Community Corner

Get Out and Go: Flea Market, Health Fair

Here are the top 20 things to do in Santa Monica this weekend.

August has arrived. Which means Labor Day is only a few weeks away. Which means summer is almost over already. Ack.

Have you been getting the most out of your summer? If not, you'd better get moving, before it gets too late.

In case you've been slacking on your summer planner, don't fret: Santa Monica Patch has pulled together a list of the top activities and events happening in town from Friday night through Sunday night.

Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

So here it goes—the top 20 things to do in Santa Monica this weekend:

1.

Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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

Why Go: Antique jewelry, furniture, books and other collectibles will be available for purchase at this monthly event, which used to take place at . The proceeds will go toward educational efforts in the .

Pricing: Free

2.

Where/When: ; Saturday, 2 to 6 p.m.

Why Go: Enjoy munchies from popular food trucks, and sample wines and beers from local vineyards and breweries, at this afternoon event benefiting the esteemed nonprofit. A silent auction and live entertainment are on the bill as well.

Pricing: $29 in advance (includes unlimited tastings); $39 at the door

3.

Where/When: ; Friday, noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, all day

Why Go: The reopened Santa Monica Place turns 1 year old Saturday, but it's getting the party started Friday with . Special meals will be served at 10 restaurants on the third-level Dining Deck. On Saturday and Sunday, there'll be discounts, live music, shopping promotions and other goodies all day long. For more on the mall's birthday, check out this article, this photo gallery and this video.

Pricing: Meal prices vary

4. Health and Information Fair

Where/When: ; Sunday

Why Go: Free blood-pressure screenings and giveaways are on the program for this fair, which will run until Aug. 13. The center is staging the effort as part of National Health Center Week, which tries to boost the profile of health centers across the U.S. .

Pricing: Free

5. Dolls!—Not Your Usual Love Story Premiere

Where/When: ; Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Why Go: The uplifting musical—which the playhouse describes as "a cheerfully mysterious, unexpectedly amorous musical unveiling of the remarkable secret life of the dolls we left behind"—is making its world premiere. It's also serving as part two of the Actors' Repertory Theatre's 50th Anniversary Festival of Theatre. The show runs through Sept. 25.

Pricing: $15

6.

Where/When: ; Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m.

Why Go: The designer-jeans store is throwing this event to show off its new collection of jet-set-inspired Aviators. The store will offer customers a chance to win a two-night stay at the Huntley and will give them a free flight kit with qualifying purchase. There will also be a DJ and cocktails at the event.

Pricing: Free

7.

Where/When: ; Saturday, 2 p.m.

Why Go: The movie theater takes a break from its usual double-feature-screening routine to host this seminar. Industry professionals will share tips on how to close investors and secure the right distribution model. Foreign distributors, film promotion and advertising will also be discussed.

Pricing: $20 for general admission; $15 for seniors and students; $12 for Aero members

8. Nicholas Ray Tribute

Where/When: Aero Theatre; Friday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m.

Why Go: The lauded director will be saluted with two double-features. On Friday night, the Joan Crawford-starring Johnny Guitar and Humphrey Bogart-starring In a Lonely Place will be screened; on Sunday night, the James Mason-starring Bigger Than Life and Bogart-starring Knock on Any Door are on the bill.

Pricing: $11 (discounts available)

9. Couples Yoga Session

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

Why Go: Couples can get a chance to right themselves at this session, which is part of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.'s ongoing . Buy a ticket, and you'll also get a week of unlimited classes at Yogis Anonymous and a free month-long subscription to the YogisAnonymous.com.

Pricing: $35 per couple

10.

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

Why Go: Glory Holes, Romantic Comedy, Hands Like Bricks, Scardy Cat and Restrict This will rock out at this show. If you go, it's probably not a good idea to wear your dress clothes.

Pricing: Free

11.

Where/When: 's Multipurpose Room; Saturday, 3 p.m.

Why Go: Sara Beck, who teaches brain fitness and memory enhancement at the Venice Skills Center, will educate participants on how to strengthen your brain, and improve your focus and concentration.

Pricing: Free

12.

Where/When: Main Library's Computer Classroom; Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Why Go: Teens will be educated on the basics of taking photos, and they'll also go on a quick trip around the neighborhood to try executing what they've learned. Bring your own digital camera, and be sure to sign up ahead of time if you plan to go.

Pricing: Free

13.

Where/When: ; Friday, 8:30 p.m.

Why Go: For its fifth weekend showcase, Behold: A Queer Performance Festival presents a one-man spoken-word performance that Highways calls "an examination of the quest for fame at any cost." It's being performed by writer/actor/filmmaker Dale Madison, who used to be a host on QVC.

Pricing: $15-$20

14.

Where/When: Highways; Saturday, 8:30 p.m.

Why Go: Behold: A Queer Performance Festival continues the following day with this one-woman performance by Catherine Scott Burriss. "Burriss’ new work negotiates the fraught intersection of the personal and the political, grappling with queer marriage and queer birth when majority rule is tyrannizing one and malpractice rules are traumatizing the other," according to Highways. The show will be preceded by a short performance by performance artist/ Highways co-founder Tim Miller.

Pricing: $15-$20

15. Paws to Read

Where/When: ; Saturday, 2 to 3 p.m.

Why Go: Kids ages 5 to 10 can hone their reading skills in a unique way—by reading to a therapy dog. Don't worry, the dogs won't bite: They're trained by the all-volunteer nonprofit Paws 4 Healing.

Pricing: Free

16. Kathryn Leigh Scott Author Event

Where/When: ; Sunday, 3 p.m.

Why Go: The actress who played multiple characters on the cult TV show Dark Passages will be at the bookstore on Sunday afternoon. She'll be signing copies of her new book, which is named—you guessed it—Dark Shadows.

Pricing: Free

17.

Where/When: ; Saturday, 11 a.m.

Why Go: Barbara Kingsolver's latest novel, The Lacuna (2009), will be the subject of discussion at this gathering of book lovers. The club meets the first Saturday of every month and is open to all.

Pricing: Free

18. The Expert at the Card Table

Where/When: The ; Friday, 7 and 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1, 4 and 7 p.m.

Why Go: The Neil Patrick Harris-directed theatrical performance ends its run at the Broad on Sunday. The show, which features and was written by magician Guy Hollingworth, revolves around a couple of boys whose love of the craft takes a dark turn as they grow up.

Pricing: Various

19.

Where/When: ; Sunday, at 3:30 p.m.

Why Go: Why is this event special, besides the fact that sharks are considered cool by all kids? How about the shark-themed film, the little-known facts revealed by a naturalist as real-life sharks swim and splash close to you or the underwater-related craft you get to take home? You and the kids can also watch the sharks eat their Sunday meal and occasionally get splashed as they squirt water in anticipation of their upcoming meal.

Pricing: $5 (suggested donation); 12 and under are free

20. Loyalty to Your Soul: The Heart of Spiritual Psychology Workshop I

Where/When: ; Friday, 7 p.m.

Why Go: If you're interested in spiritual psychology, take note of a related three-day workshop.

Pricing: $675


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