Barsha Wine Shop Owners, Music, More On Culture Club South Bay

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Several South Bay locals will be on Culture Club South Bay for the new show's September presentation. The once-a-month online Club goes live on YouTube the last Saturday of the month. This month's program will be Culture Club's second, after its successful launch in August by Manhattan Beach resident Allison Hales.

Noah Francois, who attends American Martyrs Catholic School in Manhattan Beach, and Lenora and Adnen Marouani, who own Barsha Wine & Spirits Tasting Room, are among the scheduled guests for the live online show tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 26 from 4:30-5:15 p.m.

The United Kingdom born Hales is the daughter of a White father and Jamaican mother who didn't notice the lack of diversity in her hometown of Manhattan Beach until the pandemic set in, forcing her to stay closer to home. Because she missed interacting with and being exposed to many different cultures, she decided to create Culture Club South Bay.

Said Hales, "I am excited to present the next series given the last one was so well received. We think it's especially important to keep this going as a regular event to continue to showcase diversity and celebrate/learn about different cultures and ethnicities. We hope to keep it fresh and exciting with new talent, while informative about the work that is being done within our South Bay community."

In addition to the previously mentioned guests, Saturday's show will include Martine Harris, author of "Dear Haiti;" singer -songwriters Melaina Williams and Adjenai; a head-wrap tutorial from Tanya Taylor; a fine art presentation from Lee Tonks, and organization updates from Culture Club South Bay's partnering groups Pop the Bubble 2020, El Segundo for Black Lives, New Black History Makers and South Bay for Racial Justice.

Hales, who is a Manhattan Beach based real estate agent, is passionate about what Culture Club is bringing to the forefront. "I love that it provides a platform for young people and the community to share their talent and voices," she told Manhattan Beach Patch. "I hope I can continue to build out this platform with my partners and at some point turn it into a live event."

The first Culture Club South Bay in August has garnered some 300+ views on YouTube and is growing, said Hales, who says the inaugural event last month "... couldn't have gone better! ... We have received great feedback from the local community.

"During this time of division throughout the country,"she noted, "we think it's imperative to keep the hope alive and work on inclusiveness and the importance of community."

For log in and tune in details, visit the Event listing on Manhattan Beach Patch.