South Bay arts calendar for Dec. 13 to 19

David Benoit’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” marks David’s fifth time to the Carpenter Center in Long Beach, and his tribute to the Peanuts character, as well as Vince Guaraldi, takes place on Saturday at 8 p.m. He’ll also be joined by the All-American Boys Chorus of Costa Mesa, and vocalist Sara Gazarek is also on the bill. Tickets, $45. Call (562) 985-7000 or visit carpenterarts.org

Thursday, December 13
From Torrance to Bayreuth
The annual fall Opera Workshop takes place at 8 p.m. in the Campus Theatre at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. It features scenes from popular operas and musicals sung by top-performing students, and is directed by Kevin Blickfeldt. Tickets, $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.

Friday, December 14
Baby, it’s cold outside
“Winter Miracles” is being presented by the Torrance Civic Chorale at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. This holiday concert features old favorites and new choral gems. Tickets, $25. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to TorranceCivicChorale.org.

Saturday, December 15
Meet the artists, and more
Artlife Gallery is hosting the opening reception for its “Holiday Art Exhibit” from 6 to 9 p.m. at its El Segundo Plaza venue, located at 720C S. Allied Way, El Segundo. The event features live painting by Alison Corteen, live music by Meyra Cordova, along with refreshments and raffle opportunities. The show is up through the month. (310) 938-2511.
Sugar plums and fairies
South Bay Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in Marsee Auditorium atr El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance, a holiday tradition under the direction of Diane Lauridsen and Elijah Pressman. This production brings more than 100 performers to the stage, dancing to Charles Maple’s choreography to Tchaikovsky’s original score. Tickets, $36 to $24. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.

The Cherry Willow Jazz Band performs traditional jazz on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., at Main St., in El Segundo. The group takes its name from Cherry and Willow in Long Beach. Free. (310) 524-2728

Back to its roots
The Cherry Willow Jazz Band performs traditional jazz (vintage jazz, Dixieland, etc.) at 2 p.m. in the Friends of the Library Room of the El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., at Main St., in El Segundo. The group takes its name from Cherry and Willow in Long Beach. Free. (310) 524-2728.
Fairies and sugar plums
Palos Verdes Ballet, which has been around since 1955, will be presenting its take on “The Nutcracker” on Saturday at 7 p.m. as well as 1 and 5 p.m. on Sunday, in the Norris Theatre, Rolling Hills Estates. Tickets, $38 adults and $28 children. And to get those tickets, go to palosverdesballet.org.
Not just talking peanuts
David Benoit’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” marks David’s fifth time to the Carpenter Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach, and his tribute to Charlie Brown (and Vince Guaraldi) takes place at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7. He’ll also be joined by the All-American Boys Chorus of Costa Mesa, and vocalist Sara Gazarek is also on the bill. Tickets, $45. Call (562) 985-7000 or visit carpenterarts.org.
In the swim of things
The Kentwood Players have been running “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” for the past few weeks and, guess what, tonight’s your last chance to see it. Showtime is 8 p.m. at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Tickets, $27, less $2 for seniors and students. (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org.

And just in time for Christmas, too! The J. Paul Getty Museum recently acquired “Christ as the Man of Sorrows” (c.1520-30) by the Antwerp master Quentin Metsys. It needs to be brushed up a bit before going on view this coming spring. Then we can help cheer him up

Sunday, December 16
Can you Handel it?
“The Most Classic Holiday Music Ever” comes to us courtesy of Los Cancioneros Master Chorale, now celebrating its 70th consecutive concert season. Directed by Allen Robert Petker with accompanist Patty Breitag, it takes place at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $25; $15. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to the source and phone Diana at (310) 779-3072. You can also visit lcmasterchorale.com.
Bigger the better, right?
The closing reception for “Size Matters,” this being large-format works by Craig Antrim, takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. at Michael Stearns Studio, located in The Loft, 401 S. Mesa Ave., San Pedro.

Tuesday, December 18
Bringing down the house
Crooner Lou Giovannetti hopes to start a holiday tradition with his 20-piece big band orchestra, performing at 8 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Here’s someone with an outsized personality who can do it. Tickets, $108.97, $50, $40. Call (310)781-7171 or go tolousings.com.
Let’s talk about it
Senior librarian Erin Schoonover leads a discussion of “Little Fires Everywhere,” by Celeste Ng, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the second floor Conference Room of the Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. Even if you haven’t read the book, come sit in and listen. (310) 318-0675 op. 5, or go to redondo.org/library.

Wednesday, December 19
Sounds like a parable
“Three Godfathers” (1948) is a Western drama directed by John Ford that stars three thieves, one of whom is John Wayne, who promise a dying pregnant woman that they’ll carry her newborn to safety in the village of New Jerusalem. It screens at 10:30 a.m. in the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library, 3301 Torrance Blvd., Torrance. (310) 618-5959 or go to Library.TorranceCA.Gov.
Got an art listing and maybe a photo? Send ‘em to bondo@easyreadernews.com. ER