My Pick of the Week is The Venice Art Crawl, but of course!

 There are just too many fabulous events all in one place…so you gotta come and be part of the Venice Art Crawl.

The Venice Art Crawl has been crawling at a much faster pace, gearing up for their one year anniversary next month. There have been some incredible pop up galleries/events which stand out from the crowd.

Going above and beyond the rest of the venues, these new pop up venues offer music, artists featuring their art in make shift displays as well as live painting and video projections. Figtree's Cafe offers a full event, with refreshments, food and music to support artists showing. See below for a full line up for this months Art Crawl.

Read more in my latest article (on the Examiner) entitled “The Pop Up Galleries Steal the Show at the Venice Art Crawl.”  http://exm.nr/nfVL1E

Wednesday, July 20^th

If you like games….South has a wonderful event called Trivia Night, every Wednesday. This is always a fun night with 6 rounds of question and answers (variety of topics/categories). This is an interactive event which includes TVs, audio, handouts and more.

They also have great food Specials: 50 cent wings, yeah!, $5 Smart Nachos, $8 Fun Fries (Cheddar Mozz, and Pepper Jack fries w/ bacon tomato, and chives). Bottled beer specials are $ 2  (and change weekly) $10 bud light pitchers, $ 5 jager bombs. Trivia is 6 rounds South is located at 3001 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403. (310) 828-9988; http://southsantamonica.com/.

Guitarology happens again at the Melody Bar & Grill (9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd., 90045) offers some fantastic players from 8:00 pm till 11:00 pm. Mark Shark is guest hosting.

Guitarology has become a musical haven for incredible musicians.This series has picked up "Best Live Music Event of The Year" from Los Angeles Magazine (get there early-reservations suggested) 310 670-1994.

Thursday, July 21^st

Before we get started on my Pick of the Week, there are lots of great free concerts…going on tonight….but they are listed on my Upcoming Events Page. So if you would rather do that….knock yourself out.

I will be singing at the Ocean Blue event early, from 6:00 pm till 7:00 pm (one set only) with my swing blues band, The Back Beat Rhythm Boys. However, I do plan on attending some of the ohers, including Figtree’s and then maybe head to the SM Pier if there is still time.

The Santa Monica Pier presents Australia Rocks the Pier! This goes till 10:00 pm ….hey, I may never make it, so let me know how it is. Culver City is having free music too...full list on my UPCOMING EVENTS page.

Venice is definitely the place to be tonight…The Venice Art Crawl, a monthly event that continues every third Thursday of each month in Venice is back in full swing. It runs from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm, however, some events go later. The summer months have made The Crawl better than ever.

You may want to start off the Crawl at Whole Foods in Venice who gets into the act by starting a bit earlier. They will feature Sam Asend and live music from the Health Club from 5:30- 9:00 pm. Whole Foods is located at 225 Lincoln Blvd., at Rose Ave. http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/venice/store-calendar/

Then stop by Figtree’s Café, who is planning a fun party as well, with Art, live music, complimentary wine and appetizers. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

This restaurant goes the extra mile and supports the artists while featuring their work as part of an exciting event and artist reception.

Figtree’s Cafe always puts together great events. This month, enjoy photography from Venice local, Jennifer Hart Biagiotti, her work is autobiographical. Annie Flatley (see image left), will be showcasing her series of photos from Ireland. There will also be live music with Tess Yonk and friends. 310 392-4937; www.figtreescafe.com;

Make sure to stop by the Cadillac Hotel, located at 8 Dudley Ave. right off the Venice Boardwalk.Sabine Gebser curates this event and will be featuring resident artist, Terrell Moore in the lobby. There will also be a happening outside on Dudley, with a video installation on the side of the building.

Stop by Treeman’s place. You may have noticed Treeman, gliding through the streets of Venice, a true walking sculpture/art installation. Treeman is adorned with an incredibly life like tree costume, complete with leaves.

Each Art Crawl blockbuster movies are shown on a large screen on the boardwalk at treeman's art garden along with the cast of retro-active entertainment: fire and pole dance artists, magicians and various musicians. Also offered are guided backstage tours. South of Dudley, right next to the Venice Bistro).

