Charles Andrews

Santa Monica

Political Columnist and Music Journalist at Santa Monica Daily Press

Freelance Writer and Editor at Freelance

SMDP columnist activist music lover

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Articles

Monty Alexander Fundraiser Show

4 weeks ago | smdp.com | Charles Andrews

THE AMAZING MONTY, JAZZ BAKERY -courtesy photoHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!Thank you, thank you, tusen takk! May 29: JFK, CK Chesterton, TH White, Patrick Henry, Danny Elfman, King Charles II, Austin Reeves and of course Tenzing Norgay, first man to look down on the world from the summit of Everest. I am in a village on an island south of Bergen, Norway. Why not? It will be a relief to get away from the daily, escalating ravages of the Orange Oligarch for a bit.
How music Shapes Our Identity and Community Bonds

1 month ago | smdp.com | Charles Andrews

WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? For it to get really bad? That will be the call to arms? Better turn your ringer up. That call went out a while ago. People here legally are being snatched off the street by armed men wearing masks, and “disappeared.” Journalists sued for billions. A U.S. Congress member arrested and charged while performing her sworn duty of oversight at an immigrant detention center.
Ruskin, Jazz Bakery need help

1 month ago | smdp.com | Charles Andrews

DEFEND ART! - courtesy photoART ATTACKIt is part of the “I Want to be King” playbook. Stifle the artists, free speech, dissent. Pull their funding. That was the Project 2025 plan, but already it is reality. We must defend our art institutions against the barbarians, especially our local ones. More on this soon.
Flamenco, T Bone Yo’ Mama

1 month ago | smdp.com | Charles Andrews

BEYOND BAROQUE BROKENot exactly, but they just announced that Trump’s anti-arts brigade has decided to pull the NEA grant for our Venice neighbor, a decades-long beacon of literacy, which will be a severe blow to their operations.
We’ve got it all this week

1 month ago | smdp.com | Charles Andrews

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: BEETHOVEN with ESA-PEKKA SALONEN – We’re all feeling a bit verklempt over Maestro Dudamel’s scheduled departure for New York next year, but keep in mind, he took over a great orchestra and made it even greater, and we will still have that when he leaves, no matter who is shaking the baton.
Flamenco Opera! - Santa Monica Daily Press

2 months ago | smdp.com | Charles Andrews

SO MANY FISH IN THE BARRELTo not shoot. But it’s important to hit the nastiest ones. Or they may grow strong enough to leap up and devour my BB gun. My mind reels with each new “breaking news.” Are we broken yet? Not at all. Incredible numbers are taking to the streets, enough! too much! hands off! and lawsuits are flying everywhere. It may seem like an impractical, idealistic connection but I really think immersing ourselves in the arts is important right now.
McCabe’s, Pop, Phil, ‘Hands Off!’

2 months ago | smdp.com | Charles Andrews

RICK SHEA, TONY GILKYSON -courtesy photo McCabe’s“HANDS OFF!” GLOBAL PROTEST, THIS SATURDAY! – This is the time to show up, with signs and anger but not violence, to support those around the world who will be protesting the chaos, destruction and death the bully baby and his billionaire boss are already wreaking, not just here but worldwide. (If you think that is hyperbole, you are underinformed.
Gerald goes Gershwin

Mar 27, 2025 | smdp.com | Charles Andrews

GERALD CLAYTON -courtesy photoAM I ONLY tossing in these occasional political announcements because I no longer write my CURIOUS CITY column on a regular basis? No. Trump’s chaos directly affects the arts. One example: he fired the board at the Kennedy Center in D.C., a preeminent arts institution nationally, and put himself in charge. Will we now see honors go to the likes of Carrie Underwood, Lee Greenwood, Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, 3 Doors Down, Billy Ray Cyrus? Ted Nugent, the Village People?
Mozart and Mike’s

Mar 20, 2025 | smdp.com | Charles Andrews

YUM YUM EAT ‘EM UP! – OK that was silly but hopefully got your attention. I love chain restaurants that practice giving back to the community and Jersey Mike’s has been doing it for years. THIS WED, MARCH 26 - they will donate 100% of NET SALES, every penny that comes in the door, to a local charity. They are also my favorite sub shop of all, for taste. Lincoln & Broadway, or just across the border in Venice at 245 Main Street. If you think of it, tell them the Daily Press sent you.
Toledo, Tesla, Van, Midori, Mozart

Mar 13, 2025 | smdp.com | Charles Andrews

MIDORI TONIGHT! -courtesy photoMUSK - TRUMP PROTESTSaturday noon 3/15 at Broadway and Third, near the Tesla dealership. To demand accountability, for Trump turning his unelected billionaire donor loose to cause so much pain and damage, and to enrich his own business interests. Sponsored by CODEPINK. Such protests are popping up worldwide. A lot. And yes, this does affect the arts, big time.

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