Jazz on the Lawn Returns for its Third Season

Willkomen & Auf Wiedersehen

Blues and Poetry Meet at Ocean Park Library

The Best of Otis

LA Has Bridges!  Who knew?

Michael Sullivan
Jazz on the Lawn
5:00 pm
Sunday, August 3
City Hall Front Lawn
1685 Main Street
310/458.8350

It's the absolute best way to spend a hot Sunday afternoon and it's back!  Starting this Sunday, Santa Monica's crowd pleasing hot as a pistol yet cool as a summer breeze Jazz on the Lawn returns to City Hall.  Every Sunday in August, from 5-7 pm, on the front lawn of City Hall you'll hear talented jazz artists each bringing their own flavor to the genre and offering it up free for Santa Monicans.  Start off the fun off this weekend when one of LA's hottest young jazz talents Michael Sullivan takes the stage on August 3!

The charismatic songwriter/vocalist Michael Sullivan is known across the country for his engaging performances that always leave the crowds cheering for more.  With heartfelt original lyrics and captivating low-key sounds, this extremely talented up-and-coming artist and his band have already enchanted audiences while touring at colleges and festivals nationwide quickly building a solid fan base.  Join me and a whole bunch of other people as  Michael's friends on Myspace by clicking here - and check out his music and video! 

Free parking is available in the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium Parking Lot on Main Street and validated parking can be found in the Santa Monica Civic Center Parking Structure on 4^th Street.

Cabaret
Santa Monica Theatre Guild
8:00 pm on Friday and Saturday
2:00 pm on Sunday
Closes August 3, 2008
Morgan Wixson Theatre
2627 Pico Boulevard
310/828-7519

It's your last chance to see Cabaret at the Morgan Wixson this weekend.  Experience the music, the dance and the decadence of 1929 Berlin, and the story that has captivated audiences for over 40 years.

Santa Monica Poet Sherman Pearl

Award-winning Santa Monica poet Sherman Pearl will read from his new book, Profanities,  while sharing the stage with his blues brother, noted guitarist Bernie Pearl, performing songs from his new CD, Old School Blues.  Free admission, free refreshments.  Who could ask for more?

Omage: The Artists, Designers, and Writers of Otis College of Art and Design
Track 16 Gallery
August 2-30, 2008
Opening reception Saturday August 2, 6-9 pm
Closing reception Saturday August 30, 6-9 pm
Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan Avenue
310/264.4678

It's simply amazing when you think of all the great things that have come out of the Otis College of Art and Design.  But Santa Monica Museum of Art's Lisa Milandri was not intimidated by the breadth of the institution's influences.  Milandri  brought it all together in an exhibition featuring painting, architecture, graphic design, fashion design, new media, printmaking, sculpture, animation, public art, poetry, artists' books, ceramics, photography, music, and digital art from more than 60 members of Otis' faculty.  Currently celebrating its 90^th anniversary, the school honors the many faculty members who have taught and mentored generations of artists and designers to enrich our society and culture.

Did you know that there are bridges over the Los Angeles River as beautiful as anything over the Seine or the Arno.  I had no idea.  But David Eddington did and his paintings depict these forgotten concrete monoliths exquisitely.   Fourteen L.A. River bridges were built between 1909 and 1938 forming a unique collection that embodies an LA of a different era. Many of these gems are slated for alteration or demolition and the Los Angeles Conservancy is working to protect them.  A substantial portion of sales from the exhibition will go directly to the L.A. Conservancy in their fight to save the bridges over the Los Angeles River.  So, buy some art, save a bridge.  Doesn't that sound like a great idea?