Friday
Friday Night Improv
South Bay Unscripted presents a special Friday Night Improv, featuring special guests from Second City and Upright Citizens Brigade at the Second Story Theater, 710 Pier Ave., in Hermosa Beach, at 7:30 p.m. All proceeds will be donated to Tour De Pier. Tickets are $20 at the door or visit southboayunscripted.com.
Sunset Soiree
The Redondo Beach Educational Foundation presents its annual Spring gala “Sunset Soiree – A Night of Giving” at Kincaid’s Restaurant, 500 Fisherman’s Wharf, in Redondo Beach, from 6 to 10 p.m. This elegant waterfront event promises an unforgettable evening filled with live music, entertainment, elevated culinary experiences, and both silent and live auctions, supporting the Redondo Beach Unified School District. Tickets cost $195. To purchase tickets, visit shorturl.at/PRgBl.
Saturday
AAPI Event
In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Redondo Beach Public Library welcomes artist and author Don Hata to the Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Highway, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Hata will talk about the incarceration of Japanese Americans and his own personal experiences from when he was imprisoned at the age of 3, along with his family. The event is free. Information: 310-318-0675 or library.redondo.org.
Elderfest
In honor of Older Americans Month, Segundo presents Elderfest at the Joslyn Center, 339 Sheldon St., at 11 a.m. The theme for this year is “Flip the Script on Aging,” which focuses on transforming how society perceives, talks about and approaches aging. The event is free. Information and to RSVP for the luncheon: 310-524-2705 or visit the Joslyn Center.
Music From Land, Sea and Air
South Bay Music Association presents “Music from Land Sea and Air” by the El Segundo Concert Band at the El Segundo United Methodist Church, 540 S. Main St., at 7 p.m. Celebrate music, musicians and spring. Music can take us on thrilling adventures, portraying the incredible landscapes and vistas we encounter along the way. Come on this journey through land, sea and air. The event is free. Information: 424-242-3722 or sbmusic.org.
Ongoing
Armed Forces Day Celebration and Parade
Torrance presents its 63rd Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration and Parade at Del Amo Fashion Center from Friday to Sunday, May 16-18. Military exhibits, including aircraft, vehicles and support equipment, will be on display on Saturday in the Del Amo Fashion Center parking lot just east of the Lifestyle Wing as part of the celebration. Two free concerts will also take place Friday, May 17, at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., at James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive. The 7th Annual 5K for Freedom Run/Walk will take place Saturday, May 18, at 8 a.m. starting at Del Amo Fashion Center, traveling down Torrance Boulevard, and passing by Torrance City Hall. The event is free. Information: shorturl.at/dLkwx.
Bereavement Support
Taking Time: South Bay (aka Taking Time) offers eight-week Little Timers/Big Timers Bereavement Support Groups for children ages 5-11, their parents, guardians or their caregivers. Located at 514 N. Prospect Ave., Suite L6, Redondo Beach. From 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through May 21. Requested donation of $200 per family. 424-634-1956, info@takingtime.org, takingtime.org.
Colorful Profiles
The Jewish Community Center of the South Bay, 2108 Vail Ave., in Redondo Beach, presents a four-week journey to encounter 12 stories of Jewish history’s most fascinating men and women. Discover the incredible Jewish lives of converts, captives, royal advisors, philosophers, philanthropists and more. From 9:30 to 11 a.m. or 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through May. Cost is $80. Information: 310-214-4999 or shorturl.at/ujUO9.
Dementia Caregiver Support Group
Join Beach Cities Health District’s care managers Joy Schmidt and Rudy Diaz, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association for a Dementia Caregiver Support Group, in the cafe at 514 N. Prospect Ave., in Redondo Beach, at 2 p.m. every third Monday of the month. Information: bchd.org/support-groups.
Food and Mood Sharing Circle
Cancer Support Community South Bay, 2601 Airport Drive, Suite 100, in Torrance, offers a free workshop led by instructor Lily Hanna. Designed for adults, participants will be provided a space to learn, exchange ideas and connect. Each month features a different discussion topic geared toward food and mood categories. From 1 to 2 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Advanced registration is required. Visit CSCSouthBay.org and select the online calendar. Information: Rebecca Sul, Rebecca@CSCSouthBay.org.
