Jackie's South Bay Weekend Guide

Who knew February had so many fun events? We’ll be celebrating the Chinese New Year, Carnevale and Valentine’s Day all in the space of a week! Throw in a special beer event, a world class concert, a fine Italian meal and a romantic theater production and you have everything you need for a memorable weekend. Seriously, what can’t you do in the South Bay?

Have you heard about LA Craft Beer Tours?  The new shuttle service began in January and will run on the first and third Thursday of each month from 7 to 11:30 p.m.—that’s tonight. The route starts in El Segundo (Rock & Brews, El Segundo Brewing Company) and then heads south to Manhattan Beach (Brewco) Hermosa Beach (Hot’s Kitchen, Abigaile) and Redondo Beach (Select Beer Store) where it turns around for the return trip. The hop-on-hop-off shuttle is free and works on a first come, first served basis. Seating is limited but reserved seats are available for the whole evening at $10 per person. No driving, no parking, no hassles—it’s the only way to discover what’s on tap in the South Bay! For more information and reserved ticket purchase, visit the website at lacraftbeertours.com.

Select Beer Store & Tap Room kicks the weekend off with a selection of beers from Drake’s Brewing of San Leandro on Thursday, February 7, starting at 5 p.m. Drake’s Brewing will be releasing their seasonal, limited edition Hopocalypse—a big hoppy Double IPA with flavors of citrus and pine. In addition, Select Beer will feature Drake’s Drakonic Imperial Stout, 1500 Pale, Amber and Jolly Rodger Barleywine will be on draft. Local favorite, Ragin’ Cajun, will be on site dishing out their delicious, spicy Cajun cuisine. This event very conveniently takes place the same night as the bi-monthly LA Craft Beer Tour of the South Bay. Coincidence? I think not. Select Beer Store & Tap Room is located at 1613 South Pacific Coast Highway in Riviera Village in Redondo Beach. For more information, visit the website at selectbeerstore.com or call 310-540-1221.

The Los Angeles Guitar Festival returns to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center for one show only on Thursday. The festival celebrates the incredibly diverse guitar styles of various music genres from around the globe. Guitar master Tommy Emmanuel will be headlining the event this year with special guests and Grammy winning guitarists, Mark Hanson and Doug Smith. Tickets are priced from $35 for terrace seating and $55 for orchestra seating, to $95 for a VIP ‘Meet & Greet’ with the artists. There are activities and entertainment happening outside the venue prior to the concert that are all free and open to the public! There will be live outdoor entertainment, product demos and gift giveaways from sponsors Taylor Guitars, AER and Alvas Music. For more information and ticket purchase, visit the website at laguitarfestival.com/L.A._Guitar_Festival/LA_Guitar_Fest.html.

Dolce Vita Cafe is offering a special prix fixe dinner on Friday evening, February 8. Guests are invited to partake of a four course meal crafted by Maestro Martinoli himself! Only 30 reservations will be taken for the evening with dinner starting at 6 p.m. and the last reservation at 7:30. The cost is only $45 per person and is exclusive of tax and gratuity. Dolce Vita Café is located at 1718 South Catalina Avenue in Redondo Beach. For more information, call 310-844-7462 or visit the website at http://www.dolcevitacaferedondo.com/.

Looking for something romantic to do with your significant other to celebrate Valentine’s Day? The Norris Center for the Performing Arts presents Neil Simon’s Proposals, a romantic story of tangled loves and lives. The dramatic comedy is one of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright’s latest works and will run weekends only from February 8 through February 24. The shows are scheduled for February 8-10, 15-17 and 22-24, with 8 p.m. shows on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. Tickets cost $38 and may be purchased online at www.norriscenter.com, by phone at 310-544-0403 or in person at the box office. The Norris Theatre is located at 27570 Norris Center Drive in Rolling Hills Estates. The theatre is wheelchair accessible and free, covered parking is available.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy offers a calendar full of ongoing activities each month along with a few special offerings. There are three unique events on Saturday, February 9, that you don’t want to miss. The Winter Impressions Family Art and Nature Workshop takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join the PVPLC and Art to Grow On for a family coastal hike, trail activities and children’s art workshop at Terranea Resort. The cost is $25 per family and all ages are welcome. Register at info@pvplc.org or call 310-541-7613. Space is limited. Take part in a guided Nature Walk to Sacred Cove from 2 to 5 p.m. Walk along the tide pools between colorful rock formations and experience rushing water from a sea cave – the kids are sure to enjoy this! This strenuous walk is free and open to the public (From the parking lot there is a steep downhill trail.) For more information, call 310-541-7613 ext. 201 or visit the website at www.pvplc.org. Sign up for the Flash Photography Walk at 2 p.m. This special class is offered by Paul’s Photos and takes place at the Sacred Cove tide pools. The cost is $30 per person. For more information, call 310-541-7613.

