Thursday, July 26

Wasn’t built in one day

It’s ‘80s night with When in Rome U.K., performing from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Redondo Beach Pier. It’s a free concert. The group’s 1988 single “The Promise” was featured in the film “Napoleon Dynamite.” More at RedondoPier.com.

Sorta like Elvis

The Aerospace Players are presenting “Bye Bye Birdie” tonight (8 p.m.) in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive,Torrance. Conrad Birdie is about to be inducted into the army! Oh, no! Also: Friday and Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2. Tickets, $24, $22. Call (310) 781-7171.

Minding their manners

“Two Gentleman of Verona” will give us our money’s worth and more (because it’s free) at 7 p.m. when they step onto the stage atValleyPark, tucked away at Valley and Gould,Hermosa Beach. Shakespearebythesea.org.

A people’s rebellion

Encore Entertainers presents “Les Misérables,” the award-winning musical, at 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow (Friday), as well as Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Warner Grand Theatre,434 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Tickets are $18 now and $20 at the door; $16 for seniors and children 12 and under. (310) 896-6459 or go to EncoreEntertainers.org.

Reaching the high notes

The free Summer Concert Series continues from 6 to 8 p.m. inLunadaBayPark, located atYarmouth RoadandPalos Verdes Dr. W.in Palos Verdes Estates. The Prima Divas perform a blend of Broadway, classical, and cabaret, sponsored by the Lunada Bay Homeowners Association. More at lbhoa.com.

Faith and culture

Daniel Pouesi grew up in an extended Samoan family and years ago began to question some of the long-cherished views of his father, a Samoan pastor. And thus we have “Akua,” a first novel (the title of which is a Malayo-Polynesian word meaning God). Pouesi presents a mini-seminar to launch his book tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at PIEAM (PacificIslanderEthnicArtsMuseum) inLong Beach. (310) 438-7314.

Friday, July 27

Keep strumming

“Balalaika,” the 1939 movie starring Nelson Eddy and Ilona Massey, screens at 8:15 p.m. tonight (Friday) and tomorrow, plus 2:30 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday, in theOldTownMusic Hall,140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Tickets, $8. Call (310) 322-2592 or go to oldtownmusichall.org.

Coming up from behind

“Dark Horse,” the latest from writer/director Todd Solondz (“Happiness,” “Welcome to the Dollhouse”) opens for one week at the Nuart Theatre,11272 Santa Monica Blvd., W.Los Angeles. It’s a portrait of a besieged man-child and his fractured family – and don’t we all want to be the dark horse that comes up from behind to win or place. Solondz will be present tonight and tomorrow for the 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. shows. (310) 281-8223 or go to LandmarkTheatres.com.

Saturday, July 28

Another star in the firmament

The 26th annual “Evening Under the Stars,” the gourmet food and wine festival that raises funds for the nonprofitTorranceMemorialMedicalCenter, is being hosted by American Honda on hisTorrancecampus. Saxophonist Kenny G will perform, and that’s worth something in itself. The coat-and-tie event goes from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and tickets are $125 for one or $200 for a pair. (310) 540-5858 or go to TorranceMemorial.org.

One hundred candles

The Centennial Photo Exhibition, opening today with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m., takes place in theCreativeArtsCenter,1560 Manhattan Beach Blvd., MB, and features historical photos contributed by members of the community – The Manhattan Beach Historical Society, the Manhattan Beach Older Adults Program, Jan Dennis, Robi Hutas, Chris Miller, the Beach Reporter, and the Hermosa Beach Historical Society. It’s on view through August 30. A walkthrough with MB historian Jan Dennis takes place at 2 p.m. on August 16. Call (310) 802-5440 or go to citymb.info.

And there’s a sunset, too

The Toy Bombs will play indie rock from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Redondo Beach Pier. For more on the free event go to RedondoPier.com.

A lively start to the day

The Gary Matsumoto Quartet, with Matsumoto on piano, performs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lighthouse Café, 30 Pier Plaza,Hermosa Beach. Free. (310) 376-9833.

Down to the bayou

The 19th Annual Long Beach Crawfish Festival takes place today from 12 noon to 11 p.m., and tomorrow (Sunday) from 12 noon to 10 p.m. Live entertainment mixes the best Cajun, Brazilian, Zydeco and New Orleans-style jazz and blues music. Saturday’s bands include Cedryl Ballou and the Zydeco Trendsetters, Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic, Bonne MusiqueZydeco, and the Royale Garden Dixieland Band. On Sunday: Waylon Thibodeaux, Lil’ Brian and the Zydeco Travelers, Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws, and Bennie and the Swamp Gators. Takes place at the Rainbow Lagoon,400-403 Shoreline Village Drive,Long Beach. Tickets, $13 presale and $15 onsite for general. If you want the crawfish meals it’s $25 and $35 or (for the craw bucket feast) $30 and $40. More at longbeachcrawfishfestival.com.

Sunday, July 29

Skate with a buddy

Thin Ice plays classic rock and blues from 5 to 7 p.m. atPolliwogPark,1601Manhattan Beach Blvd.,MB.

Surf, sand, sound

The LA Car Guy Hermosa Summer Concert Series, courtesy of Saint Rocke, kicks off with featured artist Nikka Costa, along with the Clayton Joseph Scott Band, performing funk and soul, at 5 p.m. beside the Hermosa Beach Pier. More at hermosasummerconcerts.com.

Eat well for art

The Associates, one of the support groups for thePalosVerdesArtCenter, presents “Celebrate Chefs & Cellars,” an epicurean journey to benefit the art center, and it takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at an elegant ocean-view residence in Palos Verdes Estates. Some 30 restaurants and wineries are participating. Cost, $125 per person. (310) 791-1890 or go to celebratchefs.com.

Murals under the stars

It’s a new series being presented byGregorio Lukeand theMuseumofLatin American Art,628 Alamitos Ave.,Long Beach, with tonight’s show taking place at 8 p.m. and focusing on the life and career of Frida Kahlo. Of special interest is a short film by Manuel Alvarez Bravo, which is the only known color film of Frida and her husband, DiegoRiviera. Tickets, $30 and $20 for non-members; $25 and $15 for members. Students have to fork out just $10. Next week: Miguel Covarrubias. (562) 437-1689 or go to molaa.org.

Monday, July 30

Surfin’ safari

The Imposters present “Somewhat Slightly Dazed,” a weekly series of historic surf and skate projections Mondays through August 20 at the Kiwanis Club inValleyPark,Hermosa Beach. Doors at 7:30; show from 8 to 10 p.m. Tonight it’s Documentary Night, with audio; no live music. Admission, one buck.

Tuesday, July 31

Masterful precedents

Artful Days, the monthly art talk that is taking place today from 12:10 to 1 p.m., highlights “Artists who Laid the Groundwork for Leonardo and Michelangelo,” focusing on Giotto di Bondone and Duccio di Buoninsegna, two Renaissance figures. Free. (310) 618-2326.

Wednesday, August 1

Quirky and fun

Bad Haggis plays electric Celtic at 7 p.m. in Farnham Martin’s Park, next to the Malaga Cove Library in Palos Verdes Estates.

Famous faces

Artlife Gallery presents “Rosalind Williams: Solo Exhibit,” opening with a reception from 6 to 10 p.m. at ArtLife Gallery, 720 B Allied Way, Plaza El Segundo, in El Segundo. It’s a one-evening show, with Williams’ portraits of stars like Whitney Houston, Prince, and Nat King Cole. (310) 938-2511. ER