Hot Dogging 1/8-1/16
“The Road to Utopia,” the 1946 picture starring Bing Crobsy, Dorothy Lamour, and Bob Hope, screens at 8:15 tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, plus 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo Admission, $10 general; $8 seniors. (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org
Saturday, January 8
Music you experience
The Torrance Art Museum (TAM) hosts the opening reception of REVERB! the effect from a source of sound on the world around it. This exhibition combines the work of visual and sound artists to explore the role of music in contemporary art. 6 – 9 p.m. The reception is free to the public and no RSVP is necessary. The exhibition will be on view from Tuesday, January 21 – Saturday, March 8, 2014. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Joslyn Center, Torrance City Hall.
Texting? It’s a good thing that little son of a gun isn’t behind the wheel! “Becky’s New Car” opens tomorrow (Friday) at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Steven Dietz wrote it, and Susan Stangl is directing. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets, $18, less $2 for seniors, students, servicemen. Closes Feb. 15. Pictured, l-r, Bob Grochau, Cherry Norris, and Jaymie Bellous. Photo by Shari Barrett. (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org
Thursday, January 9
Music you can hear
Musicians are invited to play together informally during a jam session at 7 p.m. at Artlife Gallery, 1217 S. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. Free. (310) 938-2511 or go to artlifesouthbay.com
Friday, January 10
How she did it
Multiple Emmy Award-winning national correspondent Hattie Kauffman signs her book, “Falling into Place: A Memoir of Overcoming,” from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 1800 Rosecrans Ave., Bldg. B, Manhattan Beach. Information about the book is at hattiekauffman.com.
“The Still Wild West” is a series of pastels by Lynn Folse Attig that honor the beauty and traditions of California ranch life, and they go on view Saturday with a reception from 5 to 9 p.m. at 608 North, the art gallery located at 608 N. Francisca Ave., Redondo Beach. The work is up through Jan. 26 and the hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Pictured, “Ranch Hands.” (310) 376-5777 or go to 608north.com
Choreographic vandalism
“Breaking Through,” presented by the West High Dance Department, takes place at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Beginning, intermediate, and advanced students perform in their winter dance concert. Tickets, $8. Call (310) 781-7171.
Saturday, January 11
Your wish is her command
Poet, dancer, photographer, columnist (for the Gardena Valley News) Genie Nakano dances to the shamisen accompaniment of Joseph Kamiya and signs her book of haibun poetry, “Entering the Stream,” from 5 to 7 p.m. at Harmony Works, 1911 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach. (310) 791-7104 or go to harmony-works.com.
Guitarist Roberto Montero performs original music, as well as Brazilian and American standards, at 5 p.m. on Saturday in the HYPERIUMconservatory Recital Room, 655 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 120, Rolling Hills Estates. Suggested donation, $20. Limited seating. RSVP by calling (310) 378-1078 or by email to info@HYPERIUMmusic.com
What it became
The finissage (public unveiling) for “Sting” at the El Segundo Museum of Art takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 208 Main St., El Segundo. We will be able to see what Mauricio Abad, Fidel García, Celia & Yunior, and Dennis Valdés have done with the raw materials they started out with a few weeks ago. (424) 277-1020 or go to ESMoA.org.
Plucking those strings
Classical guitarist Ines Thomé performs at 2 p.m. in the Peninsula Center Library, 701 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates. No charge. (310) 377-9584 ext. 601 or go to pvld.org.
Sunday, January 12
Now tap those toes
The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club meets from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Knights of Columbus Hall, 214 Avenue “I” in Redondo Beach. The Hyperion Outfall Serenaders (the official band of Manhattan Beach) performs. Admission, $9 general and $7 members. Visiting musicians who attend to play additional “sets” get in free. (310) 376-2591.
