Mark your calendars for 90045’s unofficial end of summer celebration: the Westchester Arts & Music (WAM) Block Party! There’s no better place to be than Emerson Avenue for the 10th anniversary of the event, which rolls into town on September 20 from noon to 7 p.m. In the decade since John Sharpe founded WAM as a way to combine art, music and community, it has grown into a local tradition and a summer staple for Westchester families looking to spend a fun Saturday with thousands of their friends and neighbors.
“It’s been really amazing to see what WAM has become over the years,” says event producer Courtney O’Donoghue. “We are thrilled that people choose to spend their last Saturday of summer with us, and enjoy all the festivities that their fellow residents, local businesses and sponsors provide. This event is truly all about community, and creating memories for all of our attendees, whether they spend their time watching the bands, making art & crafts with the kids in the garden, or catching up with friends over a cold beer. We work hard to make sure there’s something for everyone at WAM!”
Whether you’re a longtime “WAMbassador,” or you’re heading to the event for the first time, here’s the scoop on everything you need to know about this year’s celebration:
1. WAM supports a local nonprofit. Yes, WAM is all about good vibes, great music and fun activities for the whole family, but at the core of its mission, the event is about raising money for a local nonprofit! The event got its start supporting the Emerson Avenue Community Garden Club, but for the last few years, the event has partnered with the Westchester Family YMCA to raise critical funds for its teen health and wellness initiatives. last year, the event donated $20,000 to the cause, thanks in part to sales from the beer and wine garden and sponsorships. To date, more than $80,000 has been raised to support the Y!
2. Get there at noon to catch all the entertainment. WAM has another great lineup planned for its 10th anniversary. The music starts at noon with two standouts from the YMCA’s Battle of the Bands: the Slurkeys and House of Venice. New groups hit the stage each hour with the lineup including the rock stylings of Vicenzos at 1:10 p.m.; jazz guitar from the Transatlantic Trio at 2:20 p.m. and the Jake-Knox Band bringing alt pop and rap at 3:30 p.m. Rounding out the musical entertainment is returning Americana, bluegrass and rock band, Rose’s Pawn Shop, at 4:40 p.m. and Wayback Daddies, who will bring their classic rock jams to the stage starting at 5:50 p.m. to close out the evening. In between the musical acts, attendees can enjoy performances by the Oceanaires, Artistico School of Dance, the Kentwood Players and loyola Village Elementary School’s African Dance & Drum Ensemble.
3. Bartenders are ready to serve up cold drinks and raise money for a good cause. The beer & wine garden is once again presented by the Stephanie Younger Group with bartenders from her team serving up a variety of red and white wines. For beer drinkers, frosty brews are courtesy of Firestone Walker. To receive your wristband and enter the 21-and-over space, please be ready to show your ID! Drink tickets are $10 each, with the proceeds benefiting the Y’s teen programs. For the convenience of garden attendees, Windsor Pizza will also be stationed near the bar where they’ll be firing up mouth-watering slices all day long. Starcuterie, a Westchester-based charcuterie company, will also be offering guests the opportunity to build their own meat, cheese and fruit snack trays!
4. Activities for the whole family can be found in the Emerson Avenue Community Garden. Head to the garden for the event’s intergenerational zone and a respite from the hustle and bustle of the street. Covenant Presbyterian Church Preschool is hosting this year’s slew of interactive activities, which include bubble mania, lego building, playdough and goop making, a cardboard caterpillar play station, and more. A variety of instruments will also be available for the event’s littlest guests to jam out on! When you’re done with the arts and crafts, take a garden tour to see what’s growing, and make sure to take your photo at the corn hole photo booth before you exit!
5. Delicious eats await attendees toward 80th Street. When hunger strikes, WAM has you covered with 11 different food options! This year’s list features WAM-attendee favorites like Cousin’s Maine Lobster, Baby’s Badass Burgers, Thai-Mex Cocina and the Tropic Truck. If you’re craving something sweet, Flavas by Ed will be dishing up creamy soft serve, while Dulce Europa is sure to have a line for its Instagram-worthy shaved ice treats!
6. Local small businesses want you to check out their booths. A big part of what makes WAM special is its vendor alley that features local entrepreneurs–many of them Westchester/Playa neighbors–showcasing their homemade desserts, handmade jewelry, unique art and more. Some of our favorite return vendors include Sugar Kane Bakeshop, offering up delicious desserts with a nostalgic twist; Piña Prints selling Westchester-themed merch; Sistah Iz Stitchery offering a variety of handmade items with cute fabrics; and the Westchester Mental Health Guild showcasing their handmade crafts. Other festive booths include Design Street Studios Balloons, which will be creating a balloon photo backdrop for fun selfies. Sponsors like Visitation School, the LAX Coastal Education Foundation, LMU, LAWA, St. Anastasia, and the Westchester and Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Clubs will also be hosting activities and handing out swag at the event!
8. Volunteers can point you in the right direction. Having fun at WAM, but have a question about vendors, being a sponsor next year or what time a band comes on? Ask a volunteer wearing a turquoise WAM shirt, and they’ll be able to share more info!
9. This event is made possible by sponsors, volunteers and community support! WAM is a labor of love for the committee that puts it on, and would not happen without the support of attendees and the sponsors who fund permits, supplies, staging, and more! A special shout-out to this year’s major event sponsors, including the Stephanie Younger Group, Councilwoman Traci Park, the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation, the Emerson Ave. Community Garden, Meg Blu Home, and Westchester Pediatric Dentistry. The Hometown News is also a major event sponsor.
The WAM Block Party will take place on Saturday, September 20 from noon to 7 p.m. on Emerson Ave. between 80th Pl. and 80th St. in Westchester. The street will be closed during the event. For more info, please visit wamblockparty.org.