By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

September 15, 2014 – Downtown Santa Monica Inc. (DTSM) will celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of the most popular outside shopping malls in the world with a week of activities and parties.

The historic entertainment and shopping complex that turned Downtown Santa Monica into a local hangout and tourist destination will host three unique functions that not only will entertain guests, but will educate them.

On Wednesday, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the historic Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club at 4th Street and Wilshire Boulevard will host an evening of guest speakers who will provide a detailed history of the Third Street Promenade with the 25th Anniversary Symposium.

Guest Speakers will include Santa Monica Conservancy Docent Kay Pattison, Third Street Urban Planner Woodie Tescher, former Santa Monica mayor Denny Zane, Third Street Reatil Consultant Rob York and CEO of DTSM Kathleen Rawson.

“The Symposium will shed light on the success of the international phenomenon that has redefined the ‘downtown’ model for cities around the world, truly earning its tagline: ‘Created Locally. Celebrated Globally,’” said officials in a press release. 

“Learn about the past, present and future of Third Street Promenade at this free evening event for all.”

While the symposium will feed the mind, Santa Monica’s first ever DJ-driven music festival “Sonic Submarine” will feed the soul Saturday afternoon from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The festival will feature five DJs from the KCRW on-air roster, including Nocturna host Raul Campos, Mario Cotto, two-time Grammy nominee Chris Douridas, Travis Holcombe and Garth Trinidad.

“The Third Street block stretching north from Santa Monica Boulevard to Arizona Street will come alive with hour-long sets from the acclaimed sound-smiths as well as an interactive photo booth for Sonic Submariners, digitally capturing the evening festivities and creating memories for years to come,” said officials.

“Come one, come all to this free night of immersion in an electronic wonderland.”

The weeklong celebration will culminate in an old-fashioned 25th Anniversary Block Party grand celebration at the Promenade on Sunday starting at 11 a.m..

DTSM officials will reenact the historic 1989 ribbon-cutting of the Promenade with the traditional ribbon replaced with a custom-designed sustainable ribbon honoring the Promenade’s “reputation as both innovative and evolutionary,” according to officials.

Included in the festivities is an ice cream social, live music and local entertainers, all while enjoying the Santa Monica sun.

Over the past 25 years, Third Street Promenade has been an economic engine for the city of Santa Monica, contributing more than $435 million in taxable sales to the city in 2012.

Additionally, it has continuously evolved to become the home to a creative mixture of local and national retail businesses, restaurants of all types, new multifamily housing developments and “the best free entertainment and street performers found anywhere under the sun and stars,” officials said.

For more information about the Promenade and the anniversary celebrations, visit the blog at santamonicacentric.com. Information can also be found at downtownsm.com.