Arts and health are in the spotlight this week, with museum trips and exhibit openings as well as ways for residents to connect to much-needed resources.
The Long Beach Museum of Art is opening two exhibits Friday night, and Long Beach Transit is offering roundtrip rides to two museums outside of the city Saturday and Sunday. Residents can unleash their own creativity at a paint night Tuesday night and a photography night walk around downtown Wednesday night.
Families can be connected to health resources Saturday afternoon, while pets can receive low-cost vaccines that morning in Signal Hill. Those who need food and fresh groceries have two chances on Friday morning at McBride Park or Wednesday morning at Lincoln Elementary School.
Bixby Knolls is throwing a spooky version of their monthly First Fridays celebration, and residents can learn cooler season gardening tips Saturday at Farm Lot 59.
Friday 10/4
First Fridays: 6:30 p.m. The Bixby Knolls area will host its popular monthly event where local businesses and creatives come together for an evening of art, music and community. Stroll along Atlantic Avenue, enjoy live music, food trucks and unique pop-up shops. Free to attend.
Exhibits Opening: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Long Beach Museum of Art (2300 East Ocean Blvd.) is launching two new exhibitions, “LBMA VIDEO: Shared Realities; A Cable Access Series,” and “Motion Pictures.” One exhibit celebrates the museum’s pioneering work in video art, showcasing a series of programs that originally aired on Long Beach Cablevision in the 1980s. The other is a solo exhibit of the works of LA-based painter Greg Ito. Admission is free for those who register ahead of time through Eventbrite.
Bachata Class: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join this free five-week Bachata Class at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.) and learn some beginner steps of this popular Latin dance originating in the Dominican Republic. No partner is needed, but attendees must be 18 years and older. Registration required by calling the library. Free.
Saturday 10/5
Low-Cost Pet Vaccines: 8 a.m. to noon. Community Animal Medicine Project (CAMP) will be hosting a low-cost vaccine and wellness clinic for cats and dogs at the Civic Center parking lot (2175 Cherry Ave.). No appointment necessary.
Getty Center Trip: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Long Beach Transit’s Museum Express program is kicking off with this roundtrip to the Getty Center in Brentwood. Tickets are $14, and attendees must RSVP their spot at the Getty Center themselves online. Attendees can meet at 8:30 a.m. at two pickup locations: 130 E First St. or 2750 W American Station.
Gardening Workshop: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Ground Education will lead this workshop and tour at Farm Lot 59 (2714 California Ave.). Attendees can get a tour of the grounds, learn from a cool season garden talk and attend a pickling class. Free.
Fixit Clinic: Noon to 3 p.m. Instead of throwing away items that you’ve deemed broken and adding it to the landfill, try bringing it to this clinic at the Burnett Neighborhood Library (560 E Hill St.). Attendees will be provided with a workshop space, specialty tools and guidance. Items accepted include electronics, appliances, computers, toys, clothes or other items. People will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Free.
Family Health Festival: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. This festival is meant to connect families with resources to help them make informed choices and meet others who may share similar lifestyles. This fair at the Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave.) will have 30+ informational booths and fun, healthy activities. Free.
Sunday 10/6
MOCA & The Broad Trip: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Long Beach Transit will take residents to these museums and back on the Museum Express. Tickets are $14, and attendees must RSVP their spot at MOCA and The Broad museums themselves online. Attendees can meet at two pickup locations at 9:30 a.m.: 130 E First St. or 2750 W American Station.
History in the Park: 10 a.m. to noon. Residents can learn about the rich history of Willow Springs Park in terms of its geology, natural systems, human and animal habitation, economic development and its restoration. Attendees should meet in the parking lot at 2745 Orange Ave. Free.
Monday 10/7
Military Mondays: 11 a.m. Military personnel and veterans can enjoy a fun day at Dave & Buster’s (7515 Carson Blvd.) with a special offer of a free $10 Power Card for games, plus 15% off food and non-alcoholic drinks with valid military ID. Menu prices vary.
Cosmic Comedy LBC: 7:30 p.m. Local restaurant Jade on the Water (6380 East Pacific Coast Highway) is hosting a comedy night featuring a lineup of SoCal comics including Zach Miller, Diaz Mackie, Natasha Collier, Michael Quu and more. Patrons can enjoy drink specials and the venue’s Asian fusion menu, with discounts for service industry professionals. There is no cover charge, but there is a two-item order minimum.
Tuesday 10/8
49er Industry Chat: 10 a.m. This virtual event hosted by Cal State Long Beach features a discussion led by Kelby Sapien, a Senior Software Engineer for Target and an alumnus of the university. Kelby will discuss his professional journey from CSULB to the retail tech industry and offer advice for breaking into software engineering. This opportunity is for students and professionals interested in tech careers. Registration is required, and can be made at bit.ly/KelbySChat. Free.
Tenant Day of Action: 3 p.m. Join Councilmember Mary Zendejas and plenty of local renters rights groups at this Solidarity Day of Action at Long Beach City Hall (411 W. Ocean Blvd.). Residents can connect with local organizations and learn about housing and homelessness initiatives. Free.
Zumba: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Get a good workout with Latin and international-inspired music every Tuesday in October on the Signal Hill Library Terrace (1800 E. Hill St.). For ages 16 and older, all skill levels are welcome.
Brushstrokes + Beverages: 7 p.m. Those 21 and older are invited to a creative evening at The Attic (3441 E Broadway), where participants will be guided step-by-step to paint “Starry Sunflowers.” This fun and relaxed art class is perfect for all skill levels, and all materials are provided. Tickets are $40 per person on the website Acuity Scheduling. A minimum purchase of $20 on food or drinks is required, and there’s a 20% gratuity automatically added. Guests can bring their own bottle, with a $20 corkage fee.
Wednesday 10/9
Grocery Giveaway: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Residents can receive free groceries at Lincoln Elementary School (1175 E. 11th St.). Free.
Photography Night Walk: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This guided night walk is perfect for photography enthusiasts of all skill levels looking to capture the vibrant nightlife of Long Beach. Participants will explore the downtown area, learning techniques to photograph urban landscapes in low light. Photographers will meet at Lincoln Park (101 Pacific Ave.) before walking through downtown. Free.
Wellness Sessions: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Wellness Collective will be hosting a series of gatherings focusing on mindfulness and breathing practices at Compound (1395 Coronado Ave.). This session invites participants to explore their connection with their own body. All experience levels are welcome. Tickets are available on a sliding scale starting at $17.95 on Eventbrite.
Thursday 10/10
Senior Walking Club: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Seniors can enjoy fresh air and the great outdoors by joining this Walking Club every Thursday at Reservoir Park (3315 Gundry Ave.). Water will be provided. Contact Community Services at (562) 989-7330 for questions or concerns. Free.
Legal System Workshop: 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Women’s Shelter Long Beach will teach this online workshop on how the legal system in California works, with a focus on information useful to survivors of domestic abuse. Register on Zoom in advance. Free.
Thursday Night Market: 5 p.m. Discover local vendors, live music and delicious food at the weekly Thursday Night Market at the Promenade in Downtown Long Beach (210 E. Third St.). This pop-up market is a great way to explore unique artisan goods while enjoying the lively atmosphere of Downtown Long Beach. It’s the perfect spot for an evening of browsing, eating and supporting small businesses in the area. Free.
Get Lei’d Karaoke Night: 8 p.m. Head to Secret Island Tiki Lounge (209 Pine Ave.) for a fun-filled karaoke night hosted by KJ Kris. Sing your heart out while enjoying tropical drinks and vibes at this event. All ages are welcome. No cover charge.
