South Bay arts and entertainment calendar: halloween edition
Local beer poured out of a pumpkin: just another reason to hit Naja’s on Halloween. Courtesy of Naja’s Place.
thursday 30th
MUSIC
A new residency: Manhattan Beach’s “beach rock” band the Lucky Ones lost their weekly Thursday residency when Circa closed its doors for the last time on October 11. Lucky for them (pun intended), Hermosa’s the Standing Room has stepped up for local musicians and has welcomed the band to the stage every Thursday night, starting tonight. “The potential [at TSR] is amazing,” Adam Lawson, the band’s frontman, told his fans. “And with all of your help, I know that we can make this the spot for live music in the South Bay.” The Lucky Ones are working on a new EP, so expect plenty of fresh, original material as they start their next chapter at the beach. And they will be filming a music video at tonight’s show so get camera-ready. The Standing Room, 1320 Hermosa Avenue in Hermosa Beach. The Lucky Ones start at 9:30 p.m. No cover. For more information, call (310) 318-1272.
The Lucky Ones start a new, weekly residency at the Standing Room in Hermosa this Thursday. Photo by Vivian Bettina Paz.
SPOOKS
Scary Stories: San Pedro is a bit of a drive, but the annual “Scary Stories” night at Angels Gate Cultural Center is worth the trek for the Halloween-minded. Now in its 12th year, the event showcases unforgettable tales of terror and presenting a new program every year. “Scary Stories” lets your imagination provide the visual effects, with inspiration from a bonfire, the darkness, evocative readings and chilling sound effects. So rich is the literature of horror that, in twelve years, no story has been repeated. The 75 minutes of storytelling suitable for all ages. Tickets are $5, and children under six attend for free. No reservations needed but bring a lawn chair or blanket and dress warmly. Picnics are welcome. Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 South Gaffey Street in San Pedro. For more information, visit angelsgateart.org or call (310) 519-0936.
friday 31st
SPOOKS FOR ALL AGES
Halloween on Main Street: The El Segundo Recreation and Parks Department hosts their annual Halloween Frolic from 3 to 7 p.m. today. The frolic attracts locals of all ages to Main Street to enjoy pumpkin carving, costume contests, bouncy houses, games and live music. Previous years have seen attendance between 3000 to 4000. The El Segundo’s Kiwanis Club and Women’s Club sponsor the contests; the bouncers and games cost $8 for unlimited use. For more information and a schedule of the events, visit elsegundo.org or call (310) 524-2700.
Stand up screams: The folks at Redondo’s Paddle House have come up with a creative way for watermen and women to enjoy Halloween: the “First Annual King Harbor Halloween Haunted Paddle of Terror Tour.” Take a night tour of the harbor on an SUP with LED-powered lighting while a smoke machine, sound effects and hidden harbor monsters keep you on your toes, and hopefully upright. The tours began earlier this month and have been gaining a solid following. “People are digging it,” said Patrick Webb, Paddle House owner. “We take them in groups of about four or five at a time. While they’re waiting for their turn, we have “Jaws” playing at the store and other fun stuff going on.” The Halloween night tours start at 6 p.m. tonight. Tickets are $40 for adults, $15 for brave children. Paddle House members get discounted rates. Paddle House, 164 International Boardwalk in Redondo Beach. For more information, call (310) 372-1600.
Last year’s Scary Stories event by the bonfire in San Pedro. Photo by Heather Handwerk.
Torrance fun: The City of Torrance Community Services Department invites the public to enjoy the annual Halloween Carnival from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd. The carnival is a safe, family-friendly alternative to trick-or-treating and will feature games, crafts, a photo area, spooky music by DJ Ozzie and a costume parade at 6:30 p.m. You can also stop by and check out the pumpkin decorating contest–15 after school club sites submitted their most creative pumpkin decorations. Unlimited use wristbands are $9.00 per child and are required to participate in a variety of prize-winning carnival activities.The event will take place, rain or shine. Food trucks including Dogtown Dogs, Rock N Lou’s Pizza, Sista Soul Food will be on site with items for purchase. A special free showing of Sony Pictures’ animated feature Hotel Transylvania (rated PG) will screen, weather permitting, at the adjacent softball field l at 6:45 p.m. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. The movie will start at 6:45 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Boulevard in Torrance. For more information, visit torranceca.gov/halloween.
