Lots going on today…..How is Mama gonna choose…??  In Venice…The 36th annual Festival iof the Chariots takes place on the boardwalk….Free vegetarian food and great deals on gifts, clothing etc. Live performances and more…Yes it is sponsored by Krishna Conciousness, but I have been going for years and they haven’t converted me yet.

LACE, Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibits offer a family oriented workshop, free and open to the public, ASAP’s 2012 Re-Visions of LA drawing workshops will build conversations around how our urban environments are constructed and what that means to our every day lives.

Each month a new group of artists will spend an afternoon at LACE providing free drawing classes. Today’s artists include: Veronica Duarte, Jocelyn Grau, Andrew Sexton.

All workshops are free, and all materials will be supplied.

What: ReVisions of LA, organized by ASAP, 2012 featuring Veronica Duarte, Jocelyn Grau, Andrew Sexton
Where: Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibits (LACE), 6522 Hollywood Blvd., LA 90028
When: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Phone: 323-957-1777
Website: http://www.welcometolace.org/

Also in Santa Monica, there’s a new happening at Bergamot Station.

The galleries from the east side of this happening arts center are joining together to present Summer Live Jazz Collector’s Jam.

The event features the Ralph Gibson Jazz Ensemble.

Come enjoy a Sunday afternoon of art in all mediums, discussions, libations and live music.

Participating galleries include The Robert Berman Gallery (B7), Peter Fetterman (A1), The Frostig Collection (B5), Richard Heller Gallery (B5A), Craig Krull Gallery (B3), Patrick Painter (B2), Frank Pictures Gallery (A5) and Shoshana Wayne Gallery (B1).

What: The Lower East Side Presents Summer Live Jazz Collector’s Jam
Where: Bergamot Station, (A&B Buildings) 2525 Michigan Ave, SM
When: 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Website: http://www.robertbermangallery.com/

Or in Pasadena, Offramp Gallery presents the closing reception for Lou Beach: Stories & Pictures as well as a reading and book signing of Lou Beach’s 420 Characters.

Copies of 420 Characters will be available for purchase in the Blog Store at the gallery or bring your own copy for Beach to sign. The Cafe will be open.

The exhibition Lou Beach: Stories & Pictures  consists of new and recent collages by the artist.

Also closing today will be Jay Willis’s exhibition of welded steel sculpture, Ring of Fire, in the garden.

What: Closing reception, Lou Beach, Jay Willis
Where: Offramp Gallery, 1702 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, 91103
When: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Phone: 626-298-6931
Website: http://www.offrampgallery.com

Also in Santa Monica….Jazz on the Lawn starts up again….but it has moved to a new location.

Bummer for all of us Venice locals…who used to walk.. This year, it will be held at Stewart Street Park (1836 Stewart St. SM, off Exposition Blvd.), parking is available across the street. Show starts at 5:00 pm.

Tonight’s show features Dust Bowl Revival. These guys are awesome. Take advantage of this free show to enjoy this wonderful group of musicians.   http://dustbowlrevival.com/

See Upcoming page for full August lineup. 

What: Jazz on the Lawn
Where: Stewart Street Par, 1836 Stewart St. SM off Exposition
When: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Website: http://www.smgov.net/Portals/Culture/Events/Jazz_on_the_Lawn.aspx
http://dustbowlrevival.com/