This one always goes a bit late, well after 10:00 pm. ….so you may wan to come back…located at 811 Ocean Front Walk. Dogtown Artists United has taken over this historical house on the boardwalk after 5 years of being closed, for one-night at the Venice Art Crawl.

Featuring music, live video, DJs, visual arts, installations, I love that art has reawakened this house. Daniela Ardizzone curates and organizes this event. Artists featured are Michael Courtney, David Hinnebusch, Lisa Mansy, Danuta Rothschild, Rachel Rubenstein, just to name a few. Be aware that the actual entrance to the venue is on Speedway. The very famous Shepard Fairey just  painted this mural at 811....cool!

Then stop at 48 Westminster, where you can see Study Works, a group exhibition featuring the critically acclaimed creations by  Attaway, Owen Juarez, Heaven and Isabelle Alford-Lago (see image), is showing. Alford-Lago is known for her live mural work at Venice Art Crawls, covering Venice's walls with her iconic gorillas. This one goes late, till 10:00 pm...so you may want to save it till later.

Then, there is The Sidewalk Café, who is also participating with an artist lounge that includes drink specials for sale.

Pop into Small World Books, right next door at 1407 Ocean Front Walk  will be featuring artist Ardun Nutt, and author Robby Robinson. Open from 6:00-9:00 pm. (310) 399-2360;

You won’t be able to miss Ocean Blue, directly adjacent, located at 1313 Ocean Front Walk right on the beach, the cross street is Horizon Ave., one block south of Westminster Ave.

Ocean Blue, a fun store that sells jewelry, gems, candles and all kinds of neat trinkets is having fabulous art party to celebrate the crawl.The party will be right outside and part inside, so be sure to pop by. 

Ocean Blue is happy to welcome artists in and give them a place to show their work. The shop already has an artistic feel to it, offering wondrous merchandise from all over the world.

Sona Mirzaei (see image to right) is one of the featured artists who will be doing some live painting and is pleased to be showing once again at the Venice Art Crawl.

Sona recently returned from being the only American artist to participate in the Elephant Parade in Copenhagen and has been working nonstop, showing her work in San Francisco, Toronto, and all over Los Angeles. Mirzaei just found out that The Elephant Parade committee chose her elephant to lead the Elephant Parade that will take place in Singapore during the winter of 2011/12. http://www.sonamirzaei.com/

Come hang for a while, I will be singing early at this event, so don't blame me if you miss it. Jules Muck (image to left) will also be there early to do some live painting as well.

In case you don't know Jules is the artist who painted the old gas pumps on Pacific across from the Erwin. See more on this on my Art for Sale page.

Enjoy snacks, wine and refreshments at Ocean Blue, along with a hoppin’ party featuring 6 artists showing their works. There will also be live painters, live music, stilt walkers with Bradley Allbee who is also an object manipulator, and hoola hoop dancers from Eclectic Hoops.

Artists exhibiting their work will be Michael Baroff, Victoria Blak, Gigi Rosa Fields, Sona Mirzaei (See image, above right)   Jules Muck. (See image above left)

Also, special guest and poet Ava Bird will have her new poetry books on hand, "The New Now" and Rage against the War Machine."

Starting at 6:00 pm sharp, you can catch, live music with Kathy Leonardo and the Back Beat Rhythm Boys. Then, the Venice Street Legends come on at 7:30 pm with some classic Country.

Sculptress, Gigi Rosa Fields (see image right),  just returned to Venice for this Crawl and is excited to be showing her work. This woman has some amazing pieces. Simply gorgeous...gotta check it out.

Up and coming artist, Victoria Blak (see image), is exhibiting some new works and will also be painting live as well. (see image).

 

 

Artist, Michael Baroff (see image right),  displays his small paintings on paper. The images are about 5"x7". This is a wonderul chance to walk away with a great memory of the July Art Crawl.

Snacks and refreshments will be served. Treeman will be visiting too Ocean Blue as well. http://www.shopoceanblue.com/.

Continue on the boardwalk to Venice, Maui & Sons at 1415 OFW, between Horizon/Market will have some new works by a variety of artists. Stop by Jay's Rentals, at 1501 Ocean Front Walk.

