Summer Camp at the Stevie: Watercolor & Other Media with Anne Pearce
2025-07-05 10:30 - 13:00, 2025-07-06 10:30 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Slow down this July at Summer Camp at the Stevie: hands-on art workshops in a lush Culver City oasis. Teens and adults welcome.

Summer Camp at the Stevie
Join us this July for Summer Camp at the Stevie, a hands-on art making series situated in a lush oasis in the middle of Culver City. Across four weekends, adults and teens are invited to slow down and reconnect with the natural world through workshops led by renowned local artists. Workshops will include watercolor, incense making, weaving with foraged materials, and natural dyeing. Together, we will cultivate a sense of awe for the quiet power and beauty of plants.
Whether you’re channeling your inner artist or just looking for a mindful escape, each session offers a nod to summer camp nostalgia. Each weekend features two different sessions. Participants may register for one or both, except for the incense-making workshop, which is a two-day experience and requires attendance on both days.
What is the Stevie?
Tucked away on the southwestern side of the Wende Museum Community Center, the Stevie is a “tiny house” turned creative outpost. Surrounded by palms and desert landscaping, it serves as both an artist residency space and an intimate venue for programs, gatherings, and experimental events on its expansive outdoor deck. The Stevie was made possible by a transformative contribution from Steve and Jadwiga Markoff.
Watercolor & Other Media with Anne Pearce
July 5 & 6, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Rooted in keen observation and emotional resonance, Anne Pearce’s layered, intuitive works on paper explore the rhythm of nature and the unseen worlds it evokes. In this workshop, Pearce invites participants to slow down and engage deeply with their surroundings, translating the beauty of the natural world into pools of pigment, iridescent marks, and contemplative linework. Pearce’s approach blends spontaneity with precision—guiding others to create work that reflects not just what we see, but how we feel.
About the Artist: Anne Austin Pearce studied printmaking at the Kansas City Art Institute, Brighton Polytechnic and the University of Kansas. In 1993, Pearce received a full scholarship to James Madison University, where she received her MFA in drawing and painting. A recipient of a Charlotte Street Award, she has participated in multiple national and international residencies including Space Department, Nara, Japan, UCROSS Foundation, Wyoming, Draw International, Caylus, France, Rimbun Dahan, KL Malaysia, pARTage, Flic en Flac, Mauritius and Akumal Mexico. Pearce will be participating in an artist residency at the Space Department, Japan in May of 2025. She has been included in various group exhibitions such as the Founders Gallery at Soka University in Aliso Viejo, Daum Museum of Contemporary Art in Springfield, MO, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art in Overland Park, KS, Shore Institute for Contemporary Art at the Corcoran School of Art and Design in Washington DC; and the Drawing Center in New York. Pearce’s work is held in international private collections and museum collections including Tucson Museum of Art, Spencer Museum of Art, Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, Miami Dade College Museum of Art.

Wende Museum Exhibition Tours: Counter/Surveillance
2025-07-05 14:30 - 15:30, 2025-07-06 14:30 - 15:30, 2025-07-11 11:30 - 12:30, 2025-07-12 11:30 - 12:30, 2025-07-13 14:30 - 15:30, 2025-07-18 11:30 - 2025-07-19 00:30, 2025-07-19 11:30 - 12:30, 2025-07-20 14:30 - 15:30 and 1 more date | The Wende Museum, 10808 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Join us for guided tours of the exhibition Counter/Surveillance: Control, Privacy, Agency.

Join us for free guided tours of the Wende Museum’s exhibition Counter/Surveillance: Control, Privacy, Agency.
Explore the origins of modern surveillance technologies and tactics in Counter/Surveillance, tracing their development from the Cold War to today, alongside the creative resistance of dissidents and artists.
This exhibition offers a powerful and highly relevant look at control and resistance in a world shaped by surveillance and censorship.

Tea Dances at the Wende Museum Community Center with Oxygen Tango
2025-07-06 15:00 - 18:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
The Wende Museum’s Tea Dance series invites you to move, mingle, and unwind through the joyful rhythm of social dance. Hosted in the Wende Museum Community Center, each session features different dance traditions, ranging from Argentine tango to vintage swing, led by local artists and dance instructors. No experience or partner required.

