Beach Cities Weekend: 9/11 Memorials, Volleyball and an Outdoor Movie

As the season winds to a close, several events this weekend are allowing residents one last taste of outdoor summer fun, including a movie on the beach in Manhattan and a volleyball tourney in Hermosa. And in honor of the ninth anniversary of 9/11, events across the beach cities will include a candlelight vigil, a memorial bench dedication ceremony and a police/fire open house.

Here is the complete wrap-up:

FRIDAY

Swing and sway dance

Come cut a rug in a friendly, non-smoking, non-alcoholic environment at the Joslyn Community Center in Manhattan Beach. Music is provided by professional disc jockeys and light refreshments are available. No sign-ups or pre-registration necessary; $7 per person, 8-11 p.m. Come dressed to impress and wear your best dancing shoes! The center is located at 1601 N. Valley Drive. For more information, call 310-802-5448 or click here.

Concert

Catch Dread Zeppelin with Elviss Simmons and the Memphis Struters at Brixton in Redondo Beach. Dread Zeppelin channel the musical spirits of Led Zeppelin, Elvis Presley and Bob Marley to create tongue-in-cheek novelty rock heartily endorsed by no less an authority than Robert Plant himself. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $13-$15. Click here to purchase or call the club at 310-406-1931.

SATURDAY

CBVA volleyball tournament

The California Beach Volleyball Association tournament is rolling through Hermosa Beach this weekend. Campsurf.com tournament matchups for men's A and AAA, and women's A divisions will begin at 9 a.m. at 1100 The Strand. The only way to guarantee a spot in the tournament is to sign up online before the deadline (usually 5 p.m. the day before the event). Walk-up entries will be taken only to fill out a pool and are taken at the tournament director's discretion. All events will check in from 8-8:30 a.m. Play will start promptly at 9 a.m.

Police and fire station open house

Come meet Manhattan Beach's finest and bravest. The MBPD and MBFD are hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their shared facilities at 400/420 15th Street in Manhattan Beach. See the equipment and vehicles your public safety personnel use day-to-day in safeguarding your community.

Highlights of the day include a live firefighting exercise and a SWAT robot demonstration. There will be an extensive display of public safety vehicles and police and fire personnel will exhibit their specialized equipment used for SWAT, animal aid, rescues and firefighting.

The fire station and police jail will be open for guided tours throughout the day, and kids will receive stickers and balloons. Don't forget your camera for photo opportunities on a police motorcycle or with your favorite police officer or firefighter.

The mayor, along with the police and fire chiefs, will be addressing those in attendance at 11:15 a.m.

9/11 Victims Memorial Bench dedication ceremony

The city of Hermosa Beach will present a memorial bench to residents in a dedication ceremony that will commence at 10 a.m. and end around 2 p.m. Resin-coated clothing buttons cover the bench, representing each person who died in the 9/11 attacks. Students involved in the Kiwanis Builders Club at Hermosa Valley School collected all the buttons through family, friends and politicians. Community members are welcome to attend the ceremony on the Greenbelt near the north corner of Pier Avenue and Valley Drive, where the bench will be located. See related story.

9/11 candlelight vigil

The Rev. Maitreya Bhagavan Friend will hold a vigil commemorating those who died in the 9/11 attacks. Friend's Empty Chair Memorial will take place from 7:30-8 p.m. at 124 Saphire St. in Redondo Beach. Attendees are asked to bring their own candles. Call 310-540-6044 or click here for more information.

Movie on the beach: Up

Bring the whole family down to the Manhattan Beach Pier for a free evening screening of a movie on the beach. Pack your beach blankets, grab dinner in downtown Manhattan Beach or pack a picnic basket and head down to the north side of the pier. Saturday's movie will be the animated Pixar classic Up, which will screen at sundown, preceded by entertainment at 7 p.m.

Alcohol, pets, large pop-up tents and umbrellas are not allowed at the event. Low beach chairs and/or blankets are encouraged. For more information, click here or call 310-802-5448.

SUNDAY

Revival concert

A Beach Bum Burt reunion will be held at the Redondo Beach Cheesecake Factory, site of the 1970s nightspot by that name. John Brown and his band will perform from 2 to 8 p.m. For tickets, click here.

Jay Leno performs

The late-night personality and host of The Tonight Show takes to the stage at the Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach. Tickets available here and more information here.

Sunset concert series

As part of Hermosa Beach's concert series on the pier, Saint Rocke presents Big Sam's Funky Nation with special guest Damon Castillo Band. The concert begins at 5:30 p.m. and continues until sunset. Patch stories about the concerts can be found here and here.