Montana Avenue always hosts the best events…On July 28, 2018, the art and music lovers and shoppers alike will head to Santa Monica for the Montana Avenue Art Walk. The event takes place between 7th and 17th street from 4-8pm. Featuring art from local artists, shopping, and live music up and down Montana Avenue, the event brings out the community to celebrate summer and the arts! Jane Walker, manager of Texture: A Sweater store and More has lived in Santa Monica for forty years and worked on Montana Avenue for twenty eight years.
“M
ontana is a very supportive community,” said Walker…”you get to know so many people. I’ve watched my customer’s kids grow up…and Now I’m dressing the kids of the people that have been shopping here for years.”
Walker first started her career in retail on Main Street in Santa Monica at the clothing Gallery, then in 1990 she started working on Montana Avenue. She is now a huge part of the Montana Avenue community.
Texture offers all kinds of sweaters, cardigans, pullovers, in both bright and muted colors, tweedy solids to polka dot, featuring all sorts of charming designs. It also sells beautiful scarves (in addition to it’s fab sweaters). TEXTURE: the Sweater Store & More is located at 716 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA; (310) 393-0707; See FB page.
Then stroll up the avenue. Stop for some lunch at ROSTI Tuscan Kitchen, 931 Montana Avenue; 310-393-3236; Just across the street from Rosti Tuscan Kitchen, you’ll find Milo Gonazalez playing his guitar in front of The Shade Store®, 1001 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica.
Gonzalez is self-taught guitarist specializing in both classical guitar and flamenco. He has performed at well known music festivals such as Coachella, Lightning in a Bottle, Electric Picnic, Boom Festival, and Farmaid. https://soundcloud.com/milo-gonzalez
Next you may hear the beautiful sound of piano filling up the air as you stroll towards Enda King, a fantastic mens clothing store located at 1030 Montana Avenue.
On the patio, Keyboardist and vocalist Noel E. Deis will be performing a variety of music by artists ranging from the late 60s to the present and considers no style of music off limits. He performs with a wide palette of sounds from his keyboards, whether performing as a single or with a full band, and considers every gig an opportunity to demonstrate the joy and power of music.
Artist Gregg Chadwick will be exhibiting his paintings at Engel & Volkers Santa Monica, 1123 Montana Avenue; I LOVE Greg’s work and happen to own one of his paintings.
Chadwick creates his artwork in an old airplane hangar in Santa Monica, California. The recurring sound of airplane take-offs and landings from the active airport runway outside his studio reminds him of his own history of travel.
Ten Women on Montana is an artist’s co-operative gallery showcasing 24 local women artists. It’s a great place to purchase gifts. Enjoy specials and light refreshments. Ten Women Gallery, 1128 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; 310-393-6254;
Partner’s Trust will be exhibiting some art during the day…Partner’s Trust, 1333 Montana Ave Santa Monica, CA; (310) 382-850;
If you haven’t been to Le Macaron...you will love these delicate sweets. Owner Sixteen Damon is originally from France and knows how to make delicious macarons. Artist Francisco Atig will be exhibiting his work at the event.
Damon said she is looking forward to the annual event. “We are so happy to participate in the Montana art walk event as part of the local community and support Francisco Atig, a promising local artist of Santa Monica, who we happily discovered throughout our many conversations in our pastry shop.”
Artist Francisco Atig (left image) is best known for his vibrant paintings interpreting contemporary scenes and everyday objects including café and gallery storefronts, mid-century chairs, benches, and more, often leaning towards a figurative style without completely abandoning others.
His artwork is uniquely composed with multiple applications of soft pastels, infusing our eyes with abounding color, shape, tone and temperature. Atig is a self-taught artist who is skilled in watercolors, charcoal, and mixed media.
My band...Kat & the Jazz Birds will be performing at Le Macaron from 4 – 8:00 pm. We will be doing jazz standards as well as some old time swing.
You will recognize a few well known melodies such as All of Me, Stormy Weather, My funny Valentine, Fever, Fly me to the Moon, Almost like Being in Love and more. We will also be paying tribute to legendary artists such as Peggy Lee, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Wanda Jackson and more.
Kat and the Jazz Birds features Bob Crickmore on keys, Mike Flick on bass, Al Rappaport on sax, Mitch Montrose on drums and me – Kathy Leonardo – vocals. For more information about Kat & the Jazz Birds, and other bands, visit the Kat and the Jazz Birds FB Page.
Le Macaron is located at 1301 Montana Avenue at the corner of Euclid.
RNX By Design Wear Denim (1329 Montana Avenue) will be hosting artist Kirk Borcherding.
Keep walking East…Only Hearts (407 Montana Avenue) will feature the art of Susan Broussard.
Then head to 15th street….keep your eyes open on the way…many stores will decide last minute to particiapate….Rangoni Firenze Shoes (1510 Montana Avenue) exhibits the art of Vanessa Garcia.
Artist Carlota Atlee will be exhibiting work at Margo’s Santa Monica, 1534 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, 90403;
Of course you may have your favorite store or restaurant on Montana….so come on out and visit. The event takes place this Saturday, July 28, and runs from 10:00am to 9:00pm.
It’s a great time to enjoy a beautiful summer day and night and partake in some retail therapy. This is a fantastic event…the community comes out to support the merchants as well as the artists.
Enjoy the live music and stroll down the Avenue (from 6th to 17th). See ya out there.
Find out more about the merchants of http://montanaave.com