Tea dances originated in early 20th-century Britain and America as daytime socials, often held in hotels and ballrooms, offering live music, light refreshments, and a welcoming space for community connection. Revived in the queer communities of mid-century America, the tradition evolved into a vibrant celebration of expression and belonging

In that spirit, our Sunday Tea Dances offer a space to unplug, connect, and move together. These afternoons are for everyone: curious beginners, practiced dancers, and people just looking to enjoy good music and warm company

Come for the class, stay for the social, and rediscover the art of togetherness.

Free and open to all. Comfortable shoes are encouraged.

Schedule:
Sunday, July 6, 3-6 pm, Oxygen Tango
Discover the global language of tango in this one-hour beginner class led by Oxygen Tango, a beloved LA-based school known for its welcoming, connection-driven approach. You’ll learn the essentials of this improvised social dance and be ready to join the informal practica that follows—no partner needed. Just bring comfortable clothes, shoes you can walk backward in, and a spirit of curiosity.
Sunday, July 13, 3-6 pm, Beach Cities Swing Band
The Beach Cities Swing Band was founded in the year 2000 by members of the El Segundo Concert Band. It is a 17-piece Big Band with featured vocalists, playing works made famous in the Big Band era by the likes of Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, and Artie Shaw, along with more modern arrangements in the traditional swing styles, and innovative new takes on famous songs. The BCSB is now operating under the umbrella of the South Bay Music Association.
The BCSB is dedicated to keeping the sound of the big band alive and out in the public. True to its name, the BSCB has performed in all the beach towns of the South Bay, including Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes Estates, Long Beach, Marina Del Rey, and Los Angeles, as well as in its home base of El Segundo. The BCSB has an extensive repertoire of instrumental and vocal charts, and is available for event booking by contacting the South Bay Music Association. Whether a concert or a dance event this band is a swinging good time.
Sunday, July 20, 3-6 pm, Groove and Step
This is an all levels dance class that captures certain elements of traditional southern line dance and hip hop choreography simultaneously! The class will involve choreography however, there is still space for individual creativity and unique dance expression. Groove and Step cultivates energy, connection, and JOY! After an intial period to mix and mingle, an hour-long class will begin at 3:30, after which time, attendees will be invited to share their own line dances with the group during the open session until 6:00 pm!
About the instructor: Ronnie Martin is a professional dancer/choreographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been a part of two major dance companies, So Real Dance Co. and Texas Southern Dance Co. and has been teaching all levels of hip hop choreography for the past 10 years. Once he relocated to LA he developed a love and passion for fitness which encouraged him to create his own fun and effective way to have the best of both worlds (Dance and Fitness). He has been teaching hip hop cardio classes for 7 years now and line dance classes for 5 years ! He believes that Dance fitness is great way to get active as well decompress. His goal is to constantly create spaces for the advancement of physical and mental health in a creative way!
Sunday, August 3, 3-6 pm, Beach Cities Swing Band
Sunday, August 17, 3-6 pm, Oxygen Tango
Sunday, August 31, 3-6 pm, Groove and Step

Saved by a Story–Intergenerational Writing Group at the Wende Museum
2025-07-09 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-07-23 16:00 - 18:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Participants of all ages write to prompts to spark creativity, share stories and build community.

Participants of all ages welcomed. Please arrive 5 or 10 minutes early to get settled, as we start the group promptly at 4pm.
We are excited to come together in community, to dive into our creativity and share our stories.
What is Saved by a Story-Intergenerational Writing Workshop at the Wende Museum? Participants of all ages write to prompts to spark creativity, share stories and build community. We write to surprise ourselves and discover the bounty of stories that lie within.
We come together and write, choose to share (or not, you decide), listen and write some more.We do this in the beautiful environs of the Wende Museum and its provocative and compelling collection. Some of our prompts will help us engage with the current exhibitions as well as engage with each other.
In later groups, we will draft stories and workshop them.
We offer creativity and community in a non-judgmental environment.
The writing group meets in person on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month.
Please arrive 5 or 10 minutes early to get settled as we start punctually at 4pm.
What you will need:– a note book–nothing fancy–a pen–if you prefer to write on a computer, feel free to bring that.
Where:
Wende Museumin the Cotsen Learning Centeron 2nd Floor of theWende Museum Community Center10808 Culver BoulevardCulver City, CA, 90230
310-216-1600
Please enter through the garden gate from the parking lot at 10858 Culver Blvd.
RSVPs for this free program do not guarantee admission. Doors will open and seating will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the program. Limited seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that doors will close promptly at the program’s start time and late entry will not be permitted.

