LAST CHANCE
Equus, a play about a young man’s unrelenting passion and devotion to that which modern society cannot comprehend or allow, concludes this Sunday, Oct. 9. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd., Reserved seats $18 ($15 students/seniors), morgan-wixson.org, 310.828.7519
White Nights, Double Vision, The Fictive Worlds of Wes Christensen and Marina Moevs exhibition concludes this Saturday, Oct. 8. Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th Street, Room 101, 310.434.3434
Women Painters West, a juried exhibition of 34 artists that includes paintings, watercolors, pastels, and mixed media artwork concludes this Saturday, Oct. 8. Free. Schomburg Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave, E3A. Today and tomorrow 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 310.453.5757, schomburgallery.com
THIS WEEK
Friday, October 7
Messenger at Mercury, the Santa Monica College John Drescher Planetarium will present this feature show today and Oct. 14 that takes a look at high-resolution photos taken of the planet by NASA’s Messenger. Feature show at 8 p.m., preceded by “The Night Sky Show” which re-creates the night sky and provides the latest information on space exploration, 7 p.m. Tickets $5. 310.434.3005, smc.edu/eventsinfo
Fred Moramarco and George Kalmar, poetry, 7:30 p.m., $5 to $7, Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd, Venice, 310.822.3006.
Kol Nidre, world-renown cellist Lynn Harrell will perform his Grammy-winning interpretation of Max Bruch’s “Kol Nidre” at 7:30 p.m. at Santa Monica High School’s Barnum Hall, 601 Pico Blvd. For tickets, call 310.453.3361, bethshirshalom.org
Comedy-improv ensemble, The Magic Meathands perform an hour of entirely made-up hilarity, based on audience suggestions and participation at 8 p.m. They are followed at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. by the amazing Waterbrains and the outrageous Mission:ImPROVable. Admission $10 for the whole night. Westside Comedy Theatre, 1323-A Third Street Promenade, 310.451.0850
The Big Lebowski, the Coen Brothers’ cult film with Jeff Bridges as “The Dude,” 6:30 p.m., free, HSS 165, Santa Monica College main campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., 310.434.4303.
Saturday, October 8
Flamenco Dance, Spanish classical and flamenco dancer Susana Elena presents a program of dances in this free interactive program for families with children ages five and up from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Afterwards Susana offers a free castanet lesson to all interested. Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd. 310.458.8681.
The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone, the Santa Monica’s Morgan-Wixson Theatre Youth Education/Entertainment Series present this guest production Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. A boy discovers a rusty old box, but when thieves come in the night, the boy builds a monster called Frog Belly Rat Bone to scare them away. Adults $10; $7 for children aged 12 and under. 2627 Pico Blvd. 310.828.7519, http://morgan-wixson.org
Kiwis in LA Art Show and Wine Tasting, join more than 30 artists and craftspeople showing their work, along with four New Zealand wineries. Open to the public noon to 6 p.m. Reception from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free entry and parking. RSVP required. Santa Monica Art Studios, 3026 Airport Ave. kiwisinla.com
Half-Day Retreat, renowned meditation teacher and writer Sharon Salzberg will teach a half-day retreat from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Crossroads Elementary School in Santa Monica as part of InsightLA’s 2011 Speaker Series. Tickets $35 to $75. 1715 Olympic Blvd., insightla.org, 310.774.3325
Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore, will host a paint-out at El Matador State Beach between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For more information, call Carole 310.383.1374, or Annie 310.339.8396 or visit allied-artists.com
Alice Friman and Terry Van Vilet, poetry, 7:30 p.m., $5 to $7, Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, 310.822.3006.
