This Saturday, Roxanne’s will put a cap on summer with a family-friendly smorgasbord of skating, art, music and those who embody Long Beach culture.
Inspired by the Vans Warped Tour which embodied the skater and rocker lifestyle, Roxanne’s Skate is Love 2: Warped Beach 2k24 will transform the bar’s patio into a pop-up skate park, live music venue and collaborative art experience. The event was created for millennials who never got to experience the Vans Warped Tour, those who want to share that experience with their children or friends who simply cherish the blend of alt-rock, skating and creativity.
The blend of skating and punk rock culture will benefit from a focus on community, as Roxanne’s has invited local leaders in the skate and art scenes. Jimmy Torres, director of communications for Roxanne’s, said the goal is to provide the sense of a mini Warped Tour with an element of inspiration for kids who may want to explore this local creative scene.
“As you become an adult, the idea that you can really do whatever and be whoever you want, it rings so true. We’re going to be able to show all these kids, show everybody that you can do whatever you want and have a happy life,” Torres said. “These are all just people who love what they do and they have fun doing it and they’re doing it within the community.”
Long Beach’s 11-year-old skating savant Zachariah Sanchez will be at Skate is Love 2: Warped Beach 2k24 to help break in Roxanne’s ramps and rails. The skate park will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and skaters are asked to bring all their necessary gear.
Those who skate on two feet rather than a board can enjoy an exterior roller rink track. Parents who prefer to not be on wheels at all can enjoy food and drinks just feet away on Roxanne’s patio.
A skater flips their board to complete a trick. (Courtesy of Roxanne’s Eventbrite) 
Dennis Robicheau of Shady Grove Foods turns over some thick cuts of meat over an open flame at Roxanne’s during the Whiskey Wonderland event on Jan. 15, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune) 
The front entrance of Roxanne’s Lounge in the California Heights neighborhood of Long Beach on June 21, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | SIgnal Tribune)
Local artist Rudy Almazan will be hosting a live art installation, and teaching children and parents how to unleash their creativity. Almazan was born and raised in East Long Beach, and is the founder of CAPS (Creativity Ascending Past Sanity).
Almazan will lead a stencil painting station teaching participants to create graffiti art, and all attendees are encouraged to join a collaborative paint activity and add to a community mural.
“He’s really interested in showing kids this form of art that’s sometimes looked down upon, but seeing him and seeing how he uses it, it’s this whole idea that you can be a part of a community that’s caring and loving and cares for your wellbeing and you can express that through these art forms that are sometimes looked down upon,” Torres said.
Another Long Beach staple, the ‘90s and 2000’s punk rock cover band Dead Ringer will be performing nostalgic hits through the evening. Your Mom’s Best Friend, an up-and-coming band from Los Alamitos will bring indie rock vibes to the night, and a live DJ will also perform.
Families and friends can also spend the night challenging each other in various carnival-style games. Kids can win tokens to exchange for prizes while adults can earn tickets to use on non-alcoholic or low ABV drinks. Roxanne’s will start its happy hour early so patrons can enjoy their regular rotation of chicken skewers, zucchini sticks and margaritas.
“At the end of the day we come from all these different backgrounds, but we meet in the middle. We really just want to inspire kids and we want to connect the people who are leading these scenes,” Torres said.
Skate is Love 2: Warped Beach 2k24 will take place at Roxanne’s at 1115 East Wardlow Road from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is free, but an RSVP made on Eventbrite will help Roxanne’s plan accordingly.
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