South Bay Weekend Guide November 17, 2016

While some of you will be travelling during the holidays, others will be staying put, welcoming visiting family and friends. For those of you choosing to remain in the bubble, be sure to check my website for the many special events taking place this holiday season. When you’re hosting out-of-town- guests, it’s imperative to plan ahead with a variety of ways to keep them entertained. If you plan on taking them to some of our fabulous restaurants, a local theater production, ice-skating, bike riding, wine tasting, comedy club, yoga class, concert or festival, be sure to buy your tickets, make your reservations or register NOW. The last thing you want is to find yourself sitting around, twiddling your thumbs, wondering how to entertain your guests. Fortunately for us, there is an abundance of enjoyable ways to spend our time this holiday season right here in the South Bay….you just have to plan ahead!
The Redondo Beach Elks Lodge hosts the Harvest Ballroom Dance tonight, Thursday, November 17 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The evening features the Retro Swing Band playing all the popular ballroom tempos: foxtrot, swing, waltz and more. The large dance floor offers plenty of room to strut your stuff. If you don’t feel like dancing but just want to enjoy some great music, the venue offers theater-like seating. A cash bar is available. Everyone is welcome – you don’t have to be a member! Admission at the door is $10 per person. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.bigband.com/Dances.html. The Elks Lodge is located at 319 Esplanade in Redondo Beach.
Comedy Pop Up presents Comedy at the Beach tonight, Thursday, November 17 beginning at 8 p.m. at Samba Brazilian Steakhouse in Redondo Marina. Come enjoy a night out with some of LA’s funniest comics! The event will be hosted by Rodrigo Torres, Jr. and will feature the comedy of Jak Knight, April Richardson, Kevin Shea and Brian Dunkleman. Along with all that great comedy, attendees will also enjoy a special selection of Brazilian inspired drink specials. In addition, there are 20 FREE tickets available! Just enter the Promo Code “JACKIE” when choosing the ticket type. Tickets are $8 in advance and $12 day of the event. There is plenty of onsite parking for only $2 with validation. For additional information and ticket purchase, visit the website at http://www.comedypopupla.com/. Samba Brazilian Steakhouse is located at 207 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.
Not sure if this is sold out yet…..Terranea Resort presents the Library Wine Dinner Series tonight, Thursday, November 17 at mar’sel. Led by Resort Sommelier Szymon Piechaczek and Chef de Cuisine Andrew Vaughan, each intimate dinner in the Library Wine Series features exclusive vintages, presented vertically by each guest winemaker, and paired with a five-course seasonal, Farm-to-Terranea tasting menu. This dinner will feature the wines of Tenuta dell’Ornellaia. Space is limited and advance reservations are required. Each dinner is priced at $275 per person. Attendees must be 21+ years to attend. For additional information and reservations, call 310-265-2766. Terranea Resort is located at 100 Terranea Way in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Plaza El Segundo kicks off the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 18. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. in the Kid’s Zone throughout The Edge (near The Counter), including carolers, The Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt, stilt walkers, balloons, face painting and free treats. Plus enter a raffle to win a $1,500 Holiday Shopping Spree! The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place in the fountain area next to Pinkberry from 7 to 7:30 p.m. with special guests, live music and performances, including a visit from Santa Claus. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.plazaelsegundo.com/index.php?id=235. Plaza El Segundo is located at 760 S Sepulveda Boulevard, El Segundo, CA 90245.

