- South Bay by Jackie Weekend Guide
August 12, 2021
The next few weeks are jam packed with extraordinary events and thankfully, there are no other cancellations to report. Tickets are still available for some of the biggest and best events of the summer, so if you want to end the season on a high note – and have a great time while using your powers for good – don’t wait too long to purchase those tickets! Something to keep in mind…. most events will be following specific COVID protocols and some may require proof of vaccination or recent testing. So be sure to look up the details cause you don’t want to be turned away at the door!
The Strand House and Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce will host a Tenth Anniversary Celebration & Ribbon Cutting today, Thursday, August 12 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Celebrate the Strand House’s 10th anniversary and welcome their new Executive Chef, Craig Hopson. The community is invited to join the Chamber after the ribbon cutting for drinks and delicious hors d’oeuvres. This event is FREE to attend but you must register at https://manhattanbeachchamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/10194. The Strand House is located at 117 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach CA 90266.
The business owners of Downtown Manhattan Beach will host the annual Summer Sidewalk Sale Friday, August 13 through Sunday, August 16. The weather forecast is for SUN & FUN, so spend the weekend in Downtown Manhattan Beach! For three days, shoppers can take advantage of drastic price reductions on merchandise ranging from clothing to home furnishings and everything in between. Enjoy massive retail markdowns, pleasant outdoor dining, gorgeous weather and glorious ocean views… all on the sidewalks of beautiful downtown Manhattan Beach. Regular store and restaurant hours will be in effect. For additional details, visit the website at http://www.downtownmanhattanbeach.com/.
The Torrance Theatre Company presents Nunsense! from August 13 thru August 21 at the James Armstrong Theater at the Torrance Civic Center. Nunsense! follows the crazy antics of five nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken convent. When their cook accidentally serves some tainted soup, poisoning 52 of the sisters, the five surviving nuns must band together and put on a variety show to raise money to “clean out the freezer.” The wildly chaotic variety show is filled with 25 original songs with lots of comic surprises. Performances dates are as follows:
•Friday, August 13 at 8:00 pm
•Saturday, August 14 at 2:00 pm
•Saturday, August 14 at 8:00 pm
•Sunday, August 15 at 2:00 pm
•Thursday, August 19 at 8:00 pm
•Friday, August 20 at 8:00 pm
•Saturday, August 21 at 2:00 pm
•Saturday, August 21 at 8:00 pm
Tickets are $40. For additional information and ticket purchase, visit the website at http://torrancetheatrecompany.com/. The James Armstrong Theater is located at 3330 Civic Center Drive North, Torrance, CA 90503.The El Segundo Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and the Cultural Development Program present Art & Dine every Friday in August. During the month of August, everyone is invited to visit the 200 block of Richmond Street to experience art being created on the spot. Each Friday, two artists will set up a “studio” from 7 to 10 p.m. for diners to watch as they create. Artists Schedule:
•August 6: Bobby Gordon (poet) + Curtis Green (painter)
•August 13: Alepsis Hernandez (muralist) + Karina Vazquez (muralist)
•August 20: Nayeli Knudsen (poet) + Francisco Palomares (painter)
•August 27: Michael C. Hsiung (illustrator) + Miki Yokoyama (artist)
Art + Dine is a program designed to enhance the outdoor dining experience! For additional information, visit https://www.elsegundo.org/Home/Components/News/News/2088/ or contact Cultural Arts Coordinator Sam Lee at 310-524-2771 or [email protected].
Join volunteers at Seaside Heroes Park for the monthly Community Beautification Event every second Saturday of the month (August 14) from 8 to 11 a.m. All are welcome to get down and dirty and lend a hand cleaning, weeding, and dead heading – including groups or individuals who need community service hours. Even though the park is small, it’s a huge job to keep it looking good. As of October 2020, volunteers have put over 2300 work hours into the project. This is a labor of love and the organizers are immensely grateful to anyone who gives their time. COME MAKE FRIENDS! DO GOOD! HAVE FUN! BE SURE TO BRING YOUR MASK TO WEAR. There will be waivers for everyone to sign so please arrive by 7:45 am, if possible, so you can begin the work at 8 am. Meet at 22812 Kathryn Avenue in Torrance. Bring tools (if you have or will be supplied), sunscreen, water, energy. Donations are also accepted via Paypal and personal check to cover the cost of water, tools, and promotion of the event. To schedule yourself or your group, contact Jenna Christensen at 310.920.9387 or via email at [email protected]. For additional information and photos of the event, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/seasideheroespark.
The Beach Cities Relay for Life presents Bark for Life on Saturday, August 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Columbia Park. Bark For Life is an American Cancer Society event to raise funds and awareness for cancer research, services, and advocacy. It’s not too late to sign-up a team and fundraise! If you, or anyone you know has been touched by cancer, please consider making a donation and be a part of ending cancer. Presale tickets are $25 or $30 of the event. For additional information, visit the Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/events/columbia-park-torrance-california/bark-for-life-of-torrance/852145968744644/. Columbia Park is located at 4045 190th Street, Torrance, CA.