SPOOKS FOR ADULTS
A locals’ tradition: With 88 taps and arguably the best beer reputation in the South Bay, there’s always a good reason to go to Naja’s. Tonight, there’s extra enticement: Naja’s hosts its annual Halloween Horror Night starting at 8 p.m. Come dressed up for a chance to win 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes in the costume contest. Beer specials will run all night and include a King Harbor Brewing Co. specialty brew poured through a pumpkin. And the band Four Fingers plays at 9 p.m. You can always count on Naja’s to do it right for the beach folk. Naja’s Place, 154 International Boardwalk in Redondo Beach. For more information, visit najasplace.com or call (310) 376-9951.
Double dipping: The Portofino group has two events to offer locals on Halloween night: Baloween Pirate Night and South Bay Scream. Pirate Night runs at the Baleen Lounge starting at 9:30 p.m. and includes a costume contest and live music from Arnie Viches & friends and DJ J. Dean. Guitarist and singer Arnie Vilches has toured and recorded with artists like Mark Farner,Cheap Trick, Blue Oyster Cult, Viva Santana and, currently, Bobby Kimball (original frontman of TOTO). Expect a lot of dance-friendly classic rock. If deejays are more your thing, J. Dean will be spinning downstairs. $5 cover gives you access to both venues. Option two is South Bay Scream at the Portofino hotel. Berry Bly’s SBC is one of the most popular Halloween costume parties in the South Bay thanks to its Hollywood production value and Vegas-style excess. This year’s event includes seven DJs, multiple dance floors and tarot card readers. And set designers will have transformed the Portofino venue into a haunted hotel. Tickets run about $45 and tend to sell out. For more information, visit southbayscream.com. The Portofino Hotel and Baleen Lounge, 260 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach. For more information, visit hotelportofino.com or call (310) 379-8481.
saturday 1st
PARTY FOR A CAUSE
Savor the flavor: Soroptimist International of Manhattan Beach has taken a new spin on Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). They chose November 1 to hold their fundraiser, Savor the Flavor, and this time it’s a beer and tequila extravaganza at the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club on Saturday night. The event includes unlimited beer tastings, not-so-unlimited tequila tastings, a Mexican dinner, live music, games and raffles. Participating breweries include Strand, King Harbor and El Segundo Brewing Co. Music will be provided by the good folks at Dietz Bros. The ticket price is $40 ($45 at the door) and proceeds go to Soroptimist’s women-focused projects and charities locally and internationally. Besides dinner, booze and fun, the ticket also gets you a commemorative tasting mug and a free ride from Lyft to get you home safely. Well done, Soroptimists. Tickets are available through eventbrite.com. For more information, visit siManhattanBeach.org, call (424) 225-2050 or email simbmail@gmail.com.
sunday 2nd
Gospel brunch: Tiki McPherson brings her Gospel Brunch back to Suzy’s Sunday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. She will have some Suzy’s regulars taking the stage along with Hope Chapel and Journey of Faith members performing. And, to get in the spirit of holiday giving, 15% of all food and drink sales go to support a Christmas toy drive for children of low income and homeless families. Suzy’s Bar and Grill, 1141 Aviation Blvd in Hermosa Beach. For more information, call (310) 379-6171.
tuesday 4th
ART TALK
“Frida Kahlo and Her Personal Vision”: Artful Days focuses on painter Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), now considered one of Mexico’s finest artists. She began painting after being seriously injured in a bus accident, and close to one-third of her 143 paintings are self-portraits (selfies, for those of you under 25). She married that bear of a muralist, Diego Rivera, in 1929. The talk runs from 12:10 to 1 p.m. in the George Nakano Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Information: (310) 818-2326.