Southern California Attractions and Santa Monica Events Calendar

Ice at Santa Monica

• Date(s): 11/07/2008 - 01/19/2009
• Recurring daily
• Times: 10am-10pm
• Location: 5th Street and Arizona Ave
• Admission: $10

The outdoor ice skating rink, one of the popular attractions during Santa Monica's Winterlit Celebration 2008, is located just 2 blocks from the Third Street Promenade. On-site skate rental. Parking at adjacent city lots.

Santa Monica International Film Festival - Winter Screening Series

• Date(s): 11/13/2008 - 01/10/2009
• Recurring daily
• Times: 6pm-9pm
• Location: ICE at Santa Monica, 5th St and Arizona Ave
• Admission: Free

The city of Santa Monica hosts the Santa Monica International Film Festival - Winter Screening Series at ICE at Santa Monica located at 5th and Arizona in Santa Monica.

City of Santa Monica Christmas Tree Drop-off Event

• Date(s): 12/24/2008 - 01/29/2009
• Recurring daily
• Location: Christine Emerson Reed Park, Douglas Park, Clover Park, Los Amigos Park

Do the right thing, recycle your Christmas trees this year. In the City of Santa Monica from December 24th through January 29th, there will be four locations you can take your tree to:

Christine Emerson Reed Park
1133 7th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 458-2223

Douglas Park
2439 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 458-2223

Clover Park
2600 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-2223

Los Amigos Park
500 Hollister Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-2223

Montana Avenue's Biggest Winter Sale Ever!

• Date(s): 01/01/2009 - 01/31/2009
• Recurring daily
• Location: Montana Ave

Out with the old and in with the new. Don't miss steeply discounted merchandise from all of your favorite stores on Montana Ave. Up to 50%-75% off the entire month of January!

The Cinderella Workshops

• Date(s): 01/06/2009 - 01/08/2009
• Recurring daily
• Times: Tues, Jan 6 4:00pm to 5:30pm (ages 6 to 15); Tues, Jan 6 6:00pm to 7:30pm (ages 16 to adult); Wed & Thurs, Jan 7 & 8 11:30am to 1:00pm (ages 3 to 6)
• Location: Santa Monica Playhouse - Artists' Entrance Performance Space
• Contact: Serena Dolinsky
• Phone: (310)394-9779 ext3
• Admission: Free

Could you be Cinderella? Create your own Cinderella event? The Santa Monica Playhouse year-long Cinderella tribute “2009: THE YEAR OF THE GLASS SLIPPER” will be inaugurated with a week-long FREE THEATRE FESTIVAL, made possible through the generous support of the Santa Monica Community Access and Participation (CAP) Grant Program and the Santa Monica Arts Commission, Cotkin and Collins, Model Language Studio, the Edith and Emery Bernauer Scholarship Fund and the Playhouse Parent’s Association. Anyone who has ever dreamed of being a Prince or Princess, or just wants to see what it would be like to get up on stage and explore the Cinderella story from a different point of view may participate in one of four FREE public CINDERELLA Workshops. Participants will work together to create their own mini-version of the fairytale.

Space is extremely limited and reservations are absolutely necessary. Call the Playhouse Education Department at 1-310-394-9779 ext3.

Free lecture by L. Ron Hubbard - "Scientology Its General Background"

• Date(s): 01/07/2009
• Times: 7:00pm
• Location: 2716 Wilshire Blvd
• Contact: Ariana
• Phone: (310) 460-2342
• Admission: Free

A lecture by L. Ron Hubbard - "Scientology Its General Background". Come listen to this taped lecture and learn about Scientology.

The Santa Monica Amateur Astronomy Club Meeting Featuring Dr. Richard Ellis

• Date(s): 01/09/2009
• Times: 7:30pm
• Location: New Roads School (in the Huerta Room), 3131 Olympic Blvd
• Contact: Milla I.
• Phone: (310) 495-7595
• Admission: Free

The Santa Monica Amateur Astronomy Club's January meeting will feature Dr. Richard Ellis of Caltech, and the topic "Dark Energy: Should We Be Worried?" Dr. Ellis is one of the world's leading researchers in this area, so don't miss our first talk of the official Year of Astronomy, 2009. Dr. Ellis has been Director of Palomar and Caltech Observatories, and we look forward to having him bring the frontiers of astronomy our way.