The Manhattan Beach Chamber and Street Food Cinema present Manhattan Movie Nights on Saturday, August 14 at the Westdrift Golf Course in Manhattan Beach. The event features live music, food trucks and a screening of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Doors open at 5:30, the music begins at 6:30 and the movie starts at 8:30. No tickets will be sold at the door. Advance tickets prices are as follows:
•General admission $23
•Children 6-12 $12 (Children 5 & under are free)
No chairs over 6 inches off the ground. No tall back chairs. On-site bar available. No outside alcohol permitted at this location. For additional information and ticket purchase, visit the website at https://streetfoodcinema.com/ferris-bueller-2021/. The Westdrift is located at 1400 Park View Avenue in Manhattan Beach.April’s Fools Comedy Improv Troupe presents Who was that Masked Man? on Saturday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Second Story Theater. After 17 months of no shows due to Covid, the troupe is back bringing on the laughter! You’ll laugh out loud when audience suggestions are turned into comedy on stage! Directed by Valerie Gorsuch and Sandy Marchese. General admission tickets are $10 and $8 for seniors – or buy an annual pass, 12 shows for $60. For additional information and ticket purchase, call (310) 318-1705 or visit the website at http://www.AprilsFoolsImprov.com. The Second Story Theater is located at 710 Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach.
The City of Lomita presents Movies Under the Stars on Saturday, August 14 at 8:30 p.m. on the softball field at Lomita Park. Enjoy screenings of popular movies this summer under the stars! Bring low beach chairs, blankets, snacks and popcorn for a fun, hot summer night with family, friends and neighbors.
•Saturday, July 17: Cars
•Saturday, August 14: Trolls World Tour
This event is FREE to attend! For additional information, visit the website at http://lomita.com/cityhall. Lomita Park is located at 24428 Eshelman Avenue, Lomita, CA 90717.Aaron Jacobs Productions presents Summer Swing Nights: Back to the Museum on Saturday, August 14 from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Automobile Driving Museum. Put on your dancing shoes and turn back the clock to the 30s, 40s and beyond! Attendees will enjoy the jazzy vocal stylings of The Swing Tones with special guest singers, accompanied by a live 7-piece big band, plus swing dance lessons with the Los Angeles Swing Dance Posse and top tap performer Chester Whitmore. Swing dance lessons start at 7 p.m. Vendor booths specializing in vintage wear and accessories, plus local specialty food trucks, will be on site. Attendees are encouraged to attend in their own vintage cars, with VIP ticketing options. Tickets are $35/$50/$60/$100. An additional Summer Swing Night will take place on September 4. For additional information and ticket purchase, visit the Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-swing-nights-2021-drive-in-edition-tickets-147017267605. The Automobile Driving Museum is located at 610 Lairport Street, El Segundo, CA 90245.
CicLAvia will take place on Sunday, August 15 at 9 a.m. in Wilmington. The streets will be opening up in Wilmington for a 2.25-mile route connecting Banning Park and Wilmington Waterfront Park. Bike, skate, run, walk, skateboard, and enjoy the route however you want. People of all ages and abilities are welcome! CicLAvia is a FREE, open event – show up anywhere along the route at any time, and have fun! For additional information, visit the website at https://www.ciclavia.org/wilmington21.
Join Beach Cities Health District for the FREE Summer Fitness Series: Zumba in the Park on Monday August 16 at 6 p.m. at Alta Vista Park. Get ready to dance your way into shape this summer! On select Monday nights from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. the public is invited to participate and move at their own pace. All ages are welcome. This FREE community event brings together friends, family, fitness and fun! Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and athletic clothing. Classes will be led by certified Zumba® instructors from the Center for Health & Fitness. Zumba in the Park is a huge hit every summer! For additional information and registration, visit the website at http://www.bchd.org/freefitness. Alta Vista Park is located at 715 Julia Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.
The Redondo Beach Police Department Community Services Unit will host Cops & Cones on Tuesday, August 17 at Alta Vista Park from noon to 2 p.m. The Community Services Trailer will be on site giving out free snow cones to anyone who wants one. Several of the RBPD Officers will be there to hand them out and visit with the kids. Meredith (the Facilities Dog) will also be there with her handler, Sharon Rose, to spread some love and get lots of hugs. Everyone is encouraged to drop by. All Covid precautions will be observed – please wear a mask and keep a six-foot distance from others. Alta Vista Park is located at 715 Julia Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.
Here’s a HEADS-UP on a few events you’ll want to plan for now!
