South Bay arts calendar for Oct. 24 to 31
“Allure” is just that, a color-driven show by international artists living in the South Bay, curated by Vanesa Andrade. It’s currently at Artlife Gallery, 720C S. Allied Way, Plaza Segundo, in El Segundo. Open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pictured, art by Lori Stanford. (310) 938-2511
It’ll grow on you
“Plant,” featuring the work of artist Amely Spoetzl… a peek inside her studio, as it were, to see urban interventions, photographs, drawings, sculptures, and more. The photographs were created in collaboration with Bernd Zoellner. Jasmine Nyende is also being featured: she’s an LA-based new media artist whose work includes poetry, fiber art, and experimental performance. The work is up through Jan. 25. Free. (424) 277-1020 or visit esmoa.org.
“Rejoice in Art!” concludes this weekend at the Riviera UMC, 375 Palos Verdes Blvd, Redondo Beach. There are 90 original paintings. Hours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Pictured, “Wisdom,” by Zahra Pezeshk. Details at rejoiceinart.com
House of Bards is a new theater company that’s currently presenting “Macbeth” at the Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St, San Pedro. Performances: Thursday at 7:30; Friday at 7:30; plus Thursday, Oct. 31, at 7:30; Friday, Nov. 1, at 7:30; and Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m. Tickets, $30 general; $40 reserved; $60 VIP deck table seating, with a signed production poster; and $20 student, if you use the 3WITCHES code when presenting your valid student ID at the door. (310) 833-4813 or go to grandvision.org.
Friday, October 25
Visual splendor
“Rejoice in Art!” concludes this weekend at the Riviera UMC, 375 Palos Verdes Blvd, Redondo Beach. There are 90 original paintings. Hours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Details at rejoiceinart.com.
Quarteto Nuevo combines Western classical, Eastern European folk, Latin and jazz music, and the group performs their world fusion instrumentals at 8 p.m. on Friday in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Tickets, $26 to $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org
Quarteto Nuevo combines Western classical, Eastern European folk, Latin and jazz music, and the group performs at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Tickets, $26 to $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
Hear it once, or twice
The South Bay Chamber Music Society presents the Hollywood Piano Trio at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Music Dept. at LA Harbor College, 1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington. The trio (pianist Inna Faliks, violinist Roberto Cani, and cellist Robert deMaine) perform works by Beethoven, Arensky, and Haydn. The concert is repeated at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Pacific Unitarian Church, 5621 Montemalaga Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes. Free; donations appreciated. Details at sbcms.net.
Descriptive title
“The New One,” written and performed by Mike Birbiglia and directed by Seth Barrish, has the playwright delving back into his own life to tell a new story in a new way, with heart and humor. It opens at 8 p.m. in the Ahmanson Theatre, downtown L.A. in the Music Center. Through Nov. 24. Tickets, $145 to $35. Call (213) 972-4400 or go to CenterTheatreGroup.org.
Shopping or shocking mall?
Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance is hosting Halloween opportunities at their Spooktacular, Disney Junior Playdate, and Panana Night Market. The first two take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 31; the Panana Night Market hosts additional trick-or-treating fun this weekend, Oct. 25 to 27, from 4 to 11 p.m. To learn more, go to Panananightmarket.com
The Redondo Ballet Company presents its annual “Through the Pages” at 6 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday in the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. It’s a series of fairy tales brought to life through ballet and music. New this year: “Mulan” and “The Princess and the Frog.” Also: “Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys,” “Three Little Pigs,” “The Pied Piper,” and more. Tickets, $45 reserved seating, $40 general; and $25 seniors and students under 12. Photo by Jo Webber. Tickets/info at redondoballet.com/
Froggy goes ‘a courtin’
The Redondo Ballet Company presents its annual “Through the Pages” at 6 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday in the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, on the corner of Aviation and Manhattan Beach boulevards, in Redondo Beach. This large-scale production, a series of fairy tales brought to life through dance, music, and ballet, also includes “Mulan” and “The Princess and the Frog,” new this year. Other stories include “Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys,” “Three Little Pigs,” “Six Dancing Princesses,” “The Pied Piper,” and “Pinocchio.” Tickets, $45 reserved seating, $40 general; and $25 seniors and students under 12. They’re available at redondoballet.com/.
