TOCA Backstage

Celebrating 50 years of friendship with Torrance’s sister city, Kashiwa, Japan, thisevening will highlight some of the talented past delegates who have gone on toprofessional careers in the performing arts.You will be treated to the likes of master storyteller Takekawa Shinoharu (Ittetsu Kojima) from Japan, MacIntyre Family Singers featuring Carol William (South High School alumni), Todd (Mama Mia), Katelyn, and Taiko drummer Alex Ito, will perform techno interpretations of traditional taiko pieces. The Torrance Civic Chorale who performed in Kashiwa in 1987 and greeted the Kashiwa delegates at Torrance City Hall in 2018 for the 45th anniversary will be performing selected piecesfor the occasion, plus other surprise guest performers.Don’t miss this once in a lifetime event and join in the celebration of friendship and the good work that the Torrance Sister City Association does.

Multi instrumentalist Alex Wersen talks about his new project, "Remember When the Music: The Songs of Harry Chapin".Harry Chapin’s short, but impactful life is celebrated in this world premier show.A master storyteller, his songs were full of heart and soul and included the hits “Cats in the Cradle,” “WOLD” and “Taxi.” Chapin was also a lifelong philanthropist and joined fellow musicians Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, and John Denver to form the Food Policy Center which monitored the President’s Commission on World Hunger.Join us for a night of incredible music guaranteed to uplift, move and inspire.

Montana natives turned Angelenos, Joselyn & Don’s intoxicating music feels like a walk through mountain wildflowers and Southern California Joshua trees. Enter their wild garden - where blues, folk and jazz form an understory illuminated with lyrical truth. Joselyn Wilkinson (the founder of women’s global fusion band, ADAAWE ) and Don Barrozo (a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer with many album credits, also serves as film editor for long-running animated series, “The Simpsons.”) forage musical ideas from many sources and plant those seeds in rich Americana soil. These are deeply rooted songs reaching for new light.

This family-friendly performance features lively instrumental tunes on fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes and harp, along with thrilling Irish old-style dancing from Samantha Harvey. In addition, evocative photographic images provide a backdrop to some of the rich historical traditions of Ireland. Take a memorable glimpse into the enchanting spirit of Christmas, as the finest traditional artists from Ireland, bring you on a fun-filled start to the holiday season of 2022.“Irish Christmas in America admirably refuses to pander to the lowest common denominator. By doing so, they all convey the spirit of the season with uncommon taste and integrity.” Irish Echo

Ayline Artin is a well-known South Bay vocal coach who is also a very talented singer/songwriter. She may be familiar to some from accompanying her students during previous South Bay’s Got Talent competitions or from the streaming concert she did for TOCA during the pandemic shut down of the theatre.TOCA Executive Director talks with Ayline about her music and her words of wisdom for auditioning for South Bay’s Got Talent. A truly giving artist and inspiring conversation.South Bay’s Got Talent auditions are February 5, 6 & 7, 2023Application deadline is January 23, 2023 and are available at www.torrancearts.org Performance will be February 25, 2023

Ali Angel Friday and Saturday November 18 & 19, 2022LA-native musician Ali Angel’s retro-soul production and classic songwriting style emanate a 1970’s influence, giving lovers of classic rock, indie, soul, and country music all something they can gravitate towards. Full of surprises, she keeps listeners intrigued by effortlessly shifting from sweet, daydreamy twang and gentle vocals to gritty soulful rock and attitude. Upon releasing her debut single, “Play Pretend” in April of 2021, the record amassed over 80k streams on Spotify independently and was added to more than 3k user-made and tastemaker playlists. She’s been featured by curators like Relix Magazine, DittyTV and Ones To Watch.

Perla Batalla - Songs and Sundries Variety Hour (and a half) Part 2Friday and Saturday October 21 & 22, 2022 Perla’s return to our cabaret will feature hand-picked selections from Batalla’s vast repertoire, including songs from her original Mestiza song cycle, Perla’s inspired arrangements of Spanish language classics, The Great American Songbook, and of course, personal favorites from her mentor, the great Leonard Cohen. Expect a surprise guest or two and plenty of laughs.Tickets available at www.torrancearts.org

Musician/actor Scot Bruce celebrates what made Elvis not only the king of rock & roll...but the king of cool! See the magic that made a generation swoon in the 1950’s and 60’s, before the white jumpsuit, sunglasses and the glitter of Vegas. Along with his rockin’ 4-piece band, Bruce meticulously and respectfully recreates the electrifying musical excitement of Elvis in his prime...right down to the vintage instruments, the hip ‘threads’ and the grease in the hair.  Bruce has performed in sold-out venues worldwide, and has won critical acclaim for his uncanny musical portrayal. This is one show guaranteed to have you all shook up!

UnitOne, a professional taiko group based under the umbrella of Asano Taiko U.S., presents their long awaited full length concert.  SHIKI (“four seasons” in Japanese) draws from intimate memories of the four seasons in Japan. From the fiery heat of summer to the frigid depths of winter, Shiki is a look inside UnitOne's memory of a distant place. Artistic Director Young Kang intertwines some of UnitOne’s popular pieces and brings a unique vision that will touch the soul.

Question: What happens when you invite veteran comedy writers and character actors to tell tales of their love able friends with tails? Answer: you get MY DOG IS BETTER THAN YOUR DOG, a hilarious and heartwarming evening of stories about our four-legged friends.  This story driven show features comedian Carol Leifer (Writer/Producer Hacks, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld), Humorist and novelist W. Bruce Cameron (A Dog’s Purpose) and award winning actor and storyteller Stephen Tobolowsky (Groundhog Day, The Goldbergs), as well as a story and short film by Writer/Director Cindy Chupack (Sex and the City, Modern Family, Otherhood), plus some surprise guests. Hosted by Tasty Words’ Wendy Hammers.