Here and Now: Community Dance with Performa
2025-07-09 17:30 - 19:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Move, connect, and express yourself with a welcoming dance class open to all. Whether you’re an experienced dancer or just curious to explore movement, this drop-in class invites you to discover your own style in a supportive and sensory-focused environment. Each session is designed to help you feel grounded, present, and connected through the simple act of moving your body.
Performa is about expression, not perfection. Come as you are. No experience required, just a willingness to move.
Learn more at performachoreo.com
Photo by Little Blue World Photography.

Afro-Contemporary Workshop with Bernard Brown/bbmoves & Defacto X
2025-07-10 17:30 - 19:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Fast-paced and educational, this Afro-Contemporary dance technique class will challenge participants to engage body, mind, and spirit, learn movement phrases, push beyond “technique,” and to explore their own individual performance choices throughout. Focusing on breath, alignment, rhythm and articulation, this contemporary movement experience will incorporate many influences including Africanist movement technologies, postmodern aesthetics, and modern & contemporary dance techniques with a distinct emphasis on the foundational Katherine Dunham technique. Class will have live DJ accompaniment by DeFacto X.
Bio:
Bernard Brown is an award-winning Los Angeles-based performer, choreographer, arts activist, and educator who situates their work at the intersection of Blackness, Queerness, and belonging. With an extensive performing career, Bernard now serves as Executive Artistic Director of Bernard Brown/bbmoves – a social justice dance company, choreographing for stage, specific sites, film, and opera presented globally. Brown has received invitations, residencies and commissions from On The Boards (Seattle), The Getty Museum (Los Angeles), the Centre de Développement Chorégraphique la Termitière (Burkina Faso), Dance Italia (Italy), The Music Center (Los Angeles), The Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (Los Angeles), Dance Mission Theater (San Francisco), danceBox (Japan), Johns Hopkins University, National Immigration Law Center, California African American Museum, among others. Brown conducts lectures, workshops, and master classes internationally, namely in Korea, Panama, Israel, Burkina Faso, Canada, Puerto Rico, Malta, and Brazil, and across the US various educational institutions and community-centered organizations. A first-generation college graduate, Brown earned his MFA from University of California, Los Angeles and BFA from Purchase College. He is an Assistant Professor of Dance at UC San Diego, a Certified Katherine Dunham Technique Instructor, and a California Arts Council Established Artist Fellow. The Los Angeles Times has called him “…the incomparable Bernard Brown…”
This workshop will take place in the A-Frame Theater at the Wende Museum Community Center. Please enter through the ADA-accessible garden gate entrance from the parking lot, which will open approximately 30 minutes before the workshop begins. The gate will close 20 minutes after the program starts. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing you can move in.
Photo by David B. Arenas

Here and Now: Community Movement with Performa
2025-07-11 17:30 - 19:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Performa fosters open space for cultural responsiveness and meaning-making through dance

Move, connect, and express yourself with a welcoming dance class open to all. Whether you’re an experienced dancer or just curious to explore movement, this drop-in class invites you to discover your own style in a supportive and sensory-focused environment. Each session is designed to help you feel grounded, present, and connected through the simple act of moving your body.
Performa is about expression, not perfection. Come as you are. No experience required, just a willingness to move.
Learn more at performachoreo.com
This workshop will take place in the A-Frame Theater at the Wende Museum Community Center. Please enter through the ADA-accessible garden gate entrance from the parking lot, which will open approximately 30 minutes before the workshop begins. The gate will close 20 minutes after the program starts. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing you can move in.
Photo by Little Blue World Photography.

FRAMEWORKS | Colloboh: U+2126
2025-07-12 13:00 - 15:00 | The Wende Museum, 10808 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Named after the Unicode for the Ohm symbol (Ω), “U+2126” fuses modular synthesis with archival media to examine resistance.

