South Bay arts calendar 3/13 – 3/18

UPDATE: many of the events listed below have been cancelled (the performances at El Camino College, for example) and so if you are or were planning to attend any of them you should first verify with the organization or event coordinators. Thank you.
Friday, March 13

He’s a pinball wizard
Postponed: The musical “Tommy,” based on The Who’s rock album of the same name, opens at 8 p.m. in the Campus Theatre at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Bill Georges directs, with choreography by Liz Hoefner Adamis and musical direction by Anthony Moreno. Also Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 3 p.m. Same schedule for the next two weekends, closing on March 29. Tickets, $25 to $15. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.

A breeze is picking up
Los Angeles Wind Quintet performs at 8 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall of the Music Department at L.A. Harbor College, 1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington. The program includes music by Johann Strauss, Copland, Beethoven, Gershwin, Barber, and Mendelssohn, as well as Jennifer Higdon, Hedwige Chrétien, and Adam Schoenberg. The concert is repeated at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Pacific Unitarian Church, 5621 Montemalaga, Rancho Palos Verdes. Free admission and free parking. (310) 379-7055 or go to sbcms.net.

He’s not answering
Sarah Ruhl’s “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” is on stage at Little Fish Theatre, 777 S. Centre St, San Pedro. The play, mysterious and mesmerizing, explores the need for real life connection in a technologically obsessed world. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday March 22 at 2 p.m. Closes March 22. Tickets, $28 regular, $26 seniors, and $15 for those 25-and-under who can remember to say the word “Hipster.” (310) 512-6030 or go to littlefishtheatre.org.

Something to laugh about
“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” written by Christopher Durang and presented by the Kentwood Players, opens at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave, Westchester. A quiet weekend turns wild. Performances, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., through April 18. Tickets, $22, minus $2 for seniors, students, and servicemen. (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org.

French-Chinese chanteuse
Postponed: Jessica Fichot and her quartet present “Song Board” at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Fichot is a singer-songwriter who plays the accordion and toy piano and has recorded albums in French, Chinese, and English. See interview, this issue. Tickets, $26 general; $10 students. (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.

So that kids can enjoy music
Musical Miracles presents their “Magic of Music” concert at 7 p.m. at Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach. Performances by The Toys, Sydney Ranee, and Eric Krop. To raise funds in order to support music and art education for underserved children. Details at musicalmiracles.org.

Saturday, March 14

Reading their poetry
“Readings from Lummox 8” is taking place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in the second floor meeting room of the Redondo Beach Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. Hosted by Lummox publisher Raindog, seven local poets are scheduled to appear: Sharyl Collin, Kit Courter, Gil Hagen Hill, Elaine Mintzer, Linda Neal, Linda Singer, and Kevin Ridgeway. Each year the Lummox anthology gathers about 170 poems, the best poetry in the small and underground press. (310) 318-0675 or go to redondo.org/library.

A family’s transition, in dance
“Far from Home,” presented by Regina Klenjoski Dance, is performed at 8 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive Torrance. Choreographed by Klenjoski, the company’s artistic director, “Far from Home” weaves poetry, movement, film design, and an original score by Macedonian composer Toni Kitanovski into a story of a family’s journey of assimilation and cultural identity. Tickets, $30, $25, $20. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancearts.org. For more on the show, go to rkdc.org.

Acclaimed Czech violinist
Pavel Sporcl performs at 3 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church & School, 2900 W. Carson St, Torrance. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.

Cleary Irish Dance open house
With a big nod to St. Patrick’s Day, Cleary Irish Dance Studio, 4223 Emerald Ave, Torrance, is holding an open house from 9 to 10 a.m. Learn about the tradition of Irish step dancing as well as some basic steps of the Irish jig. More at clearyirishdance.com.

Showers, flowers, and art
“Spring” opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at Artlife Gallery, 720C South Allied Way, Plaza El Segundo, in El Segundo. This colorful group show runs through March. Refreshments and live music by David Carroll. (310) 938-2511.

