Hey South Bay,

The long weekend is gone but September is just getting started. It is the kind of month where the weather evens out, the crowds ease back, and the sunsets hit harder. You finish work, step outside, and there is still something happening. Summer is not over, fall is not here, and right now the South Bay feels alive in its own way.

Let’s get into it 👇

🗓️ This Week in the South Bay

Thursday, September 4
🏐 Hermosa Beach Open (Thu–Sun) @ Hermosa Pier

Friday, September 5
🎨 Kids’ Friday Fun @ Torrance
💪 Row for a Reason (Charity Rowing Challenge) @ Redondo Beach
☕ Coffee Cupping: Taste & Compare Origins + Processes @ Redondo Beach
🎶 The Aggrolites w/ The Calamatix @ Hermosa Beach
🐴 67th Portuguese Bend National Horse Show (Fri–Sun) @ Rolling Hills Estates

Saturday, September 6
🥞 El Segundo Firefighters Pancake Breakfast @ El Segundo
⛳ Tip-A-Cop @ El Segundo
🌿 Guided Nature Walk @ Rolling Hills Estates
🎶 Brian McKnight (R&B) @ Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
🎬 Movies at the Beach: Lilo & Stitch @ Hermosa Beach Pier (on sand)
🥗 Food and Mood Workshop @ Redondo Beach Main Library

Sunday, September 7
🎵 HB Concert Series: Ozomatli + Triple Bueno @ Hermosa Beach Pier (on the sand)
🏊‍♂️ Redondo Beach Swim The Avenues @Redondo Beach

Wednesday, September 10
🎙️ The Winehouse Revival (Amy Winehouse Tribute) @ Saint Rocke, Hermosa Beach

Thursday, September 4

🏐 Hermosa Beach Open – Professional Volleyball Tournament

📍 Hermosa Beach Pier Courts
🕒 Sept 4–7 | 9AM-3PM (Main Draw Fri–Sun, Qualifiers Thurs)
💰 Free

The Hermosa Beach Open returns, bringing Olympic-level athletes to the iconic pier courts for one of the sport’s most storied tournaments. Expect high-stakes matches, a packed crowd, and an “old school” beach volleyball setup that honors Hermosa’s deep roots in the game. With free admission and live coverage, it’s the perfect way to spend a South Bay weekend.

🔹 Watch top-tier beach volleyball for free
🔹 Celebrates Hermosa’s historic volleyball culture
🔹 Four days of matches right on the sand
👉 Event Info

Friday, September 5

🎨 Friday Fun at Madrona Marsh

📍 Madrona Marsh Preserve, 3201 Plaza del Amo, Torrance
🕒 Friday, Sep 5 | 10 AM – 12 PM
💰 Free (ages 3–6, RSVP required)

Kick off the weekend with a morning designed just for little explorers. Storytime, simple science experiments, and arts & crafts lead into a guided tour of Torrance’s beloved urban marsh. Parents love the educational angle, while kids leave with muddy shoes and big smiles.

🔹 Perfect mix of fun + learning for preschoolers
🔹 Hands-on science, art, and outdoor play
🔹 Discover a hidden slice of Torrance wilderness
👉 More Info

💪 Row for a Reason – Charity Rowing Challenge

📍 Body One Fitness, 201 Herondo St #100, Redondo Beach
🕒 Fri (4–9 PM) & Sat (7–11 AM)
💰 $50 donation to row (spectators free)

Celebrate a decade of community fitness and fundraising at this high-energy indoor rowing event. Participants grab a 30-minute slot to row solo or in teams, while friends and family cheer, bid at the silent auction, and keep the energy buzzing. All proceeds support Cancer Support Community’s free programs for patients and families.

🔹 10 years strong – a true Redondo tradition
🔹 High-energy workout meets fundraising party
🔹 Silent auction + local support for cancer care
👉 More Info

☕ Coffee Cupping: Origins + Processes

📍 MNML Golf, 2403 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach
🕒 Friday, Sep 5 | 10AM – 11AM
💰 (RSVP via DM to save your spot)

Kick off your Friday morning with a guided tasting led by Azure Coffee Roasters, the South Bay’s own small-batch roastery founded inside MNML Golf in 2023. Co-owners Saki and Sean, both former Blue Bottle baristas, will walk you through side-by-side comparisons of different coffee origins and processes, showing how each step shapes flavor in the cup. It’s a casual, community-focused workshop that gives you the chance to learn directly from passionate local roasters while enjoying great coffee in good company.

