Cheat Sheet 7/16: Santa Monica news, entertainment and events

Today is National Cherry Day!

• HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Will Ferrell (59) and Phoebe Cates (63)
• ON THIS DATE: Apollo 11 launches from Kennedy Space Center (1969)

As the World Cup winds down and the heat rises, here’s everything you need to know to survive the week on the Westside.

FROM DOWNTOWN

‘COAST 2026’ STREET FESTIVAL
Santa Monica will celebrate the World Cup final with the COAST 2026 open streets festival on Sunday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

FROM SAMOHI

‘PALISADES’ VIDEO DEBUTS
Samohi senior Alex Chaiet lost her home in the 2025 Palisades fire. Now she’s released the official music video for a song she wrote about the experience.

FROM THE PIER

‘OCEAN WAY FESTIVAL’ IS COMING
The event will take place over two days on Santa Monica Beach this fall. Coordinator Nic Adler of Goldenvoice shared some early details this week.

FROM MID CITY

P.A.L. AWARDS $31K IN SCHOLARSHIPS
The Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) has awarded more than $31,000 in scholarships to ten high school juniors and graduating seniors.

🗓️ Community Meetings & Events

7/16: SMMUSD School Board meeting

7/28: City Council meeting

8/3: Northeast Neighbors monthly meeting

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• United Airlines has figured out a way to make money off the seats that nobody wants to sit in. Yahoo
• Florida high schooler earns 11.99 GPA, forces district to change grading policy. NY Post
• Olive Garden is bringing back its $100 Unlimited Pasta Pass –– how to get yours. Today

LOCAL Business Spotlight

CHA CHA CHICKEN TURNS 30: Owner Elvira Garcia shares her incredible story of saving the restaurant from the brink of bankruptcy in 1998 and turning it into a culinary landmark. Read it

🔥 THE HOT LIST: 7 Things Not to Miss This Week

1. ‘The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe’ @ Morgan-Wixson Theatre
The youth production recreates the magic of Narnia. Tickets

2. Illusions & Ink @ Kiss Kiss Tattoo
Magic Castle regular – and Santa Monica resident – Zach Waldman performs two close up magic shows. More Info

3. Los Lobos @ Burton Chace Park
The latin band best known for its catchy cover of “La Bamba” headlines the Marina Del Rey Summer Concert Series.

4. ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ @ NuArt Theatre
The midnight cult classic returns to the NuArt Theatre, Saturday at 11:30 p.m.

5. World Cup Finale
Catch the final games live on Fox.

6. Evanescence @ Kia Forum
Amy Lee and the band are back in town Saturday night.

7. Pub Trivia
Put your knowledge to the test and win cash prizes at O’Brien’s Irish Pub.

🎟️ GET YOUR TICKETS

America’s Got Talent @ Pasadena Civic Auditorium
The summer’s number one variety show for two decades returns with live shows Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning August 17. Tickets

The Spongebob Musical @ Santa Monica College
A crisis hits Bikini Bottom. Runs July 17 – 26. Tickets

Richard Marx @ The GRAMMY Museum
The Grammy winner (“Don’t Mean Nothing,” “Right Here Waiting”) will perform in the 200 seat Clive Davis Theatre. Tickets

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