Alma Desnuda (Spanish for “Naked Soul”), who hail from the San Francisco Bay Area,  perform at the Santa Monica Pier January 29, 2013. Alma Desnuda is best known for their captivating harmonies, rhythmic grooves, and inspiring lyrics. Often described as California Acoustic Soul (a mix between Jack Johnson, Sublime and the Beatles), they were recently voted by the public as “Best Live Act 2011” (Slim’s SF). Grammy-winning recording artist and producer David Pack attributes the band’s success to their “natural-born stage charisma, whom like Dave Matthews Band, are an authentically gifted live act that have managed to capture lightening in a bottle.”

Jason Schneider  cracks  a jokes for $1.00 at the Santa Monica Boardwalk on Saturday, January 26, 2013. Jason  is a stand-up comedian, writer, actor and radio personality. He is a contributing writer to Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update,” and NPR Radio. He has been featured in segments on “The Today Show,” “ABC World News Now,” and NPR Radio, and has received international attention for his $1 Joke Business in over 100 print publications, including the NY Daily News, The Philadelphia Daily News, The Daily Mail (of London), and The Straits Times (of Singapore). While attending the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 2007, Jason was named “One of the funniest comedians in Philadelphia” by the Philly’s Phunniest Competition.” Jason has appeared as an intern on The Howard Stern Show, has been featured in Comcast On Demand’s “Young Comedian Showcase,” and has hosted a dating radio show in Boston, MA.

Art Los Angeles Contemporary - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Highlights from Art Los Angeles Contemporary at The Barker Hangar on Friday, January 25, 2013. ALAC, which launched in 2010, champions Los Angeles as a major arts destination while attracting strong international galleries and collectors to the city of LA. The 2013 edition of the fair features 70 established and emerging galleries from across the globe, with an accompanying series of lectures, panels, performances and screenings.

Outdoor Dimensions technician Miguel Surez installs two new flags at the Sea Castle Apartments on Thursday, January 24, 2013. The Sea Castle is the only luxury apartment building in Santa Monica where the front terrace is the beach! Located directly on the sand between Shutters Hotel and the Santa Monica Pier. Spectacular ocean, coastline and city views are offered from almost every apartment through floor-to-ceiling windows.

A couple look at the Santa Monica Downtown Specific Plan during the 2013 State of the City at SGI Auditorium on Thursday, January 24, 2013.

The program featured updates from the business communities' biggest and fastest-growing industries.

Martha Welborne, Executive Director of Planning of LA County Metro, discussed how the new light rail will change the makeup of the city and the changes to business.

Economic Excellence Award was presented to the American Film Market.

City of the Sun, an Indie/Flamenco/Rock guitar trio, perform at the Third Street Promenade - Downtown Santa Monica on Wednesday, January 23, 2013.

COS was born in 2010, in subways, streets, and local bars, where they gained an enthusiastic and devoted fan following.

Audiences are amazed by the skill the young guitarists have cultivated—fans have described them as “tremendous”, “powerful”, “mesmerizing”, and “a re-invention of acoustic music.”

Adam Road - Vocals, guitar
John Pita - Guitar
Avi Snow - Guitar

Workers from Paragon Steel hoist an overlook structure onto a truck at Santa Monica Beach on Tuesday, January 22, 2013. The overlook structure will be moved tonight to the  6-acre park site currently known as Palisades Garden Walk  The park will provide an important gateway with a strong connection to iconic Palisades Park and the Santa Monica Pier. The park is located between Ocean Avenue and Main Street, directly across from City Hall. Construction on Palisades Garden Walk began in spring 2012 and is estimated to be completed in late August 2013.

Sky Lantern Memorial ~ Santa Monica Beach ~ Monday, January 21, 2013