South Bay arts calendar for May 16 to 22

Thursday, May 16
He’ll ruin your masterpiece!
Steven Rowley discusses “The Editor,” his new novel, at 7 p.m. in {pages} a bookstore, 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. The book is about an author whose famous editor changes him forever, both as a writer and as a son. (310) 318-0900 or go to pagesabookstore.com.

Now it’s back to life
“Dead Accounts,” Theresa Rebeck’s play about boiling point and big money, opens at 8 p.m. at Little Fish Theatre, 777 S. Centre St., San Pedro. Apart from this evening ($24 and, with code “Hipster” for those 25 and under, $15), the show plays Fridays and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., through June 9. Talkback performance May 26, with access to actors and creative team. Tickets, $28 general; $26 seniors; $15 hipsters (see above). Call (310) 512-6030 or go to littlefishtheatre.org.

Friday, May 17
His life and literature
“Extraordinary Tales in Music” is a multimedia concert that highlights the travels, the loves, and three of the finest works of Edgar Allan Poe. It features original music by William E. Doyle and takes place at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium, located on the campus of El Camino College at Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Poe remains one of this country’s most fascinating authors: come and learn why. Tickets, $21 to $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.

Prince longs for passion
“Pippin,” the musical, is being presented by Kentwood Players at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. The play opened on Broadway in 1972 with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets, $27, less $2 for seniors, students, servicemen. Through June 22. Call (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org.

This is their moment
“Student Show 2019,” featuring works by El Camino College art department students, has its reception from 5 to 8 p.m. in the on-campus art gallery, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. The art department open house takes place as well. The show will be up through May 30. Closed on May 27. Call (310) 660-3010.

Protect, don’t provoke
The “60th Armed Forces Day Concert,” featuring Navy Band Southwest, takes place at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. It’s being hosted by the Torrance Police Department. Free, but seats are limited (four per adult). To learn more, call the box office at (310) 781-7171.

Saturday, May 18
Now let’s get to work
“Playtime is Over: A Solo Exhibition by Preston Smith” opens with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. at ShockBoxx, 636 Cypress Ave., Hermosa Beach. This is Smith’s first solo show in Hermosa, and his playful concept invites attendees to get down on the floor and to remember what playtime was really all about. Are you with me? Through May 25. Call (310) 989-4323 or go to shockboxxproject.com.

Rising to a new level
“Subject: Oceans” is the title of an exhibition with works by Nathalie Clark and Ron Libbrecht, plus Ron Squared (being Libbrecht and Ron Hust), and it opens with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. at APC Printing & Graphics, 1621 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance. It’ll be up through June 28. Call (310) 328-0366.

Upper shelf music
The Valley Baroque Duo, consisting of flautist Laura Halladay and pianist Yoko Mizuno, perform at 2 p.m. in the El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave, at Main St., in El Segundo. Works from Bach to Handel and Vivaldi will be performed. Both musicians are members of the larger Valley Baroque Ensemble. Free. (310) 524-2728.

Gone global
iPalpiti Laureate soloists, violist Adelya Shagidullina from Tatarstan, violinist Azer Damirov from Azerbaijan, and pianist Jacopo Giacopuzzi from Italy, perform at 3 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St, Torrance. The eclectic program includes work by Schumann, Debussy, Shostakovich, Brahms, as well as Masgut Latypov, Franghiz Ali-Zadeh, Fikret Amirov, and Max Bruch. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.

It all becomes clear
“Revelations,” a group exhibition, is having its opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at ArtLife Gallery, 720C S. Allied Way, Plaza El Segundo, in El Segundo. The artists have been invited to explore themes of human existence and the unknown. Through May 31. Call (310) 938-2511 or email artlifesouthbay@gmail.com.

Two bands, one low price
The El Camino College Concert Band presents “Masterpieces Then and Now,” performing separately and then with the Peninsula Symphonic Winds (who will also do a solo turn). Dane Teter directs the ECC group and Berkeley Price with PS Winds. Rossano Galante will guest conduct two of his own works. It all takes place at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Tickets, $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.

Shooting up the world
Mohan Bhasker’s latest photographic work is on view from 6 p.m. at Bhasker Gallery, Promenade on the Peninsula, 550 Deep Valley Dr. #114, Rolling Hills Estates. Images from his trips to Namibia, Patagonia, Victoria Falls, and more. Live music, wine, appetizers. (310) 944-2625.

Auditions for a seance
The Kentwood Players are holding tryouts for Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Callbacks are on Monday at 7 p.m. by appt. Only. Non-equity, non-paid. Gail Bernardi directs. Performance dates are July 19 through August 24, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon, at the Westchester Playhouse. For character breakdown, questions, concerns, email blithespirit@kentwoodplayers.org.

Sunday, May 19
It’s all in the title
“Gospel!” is the name of the concert being performed at 7 p.m. by the Joanna Medawar Nachef Singers in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. The ensemble is singing choral music from a cappella spirituals to accompanied gospel pieces by the likes of Hairston, McNeil, Hogan and Gibbs. Tickets, $30 adults, $20 seniors, $10 students (but there is a processing fee). Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.

Human spiders
The “Weaving and Fiber Festival: Fiber Fun for Creative People,” presented by the Southern California Handweavers’ Guild, takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Comes with a range of vendors, with lunch service starting at 11:30 a.m., followed by raffle drawings, silent auction, and a fashion show at 2 p.m. Tickets, $6, $3. More at schg.org/festival or stitches.events/SoCal.

Dance away the day and night
Dance It Up is presenting the Third Annual “Hot Ballroom DanceSport Challenge” from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Torrance Marriott Hotel, 3635 Fashion Way, Torrance. This world class competition is open to one and all. The matinee session highlights dancers of all ages, and the 6 p.m. evening show features various championship events including a performance by Dancing with the Stars pros Anna Trebunskaya and Emmy-nominated choreographer Dmitry Chaplin. Information and tickets, hotballroomdancesport.com/.

Spirit of the Ryukyu Islands
The Okinawa Association of America presents “Utayabira Wuduyabira: (“Let’s Sing, Let’s Dance!) at 2 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Learn what makes this archipelago unique. Tickets, $20. More at oaamensore.org.

Wednesday, May 22
Burning through the notes
El Camino College’s Concert Jazz Band, directed by Alan Chan, presents “Ritmo Caliente” at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Works by Chan himself, plus Alex Acuña, Dizzy Gillespie, Thad Jones, Dafnis Prieto, ECC students Mamoru Sakamoto, alumnus Anibal Seminario and others to be performed. Tickets, $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org. ER

Comments:

comments so far. Comments posted to EasyReaderNews.com may be reprinted in the Easy Reader print edition, which is published each Thursday.