Manhattan Beach Community Choir
The Manhattan Beach Community Church Choir is starting up again, and rehearsals will take place at Manhattan Beach Community Church, 303 S. Peck Ave., from 7 to 8:30p.m. on Thursdays. Sunday services start at 10 a.m. All are welcome, no costs or fees. All voice parts are invited. Music reading is helpful, but optional. Handel, Mozart, Rutter, Mark Hayes and more. Information: music@mbccucc.org.
Mindfulness Class for Kids
The Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living, 907 Knob Hill Ave., presents a free play, art, guided visualization and affirmation for children while their parents are attending service from 11 a.m. to noon. Kids are taught to utilize the power within themselves to create a life they love. Information: 310-540-5080 or office@redondocsl.org.
Veterans Memorial Clean-up
The Hermosa Beach Veterans Memorial Committee is searching for new veterans in the community to carry on the stewardship of the Veterans Memorial site (Pier and PCH) during First-Saturday clean-ups. If you are a post-9/11 veteran, feel free to join. The group meets at 8:30 a.m. to clean the Memorial and perform various tasks, such as flag exchanges and minor landscaping. If interested, visit the memorial site the day of clean up or contact Hermosa Beach for more information at 310-318- 0280.
Live shows at TOCA
The Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, provides diverse, live entertainment by noteworthy performers. Upcoming attractions include “Coppelia by San Pedro City Ballet” at 7:30 p.m. June 12 and 13, and “TOCApalooza” at 11 a.m. June 21. Information: torrancearts.org.
Classics at Old Town
Vintage movies, music on a historic Wurlitzer pipe organ and old-fashioned sing-alongs can be enjoyed at the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., in El Segundo. This weekend’s features will be “Top Hat” (1935) at 2:30 p.m. and “Beverly Hills Cop” (1984) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, and “The Black Pirate” (1926-silent) with organ accompaniment at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets online at oldtownmusichall.org.
Art films in the South Bay
The South Bay Film Society offers art-house features in the AMC Rolling Hills theater, 2591 Airport Drive, Torrance. Films often sell out ahead of time. In the coming weeks, the schedule includes “Secret Mall Apartment” on Wednesday, May 21, “A Photographic Memory” on May 28 and “Bad Shabbos” on June 4. Purchase online at southbayfilmsociety.com.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Baleen in the Portofino: 8 to 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at the Baleen Kitchen in the Portofino Hotel, 260 Portofino Way, in Redondo Beach. Information: hotelportofino.com/local-experiences.
The Bull Pen: The Bull Pen, 314 Avenue I, in Redondo Beach, has musicians on most Friday and Saturday nights. Information: thebullpenredondo.com.
Comedy and Magic Club: Top performers appear regularly at the South Bay’s premier venue, the Comedy and Magic Club, 1018 Hermosa Ave., in Hermosa Beach. Information: thecomedyandmagicclub.com.
The Lighthouse: The Lighthouse, 30 Pier Ave., in Hermosa Beach, has live shows most days. From 4 to 7 p.m. Information: thelighthousecafe.net.
Saint Rocke: Live performers take the stage regularly at Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy., Hermosa Beach. Upcoming shows are Max Muscato with Bedeker and Paula Fong on Thursday, May 15; Super Spreader with Black Crystal Wolf Kids on Friday, May 15; Yacht Rock Party with The Windbreakers with Olio on Saturday, May 17 and Heebie and The Jeebies with The Killing Floors and Oralia on Sunday, May 18. Complete schedule on saintrocke.com.
Starboard Attitude: Starboard Attitude (New), on the Redondo Beach Pier, has live music Friday to Sunday, as well as weeknight karaoke. Details on the bar’s Facebook page.
Shade hotels: Thursdays (5-8 p.m.) and Sundays (noon-3 p.m.) at Zinc restaurant in the Shade Hotel, 1221 N. Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach. Information: shadehotel.com.
