30+ Ideas to Make it a Perfect South Bay Weekend

From surfing to shopping, concerts to comedy- we've got you covered!

๐Ÿ“… The Weekend Starts Here

โ˜€๏ธ Listen Up Beaches!

South Bayโ€™s go-to guide to live music, culture,
news, and events- so youโ€™ll never miss a beat!
Free every Thursday.

In this weekโ€™s issue:
๐ŸŒฆ๏ธ Reflections on a wet and windy week in the South Bay
๐Ÿซ South Bayโ€™s โ€œdistinguishedโ€ elementary schools
๐Ÿ“š MCHS alum Mark Sundeenโ€™s new book โ€œDelusions + Grandeurโ€
๐ŸŽช 30+ events incl. Surf Series, Sidewalk Sale, Summer Camps & more!

Windswept Manhattan Beach (image by author)

โœจ First, Some Good News

๐ŸŒฆ๏ธ Nobody Minds a Wet and Windy Week in the South Bay!

It takes the occasional wet and windy week to remember how incredibly lucky we are in the South Bay! Iโ€™m among those quite partial to a spot of inclement weather, probably because I grew up in the UK, where โ€œsunny with no chance of rainโ€ is a fantasy forecast. But, despite being unaccustomed to the wind and the rain here at the beach, nobodyโ€™s complaining about it because we all know that T-shirt weather and toes in the sand are right around the corner! Whatโ€™s not to love about living in the South Bay?!

Reflections on the Weather. (Image by author)

๐Ÿซ South Bay Elementary Schools Amongst Stateโ€™s โ€œCalifornia Distinguished Schoolsโ€

The California Department of Education has honored 11 South Bay elementary schools with the prestigious โ€œCalifornia Distinguished Schoolsโ€ title, recognizing their excellence in education, dedication, and student success. Schools from Rancho Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance made the list, standing out among 336 campuses statewide. Awardees will be celebrated at a special ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel on May 30. Full story here.

๐Ÿ“™ Mira Costa Alum Mark Sundeen's New Book "Delusion + Grandeur,โ€ Looks at Life in the Modern American West

In his 4th and latest book, Delusion + Grandeur, Mira Costa alum and author Mark Sundeen weaves two decades of activism, adventure, and sharp-eyed storytelling into a compelling look at life in the modern American West. From an Elvis impersonator in a desert casino to a Jack London impersonator, he blends firsthand reporting with wry humor to capture the lives of the offbeat, resilient individuals shaping and surviving todayโ€™s Western reality. Full story here.

๐Ÿบ Local Spotlight: Culture Brewing Co., Manhattan Beach

Culture Brewing Co., Manhattan Beach (Image by author)

Founded 2012 in Solana Beach, Culture Brewing opened the Manhattan Beach tasting room in 2020. From IPAs to Irish Stouts and Pomegranate Sours to English Brown Ale, Culture's litany of libations can quench the thirst of even the most discerning craft beer aficionados. With Boga Sundays (beer and yoga) and Yappy Wednesdays (bring your dog), they like to keep it fresh and frisky! And delicious eats courtesy of Simmzyโ€™s are just a QR code away!

Ryan and Canara are the perfect hosts! (Image by author)

๐Ÿ”Ž Whatโ€™s Happening Around Town?

The weekend forecast is shaping up nicely, with highs in the mid-60s to low 70s, and Saturday is packed with events to match! Early risers can catch the surfing in El Porto at 6:30 am or check out the MB Egg Hunt or the HB Sidewalk Sale mid-morning. Then, head to Manhattan Village for more shopping and fun at the Bloom event, or maybe check out the Japanese Cultural Festival in Torrance! Plus, live music at every turn. All the deets are below- have fun and make it a perfect South Bay weekend. Cheers!

๐ŸŒƒ Today - Thursday!

โ˜• Cafe Stories: Voices from Hermosa w/ Sonny Vardeman @ Gitana Cafe, HB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 3, Thursday | 3 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Hear Sonny Vardeman share his incredible tales of lifeguarding, surfing, and South Bay history.

