If you couldn’t already feel that summer is right around the corner (beginning June 20, to be exact), then this list of outdoor movie screenings, nature explorations and “summer kick-offs” might help you get there.
The first movie screening of the week will be “Finding Nemo” at Lincoln Park Friday night, followed by “Wish” at Silverado Park Monday night. If live theater is more your style, International City Theater will premiere “The Outsider,” a political satire, Friday night.
Soak in the sun and contribute to the community all at once at Willow Spring Park’s Restoration even Friday afternoon, or the Wetland Warrior Cleanup Saturday morning. Local artists are also in the spotlight this week with a photography club meeting Saturday morning, a micro-gallery art crawl Saturday afternoon or an art workshop Sunday.
Friday 6/14
Restoration Friday: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help care for native plants and pull weeds at Willow Springs Park (2745 Orange Ave.). Volunteers are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle, comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Free.
Youth Summer Kick-off: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Long Beach youth can ring in the summer with this resource and career fair at Future LB (508 W Willow St.). Attendees can learn about local internships, community resources and connect with youth-focused organizations. Free.
Movie in the Park: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the animated movie “Finding Nemo” at Lincoln Park (101 Pacific Ave.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The movie will begin at dusk. Free.
Live Theater: 7:30 p.m. International City Theatre (330 E Seaside Way) is putting on a performance of the play “The Outsider,” which tells the story of unlikely political candidate Ned Newley. General admission tickets cost $55, and can be purchased on the theater’s website.
Saturday 6/15
Wetland Warrior Cleanup: 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help clean the Colorado Lagoon Marine Biological Reserve (5119 E. Colorado St.). Volunteers will meet near the bike racks along Appian Way. The parking fee will be waived for volunteers.
Photography Club: 10 a.m. to noon. Photographers of all levels are invited to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to share and discuss their work with others. Newcomers are asked to come with a USB stick that contains five images that fall under the class theme for this month, “night photography.” This club is appropriate for those 16 and older. Free.
Juneteenth Celebration: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. This celebration of Black culture will take place at Rainbow Lagoon (400 East Shoreline Dr.), featuring a live DJ performance by Anderson .Paak, family-friendly activities, vendors, food and more. General admission tickets are sold out, but reserved seats can be purchased for $80 on Eventbrite.
Khmer Storytime: 11 a.m. to noon. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring children of all ages to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to enjoy Khmer stories, music and movements led by local business Khemara Kids. Free.
LB Micro-Gallery Art Crawl: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The public is invited to visit these six micro-art galleries around Long Beach during this unique community art event. Micro-galleries participating in the art crawl include Gallery 17 (2483 Eucalyptus Ave.), Gallery 23 (2489 Eucalyptus Ave.), Gallery 30 (2543 Eucalyptus Ave.), Gallery 99 (3461 Woodruff Ave.), The Mantel Gallery (3539 Fanwood Ave.) and Black Box Micro-gallery (7119 E Metz St.). A variety of different artists will have their work displayed in these cubby-sized galleries. Free.
Sunday 6/16
Father’s Day Beer Tasting: Noon to 6 p.m. Those 21 and older are invited to bring their favorite dads to District Wine (144 Linden Ave.) for a special beer flight. Reservations are recommended, and can be made on the business’s website. The beer flight will cost $19.
Art Workshop Celebrating LGBTQ Families: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Gay, bisexual, and transgender fathers, as well as straight fathers with LGBTQ+ children are invited to celebrate Father’s Day together during this art workshop at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.). All materials will be provided. The workshop will be led by Polaris Castillo. Free.
LB Bottle Baby Brigade: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Cat lovers are invited to learn how bottle feed and care for newborn kittens, as the current kitten season has led to a flood of kittens in need of care and homes. This workshop will be held at Long Beach Animal Care Services (7700 E Spring St.). Free.
Monday 6/17
Family Bingo Night: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public is invited to bring their friends and family to play bingo together at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). The winners will receive prizes. This event is appropriate for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Free.
Movie in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the animated movie “Wish” at Silverado Park (1545 W 31st St.). The movie will begin at dusk. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The movie will begin at dusk. Free.
Tuesday 6/18
LB Symphony Orchestra Petting Zoo: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Local kids are invited to touch, interact with and try different musical instruments at the Harte Neighborhood Library (1595 W. Willow St.). The event is meant to foster an interest in playing music. Free.
Book Club: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to discuss the book “River Sing Me Home” by Eleanor Shearer at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.). Copies of the book will be available at the library while supplies last. Free.
Wednesday 6/19
Baby Storytime: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Babies, toddlers up to 2 years old, and their caregivers are invited to Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.) to enjoy stories and playtime. Free.
Do-It-Yourself Craft Club: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children ages 8 and older are invited to create crafts at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Children must be accompanied by an adult. All materials will be provided. Free.
Film Screening: 6:30 p.m. The Art Theater of Long Beach (2025 E Fourth St.) invites the public to a screening of the film “Origin.” This biographical film follows the story of one woman as she travels the world researching the origins of caste in different societies. Free.
Thursday 6/20
Ocean Carnival: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The public is invited to learn about the ocean through activities, games and crafts at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Free.
Family Drum Circle: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Local families are invited to play African djembe drums while practicing rhythms and simple songs at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.
