TEDxSantaMonica: Hope


Theme: Hope
Date: Thursday, November 17th, 2011
Time: 6pm-9pm
Venue: TAG Gallery Bergamot Station, Santa Monica
Tickets

Join TEDxSantaMonica for a night of inspiring talks as we celebrate the theme of Hope, just in time for the holidays.

Cocktails and mingling begins at 6pm with the program commencing at 6:45pm-8:30pm. Please take advantage of the pre and post-event networking time to meet new people, discuss theme topics or reunite with friends.

Confirmed Speakers

Steve Glenn, Founder and CEO of Living Homes, LLC.
Before Living Homes, Glenn worked as with the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) and managed the development of their first $220 million program in Mozambique.  He is founder and former Chairman and CEO of PeopleLink, a leading provider of enterprise community solutions, which raised $35 million from AT&T Ventures and others, and was also a founding partner of idealab, a business incubation firm that raised $1 billion and that founded or invested in a number of successful companies. Read more about Steve.

Dorian Cheah, Electric Violinist
Dorian’s journey in music began with violin lessons at the very early age of 2 1/2.  By age 5 he was performing regularly in and around his hometown, Pittsburgh, PA.  When he was 13, he and his family moved to the New York area and he continued his musical studies at The Juilliard School.

Since arriving in Los Angeles, in addition to his work as a solo artist, he has composed scores to several short and feature films and has had thousands of music placements in films and major network television shows.  Last year his critically acclaimed score to “Am Limit”, helmed by Oscar winning director Pepe Danquart, helped this German feature documentary to win the Bavarian Film Prize.  Dorian has toured and/or recorded with many major label acts, from world/electronic music pioneer Karsh Kale to Rockstar:INXS finalist MiG, to Celine Dion, En Vogue, Hayley Westenra, and more.

Dorian has released 2 solo albums, including “Ara”, produced by Bill Laswell.  This instrumental work features collaborations with Zakir Hussain, Bernie Worrell, Karsh Kale, and others.

Ally Hamilton, Owner of Yogis Anonymous Yoga Studio and founder of Karma Club
Ally began practicing yoga during her senior year at Columbia University.  During the course of her 20 years of practice and 15 years of teaching, she has studied with Dharma Mittra, Bryan Kest (at whose studio she taught for over 5 years), Jörgen Christiansson, with whom she began practicing Ashtanga in 2001 and later assisted, Baron Baptiste, Max Strom, and Saul David Raye.  In September 2009, with the help of her partner Dorian Cheah, she opened her own yoga studio in Santa Monica, Yogis Anonymous, and has built a vibrant community around some of the best teaching talent in Southern California.  She has also pioneered the use of technology in yoga with a first-of-its-kind yoga video website (http://yogisanonymous.com/live) which provides live-streaming and on-demand yoga videos featuring top yoga instructors from around the world.  Off the mat, you’ll most likely find Ally chasing after her 5 year old son and 2 year old daughter.

TEDxSantaMonica is operated under a license from TED to bring TED-like events to the Santa Monica community. In compliance with TED guidelines, the goal is to create a forum for community members to gather, mingle, network, discuss, inspire and promote change. By purchasing a ticket and attending a TEDxSantaMonica event, you are agreeing to this statement:

“I understand that those who attend TEDx events do so in a spirit of curiosity, open-mindedness, respect and tolerance, thereby enabling constructive conversation and allowing guests and TEDx speakers to be more open than they might otherwise be. I confirm that I will honor these values.”

TEDxSantaMonica cannot include participants who fail to uphold this policy of openness, tolerance and support.

 

Venue: TAG Gallery, Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan Avenue D3
Santa Monica, CA 9040

Buy Local T-Shirts are Here!


Buy Local Santa Monica t-shirts are here! Thanks to the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau we can now offer the newly designed Buy Local tee shirts for men and women.

The shirts are great quality, incredibly comfortable and make great stocking stuffers! Show your support for Santa Monica and Buy Local with a new shirt! And best yet, 4% of your purchase will be donated to Santa Monica public schools via the Education Foundation.

The shirts are $12 and can be purchased here and picked up at the CVB’s store near the corner of Main and Pico. (1920 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90405)

Sizes Available
Women: S, M, L
Men: S, M, L, XL, 2XL

*The shirts tend to run a little small and are a 65% polyester, 35% cotton blend.

Buy Now

Women's Front

Halloween Hop on Montana Avenue

Photo Credit: Dean M.


4th Annual Halloween Hop Santa Monica
Monday, October 31st, 2011
3-6pm
Montana Ave. Santa Monica
Visit Site

Kids of all ages will enjoy trick-or-treating all along Montana Avenue, plus all kinds of fun, spooky activities for kids including face painting, temporary tattoos, fortune telling, and of course lots of candy!

