South Bay arts calendar for April 11 to 17
Cowboy Mouth, a New Orleans staple for 25 years, performs on Friday at Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach. The show’s at 8 p.m. and tickets are $18. Call (310) 372-0035 or go to saintrocke.com. More info at cowboymouth.com
Imagine you’re in France
“Senior Prom: Springtime in Paris” is for “senior” seniors (not high school seniors), and it features the tunes of Liz Holmes and Her Orchestra performing from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Ken Miller Recreation Auditorium, 3341 Torrance Blvd., Torrance. Just like old times, half a century ago. Tickets, $12. To learn more, (310) 320-5918.
“Footloose,” the musical based on the 1980s film, is being staged by the Palos Verdes High School Drama Department in the MPR, on campus at 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates. Performances, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. (also April 19-20) Sunday at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 18, at 3:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 20, at 2 p.m. Tickets, $20 adults and $15 students. Pictured, Hayden Kharrazi as Ren and Jacklynn Stoler as the femme fatale Ariel. (310) 378-8471, ext. 237, at the door, or go to pvhsdrama.com
Flying to Neverland
“Peter Pan,” presented by the Metropolitan Educational Theatre Network/MET2, takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., plus Sunday at 2 p.m., in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. For tickets, call (310) 781-7171 or go to met2.org.
When Reagan was king
“Footloose,” the musical based on the 1980s film, “sizzles with the same spirit of youth, rebellion, and romance.” That’s why the Palos Verdes High School Drama Department is presenting it in their Multipurpose Room (MPR), 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates. Performances, April 12-13, 19-20 at 7 p.m., April 14 and 20 at 2 p.m., and Thursday, April 18, at 3:30 p.m. Tickets, $20 adults and $15 students. (310) 378-8471, ext. 237, or go to pvhsdrama.com. Also at the door if, like most of us, you’re still undecided.
Destined to see this?
“Kismet,” presented by the Manhattan Beach Community Church Theatre, is being staged on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. An impressive performance by Liana Wopschall as Marsinah. Lots of dubious casting, but ultimately enjoyable. Tickets, $25, general seating. In the theater church at 303 S. Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach. More at mbcctheater.com.
Saturday, April 13
Working out old grudges
Presented by Surf City Theatre, Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys” opens in the Second Story Theater, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. The story follows two legendary vaudevillians who were once a team but now haven’t spoken with one another for a dozen years. The nephew of one of them tries to get them to reunite for a show. Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2 p.m. Also being performed on the weekend of April 26-28 and May 3-5. Tickets, $28. Call (424) 241-8040 or go to surfcitytheatre.com.
“Kismet,” presented by the Manhattan Beach Community Church Theatre, is being staged Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the church theater, 303 S. Peck Ave., M.B. Tickets, $25. Pictured, Bob Minnichelli as the Poet. More at mbcctheater.com
A live painting demonstration by Ron Squared (Ron Libbrecht and Ron Hurst) is set for Saturday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. outside of APC Fine Arts Gallery, 1621 Cabrillo Ave., Old Torrance. It’s also the closing reception for “Breaking Traditions.” (310) 328-0366 or go to apcfinearts.com
The Dallas Brass, performing from their “American Portraits” repertoire, take the stage at 7:30 p.m. in the Redondo Union High School Auditorium, on the corner of PCH and Diamond, in Redondo Beach. The group’s repertoire includes classical music, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood, and patriotic music. For tickets and information call Dale Korman, (310) 373-2442, or go to sbconcerts.org.
Japanese arts and entertainment
The 46th annual “Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival” takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday in the Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Among the offerings: Bonsai, Ikebana, dolls, origami, Japanese dance and music, flower arranging, calligraphy, a tea ceremony… Plus a variety of food booths. Free. More if you visit TorranceSisterCity.org.
Watch them do it
There’s a live painting demonstration by Ron Squared (Ron Libbrecht and Ron Hurst) from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. outside of APC Fine Arts Gallery, 1621 Cabrillo Ave., Old Torrance. It’s also the closing reception for “Breaking Traditions.” (310) 328-0366 or go to apcfinearts.com.
FOLA, the Foundation of Local Arts, presents its tenth annual fundraiser, “Arts by the Sea,” from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lido di Manhattan Ristaurante and Bar in Manhattan Beach. Proceeds benefit local public schools arts programs, and this yea 13 artists are featured artists, as well as musicians and dancers. Pictured, painter Ross Moore. Tickets, $40, available at FoundationOfLocalArts.net
Creativity showcase
FOLA, the Foundation of Local Arts, presents its tenth annual fundraiser, “Arts by the Sea,” from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lido di Manhattan Ristaurante and Bar in Manhattan Beach. Proceeds benefit local public schools arts programs, and this year’s featured artists are Grayson Daley, Thomas Delaney, Meredith Du Bois, James Gill, Edwina Klein, Kathleen Keifer, Drica Lobo, Ross Moore, Brandon Nanaka, Michael Petroni, Bobbie Rich, Kimi Silver, and Margaret Yuko Tan, as well as musicians and dancers. Tickets, $40, available at FoundationOfLocalArts.net.
Harpist Cristina Montes Mateo performs at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, 26438 Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574
The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club presents Dixieland and traditional jazz in a live music format, and they’re meeting today from 12:30 to 5 p.m. in the Knights of Columbus Hall, 214 Ave. I, in Redondo Beach. The featured band is Jazz America. Admission, $8 members; $12 non-members; and $10 if you belong to another jazz club. (310) 376-2591.
You’ll think she’s an angel
Harpist Cristina Montes Mateo performs at 2 p.m. in the Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, 26438 Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates. She’s played in first-class venues around the world. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
Monday, April 15
Her fascinating story
“The Age of Light” is a novel by Whitney Scharer about Lee Miller, a young American model who became involved with Man Ran and became a noted photographer. Scharer’s book is set in the 1930s, and the author will tell us all about it over lunch (12 p.m.) at Paul Martin’s American Grill, 2361 Rosecrans Ave., El Segundo. Tickets, $75 includes book and luncheon. Presented by {pages}: a bookstore. (310) 318-0900 or go to pagesabookstore.com.
“Selene Thrown Down by Argus,” by Ferdinand Keller
Superb novel discussed
The Adult Book Discussion of the month, led by senior librarian Erin Schoonover, is “Warlight,” by Michael Ondaatje, which is a finely crafted work. One can well imagine Ondaatje (along with Tom Stoppard, Haruki Murakami, and Laszlo Krasznahorhorkai) as a Nobel Prize contender. Takes place from 6:30 to 7:30 in the second floor conference room of the Redondo Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. (310) 318-0675 or go to redondo.org/library.
Wednesday, April 17
A musical from New York
“Falsettos” opens at 8 p.m. in the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown in the Music Center. Directed by James Lapine, the book is by Lapine and William Finn, with Finn’s music and lyrics. This is the Lincoln Center Theater production, and is “a hilarious and achingly poignant look at the infinite possibilities that make up a modern family.” Through May 19. Tickets, $30 to $135. Call (213) 972-4400 or go to CenterTheatreGroup.org. ER