W E S T S I D E
H A P P E N I N G S
Compiled by Kamala Kirk COURTESY OF THE BRAID
Thursday, April 8 Burton Chace Park Walking Club, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Get exercise while taking in the beautiful views of LA’s Marina at the waterfront Burton Chace Park. The club is free to join and meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays year-round at the park. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey
Saturday, April 10 Marina del Rey Farmers Market, 8 to 9 a.m. (seniors), 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (general public) This weekly outdoor event allows Westside residents to support local produce sellers and other vendors. Food from a wide variety of businesses is available for purchase. Masks are required and only 40 people are allowed to shop at any one time. Held in parking lot 11 at 14101 Panay Way. More information is available at beaches.lacounty.gov/ mdrfarmersmarket St. Mark Food Pantry, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In response to its community in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Mark Parish in Venice started an every-Saturday food pantry. Since October 2020, the St. Mark Food Pantry has helped over 11,000 people and distributed more than 82,000 pounds of food. They invite in-need families who are from Venice and surrounding neighborhoods to come pick up free produce and other food items. No registration needed. Drive-thru and walk-in options are available. Please wear a mask. St. Mark Church, 940 Coeur D’Alene Avenue, Venice
On April 11, The Braid (formerly Jewish Women’s Theatre) will host a special Zoom event where internationally acclaimed architects Bob Hale and Michael Lehrer will share stories about what inspires their work as Jewish architects. (entrance on Garfield Avenue). For more information, call the parish office at 310-821-5058 or email loavesandfishes@ stmarkvenice.com Sound Bath on the Beach, 11 a.m. to noon Come relax and experience the power of sound healing at the beach in Playa del Rey. Arrive 10 to 20 minutes early for parking and a short walk to the beach. Walk up 65th Avenue towards the water until you see the sound bath setup. Please wear a mask and dress comfortably. Bring a journal and pen, yoga mat or blanket, pillow and jacket in case it gets chilly. The sound bath will be led by Jennifer Franklin, a Los Angeles-based teacher, sound healer and breathwork facilitator. Cost is $24 per person (pre-sale) or $30 per person (day of). For more information and to purchase tickets, visit eventbrite. com/e/sound-bath-on-the-beachtickets-148757332185
Spring Refresh Event, noon to 5:30 p.m. Revamp your spring wardrobe with the newest arrivals at Lily Love Boutique for this special event. Enjoy COVID-19-safe refreshments, receive styling advice, and other surprises. Purchases of $75 and up will receive gift bags. 8125 B W. Manchester Avenue, Playa del Rey Live Virtual Group Tour: Preservation Resource Center, noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Santa Monica Conservancy’s highly rated docents lead guests through the last intact 1897 shotgun house in Santa Monica. Learn about life, history and architecture in Santa Monica in the early 1900s on the virtual tour. Tours are 45 minutes long and limited to four groups per tour. To learn more and sign up for a free tour, visit smc.givecloud.co/ prcvirtualtour COURTESY OF SANTA MONICA CONSERVANCY
From April 10 to April 21, architect and docent Mario Fonda-Bonardi will lead private virtual tours of the last intact shotgun house in Santa Monica.
Sunday, April 11 Santa Monica Main Street Farmers’ Market, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Shop for local fresh produce and prepared foods from local restaurants starting at 2640 Main Street. Guests can also enjoy musical entertainment from featured weekly bands, face painting, balloon designs and, at some points, a cooking demonstration with local produce. Mar Vista Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This vibrant, year-round market offers local produce, prepared foods, kids crafts and live events. Located at 12198 Venice Boulevard, at Grand View. For more information, visit marvistafarmersmarket.org Visionary Jewish Architects: A Conversation with LA’s Acclaimed Creators, 11 a.m. Internationally acclaimed architects Bob Hale and Michael Lehrer will share stories about what inspires their work as Jewish architects in a special Zoom event for The Braid (formerly Jewish Women’s Theatre). Moderated by Jodie Mendelson, the event will feature stories of how Judaism has inspired their legendary global projects and the innovative environmental structures they have created for the Los Angeles area. The program will include a short performance by one of The Braid’s most popular actors, plus architectural presentations and a Q&A with the audience. Participation is still complimentary and open to all, but it is recommended to consider purchasing a virtual ticket to support the work of The Braid. Virtual tickets cost $18. To sign up for tickets, visit the-braid.org
Venice Electric Light Parade, 6 p.m. Marcus Gladney created the Venice Electric Light Parade to bring together bike enthusiasts who love to light up their bikes and set out into the night along the beautiful Venice Beach boardwalk. The group meets every Sunday at sunset, at Windward Plaza on the boardwalk, down from the worldfamous Venice sign. Must have safety lights and wheel lights (not required to ride) will be available for purchase. As many as 100 people show up each Sunday night for a chance to join the community for a few hours of fun. Everyone welcome, all ages, all bikes. For more information, visit facebook.com/ veniceelectriclightparade
Monday, April 12 Westchester Elks Lodge Blood Drive, 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. Help others out by donating blood at this event, where donors will receive a choice of a couple for a free pint of Baskin-Robbins ice cream or a limited-edition T-shirt. All donors are required to wear a face mask. COVID-19 antibody testing is available for all blood donors. Bring a photo ID. For more information and to make an appointment, visit cedars-sinai.org/giveblood (group code: WELG) 8025 W. Manchester Avenue, Playa del Rey
Tuesday, April 13 Día Celebration with Author Mina Javaherbin, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Hosted by the Santa Monica Public Library, author Mina Javaherbin shares her book “Grandma and Me,” a true tale of a young girl in Iran and her grandmother that celebrates family traditions and neighborhood friendships. Attendees get a free book (while supplies last). For ages 3 and older. Access the virtual event at this link: bit.ly/smpldiamina
Send event information at least 10 days in advance to kkirk@ timespublications.com