Jackie's South Bay Weekend Guide for January 16, 2014

The rest of the country is experiencing some of the worst winter weather ever recorded while the South Bay is basking in 80 degree temps. Just sayin’……

Wondering how to kick-off the weekend? Tonight, Thursday, January 16, The Rockefeller is celebrating the Grand Opening of their second location at 1209 Highland Avenue in Manhattan Beach.

Now this sounds like my kind of New Year’s resolution – become a wine expert in 2014! Join Total Wine & More for their new class, Wine 101: The Fundamentals of Wine Tasting, tonight, Thursday, January 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Discover all the secrets the pros use when wine tasting. Guests will taste and learn about eight different wines. This delicious and informative wine class is only $20 per person. Seating is limited and reservations are highly recommended. The event will be held at the Total Wine & More superstore located at 1505 Hawthorne Boulevard in South Bay Marketplace in Redondo Beach. For more information and to make reservations, call 310-542-1460 or visit the website at http://www.totalwine.com.  

Find below sea level prices this weekend in Downtown Manhattan Beach! The business owners in the Downtown area will be hosting the Annual Winter Sidewalk Sale beginning Friday, January 17 and running through Sunday, January 19. Businesses will be offering drastic price reductions on quality merchandise ranging from clothing to home furnishings and everything in between. The forecast calls for 80 degree weather this weekend so get out and shop, dine, stay and play for a while in Downtown Manhattan Beach. For additional information, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/downtownmanhattanbeach.

The Torrance Art Museum invites the public to attend the opening reception of REVERB! on Saturday, January 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Main Gallery. Curated by Max Presneill and Daniel Rothman, REVERB! features music as both inspiration and content in contemporary art. This exhibition combines the work of visual and sound artists to explore the role of music in art. The opening reception is free to the public and no reservations are necessary. The exhibition will be on view from Tuesday, January 21 through Saturday, March 8. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.torranceartmuseum.com/. The Torrance Art Museum is located at 3320 Civic Center Drive in Torrance.

The Western Museum of Flight presents Mustangs: Skyway & Highway, a model making session, on Saturday, January 18. The event, presented in cooperation with Pacific Coast Hobbies, features Mustang war plane and Mustang car model building kits for adults and children five years and older. Guests are invited to build as many models as they like. Both Mustang model kits are $14 each. Other aircraft and car models will be available and prices will vary. The staff of Pacific Coast Hobbies will be on hand to assist with building and answer technical questions. A real P-51D Mustang warbird and several Mustang cars, classic examples of aviation and automobile history, will also be on display. These Make & Take sessions also include entry to the museum. To make a reservation, email the museum at info@wmof.com or call 310-326-9544. Walk-ins are welcome and can pay at the door. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.wmof.com/index.html. The Western Museum of Flight is located at Louis Zamperini Field at 3315 Airport Drive in Torrance.

Just in time to help moms reach their fitness-related New Year’s goals, Baby Boot Camp is celebrating its new location with a free grand opening event on Saturday, January 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. at South Bay Galleria. Baby Boot Camp is a nationally acclaimed fitness and nutrition program for new moms (and dads!) and expecting moms, where they can get fit with their children. Attendees will receive a demo class, nutrition advice and other fun activities. The first 20 to 30 guests will get a special gift bag. There will also be a raffle and giveaway items from sponsors. To top it all off, casting producers from Girlfriend Intervention will be there. The show is now casting for this ultimate transformation series. Selected women will receive a beauty makeover including hair, makeup, free clothing and an exciting adventure tailored to their interests. Bring your kids, stroller, comfortable clothes and yoga mat. Reservations can be made at http://babybootcampgo.eventbrite.com. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.southbaygalleria.com/ or call 310-371-7546. South Bay Galleria is located at 1815 Hawthorne Boulevard in Redondo Beach.

In addition, South Bay by Jackie will be giving away a FREE, month-long Baby Boot Camp membership! All you have to do is subscribe to the South Bay by Jackie Weekend Guide by today, Thursday, January 16 and you will be automatically entered for the drawing. The winner will be announced on the SBBJ website on Friday, January 17.

The 7th Annual Southern California Slack Key Festival returns to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center on Sunday, January 19, for one performance only at 2 p.m. The Southern California Slack Key Festival honors one of the world’s great acoustic guitar traditions and features the most respected names in Hawaiian guitar music today in the most prestigious Hawaiian music concert event in the mainland U.S. The 2014 festival features artists Cyril Pahinui, Kawika Kahiapo, Jeff Peterson, Sonny Lim, Jim “Kimo” West, Jerry Santos, Kamuela Kimokeo, Bobby Ingano and Lorna Lim. Ticket prices range from $30 to $65. Special Gold Circle tickets are $140 and include a VIP reception. For additional information and ticket purchase, call 562-556-4824 or visit the website at http://socalslackkeyfest.tix.com/Schedule.asp?OrganizationNumber=1723. The Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center is located at 1935 Manhattan Beach Boulevard in Redondo Beach.

Restaurant Week is back and it’s time to dineLA! dineLA Restaurant Week is a bi-annual dining event established to introduce diners to the extensive assortment of restaurants in neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County. dineLA Winter Restaurant Week takes place over 12 consecutive days and runs from January 20 through January 31. Local foodies and visitors to the area will have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of specially priced prix fixe menus from some of LA’s best restaurants during this this period. Restaurants from El Segundo to Rancho Palos Verdes will be participating in this culinary event including:

BALEENKitchen – Redondo Beach

Bashi – Rancho Palos Verdes

Circa – Manhattan Beach

Abigaile – Hermosa Beach

McCormick & Schmick’s - El Segundo

Café Pacific @ Trump National – Rolling Hills Estates

and many more!

Some of the restaurants will feature lunch, some will offer dinner and some will present both so be sure to check the website at http://discoverlosangeles.com/restaurantweekv2/. Diners may make a reservation online at Open Table or contact the restaurant directly. Due to the popularity of this event, advance reservations are strongly recommended. Walk-ins are welcome but there is no guarantee they can be accommodated.

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, we chatted with Liliana Somma, founder of the School of Dance & Music. Don’t worry, if you missed it, you can listen to it here: http://southbaybyjackie.com/january-16-2014-liliana-somma-school-of-dance-music/.

Have a fabulous South Bay weekend!

Jackie

www.southbaybyjackie.com