South Bay arts calendar for May 3 to 9

ShockBoxx Gallery presents “Cool School,” opening with a reception Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the gallery, 636 Cypress Ave., Hermosa Beach. Closing reception on Sunday, 5 to 7 p.m. The show features student art, 8th grade and under. Pictured, “Cappuccino Squirrel,” by Jaya Glynn. (310) 989-4323

ShockBoxx Gallery presents “Cool School,” opening with a reception Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the gallery, 636 Cypress Ave., Hermosa Beach. Closing reception on Sunday, 5 to 7 p.m. The show features student art, 8th grade and under. Pictured, “Cappuccino Squirrel,” by Jaya Glynn. (310) 989-4323

Thursday, May 3
Starts at the drawing table
There’s a book launch from 7 to 9 p.m. for Grant Kirkpatrick’s “California Contemporary: The Houses of Grant C. Kirkpatrick and KAA Design,” taking place at Pages Bookstore, 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. You can RSVP to Jane Pennoyer if you type in jane@metworksinc.net.
A play about books
“Provenance,” by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder, opens at Little Fish Theatre, 777 S. Centre St., San Pedro, and it’s about a librarian atop a mountain whose isolation is broken by a woman on a quest to read 100 books… the last is with the librarian. And, well, things happen. Thursdays, May 3 to 24 at 8 p.m., plus Wednesday, May 16 and 23, also at 8 p.m. On Sunday, May 6, there’s a talk-back session. Tickets, $27 general; $23 seniors. Patrons under 25 can score tickets for $15. (310) 512-6030 or go to littlefishtheatre.org.
Got those moves down, buddy?
North High School’s “Dance Spring Show” takes place at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. It’s all here, from hip-hop to jazz and contemporary. Tickets, $12. Call Coral Taylor at (310) 938-7033.
Centennial Art Project deadline
The El Segundo Arts and Culture Committee has put out a call for artists for the Centennial Art Project and the deadline is May 8, and that’s next Tuesday. However, you don’t need to have a final project, but you do need to apply in order to qualify. Four artists will be chosen and they will receive a stipend of $1,000. Interested? Go to esartsandculture.com/centennial-art-project/.

Pianist Victor Shlyakhtenko performs an all-Chopin program at 12:15 p.m. on Friday in the First Lutheran Church and School in Torrance. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574

Friday, May 4
You, pay attention!
“Distracted,” a comedy about ADD, by Lisa Loomer, is being performed Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., plus Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., in the Second Story Theater, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Proceeds benefit MBEF and South Bay Families Connected. Great reception last weekend! Tickets, $25. Call (310) 710-7035 or go to distractedplay.brownpapertickets.com.
Kaleidoscopic dancing!
“42nd Street” is at the Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. plus Sunday at 2 p.m. Next weekend, same schedule. Tickets, $30 to $80. Call (310) 544-0403 or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com.

“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” starring Jimmy Stewart, screens Friday through Sunday in the Old Town Music Hall, El Segundo. Tickets, $10 general and $8 seniors (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org

They’ll wake you up
“The Drowsy Chaperone,” the comedic musical set within 1920s recorded musicals, so to speak, is being presented by the Miraleste Intermediate School Rooster Club at the school, located at 29323 Palos Verdes Dr. East, Rancho Palos Verdes. Performances, Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets, $10 for the 2 p.m. matinee, and $12 or $15 for the 7 p.m. shows. At the door or go to showtixd4u.com. Have a question? Contact miralestemusical@gmail.com.
The people have spoken
Jimmy Stewart stars in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” screening at 8:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, as well as 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Tickets, $10 general and $8 seniors (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
Pastel is passing
Your last chance to see or revisit the Pastel Society of Southern California’s “Ninth Annual Members’ Exhibition” is today (Friday), through 5 p.m. It’s up right now at the South Bay Lexus Service Center, 24777 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. To learn more or to send regrets, call Lynn Attig at (310) 374-8309 or go to pastesocal.com.
They cover the bases
The New West Guitar Group performs covers as well as jazz standards and originals (theirs) at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium, on the campus of El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. They’ve released seven full-length albums since 2005, including last year’s “Live at Mauch Chunk Opera House.” Tickets, $10 to $26. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
Fast track keyboardist
Pianist Victor Shlyakhtenko performs an all-Chopin program at 12:15 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. It’s free, but donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
He’s watching from high above
The Pettybreakers perform their tribute to the late Tom Petty at 8 p.m. in the Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. For tickets, call (310) 833-4813 or go to grandvision.org.

