South Bay Arts Calender 6/19/14-6/25/14
The “Laurel & Hardy Festival” features silent and sound shorts, and it takes place Friday and Saturday night, with Saturday and Sunday matinees, at the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo. (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
Thursday the 19th
THEATER
“Oliver!”: Encore Entertainers presents the musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 with a matinee on Saturday at 2 p.m., in the Redondo Union High School Auditorium, 1 Sea Hawk Way, Redondo Beach. Tickets, $25 general; $20 seniors and children 12 and under. Use promo code 14SPREL when ordering online for a $2 discount. Information: (310) 896-6459 or go to encoreentertainers.org.
“Hamlet”: Shakespeare by the Sea opens the second of its two summer plays (“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opened last week), in repertory through July 5 at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro, after which all the props and actors will be loaded on carts for their annual tour through the region, stopping in most of our beach cities. Free. Information: shakespearebythesea.org.
BOOKS
“She Writes, She Reads: Celebrating Women’s Writing”: Authors Dawn Blume Hawkes, Jessica Levine, and Rossandra White, each of whom released books this spring, join with the publisher Brooke Warner of She Writes Press for an evening of readings and discussion at 7 p.m. in Pages: A Bookstore, 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. Information: (310) 318-0900.
MUSIC
“Rock 4 the Rack”: MeGa*Nut, Barley Legal, The Toys, and Toro Hart perform a benefit show that supports the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, taking place from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at St. Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach. Information: (310) 372-0035 or saintrocke.com.
Friday the 20th
MUSIC
“Sounds of Summer Concert”: The North Torrance Youth Musicians Ensemble perform at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $10; $5. Information: (310) 720-7624 or go to ntyme.org.
“Printemps” is on view through Sunday in the Artists’ Studio Gallery, located in the Promenade on the Peninsula, Rolling Hills Estates. The show includes painters Jeanne Zaske (whose “Fantasy” is shown here) and George Chirinian, plus jeweler Nancy Comaford. (310) 265-2592 or artists-studio-pvac.com.
COURTESY OF JEANNE ZASKE
FILM
“American Graffiti”: This 1973 film by director George Lucas screens at 7 p.m. on the Redondo Beach Pier, 500 Fisherman’s Wharf, Redondo Beach. It’s free. Next Friday come back for “Frozen.” Information: RedondoPier.com.
“Laurel and Hardy Festival”: Silent and short sound films by the popular comedy duo are being screened at 8:15 on Friday and Saturday, with matinees at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Tickets, $10 general; $8 seniors, students. Information: (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
“Borgman”: A funny, but unsettling black comedy that explores the nature of evil in unexpected places, a cross between Haneke’s “Funny Games” and Renoir’s “Boudu Saved From Drowning.” Opens for one week at the Nuart Theatre, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Los Angeles. Information: (310) 473-8530 or go to LandmarkTheatres.com.
THEATER
“School House Rock”: Belasco Theatre Company brings it onstage Friday, and Saturday (and next Thursday) at 7:30, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., in the Hermosa Beach Playhouse, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Through June 19. Tickets, $17 general; $15 seniors and children under 12. Information: (310) 379-4208 or go to belasco.org.
“Mama Won’t Fly”: This road trip comedy, written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, opens Friday and plays through July 19 at Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro. This is the same trio that gave us “The Dixie Swim Club” and “The Hallelujah Girls.” Fridays and Saturdays at 8 (also Thursday, July 17), with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on July 6. Information: (310) 512-6030 or go to littlefishtheatre.org.
Saturday the 21st
MUSIC
Allant Trio: Pianist Hyo Kyoung Beth Nam, violinist Anna Jihyan Park, and cellist Alina Lin perform at 3:30 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church of Torrance, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Free; donations accepted. Information: (310) 316-5574 or go to PalosVerdes.com/ClasicalCrossroads/.
Long Beach Opera’s “The Difficulty of Crossing a Field,” by David Lang, with Mac Wellman’s libretto, opens Sunday. Also next weekend. Top: Mark Bringelson; bottom: Robin Buck. Tickets, $29 to $160. Call (562) 432-5934 or go to longbeachopera.org.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KEITH IAN POLAKOFF
ART
Malaga Cove Art Show: About 30 artists will show and sell their work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in the Malaga Cove Plaza, Palos Verdes Dr. W. at Via Chico, Palos Verdes Estates. Free. Information: Bernard Fallon: (310) 920-2184.
