Sen. Ben Allen to be Honored at ‘Stairway of the Stars’ Concert in Santa Monica

The concert, now in its 74th year, features nearly 900 students from elementary, middle, and high schools across the SMMUSD district

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s annual Stairway of the Stars concert will be held indoors this year due to expected rain, with performances moving to Barnum Hall at Santa Monica High School on Saturday, March 15. The event, a long-running showcase of the district’s music education programs, will also feature the presentation of the 2025 Stairway Honor Award to State Sen. Ben Allen.

Originally scheduled for the Greek Amphitheatre, the concert was moved after forecasts showed rain continuing through Friday, making it impossible to set up audio and electrical equipment or hold student rehearsals. Barnum Hall, which seats 1,200, has a smaller stage, leading organizers to schedule separate performances for the band, orchestra, and choir at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m., respectively.

The concert, now in its 74th year, features nearly 900 students from elementary, middle, and high schools across the district. This year, SMMUSD music teachers will serve as guest conductors, with high school conductors leading middle school performances and middle school conductors directing elementary students.

Allen, who will receive the honor during the 3 p.m. show, is a Santa Monica High School graduate and former SMMUSD Board of Education member. Elected to the State Senate in 2014, he now represents California’s 24th District, which includes the Westside, Hollywood, South Bay, and Santa Monica Mountains communities.

Tickets for the event are available online at www.stairwayofthestars.org or at the door and are valid for all performances. Parking will be available at the Civic Center parking structure on 4th Street at Civic Center Drive, with exit validation tickets offered at the box office.

in News, Upbeat
Related Posts

Lane Closures Continue on Pacific Coast Highway for Recovery, Utility Work

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Caltrans is urging drivers to slow down and use caution in the active work zones Single-lane closures will remain in...

Homecare Company Celebrates 14 years of Compassion While Planting New Roots After January Fire

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Luxe Homecare, a leading provider of compassionate and reliable in-home care services for seniors has recently announced the opening of...

County Fund Provides $250K for Malibu & Topanga Businesses Hurt by Wildfire Road Closures

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

The program offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 for eligible businesses located in ZIP codes 90265 and 90290 In...

Yacht Crashes Into Seawall at Marina del Rey’s Fisherman’s Village

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Witnesses at nearby restaurants watched as the mid-size yacht collided A yacht crashed into a seawall at Fisherman’s Village in...

More Than $50 Billion in Damage: What January’s Wildfire Cost the City of Los Angeles

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Nearly 11,000 Properties, Many in Pacific Palisades, Affected; True Losses Likely Higher Nearly $52 billion in residential real estate across...

Council to Weigh Next Steps in Justice Case on Land Seized from Black Entrepreneur

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

The Ebony Beach Club case has become a focal point of Santa Monica’s growing reparative justice efforts The Santa Monica...

Malibu Teen to Paddle 21 Miles for Ocean Cleanup Following Pali Fire

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

His 21-mile prone paddle will trace the coastline from Malibu through Palisades A Malibu high school student and avid surfer...

(Video) A Plus Tree: A Steward of Urban Forest Management Across Los Angeles

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

For More Information, Go to Aplustree.com A Plus Tree: A Steward of Urban Forest Management Across Los Angeles For More...

The Third Place Reinvented: Why Kavahana Is Becoming LA’s New Favorite Hangout Spot

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

In a city full of coffee shops that close too early and bars that don’t cater to the sober (or...

$54M Palisades Estate Hits Market With DTLA-to-Ocean Views

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Amenities include a wine cellar, rooftop deck, a wellness center with a gym and sauna, and a lower-level ballroom A...

Avocet Playa Vista: Your New Luxury Retirement Experience

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

A wealth of high-end amenities, gourmet cuisine, mind-body programs and stimulating cultural events, centered around a luxury lifestyle retirement experience...

Metro D Line Resumes Today After 70-Day Closure

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The shutdown, which began May 17, enabled Metro to connect the current line to newly built tunnels extending west under...

Sunset Jazz & Pizza Series Returns to The Lobster

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The series blends jazz from a three-piece house band with handcrafted pizzas and $5 Open Brewing beers  The Lobster’s popular...

Measles Case Confirmed in LA, Officials Urge Vaccination

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Investigators are working to identify potential exposures and assess the risk to others Health officials have confirmed a case of...

Herbie Hancock to Headline Hollywood Bowl in August

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Known for his decades-spanning career, Hancock is one of jazz’s forward-thinking voices Jazz legend Herbie Hancock is set to return...