Thursday, September 26
Art folks
The Associates is one of two support groups for the Palos Verdes Art Center and they’re inviting prospective new members to their 6 p.m. meeting today. Just show up. They meet the fourth Thursday of each month. Food and beverages, and then at 7 p.m. fashion entrepreneur Claudia Grau will talk about how she founded one of the pioneering designer stores on then sleepy Melrose Avenue. (310) 541-2479 or go to pvartcenter.org.
Plant food
“Little Shop of Horrors” is onstage at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester, through Oct 19. Performances, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets, $23 general, less $2 for seniors, students, servicemen. (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org.
Eroticism and wit
Complicite, from London, and Japanese performers from Setagaya Public Theater present “Shun-kin,” directed by Simon McBurney, tonight through Sunday afternoon in UCLA’s Freud Playhouse in MacGowan Hall. Based on the writings of novelist Junichiro Tanizaki. Tickets, $50 to $85. Call (310) 825-2101 or go to ucla.edu.
Friday, September 27
Space oddities
The Squirm Burpee Circus performs vaudeville entertainment, from slapstick to chainsaw juggling, along with the Ladder of Love, the Human Cannonball, and the Baron’s Magic Hour. The fun begins at 8 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $30. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancearts.org.
Fractured fairy tale
“Here Comes Cinderella!” is a new comedy courtesy of The Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, and it’s playing Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm. through Oct. 19, with Sunday matinees this week plus Oct. 6, 13, and 20, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 general and $5 for kids under 12. Call (562) 433-3363 or go to foundtheatre.org.
Exposed at last
“We Are What We Are” is an unconventional horror thriller about a seemingly wholesome family whose secrets untangle when a flood ransacks their town. It opens for one week at the Nuart Theatre, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. Director Jim Mickle appears in person Saturday after the prime show for a Q&A, and to introduce the late show. (310) 281-8223 or go to LandmarkTheatres.com.
Saturday, September 28
New digs
Artlife Gallery is having a grand opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. for its new venue at 1217 S. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. Wine, light hors d’oeuvres, live music, and all that’s missing is you. (310) 938-2511 or go to artlifesouthbay.com.
What they do best
The “Torrance Employee Variety Show,” an evening of homegrown entertainment and humor with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society, takes place at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $15. Call (310) 781-7171.
Move it out
Sculptor Edie Pfeifer is having a studio clearance sale from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the back room of Gallery 608 North, located at 608 N. Francisca Ave., Redondo Beach. (310) 376-7671 or go to ediepfeifer.com.
Goin’ out of my head
They had the hits! Little Anthony and The Imperials (“Hurt So Bad,” “Tears On My Pillow”), with Lou Christie (“Lightning Strikes”), perform at 8 p.m. in the Cerritos Center, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Tickets, $80 to $45. Call (562) 467-8818 or go to cerritoscenter.com.
The border moves north
The “Baja Splash Cultural Festival,” in celebration of National Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day, takes place today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. Music, dance, and various programs highlighting the cultures of Mexico, Salvador, Guatemala, etc. With general admission. (562) 590-3100 or go to aquariumofpacific.org.
Influences
“Face to Face: Flanders, Florence, and Renaissance Painting” goes on view at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. This major exhibition reveals how Flemish artists helped make the beautiful works of the Italian Renaissance possible. Through Jan. 13. Call (626) 405-2100 or go to Huntington.org.
Pulling an all-nighter
“The Rest is Noise: A Carousel Ride through 20th Century Music” is a classical music art installation presented by Jacaranda Music that premieres at Santa Monica’s Glow, the all night cultural experience, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., that takes place at the Santa Monica Pier. Jacaranda produces eight cutting edge concerts a year with the best current and rising stars in classical music. Free. For information on “Glow,” go to glowsantamonica.org.
Tuesday, October 1
Spirit matters
Artful Days, the once-a-month free lecture, takes place from 12:10 to 1 p.m. in the George Nakano Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Today’s talk seeks to uncover life within the civilizations of the Mayans and the Aztecs. (310) 818-2326.
Funny for a cause
The 11th annual “Girls Night Out” fundraiser sponsored by the Cancer Support Community – Redondo Beach takes place starting at 5:30 p.m. in The Comedy & Magic Club, 1018 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach. Silent auction, dinner, live auction, comedians, a raffle… Tickets, $95. Call (310) 376-3550 or go to cancersupportredondobeach.org.
Photographic vision
“Abelardo Morell: the Universe Next Door,” featuring the work of the Cuban-born photographer, opens along with “At the Window: The Photographer’s View,” at the J. Paul Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. The latter show includes work by Sebastão Salgado, Gregory Crewdson, Robert Frank, and others. Through Jan. 5. Call (310) 440-7300 or go to getty.edu.
Einstein takes a swim
In partnership with LA Opera Speakers Bureau, the Redondo Beach Public Library presents LA Opera Talks from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the mail library at 303 Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach. Bob Bernard discusses the rare revival of Robert Wilson and Philip Glass’s opera “Einstein on the Beach.” Free, with refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library, second floor. Free parking below the library.
