Thursday, September 8
Pony on over
Elizabeth Letts, the author of “The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis,” talks about her book at 7 p.m. at {pages}, 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. Letts is the author of other books, such as “The Eighty-Dollar Champion,” and is a lifelong equestrian who graduated from the Rolling Hills Pony Club (not to mention Yale). Call (310) 318-0900 or go to pagesabookstore.com.
Bring out the champagne
The artist reception for the group show “Thread” takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in the El Camino College Art Gallery, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Artist Dawn Ertl was featured in last week’s Easy Reader. Artist’s lecture: Tuesday at 1 p.m. Through Sept. 22. Call (310) 660-3010 or go to elcamino.edu.
Friday, September 9
Grass skirts and coconuts
Victor Mature, Betty Grable, and Jack Oakie, with Hilo Hattie, star in “Song of the Islands,” screening at 8:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, plus 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Tickets, $10 general; $8 seniors. (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
Once a cellist, now a pianist
Caroline Ho performs from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Her program includes the first movement of the “Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, ‘Appassionata,’” by Beethoven; “Variations Sérieuses, Op. 54,” by Mendelssohn; “Romance in F-sharp Major, Op. 28 No. 2,” by R. Schumann; and “Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2,” by Ginastera. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
A blind girl, two thugs; doesn’t look good, does it?
“Wait Until Dark,” the breathtaking thriller by Frederick Knott (adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher), opens at 8 p.m. in the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Directed by Kathy Dershimer, performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., through Oct. 15. Tickets, $20, less $2 for seniors, students. (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org.
Saturday, September 10
He’s a magic man, mama
Tim Wise is the featured magician at “Stars of Magic,” hosted by Lady of Magic Sisuepahn Phila, at 2 p.m. in the Second Story Theater, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. The event happens on the second Saturday of each month, each time with a different guest artist. Tickets, $15 general; $10 seniors, kids 12 and under (or $40 for VIP package). After the show, join Sisuepahn for wine tasting across the street at the Hermosa Beach Fish Shop. BYOB to share. (310) 971-5335 or go to ladyofmagic.com.
With a backdrop of mermaids?
“Art at the Harbor” is an art show and sale and it takes place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Where? 245 N. Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach. See this issue’s interview with woodturner Richard Gould for more information or contact artattheharbor@gmail.com.
They’ll show you how
There is a free workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that focuses on artmaking with post-consumer waste (cardboard, plastic water bottles, etc.). It’s connected to “Post Waste: Sustainable Art,” curated by Tracey Weiss, and is located at South Bay Contemporary at the Loft, 401 S. Mesa St., third floor, San Pedro. (310) 429-0973 or go to southbaycontemporary.com.
Can’t have too many fine books
Friends of the Redondo Beach Public Library are having a sale of used books, DVDs, etc., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach. (310) 318-0675 ext. 2587.
Don’t use him for firewood!
Auditions for “Disney’s Son of Pinocchio: Geppetto’s Musical Tale” are open for ages 8 to adult starting at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, 28 Moccasin Lane, Rolling Hills Estates. The musical is being staged by the South Bay Conservatory. Check in for details: (424) 262-9722 or go to southbayconservatory.com.
Sunday, September 11
Why did Roy Orbison have to die?
“Gone But Not Forgotten: Music That Tells Our Story” begins at 5 p.m. in the Torino Festival Plaza, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Chef Shafer’s Dinner Buffet is at 5:30, and music is by the Flashbaks (Dave Hall, Brad Webster, Richard Paine, and Ron Frederick), with featured performer Marty Rifkin and guest artists Laura Coyle and Warren Paine. The group salutes departed greats such as Del Shannon, Sam Cooke, Dusty Springfield, Jimi Hendrix, and David Bowie. Benefits local projects sponsored by the Torrance Del Amo Rotary. Tickets, $75 inclusive. (310) 782-8586.
Their ancestors would approve
The “Japanese Folk Song and Dance Show,” presented by Nanka Nihon Minyokyo Kai and the Japanese Folk Song Society, takes place at 1 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $10. Call (310) 327-3609 or go to TorranceCA.gov.
Somber and uplifting
LA Phil principal cellist Robert deMaine, with Trio Celeste pianist Kevin Kwan Loucks, performs at 2 p.m. in the Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, 26438 Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
Keeping the sound alive
The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club meets from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 214 Avenue I, in Redondo Beach. The featured group is The President’s Band. Admission, $12 general, $10 members from other jazz clubs, and $8 SBNOJC members. Musicians who come to play additional sets admitted free. (310) 376-2591.
She paid her dues
Don’t miss August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” directed by Phylicia Rashad, opening at the Mark Taper Forum in downtown Los Angeles where it will run through Oct. 16. The play depicts the racism and exploitation in the music industry through a 1927 recording session in Chicago with a legendary blues singer. Tickets, $25 to $85. Call (213) 628-2772 or go to CenterTheatreGroup.org.
Tuesday, September 13
Drink up and listen in
Solo guitarist TJ Brinjak performs from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. at Suzy’s, 1141 Aviation Blvd., at Prospect, in Hermosa Beach. Half of the tip jar benefits Hermosa Beach Youth Music. (310) 379-6171.
Wednesday, September 14
Call the plumber?
Not so fast. Lynne Cox, author of “Swimming in the Sink,” discusses her book at 7 p.m. at {pages}, 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. Cox is one of the most phenomenal long-distance swimmers of our time. (310) 318-0900 or go to pagesabookstore.com.
And then we uncover…
“Peeling Back” features artists Nurit Avesar, Elana Kundell, Susan Kurland, Janet Neuwalder, Sigrid Orlet, and Peggy Pownall, and it opens with a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the University Art Gallery, California State University Dominguez Hills, 1000 Victoria St., Carson. Curated by Carol Shaw-Sutton. Conversation with the artists at 6 p.m. Through Oct. 5. Call (310) 243-3334.
Thursday, September 15
Man with a trumpet
Grant Hungerford and Friends perform from 6 to 8 p.m. as part of the “Thursday Tunes at TAM” series, taking place in the main gallery of the Torrance Art Museum, 3320 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Suggested donation, $20. Hungerford is currently the principal trumpeter with the Burbank Philharmonic, the Downey Symphony, the Peninsula Symphony, and more. (310) 376-5577. ER