FRAMEWORKS is a new interdisciplinary music series for 2025 designed to take audiences on an adventurous cultural and artistic journey in the state-of-the-art A-Frame Theater of the Wende Museum Community Center, on the campus of the Wende Museum. The series merges creative disciplines, from film and dance to poetry and music, and takes inspiration from the collection and exhibitions of the Wende.
The final FRAMEWORKS concert of the season will feature an opening DJ set by ASHLA (Ashla Chavez-Razzano), followed by a headlining performance by Colloboh, a self-taught “synthesist” who creates genre-spanning work. Named after the Unicode for the Ohm symbol (Ω), U+2126 is a performance that fuses modular synthesis with archival media to examine resistance as a response to the continuous currents of oppression. The performance will feature Qur’an Shaheed (grand piano) and tp Dutchkiss (tape loops & drum synthesis) as collaborators.
Colloboh (a portmanteau of Collins Oboh) is a Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist who creates progressive electronic music compositions through the guidance of intuition. A self-taught synthesist, Colloboh has toured and performed throughout North America, Europe and Asia with revered acts such as Suzanne Cianni, Beach House, Richie Hawtin, Kim Gordon and others. His performances have premiered at highly regarded institutions (Getty Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, MoCA, etc) and his music has also been featured on leading publications (Resident Advisor, DJ Mag, Clash Mag, etc). Utilizing his modular synthesizer as a sonic canvas, Colloboh’s EPs Entity Relation (2021) and Saana Sahel (2023) showcase the breadth of his ambitious compositions and commitment to experimentation.
Spencer Hartling is an LA-based experimental musician and engineer/producer under the musical moniker tp Dutchkiss. As a self-taught tape loop artist, Hartling disrupts the linearity of time within music, exploring, and recontextualizing the aural perception of memories through layers of sonic arrangements. tp Dutchkiss’ recent LP High Functioning (2024, Leaving Records) draws inspirations from hisses, hums, and buzzes that are woven into irregular, yet tightly knit compositions. Hartling is also a member of the band Harry the Nightgown, owner/operator of Wiggle World, a recording studio in Altadena, CA, and author of the zine Show Invisibles, or How to Make a Tape Loop.

Qur’an Shaheed is an experimental pianist, poet, singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles, CA. Trained extensively in jazz, classical and contemporary music, her sound is innovative and personal, incorporating elements of improvisation as well as neo-classical and neo-soul techniques. Shaheed also composes film scores, focusing on projects that reflect on society, history and unifying acts. Her album Process was released in 2020 on Preference Records, and her latest LP Pulse comes out on July 11 2025 on Leaving Records.

Program Schedule
Garden Reception 1—3 p.m.
Garden DJ Set by ASHLA 1—2 p.m.
A-Frame Theater Concert by Colloboh 2 —3 p.m.
Please note that the A-Frame Theater doors will close promptly at the start of the performance at 2 p.m. Late entry will not be permitted, though guests are welcome to enjoy the performance from the garden.
RSVPs for this free program do not guarantee admission to the A-Frame Theater. Limited seating will be available on a first come, first served basis.
An ADA-accessible entrance to the Wende Museum Community Center is available through the garden gate from the parking lot, it will open at 12:30 p.m.
This event is presented with support from dublab.

Exploring Critical Media Literacy: Photography & Visual Literacy
2025-07-13 14:00 - 16:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
This workshop explores photography and techniques of visual literacy in an age of AI.

This workshop explores photography and techniques of visual literacy. With cameras now in nearly every pocket and images appearing constantly in daily life, photography has become part of our daily lives more than ever before. Participants will analyze photography with the goal of becoming more critical viewers and creators of images.
The session will also include a look at AI-generated pictures and explore the way reverse image searches can help us judge a picture’s authenticity. Participants will have the opportunity to take pictures during the activity that incorporates the ideas discussed.
Due to the interactive nature of this workshop, it is not recommended for ages 13 or below.
An ADA-accessible entrance to the Wende Museum Community Center is available through the garden gate from the parking lot. It will open approximately 30 minutes before the program begins.

