By Lookout Staff

June 21, 2011 – It's the first day of summer, and in Santa Monica that means one thing – dancing on the Pier is about to begin.

Thursday, July 7 marks the kick-off of the 27th Annual Twilight Dance Series, ten free concerts on the deck next to Palisades Park featuring artists from around the world.

“We believe the 27th Annual Twilight Dance Series will be a fantastic concert production and will please the Santa Monica community and concert fans,” said Kent Smith, chair of the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation.

“Free summer concerts on the pier have become a cultulral and historical phenomena and we made a collective effort to deliver the quality and community experience that have come to define this cultural institution,” said Smith.

As always, a broad array of talent and styles will grace the stage, from reggae/ska to tango to blues to 80's pop, to name just a few.

The season will open with SaMo Mambo, featuring Grupo Fantasma –a Grammy-winning combo that fuses Latin dance music with Funk – and Oscar Hernandez and his LA Salsa Stars.

The following week, 80's all-girl rock sensation The Bangles will team up with Canadian folk singer-songwriter Caracol.

Australian rock musicians Missy Higgins and Kim Churchill will be presented July 21 by the Australian Consulate and Cotton on.

Reggae/Ska bands the Slackers and Star Pool, plus the finalists of Rusty's Surf Franch emerging artist competition, will round out the month of July.

August begins with a mystery presentation by the renowned Cirque du Soleil – TBA!

The month continues with ballroom dance music, surf guitar, tango – with dance lessons – and New Orleans funk and blues.

Three of the shows – the mambo, ballroom and tango sets – will include a dance floor so the ladies can flaunt their steps without worrying about getting a heel stuck between the rough timbers of the pier.

OneWest Bank joins sponsors that include the Australian Consulate, Cotton On, Cirque du Soleil, Bloomingdales and KCRW 89.9 FM.

“We are delighted with the business community's commitment to the Twilight Dance Series,” said Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom. “Their efforts help to preserve the cultural heritage of Santa Monica and, with their contributions, we will continue to enjoy free summer concerts at the pier.”

Concertgoers are encouraged to take the Big Blue Bus to the Twilight Dance Series. Parking will be available in the lot north of the pier at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway, however parking on the Santa Monica Pier deck will be closed. The City of Santa Monica will provide a free bike valet, stationed on the beach next to the bicycle path on the south side of the pier.

For more information about the Twilight Dance Series, see www.santamonicapier.org/twilight/