Weekend Events: Art Mixers, Pier Concert, Oakwood Movie Night, Save The Dates
Summertime is in full swing with outdoor activities aplenty—art mixers, pier concerts and outdoor movies. Plus, we have CicLAvia headed our way, and we're already filling up the calendar with fall fests. Ready your iCal, here goes ...
Twilight Concerts
The annual Twilight Concerts at the Santa Monica Pier kicked off last Thursday with Morris Day & The Time. It was funk-tastic even for younger spectators who had no idea what their parents meant when using the hashtag #O-E-O-E-O. Tonight, the tone mellows down to stargaze-y beach rock as Real Estate performs with Hippo Campus at 7 p.m. Concerts are free, and show every Thursday night through September 10. Oh, and Tuneyards, we just heard, will be the final performance of the season.
Art Mixers
Before heading to the pier, swing by Sidewalk Cafe tonight for the monthly Venice Art Crawl mixer. Whether you're an artist, a local business owner, or just looking to chat about the latest Jules Muck murals, it's a great place to have a cocktail, watch the sunset, and meet new friends who will help plan something fun at the next quarterly crawl happening on Thursday, September 17.
Also, there's a new gallery showing at WNDO Space on Friday night. Go for new works from graphic artist Bisco Smith. Stay for the after party at Budman Studio.
Oakwood Movie Night
It's like Cinespia for the kids in your own backyard. Oakwood Park is hosting a movie night on Saturday. They'll be showing Big Hero 6 once the sun goes down, but get there at 6 p.m. for games, raffles and activities with Super Soccer All Stars. Plus, you can grab dinner or dessert at the Wafl Truck. (Take a look at that strawberry, chocolate drizzled waffle pictured at the top!)
Save the date for Saturday, August 8th too. Oakwood Park will also be hosting the annual Venice BBQ & Community Potluck Picnic.
CicLAvia Rides West
Tens of thousands of cyclists will rule the streets on Sunday, August 9 when CicLAvia shuts down segments of Washington and Venice Blvd. to create one big bike path from Downtown Culver City to Venice Beach. There's a community meeting tonight about it at Beyond Baroque.
Al Fresco Eats
Another new restaurant to add to your list: Leona. Top Chef's Nyesha Arrington is opening up her first restaurant on Washington Blvd. in the former Canali Cafe, just a few spots down from the new Simmzy's craft beer and burger joint. Leona will feature "progressive California cuisine" that can be enjoyed on a lovely outdoor patio or an airy rooftop deck. Construction is underway and it's due to debut by the end of the month.
Save The Dates
It's crazy to start thinking about fall fests, but August is just around the corner. This week, we've added a new batch of save-the-dates to the calendar including Taste of Venice, the Abbot Kinney Festival, the Muscle Beach Labor Day Championship, the Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally and more. See them all here, and if you'd like to share an event, please do send it our way.