Tea Dances at the Wende Museum Community Center
2025-07-13 15:00 - 18:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
The Wende Museum’s Tea Dance series invites you to move, mingle, and unwind through the joyful rhythm of social dance. Hosted in the Wende Museum Community Center, each session features different dance traditions, ranging from Argentine tango to vintage swing, led by local artists and dance instructors. No experience or partner required.
Tea dances originated in early 20th-century Britain and America as daytime socials, often held in hotels and ballrooms, offering live music, light refreshments, and a welcoming space for community connection. Revived in the queer communities of mid-century America, the tradition evolved into a vibrant celebration of expression and belonging.
In that spirit, our Sunday Tea Dances offer a space to unplug, connect, and move together. These afternoons are for everyone: curious beginners, practiced dancers, and people just looking to enjoy good music and warm company.
Come for the class, stay for the social, and rediscover the art of togetherness.
Free and open to all. Comfortable shoes are encouraged.
Schedule:
Sunday, July 13, 3-6 pm, Beach Cities Swing Band
The Beach Cities Swing Band was founded in the year 2000 by members of the El Segundo Concert Band. It is a 17-piece Big Band with featured vocalists, playing works made famous in the Big Band era by the likes of Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, and Artie Shaw, along with more modern arrangements in the traditional swing styles, and innovative new takes on famous songs. The BCSB is now operating under the umbrella of the South Bay Music Association.
The BCSB is dedicated to keeping the sound of the big band alive and out in the public. True to its name, the BSCB has performed in all the beach towns of the South Bay, including Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes Estates, Long Beach, Marina Del Rey, and Los Angeles, as well as in its home base of El Segundo. The BCSB has an extensive repertoire of instrumental and vocal charts, and is available for event booking by contacting the South Bay Music Association. Whether a concert or a dance event this band is a swinging good time.
Sunday, July 20, 3-6 pm, Groove and Step
This is an all levels dance class that captures certain elements of traditional southern line dance and hip hop choreography simultaneously! The class will involve choreography however, there is still space for individual creativity and unique dance expression. Groove and Step cultivates energy, connection, and JOY! After an intial period to mix and mingle, an hour-long class will begin at 3:30, after which time, attendees will be invited to share their own line dances with the group during the open session until 6:00 pm!
About the instructor: Ronnie Martin is a professional dancer/choreographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been a part of two major dance companies, So Real Dance Co. and Texas Southern Dance Co. and has been teaching all levels of hip hop choreography for the past 10 years. Once he relocated to LA he developed a love and passion for fitness which encouraged him to create his own fun and effective way to have the best of both worlds (Dance and Fitness). He has been teaching hip hop cardio classes for 7 years now and line dance classes for 5 years ! He believes that Dance fitness is great way to get active as well decompress. His goal is to constantly create spaces for the advancement of physical and mental health in a creative way!
Sunday, August 3, 3-6 pm, Beach Cities Swing Band
Sunday, August 17, 3-6 pm, Oxygen Tango
Discover the global language of tango in this one-hour beginner class led by Oxygen Tango, a beloved LA-based school known for its welcoming, connection-driven approach. You’ll learn the essentials of this improvised social dance and be ready to join the informal practica that follows—no partner needed. Just bring comfortable clothes, shoes you can walk backward in, and a spirit of curiosity.
Sunday, August 31, 3-6 pm, Groove and Step

Blooming Threads: Soviet Flower Symbolism In Cross Stitch
2025-07-14 18:00 - 20:30 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Join us for a vibrant workshop with Folk Lounge, to explore the rich tradition of floral cross stitch in Soviet and Russian culture, focusing particularly on roses and flowers as symbols of transformation and potential.
Drawing inspiration from beloved Soviet animations like “Alenkiy Tsvetochek” (The Scarlet Flower, the Russian Beauty and the Beast) and “Tsvetik-Semitsvetik” (The Flower with Seven Petals), we’ll explore how flowers symbolized human potential and the fulfillment of deepest wishes.
Through hands-on cross stitch techniques, participants will create their own floral embroidery pieces while discussing how these natural symbols transcend cultural boundaries yet carry specific cultural meanings about transformation and becoming.
The workshop connects these traditional patterns to contemporary life, demonstrating how the simple act of stitching can become a meditative practice for nurturing our own growth and honoring our wishes for beauty in the world.
Teacher Bio:
Born in Vladivostok, Russia, Shagoh is of Armenian and Russian heritage and has traveled the West Coast from Seattle to Los Angeles.
With a background in luxury fashion, wearables, and human-computer interaction, she is a seasoned multidisciplinary design leader, blending creativity and innovation with global teams.
Her artistry spans textile arts, leatherwork, painting, and illustration, grounded in her MFA in Human-Computer Interaction (California College of the Arts) and a Fashion Design degree (Oregon State University).
A trained facilitator, she is passionate about fostering community, collaboration, healing, and shared learning. As the founder of Folk Lounge, Shagoh is dedicated to uniting people through the exploration of ornamentation and sacred symbolism across cultures.
Enter the garden gate off of the parking lot adjacent to the Wende museum on Culver Blvd.

