CONTINUUM

Historic Belmar Park in Santa Monica is more than just a green space; it's a poignant memorial to a vibrant African American community that thrived in the Belmar neighborhood from the late 19th century until the 1950s. The park serves as a reminder of the importance of community, offering a space for healing and education. It features a multi-purpose sports field, a walking path, interpretive historical panels by historian Alison Rose Jefferson, and a monumental red sculpture titled "A Resurrection in Four Stanzas" by artist April Banks.

This free, all-ages public cultural activation will highlight Belmar's history and the Black experience in Santa Monica, celebrating the contributions of Black residents and visitors, while acknowledging the historic loss of land, homes, and businesses in this area.

The day will include:

• Conversations with award-winning journalist, radio host, and podcaster Sam Sanders
• DJ Sets by KCRW's Tyler "Boogie" Boudreaux
• Live music from 2026 NPR Tiny Desk Winner Cure For Paranoia
• A special performance from Songs with Strings featuring special guests Adanna Duru, My Favorite Color, NoMBe, Ramir, Robyn L, and VANS!.
• A special "Party In My Living Room" experience with critically acclaimed jazz, hip-hop, and soul collective Katalyst, that positions music as a living archive—honoring the foundations of Black culture while demonstrating how each generation builds upon the artistry, history and imagination of those who came before.
• Vendor Village curated by Black Market Flea
• Interactive art-making celebrating Belmar History
• A "Give Someone Their Flowers" Bloom Bar Activation with floral artist, and founder of Bloom & Plume, Maurice Harris
• Art and photo installation by interdisciplinary artist April Banks, Santa Monica Conservancy, and Quinn Research Center.
• Food vendors, along with a Wine Garden curated by Offhand Wine Bar

This community benefit was made possible by Ocean Way Festival, in partnership with the city of Santa Monica. Stay tuned to santamonica.gov for information on free concerts, beach cleanups, programs for local students, local business partnerships, and more made possible by Ocean Way Festival.

Info: KCRW’s Tyler “Boogie” Boudreaux shares sun-drenched electronic jams, psychedelic grooves, club heaters, and whatever else feels good.

Info: The Santa Monica Area Interfaith Council (SMAIC) builds a collaborative environment for people of all faiths through education, community activities, and interfaith dialogue to foster peace, equity, and justice

Info: Songs with Strings is led by conductor Vincent Ott and musician Andrew Loper, merging indie artists with classical sounds. Backed by wholesoul , the genre-blending string quartet, founded by professional violist Drew Alexander Forde, plays hip-hop, R&B, and contemporary soul music. This special edition of Songs with Strings features performances from Adanna Duru, My Favorite Color, NomBe, Ramir, Robyn L, and VANS!

Info: NPR 2026 Tiny Desk Winner Cure For Paranoia is the genre-bending project of rapper Cameron McCloud that is redefining the boundaries of modern rap, with music that is both playful and political.

Info: Sam Sanders is an award-winning journalist, podcast creator, and host of The Sam Sanders Show. Join historian Alison Rose Jefferson, artist April Banks, archivist Carolyne Edwards of Quinn Research Center, and Maurice Harris of Bloom & Plume as we discuss Belmar History and Black Santa Monica, through a lens of Black joy, preserving legacy, and the ways we give others their flowers.

Info: Party In My Living Room is an intimate, 90s/00s-inspired house party activation and concert series, presented in collaboration with Goldenvoice Black.
Don’t miss this special experience hosted by PIMLR founder THURZ , alongside critically acclaimed jazz, hip-hop, and soul collective Katalyst, that positions music as a living archive—honoring the foundations of Black culture while demonstrating how each generation builds upon the artistry, history and imagination of those who came before.

Info: KENE O is a Los Angeles-based DJ, curator of sound, and the founder/organizer of Black Market Flea, known for blending foundational genres like Hip Hop, R&B, and Soul into dynamic, community-driven DJ sets.

Info: Set an intention and make a mini-bouquet for a Santa Monica elder, through our partners at Meals on Wheels West, who deliver nutritious food to homebound seniors, and help older adults feel remembered and valued by their local community, and Memories & Movement, a local Black seniors group.

Info: Developed by historian Alison Rose Jefferson and social practice artist April Banks, the Belmar Time Traveler Workbook is a self-guided educational activity booklet created as part of the Belmar History + Art project in Santa Monica, California. Stop by the festival art-making space, and color, collage, write, and draw.

Info: Explore a photography and multi-media installation that includes vintage photos, newsclippings, and work from April Banks, Quinn Research Center, and ZEAL.

Event venue & nearby stays

Historic Belmar Park, 1840 4th Street, Santa Monica, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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