"PickleBit" Pickleball Tournament with Bitcoin Prizes: The tournament is themed around the Bitcoin digital currency, coinciding with the Bitcoin Peer-to-Peer Festival on the Promenade. There’s a semi-pro and amateur mixed doubles tournament, both following a double-elimination format, with over $5,000 in Bitcoin on the line. Friday, Oct. 18, 12noon–2pm, PicklePop, 1231 3rd St. More details here.
Rainbow Rewind Queer Prom for Grown Ups: For those who didn’t feel safe or invited to their high school prom… this is Queer Prom for grown ups! Enjoy an evening filled with food, dancing, music, and a photographer to capture your special evening. Friday, Oct. 18, 6pm–9pm, SaMo Pier Carousel More info here.
Laugh Til You’re Blue Comedy Night at the Westside Democratic HQ: This evening of comedy and fun benefiting the Westside Democratic HQ in Santa Monica. Friday, Oct. 18, 7pm, 1241 Third Street Promenade Details here.
Viceroy Santa Monica’s Saturday Social & Giveaways: Attendees will be able to enjoy a variety of activities, and food and beverage offerings from the hotel’s signature restaurant Sugar Palm, including ceviche, tacos, and other culinary highlights. Saturday, Oct. 19 12noon–3pm, Viceroy, 1819 Ocean Ave. More info here.
Hughie by Eugene O'Neill at City Garage Theatre: One of O’Neill’s last works, it takes place in a seedy New York hotel lobby at 3:00am on a hot night in the summer of 1928. They’ll be doing a preview with complimentary champagne on Friday, Oct. 18, 8pm, with an opening night informal buffet Saturday, Oct. 19. Details here.
Cirque du Soleil Kooza: Cirque is back in SaMo! Kooza combines acrobatic performance and the art of clowning, while exploring fear, identity, recognition and power. The Innocent's journey brings him into contact with comic characters from an electrifying world full of surprises. Opens Oct. 19 and runs through Jan. 5. Tickets start at $74. Use code SG20OTH for 20% off tickets. Would you like to know more?
The Future: Optimistic or Very Afraid? 18th Street Arts Center is hosting an all-ages event to celebrate the exhibition "An Earth Twin at the Digital Dawn: Tom Van Sant’s GeoSphere Project." This exhibition celebrates Van Sant’s visionary creation of a "live Earth" model to promote planetary consciousness, and combat environmental devastation. Explore interactive installations, immersive visual displays, and spectacular sky-related artworks that illuminate Earth’s ecosystems. Free. Sunday, Oct. 20, 3pm–7pm, 1639 18th St. More info here.
Venice Heritage Museum Film Festival: The 3rd Annual Festival is a single day, outdoor event. Sunday, Oct. 20, 7pm–9pm, at Venice Heritage Museum, 228 Main St, Venice. Tickets on sale here.
Wags & Witches at the Fairmont Miramar: Enjoy a special Happy Hour menu while your furry friend competes for prizes in the dog costume contest and capture the moment with on-site doggie portraits and celebrate Halloween in luxury. Free. Thursday, Oct. 24, 5pm, 101 Wilshire Blvd. Details here.
What to Eat & Drink?
Vittorio Ristorante to Celebrate 40 Years with Throwback Prices: The Family-Owned Pacific Palisades restaurant’s "Throwback to 1984" event with classic Italian dishes at their original 1984 prices, including lasagna for $7, chicken parmigiana for $12, and a house salad for $5. Saturday, Oct. 19, 11am to 9:30pm. 16646 Marquez Ave, Pacific Palisades. RSVP required. More details here.
Michael Mina Egyptian-Mediterranean Restaurant Opening: "Orla is a personal celebration of the Egyptian cuisine that Chef Mina grew up eating, cooked by his mother and his aunts, and that he has continued to discover through numerous trips back to Egypt. The menu showcases the breadth of flavor and textures of Egyptian and Greek food, which overlap historically and culturally in numerous ways, resulting in a vast array of shared dishes." Regent Santa Monica Beach, 1700 Ocean Ave. More info here.
Pizzana Happy Hour Pizzana is offering a fantastic Happy Hour deal where you can enjoy a Margherita pizza and a margarita cocktail at half price. This special combo is available at all Pizzana locations, Monday through Friday, 3pm–6pm. Details here.
Angel's Envy Whiskey Dinner at The Lobster: Enjoy a night of family style dining and whiskey pairings with smoked meats by Chef Govind Armstrong paired alongside whiskey tastings presented by Brand Educator Ashley Erwin and Brand Ambassador Cassie Crandell. Enjoy a welcome cocktail hour (build your own cocktail), four courses — family style and four finished whiskey pairings. $120. Wednesday, Oct. 23, 1602 Ocean Ave. Would you like to know more?
Lady & Larder Charcuterie Board Featured on Netflix Hit Nobody Wants This: The board was a significant plot line in the RomCom show where Kristin Bell’s character brings it to her Jewish boyfriend’s parents’ home and exclaims "I thought prosciutto was fancy Italian beef." Santa Monicans can also enjoy their offerings at their 828 Pico Blvd location. More info here.
Further Afield: Skirball Cultural Center Fall Exhibition Opening Celebration: Enjoy a free opening day of three new exhibitions (including Diane von Furstenberg), take a spotlight tour (or two) with artists and curators, visit the Skirball Sukkah, share some sips and snacks, and more. Thursday, Oct. 17, 12noon–9pm, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. More details here.
Looking Ahead: Wags & Witches (10/24); Downtown SaMo Dia de los Muertos Celebration (10/26); Trick or Treat Downtown (10/31); SaMo Pier Dia de los Muertos Celebration (11/1); Main St. Howl-o-ween Event (11/2)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting around town, reach out to me at sean@smdp.com
