Discover what's happening in the South Bay this weekend

Last night was the Mayors’ Cook-off Challenge at Abigaile Restaurant in Hermosa Beach. I couldn’t make it to the event but I’d love to hear the results. If anyone attended, please drop me a line and let me know if our Mayors could stand the heat!

There has been a schedule change for the monthly Swing & Sway event hosted by Walk In Dance Out. It now takes place the second Friday of every month at the Joslyn Center from 8 to 11 p.m. The cost is $10 per person with light refreshments and a no-host bar. The Joslyn Center is located at 1601 Valley Drive in Manhattan Beach. For more information, visit the website at www.walkindanceout.com or call 310-373-8487.

Australia Day is January 26, when the world celebrates all things Aussie! Total Wine & More is kicking off the festivities with a taste of Affordable Aussie Wines on Saturday, January 12. Take a trip Down Under at this FREE tasting event from noon to 6:00 p.m. Guests will have an opportunity to try a selection of delicious wines from Australia that won’t break the bank. Enjoy a wide selection of wines exclusively selected by Total Wine & More’s wine experts. Better yet, if you like what you taste, discount coupons will be available for tasting selections. This tasting event will be held at all California Total Wine & More stores including the Redondo Beach superstore. Total Wine & More is located at 1505 Hawthorne Boulevard at South Bay Marketplace in Redondo Beach. For more information, call 310-542-1460 or visit the website at www.totalwine.com.

The 14th season of the Norris Center for the Performing Arts’ popular Cabaret Jazz Series continues on Sunday, January 13 with the Side Street Strutters. The internationally acclaimed band will perform two shows at the Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion. The Side Street Strutters play over a half century of jazz styles, from early New Orleans Dixieland and blues, to big band swing and popular standards. Both Cabaret Jazz performances feature reserved table seating, a catered gourmet meal, full no-host bar, dance floor and two sets of music. Guests can choose between an 11:30 a.m. brunch show, and a 5 p.m. dinner show, each priced at $65. The Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion is located at 501 Indian Peak Road in Rolling Hills Estates. For more information and ticket purchase, call 310-544-0403 or visit the website at www.norriscenter.com.

The Southern California Slack Key Festival returns to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center January 20, for one performance only at 2 p.m. The Festival honors one of the world’s great acoustic guitar traditions, “slack key” (ki hoʼalu) and features the most respected names in Hawaiian guitar music in the most prestigious Hawaiian music concert event on the mainland. The 2013 Festival celebrates the music from the Grammy nominated soundtrack for The Descendants, the first major motion picture to feature slack key music exclusively in its soundtrack and many of the artists from the recording will be performing. The Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center is located at 1935 Manhattan Beach Boulevard in Redondo Beach. For more information call 562- 556-4824. For ticket purchase, visit the website at http://socalslackkeyfest.tix.com/Schedule.asp?OrganizationNumber=1723.

If you have not been to Tapas & Vino yet, you are in for a treat! Our newest advertiser is currently running a Not Just Tapas & Vino Campaign exclusively for our audience! Mention The South Bay Show or South Bay by Jackie and receive 25% off a lunch or brunch entrée. Or just tell them Jackie sent you! Tapas & Vino is located at 1729 South Catalina Avenue in Redondo Beach. For more information, visit the website at http://tapasyvino.com/ or call 310-791-8200.

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, our guest was Susan Kowalski. Susan is running for a seat on the Redondo Beach City Council. Don’t worry, if you missed it, you can listen to it here: http://southbaybyjackie.com/january-10-2013-susan-kowalski-candidate-for....

Have a great South Bay weekend!

Jackie

www.southbaybyjackie.com

Advertisement

, South Bay Adult Recreation Examiner

Jackie Balestra is an island girl and beach baby from way back. Growing up on the island of Manhattan and spending her summers in Rockaway Beach, life took place at the water’s edge. On a whim, Balestra switched coasts and landed in the South Bay of Los Angeles. She rediscovered that life really...

Today's top buzz...