South Bay arts calendar for August 22 to 28
A seal sleeping near the Redondo Beach Pier. Photo
The leading man’s a monster!
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” is being presented by the Torrance Theatre Company at the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Performances: Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; and Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets, $40, $25. See review in this issue. (310) 781-7171 or go to TorranceTheatreCompany.com.
Whole lotta love
Like Zeppelin is (clearly) a Led Zeppelin tribute band, and they perform from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Redondo Beach Pier, on the Boardwalk, below Kinkaid’s, 100 Fisherman’s Wharf, Redondo Beach. Free. More at redondopier.com.
The 1915 massacre of 1.5 million Armenians by the Turks is the basis of “Beast on the Moon,” by Richard Kalinoski, opening Friday at 8 p.m. in the International City Theatre, Long Beach. Directed by caryn desai. Performances Thursday through Sunday, closing Sept. 8. Tickets, $55 opening night; thereafter $49 (Sat/Sun) and $47 (Thurs/Fri). Pictured: Rachel Weck. Photo by Tracey Roman. (562) 436-4610 or go to InternationalCityTheatre.org
Human cruelty
In 1915, the Turks massacred 1.5 million Armenians, and that’s the basis of “Beast on the Moon,” a play by Richard Kalinoski that opens at 8 p.m. in the International City Theatre, located in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center,330 E. Seaside Way, Long Beach. Directed by caryn desai, it’s onstage for three weeks, Thursdays through Sundays. Opening night tickets, which include a post-show reception with the actors, are $55. Saturdays and Sundays: $49; Thursdays and Fridays: $47. Closes Sept. 8. Call (562) 436-4610 or go to InternationalCityTheatre.org.
Reap what you sow
SoCal Harvest 2019 features three nights of musical performances by top Christian artists, not to mention uplifting messages of hope from the gospel. Among those appearing this weekend are For King and Country, Lecrae, Graham Saber, Jeremy Camp, Newsboys, Darryl Strawberry, Phil Wickham, Chris Tomlin, and of course Greg Laurie. It’s at Angel Stadium, 2000 E. Gene Autry Way, Anaheim. To learn more go to harvest.org/social-harvest-2019/social-harvest-events-detail/.
“Johns Canyon,” a survey of work by Harrison Storms, opens Monday in the El Camino College Art Gallery, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance. The reception for Storms is set for Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. In addition to the Johns Canyon series (which refers to a specific place in the artist’s youth), a number of darkly whimsical drawings will be on view. Through Sept. 18. Pictured, “Beyond the Wall #12.” Call (310) 660-3010
Fun in the sun
The Hermosa Beach Summer Series returns for its second weekend. In the morning there are yoga and wellness activities on the strand and in the sand. But the fun kicks in when the bands plug in, so let’s go: Trapdoor Social from 5 to 5:30 p.m.; Pounded by the Surf from 5:45to 6:25 p.m.; The White Buffalo from 6:40to 7:25 p.m.; comedian Steve Byrne from 7:30 to 7:55 p.m.; and then there’s a movie screening from 8 to 10 p.m. Then you go home, sleep, and return on Sunday.
Wake-up call
The Morning Yells play West Coast folk rock from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Redondo Beach Pier, on the Boardwalk, below Kinkaid’s, 100 Fisherman’s Wharf, Redondo Beach. Free. More at redondopier.com.
Crocodile rock
The South Bay-based, New Orleans funk band, Alligator Beach, is playing from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach. But it’s more than that; it’s an album release party for “Throwin’ a Party!” With a title like that, you know that good times are just around the corner. (310) 372-0035 or go to saintrocke.com.
Before it’s torn down
Writer-illustrator Neil Cohen reads his new picture book, “American Gargoyles,” at 11 a.m. at {pages} a bookstore, 904 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach. It’s a children’s book about gargoyles on a building slated for demolition, but they put their heads together to find a way to save their home. There’ll be an art project for kids as well as cookies from Becker’s. Free. More at pagesabookstore.com.
Abrakadabra performs two sets on Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Metlox Plaza Summer Music Series, located in front of the Shade Hotel, on the northwest corner of Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Valley Drive, in Manhattan Beach. The band plays Latin, pop, and jazz. Photo by Tom Lujan. Learn more if you go do Abrakadabramusic.com
Another day beachy day
You survived yesterday’s installment of the Hermosa Beach Summer Series, and now you’re back. So who’s on deck? Lola Rising from 4:30 to 5 p.m.; Gamblers Mark from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m.; Wailing Souls from 6 to 6:45 p.m.; and then we’ll flame out with Mariachi El Bronx from 7:05 to 8 p.m.
It’s magic
Abrakadabra performs two sets, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Metlox Plaza Summer Music Series, located in front of the Shade Hotel, on the northwest corner of Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Valley Drive, in Manhattan Beach. The band plays Latin, pop, and jazz. Learn more if you go do Abrakadabramusic.com.
Monday, August 26
An artist looks back
“Johns Canyon,” a survey of work by Harrison Storms, opens in the El Camino College Art Gallery, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance. The reception for Storms is set for Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. In addition to the Johns Canyon series (which refers to a specific place in the artist’s youth), a number of darkly whimsical drawings will be on view. Through Sept. 18. Call (310) 660-3010.
The call is going out
Los Cancioneros Master Chorale, under the direction of Allan Robert Petker, is holding auditions for the 2019-2020 season. They take place on Monday and Tuesday at 6 p.m., both days, in the Hope United Church, 3405 Artesia Blvd, Torrance. You’ll have to sing, of course, and take a sight-reading exam. To make an appointment, call Lorraine Pickus at (310) 377-4978 or send off an email to Auditions@lcmasterchorale.com. ER