South Bay arts calendar for Sept. 19 to 25

"Destruction of Pharaoh's Host," by John Martin (1789-1854) is England's precursor to Cecil B. DeMille. It's on display through Oct. 6 in the J. Paul Getty Museum.

“Destruction of Pharaoh’s Host,” by John Martin (1789-1854) is England’s precursor to Cecil B. DeMille. On display through Oct. 6 in the J. Paul Getty Museum.

Thursday, September 19
When rock came of age
The Hermosa Beach Historical Society and Museum presents local author Don Jung, author of “Rockin’ Through Troubled Waters,” as he discusses “West Coast Music in the South Bay during the ‘60s and ‘70s” from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Hermosa Beach Museum, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Free for members; non-members have to cough up ten bucks at the door. (310) 318-9421 or go to hermosabeachhistoricalsociety.org.

Now boarding
Author Meg Waite Clayton discusses her novel, “The Last Train to London,” which takes place in Vienna in 1936. Bad things are on the horizon. 7 p.m. at {pages} a bookstore, 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. Free. (310) 318-0900 or go to pagesabookstore.com.

The South Bay Chamber Music Society presents the Fiato String Quartet at 8 p.m. on Friday in the Recital Hall of the Music Department at L.A. Harbor College in Wilmington. The program features work by Beethoven, Ives, and Shostakovich. Repeated at 3 p.m., Sunday, in the Pacific Unitarian Church, Rancho Palos Verdes. Free. Donations appreciated. (310) 379-7055 or go to sbcms.net

Welcome to your future
“Queens & Kings, A Royal Drag Show” features L.A. drag scene royalty, emceed by Ellie Cota with performances by Crystal Palace, Clit Eatswood, Die Anna, Skirt Cocaine, and DJ Rubella Spreads. Recommended for audiences 18 and over. And now that we have your attention: “Wickedly Trans – Voices from the Rainbow” is a performance by the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, singing songs inspired by the music of “The Wizard of Oz,” and it takes place at 2, 3, and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21. Donations to TCLA appreciated. All events at ESMoA, 208 Main St., El Segundo. (424) 277-1020 or go to esmoa.org.

Words, surrounded by art
“Poetry Night at Artlife Gallery” takes place at 7:30 p.m. in the El Segundo Plaza venue, located at 720C S. Allied Way, El Segundo. This evening of poetry, spoken word and music is hosted by Vanesa Andrade and Betsy Kenoff-Boyd. Also, open mic readers or musicians are encouraged to RSVP ASAP. Free. (310) 938-2511.

Andy Roy & the Route 66 Blues Band play Chicago rhythm and blues at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave (at Main St), El Segundo. Pictured: saxophonist, guitarist, and vocalist Andy Roy. Free. (310) 524-2728

Friday, September 20
Drawing room delights
The South Bay Chamber Music Society presents the Fiato String Quartet at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Music Department at L.A. Harbor College, 1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington. The musicians (violinists Carrie Kennedy and Joel Pargman, violist Aaron Oltman, and cellist Ryan Sweeney) perform works by Beethoven, Ives, and Shostakovich. The program is repeated on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Pacific Unitarian Church, 5621 Montemalaga, Rancho Palos Verdes. Free, and free parking. Donations appreciated. (310) 379-7055 or go to sbcms.net.

Saturday, September 21
Music/instruments tried and true
The “25th annual Harvest Festival of Dulcimers,” presented by the Southern California Dulcimer Heritage, goes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Riviera United Methodist Church, 375 Palos Verdes Blvd., Redondo Beach. At 6 p.m. there’s a ticketed concert that features festival headliners Mark Alan Wade on hammered dulcimer and Dave Haas on mountain dulcimer. Lots more: classes on ukulele, autoharp, storytelling, bodhran, bowed psaltery, harmonica, drum/flute circle, not to mention dulcimer. For tickets and information: (714) 534-2855 or go to scdh.org.

Looking south
“Material Matters” features work by four artists influenced by Latin American culture, and is part of the fifth SUR: biennial taking place throughout the Southland. Along with “To Save the Day!” in Gallery Two and “Intentions” in the Dark Room, the exhibition opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Torrance Art Museum, 3320 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Through Nov. 16. Call (310) 781-7163 or go to torranceartmuseum.com.

“Material Matters” features work by four artists influenced by Latin American culture, and with “To Save the Day!” in Gallery Two and “Intentions” in the Dark Room, the exhibition opens Saturday with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Torrance Art Museum. Through Nov. 16. Pictured, Kayla Tange and “Intentions,” a performance piece. (310) 781-7163 or go to torranceartmuseum.com

Grinding down the highway
Andy Roy & The Route 66 Blues Band play Chicago rhythm and blues at 2 p.m. in the Friends of the Library Room of the El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave (at Main St), El Segundo. Andy Roy is a saxophonist, guitarist, and vocalist, and he’s performed worldwide. Free. (310) 524-2728.

A career retrospective
David Benoit and the Asia America Youth Symphony perform at 8 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. The concert delves into all aspects of Benoit’s 40 year career and gives a sneak peak into his new album. What can go wrong? You not being there, that’s what. Tickets, $45, $40, $30. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to TorranceArts.org. For more information visit benoit.com.

Nadia Azzi performs solo piano (Haydn, Chopin, and then Hiromi Uehara’s “Tom and Jerry Show”), and Andrew Harrison performs on saxophone, at 3 p.m. Saturday in the First Lutheran Church & School in Torrance. Harrison performs Iturralde’s “Pequena” czardas, Piazzolla’s “Café 1930,” and Muczynski’s “Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano.” (with pianisty Jason Lo). Free; donations appreciated. Pictured, Nadia Azzi. (310) 316-5574

Two for one: piano, and then sax
Nadia Azzi performs solo piano (Haydn, Chopin, and then Hiromi Uehara’s “Tom and Jerry Show”), and then Andrew Harrison performs on saxophone (accompanied by pianist Jason Lo) at 3 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church & School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Harrison performs three pieces: Iturralde’s “Pequena” czardas, Piazzolla’s “Café 1930,” and Muczynski’s “Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano.” Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.

Southern comfort
Beth Rohde and her Brazilian band Vento Sul! perform Brazilian classics by the likes of Sergio Mendes, Astrud Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Elis Regina and more at 8 p.m. in the Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Sensual sounds and samba rhythms. Tickets, $22 general; $27 cabaret; and $32 front row cabaret. (310) 833-4813 or go to grandvision.org.

“A Play is a Poem,” a collection of one-acts by Ethan Coen (the film director, with brother Joel), and it opens Saturday at the Mark Taper Forum at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles. It’s an eccentric look at life across America. Tickets, $110 to $25. Through Oct. 13. Pictured, Joey Slotnick and Saul Rubinek. Photo by Craig Schwartz. (213) 972-4400 or go to CenterTheatreGroup.org

Sunday, September 22
What about his daughters?
The National Theatre Live Series production of “King Lear” screens at 2 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Ian McKellen stars as King Lear, and that alone should be the draw. Tickets, $17.50. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to TorranceArts.org. ER

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