On Saturday, Oct. 19, the City of Santa Monica will celebrate the opening of its Civic Center Parks, encompassing roughly 7 ocean-view acres in Santa Monica’s Civic Center, stretching from the footsteps of City Hall to Ocean Avenue. The two new centrally-located parks include Tongva Park, a 6-acre oasis located between Ocean Avenue and Main Street, and Ken Genser Square, a new public gathering space in front of City Hall.

WHAT:           The celebration will feature music, crafts, storytelling, food trucks, and tours of the park’s diverse horticulture and innovative design elements. Tongva culture will be presented through traditional stories, songs, indigenous dances, and ceremonies.  

WHEN:           Saturday, October 19, 2013

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHERE:         Tongva Park, 1615 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, Calif.

SCHEDULE:  

Gathering Hill Performances

Masters of Ceremonies

Paul Apodaca, Chapman University Professor & Rich Caparella, KUSC Host

11:15 – 11:30 a.m.                  Procession of Gabrieleno Tongva Dancers from City Hall to Gathering Hill

11:30 – 11:45 a.m.                  Blessing by Andy Morales

11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.          Park Welcome by Mayor Pam O’Connor and James Corner

12:15 – 12:30 p.m.                  Performance by the Gabrieleno Tongva Dancers

1:00 – 1:30 p.m.                      Flute Performance by Sarah Thomson & Gary Lemos

1:45 – 2:00 p.m.                      Aztec Dance Performance by Cabeza de Vaca Cultura

2:15 – 2:30 p.m.                      Kuruvungna Tongva Music by James Igo

3:00 – 3:30 p.m.                      Chumash Storytelling with Ted and Dennis Garcia

3:45 – 4:00 p.m.                      Closing performance by the Gabrieleno Tongva Dancers

Free Parking will be available from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Civic Center Parking Structure, located at 333 Civic Center Dr. (corner of Olympic Dr. and 4th St.) and the Civic Center Parking Lot, located at 1821 Main St. (just north of Pico Blvd.). Free bike valet will be available on Main St. between Colorado Ave. and Olympic Dr. Visit www.bigbluebus.com for routes to Tongva Park.