Americana in the Park 2021 Concert Series

August 25, 2021 12:58 PM
by Allison Ostrovsky

Sundays, September 19 – October 10, 3 – 6 p.m., Gandara Park
Free and Open to All

The City of Santa Monica and McCabe’s Guitar Shop are partnering to present Americana in the Park. The concert series will explore the arc of Americana music from its roots in traditional African, Appalachian, roots, blues, bluegrass and folk music, to its modern forms of folk and country music. Showcasing a diverse group of Southern California artists and Americana styles, each concert will feature two family-friendly groups, with the opener geared towards children. Each concert will also feature food trucks and a McCabe’s Guitar Pop-Up Shop.

The concerts will be held in accordance with the most current guidance from state and local health agencies.

Americana in the Park is a pilot project to create a new partnership model for outdoor events, where local organizations are provided funding and support from the City to bring unique and diverse events to the Santa Monica community.

Americana in the Park is made possible by Art of Recovery, an initiative of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs that harnesses the arts to play a major role in the City’s recovery efforts.

LINEUP

Sunday, September 19, 3 – 6 p.m.

Masanga Marimba Ensemble

Djeliba Baba the Storyteller

World-traveled, award-winning professional presenter Djeliba Baba the Storyteller will open for the nine-member Masanga Marimba Ensemble, performing traditional and popular high-energy music from Zimbabwe and Latin America on a variety of instruments, including marimbas of various sizes, drums, percussion, saxophone, and trumpet

Food trucks: Locke Down BBQ | Taste Collective | The Creamy Boys
Truck lineup is subject to change.

Sunday, September 26, 3 – 6 p.m.

The California Feetwarmers

Heidi Swedberg and Daniel Ward

Ukulele musicians Heidi Swedberg and Daniel Ward open for the Grammy-nominated New Orleans-style jazz band The California Feetwarmers who reimagine 1920’s and 1930’s classics from around the world.

Food trucks: The Berlin Truck | The Tropic Truck | Chai Truck
Truck lineup is subject to change.

Sunday, October 3, 3 – 6 p.m.

Phil Salazar and The Kin Folk

Hullabaloo

Children’s music duo Hullabaloo will open for Phil Salazar and The Kin Folk. Led by Southern California bluegrass legend, Phil Salazar, the band performs a unique mix of traditional music, infused with rock, blues, country, jazz, Irish, pop, and bluegrass.

Food trucks: Flamin Hot Chicken | Locke Down BBQ | The Creamy Boys
Truck lineup is subject to change.

Sunday, October 10, 3 – 6 p.m.

Joachim Cooder

The Hollow Trees

Kid folk band The Hollow Trees opens for songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joachim Cooder, who will perform African-inspired Americana on his mbira, an African thumb piano. Joachim is known for collaborations with his father, American roots legend Ry Cooder, having appeared together on iconic recordings such as the landmark Buena Vista Social Club sessions.

Food trucks: The Tropic Truck | Locke Down BBQ | The Creamy Boys
Truck lineup is subject to change.

INFO

LOCATION Gandara Park is located at 1819 Stewart St. Gandara Park amenities include a children’s playground, restrooms, and limited accessible parking. Alternative transportation is encouraged.

PARKING Free parking is available starting at 2 p.m. in the Kite Pharma lot located at 1800 Stewart St., a half-block north of the park. In the event that the Kite Pharma lot fills up, overflow parking will be available in the Bergamot Lot located immediately west of the Kite Pharma lot, at 2525 Michigan Ave. The lot is approximately 1½ blocks from the park and a pedestrian walkway connects with the Kite Pharma lot. An attendant will be in the lot and can provide directions to the park. Please be courteous to the neighborhood residents and do not park in the neighborhood.

BIKE PARKING & SHARED MOBILITY Ride your bike or take an e-bike or e-scooter to the concerts. Bike racks will be available for bike parking starting at 4 p.m. in the Gandara Park lot, 1819 Stewart St.

BIG BLUE BUS Ride Big Blue Bus Route 5 to the concerts and get off at Stewart St. coming from either direction. A roundtrip fare is $2.50 – go cashless and download the mobile ticketing app from Token Transit. Plan your trip on Big Blue Bus.

EXPO LINE Gandara Park is an eight-minute walk from the 26th Street/Bergamot Expo Line Station. Walk east on Olympic Blvd. and turn right on Stewart St. to reach the park. Plan your trip on Metro.

ACCESSIBILITY A limited number of parking spots will be reserved for accessible parking in the Gandara Park lot and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Vehicles must have a government-issued accessible parking license plate, placard, hangtag, or sticker. The entrance to the park’s parking lot will serve as a drop-off location. A parking attendant will be staffing the lot. The park and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. For those using a wheeled mobility device, the walking or bike paths can be used to traverse the park. To view the concert, travel over grass will be required. The ground can be uneven in some areas of the park. For assistance with accommodations, contact Santa Monica Cultural Affairs at least one week prior to the event at 310-458-8350 or culture@santamonica.gov; TTY 310-458-8696.

Authored By

Allison Ostrovsky
Cultural Affairs Supervisor

Sundays, September 19 – October 10, 3 – 6 p.m., Gandara Park Free and Open to All