Punk, Jazz Culture Take Center Stage At Upcoming South Bay Museum Exhibition

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — A new exhibition opening up at the Hermosa Beach Museum later this month will showcase the history of jazz and punk music in the South Bay city.

The exhibit, known as "Echos from the Edge: A Cultural History of Jazz and Punk in Hermosa Beach," will premiere on Thursday, July 17, with a Punk Rock Art Show, according to city officials.

City officials say Hermosa Beach has served as a creative refuge for artists and musicians, with the new exhibit exploring a "unique cultural crossroads" between jazz and punk.

"From the world-renowned stage of The Lighthouse Café to the raw energy of backyard punk shows, this exhibit traces how Hermosa became a launchpad for both smooth improvisation and gritty defiance," officials said on the city's website.

The exhibit will feature rare photographs and archival materials accompanied by some storytelling. It'll celebrate artists, venues and moments that have helped shape Hermosa Beach's musical legacy, according to officials.

"This original exhibition offers a new perspective on how music, place, and community collide — and invites audiences to experience Hermosa’s influence on American music history like never before," city officials said.

Punk rock has a storied history in Hermosa Beach, which has produced talents such as Black Flag. Venues like the Insomniac coffeehouse and Lighthouse Café were the go-to places for musical performances, including jazz.