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BIG Beachella News: The Killers, Olivia Dean to Headline First-Ever “Ocean Way” Santa Monica Beach Music Festival on the Ocean Park Stretch of Beach just South of the Pier:
Goldenvoice announced Thursday that The Killers and Olivia Dean will headline the inaugural Ocean Way Festival, the first major music festival to be held on the city's shoreline on Sept. 26-27.
To ensure the local economy benefits from the event, tickets are available exclusively to people booking hotel/ticket packages during the first week of sales.
Following that, a presale for Santa Monica residents begins Wednesday, July 22, at 11 a.m. Tickets finally go on sale to the general public on Thursday, July 23. Additional information on tickets and the festival lineup is available at oceanwayfestival.com.
Parking: There is no onsite parking for the festival. Anyone driving to the festival must park in an offsite location and utilize the complimentary shuttle provided to/from the event. All official offsite parking lots include complimentary shuttles to/from.
There has been A LOT of press about this announcement, including this SMDP article, this official City of Santa Monica post, and this Variety article, .
State of the City on Main St. on Thursday, July 23 as a Free, Open-Street Celebration:
From 4 to 7 p.m., city and partner booths will offer community resources, giveaways and family activities, with guided tours of the historic Shotgun House and music by DJ Bukue One.
Santa Monica Poet Laureate Jay Baldwin will give a reading, and Mayor Torosis will deliver the State of the City address from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m.
Live performances from 5:30 to 7 p.m. will feature the Santa Monica High School Orchestra Ensemble and the Spirit Fingers Trio.
Main Street will be closed from Ocean Park Boulevard to Hollister Avenue from noon to 10 p.m. Limited metered parking is available, and paid public parking is offered at Main Street lots 9, 10, 11 and 26. Organizers encouraged carpooling, biking and transit.
Local Business Spotlight - Cha Cha Chicken turns 30: This SantaMonicaSun post highlights how "How one woman saved a Santa Monica institution."
The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap - June 28 -July 4: “The Fourth of July week brought increased activity across Santa Monica, with 2,426 calls for service and 98 arrests recorded from June 28 through July 4. Over 40% of all activity was officer initiated, reflecting sustained proactive enforcement during a period of heightened community events and visitor activity.” More details here.
Celebratory weekend ends with murder by the Pier: "Video from ABC 7 shows police officers investigating the scene early Monday morning after the 12:30 a.m. killing was reported to authorities. No information has been released about the incident but it came at the conclusion of the city’s largest event weekend in recent memory." More details in this SMDP report and this ABC7 video report.
In a policy paradox, council pushes density into single family neighborhood to delay statewide housing law: "The Santa Monica City Council voted 5-1 early Wednesday to pursue upzoning of single-family neighborhoods near the Metro E Line's Expo/Bundy station rather than adopt a planning staff recommendation that would have increased density on multifamily parcels, reversing course on how the city plans to temporarily shield the area from a new state housing law. The council's decision, reached after nearly an hour of technical debate over acreage, density formulas and displacement risk, directs city planners to return with options for upzoning some or all of the roughly 212 R1-zoned parcels near the Expo/Bundy station — property records show many are around 5,500 to 6,500 square feet — rather than the 65 parcels zoned R2 and R3 that planning staff and the Planning Commission had recommended for increased development standards." More details here.
Southern California’s First Gap Retail Store Closes This Week in Santa Monica: “The iconic store, once visited by celebrities like Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, will shut its doors on July 23 to make way for a 260-unit apartment building.” Video report here.
The Street Seen: 2810 Main St (Pink Elephant) @ Ashland Ave): The northmost space in the 2810 - 2018 Main Street building has been a bar/nightclub since 1964. The space sees several bar/nightclub versions. Although nightclubs are no longer a permitted use on Main St, it continues as an existing nonconforming use. More details here.
City Launches Free “Simple Tables & Chairs Program” Designed to Support Businesses’ Outdoor Dining Efforts: “This program is part of the Santa Monica Realignment Plan and aims to simplify outdoor dining requirements while continuing to activate our commercial districts. Key highlights your members should know:
Participation is free.
