Thursday, August 1
The world aglow
“Nature Illuminated” features the work of Lynnie Sterba, and it’s a colorful celebration of Nature. It opens tonight with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. in the real estate office at 403 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Through August 31. (310) 318-6858 or go to LynnieSterbaArt.com.
Time’s short for shorts
The Seventh Annual “Beach Shorts Film Fest” opens on August 17, but today’s the last day to submit short films, 6 to 10 minutes long, with surfing or beach lifestyles as the theme. Details at beachshortsfilmfest.com.
Friday, August 2
Before there was Judy
“Wizard of Oz,” this one being the 1925 silent version of the L. Frank Baum novel, screens at 8:30 tonight (Friday) and tomorrow, as well as tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. A young Oliver Hardy is also in this film, which is going to have live musical accompaniment by the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Pipe Organ. Tickets, $10 general; $8 seniors. (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
Flying frying pans
“Kitchen Witches,” by Caroline Smith, takes us behind the scenes in the world of television food shows, and it plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 in Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro. Midweek shows are Wed., Aug. 14, plus Thurs., Aug. 15 and 29, also at 8. There’s a Sunday matinee on Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. Through August 31. Call (310) 512-6030 or go to littlefishtheatre.org.
Soul survivors
“A Tribute to Motown,” one of the events in celebration of San Pedro’s 125th anniversary, takes place at 7:30 p.m. in the Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. Sixth St., San Pedro, and it features 5 Tempting Men (a Temptations tribute), the 3 Diamonds (a Supremes tribute), as well as Robert Gordy, Jr., sharing his Motown stories. Tickets, $35 general, $45 preferred seating, and $55 VIP, which includes the post-show reception. (310) 832-7272 or go to sanpedrochamber.com.
Make the right move
“Computer Chess” opens for one week at the Nuart Theatre, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Los Angeles. Set in 1982, it follows a convention of tech nerds with various mishaps in the hotel where they’re booked. Directed by Andrew Bujalski. (310) 281-8223 or go to LandmarkTheatres.com.
Tiny dancers
“mostly small work” continues this weekend, today and tomorrow from 12 noon to 6 p.m., at EGO Fine Art, 604 N. Francisca, Redondo Beach. The group show features such artists as Zach Vidal, Sena Peterson, and Allyson Jane. (310) 206-3756.
Saturday, August 3
Smells like chocolate
The Torrance Theatre Company presents “Willy Wonka” at 7:30 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Also 2 p.m. tomorrow. Same schedule next weekend. And then also at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 16, and Saturday, August 17. Tickets available by calling (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancetheatrecompany.com.
Money can’t buy me love
A book release party for “Triumphs and Tragedies: A True Story of Wealth and Addiction,” being the life of Karl B. McMillen, Jr., as told to Bill Hayes and Jennifer Thomas, starts at 1 and goes to 5 p.m. at 6490 Sea Cove Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes. Tacos, beer, book signings, and original work by Rob Waxman. To RSVP call (310) 984-9241 or e-mail info@finalwordpress.com.
His life writ large
Gregorio Luke returns to the Museum of Latin American Art to deliver his insightful “Murals Under the Stars” multimedia event, this one being “Diego Rivera: The Man and His Murals” (better than “… and his Morals,” which were questionable). Images projected life-size. Tickets for the 8 p.m. event are $30 or $20 general ($25; $15 members), and students can get in for $10. Where? 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach.
Sunday, August 4
Drink to this
Barley Legal plays surf music from 5 to 7 p.m. at Polliwog Park as part of the Concerts in the Park series. Next week it’s Hard Day Night’s Beatle tribute.
Wednesday, August 7
And headed for home
Little Fish Theatre presents “Rounding Third,” a lighthearted look at fatherhood and baseball by Richard Dresser, directed by Bert Pigg. The play stars Garrett Replogle and Brantley Black and it’s onstage tonight and tomorrow (Thursday), plus August 16 and 17, 21 and 22, at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, August 11 (after which the creative team will crawl out to answer questions). Located at 777 Centre St., San Pedro. (310) 512) 6030 or go to littlefishtheatre.org. ER
