This week’s Long Beach and Signal Hill events offer a delightful mix of cultural and holiday-themed outings for all ages.
Long Beach’s inaugural Cambodian Food Festival will be held at Ten Mile Brewing on Saturday, a documentary on the experiences of queer, Black men will be showing at the Scottish Rite event Center on Sunday, and the community can participate in a Day of the Dead altar Thursday evening.
Spooky outings include a murder mystery play at the International City Theatre, a Halloween Spooklacular at the Long Beach Towne Center Saturday afternoon, and a screening of “A Haunting in Venice” screening Tuesday night at the Dana Branch Neighborhood Library.
There are multiple events for seniors this week such as low-impact exercises Tuesday, a card games gathering Wednesday or a walking club Thursday. New and expecting mothers can attend an event focusing on Black maternal health Friday evening or a class on breastfeeding Thursday afternoon.
Friday 10/18
Mom + Baby Health & Wellness: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Local business Babes & Bellies (4134 Atlantic Ave. #204) will be hosting this event focusing on Black maternal health. Attendees will learn about car seat safety, doulas, navigating the healthcare system and more. Registration is required for this event. To register, email contact@moremothers.org. Free.
Live Theater: 7:30 p.m. A live theater production of the murder mystery “Murder on the Links,” based on the Agatha Christie novel of the same name, will be playing at the International City Theatre (330 Seaside Way). General admission tickets can be purchased for $55 on the theater’s website.
Saturday 10/19
Festival of Flight: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This annual aeronautical celebration features aircraft displays, live music performances, activities for children, beer and food trucks at the west end of the airfield at 3590 East Wardlow Road. Local musicians The Satin Dollz, DJ Dennis and AbSOULute will be performing. Free to attend.
Halloween Spooktacular: Noon to 2 p.m. Families are invited to the Long Beach Towne Center (7575 Carson Blvd.) for a Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating stations, balloon art, character meet-and-greets, themed kids’ crafts, face painting and a DJ. This event is appropriate for all ages. Free to attend.
Cambodian Food Festival: Noon to 8 p.m. This inaugural event organized by Chef Chad Phuong of Battambong BBQ celebrates Cambodia’s culinary heritage with a wide selection of traditional Khmer dishes at Ten Mile Brewing (1136 E. Willow St.). The event will also feature live entertainment. Free to enter, food prices vary.
Art Exhibit Opening Reception: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Local artists that have joined a fellowship program with the Arts Council for Long Beach will be displaying their art at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W Broadway). Attendees will have a chance to meet the artists. Register to attend this opening reception on Eventbrite. Free.
Sunday 10/20
High School Volunteers Needed: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Local nonprofit Adventures to Dreams is asking students from Cabrillo High School to volunteer to work for one day in the nonprofit’s garden (903 De Forest Ave.). Volunteers will be spreading mulch, composting and watering plants. Twenty volunteers are needed. To register, visit adventurestodreams.org. Volunteers will receive a free pair of shoes.
Documentary Screening: 2:30 p.m. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach will be screening the documentary “Brother to Brother: The Unpacking” at the Scottish Rite Event Center (855 Elm Ave.). The documentary focuses on the experiences of gay and queer Black men. A discussion will be held after the documentary. Free.
Monday 10/21
Write Your Story: 10:30 a.m to noon. This nonfiction writing workshop at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) is meant to teach those 55 and older skills to help them write about their lives and experiences. To register, call 562 989 7330. Free.
Read & Create: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Grade school students are invited by Agape Children’s Museum to the Harte Neighborhood Library (1595 W Willow St.) to listen to stories and make art. Free.
Tuesday 10/22
Flu Vaccine Clinic: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Long Beach Health Department is offering free flu vaccinations at the Long Beach Senior Center (1150 E. Fourth St.). Vaccines are available for all ages without the need for an appointment, while supplies last. Free
Silver Sneakers: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Seniors 55 and older are invited to do low-impact exercises and stretches together at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). Free.
Bleed & Treat: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Volunteers are needed to donate life-saving blood during this blood drive at 5599 Atlantic Ave. To register to give blood, visit tinyurl.com/CD8DONATE. Volunteers will receive a $10 gift card.
Tuesday Talks: Noon. During this event at the Kleefeld Contemporary Museum on the Cal State Long Beach campus (1250 N Bellflower Blvd.), attendees will observe the exhibit “Against Monoculture” before going to the nearby university garden for gardening demonstrations. Free.
Movie Screening & Craft: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Adults and teens over the age of 13 are invited to the Dana Branch Neighborhood Library (3680 Atlantic Ave.) to watch the film “A Haunting in Venice,” based on an Agatha Christie novel, while crafting their own Venetian mask. Free.
Wednesday 10/23
Traditional Games: 11 a.m. to noon. Seniors 55 and older are invited to play classic tabletop games in the Signal Hill Public Library’s Community Room (1800 E. Hill St.). This week participants will be playing card games. Light refreshments will be available. Free.
Nuestra Agua: 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Spanish speakers are invited to this workshop at Jenny Oropeza Community Center (401 Golden Ave.) where they’ll learn ways to save water in their households. The event will also include a Halloween costume contest, snacks, activities and more. Free.
Thursday 10/24
Walking Club: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Seniors 55 and older are invited to walk around Reservoir Park (3315 Gundry Ave.) together. Participants will do some light stretching before walking. Water will be provided. Free.
All About Lactation Workshop: Noon to 1 p.m. Pregnant and new mothers are invited to learn about breastfeeding from Birth Workers of Color (5599 Atlantic Ave.). Participants will learn about expectations, adequate feeding, common challenges, workplace preparation and more. No registration is required, and walk-ins are encouraged. Free.
Day of the Dead Community Altar: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.) for a special family-friendly workshop where they will create an altar together for Día de los Muertos. Participants will also learn about the history of ofrendas. Traditional pan de muerto and champurrado will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to bring a 4×6 photocopy of a loved one to leave at the altar (please refrain from bringing precious or irreplaceable items, as photos will not be returned). This event costs $5, and tickets can be purchased on the museum’s website.