Soup O'Tha Day: Cantilever Collective Dance Workshop
2025-07-17 17:30 - 19:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Join Cantilever Collective for a transformative dance workshop that blends movement, music, and community.

Step into the spontaneous spirit of Soup O’Tha Day, a dance workshop series from Cantilever Collective that stirs up a nourishing mix of movement, music, and community. Each session is improvised, ephemeral, and open to all—no dance experience required. With live-mixed soundscapes, playful prompts, and space to move freely, these workshops invite you to explore connection, curiosity, and joy through your own body’s language.
One day’s “special” will never be the same as the next. Come as you are. Move how you feel.
An ADA-accessible entrance to the Wende Museum Community Center is available through the garden gate from the parking lot. It will open approximately 30 minutes before the program begins.
RSVPs for this free program do not guarantee admission to the A-Frame Theater. Doors will open and seating will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the program. Limited seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that doors will close promptly at the program’s start time and late entry will not be permitted.

Summer Camp at the Stevie: Foraged Weaving with Jenny Yurshansky
2025-07-19 10:30 - 13:00, 2025-07-20 10:30 - 13:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
A hands-on foraging and weaving workshop that explores the hidden histories of California’s plant life.

Summer Camp at the Stevie
Join us this July for Summer Camp at the Stevie, a hands-on art making series situated in a lush oasis in the middle of Culver City. Across four weekends, adults and teens are invited to slow down and reconnect with the natural world through workshops led by renowned local artists. Workshops will include watercolor, incense making, weaving with foraged materials, and natural dyeing. Together, we will cultivate a sense of awe for the quiet power and beauty of plants.
Whether you’re channeling your inner artist or just looking for a mindful escape, each session offers a nod to summer camp nostalgia. Each weekend features two different sessions. Participants may register for one or both, except for the incense-making workshop, which is a two-day experience and requires attendance on both days.
What is the Stevie?
Tucked away on the southwestern side of the Wende Museum Community Center, the Stevie is a “tiny house” turned creative outpost. Surrounded by palms and desert landscaping, it serves as both an artist residency space and an intimate venue for programs, gatherings, and experimental events on its expansive outdoor deck. The Stevie was made possible by a transformative contribution from Steve and Jadwiga Markoff.
Foraged Weaving with Jenny Yurshansky
July 19 & 20, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Join Wende-exhibited artist Jenny Yurshansky for a guided foraging walk and weaving workshop that explores the hidden histories embedded in California’s plant life. Participants will gather natural materials and use them to create sculptural weavings while reflecting on how the landscape holds stories of migration, memory, and belonging. This hands-on session invites both artists and non-artists to engage the senses, reconsider the ecosystems that surround us—even in urban Culver City—and share personal connections to place. No experience necessary; just curiosity and a willingness to look more closely.
Materials to bring, if you have (will otherwise be provided):
– Garden clippers
– Heavy-duty scissors
– Lightweight protective gloves
– Tweezers or small needle-nose pliers
– Cutting surface
– X-Acto knife or utility blade
– Cotton twine or easily bendable thin-gauge wire

The Romance of Technology: A Talk With David Van Eyssen
2025-07-19 14:00 - 15:00 | The Wende Museum, 10808 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Join internationally acclaimed artist and filmmaker David Van Eyssen for a personal and visually immersive talk tracing his creative journey alongside the evolution of digital technology. From building computers as a child in the 1970s to becoming an early innovator in streaming media and immersive art, Van Eyssen invites audiences into a world where memory, perception, and impermanence take shape through machines.
Technology, for Van Eyssen, is not just a tool. It is a medium, a mirror, and a creative partner. His work has been featured at MOCA London, Luminex Los Angeles, and in collaborations with LG, Varjo, and the Royal National Institute for Blind People.
Presented in partnership with LAist, official media sponsor for this program.
This program is part of the series Art Across Boundaries, supported by Skip Victor.
Made possible by Meyer and Renee Luskin.

Advocating Children’s Rights With Music
2025-07-19 19:00 - 20:30 | The Wende Museum, 10808 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Join us for an unforgettable evening where art becomes action and the voices of youth lead the charge for justice. The program includes “Here for You,” a powerful music video by young prodigy Samuel Leo Götz Benardo inspired by the stories of children in conflict zones, sparking a musical response that moves from playful harmony to defiant urgency.
The night continues with a live cello performance and the world premiere of “Peace is a Verb,” a bold, original composition that challenges passive ideals of peace with the clarity and conviction of youth. A discussion on global children’s rights will deepen the conversation, drawing connections between lived experience and global responsibility.
This is not just a concert. It’s a call to action.

