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Showing posts with label event coverage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label event coverage. Show all posts


The bands Flaccid Genitals and Scabbed preform at the old Venice Skatepark.


A look at the vintage surfboard and memorabilia swap hosted by the Vintage Surfboard Collector Club held at Boardriders on the Malibu / Topanga Beach border.


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Sunday, February 25, 2025, Venice Beach witnessed the vibrant and spirited Annual Mardi Gras Parade along its famous boardwalk, led by Marky Lennon, crowned as King, and Jeffrey Banks, the King Consort, alongside the lively tunes of the Beaucoup Brass Band. This event continues Venice's long-standing tradition of Mardi Gras celebrations, a legacy that traces back to its inception in 1935.

The Venice Mardi Gras Festival initially took place from August 16-18, 1935, inspired by the New Orleans Mardi Gras. It featured a grand opening with King Neptune arriving by outrigger canoe, the coronation of Queen Venetia, and a royal procession along Ocean Front Walk. The proclamation by the queen marked the beginning of three days filled with parades, costume contests, and entertainment, embodying the spirit of fun and revelry. Highlights from the early years included majestic floats, participants donning enormous plaster of Paris heads crafted in Arthur Reese's studio, and a street carnival on Windward Avenue, complete with gondoliers and Keystone Cops adding to the festive atmosphere.

The event quickly grew in popularity and scale, evolving into a significant annual festival that drew crowds in the hundreds of thousands before World War II. The expanded four-day celebration by 1941 included a treasure hunt for children, aquatic events, the Miss California beauty pageant, and a grand Mardi Gras Ball, all contributing to a burgeoning sense of civic pride and community engagement.

Venice's Mardi Gras Festival has stood as a testament to the community's commitment to celebrating culture, history, and the arts. For those interested in delving deeper into Venice's rich history, Jeffrey Stanton's website offers extensive insights into the past festivals and the evolution of this beloved event."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz


Ger-I Lewis & his band preforms at the Surfers Stomp Venice Surf-A-Thon After Party at Sidewalk Cafe on thre Venice Boardwalk.


The highlights from the awards ceremony for the 30th Annual Venice Surf-A-Thon. Tonan takes the mic to announce the surf contest winners at the Sidewalk Cafe on the Venice Boardwalk.


The 2nd Annual Skate N Scare skate contest at the Venice Beach Skatepark held on Halloween afternoon.



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"In the early hours of Thursday, November 23, 2023, participants gathered along the scenic Ocean Front Walk for the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot & Half Marathon. This popular event, set against the picturesque backdrop of Santa Monica's beach path, offered a range of distances to accommodate various fitness levels, including 5k, 10k, 15k, and the half marathon.

As runners took to the course, they were motivated not only by the competitive spirit but also by the prospect of indulging in Thanksgiving festivities post-race. Each participant, regardless of the distance covered, was rewarded with a finisher's medal and a goodie bag, adding to the festive atmosphere of the event."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"The holiday season has officially begun in Downtown Santa Monica, marked by a magnificent Tree Lighting Ceremony that took place on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the iconic Third Street Promenade. A multitude of eager onlookers gathered to witness the enchanting moment when Santa Claus himself lit up the city's holiday tree, ushering in a festive atmosphere that promises to bring joy and cheer to the community."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"The City of Santa Monica partnered with the U.S. Army to host a grand Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, which took place on the western half of the Santa Monica Pier parking deck. Marking its fourth year, the event was the largest yet, featuring a series of exciting performances, flyovers, and speeches from military and local elected officials. Open to the public, the ceremony drew a significant crowd, all gathered to honor veterans."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz


The 2nd Annual Skate n' Scare went down at the Venice Skatepark on Halloween afternoon.

This skate contest was hosted by Peter Ruiz of The Venice Pier Project and open to all ages. Prizes were supplied by Dogtown Skateboards and Naybor Hoodiez

These are just a few of the 100+ photos from this event. The links to the complete galleries of all the photos are down below.























You can find about 100 more photos from this event, all full size and in high-resolution, in these 2 photo galleries:

Skate N' Scare 2023 Photo Gallery #1
Skate N' Scare 2023 Photo Gallery #2


Video of the contest will be up soon...



The Westside Volkswagen Club's Halloween VW Show on Main Street, Santa Monica. Photos was shot by Six12 Media.






















You can find about 100 more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in this photo gallery:

Westside Volkswagen Club Halloween Car Show Photo Gallery


If you were out there, we probably got some cool surfing shots of you, go check them out!

Wanna see photos from previous automtive events from this photographer?
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