This Saturday's Uniqlo Santa Monica Place Opening Will Include a Drum Battle and Giveaways

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Lest you forget, a massive new Uniqlo store is opening at open-air shopping complex Santa Monica Place this Friday, June 19th at 10am. Just like all of the Japanese fast-fashion retailer's well-hyped openings, this 10,000-square-foot location will hit the scene with a slew of opening festivities.

We hear that the first 200 people to arrive at the new shop (located on Level 2 next to Hot Topic) on Saturday, June 20th will receive a free Uniqlo tote bag and a special AIRism gift (with every $50 purchase). "The first 102 tote bags will be stuffed with special prizes from iHeartRadio including a Mystery Uniqlo gift card valued between $10 and $100, Lise Watier Lipstick, LA Fitness free monthly gym passes, Slaters 50/50 $10 gift card, Zingy $25 Pet Walk Voucher, Priv $20 beauty service voucher and Japanese snacks such as Chocorooms, Hello Panda, Sushi candy, and Itoen tea." Damn.

At 12pm that day, KIIS-FM will be broadcasting like from the scene 'til 2pm, and there will also be a traditional Taiko College Drum Battle featuring competitors from UCLA, USC, CSUN and more Cali-area colleges. The drum battle will be judged by Taiko Project artistic director Masato "Maz" Baba, forgotten pop star Ryan Cabrera (remember when he was on The Hills?), and Miss Santa Monica Carolina Urrea.