Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances
Santa Monica will mark its 150th anniversary with a reimagined State of the City event on Thursday, July 17from 4 to 7 p.m. at Christine Emerson Reed Park and the newly reopened Miles Memorial Playhouse.
The event begins with an opening reception inside the revitalized Miles Memorial Playhouse, featuring light refreshments, city information displays, and opportunities to meet Mayor Lana Negrete and incoming City Manager Oliver Chi.
Following the reception, attendees can enjoy live performances in Reed Park, guided tours of the historic playhouse, a beer garden hosted by Santa Monica Brew Works, and interactive city department booths offering activities like a prize wheel, a giveaway, and appearances by police officers on horseback and a fire truck.
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances.
“This year’s State of the City goes beyond a status report; it’s a tribute,” Mayor Negrete said. “As we mark our 150th year, we’re honoring the resilience of our community, the renewal of beloved spaces like the Miles Playhouse, and the energy of a city that continues to grow and evolve with intention.”
The evening’s schedule includes a reception from 4 to 5 p.m. with music by DJ Bukue One, followed by welcome remarks from Mayor Negrete and city officials, and a special reading by Santa Monica Poet Laureate Anne Carmack from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
From 5:30 to 7 p.m., performances in Reed Park will feature Downbeat 720, a teen performance lab hosted by Joe Hernandez-Kolski, Joshua Silverstein, and DJ Jedi, who will also emcee the event. String Theory, a multidisciplinary musical and visual arts collective, will perform, alongside artists from Los Angeles Performance Practice’s BRIDGE THE GAPS initiative, supporting those impacted by wildfires with residencies at the Miles Playhouse. Santa Monica Conservancy docents will lead tours of the playhouse, and additional activities include trivia, giveaways, and kids’ activities.
Parking is limited, with metered street parking and preferential parking rules enforced. Paid public parking is available at the Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., a short walk from the park. Attendees are encouraged to carpool, rideshare, bike, or use public transit.
