Church volunteers at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church have been cooking for weeks, and the payoff arrives Friday, July 10, when the South Bay Greek Festival opens its gates at 722 Knob Hill Ave. in Redondo Beach for three days of homemade food, folk dancing and ouzo slushies.

The festival, which has run for more than six decades, continues through Sunday, July 12. Friday hours are 5–10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday run noon to 10 p.m. and noon to 9 p.m., respectively. General admission is $5 at the door. Children under 12 get in free, and a $2-off coupon is available for entry between noon and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at sbgreekfestival.com.

Expect gyros, souvlaki, lamb chops, loukoumathes and baklava, plus a full indoor buffet featuring moussaka and pastitsio. The bar pours Greek and domestic beer, wine, Metaxa, ouzo and the fan-favorite Spartan Slush, a frozen blend of ouzo, honey and lemonade. Award-winning folk dance groups ranging from kindergarten to college age perform each day, and Greek dance lessons are offered at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Father Michael leads guided tours of the sanctuary throughout the weekend, covering Byzantine art, architecture and Orthodox Christian tradition.

Ironman photo contest deadline: Tuesday, July 14

The 51st Annual Hermosa Beach Ironman on Saturday, July 4, drew nearly 2,000 competitors and raised over $50,000 for local nonprofits. The Hermosa Beach Museum, one of the event's beneficiaries, is collecting photos from the race through Tuesday, July 14. Photographers can submit entries to [email protected] in categories including Best Run, Best Paddle, Best Chug, Most Unique Barf and Best Group Photo.

The museum hosts a free afterparty on Friday, July 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 710 Pier Ave. in Hermosa Beach. Attendees can view entries, vote on winners, enjoy refreshments and hit a cash bar.

Free concerts on the pier and in the park

The Redondo Pier Association's Summer of Music series brings two free shows to Fisherman's Wharf on the Redondo Beach Pier this week: Bear Supply, an AM Gold tribute act, on Thursday, July 9, and Backspin, a rock band, on Saturday, July 11. Both run 6–8 p.m. The series plays Thursdays and Saturdays through Saturday, August 29.

In Manhattan Beach, Concerts in the Park continues Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. at Polliwog Park. The next date is Sunday, July 12. The performer had not been announced at press time. The free, family-friendly series runs through Sunday, September 6.

South Bay community calendar

  • Thursday, July 9 — Bear Supply (AM Gold Tribute), 6–8 p.m., Fisherman's Wharf, Redondo Beach Pier. Free.
  • Friday, July 10 – Sunday, July 12 — South Bay Greek Festival, St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 722 Knob Hill Ave., Redondo Beach. $5; kids under 12 free.
  • Saturday, July 11 — Backspin (Rock), 6–8 p.m., Fisherman's Wharf, Redondo Beach Pier. Free.
  • Sunday, July 12 — Concerts in the Park, 5–7 p.m., Polliwog Park, Manhattan Beach. Free.
  • Tuesday, July 14 — Ironman Photo Contest submission deadline. Email entries to [email protected].
  • Friday, July 17 — Ironman Photo Contest Afterparty, 6–8 p.m., Hermosa Beach Museum, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Free RSVP.