Strand House: Music and an ocean view can be enjoyed in the evenings Thursday through Saturday at The Strand House, 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach. Information: thestrandhousemb.com.
Uncorked: Musicians perform during varying afternoon and evening hours Thursday through Sunday at the wine shop Uncorked, 302 Pier Ave., in Hermosa Beach. Occasional music also at Manhattan Beach location, 1000 Manhattan Ave. Information: uncorkedwineshops.com.
Vista has sunset vibes: Guests of all ages are welcome for DJ music and “silent disco” dancing on the stages at Vista, 11 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. From 5 to 10 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month. Tickets and information: sunsetvibesevents.com.
RECURRING MEET-UPS/EVENTS
Beach Cities Women’s Club: Meet new friends – movies, bunco, monthly lunches, outings and more. For more information, e-mail Jackye at jsullins@gmail.com.
Blankets of Love: Convenes weekly from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursdays at the Manhattan Beach Joslyn Center. Help make blankets for in-need families. Information: blanketsoflovesouthbay.com.
Bird enthusiasts: The South Bay Bird Society meets once per month in Hermosa Beach and virtually on Zoom. Information: sobaybirdsoc.com.
Book and story groups: Readers of all ages can attend story times, book groups and author talks through the Redondo Beach Public Library (redondo.org/cals/library.asp), and also Pages bookstore in Manhattan Beach (pagesabookstore.com).
Coin Club: The Bay Cities Coin Club welcomes participants of all ages and meets one Thursday per month at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 6323 W. 80th St., Los Angeles. Information: baycitiescoinclub.com.
Divorce Workshop: The Law Offices of Kevin J. Kensik offers divorce workshop for people who need help connecting with legal, financial and emotional professionals who specialize in divorce every second Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. Information: 310-891-2300.
Embroidery Group: The El Segundo Blue Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America meets on the first Wednesday of the month in the Lounge at the El Segundo United Methodist Church, 540 Main Street at 6:30 p.m. New and experienced stitchers welcomed. Information: elsegundoblue.ega@gmail.com.
Hiking in the Peninsula: Join the “Wandering Jews” for Saturday afternoon hikes in Palos Verdes. Send an email to wanderingjewscnt@gmail.com for the next meeting time and place.
Library book sale/Hermosa: The HB Friends of the Library store operates next to the parking lot of the Community Center, 710 Pier Ave. Information: hbfol.org.
Library book sale/Redondo: The Friends of the RB Public Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Highway, has items for sale Tuesday through Saturday; times vary. Information: redondobeachlibraryfriends.com.
Library book sale/Manhattan: Books can be purchased during library hours in the Friends of the Library cove at the top of the ramp near the south entrance. Please visit FriendsofMBL.com for the next large book sale.
PFLAG: Monthly group meetings welcoming the entire spectrum of LGBTQ+ community, friends, families, and allies for rich conversation and supportive community. Meetings are held first Tuesdays in the ground floor café at Beach Cities Health District, 514 N. Prospect Ave, Redondo Beach. More info at pflagmanhattanbeach.org/events.
Photography group: The South Bay Camera Club gathers on 2nd and 4th Mondays at the Torrance Airport Administration Building, 3301 Airport Drive; sometimes on Zoom. Information: donstouder@ca.rr.com; or sbccphotos.org.
Social connections at BCHD: Those seeking ways to keep busy or seeking other ways to connect with others can join Beach Cities Health District’s social hours and chat sessions. Register and get a Zoom link on bchd.org.
Scottish Dancing: Classes in Scottish Ballroom Dancing take place Friday evenings and Thursday mornings at locations in Torrance and Redondo Beach. For information email Kris at rscds.la@gmail.com.
Tango lessons: Dance the Tango at the Woman’s Club of Redondo Beach on Monday evenings; no partner necessary. Information: send an email to danitangoargentino@gmail.com.
Theater Goers Group: Meets on the second Monday of the month at Veterans Park Senior Center, 301 Esplanade in Redondo Beach from 11 a.m. to noon. Information: 310-379-7876.
The Beach Reporter welcomes submissions to the print version of its Calendar section via email to Calendar@TBRnews.com.
–Compiled by Robert Doss