Dozens of stores will also showcase special Halloween artwork in their windows created by local kids. A list of last year’s participating merchants can be found here.

Also, don’t miss the Pet Parade and Costume Contest on the 30th. Details here.

Halloween Party at Wokano Santa Monica

Outdoor Patio at Wokano Santa Monica


Private Halloween Party at Wokano
Friday, October 28, 2011
9pm – 2am
1413 5th St. Santa Monica
Visit Site | Buy Tickets

Join Three Day Rule, Every Other Week (EOW) and Lets Do for the Westside’s premier private Halloween party this Friday at Wokano. Party on the gorgeous outdoor courtyard patio and dance floor, wear your favorite costume, and drink, dance, and celebrate! Tickets start at $15.

What’s Included
Best outdoor venue in Santa Monica
Live DJ all night
Complimentary appetizers from 9-10:30pm
450 person capacity
Raffle ticket

Bottle service is available. Call Wokano for details: (310) 458-3080

Dog Parade and Costume Contest


2nd Annual Pet Parade and Halloween Contest
Sunday, October 30, 2011
1pm – 4pm
Montana Ave. between 6th and 17th in Santa Monica
Visit Site

Strut your mutt in the 2nd annual parade and costume contest. Judging stations will be set up along Montana Avenue between 6th and 17th and each category has at least $250 worth of prizes!

Categories:
Most Original
Best Couple
Funniest
‘Beachiest’

Prizes will be awarded at 4:30pm on 14th and Montana, next to the Whole Foods parking lot.

Registration is $5 per pet and can be done at To Wag For (1123 Montana Santa Monica, CA)

Proceeds and donations will go to Unleash the Beach to ‘get the right experts and legal battles fought so we can have a fun and legal dog beach right here in Santa Monica!’ according to To Wag For.

RAW: Santa Monica presents Pulse


RAW: Santa Monica presents Pulse

Thursday, October 27th, 2011
8:00pm
Venue: V Lounge | 2020 Wilshire Blvd. | Santa Monica, CA 90403
21+ event. Cocktail attire.
Visit Site | Tickets are $10 via pre-sale

RAW: Santa Monica is back again for another showcase of some of Santa Monica’s best and most creative independent artists! If you haven’t made it out to the V Lounge yet, we recommend you do.

What is RAW?
RAW: natural-born artists is an independent arts organization that hand-selects and spotlights independent creatives in visual art, film, fashion, music, hair & makeup artistry, photography, models and performing art.

RAW’s mission is to provide up-and-coming artists of all creative realms with the tools, resources and exposure needed to inspire and cultivate creativity so that they might be seen, heard and loved. RAW educates, connects and exposes emerging artists in 22 artistic communities nationwide through monthly showcase events. Join us in celebrating the work of these artists.

What can you expect?
RAW events are multifaceted artistic showcases. Each event features a film screening, musical performance, fashion show, art gallery, performance art and a featured hairstylist and makeup artist. These artists are all local, hand-picked talent who have been chosen to feature at RAW.

RAW events feature a cash bar for cocktails while you enjoy the night. Dress code is cocktail attire, so dress the occasion and get ready for an artistic circus of creativity!

View the Featured Line-Up of Artists

Founder, Heidi Luerra speaks on RAW’s mission

More Info / Tickets

2020 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403


$5 for All The Pumpkins You Can Carry

Photo Credit: Mike M.


All You Can Carry Pumpkin Patch
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
8:30am – 11:30am
Santa Monica Farmer’s Market

Just in time for Halloween – join the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market next Wednesday at the intersection of Arizona & 2nd Street for the All You Can Carry Pumpkin patch!

For a mere $5 you can wade into the huge market pumpkin patch and walk away with as many pumpkins as you can carry down a 25-foot runway. Balance them on your head, in your arms or dangle them from your teeth (at your own risk). Who has more fun – onlookers or participants – it’s hard to tell, but everyone is sure to have a wonderful time at the patch, which features the most beautiful, round, bright orange, California grown pumpkins you can find. Costumes welcome!

Dia De Los Muertos in Santa Monica

Photo Credit: Jennifer J.


Dia De Los Muertos Exhibit
Saturday, October 29
1pm – 5pm [1:30pm altar dedication]
Free and Open to the Public
Edison Language Academy
2425 Kansas Ave. Santa Monica

Edison Language Academy will hold its Annual Festival de Otoño and Dia De Los Muertos gallery in Santa Monica, CA. The school is also celebrating its 25th Anniversary as a dual-immersion school. The event combines art, theatre, music, food, poetry, games and a multi-cultural celebration of the season. The event, which attracts over 1,500 current, past and future students and community members, features the largest Day of the Dead Exhibit on the Westside, a creative collaboration of altars by Edison students, teachers and parents in the Mexican and Central American tradition of remembering deceased loved ones. Live music, karaoke, authentic Mexican food, children’s entertainment, haunted house, rock climbing and arts and crafts make it a one-of-a-kind event for the entire family.