A Day At The Antique Mall - A New Collection of Photography by Robbie Kaye

• Date(s): 01/10/2009
• Times: 6pm-8pm
• Location: Bergamot Café at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan A3

Santa Monica based photographer, Robbie Kaye, opens a new collection of her work on January 10th, 2009, 6:00 -  8:00 PM in the Bergamot Café at Bergamot Station. Please join the artist for wine and music, provided by LA based band, Imaginary Friends.

Robbie Kaye is a native of New York and has focused her recent work on Santa Monica’s seaside vistas, buildings and fauna.  Her photographs reflect a balance between life and art and exhibit her true passion for nature, the obscure and architecture.  Robbie’s work can be seen in the book “Rendezvous With Light” which also features the poetry of Carol Muske Dukes. In 2008, Robbie’s work appeared in Gourmet Magazine, THE, Luxury & Lifestyles, The Santa Monica Mirror and she was the official photographer for the “GLOW” event hosted by the Santa Monica Visitors’ Bureau.  
 

Santa Monica Family YMCA Open House

• Date(s): 01/10/2009
• Times: 9:00am-3:00pm
• Location: 1332 6th St
• Contact: 310-393-2721
• Admission: Free and Open to the Community

A special day designed to renew and re-energize your personal fitness program. Let us help you kick start your way to a healthier New Year!  Facility tours, group exercises and swim and judo demo's for kids are just a few of the exciting programs planned for you.

The Week of the Glass Slipper featuring CINDERELLA

• Date(s): 01/10/2009 - 01/11/2009
• Recurring daily
• Times: Saturday and Sunday at 12:30pm, 3:00pm and 6:00pm
• Location: Santa Monica Playhouse Main Stage
• Contact: Sandra Zeitzew
• Phone: (310) 394-9779 ext2
• Admission: All performances on opening weekend are FREE

It’s internationally acclaimed! It’s Cinderella! And it’s FREE! The Santa Monica Playhouse year-long Cinderella tribute “2009: THE YEAR OF THE GLASS SLIPPER” will be inaugurated with a week-long FREE THEATRE FESTIVAL, made possible through the generous support of the Santa Monica Community Access and Participation (CAP) Grant Program and the Santa Monica Arts Commission, Cotkin and Collins, Model Language Studio, the Edith and Emery Bernauer Scholarship Fund and the Playhouse Parent’s Association. The extremely popular production will open Saturday, January 10, 2009 and play every weekend through December 27, 2009. The first weekend of performances will be FREE TO THE PUBLIC. “Truly imaginative and entertaining, this play has all its spark plugs firing,” says L.A. PARENT. Written & directed by the award-winning creative team of Evelyn Rudie and Chris DeCarlo, free performances will be offered Saturday and Sunday, January 10 and 11, 2009, at 12:30, 3:00pm and 6:00pm.

American Cinematheque Screenings: Aero Theatre

• Date(s): 01/01/2008
• Recurring daily
• Location: 1328 Montana Avenue at 14th Street
• Phone: (323) 466-3456
• Admission: Tickets $10 or $7 for members

Movie presentations by American Cinematheque, a non-profit, viewer-supported cultural organization, dedicated to the public presentation of the moving picture in all its forms, from classics to the outer frontiers of the art form. Weekly screenings of art, independent and classic films. Also sneak peaks of upcoming movies with celebrity guest appearances and discussions with film-makers. Call for program information: 323-466-3456. Tickets $10 or $7 for members.

Farmers Markets

• Date(s): 01/02/2008
• Recurring weekly on Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday
• Times: WEDNESDAYS: Arizona Ave & 2nd St. 8:30am - 1:30pm, SATURDAYS: Arizona & 3rd St. 8:30am - 1:30pm and 2200 Virginia Ave 8:00am-1:00pm, SUNDAY: 2460 Main Street 9:30am-1:00pm.

