South Bay arts calendar for June 20 to 26
The El Segundo Art Walk takes place this afternoon and evening (Thursday) from 5 to 9 p.m. through downtown El Segundo and the ever-evolving Smoky Hollow neighborhood. Free. There are 35 venues and 40 artists. Pictured, “Straws,” by James Peterson, with an idea initiated by Carmen Zella. It consists of 12,000 plastic straws (the kind that dolphins and seals like to ingest) and it’s on view at 314 Main Street. Details at elsegundoartwalk.com
Wear comfortable shoes
The fifth annual “El Segundo Art Walk” is taking place from 5 to 9 p.m. through downtown El Segundo and the ever-evolving Smoky Hollow neighborhood. Free. Among the highlights, the El Segundo Public Library is open so we can see Nanibah Chacon’s new “Portals of Memory” mural, and there’s a display devoted to Oz to complement the “Oz” exhibition at ESMoA. Details at elsegundoartwalk.com.
Under the stars with the Bard
Shakespeare by the Sea is presenting “Henry V” at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro from Thursday through Saturday, plus Tuesday, July 2, and Saturday, July 6. Young King Henry V seeks to unite his beloved England. Will he succeed? Free; donations appreciated. (310) 217-7596 or go to shakespearebythesea.org.
The musical “Pippin” plays Friday evening and then closes with the 8 p.m. show on Saturday in the Westchester Playhouse. It debuted on Broadway in 1972 with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Tickets, $27, minus $2 for seniors, students, and servicemen. Pictured: Fastrada (Lindsay Palmer) uses her charms on Charlemagne (Jon Sparks) as well as her stepson Pippin (Kyle Ray). Call (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org
Inaugural show
New Stuff Productions presents Theresa Rebeck’s “Seminar” at the Second Story Theater, 710 Pier Ave. Hermosa Beach. The play centers on four young would-be writers and their self-important professor. Jack Messenger directs. Performances, Friday and Saturday at 8, plus Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Through June 30. Tickets, $30. Call (310) 710-7035 or go to newstuffproductions.com.
Drive, she said
The Cars tribute band (“Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl”) takes the stage at 9 p.m. in the Alpine Village restaurant, 833 W. Torrance Blvd, Torrance. It’s the fourth of seven artist tribute shows throughout the summer. Admission, $15; VIP tables are $35. Call (310) 327-4384.
The opening reception for “Open View” takes place on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Artlife Gallery in Plaza El Segundo. The multi-faceted show is devoted to the international group of artists represented at this gallery, and it continues through June 30. Pictured, recent work by Melody Brown. (310) 938-2511 or email artlifesouthbay@gmail.com
Multimedia extravaganza
The “South Bay Festival of the Arts” is for the whole family and it’s taking place at the Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Among the attractions: Hands-on art, dance, theater, hands-off art, music, and craft activities. Entertainers to appear on four different stages. Food for sale from local vendors. Free. More at torrancearts.org.
Quick, he’s heading out
The musical “Pippen” closes with the 8 p.m. show on Saturday in the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. “Pippin” debuted on Broadway in 1972 with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Tickets, $27, minus $2 for seniors, students, and servicemen. (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org.
A wider vision
The opening reception for “Open View” takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Artlife Gallery, 720C S. Allied Way, Plaza El Segundo, in El Segundo. This show is devoted to the international group of artists represented at this gallery, and it’s in many styles and mediums. The show continues through June 30. Call (310) 938-2511 or email artlifesouthbay@gmail.com.
Closing time on Saturday for the current shows (Steve Shriver and Candice Gawne) at SoLA Gallery, 3718 W. Slauson Ave., Windsor Hills, Los Angeles. From 2 to 2:30 p.m. both artists will talk about their work and there will be live music from 3 to 4 p.m., with Lou Mannick on the singing saw, Sam Yodice on guitar, and Steve Shriver on harmonica. Pictured, art critic and curator Peter Frank and artist Steve Shriver. (310) 429-0973 or go to southbaycontemporary.org
Who did it? You did it?
The annual fundraiser gala presented by the Friends of the Torrance Theatre Company is “Bye Bye, Bayou… Hello, Torrance,” and it’s a comic murder mystery written by Cindy Shield and directed by Perry Shields. It’s taking place at 5:30 p.m. in the DoubleTree Hotel in Torrance. Tickets are $125 and proceeds go towards the 2019-2020 season. (424) 243-6882 or go to TorranceTheatreCompany.com.
They’ll be grateful
The 23rd annual “Celebrate Wellness” food and beverage tasting fundraiser, presented by Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach and hosted by the South Coast Botanic Garden, takes place in the garden from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Peninsula. Tickets, $175, and guests must be 21 or older. (310) 376-3550 or go to CelebrateWellness.org.
Monday, June 24
Artistry in motion
The “Art of Dance Showcase,” featuring C.C. Dance Company I II III, is being presented by the Studio Art of Dance at 2 and 7 p.m. on Monday and 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $23, $20, $17. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to thestudioartofdance.com.
“Subject: Oceans” is the title of an exhibition by Nathalie Clark and Ron Libbrecht, plus Ron Squared (being Libbrecht and Ron Hust), and it’s on view through June 28 at APC Printing & Graphics, 1621 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance. Pictured, “The Uprising at Dawn,” by Ron Libbrecht. (310) 328-0366
Characters, situations
Ralph Cissne, author of “Prudence in Hollywood and Other Stories,” talks about his book from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the second floor meeting room of the Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. He appeared at the library last year and discussed his novel “Angel City Singles.” Copies of his book will be for sale. (310)318-0675 op. 5, or go to redondo.org/library.
Ozzie and Gloria Cadena. Photo
Long live Ozzie!
Hermosa Beach is honoring the 70th anniversary of The Lighthouse, owned by John Levine and booked by Howard Rumsay (who brought in such musicians as Miles Davis and Chet Baker). And in so doing the City is also honoring the late jazz promoter Ozzie Cadena and his wife Gloria: the latter two will be honored with a plaque, installed at 6 p.m. on Pier Plaza to honor their contributions to the former local jazz scene. Afterwards, at 7 p.m., there will be a free concert inside The Lighthouse, performed by David Benoit and others. ER