“Water & Wood” – Can art galleries return to Hermosa?

Wind in the Sails for “Water & Wood” Rafael McMaster is raising a flag for art in Hermosa It takes some effort, some passion and planning, to organize and mount an art show, but that’s what Rafael McMaster has done. His endeavor bears fruit this Saturday when “Water & Wood” opens with a reception from…

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South Bay arts calendar for Feb. 10 to 15

Friday, February 10 Rising from the surface “Once on This Island,” presented by 3-D Theatricals, is a one-act musical from the creators of “Ragtime” and “Seussical” (Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty), and it previews at 8 p.m. (official opening is Saturday) in the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. Additional shows…

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Phil Weisgerber: Memories of a fine human being and artist

Remembering Phil Weisgerber The longtime Redondo Beach artist will be celebrated Saturday afternoon at the Loft in San Pedro When I spoke with Bob Shepard about his long-time friend and co-worker Phil Weisgerber, he mentioned that Phil looked like Buffalo Bill Cody. It was one of those now-that-you-mention-it moments. But Phil, “who was going to…

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Pre- and post-election emotions in “The Faces Within”

The Winter of Our Discontent Is America under siege from within? Many artists appear to think so No matter who one voted for on Nov. 8, most Americans would likely now agree that the first days of Donald J. Trump’s presidency have been the most contentious, if not the most divisive, in recent memory. More…

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South Bay arts calendar from Feb. 2 to 8

Thursday, February 2 Forms abstract and elegant “Ann Weber, Sculpture” is on view tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. during the First Thursday Art Walk at Gallery 478, located at 478 W. Seventh St., San Pedro. The reception for the artist is on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. Presented by TransVagrant and Gallery 478,…

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The MC² Trio performs Beethoven with the Beach Cities Symphony

Practice Made Perfect The MC² Trio plays Beethoven with the Beach Cities Symphony In 2015, there were over 90 groups vying for first place in the national finals of the MTNA Chamber Music Competition. That year, the Music Teachers National Association conferred top honors upon MC² (MC squared), a South Bay Trio comprised of Isabella…

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South Bay arts calendar – Jan. 26 to Feb. 1

Thursday, January 26 Music that’s traditional and modern Pianist Kristi Lobitz and flautist Susan Greenberg perform a music recital at 8 p.m. in the Campus Theatre of El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Tickets are $15 and you can get them by calling (800) 832-ARTS or by going to centerforthearts.org. A century…

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South Bay art calendar for Jan. 19 to 25

Thursday, January 19 Acclaimed Wagnerian soprano Grammy-nominated vocalist Linda Watson is featured in a recital with pianist Russell Ryan at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. She’ll perform works by Richard Strauss, Francis Poulenc, Gustav Mahler and Johannes Brahms. Tickets, $28. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go…

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South Bay arts calendar for Jan. 12 to 18

Friday, January 13 Special effects “Very Cinematic Narrative” flows with the kinetic sculptures of William Sandell (see last week’s Easy Week feature) and the paintings of Cynda Valle, and it opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Manhattan Beach Art Center, 1560 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach. (310) 802-5440 or go…

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South Bay art calendar for Jan. 5 to 11

Friday, January 6 The right touch Pianist Steven Vanhauwaert, a native of Belgium and a resident of Redondo Beach, performs at 12:15 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Free; donations appreciated, and a reception follows the concert. (310) 316-5574. Now you see it, now you don’t Sisuepahn Phila,…

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South Bay Art – 2016, a year in review

She Doesn’t Look Anything Like Her Picture Whether art is a forest fire or a candle flame, the person who creates it has to be something of a matador where the result can be dance-like poetry or a trip to the morgue. But either way, art by its very nature has to push boundaries, take…

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Playing with Fire

Werner Herzog dives headfirst “Into the Inferno” Last week, the Hammer Museum concluded “The Contenders,” a 10-film series that combined screenings with live interviews (director, leading actor, etc.) and an audience Q&A. Among the motion pictures shown this year were “Manchester by the Sea” and “Arrival,” but the one I want to talk about is…

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Amélie, from screen to stage

“Amélie: A New Musical” – a review Many of us enjoyed the 2001 French film “Amélie” that starred Audrey Tautou. The picture is charming and sweet, and years later Craig Lucas (book), Daniel Messé (composer, co-lyricist), and Nathan Tysen (co-lyricist) thought they could turn it into an equally charming musical. Well, they’ve gotten their show…

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