“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” is being performed in the Mira Costa High School Auditorium, 1401 Artesia Blvd., Manhattan Beach. This is the school’s drama department’s big spring musical, and it’s a fun show. Performances, Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 adult, $10 students and seniors (a buck additional if you purchase online), while at the box office it’s $18 and $12. Details at miracostadramaboosters.org
Ahead of the curve
The “Spring Advanced Dance Concert” features student-choreographed dance, along with faculty choreographers, in all genres, and it’s happening at 1 p.m. on Thursday plus 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Tickets, $10 to $15. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
You’re the next Han Solo
The “Wings of Freedom Tour” starts today and goes through Monday at the Western Museum of Flight, 3315 Airport Drive, Torrance. See a fleet of American warplanes from WWII and learn about their history. Admission, $15 adults and $5 children under 12. Twenty or thirty minute flights are available at about $400 or $450 per person. Flights take place before and after tours. (310) 326-9544 or go to wmof.com.
Friday, April 27
You, pay attention!
“Distracted,” a comedy about ADD, by Lisa Loomer, is being performed Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., plus Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., in the Second Story Theater, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Same schedule next week, May 4 to 6. Proceeds benefit MBEF and South Bay Families Connected. It’s the first time this play has been done locally. Tickets, $25. Call (310) 710-7035 or go to distractedplay.brownpapertickets.com.
Hear them once, or twice
The South Bay Chamber Music Society presents pianist Steven Vanhauwaert and Friends (these being Movses Pogossian on violin, Michele Zukovsky on clarinet, and Antonio Lysy on cello) at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Music Department at L.A. Harbor College, 1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington. The concert is repeated at 3 p.m. on Sunday in the Pacific Unitarian Church, 5621 Montemalaga, Rancho Palos Verdes. Featured will be works by Milhaud, Messiaen, Dietrich, R. Schumann, and Johannes Brahms. Free. More at sbcms.net.
Directed by Buster Keaton
Shown from left: Rosalind Byrne, Buster Keaton
“Seven Chances,” with Buster Keaton, screens Friday and Saturday at 8:15 p.m., plus Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. The film will be accompanied live on the Mighty Wurlitzer. Tickets, $10 general and $8 seniors. (310) 322-2512 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
Teen dreams
The 18th Annual “Mira Costa All-Media Art Show” is taking place from 5 to 7 p.m. at Resin Gallery, 618 Cypress Ave., Hermosa Beach. It’s all here, from ceramics to painting and drawing.
Come in, water’s fine
The South Bay Conservator presents Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday plus 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. You know the story about Ariel, don’t you, and how she falls in love with Prince Eric? Tickets, $22. Call (310) 781-7171 or go straight to southbayconservatory.com.
Let’s patch it up
A father and son reunion is at the heart of “Mending Fences,” by Norm Foster, and it opens at Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with Sunday 2 p.m. performances on May 20 and May 27. Closes May 27. Tickets, $23 opening night; thereafter $27 general and $25 seniors. It’s $15 for those 25 and under if they use the code “Hipster.” (310) 512-6030 or go to littlefishtheatre.org.
They’ll wake you up
“The Drowsy Chaperone,” the comedic musical set within 1920s recorded musicals, so to speak, is being presented by the Miraleste Intermediate School Rooster Club at the school, located at 29323 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rancho Palos Verdes. Performances, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 4 p.m. Then it’s back next week: Friday, May 4 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 5 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets, $10 for the 2 p.m. matinees, and $12 or $15 for the 4 and 7 p.m. shows. At the door or go to showtixd4u.com. Have a question? Contact miralestemusical@gmail.com.
Sample them all
Brew Lagoon, featuring five bands (Fartbarf, Kira Lingman, Freestone, Lost Beach, and The Royal Rats) and over 20 craft breweries, goes from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach. Tickets $50 in advance and $60 at the gate. Go to @brewlagoonfest or brewlagoonfest.com.
New season of artists
“Spring Fling” opens with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. in Destination: Art, 1815, W. 213th St.,Suite 135, Torrance. New artists include Mercedes Guzman, Maria Crean, plus the collaborative team of Bob Mackie and Rosine Sörbom. Through May. (310) 742-3192 or go to destination-art.net.
Literary bonfire
The third annual “Mayday! – Tales of Love and Other Emergencies” takes place at 8 p.m. outside in the amphitheatre at Angels Gate Cultural Center,3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro. This year’s event features work by Bukowski, Atwood, and W.S. Merwin. Produced and directed by Melanie Jones, with Kim Estes and Kalie Quinones. Admission, $10, or $15 a couple. Dress warmly. More at angelsgateart.org.
Appreciating a master
The “Yogananda Fest,” presented by Ananda Los Angeles, goes from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Includes guided yoga and meditation classes, keynote talks, devotional chanting, and more. Free. Go to yoganandafest.com/LosAngeles.
Dirty Cello, led by Oakland-based cellist Rebecca Roudman, performs at 8 p.m. in the Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Fun vocals and powerful bluegrass-style cello playing. For tickets, call (310) 833-4813 or go to grandvision.org.
Taking the long view
“American Panoramic,” featuring seven new large format panoramic photos by Matthew Welch, opens with a reception from 7 to 10 p.m. at Pacific Coast Gallery, 205 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Each photo is between five and ten feet wide.
Sunday, April 29
Front porch, back porch
Peninsula Symphony’s “A House Divided” features two works: Handel’s “Music for the Royal Fireworks” (original version for winds) and Rodion Shchedrin’s quirky “Carmen Suite” for strings and percussion. The concert takes place at 7 p.m. in the Redondo Union High School Auditorium, 631 Vincent St., Redondo Beach (PCH at Diamond). Members can attend a lecture by Maestro Berkson at 6:15 p.m. Call (310) 544-0320 or go to pensym.org. ER
