Featured Events in Santa Monica in May, 2024 (February Updated)

Looking for a unique and relaxing way to get your yoga on? Look no further than Goat Yoga in the Park - May 5th at 9:00am in Santa Monica! This one-of-a-kind event will take place at Marine Park, nestled next to the Tennis Courts at 1406 Marine St, Santa Monica, CA 90405. It's an opportunity to connect with nature, practice your downward dog, and bond with adorable goats all at the same time. The session kicks off at 9:00am sharp on May 5th, 2024, so make sure to arrive on time to secure your spot. With a ticket price of just $45, it's an affordable way to experience the latest craze in the fitness world. Don't miss out on this chance to unwind, stretch, and maybe even make a new furry friend. Goat Yoga in the Park - May 5th at 9:00am is the perfect way to start your day with some zen vibes and playful goats.

Experience a day of cultural festivities at bG Gallery in Santa Monica on May 18th during the AAPI Cultural Celebration Day. From 2 to 7 pm, immerse yourself in a diverse range of performances and activities that honor the rich heritage of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The event, held as part of the Moon & Stars Los Angeles Asian Women in Art Exhibition, curated by Sung-Hee Son, showcases an array of talent including Improv Taiko, traditional Korean music by Kenneth Lee, Feng Shui Poetry by Jen Cheng, and a Japanese Tea Ceremony by Kaoru Kuribayashi. This year's program features Cold Tofu Comedy Improv and a special collaboration with Share Your Asian Story, promising a day of laughter, introspection, and community involvement. The exhibition highlights the artistic expressions of Asian women in Los Angeles, with a portion of art sales and donations supporting the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association. Join us at bG Gallery for a meaningful celebration and contribute to a worthy cause.

As a child, artist Karla Diaz would often get in trouble for drawing on walls. “Wait ‘til your mother gets home!” her aunt would exclaim. Diaz still loves to draw and paint. Karla Diaz: Wait 'til Your Mother Gets Home features recent works on paper and canvas that focus on American Mexican identity from the 1970s to the present, emphasizing a cultural context of social upheaval and justice through the artist’s explorations of recollection and imagination. Diaz’s vivid, narrative paintings and works on paper depict portraits and landscapes of people and places that inform her memories growing up in Los Angeles and México.

Founded in 1921 in Laguna Beach, Women Painters West (WPW) is a non-profit membership corporation with educational, benevolent, fraternal and charitable objectives. Originally created under the name of The Woman’s Art Club of Southern California, the organization saw two name changes before officially becoming Women Painters West in 1983. In recent years, Women Painters West has been composed of some 200 dedicated women artists working in all mediums, committed to the practice of art. Women Painters West includes among its members art instructors in all levels of art education. Many members exhibit individually in galleries, museums, and universities and have been recognized and honored nationally and internationally. Membership is by application and juried selection.

Ripley's artistic approach embodies the essence of the American Abstract Expressionist movement, particularly in its rejection of figurative representation and emphasis on spontaneity and gesture. Like his predecessors such as Jackson Pollock and Wassily Kandinsky, Ripley's process is deeply intertwined with music, allowing rhythmic brushstrokes to translate into bursts of color that dance across the canvas. The use of black gesso as a base provides a stark contrast against which Ripley's vibrant colors can truly pop. The visible splatters and drips serve as tangible reminders of the artist's physical engagement with the canvas, capturing the energy and dynamism of the creative act itself. Ripley's paintings are not mere visual compositions; they are multisensory experiences that evoke emotions and sensations akin to poetry. His work transcends strict interpretation, inviting viewers to engage with the paintings on a personal level and to find their own meaning within the layers of color and texture. Through a process of wiping out and repainting, Ripley achieves a sense of depth and movement within his compositions, creating an ever-evolving visual narrative that invites exploration. Each layer of paint contributes to the overall richness of the work, resulting in paintings that are timeless, poetic, and full of life.

