Month-long Pride celebration unites community, families and LGBTQIA+ supporters of all ages
Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica Pier, and Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., in collaboration with the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica Travel and Tourism announce the return of SaMo PRIDE this June. The city-wide celebration is anchored by "Miles of Pride," a vibrant light installation spanning the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place. Other city landmarks, including City Hall, Santa Monica Pier, and the Main Street Santa Monica Travel and Tourism visitor's center, will also service lighting displays as an extension of "Miles of Pride." These installations will illuminate the sky with a rainbow of colors and serve as a backdrop for a full calendar of events that celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, individuality, inclusivity and acceptance.
The first SaMo PRIDE event kicks off June 3 at Santa Monica Place who will host the Made with PRIDE Marketplace every Friday through Sunday in June in Nordstrom Court, Level One. The retail marketplace showcases over 15 Southern California LGBTQIA+ business owners, highlighting their stories, unique products and services. Makers include Stuzo, Humankind Swim, Pippi and Lola, Soul Food Candle Co., and more, who have been curated by Streetlet, a small business community and growth platform. Santa Monica Place will also host a live DJ spinning every weekend throughout the month where guests can enjoy music under "Lanterns of Love;" an overhead colored lantern installation that spans across Center Plaza.
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. will host live events on the Promenade June 17 through 19. The popular Mortified Podcast presents a special SaMo PRIDE installment on June 17, featuring stories shared by members of the LGBTQIA+ community in front of a live audience. The outdoor market bazaar, Angel City Market, brings together local minority-owned small businesses for a day of shopping, good drinks and community connection on June 18. The market will feature hand-crafted items from LGBTQIA+ artisans, as well as PRIDE-themed goodies and activations. SaMo PRIDE's Dance Master, Dane Sorenson, leads the high-energy dance aerobics class Dancing with Dane on June 19, suited for all ages and abilities.
Two art installations by James Kinsley Daniel will be on view on the Third Street Promenade titled "I Stand With Trans Youth" and "I Love My Queer Family." Curated by Allies in Arts, these interactive pieces respond to current rises in transphobic legislation and rhetoric, allowing visitors to pose with and photograph the installations to show support for trans youth and queer family.
The Santa Monica Pier celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community with a special display. The iconic and historic windows of the Pier's Merry Go-Round will be brought to life with a celebration of all things PRIDE.
The City of Santa Monica is dedicated to increasing visibility and understanding of the broad spectrum of gender identities and experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community. The City celebrates PRIDE with the month-long lighting of City Hall in rainbow colors and a series of educational, uplifting events during the month of June. Community events include the Party with a Purpose mixer and fundraiser on June 2, Queer Prom co-sponsored by the Church in Ocean Park and Santa Monica Travel and Tourism at the Water Garden on June 18, a Pride sunset swim at the Annenberg Community Beach House on June 24, City Council's Pride Proclamation on June 28, and much more. Additionally, following an open call for project submissions, the City's Art of Recovery initiative will unveil a select number of art projects to be featured as part of the city-wide celebration.
For more information and the full calendar of SaMo PRIDE events visit smpride.com.