Tag: anniversary

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

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced that on Monday, December 8, they our encouraging members of the community to “gather in gratitude, reflection, and remembrance of all we’ve overcome together” as the one-year anniversary of the Franklin Fire approaches.

The event will be transpired at Malibu City Hall at 5:30 p.m. Individuals can attend in person or watch the meeting live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CityofMalibu/streams.

“The anniversary of the Franklin Fire is an opportunity to acknowledge the hardship our community has endured and lean into the strength that continues to carry us forward,” said Mayor Marianne Riggins. “We encourage residents to join us as we honor our past and look ahead to the future we are building together.”

Mayor Riggins and Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Silverstein will share brief remarks to begin the program. Santa Monica will present certificates to key partners who supported the fire response, including regional fire agencies, law enforcement, Arson Watch, the Fire Brigade, Volunteers on Patrol, and the City of Calabasas.

For more information and ongoing recovery updates, visit MalibuRebuilds.org. To learn more visit: https://conta.cc/48AYxbR.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica posted on its Facebook page that it will celebrating the two-year anniversary of the Marine Park Community Garden on Saturday, November 23.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Marine Park Community Garden located at 1406 Marine Street.

Participants can check out the garden, paint planters, watch a cooking demonstration, enjoy some light refreshments and much more. The event is free and open to all. Children and families are welcome.

The Public Landscape division will also be giving away a limited number of fruit and shade trees to Santa Monica residents. The tree giveaway will take place on a first come, first served basis and will conclude once all trees have been given away. Individuals must bring proof of residency if they will be participating.

By Trevor