This new series of colorful abstract paintings continues the artist’s exploration of memory - delving into those aspects of life that can be controlled and those that cannot. “I often perceive my painting practice as a series of letters, or messages to my inner self or the past, and that my paintings are a letter to myself, a record of a moment in life, merging a lived experience I’ve had with the present moment”, DeJesus says. In these fluidly inventive paintings, DeJesus employs additive and subtractive gestures to elicit complex, visual tensions. Fragmented compositions mirror the complexities of memory and the elusive nature of self-understanding, as the artist seeks to unravel the interconnectedness of memories and the disjointed nature of personal narratives. Using layers and washes, removing material or occasionally cutting up paintings, DeJesus often merges old and new paintings to tell a new story and explore how memories connect. Utilizing a process that embraces both the intentional and the accidental, the paintings evidence an ongoing conversation between artist, material and image. The spontaneity of colorful washes stand in contrast to the intentionality of overlaid marks and added materials. Fields of color are manipulated to move, but complete control is not always an option, nor the point. Discussing her palette, DeJesus says, “I gravitate to using bright colors - pastel or even neon hues. These colors have an intensity that chimes with my inner world. I use them in a chaotic, often optically dissonant way, or in a way that I wouldn’t always expect. For me, it is not about the beauty of the colors, or their attention getting qualities, but their fantastical intensity. I feel in tune with their dreamlike qualities and the memory experiences they inspire. These childlike hues reflect the nostalgic essence of childhood experiences, serving as a reminder that the child within us never truly disappears.” Explaining further, the artist states; “While my work is purely abstract, and non-representational, gestures often suggest forms that repeat and I’ll begin to categorize them. Portal motifs have emerged in my work over the years and in this body of work, I have come to see them as mirrors and caves. A mirror symbolizes a surface of reflection and containment, while a cave is a geographical formation you can physically enter. Both represent portals of transformation, femininity, and spiritual transcendence and for me become gateways to inner exploration.” Letter to a Memory suggests a personal and intimate journey through memories, reflecting on experiences and emotions in an exploration of self and DeJesus’ relationship to the past.

Seguimos features installation, video, photography, painting, works on paper and sculpture by an intergenerational group of thirteen Costa Rican artists, the majority of whom are highly regarded in Central America, but have never exhibited in the United States. The artists in this exhibition reflect a spectrum of interests and concerns facing Costa Ricans today, five of the artists identify with the queer community and all position themselves within the broadest developments in contemporary art, with particular focus on the topics of body, identity and place. The artists:Adrián Arguedas Ruano, Alina González, Allegra Pacheco, Christian Wedel, Isaac Loría, Javier Calvo, La Cholla Jackson, Lucía Howell, Luciano Goizueta, Matias Sauter Morera, Mimian Hsu Chen, Priscilla Romero-Cubero, and Valiente Pastel.

Von Lintel Gallery is excited to announce our inaugural solo exhibition ‘An Open Window’ with Donna Moylan. Step into a world where art transcends conventional norms and embraces the enigmatic. Moylan's approach challenges traditional perceptions, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a realm where the everyday and the mysterious intertwine. Each of Moylan's paintings in this exhibition features a window, symbolizing an invitation to open the discourse, expand the mind, and embrace new possibilities. Moylan's distinctive style weaves intricate layers of symbolism and surrealism, prompting viewers to unravel the mysteries hidden within her canvases. As you engage with her art, be prepared to embark on a journey of discovery. ‘For Donna Moylan, the wild is the norm. Moylan’s paintings point to a surrealist revival in recent art though she claims a long history in this genre.’ written by Lenore Malen for TheBrooklyn Rail Donna Moylan is a New York based artist who has consistently exhibited worldwide since 1985. Her work is included in permanent collections such as The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, The Cleveland Center for the Arts and the New York Library Public Collection to name a few. For additional information or visual material please contact the gallery by email at gallery@vonlintel.com.

Get ready to laugh your socks off at Netflix Is A Joke Presents: Dusty Slay, taking place at Troubadour on May 3, 2024. The comedy event will kick off at 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA, 90069. With Dusty Slay headlining the show, attendees can expect a night filled with gut-busting jokes and hilarious anecdotes. The concert promises to be a riotous evening of entertainment, featuring Dusty's signature humor and comedic style. Tickets for Netflix Is A Joke Presents: Dusty Slay will be available for purchase starting from February 2, 2024, at 18:00, until May 4, 2024, at 05:00. Don't miss out on this uproarious event that is sure to leave you in stitches. Save the date and secure your tickets to witness Dusty Slay in action!

