South Bay arts calendar for Nov. 15 to 21
“Forever Plaid,” the musical comedy about singers who tragically die in the 1950s but return for one last concert, plays Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Norris Theatre, Rolling Hills Estates. Tickets, $70 to $30. Photo by Tracey Roman, courtesy of ICT. (310) 544-0403 or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com
Death was no obstacle
“Forever Plaid,” the musical comedy about four lads (an all-male harmony group) who die tragically in the 1950s but manage to return from the great beyond for one last (and presumably memorable) concert, is being performed on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Tickets, $70 to $30. Call (310) 544-0403 or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com.
“Being Present” is a group exhibition opening with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday at Artlife Gallery, 720C S. Allied Way, in Plaza El Segundo, El Segundo. Live music by Dave Carroll and refreshments. The show runs through Nov. 30. Pictured, photography by Joanne Chase-Mattillo. (310) 938-2511
For the prince trapped in the body of the beast! Will Belle break the spell? The South Bay Conservatory presents “Beauty and the Beast” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, plus 2 p.m. on Saturday, in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $22. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to southbayconservatory.com.
Shopping till you’re dropping?
“Carla Fernández: Manifesto of Fashion as Resistance” is on view through Nov. 25 at the Palos Verdes Art Center, 5504 W. Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, but there’s a trunk show and weaving demonstration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where you can meet Ms. Fernández and also master weaver Margarita Lopez Hernandez. (310) 541-2479 or go to pvartcenter.org.
Not a winter desert story
“A Christmas Cactus” is, in one sentence, a merry mystery that mashes Dickens and Doyle in a charming Christmas tale where goodwill and justice triumph. But why stop there? Cactus O’Riley is a sassy private eye with the holiday blues. He needs to solve a case and “take a second chance on love and sleuthing.” The play opens at 8 p.m. at Little Fish Theatre, 777 S. Centre St., San Pedro. Through Dec. 16. Opening night tickets are $23. Thereafter it’s $27 general, $25 seniors,and $15 for patrons 25 and under. (310) 512-6030 or go to littlefishtheatre.org.
Singing their hearts out
The Loyola Marymount University Choruses are performing at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church, 1900 S. Prospect Ave., Redondo Beach. The groups include the Consort Singers, the Women’s Chamber Ensemble, and the Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Mary C. Breden. Seasonal favorites as well as excerpts from John Rutter’s “Gloria” are on the program. (310) 338-5154.
Hedgehog Swing stays true to the music of 1930s France, playing acoustic jazz in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. The group performs at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Friends of the Library Room of the El Segundo Public Library. (310) 524-2728
Who’s the artist? Buy & find out
“Art2Go3” takes place with a reception at 3 p.m. at Destination: Art, 1815 W. 213rd St., downtown Torrance. Some 350 unsigned paintings in every format are for sale, but you’ll only learn who the artist is after you’ve bought the picture. The works were mostly created by members of Destination: Art and their supporters. Special pricing through Nov. 24. Call (310) 742-3192 or go to destination-art.net.
The Brazilian recorder quartet Quinta Essentia performs at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the First Lutheran Church and School in Torrance. The program features works by Radamés Gnattali, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Daniel Wolff. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574
Hedgehog Swing is a group that prides itself on being true to the music of 1930s France, specifically acoustic jazz in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. The band performs for free at 2 p.m. in the Friends of the Library Room of the El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., at Main St., in El Segundo. (310) 524-2728.
You’re here now
“Being Present” is a group exhibition opening with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at Artlife Gallery, 720C S. Allied Way, in Plaza El Segundo, El Segundo. Live music by Dave Carroll and refreshments. The show runs through Nov. 30. Call (310)938-2511.
Hermosa born and bred
A solo show called “You Should Have Been Here Yesterday” devoted to painter Bob Dog opens at ShockBoxx, 636 Cypress Ave., Hermsoa Beach. Reception from 7 to 9 p.m. (310) 989-4323 or go to shockboxxproject.com.
Their musical heritage
The Brazilian recorder quartet Quinta Essentia performs at 3 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. The group’s program consists of numerous pieces by distinguished Brazilian composers such as Radamés Gnattali, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Daniel Wolff. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
It’s that time of the season
The Torrance Craftsmen’s Guild presents their “Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in the Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. It’s free. Details at TorranceCraftsmensGuild.org.
Operatic children’s fairy tale
Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” opens at 7:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown Los Angeles in the Music Center. The opera has six performances, through Dec. 15. Conducted by James Conlon and featuring the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus. Tickets start at $16. Call (213) 972-8001 or go to LAOpera.org.
“Art2Go3” takes place with a reception at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Destination: Art in Old Torrance. 350 unsigned paintings for sale, but the name of the artist is revealed only after purchase. Painted mostly by members of Destination: Art and their supporters. Special pricing through Nov. 24. Pictured, buyers at last year’s event. (310) 742-3192 or go to destination-art.net
The El Camino College Concert Band performs at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium on campus at Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Directed by Dane Teter, the program features works by Leonard Bernstein, Bruce Broughton, and Sammy Nestico. Inquire about tickets at (800) 832-ARTS or go tocenterforthearts.org.
Flying high
The Boys of Summer, an Eagles tribute band, perform “Hotel California” in its entirety at 8 p.m. in Alva’s Showroom, 1417 W. Eighth St., San Pedro. Tickets, $25. Call (310) 833-7538 or go to AlvasShowroom.tix.com.
The Boys of Summer, an Eagles tribute band, perform “Hotel California” in its entirety at 8 p.m. on Saturday in Alva’s Showroom in St., San Pedro. Tickets, $25. Call (310) 833-7538 or go to AlvasShowroom.tix.com
Skilled former addicts
The House of Hope Foundation presents their “2018 Talent Show” at 2 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. The event features the talents of local people in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. Proceeds to help women in need of substance abuse treatment. Tickets, $100; $25. Details at houseofhope.org.
Cutting musical wood
Lou Mannick is back with “Saw & Soul,” featuring his uncanny ability to draw endless sounds from the kind of saw you might eye and pass by at Sears. The performance, with guest stars Barbara Morrison and Mike McCollum, with Otis Mannick, David Witham, Ernie Nunez, Oliver C.Brown, and Candice Gawne, goes on at 4 p.m. in Alva’s Showroom, 1417 W. Eighth St., San Pedro. Tickets, $20. Call (310) 833-7538 or go to AlvasShowroom.tix.com.
On the count of three…
The El Camino College Jazz Band presents “Las Cucarachas Entran…” at 3 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium, located on campus at 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. Alan Chan directs the program that features big-band music by John Beasley, Thad Jones, Jim McNeely, and more. Call for tickets, (800) 832-ARTS or visit centerforthearts.org.
Monday, November 19
Now it’s in their court
The “Faculty Show” opens at the El Camino College Art Gallery, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, and it’s exactly what the title says. The opening reception is on Thursday, Nov. 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. There’s a gallery talk at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4. Closes on Dec. 12. Call (310) 660-3010 or go to elcamino.edu.
Wednesday, November 21
Open it and hit “Send”
The 1988 romantic comedy-drama “You’ve Got Mail,” with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, screens at 10:30 a.m. in the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library, 3301 Torrance Blvd., Torrance. Nora Ephron directed this feature film. Free. (310) 618-5959 or go to Library.TorranceCA.Gov. ER