This Weekend in the South Bay: Jan 15–18

Hello, South Bay 👋

We’re halfway through January, and the pace around town is starting to feel a little more normal again. The holidays are behind us, routines are settling in, and it finally feels like there’s room to make plans without rushing. If you’ve been looking for a reason to get out and do something local, this week offers a few good ones.

Here’s what’s going on 👇

🗓️ This Week in My South Bay

Thursday, January 15
🏄 Shaun Tomson “Surfer’s Code” Talk @ California Surf Club, Redondo Beach
🧠 Human Trafficking Awareness Forum @ Joslyn Community Center, Manhattan Beach
🎤 Billy Gardell Comedy Show @ Comedy & Magic Club, Hermosa Beach

Friday, January 16
🎷 Amanda Castro Band Jazz Concert @ Nakano Theatre, Torrance
🖼️ Opening Reception: Are You Seeing What I’m Seeing? @ Manhattan Beach Art Center, Manhattan Beach

Saturday, January 17
🎻 Music in the Afternoon ‘City Slickers’ @ El Segundo Public Library
✈️ Aviation History of El Segundo Lecture @ Western Museum of Flight, Torrance
🚗 Cruisin’ 2 Freedom Car Cruise, Show & Dinner @ Seaside Lagoon, Redondo Beach
🐶 The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show @ Norris Theatre, Rolling Hills Estates
🗑️ Torrance Beach Clean-Up & Environmental Data Initiative @ Miramar Park, Torrance

Sunday, January 18
🎶 Southern California Slack Key Festival @ Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center

🗑️ Torrance Beach Clean-Up & Environmental Data Initiative

📍 Torrance Beach (near Miramar Park), Torrance
🕗 Saturday, January 17 | 10AM–12PM
💰 Free | Ages 18+

Join a community-led Torrance Beach Cleanup & Environmental Data Initiative focused on keeping our coastline clean and collecting environmental data to support local conservation efforts. No experience needed — just show up ready to help and enjoy some fresh ocean air.

🔹 Hands-on beach cleanup
🔹 Environmental data collection for real impact
🔹 Great way to give back locally

👉 Event Info 

🎻 Music in the Afternoon ‘City Slickers"‘

📍 El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave, El Segundo
🕗 Saturday, January 17 | 2–4PM
💰 Free | All Ages

Music in the Afternoon: City Slickers brings smooth live tunes to the El Segundo Public Library for a laid-back afternoon of music in a chill community setting — perfect for a post-beach coffee hang or slow weekend vibe. 

🔹 Trio performance with easygoing melodies
🔹 Family-friendly & free
🔹 Cozy indoor afternoon pick-me-up

👉 Event Info

🏄 Shaun Tomson “Surfer’s Code” Talk

📍 California Surf Club, 239 N Harbor Dr, Redondo Beach
🕗 Thursday, January 15 | 6PM – 8:30PM
💰 Ticketed | Call to reserve

World champion surfer Shaun Tomson brings his inspiring multimedia presentation “Surfer’s Code: Stories of Courage and Commitment” to Redondo Beach. Through powerful stories, surf culture, and life lessons, Tomson shares a message focused on resilience, purpose, and community.

This uplifting talk is designed to motivate audiences of all ages and backgrounds, whether you’re a lifelong surfer or simply looking for inspiration to start the year strong.

🔹 World champion surfer and author
🔹 Motivational talk centered on courage and purpose
🔹 Community focused, storytelling driven event

👉 Call to Reserve: 310.374.3598

🖼️ Opening Reception: Are You Seeing What I’m Seeing?

📍 Manhattan Beach Art Center, 1560 Manhattan Beach Blvd
🕒 Friday, January 16 | 6PM to 9PM
💰 Free | All Ages

Kick off your weekend with an evening of thought-provoking art and community at the Manhattan Beach Art Center. This new exhibit explores how 35 artists translated short text prompts into powerful visual works — from seascapes to mythology to urban life.

🔹 Curated by local arts icon Bondo Wyszpolski and Bernard Fallon
🔹 Features brand new work from 35 South Bay artists
🔹 Free public reception with inspiring conversation and creative energy

👉 More Info

🧠 Human Trafficking Awareness Forum

📍 Joslyn Community Center, 1601 N Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach
🕗 Thursday, January 15 | 6PM
💰 Free

This important community forum brings together speakers from Project Shield, Restoration Diversion Services, and the Manhattan Beach Police Department to discuss human trafficking risks in the South Bay. Topics include online grooming, warning signs, how large events impact trafficking, and what community members can do to help prevent exploitation.

