Greens Festival
Virginia Avenue Park’s Black Santa Monica Community Group presents the
9th Annual Black History Greens Festival
This year’s theme is Acknowledging the Past, Living in the Present, Building for the Future. This year’s event will highlight Santa Monica’s local history by paying tribute to a prominent community member, former commissioner and local Santa Monica business owner Mr. Lloyd Allen. The event will also feature greens cooking demonstrations, singers, dance performances, music, book reading by local author Darin Glenn of his book, “Flowing through the Elements”, vendors, wellness booths, food trucks, and more. KJLH’s Arron “Bobo” Arnell will be master of ceremonies with DJ Mark spinning.
The day’s festivities also include:
- Event opening with a drumming and dance performance by Olokun Cultural Group
- Blessing by Shekinah "Paradise" Shakur
- DJ music mixing by Mark Birotte
- Book reading of “Flowing through the Elements,” by Santa Monica author Darin Glenn
- Musical performances by local Santa Monicans, Malikah Muied and $AMARA
- Dance performance by Homeboy the Clown Dance group
- Live cooking demonstrations with local chefs of family favorite greens recipes
- Book giveaways and coloring activities hosted by the Pico Branch Library
- Pico Farmers Market and Master Gardeners giving out seedlings
- Featuring a wide variety of vendors of Black and African American clothing, jewelry, books and more!
- Over a dozen different agencies will be on hand offering information on wellness programs, arts, history, public safety and more!
- Food trucks include Jus’ Family Café, Fun Time Kettle Corn and Ms. SpecialJoy
Guests are encouraged to bring picnic blanket and/or lawn chairs. Walking and biking are encouraged. The Park is served by Big Blue Bus Line #7. The Park is wheelchair accessible and welcomes persons of all abilities.