🔹 Guided tasting of origins and brewing processes
🔹 Led by former Blue Bottle baristas and local roasters
🔹 Great for both curious beginners and coffee fanatics
👉 Event Info

🎶 The Aggrolites w/ The Calamatix – Live at Saint Rocke

📍 Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach
🕒 Friday, Sep 5th | Doors 7PM & Show 8PM
💰 $20–$25

Dubbed the kings of “dirty reggae,” The Aggrolites serve up raw, danceable grooves blending ska, soul, and funk. Expect a sweaty, high-energy night in one of Hermosa’s most intimate music venues. The Calamatix open with retro rocksteady vibes to set the tone.

🔹 Renowned SoCal reggae/ska band with cult following
🔹 Intimate club atmosphere = every spot feels front row
🔹 Craft cocktails, great sound, and guaranteed dancing
👉 More Info

🐴 67th Portuguese Bend National Horse Show

📍 Ernie Howlett Park, 25851 Hawthorne Blvd, Rolling Hills Estates
🕒 Sept 5–7 | 10AM – 4PM
💰 $10 (kids under 12 free; Friday free)

For over six decades, this Peninsula staple has dazzled with Olympic-caliber show jumping, boutique shopping, and good old-fashioned barbecue. Families flock for the petting zoo, pony rides, and kids’ fun zone, while equestrian fans watch elite riders compete. Proceeds benefit Children’s Hospital LA, making every funnel cake and pony ride part of a bigger cause.

🔹 67 years of Peninsula tradition
🔹 World-class equestrian competition
🔹 Pony rides, face painting, magic shows for kids
🔹 Proceeds support Children’s Hospital LA
👉 More Info

Saturday, September 6

🌿 Nature Walk – George F Canyon

📍 George F Canyon Nature Center, 27305 Palos Verdes Dr E, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
🕒 Sep 6 | 10:30AM – 11:30AM
💰 Free

Led by naturalists from PV Land Conservancy, this walk takes you through shady canyon trails filled with coastal sage scrub and native wildlife. It’s a mellow way to start your Saturday — educational for kids, peaceful for adults, and capped off with sweeping Peninsula views.

🔹 Family-friendly guided hike
🔹 Learn local plants, animals, and conservation efforts
🔹 Scenic views + fresh air just minutes from the city
👉 More Info

🎶 Brian McKnight – Live in Concert

📍 Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd
🕒 6:30 PM (Doors 5:30 PM)
💰 Ticketed Event

With 25 million albums sold, 16 Grammy nominations, and ballads that defined the ’90s, Brian McKnight is an R&B legend. His soaring falsetto and full live band promise goosebump moments — from “Anytime” to “Back at One.” Expect a swoon-heavy night, couples swaying, and standing ovations.

🔹 Smooth vocals + romantic ballads = date-night gold
🔹 Full live band in an intimate South Bay venue
🔹 Hear the hits that defined a generation
👉 More Info

🥞 El Segundo Firefighters Pancake Breakfast

📍 Fire Station #1, 314 Main St, El Segundo
🕒 Saturday, Sept 6 | 8AM – 11 AM
💰 Free (donations encouraged)

The El Segundo Fire Department welcomes the community for their annual pancake breakfast honoring the heroes of 9/11. Firefighters flip pancakes and bacon right at the station, with donations supporting local charities. It’s a heartfelt morning that mixes good food, gratitude, and neighbors coming together to remember and give back.

🔹 Free community breakfast hosted by ESFD
🔹 Donations benefit local El Segundo charities
🔹 A morning of remembrance and connection
👉 Event Info

🎬 Movies at the Beach: Lilo & Stitch

📍 On the sand, South of Hermosa Pier
🕒 7 PM (movie ~7:45 PM)
💰 Free

The sand becomes a theater for this seaside screening of Disney’s cult-favorite Lilo & Stitch. Families spread blankets, kids run barefoot until the sun dips, and the ocean becomes the backdrop for a night of “ohana.” Bring snacks, low beach chairs, and settle in for Hermosa’s summer cinema tradition.

