LA Art Space - A Shoppable Art & Music Festival

· Sunday, March 3.\, 2024
· Event Time: 10am - 5pm
·Event Location: 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica

50+ Visual Artists * Live Music * Free Art Workshops * Stage-Side VIP Lounge * Activities For Kids * FREE!

Join us at the LA Art Space - A Shoppable Art & Music Festival happening at the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA, USA. Get ready to immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of art and music!

Discover a wide range of artworks and crafts created by talented local artists. From paintings and sculptures to handmade jewelry and unique home decor, there's something for everyone.

As you explore the festival, let the live music performances set the perfect backdrop. Talented musicians will entertain you with their soulful tunes, creating an atmosphere that will make you want to dance and sing along.

Whether you're an art enthusiast, a music lover, or simply looking for a fun day out, the LA Art Space - A Shoppable Art & Music Festival is an event you don't want to miss. Mark your calendars and join us for a memorable experience!

PAINT : LAB POP-UP WORKSHOP
Unleash your inner artist with Paint: Lab! Explore your creativity with their FREE workshops all day long.


- Open Painting: Experiment with tempera & acrylics, texturizing tools, & unique surfaces!
- Giant Mural Collab: Team up with fellow artists on a massive 48x60 canvas!
- Speed Drawing Challenge: Sketch your best cat portraits from 3D Robotic Cat Models in minutes! ⏱️
- 2-3PM, Color Theory & Color Wheel: Master the basics in a fun, interactive workshop!
- 3-5PM, Drawing & Painting Workshops: Learn from experts in 2-hour sessions! ✏️ Step by Step Acrylic Paint Session
- Face Painting & Bubble Art: Express yourself & get a little messy with these hands on colorful creations! ✨

DOWNTOWN SANTA MONICA ~ LIVE MUSIC STAGE

12-1PM: The SYCONS. Solar Powered DJs, and alt energy, alt transport activists.

1-2PM: The Rufus Bordal Jazz Trio. A jazz trio made up of southside, Santa Monica locals.

2-3PM: One High Five. Alternative Punk Rock from Long Beach, CA.

3-4PM: "The Edler". Spinning a mix of classic R&B and Hip & Hop.

4-5PM: La Compañía Musica. Latin Band from Santa Monica - Past performances include Pier Locals' Night & 4th of July Parade.

And More!

For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

On Friday, March 1, 2024 the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location. DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk. Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.

SMPD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

City News Service reports, "Three suspects were in custody Tuesday following an early morning burglary spree in which at least six businesses were robbed in the Marina del Rey and Venice areas. Pacific Division officers from the Los Angeles Police Department officers were called at 1:20 a.m. to reports of a smashed window at the Ulta Beauty at 13455 Maxella Ave.



A good Samaritan told reporters he saw the break-in in progress at the Ulta store and approached the building, then caught one of the suspects trying to exit through a broken window. The man said he held the suspect until police arrived.

Multiple businesses were targeted in the area, including several at a shopping center in the 4200 block of South Lincoln Boulevard."

The Centinela Cafe, located about two miles away at 4800 Centinela Avenue in Del Rey, was also the victim of a burglary early Tuesday morning.

The business that were hit located in the Marina Center shopping plaza on Lincoln Boulevard include L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Rubio’s Coastal Grill, Nick the Greek, Juice Crafters and Starbucks.

Authorities do not believe the Marina Del Rey burglaries are connected with the Venice burglary, but they do believe that they may be connected to the Ulta Beauty and Centinela Cafe burglaries.

After intensive cleanup efforts and a thorough safety assessment, Malibu Canyon Road will reopen for the Monday morning rush at 7:00 am.

For more info on road closures & conditions, Click Here.

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will conduct a Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation with focused enforcement efforts on primary collision factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The Police Department identifies locations where pedestrian and bike collisions are prevalent, along with the violations that led to those collisions. Traffic officers will be on duty patrolling areas where bike and pedestrian traffic and collisions occur in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Officers will be looking for violations committed by drivers, bike riders and pedestrians alike that can lead to life changing injuries. These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

These extra enforcement efforts will take place on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car. Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.”

Pedestrians

· Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.

· Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.

· Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

· Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.

· Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

· Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.

· Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.

· Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

· Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.

· Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

· Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.

· If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.

· Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections. 

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.

A homeless man lit a fire under the Santa Monica Pier. SMPD was alerted and when they went under the pier to investigate, the man took off running. The officers put out the fire and gave chase. After running quite a distance south of the pier with officers on foot and in a police vehicle catching up to him, the man eventually stopped running and laid down in the sand to surrender.

As seen in the video, he had lit what appeared to be several items of clothing on fire under the old wooden pier.

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:

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From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Wednesday, February 14, Venice Healer Daisy recently presented a puppet show on the Venice Beach Boardwalk that captured the hearts of onlookers. Through the narrative of her show, she conveyed a powerful message about possession, forgiveness, and the strength of community.

The performance began with a puppet discovering a golden jewel, which led to a brief conflict when its original owner appeared. However, the situation quickly resolved with an apology and a lesson in trust and friendship. The puppets discussed the difficulties of living outdoors and the need for supportive relationships to create safety and strength in numbers.

The show took a turn when it depicted the struggles faced by the homeless community, particularly the disruption caused by city actions, such as the removal of their belongings. Daisy's puppets rallied together, emphasizing unity and the importance of being part of a tribe to face the challenges of displacement and enforcement.

In a whimsical twist, Daisy introduced a character based on Sergeant McAdams, using humor to address the tensions between the homeless community and local authorities. The 'Superhero Squad' was called to remind everyone, including the officer, of the inherent love and worth in all individuals.

Daisy's performance ended on a high note, promoting the concept of her tribe and extending an open invitation to the audience to join in solidarity. Her puppet show not only entertained but also offered a glimpse into her philosophy of love, community, and social advocacy. "

Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

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