South Bay arts calendar for Dec. 19 to 25

The Torrance Art Museum holds a closing event for the group show “Adjacent” from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at 3320 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. More at torranceartmuseum.com

Thursday, December 19
Erich Korngold’s 1914 opera
Numi Opera presents “Der Ring Des Polykrates,” the fledgling company’s second production of their inaugural season, at 7:30 p.m. in Zipper Hall at the Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave., in downtown Los Angeles. Another performance is set for Saturday, same time and place. Directed by Gail R. Gordon and conducted by Francesso Milioto, Erich Korngold’s first opera stars South Bay resident Roberto Perlas Gomez as well as Shana Blake Hill, Scott Ramsay, Alex Boyer, and Emily Rosenberg. For tickets,contact NumiOpera.org or call (866) 811-4111.

South Bay Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College in Torrance. Diane Lauridsen and Elijah S. Pressman are the artistic directors. Tickets, $36 to $24. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org

Saturday, December 21
Into the Kingdom of Sweets
South Bay Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. It’s under the very talented artistic direction of Diane Lauridsen and Elijah S. Pressman. This is Charles Maple’s choreography to Tchaikovsky’s original score. Tickets, $36 to $24. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.

The HawThorns (husband and wife duo KP and Johnny Hawthorn) perform Americana at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Friends of the Library Room in the El Segundo Public Library. Free. (310) 524-2728 or go to eslib.org

For your listening pleasure
Sun-kissed songwriting, fiery electric guitar, and lush vocal harmonies evoking the California coastline as much as the Bible Belt countryside… that’s a description of The HawThorns, performing at 2 p.m. in the Friends of the Library Room in the El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave, El Segundo. Free. (310) 524-2728 or go to eslib.org.

Contemporary art at TAM
The Torrance Art Museum is holding a closing event for “Adjacent,” with artists who participated in the “Forum 2019” residency, from 1 to 3 p.m. in their digs at 3320 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. “Death Cult” (Skulls, motorcycles, sudden impact, opens Jan. 18). More at torranceartmuseum.com.

“Incredible Journey: Bugs” opened last week at the South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Peninsula. The program aims to educate visitors about the butterflies, spiders, ants and bees that can be found in the Garden. Whichever journey Garden visitors decide to venture on, they will transform into that bug – literally (via props). Through May 29. Learn more by calling (310) 544-1948 or go to southcoastbotanicgarden.org

Always time for one more
“Dance West Studio and the Metropolitan Ballet Company present “The Nutcracker” at 2 and 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. If you haven’t seen this beloved holiday ballet, here’s your (perhaps last) chance. Tickets, $20, $18. Call (310) 781-7171 or contact michaeljohnmelton@gmail.com.

“Museum Acquisitions 2019: Director’s Choice” intends to be the first of many annual exhibitions that highlight the Getty Museum’s acquisitions throughout the year. It’s a small but succinct show, just one gallery, but with a variety of work, including this early Crucifixion in which our Lord appears to have four arms, a sort of biplane Jesus. Through March 1. Photo by Brad Webster. (310) 440-7300 or go to getty.edu

Sunday, December 22
Robi’s iconic beach photos
The closing reception for the solo show “Robi Hutas: Classic Photographs & Watercolors” takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Cannery Row Studios, 401 S. Mesa St, San Pedro. Curated by Richard Stephens. (310) 291-5316 or go to canneryrowstudios.com.

Home for the holidays
The San Pedro International Film Festival (SPIFF) is screening Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” at 7 p.m. in the Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. Sixth St, San Pedro. “Please join us for ginger snaps and other treats, and don’t forget to dress up in your best 1940s threads!” Tickets and other details at spiffest.org.

Upcoming
Artists, take note
“Habitat California: Flora & Fauna” is a traditional and digital media exhibition that will be at the Palos Verdes Art Center from Feb. 8 to April 18, juried by Tulsa Kinney of Artillery magazine. Application deadline for artists is Dec. 31, with jury dates from Jan. 2 to 7 and artist notification on Jan. 8. To learn more, go to callforentry.org. ER