Santa Monica's four weekly farmers markets are widely considered to be among the best on the west coast and feature field-fresh produce, hundreds of kinds of vegetables, brilliant cut flowers, breads, cheeses, delicious foods, live music and more. WEDNESDAYS: Arizona Ave & 2nd St. 8:30am - 1:30pm. SATURDAYS: Arizona & 3rd St. 8:30am - 1:30pm and 2200 Virginia Ave 8:00am-1:00pm. SUNDAY: 2460 Main Street 9:30am-1:00pm.

Downtown Walking Tours of Santa Monica

• Date(s): 01/05/2008
• Recurring weekly on Saturday
• Times: Every Saturday morning, 10am
• Location: 1436 2nd St (between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd)
• Phone: (310) 496-3146
• Admission: $5 for members, $10 for public

Presented by the Santa Monica Conservancy, discover more than 130 years of Santa Monica history. In approx. 2 hours and six blocks, the walk traverses more than 130 years of Santa Monica History, from its Wild West frontier beginnings to the sophisticated metropolis of today. RSVP the Thursday prior to the tour at (310) 496-3146.

Tours are every Saturday morning, $5 for members, $10 for public. Parking is available in the city parking structure opposite the hostel on the east side of 2nd Street. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Note that this tour is not suitable for young children.

Tours are rain or shine, but "rain checks" are offered if you call or email to reschedule.

The People's Voice

• Date(s): 01/06/2008
• Recurring weekly on Sunday
• Times: Every Sunday, 10am-12noon
• Location: Palisades Park at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulveard and Ocean Ave.
• Admission: Free

Emulating the centuries-old tradition of Speaker's Corner in London's Hyde Park, the People's Voice puts up a weekly soap box and microphone for anyone to freely speak his or her piece. The sky's the limit! Free. Every Sunday.

Stephen Courtney Exhibition

• Date(s): 08/30/2008 - 08/30/2009
• Recurring daily
• Times: 7:00pm-10:00pm
• Location: James Coleman Gallery, 1431 Ocean Ave
• Phone: (310) 456-7151

World renowned modern artist Stephen Courtney (www.stephencourtney.com), whose work resides everywhere from the Smithsonian’s National Gallery of American Art to celebrity homes, is exhibiting his fine art furniture and black and white photographs in the permanent exhibition “Affair in the Garden” at Santa Monica’s brand new James Coleman Gallery.

Comfort Food Nights

• Date(s): 11/19/2008
• Recurring weekly on Wednesday, Thursday
• Times: Wednesday and Thursday nights
• Location: Cezanne at Le Merigot Beach Hotel and Spa, 1740 Ocean Ave
• Phone: Reservations: 310-395-9700

Come and cozy up with us at Cézanne restaurant this season where Chef Desi Szonntagh has created a new “comfort foods menu” with French specialties. This menu includes a delectable array of recipes to tantalize your palate. Comfort Food Nights are every Wednesday and Thursday with weekly rotating specials. Come hungry and we promise to leave you feeling warm, fuzzy and delightfully full!

Bridge & Scrabble for Everyone!

• Date(s): 12/15/2008
• Recurring weekly on Monday
• Times: 1pm-3pm
• Location: Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd
• Contact: Fairview Branch Library
• Phone: (310) 450-0443

Have fun, meet new people and challenge your mind playing Bridge or Scrabble! All levels are welcome.

Learn to Knit!

• Date(s): 12/15/2008
• Recurring weekly on Monday
• Times: 5:00pm-6:30pm
• Location: Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd
• Contact: Fairview Branch Library
• Phone: (310) 450-0443

Learn to Knit! For all ages, beginners should bring #8 needles and simple worsted yarn.

Tango Afficionado

• Date(s): 01/05/2009 - 07/26/2010
• Recurring weekly on Monday
• Times: 9:30pm-1:00am
• Location: Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club, 1210 4th St
• Phone: (213) 503-6191
• Admission: $10

Located at the historic Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club, Vladimir’s and Dmitry’s milonga is a beautiful, spacious place with a magnificent wooden floor and a very classic and authentic atmosphere of Buenos Aires Tango Clubs!

Light snacks and refreshments are served.