Pick of the Week is St Patty's and The Venice Art Crawl...Party the Whole Day & Night!!!

My Pick of the Week is Thursday March 17^th. The whole day! Say What? It’s St Patty’s Day AND The Venice Art Crawl! What’s a girl to do, but party away the night? That’s right my pick is the whole day and night. Hey, I’m Irish, I have to party, and being from NYC I’ve grown accustomed to the party starting early, like noon.

I say this month we combine both events, St Patty’s and The Venice Art Crawl. If you have not yet heard about the Crawl, it’s a monthly event that continues every third Thursday of each month in Venice. It runs from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm sometimes later. All kinds of galleries, restaurants and stores will stay open late and display local artists an music too.….yes you will bump into some right on the sidewalks too! So come on out…come on, it’s St Patty’s Day!

At this art Crawl, I would like to feature a very special artist Brooke Harker, who will be having a solo show called Bicycle Paintings, at The Water Gallery 18 N. Venice Blvd., right off Speedway, curated by Leila Levi.  You may want to start here, it will be a fun party. Here is some info about Brooke    ”The Colors of Brooke Harker”

The first thing you notice is vibrant color, incredibly vivid colorful images. A smile comes to your face, the energy practically leaps off the canvas. Brooke Harker has been painting since she was a child, In fact she began her training at seven years old in University art classes, right alongside her Mom’s easel…silently watching, taking it all in.

Harker was raised in Iowa, where she first started painting and continued to pursue her passion. Early in her career she was offered the chance to work with children. At that point, she realized, this too was a passion for her and decided to combine the two. Brooke has worked extensively with children from all over the world such as Japan, China, Italy, Germany as well as the United States.

In fact, Brooke Harker’s paintings were recently featured as part of Global Art Exhibit. A non profit helping kids in need in underdeveloped regions of Tibet T.A.R. China, Cambodia, Thailand and Southern India. A portion of the proceeds from this show went to helping children in a Tibetan school and orphanage.

This past year, two of Brooke’s pieces were featured on Fox’s hit TV show “Hell’s Kitchen”. Her work has been featured in many exhibits at noteworthy establishments, such as VOCA Gallery in Venice, Altered Esthetics in Minneapolis, Fritto Misto in Santa Monica, Stanley's in Sherman Oaks, Catalyst U, The Eclectic in Noho, Sponto Gallery, NOHO Gallery LA,Noho Art Scene, M Street, Bourgeois Pig and select pieces in the Beverly Hills Affaire in the Gardens.

You can see Brooke Harker’s work in her solo show entitled Bicycle Paintings in this month’s (March) Venice Art Crawl at The Water Gallery located at 18 North Venice, right off Speedway, by the beach. Harker’s fascination with bicycles began when she lived in Beijing. Mesmerized, not only by the crazy variety, but also the amazing amount of cyclists on one street, she spent that summer snapping photos, then creating an entire exhibition based on her love for bicycles. The opening reception for Bicycle Paintings will be held from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. Enjoy refreshments, snacks and wine.

To see more of Brooke’s work go to http://www.brookeharker.com/.

Wednesday, March 16^th

Don’t forget, The Santa Monica Place Mall offers the “Movies on the Deck” series. Tonight’s movie is The Godfather (great movie) and once again will be held on the rooftop at The Santa Monica Place Mall... This will be happening every Wednesday. Movies start at 7pm and yes it’s FREE, but come early if you want to grab a great seat. And bundle up, its outdoors, or bring your honey for warmth. There are heaters on the deck. You're welcome to bring blankets or your own chairs, but there will also be seating there. This free event and runs from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm http://www.santamonicaplace.com/events/event.aspx?eid=29207

The Venice Street Legends play every Wednesday from 5:00 pm till 10:00 pm at the Venice Bistro (323 Ocean Front Walk in Venice, 90291. These guys know how to rock out. Happy hour specials available. No cover charge

And don’t forget….Every Wednesday, Join deyermond art + books, 2801 Main Street, in Santa Monica, for an evening of spoken word, music, song and dance. 8:00-11:00 PM. www.deyermondbooks.com. Check out their site for Thursday Scrabble night too. They always put on fun events. Refreshments served.