Get ready to laugh your socks off at Netflix Is A Joke Presents: Alice Wetterlund, taking place at Westside Comedy Theater on May 3, 2024. This uproarious event will feature the comedic talents of Alice Wetterlund as she takes the stage to entertain the audience with her witty and hilarious performance. The show will kick off at 1323-A 3rd Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, promising a night full of laughter and fun. Make sure to mark your calendars as tickets for this unmissable event will be available for purchase starting from February 14, 2024, at 18:00, until May 4, 2024, at 06:45. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind comedy experience brought to you by Netflix Is A Joke Presents: Alice Wetterlund.

Get ready to groove at the Afro Fusion Dance Class (Pop Up) *See FAQs* happening in West Hollywood. This arts event, set to take place on May 4, 2024, at 9089 Santa Monica Boulevard, promises a unique blend of African and contemporary dance styles that will leave participants mesmerized. With a ticket price of $20, attendees can expect a high-energy session filled with vibrant movements and infectious rhythms. Located at 9089 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, CA 90069, this event is a must-visit for dance enthusiasts looking to experience something fresh and exciting. So mark your calendars and make sure not to miss out on this unforgettable dance experience. Afro Fusion Dance Class (Pop Up) *See FAQs* is the place to be for a night of cultural immersion and rhythmic exploration. Get your tickets now and get ready to dance the night away!

Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt at the Netflix Is A Joke Presents: Fumi Abe comedy show, taking place at the Westside Comedy Theater on May 4, 2024. This much-anticipated event will feature Fumi Abe delivering a stellar performance that will have the audience in stitches. The address for the venue is 1323-A 3rd Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90401. The show will kick off at a time you won't want to miss. Be prepared for an evening filled with humor and entertainment as Fumi Abe takes the stage. Tickets for this side-splitting event will be available for purchase starting from February 14, 2024, at 6:00 PM until May 5, 2024, at 2:00 AM. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this unforgettable night of comedy brought to you by Netflix Is A Joke Presents: Fumi Abe. Mark your calendars and get ready for a night of non-stop laughter!

Experience the joy of Earth Day Tennis at Christine Emerson Reed Park in Santa Monica on May 18, 2024. This event invites tennis enthusiasts of all levels to partake in a friendly tournament, clinics, and games, all in celebration of sustainability and outdoor activity. Whether a seasoned player or a novice, there is something for everyone to enjoy amidst the beauty of nature. Embrace the opportunity to show gratitude for our planet while engaging in the sport you love. Tickets for this exciting event range from $20 to $100. Secure your spot now and be a part of this special day that combines the love for tennis with a commitment to our environment.

Engage in a compelling discussion with esteemed curators Rika Hiro, Gabriel Ritter, and Yasufumi Nakamori at the upcoming event titled "A Conversation: Sadamasa Motonaga." The event will take place at Karma, located at 7351 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90046, on May 29, 2024. This exclusive gathering will feature a captivating dialogue between Rika Hiro, Associate Curator of Japanese Art at LACMA, Gabriel Ritter, Director of the Art, Design & Architecture Museum at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Yasufumi Nakamori, Director of the museum and Vice President of Arts and Culture at Asia Society, New York. The discussion will revolve around Sadamasa Motonaga's exhibition, offering insights into his artistic journey and contributions. This event is open to the public, and admission is free. However, due to limited seating, RSVP is required to secure your spot. Don't miss this unique opportunity to delve into the world of Sadamasa Motonaga alongside renowned art experts.

Experience the impactful documentary, Singing Back The Buffalo, at the special screening event taking place at SMC Emeritus in Santa Monica. Delve into the power of storytelling through music and gain insight into the essential message of environmental preservation conveyed by the film. The screening, scheduled for May 29, 2024, offers a unique opportunity to engage with the filmmakers and distinguished guests during a thought-provoking Q&A session. Attendees will have the chance to connect with individuals who share a passion for making a positive impact on our environment. Admission to this event is free, allowing everyone to participate in this important conversation. Don't miss out on this enlightening experience that promises to inspire and educate. Mark your calendars for Singing Back The Buffalo: Impact Screening at Santa Monica College.