Get Out and Go: Ocean Is Celebrated, Navy Comes to Town

If you still haven't enjoyed the beach in 2011, this weekend offers ample reasons to head to the water. The aquarium is hosting an oceanic celebration, the Navy is coming to town and there are a couple of surf-related benefit events happening too.

Also this weekend, a bunch of theatrical productions and art exhibits end their runs at local theaters and galleries.

Without further ado, here are the top 20 things to do this weekend in Santa Monica:

1.

Where/When: ; Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 to 6 p.m.

Why Go: Learning is fun—for proof, look no further than this two-day event. There will be crafts, interactive games, face painting, story time, photographs, movies and educational presentations.

Pricing: $3 (free for kids under 13)

2. Navy Visits the Pier

Where/When: ; Sunday

Why Go: The U.S. Navy will visit Santa Monica for the first time in 20 years as part of a larger celebration throughout Los Angeles. For more on the event, read 's blog post "."

Pricing: Free

3.

Where/When: ; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Why Go: Surfing celebs will drop by the store for a day of crafts, surf movies and more. The goal of the event is to raise money for actress 's Project Save Our Surf, and donations will also go to Santa Monica Baykeeper, Waves for Water and other related organizations.

Pricing: Free (customers who spend $125 on Saturday will get a goodie-filled Surf Kit)

4. Surf Day for Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Where/When:  (Parking Lot 9, Tower 6);  Saturday, 9 a.m.

Why Go: Patients who have the disease will join pro surfers and instructors for a day of fun at the ocean. Thor actor Michael Papajohn is expected to be there too, along with other celebrities. The Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the Mauli Ola Foundation are helping put on the event.

Pricing: Free

5.

Where/When: ; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Why Go: packed the promenade on Sunday, but the crowds will probably be even bigger this weekend for the chamber's annual fest. This year's theme is lifestyle fitness, and health screenings, demos, information sessions and more are all on tap.

Pricing: Free

6.

Where/When: ; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Why Go: The city of Santa Monica's design team is exploring universal accessibility for a planned playground—and it wants your input. The project is being led by Katherine Spitz Associates, and supported by the city of Santa Monica's Community & Cultural Services Department and Architecture Services Division.

Pricing: Free

7.

Where/When: ; Saturday and Sunday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Why Go: The intensive boot camp comes to Paint:Lab for the first time ever. The structure of the head, the planes of the face and proportions of features will be the focuses on Saturday, while individual features, varying viewpoints and personal expression are on tap for Sunday.

Pricing: $145

8. Couples Dancing Summer Nights

Where/When: ; Saturday, 6 to 7 p.m.

Why Go: Couples will dance under the stars during this group class, which is part of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.'s ongoing . Participants will learn a bunch of different dance routines including salsa, ballroom and more.

Pricing: $25

9. 30th Annual American Red Cross/ KLOS Blood Drive and 95.5 KLOS Radio

Where/When: ; Friday, 2 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Why Go: If you're older than 17 and weigh more than 110 pounds, you're eligible to help out others. If you plan to donate, be sure to call 800-733-2767 to make an appointment.

Pricing: Free

10.

Where/When: ; Sunday, 10:15 a.m.

Why Go: Poetry by Peggy Dobreer, a Medicine Dance movement by Fred Sugerman and music by the Dream Brothers' Stephan David Hewitt are on the program for the Sunday service. Expect other surprises too—and dress warm.

Pricing: Free

11. Debating Through the Arts Performance 3 and Exhibition

Where/When: ; Saturday, 1 to 9 p.m.

Why Go: Cultural equity will be the topic of debate at this United Nations-style proceeding, during which politically savvy artists will caucus, collaborate, perform and vote. "The goal of this event is to provide a performative context for artists to demonstrate the importance of the arts in solving conflicts," the center said in a statement.

Pricing: Free

12.

Where/When: (FKA Larry Moss Studio); Saturday and Sunday, 8 to 10 p.m.

Why Go: Written by Emmy Award-winner Kenny Solms, this musical comedy revolves around a brainy writer from the golden age of variety TV. "Louie searches high and low for one last shot at his own real-life happy ending," Edgemar wrote in its Santa Monica Patch event listing.

Pricing: $34.99

13. Stogie Kenyatta's The World Is My Home—The Life of Paul Robeson

Where/When: ; Saturday, 8 p.m. Sunday, 7 p.m.

Why Go: Kenyatta, who was born in Jamaica and bred in Brooklyn, delivers this multi-faceted production about Robeson, a legendary black artist, athlete and civil-rights activist. () "Armed with nothing more than the strength of his convictions and his vision of a world where men live as brothers, his message was his life," Kenyatta said in a statement. "He shows us that in spite of our differences, we still have more in common than we do in conflict." Sunday is your last chance to catch the show at the playhouse.

Pricing: $20 (all proceeds benefit the Save the Playhouse Campaign)

14.

Where/When: ; Saturday, 8 p.m.

Why Go: Based on a true story, the stage play was first brought to life in 1975 by Bob Fosse. Set in the roaring '20s, the prohibition story revolves around two women, each accused of murder. With show-stopping numbers choreographed by Morgan-Wixson veteran Krystal Combs and directed by Geoffrey Award winner Anne Gesling, this show is a must-see for all musical lovers. Saturday is your last chance to catch the production at the Morgan-Wixson.

Pricing: $23 (general admission); $18 (seniors and students)

15.

Where/When: ; Saturday, 1 to 9 p.m.

Why Go: Is your kitchen sorely lacking a homemade butter dish, teapot or jar of any sort? If so, then add this to your to-do list for this weekend. The display features lidded wares by 18 Santa Monica artists. Saturday is your last chance to catch the exhibit.

Pricing: Free

16. Mary Schairer's New Works

Where/When: ; Saturday, 5 to 7 p.m.

Why Go: The 90-year-old artist—who has been exhibiting her works since 1978—proves she hasn't lost her touch with this latest batch of collages. Check out the exhibit through the end of the month. Saturday is the show's last day.

Pricing: Free

17.

Where/When: 's Theatre Arts Studio Stage; Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 1 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.

Why Go: SMC's Theatre Arts Department is putting on A Year With Frog and Toad as its latest children's play. Sunday is your last day to catch the production.

Pricing: $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 2 to 12

18. A Memory of Two Mondays

Where/When: ; Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.

Why Go: Directed by Amelia Mulkey, this ensemble production is a new production of the Arthur Miller play. Saturday is your last day to catch it at the Ruskin Group Theatre.

Pricing: $25 (general admission); $20 (guild members, seniors and students)

19. Jesus Christ Superstar Sing-Along

Where/When: ; Sunday, 5:30 p.m.

Why Go: Singing is encouraged but not required at this fun event surrounding the famed Broadway musical. Costumes are recommended but also not necessary to get in. Don't worry about memorizing the lyrics; sheets will be provided.

Pricing: $10 (includes snacks)

20.

Where/When: ; Saturday, 3 to 4:45 p.m.

Why Go: The sci-fi-oriented computer-animated film—which features voices from Steve Carell, Jason Segal, Will Arnett and others—is fun for the whole family.

Pricing: Free

City News Service contributed to this report.