Hotdogging
“The Producers” plays this weekend and next in Torrance (see Friday). Jon Sparks plays Roger DuBris. Photo by Kris Maine
Thursday, July 22
Jazz near the sea
The Perry Smith Quartet, with Smith on guitar, performs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse Café, 30 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. (310) 376-9833.
Easy on the pocketbook
Mark Shapiro and El Blamo play jazz at 6 p.m. at the Redondo Beach Pier. It’s part of the Summer of Music free concert series.
Coconut trees in the moonlight
Public Works Improvisational Theatre and Voice in the Well presents “Return to Tiki Island,” produced and hosted by Eric Vollmer, at 7:30 p.m. in the loft at Warszawa Restaurant, 1414 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica. Door donation and desserts for $7. Call (310) 277-0877.
Friday, July 23
Laughing Out Loud
The Aerospace Players present the 12-time Tony Award-winning musical hit “The Producers,” based on the 1968 film of the same name. Adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with music by Brooks and Glen Kelly, the musical comedy follows two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. Complications arise when the show unexpectedly turns out to be a hit. With a live orchestra. Where? The James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Performances today and tomorrow at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Also next Thursday through Saturday. Tickets, $22 for adults and $18 for seniors, military and students. The show contains adult themes. (310) 781-7171 or visit aeaclubs.org/theater.
Let’s worship music
Beach Cities Christian Fellowship hosts three bands on a night of free music, fun, food and fellowship, beginning at 7 p.m. at 730 11th Street, just off PCH behind Rocky Cola Café. More information at bccfonline.org.
Riding the wave
The Zoggs, a local surf band, plays tonight at Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy., Hermosa Beach, with Dave Gleason and Old Californio, plus Rich Mahan and the Cocktail Heroes. Tomorrow The Zoggs play Mira Costa’s 60th Anniversary Reunion. The Zoggs is an old school instrumental surf band with a punk pedigree. The band features two former Beach Reporter journalists, Steve Coulter and Garrison Frost.
Fine art, antiques shopping
Good news for a public that views antiques not only for their design beauty, quality and functionality, but as a smart investment in uncertain times and a stylish new way to go green. The 12th annual Redondo Beach Antiques Fair takes place today and tomorrow from noon to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., in the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, Aviation and Manhattan Beach boulevards. Porcelain, silver, sculpture, rare paintings, prints, antique and estate jewelry, art glass, pottery and other popular items are available. General admission, $10. Free parking. Visit artinternationalfair.com.
Classic film series
The 1945 mystery comedy, “The Thin Man Goes Home,” starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, screens tonight and tomorrow at 8:15 p.m., plus Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Tickets, $8. Call (310) 322-2592 or go to otmh.org.
Sixties musical sensation
The Negri Learning Center production of “Sweet Charity,” the Broadway musical comedy that features a book by Neil Simon, is being performed tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., in the Norris Theatre, 27570 Crossfield Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Tickets, $18 for youth and $25 for adults. (310) 544-0403 or go to norriscenter.com.
Down the rabbit hole
“Alice’s Looking Glass Wonder,” a family-fare musical based on the Lewis Carroll classic, features a book and lyrics by Terrin Adair, and music and lyrics by Garry Fritzen, and it’s being staged today and tomorrow at 7 p.m., plus Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m., in The Studio Stage at Santa Monica College, 19th and Pico. No late seating. Tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for children (3-12). Under three? You’re in free, buster! (310) 434-4319 or go to smc.edu/theatre.
Taking chances
The Experimental Artists, South Bay, are having a group exhibition from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Summer Studios, 2161 Lomita Blvd., Lomita. The studio is open to the public on the fourth Friday of each month. (310) 325-8801 or go to SummerStudios.net.
To the barricades!
Encore Entertainers is presenting “Les Misérables” tonight and tomorrow at 7:30, plus Sunday at 2 p.m., at Mira Costa High School, 1401 Artesia Blvd., Manhattan Beach. Summer Dey Cacciagioni directs, with music direction by Mike Walker. Also next weekend. Tickets, $16 in advance and $18 at the door ($14 for seniors and children 12 and under). Call (310) 896-6459 or go to encoreentertainers.org.
How many trombones?
The South Bay Conservatory’s Youth Musical Theatre Company presents “The Music Man, Jr,” directed by Debra Attridge, at 7 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, with a matinee on Sunday at 4 p.m., in the Torrance High School Auditorium, 2200 W. Carson St., Torrance. Tickets, $10 general, at the door. (310) 373-4149 or go to southbayconservatory.com.
Saturday, July 24
They’ll root canal you
Open Wide, an all-dentist rock band, drills you with their music from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Redondo Beach Pier. It’s free, and you’ve had a hard week, right? (310) 508-6161.
Aesthetics on wheels
“The Rise of Rad: The Influence of Skate Culture on Contemporary Art,” curated by Max Presneill, opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Torrance Art Museum, 3320 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. It features a ton of artists, such as Sandow Birk, Lia Halloran, Albert Oehlen, Thaddeus Strode, and Peter Zimmerman. More at torranceartmuseum.com.
The human chalkboard
Mickey Avalon signs autographs from 2 to 4 p.m. at the opening of Jack’s Surf Shop in Hermosa Beach.
Alice and Peter, who knew?
Boom Kat Dance Theatre and ETC-Ensemble Theatre Company present “NeverWonderLand” on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica. This is the coming of age prequel to “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan.” Alice and Peter are now brother and sister. Tickets, $20 general; $15 students; $10 kids under 12. Through Aug. 22. Call (800) 838-3006 or go to boomkatdance.org.
Sunday, July 25
Swinging, like Tarzan?
Beach Cities Swing performs from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Polliwog Park amphitheater, Manhattan Beach. The free concert is part of the Season of Concerts in the Park summer series. (310) 802-5417 or go to citymb.info.
Serenaded on Sunday
Country blues artists Teresa James and The Rhythm Tramps perform from 4 to 6 p.m. at Columbia Park, 4045 190th St., Torrance. Free. (310) 618-6342 or go to TorranceLive.us.
Not far from home
Jazz sensation and Palos Verdes resident David Benoit performs as part of the “Freedom for You” benefit concert, starting at 4 p.m. and taking place at the Terranea Hotel, 100 Terranea Way in Rancho Palos Verdes. He’ll be playing with Rick Braun, Jeff Kashiwa, Pat Kelley, and Tim Weisberg. Information and tickets at generationsinjazz.org.
Reproduced life-size
An all new “Murals Under the Stars,” presented by Gregorio Luke using special projectors, features over 30 murals, by the likes of Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros and Tamayo, takes place at 7 p.m. at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. Tickets, non-members $30; students, seniors $10. Call (562) 437-1689 or go to molaa.org.
Tuesday, July 27
And maybe a bullfight, too
“Artful Days: Next Stop Madrid, Spain” is a lecture from 12:10 to 1 p.m. in the George Nakano Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, and it visits the Prado and the Escorial Palace to see works by Picasso and Sorolla and others. Free. (310) 618-2326.
Wednesday, July 28
Your favorite things
Broadway in the Park is presenting its inaugural show, “The Sound of Music,” opening tonight at 7:30 (community pre-show at 7) and playing through Sunday at El Segundo Recreation Park, on the corner of Eucalyptus Drive and Grand Avenue. There’s more at esbroadway.com. ER