Events & Happenings
10th Annual Black History Greens Festival
Saturday, February 22 from 11am – 3pm
Come to Virginia Avenue Park to see cooking demonstrations which showcase Greens as the main ingredient, and enjoy a vibrant mix of live entertainment, vendors, wellness booths and book giveaways. We are excited to have Arron “Bobo” Arnell come back as the Master of Ceremonies with DJ Dense spinning throughout the day. Glenda Armand will be reading from her book “Ice Cream Man”. Guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and/or lawn chairs. Learn more.
Art Bank unveiling with Gary Tyler
Tuesday, February 11 from 4pm – 5pm
Join artist Gary Tyler for the unveiling of In Memoriam of an Ashanti Warrior, 1996. This textile work was completed in 2024 and acquired for the municipal Art Bank with the support of Frieze Los Angeles. Learn more.
Black History Month Celebration
Sunday, February 23 from 11am – 4pm
This Black History Month Celebration will highlight Black makers whose creative visions and products are nothing short of amazing and should be celebrated every day! Enjoy live performances, children’s book reading, 30+ vendors and more! Learn more.
Empowering Minds Through Healing: Mental Health & Wellness Fair
Saturday, February 15 from 11am – 4pm
Join the Santa Monica Black Empowerment Association for a transformative event dedicated to mental health, wellness, and community connection. Celebrate Black History Month and honor resilience, healing, and self-care through an uplifting day filled with inspiration and joy! WHAT TO EXPECT: Enjoy a sound bath experience, engaging games and prizes for all ages and Soul Food for lunch. Followed by a book signing with guest speaker and author, Tenisha Collins. Get free tickets.
Sip, Savor, Support at Locals’ Night
Thursday, February 20 from 3:30pm – 10pm
Locals’ Night at the Santa Monica Pier is back with a special Black History Month twist! Offhand Wine Bar, one of Santa Monica’s favorite Black-owned spots, are bringing an evening filled with live music, great food, art, and a strong sense of community to the historic carousel building.
Santa Monica Playhouse
“The World is My Home – the Life of Paul Robeson” on Saturday, March 29 at 7pm
“Look What Fell Out De Mango Tree” on Sundays, April 20 & June 22 at 4pm
“Mulatto Math: Summing Up the Race Equation in America” on Friday May 16 & Saturday, May 17 at 7:30pm and Sunday, May 18 at 3pm
“Vasthy and Friends” on Saturday, May 10 at 10:30am & 1:30pm
Black History [every] Month will present special short-run presentations of African-American theatrical creations not just in February, but throughout the year. Learn more.
Tuesday Tales: A Travelin’ Storytime
Tuesday, February 4 from 10:30am – 11am
Enjoy a Black History Month Travelin’ Storytime at the Fairview Branch Library. This fun and engaging weekly series features stories, songs, and rhymes for ages 2 – 5. Learn more.
Uplifting Black Legacy
Thursday, February 27 from 7pm – 10pm
Uplifting Black Legacy at the Annenberg Community Beach House. Marjani Forté-Saunders performs a rare work-in-progress rendition of Chicken Soup, bringing an unwavering focus on the forgotten domestic labor of the soul of the household, the kitchen, weaving together movement with text to present a unique visual offering. The performance will be followed by a conversation with Forté-Saunders, Kristin Juarez of the Getty Research Institute and April Banks a social practice artist on what it means to inherit and build upon the deep legacies of Black radical experimentation. Get free tickets.