An informative and eye opening event designed to educate, empower, and encourage local action.

🔹 Expert panel discussion
🔹 Focus on local prevention and awareness
🔹 Open to the public

👉 Event Info

🎤 Billy Gardell Comedy Show

📍 Comedy & Magic Club, 1018 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach
🕗 Thursday, January 15 | 8PM | Doors open 6:30PM
💰 $27 | Ages 18+

Actor and comedian Billy Gardell, best known for his role on “Mike & Molly,” brings his stand up comedy to the Comedy & Magic Club. Expect sharp storytelling, relatable humor, and an intimate live comedy experience at one of the South Bay’s most iconic venues.

🔹 Nationally known comedian and actor
🔹 Intimate comedy club setting
🔹 Perfect night out in Hermosa Beach

👉 Event Info

🎷 Amanda Castro Band Jazz Concert

📍 Nakano Theatre, Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Dr, Torrance
🕗 Friday and Saturday, January 16–17 | 7PM
💰 $37

Jazz vocalist Amanda Castro and her band take audiences on a musical journey through the decades, blending New Orleans jazz, swing, and pop into a fresh, retro inspired performance. Known for her rich voice and dynamic stage presence, Castro brings old school charm with a modern twist.

🔹 Jazz, swing, and vintage inspired sound
🔹 High energy live performance
🔹 Two night run in Torrance

👉 Event Info

✈️ Aviation History of El Segundo Lecture

📍 Western Museum of Flight, 3315 Airport Dr, Torrance
🕗 Saturday, January 17 | 11AM
💰 $15 | Free for museum members

Historian Tony Chong of Northrop Grumman presents a fascinating look at El Segundo’s deep roots in aviation innovation. This lecture explores the South Bay’s role in shaping aerospace history and the companies and people behind it.

🔹 In depth local aviation history
🔹 Part of the Celebrity Lecture series
🔹 Free parking available

👉 Event Info

🚗 Cruisin’ 2 Freedom Car Cruise, Show & Dinner

📍 Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach
🕗 Saturday, January 17 | 2PM – 7PM
💰 Ticketed | Charity benefit

The Slave 2 Nothing Foundation’s annual Cruisin’ 2 Freedom event combines classic cars, coastal cruising, and a full dinner experience in support of anti human trafficking efforts. The event includes a scenic 9 mile cruise, car show, In N Out dinner, raffles, auctions, and more.

All proceeds benefit organizations working to combat human trafficking.

🔹 Classic car cruise and show
🔹 Dinner and fundraising activities
🔹 100% of proceeds support prevention efforts

👉 Event Info

🐶 The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show

📍 Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Dr, Rolling Hills Estates
🕗 Saturday, January 17 | 2PM
💰 Ticketed | Prices vary

This high energy, family friendly stunt dog show features 15 incredible rescue dogs performing agility courses, dock diving, freestyle tricks, and jaw dropping stunts. As seen on America’s Got Talent, the Canine Stars deliver nonstop entertainment while promoting pet adoption.

🔹 Rescue dogs performing amazing stunts
🔹 Fun for all ages
🔹 Inspiring adoption focused message

👉 Event Info

🎶 Southern California Slack Key Festival

📍 Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Redondo Beach
🕗 Sunday, January 18 | 2PM
💰 Ticketed

The premier Hawaiian music concert on the mainland returns to the South Bay. The Southern California Slack Key Festival celebrates the Grammy winning art of Hawaiian slack key guitar with world class musicians, vocalists, and hula dancers sharing the aloha spirit.

🔹 Traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar
🔹 Renowned musicians and performers
🔹 Relaxed, uplifting afternoon concert

👉 Event Info

📸 South Bay Snapshot

That’s it for this week.

If you’re looking for something to do, there’s no shortage of good stuff happening around the South Bay. Music, comedy, local talks, beach cleanups, art shows. It’s all happening.

Forward this to a friend who’s always asking what’s going on.

See you next week,
Jaime
@MySouthbay