South Bay arts calendar for Jan. 9 to 15
The prelude to “Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?” (a “Galvanizing Art Challenge”) takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday at La Venta Inn, 796 Via Del Monte, Palos Verdes Estates. Thirty-plus artists will spin the wheel of fortune to receive a fortune cookie with the title of their next artwork inside. (The resulting images go on view March 15) Wine, light appetizers, opening and closing remarks by Bernard Fallon and a slideshow presentation about arts writer Bondo Wyszpolski (who created this montage when he was a boy). $25. RSVP to Karen@newyorkfood.com
Fortune cookies, art titles inside
“Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?” which is billed as a “Galvanizing Art Challenge,” takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. at La Venta Inn, 796 Via Del Monte, Palos Verdes Estates. About 30 artists will spin the wheel of fortune and get a fortune cookie with the title of their next artwork inside, which they have until March 15 to create, when the show opens with a brunch, also at La Venta Inn, where it will be on display until it moves over to the Malaga Cove Library (March 18-30). Wine, light appetizers, opening and closing remarks by Bernard Fallon and a slideshow presentation about arts writer Bondo Wyszpolski. $25. RSVP to Karen@newyorkfood.com.
The “Third Annual Comedy Match” is being presented by April’s Fools Comedy Improv Troupe at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Second Story Theatre in Hermosa Beach. April’s Fools go up against the Mira Costa High School Improv students. Tickets, $10; seniors, $8. Call (310) 318-1705 or go to AprilsFoolsImprov.com
Snap judgements
PADA (Photographic and Digital Artists) presents its “Best of the Best” photo show from 12 to 5 p.m. in the Malaga Cove Library Art Gallery, 2400 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates. Curated by Paul Blieden. (310) 377-9584 ext. 550.
What’s that about your wife?
Mark Cordes is “The Spouse Whisperer,” and that’s the humorous one-man show he’s presenting at 8 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. He’ll take us from “love at first sight” to “till death do us part.” Tickets, $35, $30, $25. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to TorranceArts.org. To learn more, visit spousewhisperer.com.
Laugh your head off
The “Third Annual Comedy Match” is being presented by April’s Fools Comedy Improv Troupe at 7:30 p.m. in the Second Story Theatre, 710 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach. In a head-to-head improv challenge, the April’s Fools folks will go up against the Mira Costa High School Improv Students. Should be devastatingly funny. Tickets, $10; seniors, $8. Call (310) 318-1705 or go to AprilsFoolsImprov.com.
Cellist Eric Byers and pianist Fabio Bidini perform music by Schumann, Stravinsky, and Popper, at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, Rolling Hills Estates. Free. (310) 316-5574
“Online Privacy 101: The Basics” goes from 11 a.m. to 12 noon in the second floor meeting room of the Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. Topics include: your digital footprint, your right to online privacy, why and how companies share your information, social media, and privacy settings. Free. (310) 318-0675 op. 5, or go to redondo.org/library.
Fourth time’s a charm
Feed the Kitty’s new CD, “Ain’t Dead Yet,” has just been released and the band is unveiling it at The Bull Pen in Redondo Beach from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. (310) 375-7797 or go to thebullpenredondo.com.
Sunday, January 12
Just sit back and listen
The Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay presents pianist Claire Huangci at 7:30 p.m. in the Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Huangci is a multiple international prize winner and she will play selections from Beethoven, Brahms, plus Clara and Robert Schumann. For details, including ticket availability, call (310) 544-0403 ext. 221, visit mycosb.org, or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com.
Has he slowed down?
“”I’m Not Running,” a play by David Hare, is being screened as part of the National Theatre Live Series at 2 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. This is a political drama that explores personal choices and their public consequences. The cast includes Sian Brooke, Joshua McGuire, and Alex Hassell. Tickets, $17.50. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to TorranceArts.org.
An afternoon serenade
Cellist Eric Byers and pianist Fabio Bidini perform Robert Schumann’s “Fantasiestücke,” Igor Stravinsky’s “Suite Italienne,” and David Popper’s “Fantasy on Little Russian Songs,” at 2 p.m. in the Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, 26438 Crenshaw Blvd, Rolling Hills Estates. Free. (310) 316-5574.
Work by Norman S. Chamberlain (1887-1961) opening Sunday at Downtown Books, Art, and Framing in San Pedro.
Downtown Books & Art Gallery is exhibiting paintings by Norman S. Chamberlain (1887-1961), with an opening reception at 4 p.m. “The Modern Works” highlights an artist who was employed by the WPA, was shown at LACMA, and has paintings in such places as the Huntington Park Post Office, the First National Bank of Pasadena, and Riverside High School. Where? 414 W. Sixth St, San Pedro. (310) 720-3407 or go to dtbooksart.com.
Thursday, January 16
Choice offerings
Little Fish Theatre’s 2020 season begins with the ever-popular “Pick of the Vine,” a collection of one-act plays chosen from over 670 submissions from around the world. The opening is at 8 p.m., with additional Thursday to Sunday performances through Feb. 2. Tickets, $28 general; $26 seniors, and $15 for those 25-and-under who can recite the word “Hipster.” Opening night is $24. Prices do not include $1 ticket service fee. The theater is at 777 S. Centre St, San Pedro. (310) 512-6030 or go to littlefishtheatre.org. ER