๐Ÿค Flourish Locally Networking @ Saltbox | Warehousing & Logistics for Ecommerce, Torrance
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 3, Thursday | 6 PM
๐Ÿ“ŒIf youโ€™re in the E-commerce game- this might be right up your street!

๐Ÿ˜ We Don't Comedy the Same @ Schooner Bar & Grill, RB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 3, Thursday | 8 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Get ready for a banger of a show- donโ€™t miss their incredible headliner!

๐ŸŽ‰ Super Saturday! So Many Optionsโ€ฆ

Surfing El Porto (Image by author)

๐Ÿ„ Surf Series Event #5 Presented by Wave Rave @ El Porto, MB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 6:30 AM
๐Ÿ“Œ Join the South Bay Boardriders Club for another epic surfing event, #5.

๐Ÿš— Cars, Bikes, and Coffee Meet @ American Honda Collection Hall, Torrance
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 9 AM
๐Ÿ“Œ Cars, bikes & coffee enthusiasts, rev your engines!

๐Ÿ’ฐ The Spring Sidewalk Sale @ Upper Pier Ave., HB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 10 AM
๐Ÿ“Œ The Sidewalk Sale is back! Bargain shopping, live music - good times!

๐Ÿฅš 2nd Annual Egg Hunt @ Downtown MB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 10 AM
๐Ÿ“Œ Egg-cellent fun for the kiddos- first egg drop at 10 AM!

๐ŸŒž Kumu Hula Patrick Choy Kahiko สปUlฤซสปUlฤซ Workshop @ Masonic Temple Association, RB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 10:30 AM
๐Ÿ“Œ Intermediate/advanced Kahiko hula dancers, itโ€™s your time to shine!

๐Ÿชท Bloom: A Spring Event @ Manhattan Village, MB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 11 AM
๐Ÿ“Œ A Blooming good time- live music, pop-up vendors, and free totes!

๐ŸŒธ 50th Annual Bunka-Sai @ Ken Miller Recreation Center, Torrance
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5-6, Saturday & Sunday | 11 AM
๐Ÿ“Œ Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival- a weekend of dance, music, martial arts, tea ceremonies, bonsai, and more!

๐Ÿœ The Gomaichi Ramen Grand Opening @ 407 N Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 102, RB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 11 AM
๐Ÿ“Œ Join the grand opening and win free ramen, appetizers, or a $200 gift card!

Gomaichi Ramen: Sakura and Karin prepare for the opening. (Image by author)

๐ŸŒž Sunday Funday

โ˜• Zuma Cars N Coffee (April Edition) @ RB Marina
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 6, Sunday | 11 AM
๐Ÿ“Œ Fast cars and fresh coffee fuel fascinating conversation!

๐ŸŒž 2025 Summer Camp Fair @ South Bay Galleria, RB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 6, Sunday | 12 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Explore your options, meet the reps, lots of fun for the kids!

๐Ÿ‹ Lemonade Day @ Hermosa Beach Pier, HB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 6, Sunday | 12 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Meet the next generation of entrepreneurs behind their lemonade stands. Shop, sip, and socialize!

๐Ÿฐ Photos with the Easter Bunny @ The Point, El Segundo
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 6, Sunday | 3 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Free photos with a giant rabbit by the Lifeguard Tower from 3โ€“5 PM!

๐ŸŽ‰ Annual Museum Celebration @ Local Collaborative, HB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 6, Sunday | 3 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Join the Hermosa Beach Museumโ€™s Annual Celebration and hear whatโ€™s in store for 2025!

๐ŸŽญ Just for Laughs

๐Ÿ˜ 10 Comics Show @ The Comedy & Magic Club, HB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 4, Friday | 8 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Ten times the laughs, youโ€™ll be rolling out in hysterics!

๐Ÿ˜ South Bay Speakeasy Comedy Club @ Unitร , MB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 5 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Pop-Up Comedy with Netflix, Comedy Central, & HBO comedians - BYOB!

๐Ÿ˜ 6 PM in the Up Close Room โ€œ10 Comicsโ€ @ The Comedy & Magic Club, HB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 6 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Ten of the funniest, youโ€™ll be in stitches!

