South Bay arts calendar for Oct. 31-Nov. 6
Dark Harbor, on and adjacent to the ailing Queen Mary, is open through Saturday. All sorts of ghostly and ghastly thrills, including six mazes. Thursday, 7 p.m. to midnight (starting at $34), Friday, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. (starting at $39), and Saturday, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. (tickets starting at $44). Photo . Info at queenmary.com
A spooky place to be
La Imperial Dance is hosting a Halloween Party at 7:30 p.m. at 903 N. Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach. Admission, $15. Call (310) 372-7600 or go to laimperialdance.com.
Dark and dramatic
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 Sunday 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.
Bittersweet life and songs
“Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill,” inspired by one of Billie Holiday’s last performances, stars Karole Foreman stars as the singer, with pianist Stephan Terry. It concludes its run with 8 p.m. shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the International City Theatre in the Long Beach. Tickets, $47 Thursday and Friday, $49 Saturday. Suggested for audiences 16 and up. (562) 436-4610 or go to InternationalCityTheatre.org
Cellist Eric Byers and pianist Robert Thies perform Beethoven’s “Sonata No. 2 in G Minor” and Rachmaninoff’s “Andante” at 12:15 p.m. on Friday in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574
Piano and cello recital
Cellist Eric Byers and pianist Robert Thies, founding members of the Calder Quartet, perform Beethoven’s “Sonata No. 2 in G Minor” and Rachmaninoff’s “Andante” at 12:15 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
Across the dark, foreboding channel
Catalina Island Museum is presenting its “Dia de los Muertos Family Festival from 6 to 9 p.m. at the museum, 217 Metropole Ave, Avalon. Members, $12; non-members, $17; Children 3 to 15, $5 (these underage goblins must be accompanied by an adult goblin). Boat or plane fare not included. (310) 510-2414 or go to CatalinaMuseum.org.
Saturday, November 2
Girls night in
Playwright Ted Lange’s new play, “Four Queens – No Trump,” is being performed at 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. in the Ken Miller Recreation Room, 3330 Civic Center Dr, Torrance. It revolves around a card game, with each of the four women representing a queen from the deck of cards. We listen in to their “bodacious, brazen, and bawdy conversations.” Directed by the playwright and starring Anna Maria Horsford, Keena Ferguson, Kellita Smith, Chrystee Pharis, and Gordon Jefferson. Tickets, $30 (not recommended for those under 16). Call (310) 781-7171.
Writers and musicians
The 20th annual El Segundo Author Fair takes place in the El Segundo Public Library from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with writers signing their book and appearing on panels, along with live music and “children’s activities.” Musicians include the Loyola Guitar Ensemble, the Smoky Hollow Group, Sanguine and Shiny, plu combos from the Harbor Jazz Ensemble. Located at 111 W. Mariposa Ave, at Main St, in El Segundo. (310) 524-2728.
Songs like pure poetry
Perla Batalla, former backup singer for Leonard Cohen, performs “House of Cohen,” presumably a tribute to the late songwriting master, at 8 p.m. in the Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Tickets, $27 general; $37 front row cabaret; and $37 VIP. Batalla embarked on her solo career with Cohen’s encouragement. (310) 833-4813 or go to grandvision.org.
Yong Sin’s solo show, “She Who Paints with Scissors,” has been extended through Nov. 8 at Gallery 478, located at 478 W. Seventh St., San Pedro. Ron Linden curated it, and Arnee and Ray Carofano are hosting it. (310) 732-2150
“Master Artist: Solo Exhibit” features the recent canvases of Cao Yong, with the opening reception taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. in Parkhurst Galleries, 439 W. Sixth St, San Pedro. The artist will be present. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Through Dec. 31. Call (310) 547-3158 or go to parkhurstgalleries.com.
Sunday, November 3
Mostly Kosher is mostly lively
“Mostly Kosher is a musical feast that explodes into a global food-fight of Jazz, Latin,Rock, Hip Hop, and Folk.” The group performs at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. For tickets, call (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancearts.org. To learn more about the band visit mostlykosher.com.
And furthermore…
Make a senior laugh
Attention aspiring kid comedians: Senior Comedy Afternoons wants to put you onstage at the Proud Bird on Sunday, Dec. 1, for their show starting at 1:30 p.m. You just have to be funny for their seniors for five minutes. Think about growing up, aging, and your grandparents. Those between the ages of 6 and 16 can submit their 5 minute video to seniorcomedy1@yahoo.com. ER