South Bay arts calendar for Dec. 5 to 11
“Layer Upon Layer,” a group show, is on view through Wednesday in the El Camino College Art Gallery, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. Works by Terry Braunstein, Jenny Okun, Victor Raphael, Clayton Spada, and Barbara Strasen are featured. Pictured, “Expulsion,” by Victor Raphael and Clayton Spada. (310) 660-3010
The way it was
“Robi Hutas: Classic Photographs and Watercolors” is on view at Richard Stephens/Cannery Row Studios, in The Loft at 401 S. Mesa St., San Pedro. Open during the First Thursday Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Hutas has chronicled life and sports in the South Bay, especially in Hermosa and Redondo Beach, since the 1960s. Show open each weekday from 1 to 5 p.m., with a closing reception on Sunday, Dec. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. (310) 291-5316 or go to canneryrowstudios.com.
Getting their steps down
The El Camino College Dance Department’s annual “Choreography Showcase” takes place at 1 and 7 p.m. in the school’s Campus Theatre, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. The ensemble performs original ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop choreography. Tickets, $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
The El Camino College Dance Department’s annual “Choreography Showcase” takes place today (Thursday) at 1 and 7 p.m. in the school’s Campus Theatre, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. The ensemble performs original ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop choreography. Tickets, $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org
Ballet Pacifica, based in Redondo Beach, is hosting hundreds of local students at its performances of “The Nutcracker,” taking place at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the Centinela Valley Performing Arts Center, 14901 Inglewood Ave., Lawndale.
World premiere play in Peedro
Little Fish Theatre is staging “Embridge,” written by LFT company member Kathryn Farren. The story melds Jane Austen and Oscar Wilde in Victorian-era England, with love tested and a disastrous arranged marriage averted or…? Margaret Schugt directs. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 p.m.; plus a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Little Fish is at 777 S. Centre St., San Pedro. Tickets, $28 general and $26 seniors. It’s $15 if you’re under 25 and can remember to use the code “Hipster.” Call (310) 512-6030 or go to littlefishtheatre.org.
Organist Namhee Han performs at 12:15 p.m. on Friday in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Free, donations appreciated; complimentary reception follows. (310) 316-5574
But what if He doesn’t?
“Making God Laugh,” presumably a comedy and spanning four decades, written by Sean Grennan, concludes this weekend at the Second Story Theater, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets, $28. Call (424) 241-8040 or go to surfcitytheatre.com.
He’s got Emmys, gold records
John Tesh brings his “Acoustic Christmas” to the James Armstrong Theater for an 8 p.m. show. Tesh has sold over eight million records. Tickets, $150 VIP (includes a meet and greet and lots of other cool things), $50, $40, and $35. Where? 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. (310) 781-7171 or go to TorranceArts.org. Or check out teshmusic.com.
Raise up your voices?
There’s a great big “Messiah Sing-Along” to Handel’s masterpiece, conducted by Joanna Medawar Nachef, and it takes place at 7:30 p.m. in the Campus Theatre at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Featured singers: soprano Erin Wood, countertenor Darryl Taylor, tenor Jon Keenan, and bass Kevin Blickfeldt. Kenner Bailey provides the cool organ parts. Bring your own score or pick one up at the door. By the way, it’s free (although on-site parking is $3). Information, (310) 660-3593 ext. 3713.
How the other half lives
Sandpipers is hosting their 27th annual “Holiday Homes Tour” on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Features four unique homes, that of a serial entrepreneur, restaurateur, hotelier, and philanthropist. Pre-sale tickets, $30, and $35 at the door. The shuttle is free, at the Holiday Market, 920 Highland Ave., Manhattan Beach. Details for other locations for tickets (Bristol Farms, Manhattan Beach), Deep Roots, Gum Tree (Hermosa and Manhattan), Waterleaf, and GROW can be found at Sandpipers.org.
San Pedro’s finest artists are showing in “Winter Ware,” on view through Jan. 25 at Gallery 478, located at 478 W. Seventh St., San Pedro. Here’s most of them: Back row: Doug Henry, Katy Crowe, Marie Thibeault,Tim Maxeiner, Coleen Sterritt, Ron Linden, Dillan Conniff, Michael Stearns, Peter Warren, Neil Nagy, and Michael Davis; front row: HK Zamani (standing), Nancy Crawford, Ann Weber, Arnee Carofano, Ray Carofano, and Nate Jones. Photo by Walter Mladina. More at TransVagrant.com
Organist Namhee Han performs at 12:15 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. At other times, she’s the church organist for Westwood Presbyterian Church. Free, donations appreciated; complimentary reception follows. (310) 316-5574.
