September 17, 2026
Brand banner reading The Cheat Sheet in bold orange-red letters, with a sunset gradient, palm trees, and a city skyline silhouette.
Everything you need to survive the week ahead. Updated Thursdays.

It’s National Pet Bird Day!

🎂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Patrick Mahomes (31), Robert Herjavec (64)
📅 ON THIS DATE: All in the Family wins Best Comedy at 30th Emmy Awards (1978)

Both next week’s Ocean Way Festival and the annual Abbott Kinney Festival have been canceled for this year, but there is some good news: Santa Monica College will be staging ‘The Crucible’ from Friday, September 25 – Sunday, October 4. Tickets are available now.

The Crucible at Santa Monica College

🏪 HAPPENING NOW
WORK

SANTA MONICA PIER CHANNELS SS REX FOR ‘A PIERFECT BENEFIT’
Guests are encouraged to dress in 1920s and 1930s attire for Saturday night’s event.
SMDP

BORN TO RUN

7600 RUNNERS PARTICIPATE IN 2026 SANTA MONICA CLASSIC
The annual event funds research into neurological disease.
SM Mirror

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

SAMOHI, ST. MONICA COME OUT ON TOP DURING WEEK 4
Both local schools are now 3-1 on the season.
Santa Monica Sun

‘REALIGNMENT PLAN’

SANTA MONICA OFFERS $5K GRANTS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES
The deadline to apply is October 1.
SantaMonica.gov

📅 UPCOMING COMMUNITY MEETINGS

9/17: SMMUSD Board meeting

9/17: Recreation & Parks Commission meeting

9/21: Architectural Review Board meeting

9/22: City Council meeting

🎬 ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
  • Dolly Parton posthumously accepts Lifetime Achievement Award People
  • Ed Sheeran resale tickets sink in wake of Macklemore drama TMZ
  • American Idol is leaving Hollywood — and moving production to Atlanta KTLA

🏪 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
City Council meeting public comments

SAY WHAT? The Santa Monica City Council hears public comments near the start of each meeting. Here is a quick recap of issues your neighbors brought to their attention last week. Read story

🎟️ THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK
🎬 MOVIES

  • Resident Evil — Opens Sept 18 (Fri) • AMC Theatres
  • The Musical — Opens Sept 18 (Fri) • AMC Theatres
🎵 CONCERTS & LIVE MUSIC

  • Squeeze w/ Adam Ant — Sept 19 (Sat) • Hollywood Bowl
  • Lily Allen — Sept 21 (Mon) • Greek Theatre
🎭 COMEDY, THEATER & ARTS

  • Hang Ten Comedy — Sept 23 (Wed) • Gladstones, P.P.
  • Magic by the Sea — Fri & Sat • Illusion Magic Lounge
📺 TELEVISION

  • Survivor 51 (premiere) — Sept 21 (Mon)
  • The Floor (season premiere) — Sept 23 (Wed)
🍷 NIGHTLIFE / AFTER DARK

  • Live Band Karaoke — Sept 23 (Wed) • Harvelles
  • Music Bingo — Thursdays • O’Brien’s Pub
🧘 COMMUNITY, OUTDOORS & FAMILY

  • Thai Fest by the Beach — Sept 19 & 20 (Sat, Sun) • Santa Monica Pier
  • Western Wednesday / Line Dancing — Sept 23 (Wed) • Santa Monica Place
🏟️ COLLEGE & PRO SPORTS

  • NFL: Raiders @ Chargers — Sept 20 (Sun) • SoFi Stadium
  • College: Glendale College @ SMC — Sept 19 (Sat) • Corsair Field

📌 ON SALE FRIDAY
Elf The Musical

Elf The Musical is coming to L.A.! Based on the hit film, this touring version of the Broadway musical lands at the Pantages Theatre for 16 performances only from December 1 – 13. Tickets available via Ticketmaster.

🏈 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL – WEEK 5
High School Football

Week 5 features several key matchups that could impact the rest of the season.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Gardena @ Samohi
Bosco Tech @ St. Monica Prep
Beckman @ Brentwood
Capistrano @ Venice
Palisades @ San Pedro

Remember to check the Santa Monica Sun each weekend for scores and game recaps.

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