A family-friendly morning with Tongva and Chumash Native American story-telling and craft workshops will be held this Saturday morning at Tongva Park. The first season of cultural programming for Tongva Park continues Wednesday with an evening community dance with an internationally known salsa band.
This ongoing series of intimate Tongva Park events offers attendees the opportunity to experience this major new addition to Santa Monica’s park system from different points of view.
From 10 am to noon this Saturday, July 26, families are invited to the children’s play area to explore the culture of the Chumash, Gabrieleno, and Tongva, the original inhabitants of the Los Angeles region for whom the park is named.
The morning will include storytelling and songs handed down through generations with Ted and Dennis Garcia.
Julia Bonagy, a member of the Tongva Nation/Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians, will also lead hands-on workshops in soapstone and wood carving and the ancient art of using plants to create toys and games.
On Wednesday evening, July 30, from 7-9 pm, everyone is invited to join a free salsa dance lesson in the center of the park followed by a community dance both with live music.
International salsa band, Orquestra Tabaco Y Ron, a 12 piece Big-Band orchestra, composed of musicians from all over Latin America will be performing live music throughout the evening.
Cristian Oviedo, four-time World Salsa Champion, will lead a 45-minute dance class along with his partner, Maria Zhukovskaya, followed by an opportunity for everyone to dance and enjoy the music, regardless of level of skill.
Both events are free. Tongva Park is located at 1615 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica.
For parking, the Civic Center Parking Structure at 333 Civic Center Drive offers the first 30 minutes free, then $1 per each additional hour ($5 maximum per day).
For more information, visit tongvapark.squarespace.com.
