South Bay arts calendar for Jan. 17 to 23
“The Best, the New and Your Favorites” contains over 100 original works and is on view through January 31 at Artlife Gallery, located in Plaza El Segundo. The opening reception is Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. Pictured, work by artist Alison Corteen. (310) 938-2511
No passports required
“Musical Travel through Europe and Asia” is the title of the Beach Cities Symphony concert, taking place at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. The program includes Borodin’s “In the Steppes of Central Asia” (with an accompanying visual presentation), Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in F# minor” (featuring soloist Esther Keel), and the Brahms “Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73.” Free; with a pre-concert lecture by maestro Barry Brisk at 7:15 p.m. (310) 379-9725 or go to beachcitiessymphony.org.
Tied to the scratchin’ post
Jack’s Cats, led by Jack Malmstrom on clarinet and tenor sax, performs at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in the George Nakano Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. The group has the warm, swinging sound of a small jazz combo from the “pre-bop” era. Tickets, $50 for the concert and food; $33 concert only. (310) 781-7171, jackscats.com, or visit torrancearts.org.
The Castle Brass Quartet performs medieval and Renaissance music at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., El Segundo. Free. (310) 524-2728
The Dog, or Who is Sylvia?
The Torrance Theatre Company presents “Sylvia,” about a couple, Greg and Kate, and a dog named Sylvia that enters their lives. Puppy love turns jealous. Directed by Jim Hormel, it plays Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., plus Sunday at 2 p.m., through Feb. 17. There’s also a 2 p.m. show on Sat., Jan. 26, plus a 7 p.m. performance on Thurs., Feb. 14, followed by a Q&A with the cast. Where? 1316 Cabrillo Ave., in Old Torrance. Tickets, $30. Call (424) 243-6882 or go to TorranceTheatreCompany.com.
The Artimus Pyle Band, featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd’s former drummer, honors his old group and their hits “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” They perform on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Norris Theatre, Rolling Hills Estates. Tickets, $95 to $55. Call (310) 544-0403 or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com
The Castle Brass Quartet performs medieval and Renaissance music (calling forth visions of royal pageants, courtly dances, and village feasts) at 2 p.m. in the El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., El Segundo. Afterwards the rest of us can go off and roast a wild boar for dessert. Free. (310) 524-2728.
“The Black Cat,” a stage work for tenor, two dancers and baroque ensemble, based on Edgar Allan Poe’s tale, is being presented by Long Beach Opera at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Beverly O’Neill Theatre, Long Beach. Tickets, $49 to $150. Photo courtesy of Long Beach Opera. (562) 370-7464 or go to longbeachopera.org
“The Best, the New and Your Favorites” contains over 100 original works and it’s on view through January 31 at Artlife Gallery, 720C S. Allied Way, Plaza El Segundo, located in El Segundo. The opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. and features live painting, live music, and refreshments. (310) 938-2511.
Torchbearer
The Artimus Pyle Band, featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle, pays tribute to his old group and their hits “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” The group performs at 7:30 p.m. in the Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Tickets, $95 to $55. Call (310) 544-0403 or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com.
Jury duty
Presented by Surf City Theatre, “12 Angry Jurors” (also known as “12 Angry Men”) opens at 8 p.m. in the Second Story Theater, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Additional performances on Sunday at 2 p.m., and then also Jan. 25-27 and Feb. 1-3. The play by Reginald Rose was adapted from his 1954 teleplay. Directed by Richard Perloff. Tickets, $28. Call (424) 241-8040 or go to surfcitytheatre.com.
The Los Angeles Ensemble performs at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the First Lutheran Church and School in Torrance. Works by J.S. Bach, Poulenc, Chopin, Kreisler, Rachmaninoff, and Schubert to be performed. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574
The Los Angeles Ensemble, with cello, violin, viola, piano and double-bass, performs at 3 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Their program includes work by J.S. Bach, Poulenc, Chopin, Kreisler, Rachmaninoff, and Schubert. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
Critically engaging art
The Torrance Art Museum presents “Protest, noun,” featuring “a select group of Los Angeles-based artists who share an urgent and political drive to engage the character of our moment through their art practices.” The opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. at 3320 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Curated by Max Presneill. In Gallery Two, “White Noise,” a solo show by Kerry Sharbakka. Through March 9. Call (310) 618-6388 or go to TorranceArtMuseum.com.
“Pierce the Veil,” a transdimensional art exhibit by Jonmar, opens Saturday with a reception from 4 to 9 p.m. at Resin, 618 Cypress Ave., Hermosa Beach. Weekdays (Jan. 20-25) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closing is Sat., Jan. 26, from 4 to 9 p.m. Pictured, “Wave.” (310) 713-0560 or go to resinhb.com
“The Black Cat,” a stage work for tenor, two dancers and baroque ensemble is being presented by Long Beach Opera at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Beverly O’Neill Theatre, Long Beach. It’s a multidisciplinary retelling of Poe’s famous tale, comprised of dance, film, and a musical mashup of English songwriter David Sylvian and J.S. Bach. Tickets, $49 to $150. Call (562) 370-7464 or go to longbeachopera.org.
The “2019 Southern California Slack Key Festival” begins at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The line-up features: George Kuo, Jeff Peterson, Jim “Kimo” West, Kawika Kahiapo, Sonny Lim, Ikaika Marzo, and Teresa Bright. Also, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. just outside is the (free) Island Marketplace, with Hawaiian food and products. Tickets for the festival are $55 to $20. Photo by Alan Alabastro. (800) 595-4849 or go to slackkeyfest.com
Fresh off the boat
The “2019 Southern California Slack Key Festival” kicks off at 2 p.m. in the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. As always, there’s quite a line-up: George Kuo, Jeff Peterson, Jim “Kimo” West, Kawika Kahiapo, Sonny Lim, Ikaika Marzo, and Teresa Bright. Also, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. just outside is the (free) Island Marketplace, complete with shaved ice, Hawaiian food, plus Hawaiian products and craft. Tickets for the festival are $55 to $20. Call (800) 595-4849 or go to slackkeyfest.com.
The “Ragin Cajun Pop-Up Blues Festival,” with Mark Sells, Ryder Green, and headliner Blind Lemon Peel (pictured), takes place on Wednesday at 8 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach. It’ll all end up with an all-out all-star blues jam
If you love the blues…
The “Ragin Cajun Pop-Up Blues Festival,” with Mark Sells, Ryder Green, and headliner Blind Lemon Peel, takes place at 8 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach. It’ll all end up with an all-out all-star blues jam. ER