Thursday, May 5
About courage and self-discovery
“James and the Giant Peach, Jr.,” the 15th annual spring musical presented by Fantasia Family Music, takes place Thursday at 6:30, Friday at 7, and Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the George Nakano Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. The musical, based on the Roald Dahl story, features a cast of actors ages seven to 13. Tickets, $20; $15. Call (310) 792-1122 or go to FantasiaFamilyMusic.org.
Get out of town
Head down to San Pedro for the First Thursday Art Walk. Among the treats this month is “Surface Tension,” by John Hillis Sanders,whose work spans over five decades and reflects a post-modern conceptual ethos. It’s on view from 6 to 9 p.m. this evening at Michael Stearns Studio 347, located at 347 W. Seventh St., San Pedro. (562) 400-0544.
Shaking their bottomsides
The West High Dance Department presents “West High Dance” (an original title if ever there was one) at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Music and movement. Tickets, $12. Call (310) 781-7171.
Friday, May 6
Tomorrow’s tastemakers today
The “Annual Student Art Exhibition” opens with a public reception from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Palos Verdes Art Center, 5504 W. Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. It highlights Peninsula student work. (310) 541-2479 or go to pvartcenter.org.
Silent film rarity
Lillian Gish stars in D.W. Griffith’s “Broken Blossoms” (1919), with themes of racial intolerance that resonate still. It screens at 8:15 on Friday and Saturday, plus 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, at the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Tickets, $10 general; $8 seniors. (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
Four talented hands
Pianists Izumi Kashiwagi and Rose Chen perform at 12:15 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Who will edge who off the podium? Free; donations appreciated (reception follows concert). Call (310) 316-5574.
You hear that sound, too?
“Fiddler on the Roof” plays Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., plus 2 p.m. Sunday, at the Norris Theatre, 27570 Civic Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Closes Sunday. Tickets, $48 to $58. Call (310) 544-0403 or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com.
Saturday, May 7
Many cultures and traditions
The Zhena Folk Chorus, with guests Miamon Miller and His Garlic Band, perform at 8 p.m. in The Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Tickets from $20. Call (310) 833-4813.
A mighty sound
Featuring 125 singers and 66 musicians, the El Camino College Chorale, Concert Choir, Mixed Chorus and Orchestra, led by Joanna Medawar Nachef and Dane Teter, perform Johannes Brahms’ “A German Requiem” at 8 p.m. in the school’s Marsee Auditorium, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Tickets, $10; campus parking, $3. Call (310) 329-5345 or go to centerforthearts.org.
Sunday, May 8
It’s got the swing
The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club meets from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 214 Avenue I, Redondo Beach. The featured band is Richard Simon’s Jazz America. Admission, $8 members; $12 non-members. Visiting musicians who come to play additional “sets” admitted free. Come and dance! (310) 376-2591.
Bring the lady of the house
The Palos Verdes Symphonic Band presents its annual “Mother’s Day Concert,” this one being a tribute to Maestro Richard Schwalbe (the band’s music director from 1973 to 2005), conducted by acting director Christine Hayes and guest conductor Randy Schwalbe, maestro Schwalbe’s son. The concert takes place at 5 p.m. in the Frances Young Hall at the South Coast Botanic Gardens, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula. The program includes works by Jose Padilla, Jamie Texidor, Pascual Marquina, and much more. Tickets, $10 adults, with free admission for children 12 years of age and under. (310) 792-8286 or go to pvsband.org.
Two long-time favorites
Violinist Linda Wang and pianist Robert Thies perform at 2 p.m. sharp in the Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, 26438 Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates. It’s a free concert, but your donations will be appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
Thrown together by love and war
Chris Cleave, author of “Everyone Brave is Forgiven,” visits {pages}, 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. Entrance price for the 2 p.m. event is the price of the book, which can be purchased on the {pages} website or in the store. RSVPs required. (310) 318-0900 or go to pagesabookstore.com.
Time traveling with music
Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys perform musical gems of the 1910s, ‘20s, and ‘30s at 2:30 p.m. in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. General admission, $20. Call (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.
Tuesday, May 10
This is how she does it
The Torrance Artist Guild presents a demonstration by muralist and decorative painter Nichole Blackburn at 7 p.m. in the Ken Miller Auditorium, 3341 Torrance Blvd., Torrance. Come see Nichole produce a mural right before your eyes!