   

Keep walking on the boardwalk to South Venice Blvd, then hook a left and on the left side, you will find The Alkaline Water Gallery, featuring a one-student show.

Myles Duke will be showing his wearable art (see image left). This charming little gallery, curated by Leila Levi will also have on display a variety of jewelry and accessories. Snacks and wine will be served. The Alkaline Water Gallery is located at 18 North Venice.   http://www.leilalevi.com/.

 

Then continue towards Pacific Ave., and saunter into James Beach at 60 North Venice, for a group show.

Also the Canal Club right across the street, always has a yummy happy hour (all night on Thursdays) and will be showing the work of Brett Woods in their back room. http://www.jamesbeach.com/canal_index.php.

This month there are special tours planned. Find out what the Venice Art Crawl is all about at celebrity photographer Sunny Bak's house, 2214 Pacific Ave., which is right down the street from James Beach, for a pop-up art gallery and gift shop, where you can peruse and purchase art from past, present and future Venice Art Crawl participants. Complimentary wine will be served, and guided tours of the crawl will be leaving from there.  See image to left by Joan Schiebel.

Then head back north on Pacific Ave. to the Hotel Erwin, which has two venues. You will immediately see the downstairs one, in the driveway right next to Hash Café.

There will be several artists showing here, Mark Saterlee, Betsy Enzenberger and others. There are specialty drinks on sale downstairs, but occasionally you’ll find some free wine being offered.

Also at the Erwin, stop in to see I am Art, which is an interactive photo booth by Venice Paparrazzi.

Get your photo taken by professional photographer Edizen Stowell who will be showcasing the photos on the Latitude 33 FB Page. Upstairs on the fifth floor of the Erwin Hotel, in “Larry’s Loft” enjoy a group show.

Right across the street, Gotta stop by The Gas Station, located at 1697 Pacific Avenue. This pop up artistic abandoned gas station holds a variety of artists and had quite the buzz going on last month. Some of this month’s artists include: Mario Arteaga, Parker Detchon, Dani Maule, Lindsay Carron as well as several others.

There are some great Art Crawl events with food and drink specials happening. Stop in at Hama Sushi 213 Windward Ave who is featuring the amazing talent Attaway. http://www.hamasushi.com/.

At Danny’s Venice at 23 Windward, stop in for their drink specials! Theresa Holliday and Dakato Rayfiled are the featured artists; Live music with Miss Jessica and the Sugar Attack. Skip right across the street to the Townhouse, (56 Windward) where they always have a party going on.

Momentum, known for its great VAC after parties, always puts on a happening party with light installations outside and wonderful art and DJs inside.

Remember they recently have changed venues and moved from 57 Market to 904 Pacific Ave, at the corner of Brooks.

This month they are featuring the work of Javiera Estrada, Julie Orr, Francesco Quintana, with music by The Trees, DJ LYF and Jung Hollywood. Party on into the night at this one.

 

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

Friday, July 22^nd

South, an amazing restaurant with great Southern food presents Djs and dancing from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. Finally a place that will stay open late like they do in NYC. Yeah!

Remember they have an amazing happy hour, yum! Starting at 3:00 pm and runs till 8:00 pm. Get there hungry! South also offers drink specials too. $3 beer, ($10.00 pitchers) and $5 wells.

South is located at 3001 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403. (310) 828-9988; http://southsantamonica.com/.

 

Or in Venice, stop by Figtree’s Café to enjoy a tasty happy hour and hear some great live music tonight at 5:00 pm. Fefe Lee, will be performing a solo set on guitar. Beatle songs are a big part of his repertoire. Show goes till 7:00 pm.

