Summer of Fun: Santa Monica's Summer Event Listing

June 4, 2018 9:31 AM
by Constance Farrell

A summer of fun awaits in Santa Monica. The City of Santa Monica offers up this two-month event listing to make sure you don't miss any of it! Check out the whole list at santamonica.gov/events and subscribe to the City’s newsletter at smgov.net/newsletter.

JUNE

Art Exhibit: “Latinidad in Focus:Sin Fronteras”
June 1 - September 6, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Annenberg Community Beach House Gallery
Experience this art exhibition featuring three emerging artists born in Los Angeles, in their journey exploring their Latino heritage through the medium of photography.

A Discussion on Disruption and the Economy
June 5, 6:30 - 8 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium, Santa Monica Main Library
The City of Santa Monica invites you to an evening of futuristic contemplation as we explore what life might be like with shared autonomous vehicles, highly tailored retail experiences, and new ways of doing work.

Breakfast in the Garden
June 9 & 14, 9 - 11 a.m. at Main St Community Garden
Meet up with garden enthusiasts and take a peek at what’s growing at the Main St. Community Garden in this local monthly gathering.

Summer Reading Series for All Ages
June 9 - August 18 at all Santa Monica Public Library Locations
The Library presents its annual Summer Reading Series. Sign up at any library location beginning June 9. The series runs through August 18.

PAL Golf Tournament
June 11, 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Mountaingate Country Club
A benefit event where all proceeds raised support youth education, enrichment and physical fitness programs at Santa Monica Police Activities League, a 501(c)3 organization.

Downbeat 720
June 12 & 26 7:30 - 10 p.m. at Miles Memorial Playhouse
An open-mic performance lab for high school performing artists. All singers, poets, emcees, dancers, actors and musicians are invited to try new material, gain confidence and perform in front of an audience of peers.

Swim Center Teen Night
June 15, 6:30 - 9 p.m. at Santa Monica Swim Center
A night at the pool for teens only! Bring your friends and come chill out with music, games, food and more! No preregistration necessary. Same fees and rules as recreational swimming apply. 

Juneteenth
June 16, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Virginia Avenue Park
Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans who lived in the former Confederacy—two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Join Virginia Avenue Park in a jubilant celebration of justice and liberty in this free event with music, food and more!

Family Splash Day
June 16, 1 - 3:30 p.m. at Santa Monica Swim Center
Bring a picnic to share with your friends and family or come just for fun. No pre-registration necessary. Same fees and rules as recreational swimming apply.

Bugs and Grubs
June 16, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Ishihara Park
Ever wanted to start an insect collection? Come look through our learning garden and discover beneficial insects and those that may be eating your own garden. Starter kits available for kids while supplies last. RSVP to gardens@smgov.net

Meet Me At Reed Performances: A Capella Picnic
June 16, 3 p.m. - Sunset at Reed Park
Five groups of singers and beatboxers fill Reed Park with allvocal sounds in this free outdoor concert. Enjoy pre-concert family fun activities at 3 p.m. Concert begins at 5 p.m.

Red Hen Press Discussion
June 19, 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Annenberg Community Beach House
In conjunction with Red Hen Press, enjoy an evening of readings at the Beach House.

Make Music LA
June 21 at Various Locations
In its seventh year, Santa Monica celebrates the summer solstice and music-making with a variety of free performances citywide. The program is supported by Santa Monica Cultural Affairs in partnership with local parks and neighborhood associations.

World’s Largest Swimming Lesson
June 21 at Santa Monica Swim Center and Annenberg Community Beach House
Partnering with TEAM WLSL™, Santa Monica Community Aquatics hosts a large group swim for Santa Monica residents to build awareness about the fundamental importance of teaching children to swim to prevent drowning. Open to children ages 1-14. RSVP required.

Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Pop Up
June 24, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Summer Solstice
Help envision the future of parks in Santa Monica in a fun way! Play parks and rec BINGO and add to a Think Tank activity along with free prizes for all.

Main Street 18th Annual Summer SOULstice
June 24, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. at Main St
A day of live music, sidewalk sales, local vendors, two beer and wine gardens, and activities for kids and pets. Organized by the Main Street Merchants Business Improvement Association (MSBIA) in partnership with the City of Santa Monica.

Bike Local Handlebar Happy Hour
June 27 & July 26, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
A monthly happy hour gathering organized by SM Spoke and the Buy Local SM Committee featuring a different Buy Local bar/restaurant each month.

Last Sundays Sidewalk Sale
June 24, July 29 & August 26 at participating businesses along Main St
A new event organized by the MSBIA in partnership with Buy Local SM.

“Icons and Influences” with Writ Large Press
June 26, 6:30 – 8 P.M. at Annenberg Community Beach House
In this second of three discussions with Writ Large Press, three artists will read, show or perform a work that profoundly influenced them, then present one of their own works.

Movies in the Park
June 26, 7 - 11 p.m. at Virginia Avenue Park
Virginia Avenue Park, Pico Branch Library and Santa Monica PD present a family-friendly free outdoor movie night open to all. Movie begins at sunset.

SMPL at the Beach
June 29, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Annenberg Community Beach House
We’re packing up the books and heading back to the shore for more fun in the sun with our seaside pop-up library! Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities like Seaside Storytime, sign out books from our collection of beach reads, play games like bocce and ladder toss, or just kick back, relax and read in Surfside Lounge.


JULY

Santa Monica 4th of July Parade
July 4, 9:30 a.m. at Main St. starting at the Civic Auditorium at Pico Blvd.
Organized by the Ocean Park Association.


