West LA Times

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 11, 2024) — The city of Santa Monica, in partnership with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, is gearing up to host the 10th annual Arts & Literacy Festival on Saturday, April 27, at Virginia Avenue Park. The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is open to all families and is free to attend.

This year's festival carries the theme "The robots are here," and will showcase a variety of activities and games organized by over 30 community organizations. These activities align with the Santa Monica Cradle to Career Building Blocks for Kindergarten campaign, emphasizing the importance of ensuring all children in Santa Monica start kindergarten prepared for learning both inside and outside the classroom.

Among the highlights of the event are the reDiscover Center’s Robot Dance Party, robotic demonstrations by the SaMo Tech Robotics Team, and the Santa Monica Public Library’s Storytime Stage featuring robot-themed books read by local librarians and Santa Monica Fire Chief Matthew Hallock.

Participants can also look forward to engaging with the popular Steve’s Machine Empire, which features participatory machines and contraptions, and enjoy performances by various groups such as the WeBreak hip hop dance company, Santa Monica Youth Orchestra’s Mariachi Ensemble and Balkan Ensemble, Bollypop interactive dance performance, Elemental Music’s Prelude program, and the Santa Monica Ballet Folklorico.

One of the event's organizers, Emcee Sean Hill, expressed excitement about the festival, stating, "The robots are here," setting the tone for a day filled with fun and educational activities for families in the community.

The festival will also offer an opportunity for children to learn about recycling from Santa Monica Resource Recovery & Recycling’s Curby the Robot and participate in an obstacle course organized by the Santa Monica Fire Department. Additionally, delivery robot Coco will be making special appearances to bring a touch of technology and innovation to the event.

Attendees can engage in various activities and collect stamps on the event’s Explorer Card, which can be redeemed for a free book at the Santa Monica Public Library booth, encouraging a love for reading and literacy within the community.

The Arts & Literacy Festival promises to be a vibrant and enriching experience for families in Santa Monica, bringing together a diverse range of activities that promote learning, creativity, and community engagement.