Creativity on view
“The Winter Show” opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Palos Verdes Art Center, 5504 Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. It’s juried by David Parsons. The work, in all media, is up through January 18.
Hear it once, or twice
The South Bay Chamber Society presents the New Hollywood String Quartet, with violinists Tereza Stanislav and Rafael Rishik, violist Robert Brophy, and cellist Andrew Shulman. They shall perform two string quartets and the “Grosse Fugue” in B Flat Major, by Beethoven. On Friday at 8 p.m. in the LA Harbor College Music Department Recital Hall, 1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington, and on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Pacific Unitarian Church, 5621 Montemalaga, Rancho Palos Verdes. Free; donations for the artists appreciated. (310) 379-7055 or visit sbcms.net.
It’s time for another roundup of art by Dan McCaw and his sons, John and Danny. Their work will be on view Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. in their gallery at 1269 Sartori Ave, Torrance. Pictured, art by Danny McCaw. (310) 328-7366 or go to mccawcontemporary.com
Living in the past
“Music for the Holidays,” presented by La Mer Consort and directed by Brenda Bittner, takes place at 4 p.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Eleventh and Rowell, Manhattan Beach. The program includes winter madrigals, Christmas music, and more. Period instruments, authentic old instruments. Free will offering. (310) 378-8750.
Musically gifted times two
Russian-born pianists Vitaly Serebriakov and Svetlana Obregon Saens perform at 7 p.m. in the Manhattan Beach Community Church, 303 S. Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach. Music by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff will be played. After the concert, light refreshments. Free. (310) 372-3587.
With some added guests
The Palos Verdes Symphonic Band has invited Los Cancioneros Master Chorale to join them for a concert from 3 to 5 p.m. in the South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Directed by Christine Hayes, the band and the chorale perform Christmas and Hanukkah music. You can sing along too. Free, with garden admission. (310) 792-8286 or go to pvsband.org.
Ratatat, boom-boom
Artlife Gallery is holding its “Holiday Art Exhibit” artists’ reception on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. Over 100 works are display. Through Dec. 31. Hours, seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Where? 720C South Allied Way, Plaza El Segundo, in El Segundo. Pictured, work by Nicolas Kolesnikov. (310) 838-2511 or go to artlifegallerysb.com
Father and sons art show
It’s time for another roundup of art by Dan McCaw and his sons, John and Danny. Their work will be on view from 6 to 9 p.m. in their gallery at 1269 Sartori Ave., Torrance. (310) 328-7366 or go to mccawcontemporary.com.
Ah, that’s the spirit
Artlife Gallery is holding its “Holiday Art Exhibit” artists’ reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Over 100 works are on display and live painting is promised for Saturday. Through Dec. 31. Hours, seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Where? 720C South Allied Way, Plaza El Segundo, in El Segundo. (310) 838-2511 or go to artlifegallerysb.com.
Russian-born pianists Vitaly Serebriakov and Svetlana Obregon Saens perform music by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Manhattan Beach Community Church, 303 S. Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach. Light refreshments afterwards. Free. Pictured, Svetlana Obregon Saens. (310) 372-3587
Hundreds of voices!
The El Camino College Chorale, Concert Choir, and Mixed Chorus, conducted by Joanna Medawar Nachef, present the annual “Holiday Choral Extravaganza” at 7 p.m. in the Campus Theatre, on campus at 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. Tickets, $10. A major work to start and holiday music to cap the evening. (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
Up north where it’s freezing
The “Swedish Women’s Educational Association Annual Christmas Fair” takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.in the Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Admission, $10, with children under 12 free. Scandinavian food and spirits. Details at losangeles.swea.org.
Holiday songs in a higher key
The South Bay Children’s Choir performs popular holiday selections at 4 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. The group consists of 100 young singers ages six to 18. That’s how much the tickets are, too, $6 to $18. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
Monday, December 9
Dance genres showcased
“Lo Tech No Tech,” performed by the El Camino College Dance Department, kicks off at 7 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Hosted by Prof. Daniel Berney, we’ll see choreography in all genres. Tickets, $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
“Lo Tech No Tech,” performed by the El Camino College Dance Department, kicks off on Monday at 7 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Hosted by Prof. Daniel Berney, we’ll see choreography in all genres. Tickets, $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org
You’ll learn something
Mark Arax, author of “The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California,” presents a talk, reading, and signing of his book at 10:30 a.m. at Hesse Park in Rancho Palos Verdes. The book combines history, memoir, and larger-than-life personalities of Charles Gatfield, William Mulholland, and Stewart Resnick. To learn more, phone Marian at (310) 892-5897.
Sing your hearts out, kids
Calle Mayor Middle School presents their “Winter Concert” at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $7. Buy them at the door. ER