Topanga Days: A Labor of Love for TCC 

Nestled in the mountains, blanketed with acorns and oak leaves, lives the Topanga Community Center, the maypole around which every local canyon dweller revolves. From its brick inner chambers, the tunes of square dance stomping and clapping pervade the canyon; laughter wafts across the ballfield on Food Truck Fridays; the smells of the Chili Cook Off linger over eclectic rows of booths at the annual Swap Meet; acoustic guitars and sonorous slumbers echo from the old days of the Fiddle and Griddle; the classical notes of the Topanga Symphony and Nutcracker ring the air; the chatter of the weekly Farmers Market follows locals home, their totes overflowing with organic goodies; and, of course, the love and pride of every Topangan: Topanga Days! 

Each year, for one decadent weekend, the TCC opens its arms to musicians, dancers, and artists from near and far, a production that preserves the freedom and exuberance of an earlier era. Nonie Shore, a dedicated Topangan since 2001, has worked with the TCC Board for more than 10 years and is the face of the Topanga Days operation. As the VP of Events, Shore puts her blood, sweat, and tears into this festival of frivolity.

“There is very much a hippie element in Topanga,” she said. “It’s the free, fun, way that makes Topanga special… people of different mindsets can come together and have fun together, and I really appreciate that.” 

Shore describes a labor of love that involves unrelenting communication, organization, and an abiding love of community, as the TCC Board, composed entirely of volunteers, works to bring this harmonious ruckus to life. “We have a really fabulous, proactive board right now,” Shore said. “What I love about the people that I work with is that everyone steps up where they can; it’s not just what their title is.” These orchestrators not only put on this annual zenith of Topanga culture, this beautiful behemoth of a fundraiser that keeps the Community House running, but also maintain our beloved Community Center throughout the rest of the year. 

This year, the Main Stage features fifteen musical acts spread out over the three days, including The English Beat and Venice. The field, awash with a rainbow of sarongs and picnic blankets, is circled by pop-ups of artists and vendors, and of course, the boisterous children’s Fun Zone towers in the back. A little ways up the dusty hill sits the playground and the families it attracts, conveniently tucked directly below the Food Court; inside the TCC itself is the Corral Stage, a sound bath of rock n’ roll and bluegrass, facing an audience seated in a family-style dining hall. “It’s a music festival,” said Shore. “Food, bands… It’s three days of music.” When asked about her favorite parts, she said listening to Venice, any 80s music, and “The people that we work with. There are a lot of great, dedicated people involved.” 

The magic of Topanga Days can be found in the delight on faces young and old; it’s rare to find a festival that is both famous and intimate, and that is added to the calendar as devoutly as any major holiday. 

“It’s the highlight of the year,” Shore added, recalling bringing her kids. “To be able to know that you’re in a safe enough environment, that you can go off on your own if your parents allow you to, is really special; not many communities have that anymore. So, I think, being able to allow that is such a gift.” 

For the Topanga community, the TCC is an adoring second home, a living room for the neighborhood, the centerpiece of our childhood and canyon life. So here we are again, enjoying music for three days to keep the TCC running, coming together to celebrate our very special community.