Picnic on the Promenade
Fridays, July 6 – August 26, 12 – 6 p.m.
Come enjoy al fresco dining and lunchtime entertainment on the Third Street Promenade (north block, Wilshire to Arizona). Organized by Downtown SM Inc.

Downbeat 720
July 10 & 24, 7:30 – 10 P.M. at Miles Memorial Playhouse
An open-mic performance lab for high school performing artists. All singers, poets, emcees, dancers, actors and musicians are invited to try new material, gain confidence and perform in front of an audience of peers.

Swim Center Teen Night
July 13, 6:30 - 9 p.m. at Santa Monica Swim Center
A night at the pool for teens only! Bring your friends and come chill out with music, games, food and more! No preregistration necessary. Same fees and rules as recreational swimming apply.

ROGA
Saturdays, July 14 - August 18, 8 - 10 a.m.
Run + Yoga = ROGA! Join us under the iconic arched blue neon Pier Sign for a run at 8:00 a.m., then get stretchy at the west end with a 1-hour yoga session at 9:00 a.m.

SMPL at the Beach
July 14, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Dorothy Green Park
We’re packing up the books and heading back to the shore for more fun in the sun with our seaside pop-up library! Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities like Seaside Storytime, sign out books from our collection of beach reads, play games like bocce and ladder toss, or just kick back, relax and read in Surfside Lounge.

Sea-Saw
Tues & Wed nights, July 24 - August 9 at the west end of the Pier
Sea-Saw, an all-new micro-event series, will premiere Summer 2018 at the west end of the pier in the famous Observation Deck.

Bike Local Handlebar Happy Hour
July 26, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Location TBD
A monthly happy hour gathering organized by SM Spoke and the Buy Local SM Committee featuring a different Buy Local bar/restaurant each month.

Red Hen Press Reading
July 10, 6:30 - 8 p.m. at Annenberg Community Beach House
Writers come together at the Beach House for an evening of readings and art.

Meet Me At Reed Performances: Shakespeare in the Park
July 7, 6 p.m. - Sunset at Reed Park
Free outdoor performances every Saturday night in Reed Park to celebrate July’s Parks Month! Pre-show family fun activities begin at 4 p.m. Presentation of A Midsummer Nights Dream begins at 6 p.m.

Sunset Swim

July 13, 7 - 10 p.m. at Annenberg Community Beach House
Adults can feel like kids again. Enjoy treats like s’mores or frozen fruit bars, and big pool floaties as the sun sets at this 18+ event.

Meet Me At Reed Performances: String Theory
July 14, 3 p.m. - Sunset at Reed Park
String Theory transforms Reed Park into a giant musical instrument with a giant harp strung between the trees. Pre-concert family fun activities begin at 3 p.m. Performance begins at 5 p.m.

Family Splash Day
July 14, 1 - 3:30 p.m. at Santa Monica Swim Center
Bring a picnic to share with your friends and family or come just for fun. No pre-registration necessary. Same fees and rules as recreational swimming apply.

King/Queen of The Cove
July 14, 12 - 6 p.m. at The Cove Skatepark at Memorial Park
Skate contest for children/teens judged by local pros. Three separate contests: Big Bowl, Pool and Park Section. Prizes for winners. Free admission for viewing public. Contest participants must be registered Cove Skatepark members.

LED Greeting Card with Brittany Ransom
July 16, 1:30 - 3 p.m. at Camera Obscura Art Lab
Draw or paint a circuit to light up an LED using conductive ink. With just the drawn image of a simple circuit, a watch battery and copper tape, you can make a card that lights up!

Community Picnic
July 19, 6 - 8:30 p.m. at Annenberg Community Beach House
Pack a dinner, then grab your friends, your family and your neighbors and head to the Beach House for some good old-fashioned summertime fun at our annual Community Picnic.

Legends Basketball Clinic
July 21, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Memorial Park Gym
The Santa Monica Police Activities League partners with former NBA players to lead a basketball and life skills clinic for underserved youth. Capacity limited, call 310.458.8988 to RSVP.

Meet Me At Reed Performances: Santa Monica Symphony
July 21, 4 p.m. - Sunset at Reed Park
Enjoy an evening of classical music outdoors! The Santa Monica Symphony performs famous selections from Vivaldi, J.S. Bach, Beethoven and more. Pre-concert family fun games begin at 4 p.m. Performance begins at 6 p.m.

Composting 101 – In your Garden or in Your Home
July 21, 9 - 11 a.m. at Ishihara Park Learning Garden
Let it rot! Whether at your house or in your garden, come learn some tricks and techniques to jumpstart your composting program. It’s easy to get started, and your garden will love you.

Montana Avenue Art Walk
July 28, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Montana Avenue

Kate Ingold and Brittany Ransom: New Works
July 28. 3 - 6 p.m. at Camera Obscura Art Lab
See the culminating exhibition of Camera Obscura Art Lab studio residents Kate Ingold and Brittany Ransom, showing new works in paper, fabric, plaster, plastic and silicon.

Meet Me At Reed Concert: Paul McDonald Big Band
July 28, 3:30 p.m. - Sunset at Reed Park
Experience a high-energy, danceable, 17-piece big band led by local favorite Paul McDonald. Pre-concert family fun games begin at 3:30 p.m. Performance begins at 5:30 p.m.

PALpalooza
July 31, 5 - 9 p.m. at Pacific Park at the Pier
Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) youth enjoy an evening of free rides, food and games. Get involved or become a PAL member.


These events were originally published in the June/July Edition of Seascape.

Authored By

Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager