South Bay Arts Calendar 4/17/15-4/20/15
“Grand Canyon North Rim,” by Joy Gonzalez, is among the works in “Vive la Différence,” on view at The Artists’ Studio Gallery, located in the Promenade on the Peninsula, 550 Deep Valley Drive, #159, Rolling Hills Estates. Reception on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Closes May 3 (closing reception from 2 to 5 p.m.). Call (310) 265-2592 or go to artists-studio-pvac.com.
Friday, April 17
Seeing the world
The 2015 Universe Multicultural Film Festival opens today and through Sunday screens 57 short films from 24 countries, 18 feature films from 10 countries, with 12 screenplays from five countries. It takes place in three close-together venues, the RHC Community Center, 735 Silver Spur Road; Promenade on the Peninsula, 550 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 101; and the Peninsula Center Library, 701 Silver Spur Road, all in Rolling Hills Estates. The event is organized by Maeya Cultural Exchange Group LLC. Admission, $5 to $10. For all details go to umfilms.org. Tickets info, 2015umff.eventbrite.com.
Grammy-nominated singer
Perla Batalla, whose praised recordings include a disc of Leonard Cohen compositions, performs “Songs and Sundries Variety Hour… (And a Half)” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the George Nakano Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Jazz, Latin, folk, comedy, and storytelling is all part of her repertoire. Tickets, $33. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to perla.com or torrancearts.org.
“In My Life – A Musical Tribute to The Beatles” takes place at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. It stars, l-r, Nate Bott as John, Axel Clarke as Ringo, Chris Paul Overall as Paul, and Jesse Wilder as George. Tickets, $20 to $40. Call (800) 595-4849.
Before real life sets in
The Palos Verdes High School Drama Department presents “High School Musical” in the multipurpose room of Palos Verdes High School, 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates. Tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m., plus Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Next week: April 23-25 at 7 p.m. and April 25-26 at 2 p.m. Tickets, $15 adults, $12 students, and $20 for premium tickets that include a light snack and beverage. (310) 378-8471 ext. 237, or go to pvhsdrama.com.
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, in the MBCC Theater, 303 S. Peck Road, Manhattan Beach. More at mbcctheater.com.
The PADA Group, South Bay fine-art photographers, are featured in “Let’s Get Small, Small Works of the PV Art Center PADA Group.” The show’s opening reception takes place on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Frame And Art Department, 950 Aviation Blvd, Hermosa Beach. Through May 2. Call (310) 374-6900.
Jeff Koons, watch out!
The Mira Costa 15th Annual All Media Art Show, showcasing artwork by students in grades 9 through 12, has its opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Manhattan Beach Art Center, 1560 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach. The student band Mantis Shrimp is tuning up as we speak. Through April 23. Call (310) 802-5440 or go to citymb.info.
What money will buy
“Behind the Gates,” a tour of three stunning homes in the gated city of Rolling Hills, is presented by The Circle, a support group of the PV Art Center, and it takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Saturday. Tickets, $50 pre-sale and $55 on the day of the tour, include a shuttle to the homes and catered lunch at the art center, from which the shuttles well leave. It’s located at 5504 W. Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. Go to pvhomestour.org.
School’s out, now what?
The Spring Splendor Art Event, a charitable event that benefits the Salvation Army’s After School Programs, takes place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. in the Torrance Art Museum, 3320 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Several artists, such as Alexey Steele and Thomas Redfield,in addition to those in the current exhibition, will have their works on view. Tickets, $149. More at saspringsplendor.com.
Art as it happens
Featuring local artists, “Art at Plaza Riviera” takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. at 1611 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach. Organized by Artlife Gallery, the free event (with free parking under the building) gives us a chance to meet the artists. Information, Artlife director Vanesa Andrade at (310) 938-2511.
“Bye Bye Birdie” is an The Elvis Presley-like romantic musical comedy “Bye Bye Birdie” opens Saturday at 8 p.m. for three weekends at El Camino College in Torrance. Tickets, $25 general; $18 students and seniors. Pictured, l-r, Price T Morgan, Emily Sitchler, and Kyle Cook. Call (310) 832-ARTS.
Saturday, April 18
Early rock and roll
“Bye Bye Birdie” is an Elvis Presley-like romantic musical comedy, and it plays at 8 p.m. tonight and 3 p.m. tomorrow, as well as April 24 and 25, and May 1 and 2, at 8 p.m., plus 3 p.m. on April 26 and May 3, at El Camino College, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. Tickets, $25 general; $18 children 5-12. (310) 329-5345 or go to centerforthearts.org.
Funny Ladies
“The Real Housewives of Manhattan Beach Comedy Tour” takes place at 8 p.m. (doors open at 6) in the Hermosa Kiwanis Club, 2515 Valley Dr., Hermosa Beach. Tickets, $35, include an all-you-can-eat buffet-style dinner by El Gringo, which is served from 6:30 to 8:30. Comedians include Ricky Tran, Zoe Rogers, Adam Barnhardt, and the headliner Tiffany Haddish from Millionaire Matchmaker, Laugh Factory, etc. Proceeds benefit the Grand View PTA. Go to m.bpt.me/event/1284712.
The artists’ reception for The Mira Costa 15th Annual All Media Art Show takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Manhattan Beach Art Center, 1560 Manhattan Beach Blvd., MB. Through April 23. Call (310) 802-5440 or go to citymb.info.
I put a spell on you
Amanda Yates Garcia, “the Oracle of Los Angeles,” lectures about living life as a witch from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in ESMoA, 209 Main St., El Segundo. Additionally, Yates Garcia, who is also a multi-media artist, writer, and oracle, will conduct a manifestation ritual in honor of the new moon and the rejuvenating potential of springtime. The event is in connection with “Spark,” ESMoA’s current exhibition.
Heart… and soul
The Alma Quartet (Eduardo Rios, Madeleine Vaillancourt, violins; Tanner Menees, viola; and Benjamin Manis, cello) perform at 3:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Program includes work by Haydn, Webern, and Shostakovich. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574 or go to palosverdes.com/ClassicalCrossroads/TheInterludes.htm.
Alive in my thoughts
The Torrance Civic Chorale presents “Honoring Life… Honoring Memory” at 8 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $12. Call (310) 781-7171.
This work by Eunice Broderick is among the art on view Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. as part of “Art at Plaza Riviera” in Redondo Beach, hosted by Artlife Gallery. Call (310) 938-2511.
Works priced under $100
The PADA Group, South Bay fine-art photographers, are featured in “Let’s Get Small, Small Works of the PV Art Center PADA Group.” The show’s opening reception takes place on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Frame And Art Department, 950 Aviation Blvd, Hermosa Beach. Through May 2. Call (310) 374-6900.
A different perspective
“Non-Native,” a collection of 30 images taken during the ten years she’s been in the United States, are being presented by Ingrid Dietrich at the Croatian Cultural Center, 510 W. 7th St., San Pedro. Reception tonight (Saturday) at 7 p.m. Through April. (213) 915-7705 or go to mobilestudio.us.
Sunday, April 19
Tea by the sea
Kicking off the second annual Beauty of Nature Film Series, “Afternoon Tea and ‘Miss Potter’” takes place from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Trump National Golf Club, 1 Trump National Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes. Tickets, $50. Call (310) 541-7613 or go to pvplc.org/activities/specialevents.
They made it this far
The Peninsula Symphony Association-sponsored Edith Knox Young Artists Competition Finals take place at 2 p.m. in the Redondo Union High School Auditorium, 222 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. Battling it out at this free event are Kristi Kim, Jamie Kim, Usha Kapoor, Jihyun Lily Moon, and Minh Nguyen. (310) 544-0320 or go to pensym.org.
Paintings by Thomas Redfield (shown here) and other artists are on display during the Spring Splendor Art Event, Friday evening from 6:30 to 10 p.m. in the Torrance Art Museum. It benefits the Salvation Army’s After School Programs. More at saspringsplendor.com.
What will happen next?
The Revolution presents “Black Sunday” at 6 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. It’s a live show described as Dynasty meets Revenge/Scandal/How to Get Away with Murder, etc. For mature audiences, several vignettes are presented that mix comedy and drama. Tickets, $30; $25. Call (310) 781-7142 or go to revolutionartists.com.
Solemnity at its finest
Mozart’s “Requiem” will be performed with choir and orchestra at 4 p.m. in the church sanctuary of the Manhattan Beach Community Church, 303 S. Peck Road, Manhattan Beach. Tickets, $30 patrons; $20 general; $10 students. (310) 546-2731 or contact rosundeen@gmail.com.
Monday, April 20
Not just kids’ stuff
“Student Show 2015” opens at the El Camino College Art Gallery, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, and it will also be open during the Fine Arts Division Open House on Friday, April 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. Through May 7. Call (310) 660-3010 or go to elcamino.edu and scroll to Art Gallery.