Santa Monica Pier Locals’ Night – September 21, 2023

Published on September 8, 2023

Say so-long to summer with your neighbors and friends while enjoying live music and free entertainment. Santa Monica Pier Locals’ night takes place every third Thursday at the Santa Monica Pier, September through May.

You can enjoy live music, kids’ activities, and tasty tequila this September at Santa Monica Pier’s Locals’ Night. As the sun begins to dip into the Pacific a little earlier each night, the Pier shift’s away from bustling summer beach goers and open’s its gates to cooler temperatures and the laid-back vibes of Autum in Santa Monica. This Third Thursday at the Pier you can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with performances by Westside Crew, Mayaztek, and La Compañia.

In addition to the musical sounds of Latin America, there will be salsa lessons, Books & Cookies Musical Story Time, and Bach2Rock’s interactive musical instrument ‘petting zoo’ for kids and guests of all ages. This free programing starts at 3:30 PM with activities and music running on the main stage until 10 PM.

WHAT:
Santa Monica Pier Locals’ Night

WHEN:
Thursday, September 21, 2023
4 PM – 9 PM

WHERE:
Various Locations along the
Santa Monica Pier

This month’s Locals’ Night celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, an opportunity to pay homage to the significant contributions of Hispanic communities to the city’s identity and the nation at large. The curated musical acts reflect the sounds of Latin America including salsa, cumbia, and Spanish-language rock. Additionally, Santa Monica’s Ballet Folklórico will perform traditional cultural dances that emphasize folk culture of Mexico with ballet characteristics and dancers from Salsa Way will not only perform, but provide free salsa lessons to music mixed by DJ Andy Lorenzo.

Local’s Night Line Up – September 21

3:30 PM – Bach2Rock Instrument Petting Zoo (Merry-Go-Round)

Get hands-on experience making music with a variety of percussion instruments from Bach2Rock, an after school music program where students to choose which songs and genres they want to learn — from classical sonatas to heavy metal riffs to chart-topping pop hits.

3:30 PM & 4:30 PM – Books & Cookies Musical Story Time (Merry-Go-Round)

Your kids will love gathering around the drum circle to read, sing, learn and connect with Books & Cookies.

4 PM – La Compañía (Main Stage)

La Compañía is 5-member rock group from Santa Monica.

5 PM – Ballet Folklórico (Main Stage)

Dancers will perform traditional Mexican dances in colorful, flowing dresses and traditional costumes. Ballet Folklórico translates to “Folkloric Dance” in Spanish, and is a collective term for traditional cultural dances combined with traditional ballet elements such as pointed toes and exaggerated movements. The dance form means different things to different regions; as Mexico, the Southwestern United States and Central American countries each offer their own interpretations. Dances performed by the Santa Monica troupe are inspired by world music rhythms along with influences from Native American, African-American and European dance.

5 PM – DJ Andy Lorenzo (West End Stage)

Returning to Locals Night is Salsa Way, free dance instruction and exhibition. The stage gets warmed up by DJ Andy Lorenzo who will spin salsa hits and contemporary Latin classics.

6 PM – Salsa Lessons (West End Stage)

Join the dynamic dance duo Cesar Romero and Courtney Parisi for a sizzling salsa lesson that’s perfect for both beginners and seasoned dancers.

6:30 PM – Mayaztek (Main Stage)

Playing reggae, cumbia, and sky, Santa Monica based Mayaztek brings big beats and big brass to Locals’ Night.

7 PM – Trombor Orchestra (West End Stage)

Test your newly-learned salsa skills to the infectious rhythms of LA-based salsa orchestra, Trombor.

8 PM – Westside Crew (Main Stage)

With their unique fusion of salsa, reggaeton, and cumbia, The Westside Crew has been delighting audiences in Southern California since 2009 and have been featured at the Soro Festival and Hawaiian Summer Jam.

Come to the Pier on the third-Thursday each month to enjoy special programming and entertainment that highlights local Santa Monican business, artisans, and performers. This curated event series is produced “for locals, by locals”. Entertainment includes youth activities, car shows, art exhibitions, theatre and dance performances, along with local DJs and live music from local bands. Locals’ Night is the best way to experience our incredible and unique outdoor setting all while celebrating Santa Monica.

About the Santa Monica Pier Corp

The Santa Monica Pier Corporation (SMPC) is a 501c(3) non-profit public benefit corporation that was founded in 1983. SMPC was formed for the purpose of assisting the City in the rehabilitation, preservation, protection, development, operation, and management of the Pier. SMPC produces and manages free public programing at the Santa Monica Pier including Locals’ Night, Pier 360, and the Twilight Concert Series. Learn more at santamonicapier.org.

Feature image courtesy of @santamonicapier