friday 19th
BOOKS
Anthony Marra at Pages: Writer Anthony Marra is a winner of a Whiting Award, Pushcart Prize, and the Narrative Prize. His novel, “A Constellation of Vital Phenomena” won the 2014 National Book Critics Circle’s inaugural John Leonard Prize and the 2014 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in fiction. The novel’s premise is this: In a small rural village in Chechnya, eight-year-old Havaa watches from the woods as Russian soldiers abduct her father in the middle of the night and then set fire to her home. When lifelong neighbor Akhmed finds Havaa hiding in the forest with a strange blue suitcase, he makes a decision that will forever change their lives. He will seek refuge at the abandoned hospital where the sole remaining doctor, Sonja Rabina, treats the wounded. The novel has been a favorite of Pages’ staff for some time and Marra is visiting the bookstore on Friday, September 19th at noon for a lunchtime reading. For more information, email Pages at info@pagesabookstore.com or call 310-318-0900.
saturday 20th
MUSIC
Jam band rehab: Maybe you just got back from Burning Man. Maybe the thought, alone, of living in a commune environment in a dessert scares the heck out of you. If you like the idea of music, freedom and self expression, jam bands are a pretty nice alternative to an otherwise overwhelming scene. The Rum Runners is a Jerry Garcia-inspired band that plays a mix of motown, blues, reggae, Dylan, folk and bluegrass in jam band style. They jam frequently around the South Bay and bring a warm, inviting vibe to any bar. The Rum Runners play Hermosa Saloon, 211 Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Parking is free but walking is better. For more information, call Razor, a man who needs no introduction, at (310) 374-9060.
LANGUAGE
C’est si bon: Maybe a Saturday afternoon at the library doesn’t sound like the sexiest way to spend your weekend. But you know what is sexy? French. Whether you want to impress a date tonight, write a song in the vain of Nouvelle Vague or just brush up on your conversational skills, Arlette Nelson wants to help. Nelson, a French-speaking local, leads a conversational language group at Redondo Public Library from 2-3:30 p.m and it is completely free to the public. You should know a little French to join the group, but don’t be shy if you’re rusty; Talking is the best way to learn. Open to teens and adults. No registration required. Redondo Beach’s main library branch is located at 303 N. Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo and the workshop is held in the second floor conference room. Ask the information desk if you have trouble finding it.
HISTORY
Air fan: For the historically inclined, there is an air show and lecture on Saturday at the Western Museum of Flight that you probably don’t want to miss: The B-52 Marshall and a slew of other WWII warbirds will take over Zamperini Field at 10 a.m. Dana T. Parker, author of the new book “Building Victory,” speaks at the museum at 11 a.m. Parker’s book tells the story of wartime pressures to make military aircraft through the lens of his previous role of president at Boeing. Days after Pearl Harbor, Parker was told to “just start building.” An American victory would depend on scientific innovation, the hub of which was largely in the Los Angeles area. Whether you’re a history buff, an aerospace folk or just want to learn more, it’s a good time to visit the Western Museum of Flight , 3315 Airport Drive in Torrance. For more information visit wmof.com or call (310) 326-9544. Free for museum members, $5 for non members. Parking is free.
sunday 21st
MUSIC
Guitar Shorty: Legendary guitarist and vocalist Guitar Shorty (aka David Kearney) is a giant in the blues world, credited with influencing both Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy. He is truly short: As a kid he would sneak into his uncle’s room and try to play his guitar. He was so small his hands didn’t fit around it’s neck, so he would lean it against the wall and play it like a stand up bass. He didn’t give up. Right out of high school he joined Ray Charles and his band for a year. By then, the name Guitar Shorty had stuck. He’s been in the business for decades-bringing flash and showmanship backed up by a whole lot of substance. Guitar Shorty plays Saint Rocke on Sunday night with Willie and the Road Tramps as part of the ongoing Boogaloo Presents series. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, visit saintrocke,com.
Classical Crossroads: Classical Crossroads presents French-born violinist Étienne Gara and pianist Izumi Kashiwagi as part of the Interludes Concert Series at the First Lutheran Church & School in Torrance. Under the Artistic Direction of Laura Schmieder, local and international artists are selected every April at the annual Beverly Hills Auditions and presented monthly on Saturdays at The Interludes, a recital series in the acoustically superb sanctuary of the First Lutheran Church & School in Torrance. The program includes Olivier Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la Fin du Temps and Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No.5 in F Major, Op. 24, “Spring.” The concert is free with donations gladly accepted. For full program or more information, (310) 316-5574 or visit palosverdes.com
tuesday 23rd
FOOD TRUCKS
Lunch at the arts: For local food truck lovers, there is a new place to get your grub. Thursday is “Lunch at the Arts” organized by Enriched Farms at RBPAC, and food trucks come from all over the Los Angeles area to feed hungry folks in the beach cities. Thursday’s offerings will include Woody’s Grill and the beloved Grilled Cheese Truck. If the weather isn’t too hot and you want to splurge, get the “Cheesy Mac and Rib” special: it’s a sandwich made with mac and cheese, sharp cheddar, pulled pork and caramelized onions. It’s a food truck: go big or go home. For more information, call Marie at Enriched Farms: (818) 699-6204 or just swing by on Thursday for lunch. The trucks will be at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd in Redondo from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free parking and a dining area is provided.
COMEDY
Tommy Johnagin: It’s too easy to forget that one of the most influential comedy locales in the country is right under our noses. The Comedy and Magic Club is the real deal, and Mike Lacey continues to bring in comedians of the highest caliber. Tommy Johnagin is no exception: he boasts five appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, his own half-hour special on Comedy Central, and appearances in Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham” and as well as “John Oliver’s New York Stand-up Show.” If he’s good enough for John Oliver, he’s good enough for me. Tommy Johnagin is at the Comedy and Magic Club Tuesday through Thursday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 with a two-item minimum purchase. For more information or to buy tickets, go online to comedyandmagicclub.com or call the box office at (310) 372-1193.
wednesday 24th
CRAFT BEER AND TRIVIA
Barney’s brains: If you notice a certain lack of beer events going on in the South Bay this week, remember that it’s L.A. Beer Week and lots of our favorite local breweries are busy getting nods in the city. But do not fret: there are places like Barney’s Beanery in Redondo that are committed to serving local craft beer and invite you to celebrate Beer Week here in the beach cities. Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. the diner meets dive bar meets sports bar hosts trivia night where you can win prizes for being a smart drunkard. It’s a refreshing alternative to the typical pier scene. And, in honor of L.A. Beer Week, on Wednesday the 24th, Barney’s is offering discounts on local craft beers from Strand, King Harbor, Monkish and more. If you’re really lucky, you may see the TV screens switch to movies and magic shows late-night. Barney’s Beanery is located at 100 Fisherman’s Wharf Suite H (upstairs) in Redondo. For more info, visit barneysbeanery.com
