locals’ night

✨🎉 january 16 | 3:30 PM - 8:00 PM 🎉✨

The first Locals’ Night of 2025 is here! On Thursday, January 16, the Santa Monica Pier is turning up the volume with amazing DJs spinning live inside the historic Merry Go-Round Building.

This all-ages event is 100% FREE and packed with fun for everyone—perfect for kicking off the new year with music, good vibes, and Pier magic! 🥳

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meet the dj’s

🎶 XICA SOUL

XICA SOUL is a Los Angeles-based DJ and radio host celebrated for her dynamic, genre-defying sets that ignite dance floors with energy and connection. As a natural music communicator, she masterfully crafts vibrant and eclectic mixes, driven by her passion for uncovering kaleidoscopic tracks that resonate deeply with listeners.
At the core of Xica Soul’s ethos is fostering a welcoming space where dancers of all backgrounds can freely express themselves and build community, both on and off the floor. Her expertly curated sets traverse a spectrum of styles, including sweet soul, downtempo, house, disco, and boogie, reflecting her deep respect for the roots of dance music worldwide.
Currently, XICA SOUL hosts SoundProof, a monthly radio show on Dublab. She has also been a resident on Hyde FM and Worldwide FM and a guest DJ on NTS, Vans Channel 66, Fault Radio, and The Lot Radio. Her taste and mixes pay homage to the global heritage of dance music, authentically connecting music to people and places.

🎶 SUZANNE KRAFT

The unifying thread in SUZANNE KRAFT's (Diego Herrera) eclectic catalog is his ability to make instrumental passages as evocative as traditional songs. A Los Angeles native, Herrera has spent over a decade navigating solo records and collaborations spanning dance tracks, refined pop, downtempo, and electroacoustic experiments.
As a teenager, Herrera’s musical journey began with bus rides to dublab, L.A.’s open-format radio institution, where he immersed himself in a community of music obsessives. He eventually became the station’s creative director, honing his DJ instincts through countless on-air hours.
In 2021, Herrera released About You, a guitar-driven album exploring themes of home and new love through a dreamy blend of shoegaze and pop, capturing timeless emotions with fresh depth. Now back in L.A., Suzanne Kraft continues to create music solo and collaboratively, blending styles with ease and crafting a warm, prolific body of work.

🎶 BENEDEK

Initially celebrated for his unique fusion of boogie, garage house, and downtempo grooves, L.A. producer and underground icon BENEDEK continues to push boundaries with his esoteric sonic explorations. His music captures the essence of Los Angeles, from its sunlit allure to its enigmatic, hidden depths, offering a multifaceted soundscape that reflects the city’s complexity.
BENEDEK’s work has been featured on renowned labels such as PPU, L.I.E.S., Leaving Records, Music From Memory, and more. His expansive catalog includes collaborations with a diverse array of artists, including Steve Arrington, Delroy Edwards, Dam-Funk, Jamma-Dee, Joyce Wrice, Devin Morrison, Dreamcastmoe, Tom Noble, Kirin, and others, solidifying his reputation as a visionary in the underground music scene.

🎶 JAMMA-D

Santa Monica native DJ, producer, and beatmaker JAMMA-DEE (Dyami O’Brien) has been a driving force in the West Coast funk and boogie scene. Known for his dynamic DJ sets and production work, he has collaborated with legends like Steve Arrington (Slave), Joyce Wrice, Mndsgn, and more.
Growing up on L.A.'s westside, Jamma’s passion for record digging and beat-making led him to Dam-Funk’s iconic Funkmosphere parties, where he connected with key figures in the L.A. funk community and established himself as both a DJ and producer.
In the late 2010s, he released a series of EPs on New York's Arcane label and hosted the celebrated Soul In Paradise show on NTS Radio. His 2023 debut full-length LP, Perceptions (released on Onra’s NBN Records), further explores the intersections of hip-hop, funk, R&B, and house, cementing his reputation as a versatile and innovative artist.

🎶 DJ TAVISH

TAVISH, born and raised between Ocean Park and Venice, effortlessly transitions between hip-hop, house, and techno, showcasing his versatile approach to music. A prolific producer, he has released numerous records under various monikers and collaborated with SONNS for a 12” on L.A.’s own ESP Institute. Under his TAVISH DJ alias, he runs a personal edit series while occasionally returning to his shared project, SID ROAMS.
As one-half of the dynamic duo WAREHOUSE PRESERVATION SOCIETY, alongside TK, TAVISH has gained recognition for remixing esteemed artists like Daniele Baldelli & DJ Rocca (featured on DJ Harvey’s second Pikes compilation), Romain FX, Tranquil Elephantizer, Gary Davis of disco fame, and DJ Garth & Anthony Mansfield. Their original productions have also made waves, with releases on labels such as Bristol’s Futureboogie Recordings, Dusk Recordings, Techno House Connoisseurs, and a standout track on Paramida’s Love On The Rocks imprint. TAVISH’s work reflects a deep dedication to evolving soundscapes while honoring dance music’s rich roots.

Books & Cookies | 3:30-4:15pm

Join the fun with Books & Cookies' musical storytime for kids in the charming Merry Go-Round building at the Santa Monica Pier! This lively session blends playful stories and sing-along songs to create an engaging, unforgettable experience. Perfect for little ones and their families, it's all about sparking joy, laughter, and a love for reading in a magical, historic spot by the sea. Come make some happy memories!

Instagram: @booksandcookiesla

Bob Baker Marionette Theater | 5:00pm & 6:30pm

Get ready for some string-pulling fun as the Bob Baker Marionette Theater takes over the historic Merry-Go-Round Building! Since 1963, these puppets have been wowing crowds with their quirky moves and playful antics. Join us at 5 PM or 6:30 PM for a holiday-themed show packed with laughs, music, and plenty of charm. It’s a perfect way to add some festive cheer to your night—don’t miss the magic!

Website: bobbakermarionettetheater.com

Letters to Santa | 3:30-8:00pm

Santa’s mailbox is officially open! Stop by the letter-writing desk inside the historic Merry-Go-Round Building and share your holiday wishes with the big guy himself. Whether it’s a heartfelt note or a last-minute wish list, we’ll make sure your letter gets mailed straight to the North Pole. Don’t miss your chance to send some festive magic to Santa—he’s waiting to hear from you! 🎅✉️