๐Ÿ˜ Jay Leno @ The Comedy & Magic Club, HB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 6, Sunday | 7 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Say no more - itโ€™s the one and only!

๐ŸŽถ Live Music This Weekend

Friday

๐ŸŽบ Jazz and Jam at Coast Music @ Coast Music, MB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 4, Friday | 6:30 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Jam-tastic jazz talents perform! Blow your own trumpet if you like!

๐Ÿ“ป Saved by the 90's @ Saint Rocke, HB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 4, Friday | 8 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Donโ€™t Look Back in Anger- just Come as You Are, or weโ€™ll be Losing Our Religion.

Saturday

๐ŸŽธ Summer Kickoff Concert in the Garden - Feed The Kitty + Retrofit @ Rockefeller, RB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 3 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Enjoy live performances in the garden by Feed The Kitty + Retrofit!

๐ŸŽธ Flashback Heart Attack (80's covers) @ The Lighthouse Cafe, HB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 5 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Sweet Child Oโ€™ Mine, just Beat It down here- otherwise, weโ€™ll be Under Pressure!

๐Ÿท Mark Ennis & Brian Simon @ mbWINEco MB (behind Tin Roof)  
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 6:30 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Classic Rock and a Cabernet? Pop Hits and a Pinot? Country Music and a Chardonnay? Thereโ€™s a pairing for everyone at Live Music & Wine Night!

๐ŸŽถ Curtis Fornadley Trio @ Project Barley Square, Torrance
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 7 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Excellent eats, local brews, and Curtis on the guitar. Get sh-ready!

๐ŸŽถ Carpet Safari w/ Shabingus @ Saint Rocke, HB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 8 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Put on Your Red Shoes and Dance the Blues- Bowie, Led Zep, Steely Dan, and more covers!

๐ŸŽถ Richie Furay in Concert @ James R Armstrong Theatre, Torrance
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 5, Saturday | 8 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ An evening of classic hits and nostalgia with country-rock legend Richie Furay.

Sunday

๐ŸŽถ Feed the Kitty @ H.T. Grill, RB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 6, Sunday | 4 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ SoCalโ€™s Hardest Working Band! Donโ€™t miss these powerhouse musicians in action!

๐ŸŽถ Sunday Funday w/ Aeromyth @ The Lighthouse Cafe, HB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 6, Sunday | 6 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Donโ€™t Want to Miss a Thing? So donโ€™t miss this tribute to Aerosmith!

๐ŸŽถ The Skatalites @ Saint Rocke, HB
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 6, Sunday | 7 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ If youโ€™re In the Mood for Ska, these are the Freedom Sounds youโ€™re looking for!

๐ŸŽค One Voice A-Capella Concert @ Southern California Regional Occupational Center, Torrance
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 6, Sunday | 7 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ USC & UCLA vocal ensembles unite for an unforgettable night of unaccompanied harmonies and vocal artistry!

๐ŸŽฌ Theatre and Cinema

๐Ÿ“ฝ๏ธ Classic Movies @Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St, El Segundo
๐Ÿ“… Showing times below:
๐Ÿ“Œ Rebecca | Saturday, April 5 | 2:30 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Rain Man | Saturday, April 5 | 7:00 PM

๐ŸŒฅ๏ธ Midweek Shenanigans

Wednesday

โœ‚๏ธ Ribbon Cutting: Athlos Iron Lair
๐Ÿ“… Apr. 9, Wednesday | 3 PM
๐Ÿ“Œ Flex your schedule and join the ribbon-cutting launch of Athlos Iron Lair- a heavyweight gym built for strength, community, and peak performance!

๐ŸŽค You Lovinโ€™ Listen Up Beaches!?

If you enjoy Listen Up Beaches - please send it to a friend or two!

Invite them to click this link to receive their weekly copy!

BTW weโ€™d love to hear your feedback- just hit reply!

See you next Thursday :)

Cheers, Marcus
Redondo Beach Dad (2 Girls),
Editor, Listen Up Beaches!