Southern California Attractions and Santa Monica Events Calendar

Cirque du Soleil KOOZA

• Date(s): 10/16/2009 - 12/20/2009
• Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
• Times: Monday-No Show, Tuesday-Thursday 8pm, Friday-Saturday 4pm and 8pm, Sunday 1pm and 5pm
• Location: Tent will be located at the 1550 lot, north of the Pier
• Phone: (800) 450-1480
• Admission: Adults: $60-$135; Children (ages 2-12): $42-$94.50; Students and Seniors: $54-$112.50

Cirque du Soleil returns to the Santa Monica Pier for its 25th anniversary with its performance of KOOZA. KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil: It combines two circus traditions – acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor.

Love in Bloom

• Date(s): 10/17/2009 - 12/13/2009
• Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday
• Times: Fri & Sat 8pm, Sun 6pm
• Location: The Other Space at Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th Street
• Contact: Santa Monica Playhouse Box Office
• Phone: 13103949779ext1
• Admission: $25 gen adm; $20 students, teachers, seniors, military; Previews (Oct 17-Nov 6) all seats $18

This tongue-firmly-in-cheek bawdy musical comedy features dainty damsels, dashing rogues, and lusty wenches who run gaily amok in the beleaguered town of Hamelot. In this world premiere Rudie-DeCarlo tribute to the heroes and heroines, wenches and rogues of the Bard, magic and mayhem, fops and fairies, mistaken identity, romance and humor abound, and a complimentary dessert and nibbles buffet at intermission makes this the best theatre evening in town. The eight-member cast, in the renowned Actors’ Repertory Theatre commedia-carnival style, creates a host of over thirty characters, bringing to the stage all the stuff that dreams (and musicals) are made on to insure that Jack will have his Jill, and all’s well that ends as you like it.

Written and directed by he award-winning creative team of Chris DeCarlo and Evelyn Rudie. Music & lyrics are by E. Rudie with Matthew Wrather, costumes and magical multi-level sets are by award-winning designer Ashley Hayes.

ICE at Santa Monica

• Date(s): 10/27/2009 - 01/31/2010
• Recurring daily
• Times: 10am-10pm weekdays, 10am-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays (including Halloween, Christmas Day and New Years Day)
• Location: Third Street Promenade at Arizona and 5th Street
• Admission: $10 and includes rental skates

Bring back childhood memories — or create new ones — as you slice through the ice in a festive atmosphere filled with holiday cheer and balmy ocean breezes. Located at 5th Street and Arizona Avenue, less than two blocks from the Third Street Promenade, the rink is open daily. The $10 admission includes skate rental. The rink is periodically cleared for short periods to groom the ice. If raining, the rink will remain open in light rain or drizzle conditions, closing only for heavy downpours.

A Winter's Tale: A Musical Dickens of a Christmas Carol

• Date(s): 11/07/2009 - 12/12/2009
• Recurring weekly on Sunday, Saturday
• Times: 2 pm
• Location: Santa Monica's Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd
• Contact: Box office
• Phone: (310) 828-7519
• Admission: $15 reserved seats

This lively musical adaptation showcases both the humor and pathos of Dickens’ rich 1843 story of spiritual renewal and redemption. A Winter’s Tale uses the tools of musical theatre – song and dance -- to recreate A Christmas Carol, the classic tale that has become a holiday favorite for children and adults of many faiths. .

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.

Downtown Farmers' Market

• Date(s): 01/02/2008
• Recurring weekly on Wednesday, Saturday
• Times: Wednesday 8:30am-1:30pm; Saturday 8:30am-1:00pm
• Location: Arizona Avenue between Second and Third Street
• Phone: (310) 458-8712
• Admission: Free

Enjoy one of Santa Monica's farmers markets, widely considered to be among the best on the west coast and featuring field-fresh produce, hundreds of kinds of vegetables, brilliant cut flowers, breads, cheeses, delicious foods, live music and more.

Farmers' Market Locations: Wednesdays at Arizona Ave & 2nd St and Saturdays at Arizona & 3rd St

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.

Pico Farmers' Market

• Date(s): 01/05/2008
• Recurring weekly on Saturday
• Times: 8:00am-1:00pm
• Location: Virginia Park at Pico and Cloverfield
• Phone: (310) 458-8712
• Admission: Free

Enjoy one of Santa Monica's farmers markets, widely considered to be among the best on the west coast and featuring field-fresh produce, hundreds of kinds of vegetables, brilliant cut flowers, breads, cheeses, delicious foods, live music and more.

