Thursday, May 19
Pure voice
Red Harmony, an a cappella choir, performs from 6 to 8 p.m. as part of the “Tunes at TAM,” in the Torrance Art Museum, 3320 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Suggested donation is $20. Call (310) 376-5577.
Friday, May 20
A taste of tomorrow
The Beach Cities Symphony, conducted by Barry Brisk, performs at 8:15 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium on the campus of El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Featured are the 2016 winners of the Artists of the Future Concerto Competition (pianists Sara Jade Anderson and April Lee, plus violinists Kevin Chen and Robert Hu), soloing in works by, respectively, Chopin, Beethoven, Sarasate, and Paganini). The free concert begins with a lecture at 7:30 by the conductor. Onsite parking is $3. Call (310) 379-9725 or go to BeachCitiesSymphony.org.
Of waves gone by
William Finnegan, author of “Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life,” which won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, visits {Pages} at 7 p.m. to promote the paperback edition of his book. RSVPs are advised and the purchase of the book is the price of admission. Where? 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. (310) 318-0900 or go to pagesabookstore.com.
Marching on
The United States 300th Army Band performs at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. as the City of Torrance celebrates their 57th Annual Armed Forces Day. The free performances are held in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, but seats are limited and admission requires tickets (limit four per adult), available at the box office. (310) 781-7171.
On the town in old town
Starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin, “On the Town” screens at 8:15 on Friday and Saturday as well as Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Tickets, $10 general; $8 seniors, students. (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
Saturday, May 21
Tales to tell
The second edition of the South Bay Stories Show takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in the Second Story Theatre, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Directed by Tony Torrisi and produced by Jim Mueller, the first show took place in October and was a big hit. This one features nine people, each one with a personal story that he or she will share with the audience. Tickets, $19, available at buytickets.at/dmscreenplay or through email: SouthBayStories@gmail.com.
In the Brazilian tradition
Guitarist Roberto Montero spotlights works from the bossa nova and samba craze of the 1960s as well as the early 1900s choro tradition at 2 p.m. in the Friends of the Library room of the El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave. (at Main St.) in El Segundo. Free. (310) 524-2728.
For the eyes and ears
Flautist Yoon-Hee Jung and harpist Ko Ni Choi bill themselves as duoKYaria, and they perform works by Gossec, Ibert, Piazzolla, Chaminade, Gluck, Farr, and Borne at 3 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
Easy on the eyes
“Keeping it Light,” with artwork by Deborah Giese, Linda Thompson, and Pat Hinz, has its opening reception from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Promenade Gallery, 550 Deep Valley Road #159, Rolling Hills Estates. (310) 265-2592 or go to artists-studio-pvac.com.
Spellbound
The youth of St. Francis Episcopal Church perform the Tony Award-winning musical “Godspell,” based on the Gospel of Matthew, on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 pm. at the church, 2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates. The fully staged performances are directed by Dr. Jeannie Cobb, with the assistance of Dr. Hyunju Hwang, organist, and members of the adult choir. Tickets, $5 in advance or at the door. (310) 375-4617 or go to stfrancispalosverdes.org.
Youth orchestral groups
The “NTYME Spring Concert,” presented by the North Torrance Youth Musicians Ensemble, takes place at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Lots of youth orchestral music for your enjoyment. Tickets, $10; $5. Call (310) 720-7624.
Sunday, May 22
A step back in time
Imagine Louis Armstrong jamming with Bob Dylan and Fats Waller on a front porch in 1938. That’s the Dustbowl Revival, and they’re performing New Orleans swing and brass band traditions with bluegrass, jug-band, gospel and swamp-blues at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Admission, $20. Call (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
Nimble fingers
Piano students of all ages compete in the Japan Musicians Association of California’s “Piano Festival 2016” from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Free. Learn more by emailing miekun-la-la-la@hotmail.com.
Talent and whimsy
Violinist Jim Sitterly presents “How to Cook an Egg” at 3 p.m. in the Department of Music’s Miller Recital Hall on the campus of L.A. Harbor College, 1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington. It’s free, and undoubtedly unique.
Wednesday, May 25
Pitching new books
Representatives from Penguin, Random House, Harper Collins and Hachette talk about upcoming releases at 7 p.m. in {Pages}, 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. The store’s Patty Gibson reviews her personal picks. Items to be raffled, giveaways, refreshments. RSVPs encouraged. (310) 318-0900 or go to pagesabookstore.com.
Surviving the blast
“Wings of Peace: Sadako’s ‘Omoiyari’ Spirit” is a lecture presented by the Japanese Educational Resource Center, and it takes place at 6:30 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Sadako Sasaki was a girl exposed to high levels of radiation from the Hiroshima atomic bomb, and she believed that “a person’s wishes will be granted if one folds 1,000 paper cranes.” From her hospital bed she folded 1,500, hoping for her family’s recovery. Tickets, $60 ($55 if purchased online by May 20). Call (310) 373-4888 or go to orizuru2015.com.
