South Bay arts calendar August 16 – 23
“Sunrise,” the 1927 silent film directed by F.W. Murnau, screens at 8:15 Friday and Saturday, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Tickets, $10 general; $8 seniors. (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org
Friday, August 16
Smells like chocolate
The Torrance Theatre Company presents “Willy Wonka” at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Friday) and tomorrow in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets available by calling (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancetheatrecompany.com.
“Xanadu,” the Broadway roller-skating musical comedy based on the film (and featuring ‘80s pop music), plays tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 p.m., in the Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Tickets, $25 for the old fogeys and $15 for youngsters 18 and under. (310) 544-0403 or go to norriscenter.com.
South Bay band Without Warning performs at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday at Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach. The group presents the hardest and the best from such groups as Whitesnake, Rush, Drean Theatre, Iron Maiden, and Dio. Tickets at the door or online. Photo by Tom Underhill. (310) 372-0035 or go to saintrocke.com
Open wide
“Tasting Truth,” presented by art historian and French cooking aficionado Maite Gomez-Rejón, leads a discussion from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the aphrodisiacal qualities of food, art history, with a hands-on cooking class, in the El Segundo Museum of Art. In conjunction with the current exhibition, “Truth,” which ends on August 25. Cost, $95, which includes a tour of the show, all ingredients, and well-paired wine.
Saturday, August 17
Surf your way over
The Seventh Annual “Beach Shorts Film Festival,” featuring 6 to 10-minute-long films with surfing or beach lifestyles as the theme, takes place at 7 p.m. in the Hermosa Beach Community Center, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Special guests, artwork by Ron Croci and Ken Pagliaro, and more. Organized by Barry Hatchett. For all ages. Tickets, $10. Please go to beachshortsfilmfest.com.
Lady Marmalade
Patti LaBelle opens the new season at the Cerritos Center, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, with an 8 p.m. show. Ball in the House is the warm-up act. Tickets, $105 to $65. Call (562) 467-8818 or go to cerritoscenter.com.
Sunday, August 18
Rhythm sticks
The Susie Hansen Latin Band performs under the hot August sun from 5 to 7 p.m. in Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach. Just show up; it’s free. Next week: Fantastic Diamond gives us a tribute to Neil (“Sweet Caroline”) Diamond.
Photographs by Hiroshi Hamaya (pictured) and Kansuke Yamamoto, both of whom came of age during the Showa era (1926-89), remains on view through August 25 at the Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-7300 or go to getty.edu
Meiko, a ballsy singer from Georgia, headlines Sunday at Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach. Also appearing: Maria del Pilar and Haunted Summer. Show at 7 or 8 p.m. (both times listed on the website). Tickets, $15 now and $17 at the door. Photo by Mary Rozzi. (310) 372-0035 or go to saintrocke.com
Wednesday, August 21
It’s a strike!
And not a train strike like in France or Italy. There’s a reception at 7 p.m. for the release of Single Pin Red, the book, that documents the South Bay wanderings of “If Slater Bowled,” the large red, pin-shaped surfboard that’s an homage to professional surfer Kelly Slater. The 10-foot-high bowling pin was photographed throughout the area, juxtaposed with landmarks and people (including a couple of Easy Reader staffers). That journey is chronicled and documented in this new, limited edition release. Where? {pages}, a bookstore, 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. RSVP to alison@singlepinred.com or call (310) 387-8899.
Lynnie Sterba’s paintings – “Nature Illuminated” – are on view through the end of August in the real estate office at 403 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Pictured, “Nature’s Window.” (310) 318-6858 or go to LynnieSterbaArt.com
Women at the crossroads
“Rapture, Blister, Burn” opens at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. It’s a comedy on the effect that internet porn has on all things feminine, and revolves around three women and one man. Tickets, $39 to $79. Through Sept. 22. Call (310) 208-5454 or go to geffenplayhouse.com.
Thursday, August 22 John Powers presents historical images and little-known information about the people and events surrounding the creation and revelation of the Pentagon Papers from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Malaga Cove Library, 2400 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates. Free. (310) 486-2547 or go to powerplayz.com