Thursday, March 17th

The Pick of the Week is The Venice Art Crawl time. But OH NO….it’s also St Patty’s Day Too! Wow that means you HAVE to party!!! What else can you do?  Now which way you start is up to you. The Water Gallery (18 N. Venice) is having a very special reception for Brooke Harker. However the list runs north to south….but you can always go the other way.

Most events run from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. However some go later.

Stop off at Figtree’s for some tasty appetizers on happy hour such as Empanadas and Potato Latkes for as little as $3.50 and Quiche for $4.00. The bar will be open with drink specials and also complimentary appetizers will be served. Yippee!

Enjoy live music at Figtree’s Café with Dustin Louis Blank and Friends.  Some local talent will be showing,  Grant Buckerfield (image below, entitled Redheads) and Barbara Mastej (image to left, entitled The Veneer of Venice), as well as Belgian painter Alain Leroy.

Figtree’s Café is known for their healthy delicious food, located right on the Venice boardwalk 429 Ocean Front Walk Venice, at Paloma Ave, two blocks south of Rose. Figtree’s has been voted the best restaurant on the boardwalk since 1978. 310 392-4937; http://www.figtreescafe.com/;  

For more info about the artists, go to http://www.grantbuckerfield.com/; http://barbaraofvenice.com/.

Just in case you have not heard, The Venice Art Crawl is a monthly event that continues every third Thursday of each month in Venice. Make sure to stop into the Venice Ale House, (2 Rose Ave on the Venice Boardwalk) where the famous artist and sculptor Attaway will be featured. The Venice Ale House offers a happy hour from 6:00 pm till 7:00 pm with $3.00 beers and sliders.

Also the Cadillac Hotel has a lovely show in the lobby featuring artist MB Boissonnault. (image to left)The Cadillac Hotel is located at 8 Dudley Ave. right off the Venice Boardwalk. www.mbboissonnault.com. http://www.thecadillachotel.com/.

You’ll want to stop by Treeman’s place, where he always has something fun going on. I heard he's got the big screen up and he is showing the movie Kung Fu Panda. (South of Dudley, right next to the Venice Bistro).

Venice Breeze Suites located at 2 Breeze Ave will be showing work by Cynthia Rogers as well as Jake Kale (image to right) Appetizers and wine will be served.

Clubhouse Ave will be hosting an art event with music, videos and art installation from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm on Clubhouse between Speedway and the Boardwalk

You’ll want to pop by this Pop up Gallery at Jay's Rentals, at 1501 Ocean Front Walk with work by Sara Amanda Jones.

Make sure to stop by that fabulous building with the gargoyles at 20 Westminster where Brian Mylius shows his oil paintings on canvas and wood.

Then keep heading south and look for the laser light show at Ocean Blue (1313 Ocean Front Walk), a very fun store that sells jewelry, gems, candles and all kinds of neat trinkets. Ocean Blue will be open and offering snacks, refreshments and live entertainment with The Venice Street Legends.

There you will see, The Sidewalk Café, who is also participating, not only with the Art Crawl, with their “Art Lounge” with drink specials but also because it’s St Patty’s day. See below for moe info under St Patty's Day happenings. 310 399-5547;

Small World Books, right next store at 1407 Ocean Front Walk will be featuring the exhibit "Survivors' Truths: Trying to be all right in Liberia.” Photography is by Christopher Herwig as he documents the accounts of Liberians' wartime experiences, focusing on the knowledge, capacity, courage and connections that allowed them to survive. Please visit their website to learn more information about the nonprofit organization behind this exhibit.

Survivors' Truths www.survivorstruths.org; Christopher Herwig, www.herwigphotography.com;  (310) 399-2360  http://smallworldbooks.com/.

