Posts by Bondo Wyszpolski
ES people – Pulling strings with Kerri Epps
El Segundo schools Kerri Epps had a five year plan for establishing an orchestra. She completed it in four.
Read MoreSally Mann: a photographer’s dark vitality
Through light to darkness, and back again “Sally Mann: a thousand crossings,” at the Getty (a review) Despite the usual anticipation, my reactions were lukewarm after viewing “Sally Mann: a thousand crossings,” at the J. Paul Getty Museum through Feb. 10. That was, however, before becoming immersed in the smart and readable catalogue written and…
Read MoreA life in the balance at Surf City Theatre
And the verdict is? Surf City Theatre goes on trial with “12 Angry Jurors” Did he stab his father to death? That’s the question being debated by 12 men and women who’d rather be anywhere else than in the courtroom. At first it looks like an open-and-shut case: Clearly the man is guilty! But one…
Read MoreSouth Bay arts calendar for Jan. 17 to 23
Friday, January 18 No passports required “Musical Travel through Europe and Asia” is the title of the Beach Cities Symphony concert, taking place at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. The program includes Borodin’s “In the Steppes of Central Asia” (with an accompanying visual presentation), Rachmaninoff’s…
Read MoreSouth Bay Arts Calendar for Jan. 10 to 16
Thursday, January 10 The tastiest fruit “Pick of the Vine 2019” opens at 8 p.m. in Little Fish Theatre, 777 S. Centre St., San Pedro. This yearly event features nine short plays, culled from 800 submissions from around the world. Always the best theater experience to begin the new year. Additional performances on most Fridays,…
Read MoreOne handshake, and an album is reborn
Vinyl Crossroads In a record store, a record deal is made Record Recycler is a rarity, a beacon from from another era, long before music was accessible with simply a few keystrokes, and without ever getting up and leaving home. Located on Crenshaw near Artesia in Torrance, the store is a destination for album collectors,…
Read MoreSouth Bay arts calendar for Jan. 3 to 9
Thursday, January 3 They go hand in hand “Love and Chaos,” new painting by Michael Stearns, goes on display this evening (Thursday) in the Michael Stearns Studio, located in The Loft, 401 S. Mesa Ave., San Pedro. The artist’s reception is on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 2 to 6 p.m. Through Feb. 23. Friday, January…
Read MoreArts in review: a few memories from 2018
Turn around and wave goodbye! Selected highlights in the arts from 2018 Throughout the year I see a fair amount of art and theater, watch films, read books, listen to music, and interview the people behind them. If you’re an artist, much depends on your curator and if you’re an actor much depends on your…
Read MoreSouth Bay arts calendar for Dec. 27 – Jan. 2
Saturday, December 29 Tuning up Preparing for the big night two days hence, Abrakadabra performs its “Pre-New Year’s Eve” show at 8 p.m. in Suzy’s Bar & Grill, 1141 Aviation Blvd., Hermosa Beach. They’ll play originals and covers: Latin, pop, jazz with vocals, instrumentals, and so on. No cover. (310) 379-6171. Sunday, December 30 Her…
Read MoreOutsiders in L.A.: Good art, bad art; pretentious writing
“Outliers and American Vanguard Art” at LACMA – a review During a curatorial roundtable or colloquium on the subject of black folk art, reprinted in full in the catalog that accompanies “Outliers and American Vanguard Art,” Katherine Jentleson makes an important point: “Not to diminish the role curators must play in being critical and precise,…
Read MoreSouth Bay arts calendar from 12/20-12/26
Saturday, December 22 Dreaming a land of magic “The Nutcracker,” presented by Dance West Dance Studio/Metropolitan Ballet Company, comes to life at 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $19.50 and $17.50. Call (310) 781-7171 or email michaeljohnmelton@gmail.com. Sunday, December 23 It…
Read MoreTheater publicist Nancy Hereford eulogized
Nancy Hereford, 8/15/47 – 8/14/18 A few weeks after her death on August 14, and just one day shy of her 71st birthday, Nancy Hereford was remembered and eulogized at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, led by the Center Theatre Group’s Michael Ritchie. Many people showed up to speak about Nancy, and there…
Read MoreAnother side of novelist Victor Hugo
By the light of the moon we can see to the bottom of the ocean “Stones to Stains: The Drawings of Victor Hugo” at the Hammer Museum When we think of Victor Hugo we think of “Les Misérables” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” largely because of the film and theatrical treatments that have become…
Read MoreSouth Bay arts calendar for Dec. 13 to 19
Thursday, December 13 From Torrance to Bayreuth The annual fall Opera Workshop takes place at 8 p.m. in the Campus Theatre at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. It features scenes from popular operas and musicals sung by top-performing students, and is directed by Kevin Blickfeldt. Tickets, $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or…
Read MoreCatch of the Day: Josh Barnes and Brandon Nonaka at Pacific Coast Gallery
Out to sea with Pacific Coast Gallery “Into the Deep” highlights artists Josh Barnes and Brandon Nonaka Is something fishy going on at Pacific Coast Gallery? You bet. “Into the Deep” is a two-man show opening Saturday in Hermosa Beach and featuring artists Josh Barnes and Brandon Nonaka. Last week at this time Josh was…
Read MoreSouth Bay arts calendar for Dec. 6 to 12
Thursday, December 6 Get up and shake it The El Camino College Dance Department presents its annual “Choreography Showcase” at 1 and 6 p.m. in the Campus Theatre, located at Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. These are beginning and intermediate choreography students. A variety of dance styles will be performed. For tickets, call (800)…
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