Figtree’s Café is known for their healthy delicious food, located right on the Venice boardwalk at 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. Figtree’s has a wonderful happy hour, Monday thru Friday and also has FREE delivery. 310 392-4937; www.figtreescafe.com;

Since you are so close to Santa Monica, Vidiots is celebrating the 1 year anniversary of their annex. Located at 302 Pico Blvd., in Santa Monica Vidiots provides a wonderful sense of community. Nice to still have a home grown place, to stop by and rent your videos. The party runs from 8:00 pm till 10:00 pm and will offer champagne (yeah) food and live music by The Standards. http://www.vidiotsvideo.com/
 

Now in the Hollywood/Hancock Park area,

Carporale/Bleicher Gallery presents ‘Test Pilots’ a short group exhibit of Los Angeles-based artists who are crossing into new territory.  Artists were encouraged to exhibit work with different approaches and techniques than they have explored in the past. Artists include: Courtney Reid, Warren Long, Miriam Feldman, Ryan Schude, Joseph Hix, Melissa Meier, Samvel Saghatelyan, Johnathan Hornando, Josh Logan, Simone Gad. Opening reception is from 6:00 pm till 10:00 pm. Carporale/Bleicher Gallery is located at 355 N. La Brea Ave 90036. 310 237-6423; http://caporalebliecher.com

Saturday, July 23^rd

If you’re looking for something different to do during the day and you love to shop. There’s a NEW Parisian-style flea market starting today and will happen every Saturday at Hollywood High School. Located at 1521 North Highland Avenue on the northwest corner of Sunset Blvd., and N. Highland Ave., from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, 'Open Market Place' will feature local designers, artists, and vintage dealers selling a range of collectables and great stuff for the stylish consumer.

Jewelry designers Billie Shane and Lori Cooper will be there, to offer their beautiful works of wearable art for sale. There will be live music and various food trucks. Sounds like a party. Admission is Free.

 

 

At night, in Santa Monica, we've got lots going on at Bergamot Station at 2525 Michigan Ave in Santa Monica. I advise everyone to carpool as parking will be limited. Hey, then you can drink more. Several galleries will be having openings and there is a huge one at the Shoshana Wayne Gallery.

Most of them are on the early side. Start at TAG Gallery (D-3) which is an artist run gallery and always has wonderful events with wine and tasty treats. This show features the work of Anne Ramis and a group show of TAG artists. Opening receptions runs from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm.  310.829.9556; http://www.taggallery.net


Ruth Bachofner Gallery (G-2). This reception starts at 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm, and will be featuring a group show.  310 829 3300; http://www.ruthbachofnergallery.com.

Then there’s another early one…

Don’t miss the opening reception of Abel Baker Gutierrez’s latest exhibition from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. (See image to right)

This event happens at Luis De Jesus Los Angeles (F2) http://www.luisdejesus.com.


Leslie Sacks Contemporary (B6) presents the work of Charles Christopher Hill and Richard Serra. (See image of Charles Christopher Hill at work in his studio)

This opening starts and 6:00 pm and goes till  8:00 pm. 310.264.0640; http://www.lscontemporary.com/.
 

Now at the Shoshana Wayne Gallery (B-1), it’ six degrees of separation all over again. Chain Letter is a group exhibition based on admiration will be on view.

This is a clever concept which was conceived and curated by Christian Cummings, and Doug Harvey.


They start with a core group of artists that will be included in the exhibition. Each artist invited to participate, then invites ten other artists whom they admire, and so on. This culminates into a fun artist reception for everyone.

Sculptress/designer Billie Shane (see image) will be exhibiting her 'Fondling Devices' at The Chain Letter Show opening this weekend. Billie Shane says of her organic forms, 'They are to be touched, placed, fondled, or simply held.' She claims they will also leave a very identifiable mark on any intruder...Now that's multi-tasking!

Melinda Smith Altshuler (see image right), Amadea Bailey, (see image below left), Derek Goes (see image below right, Billie Shane, Mark Farina, will be showing their work, along with many other artists. It will be quite the scene with art on the walls, on the floor, everywhere.

There will also be live music with The Keith Walsh Experience, Corey Fogel, Bridget Marrin, Jimmy Turkow and Doug Harvey.

