South Bay arts calendar for Nov. 1 to 7
“When the Whaledogs Come Back,” recent paintings by Peggy Reavey, goes on view this evening (Thursday) at Gallery 478, located at 478 W. Seventh St., San Pedro. The reception for the artist is on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. Highly individualized imagery commenting on life and politics. Through Dec. 29. Hours, Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and by appointment. (310) 600-4873 or (310) 732-2150
Through the viewfinder
The San Pedro Photography Association’s “San Pedro Photographer’s Show” features work by Vince Pirozzi, Janine King, Lisa Greget, Mark Radmilovich, Lena Milos, Bobby Fabro, and Larry Hodgson, and it takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. at Dekor Gallery, 445 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Hosted by Lisa Medina-Guthman, the reception is on Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. (310) 831-1800 or go to dekorgallery.com.
Stories through paintings
“When the Whaledogs Come Back,” recent work by Peggy Reavey, goes on view this evening at Gallery 478, located at 478 W. Seventh St., San Pedro. The reception for the artist is on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. The figurative but highly individualized imagery comments on our political and social situation. Co-presented by TransVagrant and Gallery 478. Through Dec. 29. Hours, Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and by appointment. (310) 600-4873 or (310) 732-2150.
Kala Koa presents “Icons of Vinyl: The Ultimate Tribute Tour” at 7 p.m. on Friday in the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The lineup consists of Journeyman (playing the music of Eric Clapton), Desperado (music of the Eagles), and The PettyBreakers (ditto: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers). Pictured: Desperado. Tickets, $55 to $25. Call (800) 595-4849 or go to kalakoa.com
The Hausmann Quartet performs quartets by Joseph Haydn at 12:15 p.m. on Friday in the First Lutheran Church and School in Torrance. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574
Death of a young man
“The Laramie Project,” by Moisés Kaufman and the Techtonic Theatre Company, is being presented in Mira Costa High School’s Small Theatre, 1401 Artesia Blvd., Manhattan Beach. This is the story of Matthew Shepard’s brutal and fatal beating outside of Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998. Performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Wednesday at 4 p.m. Next week: Thursday, Nov. 8, at 6:30 p.m., plus Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9 and 10, at 7:30. Tickets, $12 adult and $10 student, senior (plus $1), in advance, being before 3 p.m. on opening day. At the door: $15 adult and $12 student, senior. The Wednesday show is $5 for students, first come and first served, but adult prices hold. Go to miracostadramaboosters.org.
Paying homage to pop stars
Kala Koa Entertainment presents “Icons of Vinyl: The Ultimate Tribute Tour” at 7 p.m. in the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Redondo Beach. The lineup consists of Journeyman (playing the music of Eric Clapton), Desperado (music of the Eagles), and The PettyBreakers (ditto: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers). It’ll be like being at a great concert that never was! Tickets, $55 to $25. Call (800) 595-4849 or go to kalakoa.com.
Haydn seekers
The Hausmann Quartet, with cellist Alex Greenbaum, violinists Isaac Allen and Bram Goldstein, and violist Angela Choong, performs more from its cycle of Joseph Haydn’s 68 quartets at 12:15 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
“Ride the Wild Wheels,” featuring the photography of Spot, has a 7 p.m. closing reception on Saturday at Pacific Coast Gallery in Hermosa Beach. There’s a Q&A with Spot, SST Records co-owner Joe Carducci, and Randy Nauert from the surf rock band The Challengers. (310) 853-3564 or go to pacificcoast.gallery
One last hurrah
“Ride the Wild Wheels,” featuring the photography of Spot, closes at Pacific Coast Gallery, 205 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. The wrap-up party begins at 7 p.m. and features a panel and Q&A with Spot, SST Records co-owner Joe Carducci, and Randy Nauert from the surf rock band The Challengers. (310) 853-3564 or go to pacificcoast.gallery/.
Life on Main Street, USA
Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” is being presented by the El Camino College Theatre Department at the college Campus Theatre, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Scott Alan Smith directs. Performances, Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Next week: Thursday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m., plus Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9 and 10, at 8 p.m. Tickets, $10 to $15. Onsite parking is $3. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
Capturing the spirit
James Garner’s tribute to Johnny Cash takes place at 8 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Songs and anecdotes. Tickets, $35, $30, $25. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancearts.org. You can also check out CashTribute.net.
Your movie favorites
The El Camino College Symphony Orchestra, Chorale, and the South Bay Children’s Choir are joining forces for “ECC Plays and Sings Famous Film Scores by John Williams” at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Respectively, these groups are led by Dane Teter,Joanna Nachef, and Diane Simons. You’ll hear music from “Saving Private Ryan,” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Empire of the Sun,” and more. For tickets, call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
Opera as political commentary
“Three Tales,” composed by Steve Reich with visuals by Beryl Korot, is being presented by Long Beach Opera on Saturday and Sunday in the Ernest Borgnine Theater, located in the Scottish Rite Event Center, Long Beach. The stage director is Andreas Mitisek. The three tales? The Hindenburg explosion, the Bikini Atoll nuclear tests, and Dolly the cloned sheep. Details by calling (562) 470-7464 or visiting longbeachopera.org.
“The Laramie Project” opens Friday in Mira Costa High School’s Small Theatre, 1401 Artesia Blvd., Manhattan Beach. This is the story of Matthew Shepard’s brutal and fatal beating outside of Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998. Performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Wednesday at 4 p.m. Next week also: Thursday to Saturday. Tickets online or (slightly higher) at the door. Pictured: the entire cast. Go to miracostadramaboosters.org
Let out a big one
The Amazing Bubbleman (Louis Pearl) entertains the whole family as he explores the dynamics of blowing bubbles, with comedy and artistry and audience participation. Two shows, at 2 and 5 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $25, $20, $15. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancearts.org. To learn more, visit amazingbubbleman.com.
Lively punk blues
Lindsay Beaver has a debut CD on Alligator Records called “Tough as Love,” and it melds blues, soul, R&B, and old school rock. Energetic and infectious (we’ve been listening to it). She performs with her band at 4 p.m. at Malainey’s Grill, 168 N. Marina Dr., Long Beach. (323) 377-5291 or go to pasadenablues.com.
Monday, November 5
March up to it
“Generations of Honor, The Soundtrack of the American Soldier” is a performance that features the Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus of the United States Army Field Band, and it takes place at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Admission and campus parking are free, although tickets are required. Get them by calling (800) 832-ARTS or by visiting centerforthearts.org.
Tuesday, November 6
Someone got a sponge?
“Soak up Light with the Impressionists” is the title of this month’s Artful Days talk, taking place from 12:10 to 1 p.m. in the George Nakano Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. The Impressionists loved light, especially light reflections on the water. Come hear why. Free. (310) 618-2378 or go to TorranceCA.Gov.
Wednesday, November 7
It started as a documentary…
The South Bay Film Society still has tickets for “American Street Kid,” screening at 7:15 p.m. in the AMC Rolling Hills Theatre, 2591 Airport Dr., Torrance. There’s a Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening. (310) 326-1167 or email randy@southbayfilmsociety.com.
Two immigrant families
“Valley of the Heart,” written and directed by Luis Valdez (“Zoot Suit”), opens at 8 p.m. in the Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown Los Angeles in the Music Center. At the heart of this American story is the fight to maintain dignity, identity, family and faith. Through Dec. 9. Tickets, $30 to $99. Call (213) 628-2772 or go to CenterTheatreGroup.org. ER