March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

SMP Lights the Holiday Season:

The holiday season kicked off in Santa Monica on Nov. 20, with a tree lighting celebration that mixed KCRW DJs with a 50-foot tall holiday tree sculpture at the new Santa Monica Place mall.

Several hundred people packed into the main level plaza on the windy night conjuring thoughts of snow and reindeer in the sky. Despite the chill, the tree lighting event, called Santa Monica Shines, attracted Westside residents from 6 to 7 p.m. to experience what can only be called a modern art installation, which illuminated the square.

The tree is a computerized installation made of sculpted aluminum and steel, with LED lights. The unveiling of the tree washed the entire plaza in the soft blues, greens, and purples aptly reminiscent of worn beach glass due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Created by Las Vegas-based Global Experience Specialists, Inc. the lights synchronize with custom created soundtracks from KCRW radio DJs.

KCRW music director and radio personality Jason Bentley hosted the night bestowing four holiday mixes that create a holiday groove. Bentley merges the incomparable Nat King Cole with turntable stylist Cut Chemist. Just like the look of the tree, the sound is a departure from the traditional and the expected, opting for an unusual blend of current beats thrown-in with classic holiday fare.

“I describe our holiday feel as GLOW meets KCRW meets Louis Vuitton right here in our Plaza. It’s different, it’s beautiful, and it’s very Santa Monica,” said Adrienne DeVore, senior manager of marketing at Santa Monica Place, in a press release.

The Living Sisters also appeared for a short performance during the chill of the night. The trio includes some of L.A.’s best singer-songwriters, including Inara George (of The Bird and The Bee), Becky Stark (of Lavender Diamond), and singer Eleni Mandell. The ladies’ harmonies recall an innocence of yesteryears, or at least remind Santa Monicans of the possibility of carolers.

Monica Staniec, a Santa Monica resident, came out after seeing George of The Bird and The Bee perform this summer at the Hollywood Bowl. The appearance of the Living Sisters along with KCRW’s Bentley, was too much to resist, she said.

“Holiday events spring up all over L.A., but this is more contemporary than anything I’ve seen in a while,” Staneic said. “The tree is really amazing to be able to move along with the music and is definitely a change from the usual photo-op with Santa.”

The Santa Monica High School Choir, comprising of about 30 students, performed before the waiting audience as well. They were joined in the line-up with Brentwood Academy of Dance, Revelations Company by Talent Lab from Westlake Village, and Brenna Miles, who attended GRAMMY Camp 2010, a summer music-industry program from the Santa Monica-based GRAMMY Foundation.

Santa and Mrs. Claus even made a special appearance at the end of the program, delighting the crowd and putting sparkles of Christmas goodies in children’s eyes.

The new Santa Monica Place rivals the sparkle of the Westfield Century City shopping mall as a three-level, open air shopping and dining center located at the end of the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

Anyone who missed the opening night can enjoy holiday tree performances every evening from Nov. 20 through Dec. 31. Nightly performances take place every 30 minutes after dark.

in News
Related Posts

Customers at These Palisades Stores Can Get Cash Rewards for Sharing Their Experience

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Thumzup is Starting its L.A. Footprint Expansion with Pacific Palisades Thumzup, a company which aims to democratize the social media...

Homeless Man Sentenced to State Prison for Crimes Against Homeless Women

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Man Pleads No Contest to Series of Sexual Assaults Anthony Pittman, currently homeless, has pled no contest to a series...

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @smmirrornews...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....