South Bay Arts Calender 7/10/14-7/16/14
Sam Bernal’s “Crackle Sun” is among the work in “Riders Unite,” on view through July 19 at South Bay Contemporary, 550 Deep Valley Drive #151, Rolling Hills Estates. The group show brings attention to the plight of our oceans. (310) 429-0973 or southbaycontemporary.com.
Thursday the 10th
MUSIC
High Tide: This group plays surf rock from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Redondo Beach Pier. Come back on Saturday, same time and place, to hear the reggae sounds of West Swell. Free. Information: RedondoPier.com.
Friday the 11th
THEATER
“Sordid Lives”: This black comedy about white trash, written by Del Shores and directed by Kirk Larson, opens this evening and plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., through August 16, in the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles. Tickets, $20, less $2 for students, seniors, servicemen. Information: (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org.
DANCE
“Paradise Calls”: An island dance performance geared to transport viewers to “visions of grass skirts and warm sand,” presented by the Cultural Services Division, and presented at 7:30 on Friday and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $10.50. Information: (310) 781-7171.
Dick Powell and Ellen Drew star in “Christmas in July,” screening Friday through Sunday at the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo. (310) 322-2592 or OldTownMusicHall.org.
COURTESY OLD TOWN MUSIC HALL
FILM
“Christmas in July”: Directed by Preston Sturges, this 1940 film screens at 8:15 on Friday and Saturday, plus 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. It’s a comedy about a working-class guy who thinks he’s won $25,000 in a coffee-slogan contest. Tickets, $10 general; $8 seniors. Information: (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
“Siddharth”: This tale about one father’s journey across India in search of his son opens for one week at the Nuart Theatre, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Los Angeles. Information: (310) 473-8530 or go to LandmarkTheatres.com.
MUSIC
South Bay Country: This band’s keeping busy. They’re playing Texas Loosey’s in Torrance at 9 p.m. on Friday (this one and next week), as well as The Lighthouse in Hermosa, also at 9 p.m., on Tuesday. More local engagements coming up. Information: southbaycountry.com.
Saturday the 12th
ART
The Malaga Cove Art Show: About 30 local artists and craftspeople show and sell their work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday on the lawn at Malaga Cove, Palos Verdes Dr. W. at Via Chico, in Palos Verdes Estates. Information: Bernard Fallon, (310) 920-2184.
COMEDY
Improv Comedy Show: Two improvisational comedy troupes, Jump Start and The Academy, improvise funny scenes using audience suggestions. Rated: Network TV. Tickets, $10 general; $5 if you’re under 12. Information: JumpStartImprov.com.
THEATER AUDITIONS
“Orphans”: Kentwood Players audition for Lyle Kessler’s play about two abandoned grown-up boys who live in a dilapidated North Philly row house, and things change between them when the older boy kidnaps a wealthy businessman. All roles require onstage physicality. Production dates are Sept. 12 to Oct. 18, and take place Friday and Saturday nights plus Sunday afternoons. Information: Email orphans@kentwoodplayers.org.
The new American Art Galleries are opening this weekend at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino. New acquisitions by Jacques Antoine Volaire il Cavalier, including “Scena di naufragio” (Shipwreck Scene), are on view.
PHOTO ⒸTHE HUNTINGTON
Sunday the 13th
MUSIC
Tomasina: Performance at 5 p.m. in Polliwog Park, Manhattan Beach. Information: (310) 802-5448 or go to citymb.info.
Platinum Rockstars: The group plays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Library Park in El Segundo. On hand: Food trucks and kids’ crafts.
Palos Verdes Symphonic Band: Under the direction of David Stanton, the orchestra presents a program entitled “Classic Pops” that features LA Philharmonic clarinetist David Howard performing Cavallini’s “Adagio and Tarantella” and Fucik’s “The Old Grumbly Bear,” as well as music by Offenbach, Gounod, Gould, Rozsa; and Lecuona’s “Malaguena.”Tickets, $9, with free admission for children 12 and under. It all takes place at 6 p.m. outdoors on the meadow at the South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula. Bring a blanket or a chair for outdoor lawn seating, and bear-proof containers for your food. Information: (310) 792-8286 or go to palosverdes.com/pvsb/.
The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club: They meet Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Knights of Columbus Hall, 214 Ave. I, in Redondo Beach. The featured group is Louis Schillaci’s South Bay Dixie Jazz Band. Admission, $7 members; $9 non-members; and it’s free for visiting musicians who come to play additional “sets.” Information: (310) 376-2591.
FIESTA
Bridge USA Japanese Summer Festival: Some 60 booths filled with food, kimonos, and souvenirs, along with martial arts demonstrations, professional dancers, live music, and a traditional Mikoshi parade. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $5 general; $3 children under 12. Information: bridgeusa.com.
FILM
Hollywood Home Movies: These treasures from the Academy Film Archive Collection, hosted by Lynne Kirste and Randy Haberkamp of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, screen at 7:30 p.m. in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Tickets, $20. Information: (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
THEATER
“Buyer & Cellar”: Michael Urie, as a struggling actor, works in the basement of a beloved megastar. One day The Lady Herself comes down and they seem to bond. But will their relationship make it upstairs? The comedy opens Wednesday and plays through August 17 at the Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. in the Music Center. Tickets, $25 to $70. Information: (213) 628-2772 or go to CenterTheatreGroup.org.
The Malaga Cove Art Show and Sale features about 30 artists, and it takes place outdoor in Malaga Cove Plaza on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Bernard Fallon at (310) 920-2184.
Wednesday the 16th
THEATER
“Hamlet”: Shakespeare by the Sea has embarked on their summer tour and they are performing “Hamlet” at 7 p.m. in Valley Park, located at Valley and Gould, Hermosa Beach. On Thursday, July 17, in the same location and at the same time they’ll present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The shows are free, but help them out if you can. Information: (310) 217-7596 or go to shakespearebythesea.org.
“We Will Rock You”: This musical, created by Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor, with Ben Elton, is a futuristic story that’s built around 24 of Queen’s greatest hit. It opens at the Ahmanson Theatre and plays through August 24. Tickets, $25 to $120. Information: (213) 972-4400 or go to CenterTheatreGroup.org.