Continue on the boardwalk towards Venice Blvd, passing Maui & Sons at 1415 OFW, between Horizon/Market has an opening featuring photographer, Ray Rae and further north, you’ll see some pop up galleries such as Schulzies.

And don’t forget, The Water Gallery curated by Leila Levi which will be featuring Brooke Harker’s Bicycle Paintings show.  Snacks, refreshments and wine will be served.. 18 North Venice, off Speedway.  
http://www.leilalevi.com/; http://www.brookeharker.com/;

You have to stop in at James Beach at 60 North Venice and the Canal Club (there’s a back room always happening) right up the street. Good bathrooms here and Canal Club has an all night sushi Happy hour too.


Now you won’t want to miss this one. My good friend Sunny Bak,
who happens to be an amazing photographer is celebrating the life of her dog with this exhibit entitled, "My Dead Dog, An Irish Wake for Louisiana the Bayou Dog" and "Danger Dogs" held at 2214 Pacific Ave. just south of N. Venice Blvd. What a great way to celebrate Lou’s life, she was a great dog. Sunny has some fun tours lined up as well as a free shot of whiskey and some Irish Music. Yeah!

Art by Sunny Bak, Rick Duncan, Bobbi Bennett, Franklin Aqualina, Natalie Oei, Serafin Boitel, Holly Sarre, Christina Minna, Lizzi Ruch and more! Also "Danger Dogs" features works by artists from Nepal curated by Michelle Page. Event runs from 6:00 pm till 10:00 pm.

Hotel Erwin will be showing the work of Grant Buckerfield in the driveway. Also there is always something going on upstairs, check with the front desk.

There are some great Art Crawl events with food and drink specials happening at Hama Sushi located at 213 Windward Ave Hey, Sushi always works for me! This month Hama is showing Katherine Wilkes. (Image to left) Stop in Danny’s Venice at 23 Windward, featuring artist Brett Woods, and across the street check out the Townhouse featuring artwork by Mago with Latin Division djs, plus live t-shirt screenprinting by Hit + Run. Event runs from 6:00 pm till 11:00 pm. Now The Townhouse is celebrating St Patty’s Day too. See below for more info.

Maps will be available at most of the participating galleries/venues. Check out the website at http://www.veniceartcrawl.com/.



Lots more events happening around town for St Patrick's Day

The Townhouse celebrates St. Patty’s Day with drink specials, Irish Stew and commemorative T-shirts by Hit+Run. Bar opens at 3pm….Then, in the basement, Live Performance by The Lions, the Del monte Speakeasies Burlesque Show, plus dj sets by Carlos Nino & Friends. There is a chare of $7.00 for the downstairs entertainment. 9pm – 2am.

Danny’s right across the street will be celebrating as well (23 Windward) Stop in for a beer….Check out Nikki’s too at 72 Market St.


Or you can head to The Sidewalk Cafe (1407 Ocean Front Walk) where you can have your corned beef and cabbage for $10.95 with no mess in the kitchen. Drink specials include: Colveritas, Leprechaun Lemonade and Irish Coffee, all for $5.00 each and lots more. 310 392-4040.

Brennan's Pub always has a big bash at St Patty’s….they open at 7:00…I’m talking AM for breakfast get your hash and eggs and start the party rolling ….This way you don’t have to pay the cover. Come dink some GREEN beer and hear 5 bands playing such as Dazed and Confused, The Mandrakes and more. It’s $7.00 after 2:00 pm. A really fun place though, if you are looking for a good party. They will be serving Corned Beef and Cabbage….Sandwiches and Irish Stew too….Yum!  Brennan's Pub is located at 4089 Lincoln Boulevard, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 (310) 821-6622. http://brennanspub-la.com/.

