Our weekly guide to food and entertainment goings-on in and around town includes the Virginia Avenue Park Mini Fall Festival, AJA Wine Bar Grand Opening, Pups and Pottery, Kate McKinnon and much more.
Santa Monica Pups and Pottery: Get ready to unleash your creativity! In this class you and your dog can craft custom toys and a paw-print ceramic tile together. It’s a blend of fun and artistry — so start the class with a welcome glass of Champagne on the house to let the pawsitive vibes flow. Friday, Oct 04, 2024, 7pm, ARTime Barro, 302 Pico Blvd. More info here.
Venice Afterburn: This daytime art and music festival is an official Regional Burning Man event. Artists are invited to bring their art cars, theme camps, burner bikes, interactive installations and other playa art for two days of magic by the beach. The event is free before 6:30p.m. and runs each day until 10pm on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 & 6, at Winward Plaza, Venice Beach. Details here.
Live Talks: An afternoon with Kate McKinnon: The Saturday Night Live alum will discuss her debut novel, The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science, "a madcap new adventure about three sisters, a ravenous worm, and a mysterious mad scientist." Saturday, Oct. 5, 4pm, at New Roads School 3131 Olympic Blvd. Details here.
Virginia Avenue Park Mini Fall Festival: Crafts, photo booth, one free pumpkin per family- while supplies last. And visit SMC's Glass Pumpkin sale! Saturday, Oct. 5, 10am–1pm, 2200 Virginia Ave. More info here.
Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra: Guest conductor Maxim Eshkenazy leads the SaMo Symphony in Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1, Titan for the premier concert of its 80th season. FREE. Saturday, Oct. 5, 7pm, John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center, 1630 Pearl St. To RSVP and for concert updates click here.
Absolutely Halloween returns to Santa Monica Playhouse: "The heartwarming tale of the aptly named "Candy," a sweet young girl who learns some surprising lessons about life, love, laughter and sugar, from a delightful array of colorful costume-come-to-life characters who take her on a magical All Hallows' Eve adventure." Saturday, October 5 to 27, Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 12:30pm, 1211 4th St. More details here.
The Sound of Paint film premiere: This free outdoor showing chronicles 14 years of the journey of street artist Vincent DiGaetano, as shot by film maker Joshua Enoch Williams. Saturday, Oct. 5, 9pm, Dudley Ave., Venice Beach. More info here.
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, Oct. 3, starting at 5pm. Would you like to know more?
Oktoberfest at Brennan’s: They will have live wrestling on the turf, kegs and kegs of Oktoberfest Biers, food specials, and more, maybe even Lederhosen. And the polka band Festmeister Hans un die Sauerkrauts will be playing from 7pm–11pm. Saturday, Oct. 5, starting 12noon. 4089 Lincoln Blvd. More info here.
AJA Vineyards Tasting Room Grand Opening: The Malibu winemakers are opening Santa Monica's 'First Ever Winery Tasting Room' at 1417 2nd St on Wednesday, Oct. 9 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:15pm. And on Sunday, Oct. 13 they are offering free Paella starting at 1pm until they run out. The space will offer wine flights, glasses and bottles. Details here.
Pasjoli and Bread Head offerings make top LA sandwiches: The Mozzarella at Bread Head is "their star vegetarian creation" and the Pasjoli Croque Matthieu on the bar menu at "Dave Beran’s posh Santa Monica bistro [is] the most deliciously extravagant grilled cheese sandwich in LA." More info here.
Salt & Straw October Halloween Series: Flavors include The Great Candycopia, Jack o’ Lantern Pumpkin Bread, Don Bugito's Creepy Crawly Critters (matcha ice cream with toffee-brittle mealworms and crunchy chocolate crickets…yes, real bugs. Essence of Ghost (scotch-spiked sorbet wisped with a black licorice sorbet), and a Pumpkin Spiced Waffle Cone. 1357 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Details here.
Gjelina Chef just opened new "Ode to Japanese California Cooking": This EaterLA article details Travis Lett’s new RVR with a "multi-section dinner menu begins with a few small plates, including a tempura dish, chicken karaage, and pickle sampler, before moving into half a dozen hand rolls." 1305 Abbot Kinney Blvd. More info here.
Looking Ahead: Off the Hook SaMo Seafood Festival (10/13), Venice Art Crawl (10/17); Cirque du Soleil (10/19 -1/10); Wags & Witches (10/24); 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
