Friendship forged on Cypress Avenue

As told to Garrick Rawlings Kevin Sousa and Mike Collins are two of the people responsible for Hermosa’s light industrial district on Cypress Avenue becoming a center for artists and musicians. Following Sousa’s death last week, Collins reflected on their work together.  “He and I were partners in my psychotherapy practice, in the ocean, and…

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Saint Rocke resurrection

by Garrick Rawlings Saint Rocke, Hermosa’s venerable live music club, which closed at the start of COVID in early 2020, celebrated its reopening last Monday, May 15. Following a Chamber ribbon cutting, by general manager Michele Gutierrez, Hermosa Beach Mayor Raymond Jackson introduced the club’s new owners, Dani Grant and her business partner, Larry Little.…

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Saint Rocke to host music showcase 

by Garrick Rawlings The newly reopened Saint Rocke will host a monthly songwriter showcase featuring local musicians performing original songs. The opening showcase is Wednesday, May 31.  Musicians wishing to perform may submit samples of their music at MicDropMedia.me. Michele Crispin, the showcase creator, and curator, said she was motivated to produce the showcase by…

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Dylanfest 33, no symbolism intended

60 songs, 40 musicians, 8 hours, no repeats by Garrick Rawlings From humble backyard beginnings Andy Hill and Renee Safier’s annual Dylanfest has reached its 33rd edition, to be held Saturday, May 27 at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, from noon to 8 p.m.  Dylanfest was founded in 1991 to celebrate Bob Dylan’s 50th birthday.…

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BeachLife Sunday a show of force

Mavis Staples, and the Black Crows deliver memory-making performances by Garrick Rawlings In a truly righteous world Mavis Staples would have headlined Sunday night in Redondo, the final night of this year’s highly successful Beachlife Festival. Righteous in the sense of accomplishment, talent and ongoing relevance, rather than nostalgia.  Staples began singing in her family’s…

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New Lighthouse All stars draws new jazz audience

La La Land fans and a new house band lead local jazz resurgence  by Garrick Rawlings In the early 1950s, the Lighthouse All Stars helped the downtown Hermosa Beach night club establish its reputation as the center of West Coast jazz. The Lighthouse All Stars were led by club manager and bassist Howard Rumsey. Its…

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Small room, giant sounds at Collage, San Pedro

by Garrick Rawlings “We opened in 2020 with Victor Krummenacher (co-founder of Camper Van Beethoven) and (composer/multi instrumentalist) Eugene Chadbourne. It was utterly fantastic. We were really off to a running start. Two days later the pandemic shut down everything,” Richard Foss said of Collage: A Place For Arts and Culture, an imaginative performance venue…

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Saint Rocke rock’s back

A veteran management crew brings back the best of the old Saint Rocke, and reimagines it by Garrick Rawlings Saint Rocke is under new ownership, and new management.  But they are picking up where the previous regime left off. Through the end of March and into April Saint Rocke is presenting a variety of soft-opening…

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Music review – Ayline Artin ‘Heaven in Hell’

by Garrick Rawlings Redondo Beach based singer/songwriter/musician Ayline Artin, who is full of rock and roll and bluesy soul, recently released her second album “Heaven in Hell.” This project came together over COVID, taking advantage of all the great musicians who were stuck at home with nowhere to perform. She also recently released a beautifully…

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Bootlegger Blues Band at Redondo Beach VFW post

by Garrick Rawlings A nationwide trend of rock n’ roll shows for seniors has reached Redondo Beach. The Wednesday night “geezer shows” begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m., or about the time rock shows for younger people begin. The venue is the Redondo Beach VFW Post 2828, a club long favored by…

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Two sides of the coin

Brian Sheil works on and off stage for the South Bay’s most important club owners by Garrick Rawlings When Brian Sheil moved to Hermosa Beach in 2000, the aspiring musician and comedian began working with four seminal Hermosa Beach entertainment figures. The first was Allen Sanford, who would soon open Saint Rocke, and today is…

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Closing time at Saint Rocke, BeachLife rebirth

Saint Rocke reopens for final time to celebrate upcoming BeachLife by Garrick Rawlings Saint Rocke, Hermosa’s beloved live concert venue, resurrected itself for a one night only, celebratory bash on Thursday, January 5. The club closed at the start of the pandemic in 2020. Thursday’s special show was a thank you from BeachLife festival organizers…

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Musicians Rock for Tots at Hermosa Music Company

Story and photos by Garrick Rawlings The Hermosa Beach music community gathered at the Hermosa Music Company to celebrate the 17th Annual Rock for Tots Charity Concert. The gathering took place last Saturday, Dec. 10 in the heart of Hermosa’s Industrial/Arts District. Toys collected at the concert were donated to Beach Cities Toy drive. Schockboxx…

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Cubillos’ “Old Shoes” gets new release

Mira Costa graduate Maggie Cubillos is attending Berklee College of Music, but returned home to record her first single with Steve Ornest at Total Access  by Garrick Rawlings Hermosa Beach, singer/songwriter Maggie Cubillos is celebrated the release of her first single ”Old Shoes” this month, produced by Steve Ornest at Total Access Recording in Redondo…

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