Andy Grammer Returns to the Promenade for Winterlit

As of September 1, 2011, ALL 1,875 retail establishments are prohibited from providing light-weight, single-use plastic carryout bags to customers at the point of sale. MORE

By Gene Williams
Lookout Staff

November 7, 2011 -- It’ll be a heart-felt homecoming for recording artist Andy Grammer when he returns to Third Street Promenade as the headliner for this year’s Winterlit Holiday Concert Celebration.

Just a year ago, Grammer — whose eponymous debut album hit #1 on Billboard's Heatseeker chart — was a street performer playing for dollars on the Promenade. His song "The Biggest Man in LA" chronicles his days as a busker on the bustling strip.

Since being discovered, Grammer has dueted with Taylor Swift, toured with Colbie Callait and Natasha Bedingfield, and appeared on LIVE! With Regis and Kelly, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Rachael Ray and more. His “brilliant” (Wall Street Journal) smash hit single “Keep Your Head Up” has cracked the Top 25 at Top 40 radio, the Top 5 on the VH1 Video Countdown, and is approaching gold sales.

“Downtown Santa Monica is so excited to have Andy Grammer headline our Winterlit Concert,” says Ashley Walkley, senior marketing and communications manager for DTSM.

“His story showcases the real life of street performers trying to make a name for themselves and how the Promenade can serve as a venue for top performing talent. Giving him the main stage this year just made sense, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Opening for Grammer will be singer/songwriter Savannah Outen, who was discovered on Youtube and now has over 75 million views, as well as five songs on Radio Disney that have made the Top 30 Countdown.

Grammer’s performance Saturday, November 26 during the Downtown Santa Monica Winterlit Holiday Celebration and Concert is the highlight of what has become a holiday tradition in the beachside city.

Soon the familiar glittering lights and festive Winterlit décor will return for another season of winter wonder.

ICE at Santa Monica will return, celebrating its 5th Anniversary as a community tradition in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica. The 8,000-square-foot rink will return to the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue and transform into frozen fun for the entire family!

As always, Winterlit hosts family-friendly fun and local celebrations to ensure holiday shoppers will make Downtown Santa Monica their first choice.

While Downtown Santa Monica officials are still working out the details of this year’s program, several important dates are already on the calendar:

Tuesday, November 15: ICE Grand Opening Community Celebration

Join Santa Monica dignitaries and civic leaders for the official kick off of the ice rink’s fifth season.

The evening ceremony will feature celebrity guests and world-class skating exhibitions, after which the public is invited to a session of free skating, while a DJ cranks out tunes into the night.

ICE will be open from November 11 through January 16. Admission including skate rental is just $12.

Days and hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 2 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A tradition and the anchor attraction of Downtown’s annual Winterlit program, ICE has become known throughout the region as a healthy and inexpensive form of holiday recreation. The venue is also known for its unique birthday parties, corporate events and private parties throughout the holiday season and offers packages for groups between 15 and 300. Reservations are already being accepted for the season, so book early.

Each year, the rink typically draws some 30,000 skaters and their family and friends to the area. Downtown officials are expecting big numbers again this season.

For more information on ICE at Santa Monica, visit iceatsantamonica.com

Saturday, November 19: Santa Monica Place and Downtown Santa Monica Tree Lighting

After missing several recent Winterlits for reconstruction, the new, improved Santa Monica Place is going to be an invaluable addition to the district this holiday season.
So it’s only fitting that the center is set to play a large part in a festive evening filled with live entertainment, snow, giveaways and more.

The evening will boast a tree-lighting ceremony at dusk, starting at Downtown’s large holiday tree at Wilshire Boulevard. The festivities will then travel to the opposite end of the Promenade and conclude at Santa Monica Place. This great family event will celebrate Santa’s arrival.

Visit winterlit.com for an up-to-date listing of events.