It’s Abbot Kinney Festival Time

Jonny Whiteside

The Abbot Kinney Festival offers the greatest kickoff for an abundant fall season of frolicsome celebrations. A kaleidoscopic mixture of music, art, food, beverages and so much more, the Fest is an eagerly anticipated neighborhood event now marking its 30th year. It’s also an event that seriously gives back: the non-profit Festival Association’s Community Grants program always donates generated proceeds to a bevy of worthy local organizations, helping everything from local schools and skateboard associations to arts councils, community gardens and historical societies.

With no less than five stages featuring rock, spoken word and everything in between, there’s no shortage of entertainment. Starting at 10 a.m. on the “locals only” Andalusia Stage curated by Venice Singer/Songwriter Matt Ellis, you can hear the Venice Symphony’s lively blend of modern and classical pieces followed by freewheeling Louisiana-born/Venice-based Troubadour Lacey Kay Cowden; surf-tinged indie rock by Blue Eyed Son; Americana from Paul Chesne and Nocona; plus a set by Venice’s own Tom Freund, who will strum numbers from his very well-received Two Moons album.

The Palms Stage will offer offbeat collection of musical artists, including pop provocateurs Mister Goodnite and moody rockers Can of Worms, while the dublab’s Broadway Stage features a host of DJs and live sets from psych-rockers the Tyde, Bart Davenport’s consciousness-expanding soul/pop, and many other attractions. There’s also a Spoken Word Stage with 10 well-regarded wordsmiths, ranging from Chaya Silberstein to Jeremy Radin. And the Kidsquad Stage is the starting point for the samba-fueled Family Parade (departing California Avenue and Abbot Kinney at 9:45 a.m.), along with kiddie-thrilling Performance Artist Madame Chocolat and live music from Samba Da Mudanca, Jennifer Paskow, the ShooFlies and local juvenile punk band Room 23.

A small army of vendors, arts and crafts will also be peppered along a mile-long course in this community’s liveliest neighborhood, with food/drink stands and trucks, three beer gardens, family activities and children’s rides. The Abbot Kinney Festival clearly reigns supreme as one of Southern California’s annual-attendance-mandatory destinations.

The Abbot Kinney Festival takes over Abbot Kinney Blvd. (from Venice Blvd. to Main St. in Venice) on Sunday, September 28, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is free.