“Tapestries of Style,” featuring ceramicist Jan Napolitan, painter Don Crocker, and painter Jody Wiggins, opens with a reception from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday at The Artists’ Studio Gallery, Suite 159, in the Promenade in the Peninsula, 560 Deep Valley Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Demonstrations and/or talks by the artists (Wiggins on Jan. 18, Crocker on Jan. 25, and Napolitan on Feb. 1) go from 2 to 4 p.m.). Pictured, Crocker’s “Sunset Majesty.” (310) 265-2592 or go to artists-studio-pvac.com
They’ve got the right name
The Schumann Duo, being pianists Elizabeth and Sonya Schumann, perform Romantic Era works by their namesake Robert Schumann, transcribed for piano four-hands by his virtuoso pianist wife Clara and their friend Johannes Brahms. The free concert takes place at 2 p.m. in the Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, 26438 Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates. (310) 316-5574.
At the top of these stairs…
Artwork by Jean Stephenson goes on view today and will be up through Feb. 24 in the Upstairs Gallery of the Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Dr., Rolling Hills Estates. The artist is known for her whimsical fantasy sculptures, while her paintings include figurative, abstract, mixed media and realist modes. Open during shows and box office business hours. (310) 544-0403 or go to norriscenter.com.
“Liza & Judy: Together Again” is a Broadway-style revue, with Liza Minnelli and her mother Judy Garland portrayed by Suzanne Goulet and Denise Rose. Their show recreates the experience of a live concert, accompanied by with the Cabaret Dancers. It takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday in the Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Tickets, $45 general; $25 children. (310) 544-0403 or go to norriscenter.com.
Stranger than fiction
“Super Science Sunday,” sponsored by ExxonMobil, introduces kids to the magic of science. It all comes together at 2 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $9.50. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancearts.org.
The classics done right
Standard Mel, backed by L.A. musicians, performs at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion, 501 Indian Peak Road, Rolling Hills Estates. The cabaret-like jazz performances are in the style of Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, and mixes in the likes of more recent artists like Jill Scott, John Legend, and Martin Sexton. Catered gourmet meal, full no-host bar, dance floor, and two sets of jazz. Tickets, $68 for the brunch show and $70 for the dinner show. (310) 544-0403 or go to norriscenter.com.
Debbie Marr, a significant artist, curator, and gallery owner (Lazy Dog Studio in San Pedro), passed away on January 3, and her presence will be sorely missed by her colleagues, friends, and admirers. She was hardworking, kind, and enthusiastic – a role model for many of us. Photo
Ellington elegy
Preparing for its presentation of Duke Ellington’s “Queenie Pie” (a blend of opera, jazz, and musical theater, which will be staged from Jan. 26 to Feb. 2 in San Pedro’s Warner Grand Theatre), Long Beach Opera and the Museum of African American Art will host “Duke and the Renaissance” from 2 to 5 p.m. at MAAA, 4005 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. “Queenie Pie” cast members and a jazz trio to be among the musical fare. Tickets, $25. Call (562) 432-5934 or go to longbeachopera.org/tickets.
Craig Antrim, with “Sonata 14,” left, and “Sonata 9,” right, is among the artists featured in “Peace Be With You,” on view through January 25 at The Loft, 401 S. Mesa St., third fl., San Pedro. Photo by Gloria Plascencia. (310) 831-5757 or go to sanpedroartloft.com
Wednesday, January 15
Soulful sounds
The Clancy/Fabus Quintet, with Brian Clancy and Jason Fabus on sax, Matt Politano on piano, Wesley Anderson on drums, and Cooper Appelt on bass, performs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lighthouse Café, 30 Pier Plaza, Hermosa Beach. Free. (310) 376-9833.
Barry McGovern stars in “I’ll Go On,” by Samuel Beckett, based on three of his novels, “Molloy,” “Malone Dies,” and “The Unnamable.” The one-man tour-de-force opens on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in the Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Tickets, $20 to $55. Call (213) 628-2772 or go to CenterTheatreGroup.org
Thursday, January 16
Nothing like Pinocchio
Puppeteer Ronnie Burkett brings “Penny Plain” to the Little Theatre in Macgowan Hall on the UCLA campus, tonight (Thursday, Jan. 16) through Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 7 p.m. Penny’s sitting at home, listening to the news: “Her end-of-days vigil is interrupted by survivalists, a serial killer, a cross-dressing banker, talking dogs and mysterious strangers, all seeking sanctuary.” Children under the age of 14 will not be admitted. Tickets, $45. Call (310) 825-2101 or go to cap.ucla.edu.