What’s Hot:

Sam Phillips is indeed somewhat under the radar but shouldn’t be: she’s an original and independent singer-songwriter. The Section Quartet are trained classical musicians who take rock songs and play them, not as classical muzak, but as if the great orchestral composers had all been rockers.

Taste of Santa Monica, September 13, 1-5pm, happy hour 5-7pm, $65, Santa Monica Pier, 310.392.9825 x10.

Gourmets and people who just like to eat look forward to this annual fundraiser where foodies can sample dishes from local restaurants from Acadie to Xooro. This year there’s an extended “happy hour” with live music. Also there are giveaways( a chance to win tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza”) and a kids’ corner.