Shade Hotel Redondo Beach’s Grand Opening Party will take place on Friday, November 18 at 6 p.m. The public is invited to this FREE event! Come dine and dance the night away under the stars. This is the last stage of the new hotel’s phased opening, and will include a public open house and property tours, as well as live entertainment and a chance to taste Coastal California Cuisine and libations from Sea Level Restaurant! After a few setbacks, the hotel is open and on its way to becoming the city’s most luxurious and sophisticated waterfront destination. On the forefront of the Redondo Beach Waterfront Revitalization Project, Shade Redondo Beach will serve as the premiere destination for visitors and locals alike. Shade is offering a Local’s Special rate of only $225 for a Deluxe Suite for November 18 only! Why not make a night of it?!? This is going to be the biggest event of the year, so if you plan to attend, be sure to RSVP to 310-921-8950. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.shaderb.com/. Shade Redondo Beach is located at 655 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA, 90277.
Promenade on the Peninsula presents the annual Open House & Tree Lighting Celebration on a Saturday, November 19 beginning at 4 p.m. The Tree Lighting will begin at 5 p.m. with local youth group performances and a surprise visitor to take a photo with! Hmmmm, I wonder who that could be….. The Open House features special deals, discounts and fun activities. Retailers will stay open until 9 p.m. Enjoy a family meal at one of the Promenade restaurants either before or after the festivities. This is a very popular event and reservations are recommended! For more information and store listings, visit the website at www.promenadeonthepeninsula.com. Promenade on the Peninsula is located in Rolling Hills Estates on Silver Spur Road between Hawthorne and Crenshaw Boulevards.
The Torrance Craftsmen’s Guild presents the Arts & Crafts Faire on Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center. The Arts & Crafts Faire features an array of handmade crafts – everything from candles and quilts to sculpture, clothing and jewelry. Attendees can look forward to a door prize and opportunity drawing, music by DJ Ozzie and food and beverages available for purchase. This event raises the funds needed to support scholarships to high school senior students within the Torrance Unified School District. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.torrancecraftsmensguild.org/. The Torrance Cultural Arts Center is located at the corner of Torrance Boulevard and Madrona Avenue in Torrance.

The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau host the Holiday Sidewalk Festival in downtown Hermosa Beach Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The family-friendly event, sponsored by Southern California Edison, allows residents and visitors to browse through merchandise on the sidewalks of Pier and Hermosa avenues, enjoy live music at several locations and take advantage of enticing discounts. Restaurants are also offering various specials and several businesses have children’s activities in addition to partaking in the popular elf scavenger hunt that gives participants a chance to win tremendous gifts. Various storefronts will display seasonal decorations allowing patrons to select a winner on Facebook while the owners offer delicious bites with warm drinks to accompany alluring outdoor sales that carry into their stores. For the first time ever, businesses on PCH and Aviation will station canopies on the Community Center lawn en route west on Pier Avenue, serenaded by the Mira Costa Jazz Ensemble. For additional information, call 310-376-0951 or visit the website at http://business.hbchamber.net/events/details/holiday-sidewalk-festival-3399.

The Torrance Historical Society, in partnership with the Torrance Library, is hosting a Meet the Author event with Ron Kovic on Saturday, November 19 at 2 p.m. and the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library. Ron Kovic is a Vietnam Veteran, peace-activist and best-selling author of Born on the Fourth of July, and the newly published Hurricane Street. 2016 marks the 40 anniversary since the release of Born on the Fourth of July, and 25 years since Tom Cruise portrayed Ron Kovic in Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning film of the same name. Kovic will be appearing at the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library for a discussion and book signing of his new book Hurricane Street, an impassioned, timely memoir about the American Veterans Movement, which picks up where Born on the Fourth of July left off. Kovic is an impassioned advocate for better treatment of Veterans. Both books will be available for signing and purchase (check, cash and credit cards accepted). Born on the Fourth of July is a special 40 anniversary reprint edition. This event is free and open to the public. No reservations are necessary, but seating is limited to first-come/first-served. The Katy Geissert Civic Center Library is located at 3301 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90503.
21 Square Bar + Kitchen officially opens for business on Saturday, November 19. Located in the Torrance Marriott, this completely new restaurant/bar/lounge offers hand crafted, coastal comfort cuisine that bridges the gap between the city and the beach with a locally inspired style. They feature a full bar with ten beers on tap (including five local craft brews and a Private Label beer from Absolution Brewing), outdoor dining and veranda, signature menu items, craft cocktails and an expansive Great Room. The restaurant name, 21 Square, comes from the history of the city - Torrance is 21 square miles and was incorporated in 1921. For additional information, visit the website at http://deals.marriott.com/marriott-hotels-resorts/usa/ca/torrance/torrance-marriott-redondo-beach-21-square-bar-kitchen. 21 Square is located inside the Torrance Marriott at 3635 Fashion Way, Torrance, CA 90503. FYI - I was invited to a Media Dinner this past Tuesday night and will fill you in on all the delicious details soon!
Gallery Exposure presents the Opening Reception of Jazz @ The Lighthouse on Saturday, November 19 from 5 to p.m. The exhibit features the photography of Chuck Koton, David Fairchild and Mark Sonners and examines the legacy of The Lighthouse’s jazz history. The photos depict jazz musicians Sonny Rollins, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Roy Haynes, Charles McPherson and many more. The opening night reception features a live jazz band, and audio cuts from the displayed musicians will be heard throughout the gallery. The exhibit will run through January 1. For additional information, visit the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/677477532407565/. Gallery Exposure is located at 1439 Marcelina Avenue, Torrance, CA.
King Harbor Brewing will host Yoga & Beer on Sunday, November 20 beginning at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to enjoy a stimulating yoga session followed by a cold brew in support of a local chapter of the Special Olympics, Friends of Torrance Exceptional Athletes. Get in a great workout and reward yourself with a craft brew, all for a worthy cause! A suggested donation of $20 would be much appreciated. Attendees should wear appropriate clothing and bring a mat. For additional information, contact Ryan MacMurdo at 310-800-4924. King Harbor Brewing is located at 2907 182 Street, Redondo Beach, CA 90278.

