Friday
2025 State of the State
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 2025 State of the State at DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance/South Bay, 21333 Hawthorne Blvd., beginning at 8:30 a.m., with registration. The event will feature state Sen. Ben Allen (24th District) and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (66th District). Attendees will hear key legislative updates and insights on policies shaping the state. Tickets cost $54 for members and $64 for non-members. For more information and to register, call 310-540-5858 or visit shorturl.at/ogWaY.
Night of Improv
South Bay Unscripted presents “A Night of Improv” at Java Man Coffee House, 157 Pier Ave., in Hermosa Beach, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. For more information, visit southbayunscripted.com.
Stories of Buddhist Masters
Mahamudra Kadampa Meditation Center, 500 Sixth St., in Hermosa Beach, presents “Stories of Buddhist Masters: Food for Thought” with resident teacher Kadam Gerry Donovan from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Join the center to explore their transformational journeys. Feel encouraged and inspired and gain confidence in growth and change. The event costs $15 per person. For more information and tickets,visit shorturl.at/W04LF.
Tuesday
Firewise Landscaping (virtual)
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy presents “Firewise Landscaping: How Native Plants Can Help Protect Your Home” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Join this Zoom conversation, which will offer insights on the science of fire behavior in the urban-wildland interface, best practices for maintaining a resilient, beautiful, and fire-smart landscape, and the ecological benefits of native plants and preserved open spaces. The event is free. To RSVP, visit shorturl.at/0fqR4.
Wednesday
Gentle Yoga/Game Night
Women’s Club of Redondo Beach, 400 S. Broadway, presents a combination gentle yoga session from 6 to 7 p.m. and Game Night Evening Social from 7 to 9 p.m. It will be a night of play and games to encourage creative thinking and social interactions. Bring drinks and appetizers to share for the potluck. Donations of travel toiletries will also be collected for survivors of domestic violence. For more information and to RSVP, call 310-316-9766 or visit redondowoman.org.
Ongoing
Spiked
South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., in Palos Verdes Peninsula, presents “Spiked: A Celebration of Agave,” a festival-style event highlighting the rich history, culture and versatility of agave this weekend (March 22, 23) and next weekend (March 29, 30) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each festival day will feature dynamic programming, including an agave pit roasting demonstration by Steve Sanchez, a Lancaster farmer. Visitors can also enjoy live music, a papel picado demonstration and craft, interactive games, a Yay or Nay Agave Competition and stunning photo opportunities. Admission range from free to $23. For more information, visit shorturl.at/dDeZp.
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. Wednesdays, from 4 to 5 p.m. through May 21. Requested donation of $200 per family. 424-634-1956, info@takingtime.org, takingtime.org.
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. For more information, visit bchd.org/support-groups.
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 8:30 p.m. 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. For more information, email music@mbccucc.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 ”Mortified: Spring Break” at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 29, “Richie Furay” at 8 p.m. April 5, and “Streetlight Cadence” on April 25 and 26. More information at torrance arts.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 “Edward Scissorhands” (1990) at 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 22, and “The Son of the Sheik” (1926-silent) with organ accompaniment at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 23. Tickets online at old town music hall.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 “When Fall Is Coming” on April 2, “Dreams: A Brainstorm Productions Fundraiser” on April 9 and “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” on April 30. 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 Guttermouth with One Square Mile and Rhythm Collusion on Thursday, Mar. 20; Hollywood U2: The Spazmatics with Flowbis on Friday, Mar. 21; Pokey Lafarge with Cicada Rhythm on Saturday, Mar. 22; The Gemstone Review: An Evening of Burlesque and Comedy on Sunday, Mar. 23, and Songwriter Showcase on Wednesday, Mar. 26. 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: Fridays and Saturdays 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 at Zamperini Field Airport 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