Thin skinned
“Roustan’s Halloween Bash” takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Resin, 618 Cypress Ave, Hermosa Beach. It’s a body paint art show, with costume contest, installations and candy. Paul Roustan is the renowned local body painter. Live beats by Thes One from People Under the Stairs. Free, but it’s necessary to RSVP at spooky.eventbrite.com.
The South Bay Chamber Music Society presents the Hollywood Piano Trio at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Music Dept. at LA Harbor College, Wilmington. The trio performs works by Beethoven, Arensky, and Haydn. The concert is repeated at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Pacific Unitarian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes. Free; donations appreciated. Pictured, pianist Inna Faliks. Details at sbcms.net
“Frankenstein,” the National Theater stage production from London (captured live in 2011), starring Benedict Cumberbach as the Doctor and Jonny Lee Miller as the monster, screens at 2 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $17.50. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to TorranceArts.org.
Gather ‘round, children…
The 17th annual “Scary Stories” takes place at 6:30 p.m. around the bonfire in the amphitheater (the old gun emplacement) at Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro. Directed by Melanie Jones, imaginative tales sliced just right for the Halloween season will be read: works by Shel Silverstein, Carol Gorman, Chris Priestly, and David Lubar, among others. Dress warmly, bring cushions, but free folding chairs onsite. Tickets, $5 general admission (children 6 and under are free). No reservations required. (310) 519-0936 or go to angelsgateart.org.
“Roustan’s Halloween Bash” takes place Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Resin, 618 Cypress Ave, Hermosa Beach. It’s a body paint art show, with live beats, a costume contest and more. Paul Roustan is the renowned local body painter. Free, but please RSVP at spooky.eventbrite.com
Tim Burton’s classic film, “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” is being presented by the San Pedro Film Festival at 7 p.m. in the Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. Sixth St, San Pedro. Tickets, $12 adults and $9 children. Buy ‘em at the box office or go to SPIFFest.org/tickets.
Sunday, October 27
The pleasures of daydreaming
“Just Desserts: Music for the Imagination,” presented by Los Cancioneros Master Chorale and directed by Allan Robert Petker, starts at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. The group is kicking off their 71st season, and they’ll be performing songs like “Imagine,” “Just My Imagination,” “The Sound of Silence,” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Members will be featured in solos and small groups. Tickets, $25 general and $15 students. Free parking. Call Diana at (310) 799-3072 or the box office at (310) 781-7171, or visit LCMasterChorale.com.
Tuesday, October 29
A legendary waterman
“George Freeth: Surfing’s First Legend” is a presentation by Arthur C. Verge, a professor of history at El Camino College, and his presentation, about Freeth’s time in Redondo Beach, takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the second floor meeting room of the Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. Among other things, Freeth was awarded the Congressional Medal for Lifesaving for rescuing 12 drowning Japanese fishermen in 1908. A short and rare silent film from 1913, by Mack Sennett, starring Freeth and others, filmed on the Redondo Beach Pier, will be shown. (310) 318-0675, op. 5, or go to redondo.org/library.
On Wednesday, Louisiana guitarist Tab Benoit brings his Whiskey Bayou Revue tour to St. Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $35. Photo by Domenic Forcella. (310) 372-0035 or go to saintrocke.com
Person, tree, color…
Elizabeth Strout, author of the novel “Olive, Again,” will be in discussion with Lisa See at 7 p.m. in the Hermosa Beach Playhouse, 710 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach. Strout is a Pulitzer Prize recipient. Presented by {pages} a bookstore. To get your brown (not olive) paper ticket, go to pagesabookstore.com.
From the swamplands
Louisiana guitarist Tab Benoit brings his Whiskey Bayou Revue tour to St. Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $35. Call (310) 372-0035 or go to saintrocke.com.
Scream, and scream again!
“Chills & Thrills” is a group of eight short plays, “filled with twisted treats and tricks that scream Halloween,” and they’re being presented for six performances at Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro. Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 2 and 3. Tickets, $24 opening night. Otherwise, $28 general; $26 seniors; and $15 if you’re 25 or younger and can remember to use the code “Hipster.” (310) 512-6030 or go to littlefishtheatre.org/pond/chills-thrills/. ER