South Bay arts and entertainment calendar: November 6 – 12
“Mea Culpa: Life is Good??,” oil on canvas, by Michael Chomick is part of Torrance Art Museum’s South Bay Focus.
thursday 6th
Rep picks night: Pages gets you into the holiday spirit early with an evening of book recommendations. Pages’ friends at Simon & Schuster, Penguin, Random House and Chronicle Books will each discuss some of their top picks for books that will make great gifts for the holidays. Patty Gibson will also talk about her favorites. There will be refreshments and books raffled off at the end of the session. The event starts at 7 p.m. and promises to be one of the most fun the year. RSVPs are recommended. Call 310-318-0900 or email info@pagesabookstore.com.
friday 7th
A cappella: TheYale Whiffenpoofs, dubbed the nation’s oldest a cappella group who visited the Los Angeles this past January, return to the South Bay tonight. This year’s group of Whiffs also has two Los Angeles-area natives including Manhattan Beach-native DJ Stanfill (Mira Costa HS ’11) and Derwin Aikens (Brentwood ’11). They perform at American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach on Friday starting at 8:00 p.m. American Martyrs Church, 24 15th Street in Manhattan Beach.
Singing joe: Joe Cipolla is a singer/songwriter and a Vietnam vet but he says the most important job he’s ever had is as a crossing guard. Joe’s smiling face can be seen on Hermosa street corners most schooldays and his joyful music can be heard weekly at different spots in the South Bay. Joe performs at a Veteran’s Day show on Friday night at the Lighthouse where he will also be debuting his first music video for “Crossing Guard Blues,” which stars many Hermosa Beach parents and students. Joe plays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. No cover. Lighthouse Cafe, 30 Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach. For more information, visit thelighthousecafe.net.
Avenue Q: Filled with gut-busting humor, a delightfully catchy score and a whole lot of puppets, the musical “Avenue Q: School Edition” has quickly become a favorite for audiences everywhere. Now it comes to Palos Verdes. A bit tamer than the original “Avenue Q,” this version is appropriate for ages 14 and over. Performances are November 7-8 and 13-15 at 7 p.m. and November 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. at Palos Verdes High School. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and $20 for premium tickets, which includes a light snack and beverage. Tickets can be purchased at www.pvhsdrama.com or at the door if seats are still available. Palos Verdes High School, 600 Cloyden Road in Palos Verdes Estates. For further information, visit the website, or call (310) 378-8471, ext. 237.
saturday 8th
“Spring Breeze” by Ju Yun.
New art: “Fresh, 2014” is a contemporary art show of new work by dozens of artists. Most of the artists are from Los Angeles and the South Bay, but some come from as far east as New York and as far south as Mississippi. The show’s curator, noted L.A. Art Critic Mat Gleason, selected 97 artists for the show. The only restriction for entries was that the art be created in 2014. South Bay contemporary Fresh 2014. The opening reception is tonight, November 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. A Curator’s Walk Through with Mat Gleason will run on Sunday, November 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. South Bay Contemporary, 550 Deep Valley Drive, #261, in Rolling Hills Estates. For more information, call (310) 429-0973 or email southbaycontemporary@gmail.com.
South Bay’s best: Torrance Art Museum’s annual South Bay Focus exhibition begins tonight at the Joslyn Center. Presented in conjunction with the Torrance Artists Guild and the South Bay Watercolor Society, the event is run by this year’s Juror Scott Canty, director and curator of the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery. TAM invites the public to attend the opening reception on Saturday night from 6 to 9 p.m. The reception is free to the public and no RSVP is necessary. The exhibition will be on view from Tuesday, November 11 – Saturday, December 5, 2014. TAM is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Torrance Art Museum, 3320 Civic Center Drive in Torrance. For more information, call (310) 618-6340 or visit torranceartmuseum.com.
Do it for the kids: The Lighthouse Cafe hosts an 80’s-themed fundraiser Saturday evening from 4 to 8 pm. to benefit music education programs for Hermosa Beach children. Totally 80’s features dynamic performances by RIO( a tribute to Duran Duran) and TJ Rox. The event benefits Hermosa Beach Youth Music (www.hbym.com), an all volunteer, non -profit organization founded by local parents in 2012. Admission is $25. Tickets are available online at https://hbym-lighthouse.eventbrite.com. The Lighthouse Cafe, 30 Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach. For more info, please contact Candy at 310-406-5907.
Modern dance: The Kenneth Walker Dance Project (KWDP) comes to El Camino College’s Marsee Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Saturday night, bringing unique music, talented dancers and innovative movement to create a meaningful artistic experience .Artistic director Kenneth Walker’s choreography has been well received by audiences and respected by dancers and artists alike. The company reflects the community, with dancers of all ethnicities and backgrounds gracing the stages on which KWDP performs.Tickets are $18 and may be purchased online at www.centerforthearts.org , by phone at 310-329-5345 or toll-free at 800-832-ARTS. The El Camino College Marsee Auditorium, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd in Torrance.
sunday 9th
Jazz club: The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club is back this Sunday, presenting Dixieland and Traditional Jazz in a live music format. The club meets from 1 to 5 p.m. and will feature C.J. Sams leading a group of all-stars in “A Tribute to Walter Donaldson”. Visiting musicians are invited to play in additional sets throughout the afternoon, and dancers are encouraged to attend. Visitors and new members are cordially invited. Admission for members is $7 and for non-members $9. Visiting musicians who come to play are admitted free. The SBNOJC is a non-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation of New Orleans and other Traditional Jazz. For additional information call (310) 376-2591. Knights of Columbus Hall, 214 Avenue “I” in Redondo Beach.