June 7, 2007

This week's Palette is so full of tantalizing treats that deciding between them all just might make your head explode.  So, my advice is that you just forget the housework, let the gardens will grow on their own, turn off the tv and go have yourself a Santa Monica Cultural Marathon.  Hit them all!   This weekend, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll determine a man's fate, you could create a whole new identity, spend your next year's salary on a Picasso, or even learn the alphabet.  There’s a world of possibilities out there! 

Celebrate 18 years of cutting edge performances at this world famous Santa Monica institution.  On Friday, it's the Outlaws Of Outlaugh.  The Gay Mafia- Jason Stuart, Bob Smith and other subversive comedians - is in the house.  These guys will make you howl with laughter, or you might just howl. Then on Saturday night some of Highways' most illustrious alumni - including Roger Guenveur Smith, Victoria Marks, Hysterica Dance Company + Gregory Moore - return to the stage with performance, dance and music.

Bring the kids to the Santa Monica Museum of Art for a wonderful afternoon of artmaking and reading on Saturday.  For kids aged 6 and up, Santa Monica's own Cardboard Cobbler, Phranc, will teach them how to create pop art inspired sculpture in paper and recycled cardboard.  Space is limited, so I recommend you call ahead for reservations.

P is for Peanut: A Photographic ABC
2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 9
Santa Monica Museum of Art
Bergamot Station G1
2525 Michigan Avenue

And while outdoors we’ll be making Phrancly fabulous cardboard trinkets, indoors the Museum will be hosting a special reading of the whimsical new picture book hot off the press from the Getty Museum, P is for Peanut.  This collection of 26 archival photographs will help young and old learn the alphabet.  Authors Lisa Gebler and Jody Roberts will read and autograph this sure-to-be-collectible volume.

The Boomerang Kid
June 8 through through July 14:
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm
Sundays at 7:00 pm
The Powerhouse Theatre
3116 2nd Street - one block east of Main, between Rose & Marine
866-633-6246 x9

Rhinoceros
by Eugene Ionesco
City Garage 
Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm
Sundays at 5:30
Plays through Sunday, July 15
City Garage, 1340 1/2 4th St.
in the alley
310/ 319-9939

When a Rhinoceros inexplicably appears in a small French town, it's alarming.  But as more and more ordinary citizens begin to transform into these unwieldy beasts, most folks learn to adapt.  The play poses a powerful question - When everyone about is stampeding, do you stand in the street to be run down, or is it a better idea to just go along with the majority? In Rhinoceros, only one man resists. "I'm the last man left. And I'm staying that way until the end!"

After the 5:30 performance on Sunday, June 10^th, there will be an informal discussion with the cast and creative staff of Rhinoceros. Stick around and talk with one of the most fascinating theatrical troupes around. 

Directions:   City Garage is located in the alley between Santa Monica and Arizona and between 4th Street and the Third Street Promenade.  10 West to 4th St. Exit.  North on 4th Street to Parking Structure #3.  Park in structure, exit rear stairs to alley.  Theatre is to the left. 

Get a load of the latest crop of Santa Monica’s talented teens this weekend in an original musical from Lincoln Middle School.  The story of Kid Bling and his search for a new lead dancer is going to the brightest, shiniest musical to hit Santa Monica this spring.  And what a deal this one is!  Tickets are only $10, on sale at the door, but you’ll pay $500 a ticket to see these kids at the Pantages in 20 years!

Timeline
Seeline Gallery
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 9, 6-9pm
June 9 – July 28
1812 Berkeley Street
310/829.1727      

Take a trip a group off the beaten path to the Seeline Gallery in what used to be known as Drescherville or Santa Monica Studios to view an exhibition of works by Kathrin Burmester, Chris Oatey, Ami Tallman and Maria Von Köhler.  Burmeister creates collages with the barrage of images from the news that seem to assault us nonstop and turns them into something altogether new.  Chris Oatey examines the visually seductive quality of sports imagery in contemporary culture and Ami Tallman captures interior views of English manor houses, once left derelict without male heir to carry on the dynasty and now repurposed as corporate retreats.

The Ocean Park Association in making plans for their First Annual Main Street Fourth of July Parade.  In the true spirit of this highly creative community, you’re all invited to march, stroll, ride or waltz down Main Street.  Get all the information you need to be a part of a real hometown civic parade on their http://www.opa-sm.org/parade/ or give them a call at 310/564.1968.

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