Tea Dances at the Wende Museum Community Center
2025-07-20 15:00 - 18:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Move, mingle, and unwind through the joyful rhythm of social dance.

The Wende Museum’s Tea Dance series invites you to move, mingle, and unwind through the joyful rhythm of social dance. Hosted in the Wende Museum Community Center, each session features different dance traditions, ranging from Argentine tango to vintage swing, led by local artists and dance instructors. No experience or partner required.
Tea dances originated in early 20th-century Britain and America as daytime socials, often held in hotels and ballrooms, offering live music, light refreshments, and a welcoming space for community connection. Revived in the queer communities of mid-century America, the tradition evolved into a vibrant celebration of expression and belonging.
In that spirit, our Sunday Tea Dances offer a space to unplug, connect, and move together. These afternoons are for everyone: curious beginners, practiced dancers, and people just looking to enjoy good music and warm company.
Come for the class, stay for the social, and rediscover the art of togetherness.
Free and open to all. Comfortable shoes are encouraged.
Schedule:
Sunday, July 20, 3-6 pm, Groove and Step
This is an all levels dance class that captures certain elements of traditional southern line dance and hip hop choreography simultaneously! The class will involve choreography however, there is still space for individual creativity and unique dance expression. Groove and Step cultivates energy, connection, and JOY! After an intial period to mix and mingle, an hour-long class will begin at 3:30, after which time, attendees will be invited to share their own line dances with the group during the open session until 6:00 pm!
About the instructor: Ronnie Martin is a professional dancer/choreographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been a part of two major dance companies, So Real Dance Co. and Texas Southern Dance Co. and has been teaching all levels of hip hop choreography for the past 10 years. Once he relocated to LA he developed a love and passion for fitness which encouraged him to create his own fun and effective way to have the best of both worlds (Dance and Fitness). He has been teaching hip hop cardio classes for 7 years now and line dance classes for 5 years ! He believes that Dance fitness is great way to get active as well decompress. His goal is to constantly create spaces for the advancement of physical and mental health in a creative way!
Sunday, August 3, 3-6 pm, Sunday, July 13, 3-6 pm, LA Swing Dance Posse with Beach Cities Swing Band
LA Swing Dance Posse with Beach Cities Swing Band”LASDP is a non profit organization formed to honor contributions African Americans have made to vernacular jazz dance through performance and education. We teach the history of those styles, ranging from the 1800’s to the present. This gives us the opportunity to fill in knowledge gaps of Swing dance history, a history that has deep roots in Black culture. Our mission is to educate, preserve, promote, teach and perform the vernacular jazz dances such as Savoy Swing, Charleston, and Lindy Hop dance.
The Beach Cities Swing Band (BCSB), founded in 2000 by members of the El Segundo Concert Band, is a 17-piece big band with featured vocalists, performing classics made famous by Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, and Artie Shaw, as well as modern swing arrangements and fresh takes on beloved tunes. Now operating under the South Bay Music Association, the BCSB is dedicated to keeping the big band tradition alive and thriving. True to its name, the band has performed throughout the South Bay’s beach cities—including Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes Estates, Long Beach, Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles, and its home base of El Segundo.
Sunday, August 17, 3-6 pm, Oxygen Tango
Discover the global language of tango in this one-hour beginner class led by Oxygen Tango, a beloved LA-based school known for its welcoming, connection-driven approach. You’ll learn the essentials of this improvised social dance and be ready to join the informal practica that follows—no partner needed. Just bring comfortable clothes, shoes you can walk backward in, and a spirit of curiosity.
Sunday, August 31, 3-6 pm, Groove and Step

Sound Baths with Shea Cunningham
2025-07-23 09:00 - 10:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Restore your energy and calm your mind with sound baths led by Shea Cunningham. Breathwork, movement, and healing sound await.