Sonny McLeans (2615 Wilshire Blvd. 90403) is having their St Patrick’s Day pub party and it starts early with breakfast specials, Banger, Bacon, Potatoes, Eggs, Fried Tomato and toast. All day fun with 6 bands, who start at 11:00 am. More lunch and dinner specials too such as Corned Beef and Cabbage, Shepherd’s pie made with Guinness…wow, Bangers and mash, and Irish stew made with more Guinness….yum!  There will be a cover to get in after 4:00 pm ($5.00 -$10.00);

http://www.sonnymcleans.com/;

The Band, Hot Minute will be playing at El Texate at 316 Pico in Santa Monica, 90405, on St Patrick's day from 9pm-1:30am and then every Thursday in March. They do have drink specials…no corned beef, but great Mexican for all you people who don’t like Irish food. I heard they make a mean margarita!  http://www.eltexate.com/.

If you prefer to stay by the Beach, Hinano’s Bar (13 Washington Blvd. right off the beach/Speedway) will be open with NO Cover and is serving Corned Beef and Cabbage….it will be packed though….but hey you never know, you could meet your next husband or wife there, though they may be toothless…..just kidding! I hang there all the time, Great Burgers!  310 822-3902;

Yes I am making a big deal out of the cuisine of St Patrick’s Day, cause when I first moved to LA, I could not find any corned beef and cabbage on St. Patty’s Day….What the heck?

Call a taxi 323 653-5050 or 1800 521-8294. If you drop your phone in the toilet, don’t worry, most bars can call you a cab too!

Friday, March 18^th

G2 is one of my favorite galleries here in Venice. An environmentally conscious gallery, G2 always chooses to features exhibitions with a cause.

G2 Gallery presents a documentary screening of “Tipping Point: The Age of the Oil Sands", narrated by Sigourney Weaver featuring the stunning work of

photographer Garth Lenz. (see image) This documentary is presented in conjunction with Garth Lenz’s latest exhibit, Boreal Future: Our Last Great Forest and the Threat of the Tar Sands from 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm which focuses on the Canadian Boreal Forest. This ecosystem is now under threat by the development of the Alberta Tar Sands, the largest oil reserves outside of Saudi Arabia.

Venice MoZaic hosts their 4th annual Ceser Chavez Birthday Celebration The Talking Stick Coffee Lounge 1411 Lincoln Blvd Venice 90291 from 7pm on. East LA Spoken Word Artist "The Busstop Prophet", who is truly one of the best Poets of this generation, being featured. He is bringing some of his "compadres", such as Poetess Janet Gonzalez. We will be honoring this great Californian civil rights leader and animal activist our usual way with Art, Music, Poetry, Comedy, Video, and Dance. This is a FREE event.

Bleicher/Golightly Gallery (1431 Ocean Ave in SM) is having an opening reception for a group show entitled “Auction by the Sea” from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. 310 878-2784; http://bgartdealings.com;

Steve Turner Contemporary, located at 6026 Wilshire Blvd, just east of Fairfax, 90036, presents Pablo Rasgado “Wall to Wall”. Reception will be held from 7:00 pm till 9:00 pm. 323 931-3721; http://steveturnercontemporary.com; 

Saturday, March 19^th

Well tonight is the night to head on over to Bergamot Station at 2525 Michigan Ave in Santa Monica. It sure has a lot going on tonight.

Lora Schlesinger Gallery (T-3) is proud to present "Said What?", a new series of paintings by Laura Karetzky. The East Gallery will host a group show featuring small paintings by Robert Ginder, Kimberly Merrill, Christopher Murphy, Cynthia Sitton and Ron Rizk. The Opening reception is from 5-7 pm. www.loraschlesinger.com or call 310 828-1133.

Here are some more earlier event from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm is “Living with Art” Exhibition at the Ruth Bachofner Gallery (G-2). Also featured will be Mariiangeles Solo-Diaz and Azadeh Shladovsky; 310 829 3300; http://www.ruthbachofnergallery.com.

Rosamund Felsen Gallery (B-4) showing works by Steven Hull from 5-7 (reception). 310 828-8488; http://www.rosamundfelsen.com.

Frank Llody Gallery (B-5B) is featuring Gustavo Perez. Opening reception runs from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm 310 264 3866;  http://www.franklloyd.com.

