By Lookout Staff
June 16, 2017 -- Music will be heard across Santa Monica next Wednesday when the bayside city celebrates the summer solstice, City officials said.
The performances sponsored by five neighborhood associations are part of Make Music Los Angeles (MMLA), a countywide celebration based on France's Fête de la Musique, a national musical holiday inaugurated in 1982.
It is the sixth year Santa Monica participates in the celebration, which is held on the same day in more than 800 cities in 110 countries.
In addition to the neighborhood events, MMLA welcomes pop-up music performances in parks, on sidewalks and at the beach, as long as they abide by the City’s Street Performance Ordinance.
"The goal of the day is for everyone to experience free live music or to make some of their own during Santa Monica’s celebration of MMLA," said officials from the City's Cultural Affairs Division.
Five neighborhood groups are partnering with MMLA Board Member and Santa Monica Arts Commissioner Phil Brock to "put together a musical smorgasbord in city parks and a host of other venues," officials said.
Following is the schedule for Santa Monica's celebration:
The Pico Neighborhood Association presents BLACK WAAT3R, Smolsky and Suns of Ra at Virginia Avenue Park from 5 to 8 p.m.
The North of Montana Neighborhood Coalition will host music in Reed Park between 5 and 8 p.m. featuring Per Se, Michelle Vreeland and Daniel Jimenez Afanador and Friends.
Ocean Park Association presents four bands of varying genres in Hotchkiss Park between 4 and 8 p.m. Groups include Kristen Center, Dogtown Originals, Bodybite and The Cheeseburgens.
Santa Monica Mid-City Neighbors will have bands from 4 to 8 p.m. at Colorado Center Park, including The Cheesebergens, TEE-M, Shiny Jackets and Wartime Recitals.
The Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition presents musical acts, Tops Tots, Stephen Longfellow Fiske, Rattlesnake Bluegrass and Wilde Hartmans in Palisades Park from 5 to 8 p.m.
In addition to the neighborhood performances, the Santa Monica Conservancy will feature music at the Shotgun House from 5 to 7p.m., including performances by Cameron Clarke, Jerry Rosenbloom and Diane Michelle.
The Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica will have music in Douglas Park from 5 to 8 p.m. including performances by Diane Michelle, Suns of Cali and others.
The Novel Café presents bands from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and includes the Half Measure Blues Band, TEE-M and Shiny Jackets.
Admission to all MMLA events is free. Visit the Make Music Los Angeles website at makemusicla.org and search for Santa Monica to see a complete listing of local events and details.