Please note: the Grand Opening date was recently changed – it will now take place on Sunday, November 20……. Just in time for the holidays, the LA Kings Holiday Ice Rink in Redondo Beach will be open to the public for skating this holiday season with the Grand Opening taking place on Sunday, November 20. One of five rinks in the Los Angeles Area, the LA Kings Holiday Ice Rink in Redondo benefits the Redondo Beach Police Foundation’s school safety program. Individual tickets are available for sale on-site and reservations will be available to hold birthday parties and other special events for up to 500 people. The rink will be operated by American Sports Entertainment Company, the operating team at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo and LA Kings Holiday Ice presented by Coca-Cola at L.A. Live. The ice rink will be operational from November 20, 2016 through January 8, 2017. Hours of operation and pricing are detailed on my website at http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/l-kings-holiday-ice-rink/. Tickets may be purchased on-site at Redondo Beach Holiday Ice and includes skate rental. The ice rink is located at 239 North Harbor Drive Redondo Beach, CA 90277.
The City of Torrance presents the annual Torrance Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 24. A time-honored tradition here in the South Bay, the annual Harry Sutter Memorial Thanksgiving Day 3 Mile Fun Run – aka Turkey Trot – gets under way at 8 a.m. at Sam’s Club in Torrance. All registered participants will receive a commemorative Turkey Trot shirt. The Village Runner and other sponsors will be providing great prizes – including mountain bikes! – for the after-race raffle. The City of Torrance invites runners and spectators to bring a can of food for a special Thanksgiving Food Drive. While you run or watch, the canned foods will be distributed to people in need throughout the South Bay. For additional information and to obtain an entry form, visit the website at http://www.torranceca.gov/Parks/20996.htm. Sam’s Club is located at 2601 Skypark Drive in Torrance.

Here’s a heads-up on a few events you’ll want to plan for now!
http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/santas-arrival-parade/
http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/small-business-saturday/
http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/sugarpova-meet-greet-maria-sharapova/
http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/torrance-antique-street-faire-8/
http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/angel-tree-lighting-ceremony/
http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/torrance-memorial-holiday-festival/
http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/primo-italia-signature-wine-dinner/
These are just a few of the events taking place, so be sure to check the Ongoing Events page and Daily Blog on my website at http://www.southbaybyjackie.com for details on these and other events happening throughout the South Bay.

Yesterday morning on The South Bay Show: Redondo Beach - More to Sea, our guest was Gigi Fusco Meese, Director of Community Relations for 3D Theatrical and we learned all about their upcoming shows at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. You can listen to yesterday’s show via podcast here: http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/gigi-fusco-meese-3d-theatricals/. There’s ‘More to Sea’ every Wednesday morning at 8 a.m.!
This morning on The South Bay Show: South Bay Spotlight, our guest is Jeffray Gardner, owner and maker of Marsatta Chocolates. He recently opened a shop in Torrance located at the corner of Del Amo and Anza and if you haven’t stopped by yet, make a point to do so soon because you won’t believe what you’re missing! Don’t worry, if you missed the program, you can listen to it via podcast here: http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/jeffray-gardner-marsatta-chocolates/. Tune in every Thursday at 8 a.m. to keep up with what’s going down in the South Bay!
Tomorrow morning on The South Bay Show: Manhattan Beach 360, our guest will be Steven Carvel, a Manhattan Beach-based estate planning attorney and member of the Manhattan Beach Kiwanis Club. He’s going to give us some insight as to what it takes to pull together the popular Manhattan Beach Santa Float tour each year. You can listen to the program live at 8 a.m. or anytime via podcast here: http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/steven-carvel-manhattan-beach-santa-float/. Tune in every Friday morning for the latest from Manhattan Beach!
Have a fabulous South Bay weekend!
Jackie
http://www.southbaybyjackie.com