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/babes-who-hustle/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/temple-emet-open-house/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/el-segundo-main-street-car-show-2/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/wmof-celebrity-lecture-series-3/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/white-light-white-night/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/torrance-antique-street-faire-3/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/special-dog-walking-hours-scbg/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/south-bay-family-bike-ride/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/nextstep-charity-poker-tournament-900-club/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/garden-concert-series-3/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/lets-connect-mixer/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/manhattan-village-job-fair/
Bubbles the Whale from Marineland of the Pacific needs our help! Bubbles is a huge piece of Palos Verdes history and he used to welcome guests at the entrance of the Marineland. Bubbles was found on the side of a road in Rancho Palos Verdes. He was completely neglected and nearing total destruction. While the world may have forgotten about this whale, it truly is a piece of Palos Verdes history that should be restored and celebrated. Local citizen groups and city officials have been working for two years to relocate, restore and ultimately preserve Bubbles. The city recently approved the new proposed location for Bubbles! There is an effort to raise funds to make this project happen with a GoFundMe page. The funds raised will go towards saving Bubbles the Whale and mounting him at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center entrance so he can continue to bring joy to our community. For additional information and to make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/preserve-bubbles-the-whale.
Calling all singers! Los Cancioneros Master Chorale has openings for singers of all voice parts. For audition information, please email [email protected] and put LC Auditions in the subject line. Founded in 1949, LC Master Chorale presents concerts in a variety of music genres at The Armstrong Theatre in Torrance. Artistic Director Allan Robert Petker has planned another season of beautiful music.
Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) is asking residents of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach to take its Community Health Survey to better understand local health needs. Residents are encouraged to fill out the survey to ensure their health needs will be taken into consideration when BCHD determines its health priorities. The last day to complete the survey is Monday, August 30 and the survey takes about 20 minutes to complete. When you have completed the survey, you will have the option to enter an opportunity drawing for a chance to win two tickets to the BeachLife Festival or gift cards to Blue Zones Project Approved restaurants. Winners will be selected after the survey closes and notified by Friday, September 3. To take the survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N25LQDK. At the end of the survey, you’ll have to fill out a short form to be entered into the drawing.
The El Segundo Museum of Art is now accepting submissions for the ESMoA Video Art + Film Festival: BLUE/S. What does “BLUE/S” mean to you? BLUE/S: color, shades, reflections, harmony, mood, melancholy, serene, peace, music, heritage, flow, rebirth, space, cosmos, artificial, etc. Make a 60 second film and submit it to the ESMoA Video Art + Film Festival: BLUE/S! Deadline for submissions is Saturday, October 23 2021 at 5pm PST. Films will be reviewed by a panel of judges from the El Segundo and Los Angeles arts community who will decide which films will be featured at the screening event at ESMoA and on the ESMoA website between December 1 and December 4, 2021. All ages are welcome to submit films. For additional information, visit the website at https://esmoa.org/.
The South Bay’s Got Talent competition is returning to the James R. Armstrong Theatre on Saturday, January 8 at 7 p.m. Do you have what it takes to win the next South Bay’s Got Talent? Every year some of the best talent in the South Bay compete to win South Bay’s Got Talent. From dancers to magicians, bands to solo performers… ALL talents and ALL ages are welcome!
•Audition application due date: Friday November 5, 2021 at 5:00 pm
•Audition dates: December 6 & 7, 2021
•Competition date: Saturday January 8, 2022
First place winner receives a scholarship to the next World Championships of the Performing Arts, a small cash award and trophy. Additional awards given include 2nd and 3rd place and Judge’s Favorite.
Audition applications are available at http://www.torrancearts.org or by emailing [email protected].
The talent show is open to all residents of the South Bay which includes the Beach Cities (Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach), the Palos Verdes Peninsula, neighborhoods of the City of Los Angeles (Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, San Pedro and Wilmington), El Segundo and inland cities of the South Bay (Hawthorne, Inglewood, Gardena, Carson, Lawndale, Torrance and Lomita). The James R. Armstrong Theatre is located within the Torrance Cultural Arts Center at 3330 Civic Center Drive in Torrance.
Summer Concert Schedule Links
•Music at Metlox Plaza: Sundays
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/live-music-metlox-plaza-manhattan-beach/•Manhattan Village Summer Concerts in the Plaza: Thursdays & Saturdays
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/manhattan-village-summer-concerts-in-the-plaza/•Redondo Pier Summer of Music Concerts: Thursdays & Saturdays
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/redondo-beach-pier-summer-of-music-concert-series/•Terranea Sound Series: Fridays & Saturdays
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/terranea-sound-series/•The Point Summer Concert Series: Wednesdays
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/point-summer-music-series/•Malaga Cove Concert Series: Wednesdays
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/malaga-cove-concerts-in-the-park/•Polliwog Park Concert Series: Sundays
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/summer-concert-series-in-polliwog-park/•Lunada Bay Summer Concert Series: Sundays
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/lunada-bay-summer-concerts/Check out my new show, South Bay by Jackie, The Podcast! My guest this week is Julie Cegelski from Walk With Sally. Julie tells us all about Walk With Sally’s biggest fundraiser of the year, White Light White Night, taking place on Saturday, August 21 on the rooftop of Campus 2100. To watch the podcast, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/south-bay-by-jackie-the-podcast-white-lightwhite-night/. For additional information, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/white-light-white-night/. You can watch previous podcasts at https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/south-bay-by-jackie-the-podcast.php. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel and be the first to watch the latest podcasts at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC01v6l-9imBwWlXHSzCd1VQ.
Have a fabulous South Bay weekend!
Jackie