🔹 Family-friendly Disney classic under the stars
🔹 Free community event right on the sand
🔹 Blankets, snacks, and beach vibes required
👉 More Info

⛳ Tip-A-Cop at TopGolf

📍 TopGolf El Segundo, 400 S Pacific Coast Hwy
🕒 Saturday, Sept 6 | 11AM – 3PM
💰 Free entry (donations encouraged)

The El Segundo Police Department teams up with Special Olympics athletes for a lively afternoon at TopGolf. Officers and athletes swap roles to serve guests, collecting tips that go directly to Special Olympics Southern California. Come for the golf and food, stay for the chance to support year-round training and competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

🔹 Fun afternoon of food, golf, and community
🔹 Tips benefit Special Olympics Southern California
🔹 Meet ESPD officers and athletes in person
👉 Event Info

🥗 Food and Mood Workshop with Lilly Hanna

📍 Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 N Pacific Coast Hwy, 2nd Floor Meeting Room
🕒 Saturday, Sept 6 | 2 PM
💰 Free

Nutrition practitioner and stress management expert Lilly Hanna leads this workshop exploring the six pillars of health. With a background in psychology, engineering, and nutrition, she shares insights on gut health, stress reduction, inflammation, and how food impacts our mental well-being. Perfect for anyone curious about building healthier daily habits.

🔹 Learn how food and stress shape overall health
🔹 Led by practitioner with unique science + psychology background
🔹 Free community workshop at Redondo Beach Library
👉 Event Info

Sunday, September 7

🎵 Hermosa Beach Concert Series – Ozomatli + Triple Bueno

📍 On the Sand, South of Hermosa Pier
🕒 Sunday, Sep 7 | 3 – 6 PM
💰 Free

Hermosa’s iconic free concert series is back! Triple Bueno kicks off with rock/reggae grooves, followed by Grammy-winning Ozomatli — fusing salsa, funk, hip-hop, and world music into one giant beach dance party. Bring friends, claim a spot in the sand, and dance into sunset with the surf at your feet.

🔹 Grammy-winning band bringing global beats
🔹 Beloved Hermosa tradition returns after hiatus
🔹 Sunset beach party atmosphere
👉 More Info

🏊‍♂️ Redondo Beach Swim the Avenues

📍 Miramar Park, 201 Paseo De La Playa, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
🕒 Sunday, Sep 7 | 8 AM Start
💰 $45-$57 | Free to Watch

A South Bay favorite, this annual ocean swim celebrates the late Mayor Bill Brand and brings the community together along Redondo’s coast. Swimmers can choose between a ½-mile or 1.2-mile course, wetsuit or not. Proceeds support the South Bay Park Land Conservancy. Come watch & support!

🔹 Two swim distances for all levels
🔹 Awards + Neptune Cup for fastest teams
🔹 Scenic coastal course with lifeguard support
👉 More Info

Wednesday, September 10

🎙️ The Winehouse Revival – Amy Winehouse Tribute

📍 Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach
🕒 Doors 6:30 PM | Show 7:30 PM
💰 $15–$20

A powerhouse vocalist backed by horns and backup singers brings Amy Winehouse’s raw soul and retro jazz back to life. Expect crowd sing-alongs to “Valerie” and chills during “Back to Black.” Saint Rocke’s cozy vibe makes it feel like you’re in a London jazz club.

🔹 Authentic tribute capturing Amy’s style + spirit
🔹 Live renditions of modern classics
🔹 Midweek escape with cocktails + soul
👉 More Info

South Bay Snapshot

That’s a Wrap on This Week’s Lineup

Thanks for following along, South Bay! From equestrian thrills and R&B ballads to free beach concerts and family nights under the stars, this week is a reminder of how much community magic lives right here by the water.

If you know someone who’d love a canyon hike, a reggae dance night, or a Sunday on the sand, pass this along so they can join in, too. Here’s to sunsets, laughter, and making September shine.

See you around town,
Jaime
Chief Editor, @MySouthBay