Cinderella: The Musical

• Date(s): 01/17/2009 - 12/20/2009
• Recurring weekly on Sunday, Saturday
• Times: 12:30pm & 3:00pm Saturdays and Sundays
• Location: Santa Monica Playhouse Main Stage, 1211 4th Street
• Contact: Sandra Zeitzew
• Phone: 3103949779ext2
• Admission: $10.50 (Kids 12 and under), $12.50 (Adults)

Last chance to try on the glass slipper! Help Cinderella find her happily-ever-after one more time as the Year of the Glass Slipper approaches the finish line.  Romance blooms in this internationally acclaimed musical for kids 2 to 102, featuring zany fairy godmother, charming prince, silly stepsisters and a zealously well-meaning stepmother, voted Playhouse audience favorite 14 years in a row.

Cinderella’s 25th anniversary celebration is coming to a close, only a few more chances to see this joyous musical comedy. Birthday and tea parties are available with every performance. Twenty-five years after the original award-winning musical Cinderella debuted as part of the Playhouse Musical Matinee Series, after nearly two dozen tours to England, Alaska and Japan, and after delighting more than a quarter of a million audience members to date, this beloved heroine is still the single most requested Santa Monica Playhouse Family Theatre musical on three continents. Cinderella Alumni include Rina Mimoun (producer/writer Gilmore Girls, Pushing Daisies), casting director Liz Dean, Emmy winner Aisha Waglé, novelist Rebecca Donner and television personality James Calvert.

Mt. Olive Film Night

• Date(s): 07/11/2009
• Recurring monthly on the 2nd Saturday
• Times: Supper is served at 6pm, Films start at 7
• Location: Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd
• Phone: (310) 452-1116
• Admission: Free

Entertaining and thought-provoking films shown on the second Saturday of each month.

First Presbyterian Features Works of Laddie John Dill

• Date(s): 07/20/2009
• Recurring daily
• Location: 1220 Second St
• Phone: (310) 451-1303
• Admission: Free

Painter/sculptor Laddie John Dill was born in Long Beach, California in 1943. He graduated from Chouinard Art Institute, Los Angeles, in 1968 with a BFA degree. Dill was influenced by Rauschenberg, Keith Sonnier, and environmental artists Robert Smithson, Dennis Oppenheim and Robert Irwin, who were exploring alternatives to easel painting.

Featured work is displayed outside on the First Presbyterian gate. 

Abstract Acrylics Workshop

• Date(s): 08/24/2009
• Recurring weekly on Monday, Saturday
• Times: Mondays 6-8pm/ Saturdays 11-1
• Location: at PAINT:LAB 2912 Main Street, Santa Monica
• Contact: Melanie
• Phone: (310) 450-9200
• Admission: $40.00 + the purchase of your canvas

Samantha has been captivated and immersed in the arts from a very early age. Her diverse cultural background and love for the arts has contributed immensely to her unique style and visual language, as a fine artist and as a designer. Encompassing traditional with cutting edge, her approach to color and form reflect her skills and influences throughout her life, expanding and always contributing to her extensive resume of accomplishments. Deep emotions expressed through the abstraction of the human body, of nature. A manipulation of textures, lines, and colors, conveying the essence of an inner soul. A higher spirit. Something felt but seldom seen. A release of flight and energy. A realm of inner vision, flowing from mind to brush to canvas, giving one the sense of visual form of emotions, stretched and broken as our imagination maybe. A transference of the cathartic flow. The inside realized. Your truth visualized.

Beginners very welcome, maximum 8 students. Reservations required (310) 450-9200. Workshop Fee: $40 Price includes paint and brushes, does not include purchase of your canvas

Skateboard: Evolution and Art in California

• Date(s): 11/14/2009 - 05/30/2010
• Recurring daily
• Times: Wednesday through Sunday 11:00am to 4:00pm
• Location: California Heritage Museum, 2612 Main St
• Phone: (310) 392-8537
• Admission: General Admission: $3.00, Seniors, Students: $2.00, Members, Children under twelve: Free

The California Heritage Museum is proud to present “SKATEBOARD: Evolution and Art in California.” Guest curated by legendary Z-boy Nathan Pratt in conjunction with museum staff curator Michael Trotter and advisory committee members Jeff Ho, Skip Engblom (Zephyr co-founders), Cris Dawson (1966 Hobie Champ), Z-Boys Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta, and 1980’s world champion Christian Hosoi, the exhibition traces the evolution of boards from pre-1950 to the present showcasing the riders, designers, artists, and manufacturers that created the California phenomenon known as the skateboard.

This is the first exhibition of the California skate movement to be shown in “Dog Town”, the Santa Monica/Ocean Park area where modern skateboarding was born and the skate became an art form. The California Heritage Museum is located in the vortex at Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard.