The Palette
Exploring Creative Santa Monica
This weekend in Santa Monica we're reviving the age-old tradition of community dances at the Miles Memorial Playhouse. The only thing I miss from junior high school is the two weeks every fall when we had square dancing instead of phys ed. I know you'll all think I'm as corny as Kansas in August but I used to love the Little Brown Jug. I'm dusting off my cowboy boots and will be bringing my kids with me (under duress, I'm sure) to get down at the Miles Playhouse hoedown this weekend. But if you're too cool to tango, there's still lots to do this weekend around town. And whatever you do, I'm sure you'll have a great time!
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| Community Dances @ Miles Playhouse! | |
Steppin’ Out @ the Miles Playhouse Red Ribbon Square Dancers with caller Lee Schmidt On Friday night it’s the incomparable Vida Vierra with Brazilian Swing! Make sure to wear loose comfortable clothing and be prepared to heat it up when you hit the dance floor with this free form style. The Saturday and Sunday events are co-hosted by Santa Monica's official square dance group -the Red Ribbon Squares - who will teach us the steps so that we can all allemande left, do-si-do, promenade down and butterfly whirl! Darren Gallina and his awesome Crossfire Band will be playing on Saturday nigh while Lee Schmidt - one of the best callers ever – will be calling the moves. Sunday afternoon, veteran caller Mike Seastrom will be leading line, square, circle and contra dances for dancers of every age! |
| Wake Up With the Waves! | |
Pirates and Princesses Whether you have a pirate, a princess, a pirate princess or a princely pirate in your house, you’ll love this free series of Saturday morning concerts on the Pier. Dress warm and bring your own swords and tiaras! I'm sure that my friend Princess Tess has the perfect dress for this occasion while her brother Ryder can channel Mick Jagger in pirate garb. |
| Exploring Downtown Santa Monica | ||
Downtown Santa Monica Walking Tour
Call ahead for reservations but don’t miss your chance to stroll through downtown, check out some great architecture and learn all about Santa Monica's past. In less than two hours and over the course of six blocks, you will travel down more than 130 years of Santa Monica history. Tours take place every Saturday and for a mere $10 ticket price you can get up close and personal with the Lido Hotel (on the right) built in 1931, one of our best examples of classic art deco architecture - the ceiling in the lobby is awesome!
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| Jacaranda's Fifth Season Opens | |
Trains of Thought Jacaranda opens its fifth season with a stunning collection of American compositions. Performing Steve Reich’s Different Trains, the fearless Denali Quartet will interweave live performance with a collage of WWII era memories, sound effects and pre-recorded tracks by the Kronos Quartet. This haunting meditation on the contrast between childhood trans-America train trips and Europeans forced onto trains bound for concentration camps is a truly one of Reich’s most effective combinations of live and pre-recorded music. Also on the bill are works by William Bolcom, Joan Tower and Elliott Carter. |
| American Crafts at the Santa Monica Library | |
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Craft in America Wendell Castle, Music Stand, 1964, Dirk Bakker photograph
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