SANTA MONICA—Downbeat 720 is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a new season on Tuesday, September 8. It is sponsored by Santa Monica’s Recreation and Arts Department.
Hosted by comedian Joe Hernandez-Kolski and beatboxer Joshua Silverstein, with music by DJ Jedi, Downbeat 720 is a free open mic night for high school students that takes place on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Miles Memorial Playhouse located at 1130 Lincoln Blvd. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the first performance at 7:20 p.m.
All performance-based genres are welcome, and no advance RSVP is required. Teens are welcome to perform or attend as audience members. Adults may attend when accompanying a teen performer.
The program invites high school students to perform their music, poetry, comedy or art for fellow participants and professional artist mentors. Performers receive feedback, helping to strengthen their skills and offering students a space for self-expression.
“Santa Monica is proud to celebrate 25 years of Downbeat 720 and the remarkable young artists who have made this program a creative home,” said Recreation and Arts Department Director Jenny Rogers. “By giving teens a welcoming stage to share their voices, build their skills and connect with professional artists, Downbeat 720 continues to strengthen our community through the power of the arts.”
Downbeat 720 was created by Justin Yoffe, Ameenah Kaplan, Joe Hernandez-Kolski and DJ Jedi in 2001. Professional artists that have been invited to perform for the students include Grammy award-winning musicians like Aloe Blacc, Raul Pacheco (Ozomatli), comedian Craig Robinson (“The Office”), Akil the MC (Jurassic 5), poet/actress Amber Tamblyn (“Joan of Arcadia”) and a host of HBO’s “Def Poetry.” Alumni of the program include singer/songwriter Jules Paymer and actor/singer Owen Thiele of Hulu’s “Adults.”
The program was held at the Miles Memorial Playhouse until 2020, when it moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned to in-person sessions at the Virginia Avenue Park Teen Center while the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Reed Park underwent revitalization. It returned to the Miles Memorial Playhouse in October 2025, a few months after the space reopened to the public during Santa Monica’s 2025 State of the City.
For more details, visit www.santamonica.gov/programs/downbeat-720.
By Danny Jones