Celebrate the Chinese New Year at South Bay Galleria on Saturday, February 9, from 1 until 3 p.m. Regarded as the most important Chinese celebration of the year, Chinese New Year is a holiday traditionally used to generate good luck for the year to come and to wish peace and happiness to family and friends through gifts and celebration. This special event will usher in the ‘Year of the Snake’ and give community members the opportunity to celebrate this important Chinese holiday with special performances, a red envelope gift and crafts. All the fun takes place in the Center Court of the Galleria. South Bay Galleria is located at 1815 Hawthorne Boulevard in Redondo Beach. For more information, visit the website at http://www.southbaygalleria.com/.

Temple Menorah and the Klein Chaplaincy Service in partnership with the Rosenberg Cultural Center present The Distinguished Speaker Series: Leaders in Action. The Series will explore the poignant moral and ethical issues that confront us in the 21 Century. Each speaker is an accomplished, well-known and respected authority in his field. It doesn’t get any more distinguished than this and is sure to be an educational and enlightening experience. Temple Menorah is located at 1101 Camino Real in Redondo Beach. For more information, call 310-316-8444. For ticket purchase, visit the website at http://templemenorah.org/leadersinaction/index.html.

Celebrate Carnevale at Hostaria Piave on Monday, February 11 and Tuesday, February 12. Carnevale runs for two weeks and ends on Ash Wednesday, the official start of Lent. Venetians have been celebrating Carnevale for over a thousand years and are the indisputable experts when it comes to revelry. Hostaria Piave specializes in the cuisine of the islands of the Venetian lagoon and surrounding countryside. Indulge your appetites and experience a unique and captivating menu of simple recipes steeped in the Venetian tradition. Guests wearing costumes and masks will receive a complimentary quartino of Prosecco and unlimited ‘fritelle’, the traditional Venetian dessert. Reservations are highly recommended! Carnevale is a time for amusement, extravagance and indulgence – take this opportunity to learn from the masters. Hostaria Piave is located at 231 South Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach. For more information, visit the website at http://hostariapiave.com/ or call 310-374-1000.

I’ve been reminding you for the last month about the LA Networking Matters’ 4th annual networking for a cause event Network Your Heart Out…It Matters! at the Manhattan Country Club on Wednesday, February 20.  If you haven’t already done so, you need to buy your tickets now! The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event runs until 8:30 p.m. Pre-order tickets by Monday, February 18, and receive a discounted rate of only $30 per person. Tickets at the door will be $35. Price includes heavy appetizers, pasta bar, one glass of beer or wine and unlimited networking opportunities! For more information and ticket purchase, visit the website at http://www.lanetworkingmatters.com/ or contact Julane Whalen at 310-370-0555. The Manhattan Country Club is located at 1330 Parkview Avenue in Manhattan Beach. What are you waiting for? Everybody will be there!

If you have not been to Tapas & Vino yet, you are in for a treat! Our newest advertiser is currently running a Not Just Tapas & Vino Campaign exclusively for our audience! Mention The South Bay Show or South Bay by Jackie and receive 25% off a lunch or brunch entrée. Or just tell them Jackie sent you! Tapas & Vino is located at 1729 South Catalina Avenue in Redondo Beach. For more information, visit the website at http://tapasyvino.com/ or call 310-791-8200. BTW, if you haven’t made Valentine’s Day reservations yet, it’s now a CODE RED situation.

As always, check the calendar links and ‘Things to Do’ page on my website, www.southbaybyjackie.com, for details on these and other events throughout the South Bay.

On The South Bay Show this morning, Joe and I discussed the different events happening in the coming days. Don’t worry, if you missed it, you can listen to it here: http://southbaybyjackie.com/february-7-2013-the-joe-jackie-show/.

Happy Chinese New Year, Buon Carnevale and Happy Valentine’s Day! Have a great South Bay weekend!

Jackie

www.southbaybyjackie.com