Events & Cultural Programs
NEW! Objects of Wonder and Fascination: Unusual, wonderful, bizarre, or beautiful... there will be more than meets the eye in our upcoming Wonder Cabinet exhibit in the Beach House Gallery. And we need your help. We're looking for your storied objects and mementos to put on display in a community curio cabinet that will convey the diverse perspectives we bring to this shared existence. Submissions will be considered throughout the summer. Entry Form >
Beach=Culture Series
Beach=Culture is an ongoing series of free concerts, lectures, readings and exhibits. Most summer Beach=Culture events take place Tuesdays at 6:30 pm, with the Marion Davies Guest House open beginning at 5:15 pm.
Events >
August 3: Poetry by Chris Abani, Francisco Aragon, and Jenny Factor
Beach=Culture and the Red Hen Poetry Series present a celebration of contemporary poetry in a seaside setting; the second of three readings this summer. Three poets will read from their acclaimed works: Chris Abani, recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, Francisco Aragon, award-winning editor and poet, and Jenny Factor, recipient of the Hayden Carruth Award.
Save your seat >
August 10: Screening: "Captured on Film: The True Story of Marion Davies "
Film historian Elaina Archer, producer/editor/writer of Captured on Film, The True Story of Marion Davies (dir. Hugh Munro Nealy, B/W & Color, 58 min, 2001), returns to introduce her documentary and screen rare home movies of Davies and Hearst at San Simeon with guests that include Irving Thalberg and John Gilbert.
Save your seat >
August 17: "This is Not Here", a site-specific dance by Holly Rothschild
Back by popular demand for one more performance, Beach=Culture presents Holly Rothschild’s This is Not Here, the culminating project of her 10-week Artist Residency at the Beach House. From February through May, 2010, Rothschild worked with seven dancers throughout the site, drawing on history and architecture as well as the echoes of people present and past to create an original dance performance. Using dance, gesture, and narrative, Rothschild presents the Beach House in a new light!
Save your seat >
August 24: Chamber Music Selection
A Chamber Music Selection from pianist Yana Reznik and Friends; works by Brahms, Schubert, and more. These exceptional performers explore two hundred years of compositions influenced by dance moves and rhythms, from a Brahms piano quartet to duets for cello and piano by Glazunov, Khachaturian and others. The ensemble features pianist Yana Reznik, whose popular "Live at the Lounge" series in Hermosa Beach celebrates rising young stars in an intimate setting, violinist Tereza Stanislaw (Assistant Concertmaster, LACO), cellist Armen Ksajikian (Associate Principal Cellist, LACO), and violist Zach Dallinger.
Save your seat >
August 31: Haberdashery Trio
The Haberdashery Ensemble is a genre defying acoustic ensemble based in Los Angeles and known for their evocative, energetic performances. Featuring Gee Rabe on accordion, Paul Cartwright on violin, and Brandon Turner on double bass, their influences include Astor Piazzolla, Tom Waits, Kronos Quartet and the Tin Hat Trio. Follow their international sound, like "an indie film soundtrack unfolding before you," and fly away on their lush harmonies and intricate rhythms!
Save your seat >
Event House Gallery
“Mountains to the Sea”
August 26 - November 28, 2010.
Opening reception: Thursday, August 26, 2010 6:00-8:00PM Artist / Pianist, Yolanda Klappert will play music that inspires her digital art at 7:15PM.
Open daily August 26 through September 6, 10am - 4pm
Eleven artists from Topanga Canyon Gallery, an artist owned gallery located in the heart of the Santa Monica mountains, will exhibit work that reflects the land we walk on and the vistas that embrace us - illustrating the diversity of this experience through different artistic lenses and different mediums. Artist workshops and plein-aire painting demonstrations will be offered through-out the exhibition.
Docent Tours
Learn about the rich history of the Beach House from a Santa Monica Conservancy docent. Tours are free, last approximately 30 minutes, and no reservations are required.
NOTE: Group tours larger than 15 people are not available at this time.
The Marion Davies Guest House will be open the following hours:
June 19 - September 6, 10am - 4pm (Free tours at 11am, Noon, and 2pm)
Closed on Wednesdays.
*The Guest House will be closed on Thursday, August 19, 2010.