Businesses with an outdoor dining license with the City must have all outstanding sidewalk dining fees paid in order to be eligible.
Barriers will no longer be required to serve alcohol under this program.
The Simple Tables + Chairs program page provides detailed guidelines and a link to the application.
Councilmember Dan Hall Newsletter: Here is his weekly newsletter, with his thoughts on news in and around the city over the past week, upcoming calendar of events, and much more.
Things to Do This Week
FREE Summer Sound Bath (Wednesday 6pm): Unwind and recharge at our Summer Sound Bath - a relaxing, immersive experience using singing bowls and soothing tones to melt away stress and restore calm. Whether you're new to sound healing or a returning participant, this free community event is the perfect mid-week escape. No experience necessary. Just come as you are and let the sound do the rest. Bring a yoga mat and what you need to feel cozy. Limited spots available on a first come, first served basis. @ Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd. More details here.
Origins Culinary Series: Shake, Sip & Savor with Ghost Tequila (Wednesday 6pm): Discover the story behind Ghost Tequila while learning the inspiration, techniques, and flavors that make each cocktail unique. Throughout a hands-on mixology class, you'll shake, sip, and craft multiple signature cocktails while enjoying thoughtfully paired bites created by Chef Gemma. @ 13534 Bali Way Marina del Rey More details here.
Sunset Swim at the Annenberg Beach House (Friday): Spend your evening poolside at the historic Annenberg Community Beach House, home to the iconic 1920s Marion Davies estate built by media mogul William Randolph Hearst. Sunset Swim invites adults to enjoy an evening of swimming, relaxing, and connecting by the sea at our historic and heated pool. Float under the evening sky, unwind with friends old and new, and enjoy complimentary s’mores and pool floaties while taking in the ocean air and sunset views. @ 415 PCH (also Aug. 7 and 21) More details here.
Florentine Steak Dinner Series at All'Antico Vinaio (Friday): The popular Italian sandwich spot has teamed up with Florence Underground for a dinner series at their Santa Monica location centered around bistecca alla Fiorentina. For $130 per pair, the meal opens with cured meats, cheeses, and house-made schiacciata bread before the main event: a thick T-bone seasoned only with salt and olive oil, served slightly before medium-rare with classic sides family-style. Olive oil cake and crema close it out. I went last month and it felt like a deal at that price. They have a variety of very reasonably priced wines available as well. @ 316 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
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OPA & City Meetings
Arts Commission Meeting (Monday 6:30pm): In-person only in the SMi Training Room (northwest corner of the 2nd floor of the Civic Center Parking Structure - 330 Olympic Drive). More details here.
Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment (Monday 7pm): More details here.
OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
OPA Book Club: Next planned date is Aug 5 (The Night Watchman). Email [email protected] for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, Aug. 10, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
Ocean Park Social Club Summer Picnic Series: Mark your calendars for our bi-weekly summer evening picnics at Hotchkiss Park on the following Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm: July 23, Aug 6, Aug 20, and Sep 3.
Want to Volunteer for Future OPA-Sponsored Heal The Bay Adopt-A-Beach Clean-Ups? Contact Dave Tann at [email protected]. He is the coordinator for the OPA/Heal The Bay events, always meeting at Tower 26. Dates this summer are 7/26 & 8/30.
Resources
Police non-emergency Phone #: Call 310-458-8491 or click here for more info.
Santa Monica 311. Submit non-emergency requests to the City.
Santa Monica Alerts. Sign up for emergency text and email alerts.
SaMoNews. Subscribe to the official newsletter of the City of Santa Monica.
Board and Commission Openings. Volunteer to serve the community!
City of Santa Monica Career Opportunities. Get paid to serve the community!
Santa Monica Animal Shelter. Support our municipal Animal Shelter!
Locals Discount Program is Back! OPA has partnered with the SaMo Public Library to launch a Community Discount Program. Local Ocean Park participating businesses include Fitoor and Junior Cookies. Check out the full list here and expect more to come!
