Grab friends, family and dancing shoes for free concerts in the park. A sampling of  jazz and world music genres, free dance lessons and intermission performances (on select dates), and some of the area’s finest food trucks will be presented. Come early to enjoy the new family-fun activities for children and adults, providing entertainment like cornhole, giant blocks and more beginning one hour prior to each concert.

LOCATION

Gandara Park is located at 1819 Stewart St. Park amenities include a children's playground, restrooms and limited accessible parking.

BIKE SHARE & BIKE VALET

Ride your bike or a Breeze Bike Share rental to the concerts. There's a Breeze station at the park! Free bike valet will be available starting at 4pm in the Gandara Park lot,
1819 Stewart St.

BIG BLUE BUS

Ride Big Blue Bus Route 5 to the concerts and get off at Stewart St. coming from either direction. A roundtrip fare is $2.50--go cashless and download the mobile ticketing app from Token Transit. Plan your trip on Big Blue Bus.

EXPO LINE

Gandara Park is an eight-minute walk from the 26th Street/Bergamot Expo Line Station. Walk east on Olympic Blvd. and turn right on Stewart St. to reach the park. Plan your trip on Metro.

PARKING

Free parking is available after 3:30pm in the Kite lot located at 1800 Stewart St., a half block north of the park. There are over 100 spots in the lot. Please do not park in the neighborhood - it is a permitted area and parking tickets may be given out to cars without a permit.  

ACCESSIBILITY

A section of parking spots will be reserved for accessible parking in Gandara Park's lot. Vehicles must have a government-issued accessible parking license plate, placard, hangtag or sticker. The entrance to the park's parking lot will serve as a drop-off location. A parking attendant will be staffing the lot. The park and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. If you are using a wheeled mobility device, the walking or bike paths can be used to traverse the park. To view the concert, travel over grass will be required. The grass can be uneven. For assistance with accessibility accommodations, contact Santa Monica Cultural Affairs at least one week prior to the event at 310-458-8350 orsmarts@smgov.net; TTY 310-458-8696.

Jazz on the Lawn is presented by the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division. In-kind support is provided by Kite, a Gilead Company, and the City of Santa Monica Water Resources Division.

MUSIC LINEUP

August 5, 5-7pm

NICK MANCINI COLLECTIVE
Pre-concert games being at 4pm 

Vibraphonist/marimbist and composer Nick Mancini will bring his instrumental group the Nick Mancini Collective, along with featured vocalist Laura Mace, to the stage. The performance will feature original material notable for expansive and lyrical melodies, lush, otherworldly harmonies and groovy music bass lines. Actor, spoken word artist, humanitarian, and TED speaker Sean Hill will host the evening's festivities. Pre-concert games begin one hour prior to the concert at 4pm and continue until 7pm.

August 12, 5-7pm

SCAMBOOTY

Come early for a swing Lesson with Marshall Watson and Chelsea Beach at 4:30pm
Pre-concert games begin at 4pm

Scambooty is an upbeat, 5-piece vocal band, which weaves jazz, swing, folk, blues, jump, country and the great American Songbook into tight, three-part vocals. A free swing dance lesson at 4:30pm will be led by Marshall Watson, professional swing dancer and DJ, along with his dance partner Chelsea Beach. Joe Hernandez-Kolski, co-founder of Downbeat 720, an open-mic event for high school performers, will be hosting the evening. Downbeat 720 has been running for over sixteen years and is sponsored by the City of Santa Monica. Pre-concert games begin one hour prior to the concert at 4pm and continue until 7pm.

August 19, 5-7pm

TWANGUERO
Pre-concert games begin at 4pm

Intermission concert by the Samohi Jazz Combo

Twanguero performs with an incomparably engaging style that connects Spanish guitar, American folk, blues, rockabilly, flamenco and tango. Considered by many to be one of the best guitarists in Spain, GOYA and Latin GRAMMY winner, Twanguero is a pioneer in the Latin twang genre. An intermission concert at 5:50pm will  feature the Samohi Jazz Combo performing contemporary jazz standards. Actor, spoken word artists, humanitarian, and TED speaker Sean Hill will host the evening's activities. Pre-concert games being one hour prior to the concert at 4pm and continue until 7pm.

August 26, 5-7pm

ORQUESTA TABACO Y RON

Come early for salsa lesson with Rudy Zalez
Pre-concert games begin at 4pm

Orquesta Tabaco y Ron performs a high-energy, hard-edged brand of salsa music with a tropical sound that has appealed to devoted salsa dancers and Latin music DJ's worldwide, The 10-piece big band orchestra is comprised of musicians from all over Latin America. A free salsa dance lesson will be offered before the concert, at 4:30pm, led by Rudy Zalez, a professional salsa dancer known for his charisma and distinctive style. Joe Hernandez-Kolski, co-founder of Downbeat 720, an open-mic event for high school performers, will be hosting the evening. Downbeat 720 has been running for over sixteen years and is sponsored by the City of Santa Monica. Pre-concert games begin one hour prior to the concert at 4pm and continue until 7pm.