Fireworks and barbecues aren’t the only fun things to do in Long Beach and Signal Hill this week. Community gatherings, free workshops and festivals are in full swing as well as the usual summer smattering of movies and music in the park.
Residents can pack their picnic supplies and listen to live music in various parks throughout Long Beach on Friday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. For outdoor cinema, friends and families can choose between the live-action “The Little Mermaid” Friday, “Trolls Band Together” Monday night and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” Tuesday night.
People are invited to honor the life of a local legend at a Celebration of Life for Bubba Jackson on Sunday. The community can also celebrate Native American culture and food Saturday afternoon or Japanese culture Saturday evening.
For those who want to use the summer to learn new things, there is a pasta-making class Friday night, a candle-making workshop Sunday and a discussion on marine wildlife Wednesday evening.
Friday 6/28
Pasta Class: 5 p.m. Chef Rob White will be holding this class at Partake Collective (456 Elm Ave.), where participants will learn how to make their own pasta. Tickets can be purchased for $95 on www.localiseasoned.com.
Closing Reception: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Open Gallery, Long Beach Walls and Art Renzei invite the public to the closing reception of the “Resilience” art exhibit at The Edison Theatre (213 E Broadway). Along with the exhibit, there will be art prints available for sale, live music and refreshments. Free.
Concert in the Park: 6:30 p.m. The Long Beach Municipal Band will be performing a series of jazz, pop and patriotic songs at El Dorado Park West (2800 N Studebaker Rd.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. Free.
Movie in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the 2023 live-action film “The Little Mermaid” at Wardlow Park (3457 Stanbridge Ave.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The movie will begin at dusk. Free.
Saturday 6/29
Khmer Storytime: 11 a.m. to noon. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring children to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to enjoy Khmer stories, music and movements led by local business Khemara Kids. This event is appropriate for kids of all ages, but especially aimed at children between 1 and 5 years old. Free.
Food is Medicine: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friends of Puvungna invites the public to learn about Native American foods and their cultural significance at Cal State Long Beach’s Parking Lot G2 (1250 N Bellflower Blvd.) Attendees will have the opportunity to taste test different foods. Free.
LB Mushroom Festival: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. The public is invited to the first-ever mushroom-centric festival at the Culture Shrooms headquarters (104 E First St.). A variety of vendors will be selling a wide range of mushroom-related products. Mushroom lovers can also expand their knowledge with a lineup of keynote speakers and workshops. Free.
Japanese Festival: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Long Beach Japanese Cultural Center (1766 Seabright Ave.) will be hosting a cultural festival for the public, featuring ondo dancing, taiko drums, games, Japanese food and more. Free to attend.
Sunday 6/30
Celebration of Life: Noon. The public is invited to celebrate the life of local community member Bubba Jackson, announcer for Long Beach-based radio station KJAZZ. A dozen performers and bands will be performing in honor of Jackson at the Recreation Park Bandshell (701-939 Federation Dr.). Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and picnic food. This event is appropriate for all ages. Free.
Candle-Making Workshop: Noon to 2 p.m. Goods on Orange (3414 Orange Ave.) invites customers to make their own candle to take home during this workshop. Attendees will choose a vintage container for their candle, as well as its color and scent. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets will be purchased for $35 on Eventbrite.
Symposium on Empowerment in Pride Spaces: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.) invites the public to an interactive discussion and drag performance uplifting LGBTQIA+ members of Latine, Black, Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Food will be available for purchase from multiple vendors. Register for free on the museum’s website.
Summer Concert: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public is invited to listen to a concert by Kid Ramos at Rancho Los Alamitos (6400 E Bixby Hill Road). Attendees are encouraged to bring food, blankets and lawn chairs. Space is limited. Free.
Monday 7/1
Movie in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the animated film “Trolls Band Together” at College Estates Park (808 Stevely Ave.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The movie will begin at dusk. Free.
Smut Book Club: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This local book club gets together weekly at local cafe Good Time LB (1322 Coronado Ave.) to discuss smutty romance novels. This week the club will discuss the novel “Curvy Girl Summer” by Danielle Allen. Free to attend.
Tuesday 7/2
Concert in the Park: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Long Beach Municipal Band will be performing a series of jazz, pop and patriotic songs at Whaley Park (5620 Atherton St.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. Free.
Movie in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the superhero film “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” at Drake Park (951 Maine Ave.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The movie will begin at dusk. Free.
Wednesday 7/3
Concert in the Park: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Long Beach Municipal Band will be performing a series of jazz, pop and patriotic songs at Los Cerritos Park (3750 Del Mar Ave.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. Free.
First Wednesdays at the Aquarium: 7 p.m. During this monthly event at the Aquarium of the Pacific, experts are invited to speak on various topics. This month’s discussion will center on the California newt, featuring Dr. Lee Kats. Following the discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the aquarium’s new exhibit “FROGS: Facing a Changing World,” where they can see amphibians such as frogs, newts, salamanders, axolotls and more. There will be a cash bar. Tickets can be purchased for $5 on the aquarium’s website.
Thursday 7/4
The Great American Kids’ Bike Parade: 10 a.m. Community organizer Justin Rudd will hold his annual patriotic bike parade for children. The 2-mile ride will begin at the Granada Avenue boat launch ramp (1 Granada Ave.). Kids can also sign up for a patriotic speech and poetry competition. In lieu of an entry fee, participants are asked to donate nonperishable foods such as canned tuna, breakfast cereal, peanut butter and dried pasta for the homeless.
Fourth of July Celebration: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Queen Mary (1126 Queens Highway) invites guests to celebrate the holiday with food, games, entertainment and more. General admission tickets can be purchased for $35 per child and $55 per adult on the Queen Mary’s website.