Take a pause and reconnect with your body, breath, and mind through a restorative sound bath led by Shea Cunningham, a longtime yoga instructor, sound healer, and local sustainability leader.
Each session begins with 15 to 20 minutes of gentle breathwork and grounding movement to help prepare the body to fully absorb the resonant tones of crystal bowls and other therapeutic instruments. The sound bath that follows supports the nervous system, reduces anxiety, and restores a sense of calm and balance.
Please bring a yoga mat and pillow if you plan to lie down. A limited number of meditation cushions will be available. The stage will be reserved for those who wish to recline, first come first serve. Chairs are also available for those who prefer or require a seated option.
About the FacilitatorShea Cunningham has taught yoga since 2004 and has been offering sound baths to the community for the past year. She is also a climate resilience expert and the founder of Balanced Approach, where she leads the Culver City Sustainable Business Certification Program. Her work reflects a deep commitment to both personal well-being and community sustainability.

Saved by a Story–Wildfire Survivor Writing Workshop
2025-07-26 10:30 - 12:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Come together in community to write about the history of the cherished places we have been and how we will come together.

Participants of all ages welcomed. Please arrive 5 or 10 minutes early to get settled, as we start the group promptly at 10:30 a.m.
Come together to write about the history of the cherished places we have been, what we have lost (and found), and how we will chart a way forward.
We’ll write to timed prompts to spark creativity, share stories, and connect.
We’ll meet Saturdays on the campus of the fascinating Wende Museum. The Wende is a cultural center, art museum and archive that brings history to life.
For more information or to register for this free workshop, email: kathleenkatims@gmail.com
Please enter through the garden gate from the parking lot at 10858 Culver Blvd.
RSVPs for this free program do not guarantee admission. Doors will open and seating will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the program. Limited seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that doors will close promptly at the program’s start time and late entry will not be permitted.

Summer Camp at the Stevie: Natural Dye with Berbo Studio
2025-07-26 10:30 - 13:00 | The Wende Museum’s Community Center, 10858 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Join us for a natural dye workshop and guided plant walk in Culver City.

Summer Camp at the Stevie
Join us this July for Summer Camp at the Stevie, a hands-on art making series situated in a lush oasis in the middle of Culver City. Across four weekends, adults and teens are invited to slow down and reconnect with the natural world through workshops led by renowned local artists. Workshops will include watercolor, incense making, weaving with foraged materials, and natural dyeing. Together, we will cultivate a sense of awe for the quiet power and beauty of plants.
Whether you’re channeling your inner artist or just looking for a mindful escape, each session offers a nod to summer camp nostalgia. Each weekend features two different sessions. Participants may register for one or both, except for the incense-making workshop, which is a two-day experience and requires attendance on both days.
What is the Stevie?
Tucked away on the southwestern side of the Wende Museum Community Center, the Stevie is a “tiny house” turned creative outpost. Surrounded by palms and desert landscaping, it serves as both an artist residency space and an intimate venue for programs, gatherings, and experimental events on its expansive outdoor deck. The Stevie was made possible by a transformative contribution from Steve and Jadwiga Markoff.
Natural Dye with Berbo Studio
July 26 & 27, 10:30 a.m.—1 p.m.
Join us for a natural dye workshop and guided plant walk in Culver City with Erin Berkowitz of Berbo Studio, where you’ll explore local ecology, learn to responsibly harvest dye plants, and create unique eco-prints using colors from the La Ballona region—blending science, story, and art in a hands-on experience with your local plant-loving community.
Day 1: Botanical Printing & Exploration
Explore the color-potent plants growing around us and learn to create lasting botanical prints reflecting their unique shapes and (sometimes surprising) natural colors. In this workshop, we’ll collect flowers and leaves from ubiquitous plants found throughout Southern California—including on a brief local plant walk, if time and weather allow—and discuss ecology, dye science, natural history, and how our practices as natural dyers and wild-crafters interact with the ecosystems and communities where we live. Each participant will create their own botanically printed cotton bandana, and will leave with knowledge of this unique process and local dye plants to continue their journey exploring natural color.
Day 2: Natural Dyeing Immersion
Before the introduction of synthetic dyes and pigments in the mid-19th century, all the colors we wore and created with were sourced from nature. Today, we can return to this timeless craft as a way of meaningfully interacting with the land around us, learning to tune into seasonality, ecology, history, and our roles therein. Working with introduced (non-native) plants and garden-grown natural dyes, together we’ll brew pots of dye to produce a spectrum of natural color, which we’ll utilize to create geometric patterns on fabric with shibori and resist-dyeing techniques. Each participant will create their own naturally dyed cotton bandana, and will leave with knowledge and inspiration to continue experimenting and creating with natural dyes.