The Rose Gallery shows it’s latest exhibit of Hand Painted Portraits from Northeastern Brazil by Retratos Pintados. Opening reception is from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm. 310.264.8440  http://www.rosegallery.net/.

William Turner Gallery is pleased to present Suzan Woodruff's series of new paintings entitled "Luminous Matters," her fourth solo exhibition at the gallery. Woodruff's abstract works have always been compelling and beautiful but in this extraordinary new body of work, The Opening reception runs from 6:30pm  to 8:30pm at William Turner E-1 at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave, E-1,90404; 310.453.0909; www.williamturnergallery.com

And for your final stop at Bergamot, check out, Copro Gallery (T-5) will be featuring a group show called Dystopia, with artists Annie Owens (see image) and Candice Tripp. This one runs from 8:00 pm till 11:30. Yeah, a late one for a change! 310.829.2156; http://www.copronason.com/

Though it still is in Santa Monica, you may want to leave Bergamot in the middle, or just start here…though you may miss some of the early ones (at Bergamot) who end at 7:00 pm, which for the life of me, I can never figure out.

The William Griffin Gallery usually has really nice openings with wine and snacks. Located at 2902 Nebraska Ave, this opening starts at 6:00pm and ends at 8:00 pm. 310 586-6886; http://www.griffinla.com/.

You can always head over to Culver City and stop into Blum & Poe at 2727 S. La Cienega to see the latest works of Henry Taylor from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm    310-836-2062
http://www.blumandpoe.com

Then head straight to Corey Helford Gallery (8522 Washington Blvd., 90232) who always puts on a good  party. Tonight, Corey Helford presents Henry Lewis, “The Absence of Light” as well as Adam Wallacavage,“Dreamhome Heartaches” Enjoy a beautiful evening surrounded by food drink and art. Opening reception is from 7‑10pm; On View March 19 – April 6, 2011. For more information about the artists, please visit www.adamwallacavage.com; www.moremocking.com;  and www.theskullandsword.com.  www.coreyhelfordgallery.com

If however, you are up for some music, you may want to saunter over to UCLA, at the Fowler, though it will cost you $20.00.

Enjoy an Opening Night Concert and Preview for Jam Session: America's Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World. The Fowler teams with Friends of Jazz to present a jam session by UCLA faculty members Kenny Burrell, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez, Barbara Morrison, George Bohanon, Clayton Cameron, Justo Almario, Roberto Miranda, and Llew Matthews followed by a dessert reception for Sunday (see below) exhibition.

Ticket levels:$20 – General Admission; $15 – Current Friends of Jazz members, Fowler members, UCLA Faculty & Staff; $10 – Students

Phone orders: 310-825-2101, Central Ticket Office  Online: Ticketmaster (Note: Online ticket purchases will be charged a Ticketmaster processing fee) American Express, VISA, MasterCard, and Discover accepted. Please make checks payable to UC Regents.

Sunday, March 20^th

This looks like a fun day for a family or any jazz enthusiast…..Opening Day of Jam Session: America's Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World Exhibition. Galleries are open from 12:00–5:00 pm.

The In-gallery jazz performance starts at 1:00 pm. Teira Church, an ethnomusicology jazz studies student, takes us back to the late 1930's to the early 1950's and performs songs made popular by artist such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and other jazz legends.

But perhaps you’ll want to bring the children from 1:00-4:00 pm to  Kids in the Courtyard: for Peanut Butter ... and JAZZ. Celebrate the opening day of Jam Session with peanut butter and jam sandwiches, and improvisational music-making led by professional drummer, UCLA alum, and music educator Jake Jamieson.

Or at 2:00 pm attend the Fowler OutSpoken Conversation with Kenny Burrell, John Edward Hasse, and Quincy Jones: Jazz Diplomacy. Jazz great Kenny Burrell, leading jazz historian John Edward Hasse from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, and music legend Quincy Jones (above) discuss their experiences as cultural ambassadors and the importance of jazz as a diplomatic tool. Tom Schnabel will moderate the conversation.



Hope you had a great week...and felt a little bit more Irish! See ya next week.