Winterlit Celebration Opens with Promenade Concert

The Winterlit Holiday Celebration kicked off with a concert Saturday on the Third Street Promenade. Andy Grammer, a local musician who's recently found success as a recording and internationally touring artist, headlined the outdoor show, and YouTube and Disney Radio sensation Savannah Outen provided an opening set.

"It's so rare to even get an opportunity to play a show like this, and to get to come back to where I started," Grammer said just before the show that featured soulful pop, rock and R&B by both acts. "I just never dreamed that I'd be here with some of the success that I've had this year to get to play for my friends and family, it's awesome."

Grammer is currently touring with Colbie Caillat and his single "Keep Your Head Up" earned chart position this year. He was discovered last year by manager Ben Singer while performing on the Promenade and not long thereafter got a recording deal with S-Curve Records, which has a distribution deal with Universal Music Group.

Outen, who is from Portland, OR, launched her singing career via YouTube videos that garnered massive Web traffic.

"I'm obsessed with Christmas, so I think to be performing at Winterlit with the Christmas trees directly behind me will be pretty awesome," Outen said. "The whole atmosphere of tonight is really exciting."

The Winterlit holiday shopping celebration happens from Nov. 11 to Jan. 16 and features events such as live performances, an outdoor ice rink and arts and craft activities.

“Over the years, we have worked hard to establish Winterlit as an annual community tradition that everyone can enjoy together," Winterlit organizer Kathleen Rawson said in a statement.

Rawson heads Downtown Santa Monica Inc., a nonprofit that works with the city to promote a vital economy and community life.

"Having someone like Andy, who got his start right here in our community, come home from a national tour to join us for this event is so special," Rawson said. "We’re incredibly proud of his success and can’t wait to welcome him home, and we’re thrilled to introduce Savannah ... to our holiday visitors.”

Grammer expressed his admiration for the Promenade's fabled street entertainers.

"I have a lot of respect for everybody on this street, and it's really cool, too, that I came from the street and now I've had success, that's even crazier," he said.

Promenade patron Sabrina Munib happened by the stage set up just south of Wilshire Boulevard and decided to stick around to catch the performance.

"It's a nice surprise," she said.

Adam Gerber, who remembered Grammer as a street performer years ago, was also in the dense crowd of Winterlit concert attendees.

"It's great to see [Grammer] come full circle and back here," Gerber said.

April Barajas and Jessie Ganter are also Grammer fans who were very happy to see one of their favorites play in Santa Monica.

Ganter said she's drawn to Grammer's music because the singer songwriter's lyrics are "relatable."

Barajas said Grammer "is a really great performer live, and so coming to see him is fun to do."