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Arts & Entertainment

Culver City on a Budget

Even if the cash isn't flowin', there are still many fun and family-friendly things to do this summer.

With "Parks and Recreation Month" in mind, check out our list of fun, free--or low-cost--activities taking place in Culver City over the next month:

1) The Boulevard Music Festival at Veteran's Park is a free music festival featuring local and nationally known talent. The roster includes: Bernie Pearl, Robby Longley, Tracy Newman, Nathan McEuen, American Primitive, Chad Watson, Westside Voices, Frank Giffen and more.

The show is spearheaded by Gary Mandell, the same producer that has been putting together the 16th Annual Culver City Music Festival for the last 10 years.

"The Boulevard Festival has a talented lineup, but some of the artists may not have the name recognition that the Thursday shows have," Mandell said.
"This show tends to be a little folkier than the Culver City
Music Festival as well."

The Boulevard Music Festival is  on July 18 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 310-398-2583 for more information.

2) The 2010 Children's Popcorn Theater Production at Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park is a play for children of all ages and is free to the public. "The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk," directed by Heidi Dotson, has already garnered some excitement from local kids--according to Hilary Bates, Chairman of the Board of the Culver City Public Theater.

"While painting some of our flats in preparation for this season, a local family stopped by to inquire about this year's children's show, having attended in previous years," Bates said. "At the mere mention of the title, 'The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk,' the kids' eyes lit up as smiles crossed their faces.

"Not long after, they pulled up their child-size lawn chairs to watch the paint dry on our backdrop! That is a snapshot of the anticipation of what this season will bring."

The shows run Saturday and Sundays at noon, starting July 17 and ending August 22. Call 310-712-5482 for more information.

3) The First Annual Culver-Palms Family YMCA Film Festival is the YMCA's first free--and soon to become annual--event for creative family fun. The movies will be starring YMCA members.

All members are invited to submit a five-minute movie of their making that will then be submitted to a panel. Qualifying movies will be shown on the night of the festival.

The show is scheduled for September 24 at 7:30 p.m., but early entries are enouraged. Call 310-837-9546 for more information.


4) Fiesta La Ballona 2010 at Veteran's Memorial Park is free fun for all who come. This no-cost event will feature:  two stages of entertainment, local music acts, vendor booths, pony rides, a petting zoo and more. 

The carnival runs on August 27, 28 and 29 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m on Sunday. Call 310-253-6667 for more information.

5) The 16th Annual Culver City Music Festival at the Culver City Hall Courtyard is an eight-week concert series with musical artists of varied styles. Genres this year include Gypsy Jazz, Salsa, Zydeco, Blues, Rock, Swing and more. 

Gary Mandell, the show's producer, has happily watched the attendance multiply for years.

"The attendance has grown from about 200 or less to up to 1500 people," Mandell said of the last 10 years. "The acts I look for are typically nationally or internationally known groups."

The shows run Thursday nights from  7 p.m. to 9 p.m, starting July 8 and ending August 26. Call 310-253-5716  for more information.

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6)  William Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor (New Jersey), directed by Mike Peebler at Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park, is a free play that will feed everyone's inner thespian. The shows run Saturday and Sundays at 2 p.m, starting July 17 and ending August 1. 

"People should come see our children's productions as well as our main stage shows because it's an extremely pleasant and enjoyable way to spend a summer afternoon, and it's absolutely free," Hilary Bates, Chairman of the Board of the Culver City Public Theater, said. "It's also important to cultivate an appreciation for the arts, as well as to support the community."

The shows run Saturday and Sundays at 2 p.m, starting July 17 and ending August 1. Call 310-712-5482 for more information.

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

 

 

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