The event features cultural traditions designed to commemorate those who have passed away, including a series of alfombras, beautiful displays made of dust, flowers and other native materials that are traditionally designed and prepared on the streets of villages and towns in many countries in Latin America.

A carnival of games, art-and-crafts, plus hot Latin and dance tunes from DJ Alex Reyes and live music will provide entertainment for kids and grown-ups alike. Authentic tamales and pozole made by parents, as well as homemade baked goods, will be for sale. Prices for food and games range from $1 to $5.

Photo Credit: Vic

Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos at Lula’s on Main
Monday, October 31 – Saturday, November 5, 2011
7:30pm – 9:30pm
Lula Cocina Mexicana
2720 Main St. Santa Monica

Lula observes Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) every year and invites you to join their celebrations ~ enjoy free tequila tastes, treats, their beautiful Dia de los Muertos altar, and 6 days of mole!

Reservations recommended!
(310) 392-5711 | info@lulacocinamexicana.com

Now Open: Zouk Los Angeles

Zouk is the tale of two sisters… having only the best of times. Jenny Best and Katharina Tagliaferro, two Swedes with purpose and pizzazz, have always loved traveling together to far off places. Based in Los Angeles, and Australia, respectively, Jenny and Katharina’s love for travel, artistry, and charitable pursuits inspired them to open their truly unique new boutique, Zouk Los Angeles.

Zouk can, of course, be found on Montana Ave., Santa Monica’s Mecca of the marvelous and unusual. The store itself is almost like a portal or a magic wardrobe that transports you to exotic lands filled to the brim with the finest goods from each corner of the world…  Moroccan candles, Turkish towels, Indian pillows, Peruvian alpaca wools, Portuguese ceramics, Thai ice buckets, Swedish jewelry and art… And that’s just a fraction of the bevy of goods found at Zouk. Vintage wares abound, as well as revamped and recycled fabrics, mirrors, and Persian rugs. Plus the shelves of the spacious store are made with re-purposed scaffolding planks. So cool.

Everything in the store is a one-of-a kind gift for someone special. It’s your choice if you tell the recipient you just got back from a trip to Thailand, or clue them in on your new find in sunny Santa Monica. I vote the latter, of course, because it’d be good karma to share this place.

The best part of Zouk, however, is charity. For every item that you purchase, Zouk will donate 3% of the selling price to a charity of your choice. Inspired by international, national, or local causes? Zouk has it all on its charity list—Green Peace, World Food Program, Heal the Bay, and Ocean Park Community Center—beautifully inscribed on the enormous chalkboard above the register. Chic and philanthropic.

Here’s the thing about Zouk—I want to live there. Seriously, I want to bring my laptop and lounge the day away on their lush couches and cushions with imported pillows, in one of their baby-soft bathrobes. With portraits and fabulous artwork adorning the walls, and cases of fantastic ethno-awesome jewelry… what more could you ask?

So next time you find yourself meandering along Montana and you wander into Zouk, and you see a funny brunette girl smelling the bath salts on the coffee table, and reading Luxe Guide books about Singapore and Indonesia—that’d be me. I’m a fan.

View More Pictures

Zouk Los Angeles
(310) 260-1230
1311 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403

About the Author, Annie
Annie is a recording artist/writer who delights in personal alchemy, whimsy, & quantum physics. She can often be found drinking tea, eating cake, or changing the world. She blogs about the delicacies of daily life in the city of angels at www.cityofannie.com

All pictures taken by Buy Local Market photographer, Da Xu.

Halloween Pub Crawl in Santa Monica


Halloween Pub Crawl in Santa Monica
2 Days: Saturday, October 29, 2011 3pm – 11pm
Monday, October 31, 2011 5pm – 10pm
Check-in at O’Brien’s (2941 Main St. Santa Monica)
21+ Only
Visit Site | Buy Tickets

Come dressed in your Halloween best and get ready to party. This terrifyingly fun pub crawl through Santa Monica takes place over two days and features eight different locations. During select hours, participating venues will offer drink specials, including $3 beers, $4 mixed drinks and $5 shots. The crawl begins at O’Brien’s Irish Pub, where pub crawlers will check in, get their map and all the necessary gear. Then it’s off to visit Santa Monica’s best bars. The pub crawl’s after-party details will be revealed upon check in. Your ticket gets you admission to all of the participating bars.

The Details:
2 Days
8 Locations

$3 Draft Beers
$4 Mixers
$5 Shots

Still looking for a costume?
Check out Make Believe (3240 Pico Blvd. Next to Trader Joe’s)