Our weekly guide to food and entertainment goings-on in and around town includes the Day of the Dog Main St. Block Party, the return of Americana in the Park, SaMo Pier's 115th Birthday Celebration, Bergamot Station 30th Anniversary Celebration and much more.
Storyectomy Unhoused — Get Your Story Out: Watch the students of the Storyectomy program and professional storytellers/comedians share their stories. Expect "Real, Raw and Revolutionary Storytelling" from unhoused survivors, thrivers, caregivers & social justice warriors. Friday, Sept. 6, 8pm, 2525 Michigan Ave. More info here.
Art Break Day: On the first Friday of September, volunteers across the globe create art making spaces and invite their community to come together to connect through art making. Join with your community and the world as we celebrate the amazing benefits of art and the power it has to connect us with ourselves and each other. This free event includes all art supplies and facilitators. Friday, Sept. 6, 11am–4pm at Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave. More details here.
SaMo Pier's 115th Birthday Celebration: This includes live performances, food specials, kids activities, a beer garden, and an outdoor screening of the movie Barbie in partnership with Street Food Cinema. Free. Friday, Sept. 6 Would you like to know more?
Main St. Day of the Dog Block Party: Main St. will close the streets to cars for a lively community festival, featuring al fresco dining, a beer garden, live music, local vendors, and kids’ activities. Don’t forget to bring your dogs to the party because Day of the Dog returns this year with a wild and free, pet-friendly festival filled with pool parties, dog surfing, foam parties, pup yoga, weiner races and more. Free. Saturday, Sept. 7, 12noon–7pm all along on Main St. More info here.
Bergamot Station 30th Anniversary: The day-long celebration features multiple performances, art exhibition openings, food, drink, and more. Free. Saturday, Sept. 7. More info here.
Americana in the Park: Head over to Gandara Park for this annual music concert series featuring two bands each week every Sunday in September. Bring your picnic, blankets, and beach chairs to soak up the sounds of Americana music, from its roots to modern forms. Enjoy craft activities for all ages, tasty treats from local food trucks, and a vibrant community experience in Gandara Park, 1819 Stewart St. Sunday, Sept. 8, 4–7pm features local group Mariachi Los Catrines opening with Los Straitjackets headlining with high energy instrumental guitar rock and roll from around the world. Free. More details here.
Opening Reception – An Earth Twin At The Digital Dawn: This exhibition celebrates Tom Van Sant’s innovative work, blending art and technology to foster environmental awareness. Explore interactive installations, immersive visual displays, and detailed cartographic art that illuminate Earth’s ecosystems. Free. Sept. 7, 4pm–6pm, 1639 18th St. Would you like to know more?
SaMo Climate Resiliency Sunset Chat – Designing Strategies For the Next 30+ Years: Join a sunset chat with local industry experts to discuss the sustainability strategies Santa Monica has taken the lead on and look ahead and design a sustainable and resilient community for the future. Wednesday, Sept. 11, 6pm at Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy. More details here.
Marina del Rey Movie Nights: Catch a Free movie at Burton Chace Park every Saturday night in September, with Mean Girls on September 7, 50 First Dates on September 14, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on September 21 and Sixteen Candles on September 28. Saturdays, 8:00p.m. at 13650 Mindanao Way. 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, Sept. 6, starting at 5pm. Would you like to know more?
Blue Plate Oysterette 15 Year Celebration: They are offering a dozen oysters for only $15 now through Sept. 8 along with a "special anniversary menu filled with favorites from the past decade and a half" including "classics like Oysters Rockefeller, Fried Seafood Combo, Ahi Tuna Sandwich and more. 1355 Ocean Ave. More info here.
Former USC Pop-Up Impresarios Open a Stylish, Art-Filled Restaurant: This EaterLA report details the journey from a USC campus focused pop-up showcasing rotating cuisines and fine art to the 24-year-old self-trained chef Khayami opening a full-service restaurant called Muse with European fare in an intimate modern Art Deco-laced room. 108 W. Channel Road. More info here.
Mary Sue Milliken's Fennel And Herb Grilled Ribs: This Los Angeles Times post has the recipe for a favorite dish from the Socalo and Border Grill chef. Details here.
Salt & Straw Fall Apple Series: They have five fun flavors to help us stay cool this month, including Apple Pie vs. Pumpkin Pie, Apple Cider Donuts, Finnriver’s Black Currant Apple Cider, Green Apple Wasabi Sorbet, and Caramel Apple Sherbet. I am not ashamed to admit I have tried them all and enjoyed them quite a bit, especially the Apple Pie vs. Pumpkin Pie that included Granny Smith apple pie and a shortbread cookie crust nestled into creamy vanilla custard, and swirled with pumpkin pie in brown sugar ice cream. 1357 Abbot Kinney Blvd. More info here.
Further Afield: LA Tequila Festival: The 7th annual Festival transforms LA Center Studios into a tequila and mezcal paradise with a selection of over 85 brands to sample plus much more. Saturday, Sept. 7. More info here.
Looking Ahead: Opera at the Beach(9/21);Montana Ave. Art Walk(9/28);Americana in the Park(Sundays in September); The Other Art Fair (9/26-29); Off the Hook SaMo Seafood Festival (10/12); Cirque du Soleil (10/19 -1/10)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting around town, reach out to me at sean@smdp.com
