South Bay area Calendar Beginning the Week of December 26

DECEMBER 28

■ ‘The Nutcracker’ by Los Angeles Ballet

The Los Angeles Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” takes place at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, located at 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Saturday, Dec. 28, at noon and 5 p.m., and Sunday Dec. 29, at noon. For more information, visit losangelesballet.org.

December 27

The Karate Kid at The Roadium drive-in

The Roadium opens its classic 1950s drive-in for a one-of-a-kind movie-going experience, at 2500 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. in Torrance. This month’s feature is the The Karate Kid.  $20 per car gets you in, and a charitable contribution to a local nonprofit us also appreciated. Gates open at 5:45p.m. for food trucks and concessions.  The movie starts at 7 p.m.

DECEMBER 31

■ Happy New Year

The city of Hermosa Beach will celebrate New Year’s Eve with its annual event on Pier Plaza. The celebration features two countdowns to the New Year. The first countdown takes place at 9 p.m. to coincide with the live ball drop from Times Square in New York City. The second countdown takes place at midnight local time. Lou Giovannetti and his Big Band will return to be the featured performers, playing classic hits by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and other iconic standards of the American big-band genre. For more information, visit hbchamber.net.

• Noon Dance Party for babies and tots

Enjoy songs and movement activities at a Noon New Year’s Eve dance party hosted by the Hermosa Beach Library, 550 Pier Ave., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for babies and toddlers ages 0-3, and their caregivers. The noon hour will be celebrated with a countdown and bubbles.

• New Years Eve Benefit at The Gardena Elks Lodge

Join the Elks Lodge #1919 at 1735 W. 162nd St., Gardena, for dinner, dancing, and midnight champagne toast. $50 per person.  Proceeds to benefit the club’s charitable funds. Contact the lodge for tickets: (310)327-1919

• “Play for Charity” at the Westdrift in Manhattan Beach

Walk with Sally is teaming up with Westdrift Hotel and Berry Bly Productions for a Vegas themed Celebration starting at 9 p.m..  The night will include performances from Dj Quasar, Jimbo, Mikie Smithers and more. Guests will enjoy a champagne toast and party favors for the midnight countdown, photo booths, red carpet and “Play For Charity” casino with $100 in playing chips included. Tickets are $75 and VIP table packages available. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Walk With Sally Foundation.  Purchase tickets on www.walkwithsally.org.

JANUARY 4

• Stich and Sew for teens and adults

“Stitch and Sew Redondo” is a new version of a popular sewing program that encourages the reuse, renovation and recycling of existing garments and textiles in the creation of unique items. The programs are for teens and adults and are held at the Redondo Beach North Branch Library, 2000 Artesia Blvd., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants need to bring: a sewing machine, mending or material to sew, needles, threads, scissors and pins. 2000 Artesia Blvd.  For more information visit www.redondo.org/library.

 ONGOING IN DECEMBER

• Steven Nations fundraiser at Mickey’s Deli

Now through December 31, Mickey’s Deli in Hermosa Beach will donate 100% of the sales of its Steven’s Nation’s Turkey Pesto Sandwich to Team Steven’s Nation, a group formed to assist Eric Stevens, a South Bay resident, firefighter and former NFL player who is battling ALS, a fatal neuromuscular disease.  The sandwich consists of turkey, tomato, fresh mozzarella cheese, a mixture of olive oil, garlic and homemade pesto spread all on a toasted roll, topped with fresh basil.  Mickey’s Deli is located at 101 Hermosa Ave.

■ Flair Cleaners clothing and shoe drive

The 17th annual Flair Cares Holiday Clothing and Shoe Drive takes place through December 31, at its location including at 1900 Artesia Blvd. in Redondo Beach. Drop off at their locations, or home pickup and delivery customers can leave clearly marked donations for the driver. All donations will be cleaned, if needed, and donated to non-profits supporting each of the communities where Flair does business. For more information, visit FlairCleaners.com.