The way it was
“Robi Hutas: Classic Photographs and Watercolors” goes on view at Richard Stephens/Cannery Row Studios, in The Loft at 401 S. Mesa St., San Pedro. Open during the First Thursday Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Hutas has chronicled life and sports in the South Bay, especially in Hermosa and Redondo Beach, since the 1960s. Show open each weekday from 1 to 5 p.m., with a closing reception on Sunday, Dec. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. (310) 291-5316 or go to canneryrowstudios.com.
“Farewell,” featuring the assemblage and installation art of Ben Zask and the paper and assemblage art of Peggy Silvert, opens tonight at Michael Stearns Studio, also in The Loft (see above). The reception for the artists takes place on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 2 to 5 p.m. Both artists have been integral to art in the South Bay for decades, and Silvert also operates a gallery on Slauson in Los Angeles. (562) 400-0544 or contact michaelstearnsstudio@gmail.com.
Friday, November 8
Getting re-energized
“A New Beginning” is the name of the first concert in the 70th season of the Beach Cities Symphony, a season which will feature four conductors as the company seeks a replacement for longtime but departed conductor Barry Brisk. Geoffrey Pope conducts Rossini’s “Overture to La Gazza Ladra” and Tchaikovsky’s “Suite from The Firebird.” Pianist Georgi Slavchev is featured in Brahms’ “Piano Concerto No. 1.” The concert takes place at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. A pre-concert lecture is at 7:15. Parking, $3, but the concert is free; donations appreciated. (310) 374-7461 or go to BeachCitiesSymphony.org.
“She Kills Monsters,” a play by Qui Nguyen, is being presented by Mira Costa High School Drama Tech, opening tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Mira Costa’s Small Theatre, 1401 Artesia Blvd, Manhattan Beach. After the death of her sister Tilly, Agnes finds her Dungeons & Dragons notebook, and through the portal she goes, into the imaginary world adventure that was Tilly’s refuge. Additional shows: Saturday at 7:30 and Wednesday at 4 p.m. (special student show); plus Thursday, Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m.; and closing on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 7: 30 p.m. All tickets are for specific dates and times: $15 adults and $12 students and seniors. Details at miracostadramaboosters.org.
Love and death in the 1920s
“Chicago,” the long-running Broadway musical, is being presented in the MPR at Palos Verdes High School, 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates. The story follows Roxy Hart, a wannabe vaudevillian star arrested for murdering her lover, before hooking up with another murderess, Velma Kelly. Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Also next week: Thursday, Nov. 14, at 4 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15 and 16, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. Recommended for mature audiences(13 and up). Tickets, $20 adults; $15 students. Premium table seating is $30. At the door, or by calling (310) 378-8471, ext. 237, or by visiting pvhsdrama.com.
Doo-woppa-doo
The Living Sisters, featuring L.A.-based indie artists Inara George (The Bird and the Bee), Becky Stark (Lavender Diamond), Elini Mandell, and Alex Lilly, perform ‘40s doo-wop, jazz, folk and country at 8 p.m. in the Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Tickets, $27 general; $32 cabaret; $37 front row cabaret; and $37 VIP. Also, wine tasting for $16 from 7 to 7:45 p.m. (310) 833-4813 or go to grandvision.org.
Saturday, November 9
A pastel paradise
The Pastel Society of Southern California celebrates its 10th anniversary with a showcase of nearly 50 works, now on view but with an opening reception on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Riviera UMC, 375 Palos Verdes Blvd, Redondo Beach. The artists are from the South Bay and beyond. Hours, Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Nov. 23. Call Lynn Attig, (310) 374-8309, or visit pastelsocal.com.
April’s Fools Comedy Improv Troupe performs at 7:30 p.m. in the Second Story Theatre, 710 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach. Directed by Steve Lurie and Valerie Gorsuch, the humor will have you in stitches (saving you a hospital visit). Guest performer: Chris Moore; keyboardist: Bob Mitchell. Tickets, $10 general and $8 seniors. (310) 318-1705 or go to AprilsFoolsImprov.com.
Autumn is here
Violinist Ljubomir Velickovic presents a chamber music concert at 5 p.m. in Haag Recital Hall at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Music by Vivaldi, Piazzolla, Boccherini, and “Hedwig’s Theme” from “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” are among the works to be performed. Tickets, $21 to $10; onsite parking is $3. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
Crafty old people
The Senior Citizens Holiday Arts and Craft Sale takes place from 9:30 p.m. (when only seniors are awake) to 2:30 p.m. (when they have to go and nap) in the Ken Miller Auditorium, 3341 Torrance Blvd, Torrance. Free to get in. Getting out, I don’t know. (310) 320-5918.
Resurrection
Cubensis, a Grateful Dead revivalist band, takes us back to the ‘60s and ‘70s, starting at 8 p.m. in the Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Tickets, $22 general; $27 cabaret; $32 front row cabaret; and $32 VIP. (310) 833-4813 or go to grandvision.org
It’s like being in Vienna
The Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay, featuring violinist Martin Chalifour (Concertmaster, L.A. Phil), performs work by Mozart, Beethoven, and Purcell at 7:30 p.m. in the Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Frances Steiner conducts. Detailed program info at mycosb.org. For tickets, call (310) 544-0403, ext. 221, or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com.
Love and politics
Shakespeare’s “Antony & Cleopatra,” as presented by the National Theatre Live Series, is being screened at 2 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Ralph Fiennes stars as Antony and Sophie Okonedo is Cleopatra. You never know how it ends up, right? It’s three hours, 40 minutes, with one intermission. Tickets, $17.50. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to TorranceArts.org.
Musical collaboration
Pianist Steven Vanhauwaert joins up with the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, under the direction of Charles Dickerson III, in a performance of Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, op. 37,” at 2 p.m. in the Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, 26438 Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates (northeast corner of PV Dr. N and Crenshaw). Vanhauwaert will also perform a selection for solo piano. Free, but contribute what you can. (310) 316-5574.
Wednesday, November 13
100 years on
“Stacy Sullivan: A Tribute to Miss Peggy Lee” is a portrait of the singer-songwriter’s life and music, and it’s taking place Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Carpenter Center, 6200 Atherton St, Long Beach. Tickets start at $45. Also, optional dinner at 6 p.m. (562) 985-7000 or go to carpenterarts.org. ER
