South Bay Arts Calendar 4/10/15-4/15/15
“The Dixie Swim Club,” directed by Jack Messenger, opens Friday at 8 p.m. for two weekends at the Manhattan Beach Community Church Theater. Tickets, $20 general; $10 students and children. (800) 838-3006 or go to mbcctheater.com.
Friday, April 10
Get into the water
The Manhattan Beach Community Church Theater presents “The Dixie Swim Club” at 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, plus 2 p.m. on Saturday. Also next Friday, at 8, and Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., in the MBCC Theater, 303 S. Peck Road, Manhattan Beach. More at mbcctheater.com.
Sketches and skits
Local comedy troupe Jump Start Improv performs comedic songs and onstage vignettes at 8 p.m. in the Hermosa Beach Playhouse, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Tickets, $10 at the door; $5 children under 12. Call (310) 697-3674.
A farewell with music
The Chris Mello Memorial Jazz Festival, which celebrates the life of Christopher J. Mello, a former director of the El Camino College Guitar and Jazz Studies programs, takes place at 7 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Performances by Aaron Serfaty, jazz drums; Otomaro Ruiz, piano; Eliseo Borrero, bass; the El Camino College Jazz One Big Band directed by Alan Chan; and the Jazz Two Big Band, directed by David Sills. Tickets, $15. Call (310) 329-5345 or go to centerforthearts.org.
Shipping out
“Anchors Aweigh,” the musical comedy starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, screens at 8:15 on Friday and Saturday, plus 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Tickets, $10 general; $8 seniors. More at OldTownMusicHall.org.
Searching for treasure?
The Circle, a support group of the Palos Verdes Art Center, is holding its annual “estate” sale from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, this being a ticketed event ($20) that includes wine, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, and, best of all, first dibs on the cool stuff. The sale continues on Saturday, this one being free, but with all the bargains possibly already out the door. Anyway, tickets at the door or go to pvhomestour.org.
The Pastel Society of Southern California has some 150 paintings by local and national artists on view through May 9 at the South Bay Lexus Service Center, 24777 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. Call Lynn Attig at (310) 374-8309 or go to pastelsocal.com.
Saturday, April 11
Up the river once more
DSB is a high-energy Journey tribute band, those ‘70s big arena rockers that still have some of us “Believin’” as in “Don’t Stop…” They perform at 8 p.m. in the Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Tickets, $35 to $55. Call (310) 544-0403 or go to PalosVerdesPerformingArts.com.
Her spirit still inspires
“A Tribute to Misora Hibari,” presented by The Grateful Crane Ensemble, takes place at 2 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. The Japanese singer and actress is credited, through her voice and spirit, with giving hope and strength to Japanese and Japanese-Americans as they sought to rebuild their lives after WWII. The show tells her story and features her most well-known songs. Tickets, $30. Call (310) 995-5841.
Change of address for froggie
Beth Shibata reads from her new children’s book, “Billy the Bullfrog Finds a New Home” at 1 p.m. at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza del Amo, Torrance. The book has whimsical illustrations by Lisa Chakrabarti. Free, and – who knows? – maybe that’s Billy you’ll hear chirping in the distance. (310) 782-3989 or go to friendsofmadronamarsh.com.
“Anchors Aweigh,” the classical musical comedy with Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly, screens Friday through Sunday at the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo. Go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
Sunday, April 12
Operatic tragedy
Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” in which a court jester tries to protect his daughter from a heartless duke, is screened as part of the Opera Cinema Series at 2 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Led by music director Nicola Luisotti, this production stars Zelijko Lucic, Aleksandra Jurzak, and Francesco Demuro. Tickets, $17.50. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancearts.org.
If it ain’t baroque, fix it!
Flautist David Shostac and keyboardist Patricia Mabee, both of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, perform at 2 p.m. in the Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, 26438 Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
David Shostac, principal flautist of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, performs with keyboardist Patricia Mabee at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the Rolling Hills United Methodist Church. (310) 316-5574
Tuesday, April 14
The day Raphael died
Artful Days, the monthly free art lecture that takes place from 12:10 to 1 p.m. in the George Nakano Theatre, focuses on “After the High Renaissance” that took place after the death of the Divine Raphael and commenced the Baroque era at 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Call (310) 818-2326.
Dreaming large
Palos Verdes Peninsula High School presents the “Peninsula Choreo Concert” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (April 14-16) in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $13. Call (310) 781-7171.
Wednesday, April 15
Jeff Koons, watch out!
The Mira Costa 15th Annual All Media Art Show, showcasing artwork by students in grades 9 through 12, goes on view today with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 17, in the Manhattan Beach Art Center, 1560 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach. The student band Mantis Shrimp performs at the reception. Through April 23. Call (310) 802-5440 or go to citymb.info.
Mucho la Mancha
California State University Dominguez Hills celebrates the 400th anniversary of “Don Quixote,” by Miguel de Cervantes, with “The Quixote Festival,” Wednesday through Friday on campus at 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson. Tonight, Quixote music and dance concert, with a student showcase of posters and photography tonight through Friday, and with “Quixote” by playwright Octavio Solis performed April 17-18 and 24-26. Call (310) 243-3588 or go to cah.csudh.edu/.