Andy Hill and Renee Safier, with their band Hard Rain, present their 28th annual DylanFest on Saturday from 12 to 8 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center in Torrance. 65 Bob Dylan-composed songs will be sung with no repeats. Food and drink available for sale. Tickets, $35 adults and $10 children. Advance tickets if you go to andyandrenee.com

Saturday, May 5
Will he show up this year?
Andy Hill and Renee Safier, with their band Hard Rain, present their 28th annual DylanFest, taking place from 12 to 8 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. It’s always a blast, with 65 Bob Dylan-composed songs being sung and no repeats. Chef Michael Shafer provides casual food and beverages for sale during the event. Tickets, $35 adults and $10 children. Advance tickets if you go to andyandrenee.com.
Kids’ stuff. Or is it?
ShockBoxx Gallery presents “Cool School,” opening with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. at the gallery, 636 Cypress Ave., Hermosa Beach. Then come back the next day (Sunday) for the closing reception from 5 to 7 p.m. The show features student art, 8th grade and under, in the disciplines of computer art, drawing, mixed media, assemblage, painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture. (310) 989-4323.

Surface and Structure” at Branch Gallery closes this Sunday. It features works by 17 members of California Fibers, including Linda Anderson, whose “Spellbound” is shown here. 1031 W. Manchester Blvd., Suite 3, Inglewood. (3100 395-3880

What treasures there be?
“Artrageous” is a community art festival, taking place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Manhattan Beach Community Church, 303 S. Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach. Some 40+ artists; live art demonstrations. Free.
Ani get your gun
There’s an “Anifest,” presented by JCEG and Anime Convention Fans from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Toyota Meeting Hall, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. The event celebrates the beauty and fandom of all things anime. Tickets, $20, $10. More at anifest.org.
Let’s jazz it up, shall we?
The fifth annual “ECC Jazz Festival: Fiesta de Jazz!” takes place from 3 p.m., starting with the Concert Jazz Band, and at 4 p.m. there’s faculty members Larry Steen and Mark Massey giving a clinic about their careers as rhythm section musicians. At 5 p.m. Seminario and Ferrero give an hour-long clinic session about Afro-Peruvian rhythm and jazz. And there’s lots more, with the evening gala concert set for 8 p.m., which includes the 19-piece Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra. Daytime events are free; gala concert tickets are $10 adults and $5 for high school students with ID. It’s all at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
Then the kids grew up
Rick Miller presents his solo performance “Boom” about the Baby Boom generation (those born between 1945 and 1969), and documents the music, culture, and politics of these wayward youths, now senior or near-senior citizens. Well, maybe not you folks born in the ‘60s, but you’re getting there too. Tickets, $35, $10. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancearts.com. There’s also more at rickmiller.ca/boom.
Is that your heartbeat?
LA Taiko Institute (drum and dance) and Mochi Mochi (there’s the mochi-making experience) take place at 8 p.m. in the Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Everyone dances and everyone eats! For tickets, call (3100 833-4813 or go to grandvision.org.

Tuesday, May 8
Prolific writer
Author Christina Hoag discusses her novels (“Girl on the Brink,” “Skin of Tattoos,” etc.) 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. Free. (310) 318-0675 op. 5 or go to redondo.org/library.
Food’s good, music’s fine
Solo guitarist TJ Brinjak performs from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Suzy’s Bar & Grill, 1141 Aviation Blvd., at Prospect, in Hermosa Beach. Half of the tip jar goes to Project Touch. (310) 379-6171. ER

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