Thursday, May 14
Tenors, anyone?
The El Camino College Opera Workshop, directed by Vicki Muto, showcases aspiring opera singers as they run through Mascagni, Mozart, Bellini, Sondheim and others at 6 and 8 p.m. in the Campus Theatre, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Tickets, $10. Call (310) 329-5345 or go to centerforthearts.org.
Put your shorts back on
Submissions are now being taken for the Ninth Annual “Beach Shorts Film Fest,” hosted by Barry Hatchett. The surfing and beach lifestyles-oriented event takes place on August 15 in Hermosa Beach, but films 6 to 10 minutes in length are accepted through August 1. For more details, go to beachshortsfilmfest.com.
Friday, May 15
Brazil bound
Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour star in “Road to Rio,” screening Friday and Saturday at 8:15, plus Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Tickets, $10 general; $8 seniors. More at OldTownMusicHall.org.
Keeping you safe
Hosted by the Torrance Police Department, The City of Torrance presents its “56th Annual Armed Forces Day Concert,” with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, performing at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Free, but tickets required, and they’re being passed out right now (four per adult). Call (310) 781-7171.
Pedal power
Presented by the Kentwood Players, Amy Herzog’s “4000 Miles” opens at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles. Directed by Gail Bernardi, it’s about what happens when 21-year-old cyclist Leo seeks solace from his 91-year-old grandmother in her spacious rent-controlled NYC apartment that hasn’t been redecorated since 1968. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 2 p.m. through June 20. Tickets, $20 general, less $2 students, seniors, and military personnel. Call (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org.
Saturday, May 16
Mira Costa musicians
“Costapalooza,” comprised of Mira Costa High School grads who have embarked on careers in the music biz, takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach. Includes Kara Lingman, Lose Control, Latch Key Kid, Chloe Caroline, plus Connor Caine and Friends. Benefits the Alumni Association’s mentoring and scholarship programs. Tickets, $20, at the door. More at MiraCostaAlumni.com.
Far Eastern enchantment
“Musica Primavera,” a fundraiser for Mu Phi Epsilon Palos Verdes / South Bay Chapter, takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at a home in Rolling Hills Estates. “Asian Fusion” is this year’s theme, with music and food from Asia, primarily Japan, Korea, and China. Music performed by Yoko Awaya on the Japanese koto, Christine Yu on the Chinese zither, and soprano Shirley Ho will sing Chinese folk songs. Admission, $60, includes food and wine tasting. Call David Champion or go to muphiepsilon.org/palosverdes.
Artist of the month
Destination: Art is featuring the work of Rosemary Bandes, and there’s a reception for her from 5 to 8 p.m. in the gallery at 1815 W. 213th St. #135, Torrance. Music, refreshments, and a silent auction. Information, call Margaret Lindsey at (310) 540-0724.
From northern climes
Norwegian-born cellist Hans Kristian Goldstein, with pianist Izumi Kashiwagi Eskine, performs music by J.S. Bach and Franz Schubert at 3:30 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Free; donations appreciated. Call (310) 316-5574 or go to palosverdes.com/classical crossroads/.
Trippy
Paramount’s Original LaserSpectacular, featuring the Music of Pink Floyd, takes place at 8 p.m. in the Carpenter Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., on the Cal State Long Beach campus. More lasers every year. Music from the “Dark Side of the Moon” is played for the first half of the show; the second half is a best-of compilation that includes songs from “The Wall.” Tickets start at $35. Call (562) 985-7000 or go to CarpenterArts.org.
Calling all actors
Kentwood Players is holding auditions for Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 7 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, with callbacks on Monday at 7 p.m. Directed by Valerie Ruel, the play will run from July 10 to August 15 at the Westchester Playhouse. For answers to questions, email brightonbeach@kentwoodplayers.org.
Sunday, May 17
Island culture past and present
The Okinawa Association of America presents its 19th “Utayabira Wuduyabira (Let’s Sing, Let’s Dance) Okinawan Performing Arts Concert” at 2 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. The event showcases traditional, modern, and contemporary dance and music from Okinawa. Tickets, $20. Call (310) 532-1929 or go to oaamensore.org.
An illuminated reading
Jessica Collaço reads from “Firenze’s Light,” her crowd-funded children’s book about a firefly who does not like her light, at 11 a.m. at {pages} a bookstore, 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. Singing songs and signing books as well. Perfect for families with readers two to eight years old. Call (310) 318-0900 or go to pagesabookstore.com.
Monday, May 18
Blow it out
The South Bay Band Boosters are presenting the “South High School Spring Concert,” with performances by the school’s Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Bands, at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $10. Call (310) 533-4352.
