Free music and parking? Sweet!
THURSDAY nights during the summer offer a wealth of fine free music. Santa Monica’s Twilight Dance Series rates as the largest, best-known, while the Skirball Center hosts its own outdoor world music program. Not to be overlooked is the Culver City Summer Sunset Music Festival. Located at City Hall Plaza, it makes for a fun, easy evening out with a charming small-town vibe.
On a recent warm Thursday, my wife and I also took the opportunity to explore Culver City’s current restaurant boom. Eschewing trendy hot spots such as Ford’s Filling Station and Tender Greens, we picked X’otik Kitchen. Tucked away on Washington Boulevard west of La Cienega, this pint-sized, 2-year-old restaurant features an organic, global-themed menu.
After enjoying the Sumatran coconut chicken with Indonesian rice and the Nebraskan skirt steak with grilled plantains, we drove to Main Street to pick up cookies at the venerable Culver bakery, the Grand Casino.
Since we had found a free parking place, we strolled over to City Hall. Although it was 20 minutes before showtime, the plaza was packed. But some friendly strangers moved over so we could picnic in a shaded, grassy area.
The nostalgic sounds of the Surf City Allstars -- an ensemble of veteran Beach Boys and Jan & Dean sidemen -- suited the setting perfectly, sparking dancing and even an impromptu electric slide. Seniors and families with kids alike reveled in the communal vibe, many toting in food from nearby eateries.
Though oldies were the order of this night, the summer slate (through Sept. 7) holds a wide range of acts: 1940s swing is on tap tonight, jazz next week and on Aug. 24 the South American sounds of Los Pinguos. Geno Delafose’s French Rockin’ Boogie zydeco band closes out the season.
At intermission, we strolled back down Culver Boulevard, seeking out the city’s seven Moving Pictures zoetropes. These spinnable public art pieces are something of a Culver City secret because, even with a map, they tend to blend into the urban landscape. The skateboarder was my favorite zoetrope, though my wife preferred the dog chasing a bird.
The final zoetrope stands right outside the door to Duke’s Hideaway in the historic Culver Hotel. The bar, named for one-time hotel part-owner John Wayne, combines old and new Culver City. My icy Sam Adams and my wife’s sweet/tart lemon drop cocktail brought a cool, refreshing end to a balmy night.
Michael Berick may be reached at weekend@latimes.com.
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The tab
Dinner $30.35
Where: X’otik Kitchen, 6121 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 280-3961. Sumatran coconut chicken, Nebraskan steak dinner, plantains and soda.
Snack $2.00
Where: Grand Casino Bakery and Cafe, 3826 Main St., Culver City. (310) 202-6969. Four cookies.
Entertainment free
What: 12th annual Culver City Sunset Summer Music Festival, City Hall courtyard, 9770 Culver Blvd. Concerts every Thursday at 7 p.m. through Sept. 7. www.culvercitymusic.org.
Also: Moving Pictures zoetrope sculptures. www.wickalexander.com/public/moving7.html.
Drinks $14.99
Where: Culver Hotel, 9400 Culver Blvd., Culver City. (310) 838-7963. Beer and a lemon drop, plus tip.
Total $47.34