Reggae Night At The Pier!

Last night was Reggae Night at the Santa Monica Pier for the Twilight Dance Series. The star of the evening musically was Sister Nancy, but the real center of attention was the beautiful night sky.

Each Thursday, I hear a giant bike squad go by, blaring a huge old school boom box. They ride as one big group, and it always makes my day. We exchange whistles and waves, and it lets me know it's time to get on the road to the Pier myself. I love them, and this time got my camera going just in time to catch a little of it to show you what I mean. Awesome.

We all needed a walk (and all lack working bikes at the moment), so we set off on foot. It could not have been a more perfect night for a Summer stroll, and it also gives you the chance to better things out than if you're flying by on a bike or a car. Like these cool members of another bike posse, all decked out in lights, and I liked to think, rasta colors.

By the time we got to the pier, the sun had set, so it was time to lie back on the blanket in the sand and look for some straggler meteors. We saw none, but there were distractions. The Twilight Concert Series folks have GOT to figure out something about speakers for the people (thousands!) on the sand that honestly have to have extra bionic ears to eke out one bass note. There also used to be a screen facing the sand, so the Sand People could also catch a glimpse of the action. Not anymore.

There is nothing better than a Pier concert to show off what it's like to live and love Summer in Southern California ... but it's a total zoo up on the actual pier (especially if you have kids and/or dogs along) so it would be excellent if we chillers on the beach could see and hear too.

After a while of stargazing and knowing that somewhere over there was actual music, we decided to head back, knowing that we could actually hear the music better on the wind. Sure enough, right about by Shutters, we heard the distant strains of "Bam Bam" ... and all was well.

One Love, Rastas! So fun. So happy to be back in the land of Good Vibrations! Yes I.

Pier Concerts Kick Off With The Minneapolis Funk!

The Twilight Concert Series began last night on the Santa Monica Pier, and as usual, it was a complete blast. We were extra excited because the band booked to start the Summer concerts off right was Morris Day and The Time. Minneapolis legends! Hometown heroes! We couldn't wait.

This was also exciting because it would be the first concert of the Minneapolis sound for the young kids in our group, all with Minnesota roots. We got there a little late so the pier was jam packed and we had to go in all the way at the back. Usually we post up on the sand, but we wanted to actually see and hear the self-proclaimed sexiness of Morris Day up closer. (In fact, Day mentioned that when "Uptown Funk" says, "I had to kiss myself, I'm so pretty", he actually said that first 30 years ago).

Yes, it was all about the sexiness, as Day brought a bunch of ladies up on stage to dance around with him. Everyone was all smiles and dancing, and the kids up on our shoulders told us that it looked pretty good up on the stage too. They played all the crowd pleasers ... we danced and did "The Bird", we walked back up the pier singing "Jungle Love". Good, good times.

Pier concerts are about as Southern California Summer perfect as it gets, and the line-up this year is really good. Sister Nancy, Ariel Pink, Jefferson Starship ... come on. And it's all free, outside, in the fresh air, under a sunset, with all your friends. Every Thursday.

Happy Summer!