This annual festival drawls over 100,000 people every year! Why? Because it’s fun, fun, fun in the warm VENICE California sun, has  a great selection of booths with: artisans, community and civic organizations, clothing, accessories, gifts, food and so much more! It’s from 10am-6pm. Note that the LA Marathon is the SAME day and Venice Blvd. will be closed until 11am. It’s suggested to take an alternate route if you’re driving or get there shortly after 11am. Just updated: westbound lanes of Venice Blvd. will be kept open at all times – eastbound lanes of Venice Blvd. are expected to be open no later than 11 AM.

Awards Given to Venice Non-Profits: 3:15 PM on the Andalusia Stage, the AKFA board of directors will award grants to the following Venice nonprofits: 826LA, Beyond Baroque, Inside Out Community Arts, Venice Arts, Venice Oceanarium, and A Window Between Worlds.

In addition, the 2011 recipients of the AKFA’s Spirit of Venice Awards will be recognized. Nominated by the community for their contributions to the heart and soul of Venice, they include the following:

• David King, Garden Master of Venice High School Learning Garden and Founder & Chair of the Seed Library of Los Angeles (SLOLA)
• Venice Art Crawl (accepted by co-founders Daniel Samakow, Edizen Stowell, Mark Rojas)
• Yo! Venice! (accepted by co-founder Bret)
• Teresa Skinner, Sr. Lead Officer at Los Angeles Police Department

Parking: lots are located near Windward and on Electric Ave., Washington Blvd. near Venice Pier. Also  take the Playa Vista Beach Shuttle, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus or LA Metro, bike, walk, skateboard!


Music Lineup (this is edited):
KIDSQUAD Stage (Westminster Ave.) starting 9:45 am – last band 5:15

9:45 AM – Family Parade (start California Ave / end Westminster Ave)5:15 PM – Superbroke Brass and Tin and Strings – AK Blog pick- check them out!

BROOKS STAGE

10:00 AM – L.A. Record x dublab Sound System (DJ set)
11:00 AM – Club Pacific Band
11:45 AM – DJ set
12:15 PM – Tom Brosseau
1:00 PM – DJ set
1:30 PM – Hanni El Khatib
2:15 PM – DJ set
2:45 PM – Swahili Blonde
3:30 PM – DJ set
4:00 PM – Mia Doi Todd
4:45 PM – DJ set
5:15 PM – Thundercat


ANDALUSIA STAGE

10:45 AM – Sister Rogers
11:30 AM – Capital Cities
12:15 PM – Kris Mars
1:00 PM – Seasons
1:45 PM – Gantez Warrior
2:30 PM – Dumbfoundead (aka DFD)
3:15 PM – AKFA Community Awards Ceremony – AK Blog pick
4:00 PM – Family of the Year
5:00 PM – Kisses


PALMS STAGE

10:00 AM – Frosty
12:00 PM – Marion
1:00 PM – Carlos Niño
2:00 PM – Ale, Suzanne Kraft & Soft Soil Music Club
4:00 PM – Tom Chasteen
5:00 PM – Anthony Valadez
AK Blog pick

There are food trucks and food booth stationed all over Abbot Kinney.
Eat, Drink & Enjoy!
Look for the AK Blog Crew at the festival!

1st Fridays Preview: Breast Cancer Fundraiser at The Harlot 
October 7, is First Fridays on Abbot Kinney. Did you know that October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month? It sure is and to celebrate it,  a Breast Cancer fundraiser at the edgy new salon, The Harlot will host a festive fundraising event from 6 – 10pm.The Fundraiser consists of 3 inspiring activities, titled the Goddess Bazaar:

* Silent Auction – There will be dinners from top Abbot Kinney restaurants, framed art work, personal training services, organic facials and hair services from The Harlot Salon and more.

* “Think Pink” Styling Station – A station were guests can get a pink feather, a pink hair strand and/or pink nail polish applied for donations as well.

* Belly Dancing Classes – Val Macias, the receptionist at the salon is a dancer and will teach mini (15 minutes) Belly Dancing classes to guests for a donation.

Mark your calendars now and more will be coming soon!

It’s All About Venice!