Setting your palate aflame
The Torrance Firefighters Association presents its 48th annual Spaghetti Dinner from 4:30 to 8 p.m.in the Ken Miller Auditorium, 3341 Torrance Blvd, Torrance. All you eat, so build up a big appetite! Tickets, $7 adults and $5 for kids under eight. At the door. (310) 781-7000.

Music’s in her veins
Sarah Lee Guthrie performs original songs as well as tunes by Arlo and Woody and their peers at 8 p.m. in the Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St, San Pedro. Tickets, $32, $27, $22. Beer tasting: $16. From 5 to 5:45 p.m. she leads a workshop: “What Woody & Pete Had to Say: Life, Labor & Lyrics.” I guess then you’ll want a beer. (310) 833-4813 or go to grandvision.org.

Don’t forget to wear green
April’s Fools Comedy Improv presents “Short Form for the People” at 7:30 p.m. in the Second Story Theatre, 710 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach. Suggestions from the audience will provide laughs or maybe a few groans. Come see. Tickets, $10 general; $8 seniors. (310) 318-1705 or go to AprilsFoolsImprov.com.

Want to grace the stage?
Kentwood Players are holding auditions for the musical “Fun Home,” lyrics by Lisa Kron, music by Jeanine Tesori, and based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 6 to 9 p.m. in Sunday. Callbacks on Monday by appointment. The show will be staged from May 15 through June 20 at the Westchester Playhouse. Questions? Email FunHome@kentwoodplayers.org.

Sunday, March 15

Gorgeous setting, imaginative pictures
Postponed: Thirty-five artists found blindly selected unusual titles from fortune cookies and then were asked to interpret them for “Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?” an art show that premieres Sunday with a brunch at La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes Estates. Seatings at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Cost, $89 plus tax and fee. The show then moves to the Malaga Cove Library from March 18 to 30, with a free reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 28. For brunch reservations, contact karen@newyorkfood.com.

Intimate musical setting
Lois Bourgnon performs “The Birth of the Great American Songbook” at 5:30 p.m. in the Second Story Theatre, 710 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach. It’s being billed as the first of NewStuff’s “Sunday Spotlight” Cabaret Series, and features songs by Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, and George Gershwin. Music provided by Cayt’lin Wayt Marchael and the Steve Rawlins Trio, directed by Clifford Bell. Tickets, $45 in advance or $50 (cash only) at the door. Refreshments provided. Go to highstandards.brownpapertickets.com.

This flight’s still on schedule
“Across the Pond,” the upcoming concert by the 40-member Peninsula Symphonic Winds, takes place at 3 p.m. in the Salvation Army Chapel, 4233 Emerald St, Torrance. The program, conducted by Justin Raines, features work by John Phillip Sousa, Nigel Hess, Charles Ives, Leroy Anderson, Paul Tschesnokoff, Soren Hyldgaard, and others. Tickets, $10 general; free for children 12 and under. More details at pswinds.org.

Before social media
Please note: This performance has now been CANCELLED: La Mer Consort presents “Mostly Music from the Renaissance,” featuring madrigals by Morley, Easter Week music, including Byrd’s “Pange Lingua,” and an early suite by Handel, at 4 p.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Eleventh and Rowell, Manhattan Beach. Authentic instruments and almost authentic costumes! Freewill offering. Directed by Brenda Bittner (310) 378-8750.

Edgy but clean
The two-time Comedy Magician of the Year, Chipper Lowell, performs the gamut, from stand-up to stunts and magic, at 2 and 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $30, $25, $20. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancearts.org. For more on the Chipper go to chipper.tv.

Tuesday, March 17

Read it first or listen in
Senior librarian Erin Schoonover leads a discussion of “Ordinary Grace,” by William Kent Krueger, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. Free. (310) 318-0675 or go to redondo.org/library.

Wednesday, March 18

Criminal girls
A screening of “Ocean’s 8,” directed by Gary Ross, takes place at 10:30 a.m. in the Kitty Geissert Civic Center Library, 3301 Torrance Blvd, Torrance. It’s a heist thriller. Free. (310) 618-5959 or go to Library.TorranceCA.Gov. ER

Comments:

comments so far. Comments posted to EasyReaderNews.com may be reprinted in the Easy Reader print edition, which is published each Thursday.