Santa Monica Festival 2008 May 10, 2008

The Santa Monica Festival is a celebration with a purpose, highlighting the dynamic connection between the City’s communities, culture, business, environment and art. The festival aims to inspire participants to live a greener, healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Aside from the explosion of activity and artistic expression, much of the electricity required for the event is generated on-site with solar panels, the rest is generated by clean power sources like geothermal. The Festival is zero waste – the goal of which is to eliminate garbage going into landfills and to maximize recycling. All food related waste will be recycled or composted, including biodegradable forks and plates used to eat the various delicacies available. Attendees are encouraged to go green by riding bikes to Clover Park and then leave your ride with our bike valets while you enjoy an eclectic mix of music and dance and celebrate Santa Monica’s vibrant spirit.

Now in its sixteenth year, the Santa Monica Festival is the City's preeminent cultural showcase and continues to honor the many cultures that have shaped Santa Monica's history and the environment that sustains them. Together they point to a community uniquely endowed with a deep cultural legacy, an internationally recognized contemporary art scene and some of Southern California's most outstanding natural resources.

Who’s performing at the Festival?

Many exciting discussions are underway which will bring the Festival one of the most exciting lineups to date. As soon as all performances are confirmed we will release a schedule. The schedule will also include a wonderful array of workshop for all ages. This year's festival is already booked but if you are interested in submitting materials for next year's festival please contact our festival production team, CARS, for additional information.

How can I get a booth at the Santa Monica Festival?

The food booths, merchandise vendors, environmental and community organizations at the Santa Monica Festival are an integral part of the enjoyment of the festival. Click here to learn how you can be a part of the Santa Monica Festival experience.

What’s a Zero Waste Festival?

Since 2007, the Santa Monica Festival has been a Zero Waste event. All food is composted, all utensils and serving pieces are biodegradable and plant based (and supplied to the food vendors by the festival staff), and all cans, bottles and paper materials are recycled.

Biking at the 2008 Festival

People wishing to ride their bikes to the festival will not only avoid the hassle of parking but will also be provided with a free valet service where you can safely leave your bicycle and attend the Festival knowing that your bike will be secure in a convenient location. Be sure to visit the Active Living Booth to pick up a new biking map for Santa Monica and other biking information.

Parking and Transportation

Clover Park is located at 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., between Cloverfield Blvd. and 28th Street. Free and ample parking is available, but festival goers are encouraged to take public transportation, bicycle or walk. Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus line #8 serves Clover Park.

Accessibility

Clover Park is wheelchair accessible. For assistance with accessibility accommodations, contact the Cultural Affairs Division at (310) 458-8350; TTY (310) 458-8696; or smarts@smgov.net. For more Festival info, visit www.arts.santa-monica.org. All events are free and scheduled rain or shine.

OCEAN STAGE
Emcee Tommy Lee
Tommy Lee, coordinator of the Music Center's DANCE AT THE MUSIC CENTER
and ACTIVE ARTS programs, will bring some downtown flavor to the Ocean Stage.

12:00 – 12:45
Ballet Folklorico Nueva Antequera
This critically acclaimed intergenerational ensemble brings to life the indigenous
music and dances representing the seven regions of Oaxaca, Mexico.

12:45 – 1:00
City Welcome and Sustainable Quality Awards

1:45 – 2:30
Fishtank Ensemble
Fishtank Ensemble serves up a unique and worldly musical mélange. With
Romanian folk music at its core, the band melds flamenco, Swedish folk music
and klezmer reminiscent of the sultry cafés of Bucharest and Gypsy caravans.

2:30 – 2:35
Announcement of TWILIGHT DANCE SERIES Poster
Contest Winner

3:15 – 4:00
DAFRA West African Dance & Drum Ensemble
DAFRA West African Dance & Drum Ensemble hails from Burkina Faso, Guinea,
Mali, Ivory Coast and the United States. DAFRA will perform and teach songs
and dances representing the rich tapestry of Africa.

4:00 – 4:10
Announcement of Raffle Ticket Winners

5:00 – 6:00
Dengue Fever
This Los Angeles based Cambodian flavored psychedelic pop music has created quite a sensation, garnering global media attention and international acclaim. Front woman Chhom Nimol's hypnotic stage moves, based on traditional dances, and entrancing khmer lyrics have earned this band a cult following.

Official Website: http://arts.santa-monica.org/festival/SM_festival_2008/MainFestivalPage2.htm