Sunday, October 9
BAM Fest 2011, the Beer, Art & Music Festival is a celebration of locally produced art, music, and California’s finest craft beers. Presale $35/person or $40 at the door. 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 18th Street Arts Center, 1639 18th Street. http://18thstreet.org/events/bam-fest-2011
Pier del Sol, support more than 9,000 athletes of Special Olympics Southern California while attending a fun-filled day on the Santa Monica Pier at Pacific Park. VIP Brunch from 35 of L.A.’s top restaurants. Games, prizes, silent auction and more from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. General admission $45; VIP admission $150. pierdelsol.org, 562.354.2605
Free Jazz Performance, the Jennifer Keith Quintet will perform at 5 p.m. as part of the monthly Jazz Vespers series at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica. Free parking and childcare. 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., mtolivelutheranchurch.org
An afternoon with TV’s The Fabulous Beekman Boys, Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell will visit the Santa Monica Public Library at 2 p.m. to discuss their new book “The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook.” Free tickets are required, which will be released one hour prior to the program on the day of event. Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. smpl.org, 310.458.8600
The New Short Fiction Series, Los Angeles’ longest running spoken word series, continues its fifteenth season with “Doing Jason Manly” and other stories by Cynthia Adm Prochaska at 7 p.m. The Writers Junction, 1001 Colorado Ave. Limited seating, reservations strongly recommended. Advance tickets $10; $15 at the door. newshortfictionseries.com, 866.811.4111
Occasional Series of Conversations, Santa Monica Art Studios hosts its series “Categorically Not!” The event will explore the common ground of art, science, politics and whatnot, hosted by noted science writer KC Cole. Refreshments from 6 p.m.; Program starts at 6:30 p.m. Minimum $8 donation. RSVP to 310.397.7449 or sabine@santamonicaartstudios.com
Author event, Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan tells his unique tale of fame, addiction, and recovery from rock and roll excess to a degree in finance at Barnes & Noble at 2 p.m. This rocker-turned-writer has a great story to tell. Wristbands are available with book purchase at 9 a.m. the morning of the event. Duff will be signing the book only, no memorabilia. 1201 Third Street Promenade, bn.com, 310.260.9110
Douglas Cirelli and Mark Lipman, poetry, 7:30 p.m., $5 to $7, Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, 310.822.3006.
Monday, October 10
Dangerous Laughtears – Ernie Kovacs, this documentary film will be shown from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Kovac, a seminal TV comedy pioneer, spawned “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Sesame Street,” “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” not to mention the long-acknowledged influence on video artists like Nam June Paik. Unurban Coffeehouse, 3301 Pico Blvd. Free. 310.306.7330, laughtears.com
Tuesday, October 11
Kids National Geographic Let’s Jump Event, join First Lady Michelle Obama—the official Jumper in Chief— at 4 p.m. as she kicks off National Geographic Kids’ attempt to break the record for the most people doing jumping jacks in a 24 hour period. From noon today through noon tomorrow, children and adults can help break the record by doing one minute of jumping jacks. Meet in the Plaza at Santa Monica Place. http://santamonicaplace.com/Events/Details/41368
Wednesday, October 12
Ripe, Wendy Hammers stars in this one-woman show that looks at the past 10 years of her life, showing that real life begins at 50. 8 p.m., Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth Street. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. 310.394.9779, wendyhammers.com/ripe.html
Thursday, October 13
Author event, UCLA professor and best-selling author of “Mindsight,” Dr. Daniel Siegel presents his new book at Barnes & Noble called “The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help Your Family Thrive,” which explains the way a child’s brain works. 1201 Third Street Promenade, bn.com, 310.260.9110
In Case You Missed It Film Series, a screening of “Red Riding Hood,” starring Amanda Seyfried and Gary Oldman will be held at 2 p.m. Montana Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave. Free, refreshments will be served. 310.458.8682, smpl.org
Green Living Workshop, learn how to save money by understanding today’s greatest environmental challenges at this workshop from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Free for Santa Monica residents, suggested $25 donation. YWCA Santa Monica/Westside, 2019 14th Street, sustainableworks.eventbrite.com
Dancin’ on Hitler’s Grave, a solo show by Rachel Hiller about surviving, thriving, and booty shakin’. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth Street. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. 310.207.2921, rachelhiller.com
