Saturday
With May Day come sundry outdoor celebrations. At today’s Venice Garden Tour, the beach city’s green thumbs flaunt their flora and fauna for the benefit of at-risk youth. The fundraiser for the Neighborhood Youth Association’s Las Doradas Children’s Center and Learning Center showcases some 25 unique area gardens. Just up the road, classical Indian, Afro-Cuban, Latin soul and klezmer hip-hop music all find a forum at the Santa Monica Festival. The all-day celebration offers workshops, environmental demonstrations, art and poetry exhibitions and a solar-powered stage of rotating musicians, including DJ Socalled and the Alef Project, purveyors of klezmer hip-hop beats.
Self-guided Garden Tour starts at 804 Broadway, Venice. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (children under 12), $50 (general). (310) 577-6668.
Santa Monica Festival: Noon-7 p.m. Free. Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Blvd. (310) 458-8350.
Sunday
Continue northbound today to round out the weekend
festivities — this time, strictly Jewish. The 18th annual Jewish Festival of
Santa Barbara features Israeli dancing, food, crafts, musical entertainment, a
used book sale, art and a children’s park complete with rock climbing wall, moon
bounce, face painting, games and crafts. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Oak Park, 300 W.
Alamar Ave., Santa Barbara. “>www.taperahmanson.com
.
Tuesday
The oddly named Odds Bodkin helps encourage the kids to use their imaginations with the release of his latest spoken-word CD, “The Harper and the King: The Story of Young David.” Opt for the car CD player over the DVD on the next family outing, and allow Bodkin to bring to life the biblical story of David and Goliath.
www.oddsbodkin.com. $14.95.
Wednesday
At long last singer-songwriter Peter Himmelman gives us
“Unstoppable Forces,” his first solo album in nearly five years. Though very
much his own artist, those unfamiliar with Himmelman’s style will detect the
influence of The Beatles and Elvis Costello, and perhaps touches of Simon and
Garfunkel and John Melencamp. His voice, though prettier, carries a weight that
moves from Tom Waits to Tom Petty. Fans will be pleased by the inclusion of a
bonus CD, his latest collection of unreleased songs, titled “The Himmelvaults
Vol. 3.” $13.99. “>www.envy-themovie.com
.
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