Sounds like a fun time with food trucks too. This guerrilla style art opening will take place from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm.
310.453.7535; http://www.shoshanawayne.com/

Another one in Santa Monica, you may want to pop into…(it does start early). KM Gallery is having a group show opening from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm…see their website for a full list of artists….See image by David Lloyd

KM Gallery is located at 2903 Santa Monica Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90404. 310-828-1912; http://www.gallerykmLA.com

In Venice, there's a lovely artist reception entitled “Old Stories” sponsored by V-Scape. This exhibition will feature a new series of paintings by Stephen Douglas. The opening will be held at 966 Sunset Ave., from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm and will offer champagne, appetizers and treats. You must RSVP for this one at stephwdoug@verizon.net

In Venice, Grey Matter, a newly formed group of artists will mount a one-night-only art show. Comprised of mixed-media installation pieces, infrared photography, functional art and a short film, the event asks visitors to examine the ever-changing cityscape of beauty found in disposed-of objects.

The Grey Matter Artists show will take place from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm at 208 Westminster Ave, Venice, CA, 90291 (in the alley at 208 Westminster near Abbot Kinney and Main St).

The Grey Matter Artists show will take place from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm at 208 Westminster Ave, Venice, CA, 90291 (in the alley at 208 Westminster near Abbot Kinney and Main St). They are serving wine and whiskey…alright, my kind of party. www.GreyMatterArtists.com.

Then stop by the Gebert Gallery (1345 Abbot Kinney) presents the opening reception of Seen/Unseen. This exhibit features the work of Judith Kindler who will be showing mixed media and installation. Event runs from 7:00 pm till 9:00 pm http://www.gebertgallery.com/

Or you can help keep dance alive by attending a benefit for the Viver Brasil Dance Company. Enjoy a private screening of the classic documentary by David Byrne in 1989 entitled, “Ilé Aiyé”, (The House of Life) at 7:30 PM. Also showing this evening will be another ½ hour documentary called “Caetano in Bahia.”

Viver Brasil’s artistic director Linda Yudin will introduce the program with her personal experiences with the elders of the Candomblé community. There will be light refreshments, and a cash bar to benefit Viver Brasil, and Brazilian tunes. Plus, you’ll have the chance to bid on fabulous silent auction items. I’m talking Fabulous…. a Jet Blue ticket for use anywhere in the continental USA, Yeah…and more., The event will be held at 3013 Yale Avenue, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292.

A minimum donation of $20 is requested. Hurry only 50 tickets will be sold to this event! See website: http://www.viverbrasil.com/, or Email: smdigiulio@gmail.com


Or head to Culver City and drop by
 
Las Cienegas Projects will be presenting the group show NOTHING COMES FROM NOTHING, a group exhibition featuring UC Irvine's 2011 MFA graduates (Project Space & Main Gallery). There is another group show in the back room. See their website for a full list of artists. Event runs from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. Las Cienegas Projects is located at 2045 S. La Cienega Blvd. http://lascienegasprojects.wordpress.com/.

Now at Koplin Del Rio Gallery, 6031 Washington Blvd., you can view the work of Robert Pruitt (see image). The opening reception runs from 6:00pm-8:00 pm (310) 836-9055; http://www.koplindelrio.com/

There are a few more in Culver City....will have them posted for the Weedend Update!

Sunday, July 24^th

Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery Associates hosts an event from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at beautiful Barnsdall Park. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with an artist reception, wonderful art and beautiful views of the city (see pix below). Winners of the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery Associates Best of Show Award ($500) and the ten awards of $100 each will be announced at the opening reception.

Open Call L.A. offers artists throughout the area--from established names to unknown amateurs--the opportunity to show new work in all media. The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery is located at Barnsdall Park 4800 Hollywood Blvd., LA, CA 90027There is also another event happening here, so you can stop in and take in both. See website for more info. http://lamag.org.

This is another reason why I love the G2 Gallery (1503 Abbot Kinney Blvd.), Come by between noon and 3:00 pm and find a new family member.  Humane Society reports that roughly 10 million dogs and cats are sent to animal shelters each year, where only half make it to a loving and safe home.

Please consider giving one of these lovable creatures a forever home and adopting them into your family. Stop by, look around, and have a photo taken with the newest member of your family. Pet portraiture will be provided by Samy’s Camera and available to anyone who stops by with their pet or decides to take home a new animal companion. This event takes place from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. http://www.theg2gallery.com/.

Whew, ….lots more going on this weekend, music, art and some festivals too. check back for my update!