From the creator of “Hamilton”
The El Camino College Theatre Department presents “In the Heights,” with music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, plus 3 p.m. on Sunday, in the school’s Campus Theatre, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. Also plays March 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31. Directed by Bill Georges with choreography by Liz Hoefner Adamis. Tickets, $15 to $25. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
Picnic lunch
“Sunday in the Park with George,” music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim with a book by James Levine, opens in the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester, with performances on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., through April 20. This musical received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Tickets, $27, less $2 for seniors. (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org.
nTyme (that is, the North Torrance Youth Musicians Ensemble) presents their “20th Annual Glen Kamida & Friends Fundraising Concert” at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. This all-volunteer organization is dedicated to providing music education to to local youth from preschool through high school. Tickets, $10, $5 (if you’re under the age of 2 you get in free). Call Kerianne Lawson at (310) 989-4550 or go to ntyme.org.
Happy birthday, baby!
The LA Harbor International Film Festival is now 16 years old and it’s taking place this weekend at the Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. And so on this date they’re screening “Sixteen Candles” (1984), by John Hughes. If you’re 16 years old, or were born on the 16th day of the month, you get in free. Otherwise it’s $10 general and $8 seniors. The film starts at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 7. Just show up, call (800) 838-3006, or go to brownpapertickets.com.
Saturday, March 16
He’ll sweep us away
“A German Requiem, Op. 45,” by Johannes Brahms, is being performed by the Joanna Medawar Nachef Singers at 7:30 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. This large-scale masterpiece for choir, orchestra, and soloists was originally composed in German, based on texts from the Lutheran Bible, but is being presented in English. Tickets, $30 general; $20 students, seniors; $10 children. (310) 781-7171 or go to JMNSingers.com.
The Palos Verdes Symphonic Band presents its annual formal concert, “Old, New, Borrowed, Blue: A Tapestry of American Music,” at 7:30 p.m. in the Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Works by Charles Ives, W. Francis McBeth, Julie Giroux, Erika Svanoe, and others. Plus pianist Haesung Park is featured in a concert band arrangement of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Tickets, $27 general; $17 for those 18 and under. (310) 544-0403, ext. 221, or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com.
Afro-Cuban Latin music
The Susie Hansen Latin Trio performs Afro-Cuban salsa and Latin jazz at 2 p.m. in the Friends of the Library Room of the El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., El Segundo. Free. (310) 524-2728 or visit eslib.org.
Four hands in sync
The Latsos Piano Duo (Anna Fedorova-Latso and Giorgi Latso) performs at 3 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. They’ll perform together on piano works by Schubert, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff, and each will also perform solo. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
Today’s best moves
The L.A. Contemporary Dance Company performs “thought-provoking and imaginative” dance at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. The three featured young choreographers are Genevieve Carson, Nathan Makolandra, and Stephanie Zaletel, with original music by L.A. composers Louis Lopez and Robert Amjarv, and also San Francisco’s NewVillager. Tickets, $22 to $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
Nothing mass-produced
The Torrance Craftsmen’s Guild is presenting their “50th Annual Spring Arts and Craft Faire” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Free. More if you visit TorranceCraftsmensGuild.org.
The Kentwood Players have open auditions for “Pippin,” by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson, from 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Callbacks are Monday at 7 p.m., appointment only. Everyone must sing. Bring sheet music in the right key, and be prepared to dance. Performance dates are May 17 to June 22. Auditions at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Questions? Go to Pippen@kentwoodplayers.org.
Not blonde? Get lost!
The LA Harbor International Film Festival, among its other events this weekend, presents a screening of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953), directed by Howard Hawks, with Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe. Tickets, $10 general; $8 students, seniors. If you dress like Lorelei or Dorothy you get in free. The film starts at 7 p.m. in the Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. More on the website, laharborfilmfest.com.
Sunday, March 17
Catapult’s Magic Shadows
As a finalist on season eight of “America’s Got Talent,” shadow dance company Catapult soared to fame with its unique blend of dance, acrobatics and illusion. The group creates and projects precise silhouettes, from dolphins, a helicopter, and the Taj Mahal to even a full size elephant accompanied by engaging storytelling. Takes place at 2 p.m. in the Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Palos Verdes Peninsula. Tickets from $30. Call (310) 544-0403 or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com.
A mass that’s massive
Los Cancioneros Master Chorale presents “Masterpieces from Haydn and Rutter” at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, and this includes Haydn’s “Harmoniemesse,” the last and largest mass he ever composed. Rutter’s “Requiem” is also on the bill. Tickets, $25 and $15. Call (310) 781-7171 or click on lcmasterchorale.com.
Better than drugs
The “Virtual Reality Program: Oculus First Contact” takes place from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the second floor meeting room of the Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. You’ll learn about the library’s new virtual reality equipment. (310) 318-0675 or go to redondo.org/library.
Tuesday, March 19
Passion plays
Senior librarian Erin Schoonover leads the monthly adult book discussion 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, and this time it’s Balli Kaur Jaswal’s “Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows.” Free. (310) 318-0675 or go to redondo.org/library.
Wednesday, March 20
Wake up and watch
“The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill but Came Down a Mountain,” directed by Christopher Monger and starring Hugh Grant, screens at 10:30 a.m. in the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library, 3301 Torrance Blvd., Torrance. Free. (310) 618-5959 or go to Library.TorranceCA.Gov.
Inspirational television
“I Want My PV TV,” presented by Palos Verdes High School Choreo, takes place Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. These students present their interpretations of past and present television shows through dance. Tickets through the PVHS student store and through PVHS Choreo dancers. ER