“Riders Unite”: South Bay Contemporary (in collaboration with Red Dress Events) presents an art show with artists who are skaters and surfers, donating their talents for “Save Our Oceans.” Three live bands perform from 2 until 5, and the opening reception then takes place from 5 to 9 p.m., at South Bay Contemporary, 550 Deep Valley Dr., #151, Rolling Hills Estates. Free. Through July 19. Information: (310) 429-0973 or go to southbaycontemporary.com.
LECTURE
“The Last Zero Fighter”: Author Dan King talks about the Japanese fighter plane that wreaked havoc in World War II, and he’ll do it on the tarmac at the Western Museum of Flight, located at Torrance Airport, 3315 Airport Dr., Torrance. Cost, free for museum members but $5 for everyone else. Information: (310) 326-9544 or go to wmof.com.
THEATER AUDITION
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”: St Francis Church in Palos Verdes Estates hold auditions for this youth production from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, with young adults ages 11 to 18 invited to try out. You do not need to be a church member, and there is no fee. The performances will be on August 8 and 9. Information: Call Jeannie Cobb at (310) 375-4617 ext. 228 or email jean.cobb@stfrancispv.org.
“Oliver!” hits the stage this Thursday through Saturday at Redondo Union High School. Tickets,
$25 general, or $20 for the young and the old. (310) 896-6459 or encoreentertainers.org.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ENCORE ENTERTAINERS
Sunday the 22nd
MUSIC
Mira Costa High School Jazz Band: The Manhattan Beach-sponsored Concerts in the Park summer music series gets underway at 5 p.m. in Polliwog Park. Information: (310) 802-5448.
Peninsula Symphony: Maestro Gary Berkson and his orchestra present an “Idyllic Evening,” with music by Beethoven, Mozart, and Dvorak, the latter’s “Cello Concerto in B minor” featuring Erick Chong. All this takes place at 7 p.m. in the Redondo Union High School Auditorium, 631 Vincent St., Redondo Beach. Free. Information: (310) 544-0320 or go to Pensym.org.
Tributo a las Divas Cubanas: Recognizing Cuban singers Celia Cruz, La Lupe, Celeste Mendoza, and Graciela, Yordamis performs at 4 and 6 p.m. at the Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. Tickets, MOLAA members: $35 reserved seating and $25 standing room only; non-members: $40 and $30. Information: (562) 437-1689 or go to molaa.org.
DANCE
“Art of Dance”: The Studio Art of Dance presents a concert featuring The Christy Curtis Dance Company, with whom we’ll journey back to the perilous 1970s. It takes place Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m., and then also on Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m., in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $18.50 to $24.50. Information: (310) 781-7171 or go to thestudioartofdance.com.
OPERA
“The Difficulty of Crossing a Field”: David Lang’s Opera/play/musical, with a libretto by Mac Wellman, is being reprised by Long Beach Opera in the Terrace Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, at 7 p.m. on Sunday, and also 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 29. The work is based on Ambrose Bierce’s short story about a farmer who walks across his field in full view of others and then vanishes (as Bierce himself did, sort of). Tickets, $29 to $160. Information: (562) 432-5934 or go to longbeachopera.org/tickets.
South Bay classic rock cover band Once More performs from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Bull Pen, 314 Ave. I, Redondo Beach. L-r, Aris, Mark, George, Molly, and Rod. See OneMoreRocks.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ONCE MORE
GARDEN PARTY
“Celebrate Wellness”: Cancer Support Community-Redondo Beach is back for its sumptuous annual fundraiser taking place Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the South Coast Botanic Gardens, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes. Many participating restaurants and wine merchants. Tickets, $140. Information: (310) 376-3550 or go to cancersupportredondobeach.org.
PLAY READINGS
“The Play’s the Thing”: Actors read from and/or act out scenes from “The Bickersons,” “Family 2.0,” “The Chocolate Affair,” “Controlling Interest,” “Quiet Torrential Sound,” and “Emotional Baggage.” Free. Taking place at 2 p.m. in the Joslyn Community Center, 1601 N. Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach.
SOCIALIZING
Tikkun Olam: Congregation Tikvat Jacob is offering an afternoon of entertainment, from 4 to 7 p.m., in an effort to support CTJ social action efforts. Refreshments, raffles, and a silent auction should entice us all. Where? 1829 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach. Suggested donation, $5. Information: (310) 546-3667.
Wednesday the 25th
DANCE
“Step by Step”: The Dance Center’s showcase features dancers from 3 to 17-years-old, performing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday (June 26) in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $20.50. Information: (310) 781-7171 or go to thedancecenteric.com.