Luau fundraiser
Polynesian dance group Manea Dancers is putting on a fundraiser luau at Seaside Lagoon on Saturday, June 8, from noon. A $30 ticket includes a Hawaiian buffet, red velvet waffles and ice cream, hula workshops, dance and fire shows, live music, temporary tattoos and face painting. For tickets, visit spendingshift.com or call (310) 387-1742.
- Harmony Works shuts
After 19 years of bringing earth-friendly creativity, local art, and a peaceful respite to the Riviera Village, Harmony Works lost its lease and closed its doors on June 1.
“This is breaking our hearts since Harmony Works is truly a labor of love for us,” co-owner Royce Morales said. “It has been such an amazing journey getting to know the community personally… they feel like family. We are forever grateful for all the support all these years, through thick and thin.”
Royce and husband Michael are seeking ‘crowd funding’ for a new Harmony Works venture. Visit www.harmony-works.com for more information.
Support public art
The Friends of Redondo Beach Arts are putting on a party to raise funds for new public art between the Sea Lab and Spectrum Sports Center. The Sea Lab is hosting a function on Sunday, June 9 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. For tickets, call (310) 251-6830. Friends is also putting on an opening reception for CA101, an organization representing California artists, at the AES Power Plant on Friday, June 7, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Outstanding graduate
Jazmine Contreras of Redondo Beach was named the 2013 Outstanding Graduate for the College of Liberal Arts at California State University, Long Beach.
Contreras graduated from CSULB with a bachelor’s of arts degree in history. She was a member of the History Honors Program and Phi Beta Kappa, and she speaks and reads Spanish, French and Dutch. In 2012, she received the Xiaolan Bao Memorial Scholarship for outstanding work in the history of Asian women.
Contreras is set to begin the Ph.D. history program at the University of Minnesota.
Liver cancer support
Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach will present an educational workshop featuring Richard R. Lopez, MD on Monday, June 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 109 West Torrance Blvd, Redondo Beach. This free workshop provides important information for people with liver cancer, as well as their friends and family. Call (310) 376-3550 or visit cancersupportredondobeach.org to register in advance.
Neighborhood Grinds
Neighborhood Grinds has opened a second location on the Redondo Beach Pier.
Its counters are reclaimed wood, fashioned from the pallets the shop receives with its shipment of green coffee beans.
The coffeehouse, whose predecessor has been open on Artesia Blvd. for four years, uses a French Press to brew its House Blend, and a Pourover to brew its selection of single origin coffee.
In addition to a full line of coffee drinks, Neighborhood Grinds will offer freshly baked goods, crisp salads, original sandwiches and panini, and its array of homemade artisan pies (sweet and savory). All products are prepared daily at the North Redondo Beach location and delivered fresh to the Pier location each morning. Visit www.neighborhoodgrinds.com for more information.
Local Ryman Arts graduates
Eva Pace and Bronwyn Mundell of Redondo Beach are two of 108 local students who are graduating from nonprofit arts education program, Ryman Arts, and will continue on to college next year.
The Ryman Arts program, which is conducted in 12-week sessions in both spring and fall semesters, provides high school students with foundational artistic skills, while also equipping them with the tools and resources necessary to plan for a career in the arts.
Ryman Arts classes are currently held on two separate college campus, including California State University, Fullerton and the Otis College of Art and Design.
The program offers students professional-level art instruction in a college environment. In addition to rigorous drawing and painting classes taught by professional artists, students explore career paths, share their work in the local community, and are inspired to build the skills, discipline and confidence for college and beyond.
For more information about the program, visit www.rymanarts.org.
