Art, wellness and community are the pillars of this week’s events in Long Beach and Signal Hill, with plenty of fun and engaging activities to check out.
Bixby Knolls’ monthly First Fridays event will be a Cinco De Mayo-style party featuring the return of the Uptown Village Market. On Sunday afternoon, Roxanne’s will celebrate another upcoming holiday, Star Wars Day, with a cocktail-making class where attendees will make three themed drinks inspired by the sci-fi franchise.
On Saturday there will be a variety of fairs, including mental health-focused events from Our Generation Cares and Kubo LB, along with Project X LB’s Spring into Summer fair at Silverado Park. That night, local public radio station KLBP will celebrate its sixth anniversary with a celebration at the Edison Theatre featuring live music, a silent auction, dancing and more.
This week’s festivities are also packed with food, with local gastronomic events like the Compound Food Fair Saturday morning, a garden to table fundraiser Saturday afternoon and free grocery distributions Tuesday and Wednesday night. Plus, those looking for restorative exercise can enjoy yoga in the park Saturday morning as well as the Long Beach Rotary Club’s Walk for Mental Wellness along Granada Beach.
Friday 5/2
Arte de Mayo: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Atlantic Avenue corridor will be activated for this month’s edition of First Fridays in Bixby Knolls. May’s event brings the return of the Uptown Village Market with 65+ vendors, DJs and dancing at Lola’s Mexican Cuisine and more events at the businesses along Atlantic Avenue. Free.
Loiter Galleries Exhibit: 7 p.m. This collaborative art exhibit at Loiter Galleries (425 Promenade North) includes paintings by Denise Skeeter based on photographs by Stacey Crockett. The gallery was extended for one last night.
Saturday 5/3
Youth Mental Health Fair: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Led by Our Generation Cares, this mental health resource fair will provide a day of healing, connection and culture at Lincoln Park in downtown Long Beach (101 Pacific Ave.). Children and teens can enjoy culturally relevant healing workshops, multiple sports to jump in on, free food and drinks and an empowering healing circle. Visit @ourgenerationcares on Instagram to scan the QR code on their flyer for free parking, meal tickets and merch. Free.
Etch & Catch: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Help prevent your catalytic convertor from theft by getting your license plate or VIN etched into it at this event hosted by the Long Beach Police Department at the North Division police station (4891 Atlantic Ave.). Register at longbeach.gov/lbpdevents. Free, but the event is limited to 240 people.
Compound Food Fair: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. In a food and equity-focused collaboration, Compound, Grow 2 Zero and Sowing Seeds of Change are providing a healthy cooking demonstration from local chef Eugene Santiago at Compound (1395 Coronado Ave.). Each family/friend group will receive one take-home food kit to make at home. There will be a children’s fair to entertain children throughout the duration of the fair. Those in need of food will receive produce and other staples. To receive a box, support a family or get more information, contact Silissa Uriarte Smith at silissa@compound.org or call 562.534.6050. Free.
Yoga in the Park: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. People 18 and older of all levels are invited to this slow-moving gentle yoga practice with instructor Lacey Marsac every Saturday in May at Reservoir Park (3315 Gundry Ave.). Guests should bring their own yoga mat. Free.
Spring into Summer Fair: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Project X LB and The Six is hosting this fair at Silverado Park (1545 W. 31st St.) with carnival games, music, a resource fair and educational activities. Free.
AAPI Mental Health Fair: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wellness meets cultural celebration at KUBO LB’s Good Vibes, Great Minds mental health resource fair at 3976 Atlantic Ave. Attendees can connect with local resources and engage in workshops. Free.
Diversity Against Fascism: Noon. Local groups 50501 Long Beach, SoCal Uprising, Long Beach Indivisible and many others are throwing this artistic celebration of diversity and the cultural carousel of Southern California, at Heartwell Park 5801 Parkcrest St.). This event is meant to inspire community care, and teach people how to create strong coalitions together. Attendees are asked to wear a mask for health and safety reasons. Free.
Garden to Table Reception: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Support St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s garden and Long Beach Community Compost at this fundraiser event, where you can enjoy food from the garden, drinks, live music, a garden tour, raffles and more fun at 525 E. Seventh St. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased from Zeffy.
Queer Trinket Swap: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Swap trinkets, make art and hang with local queer folks by the water at this trinket swap hosted by Doja Bat at Marine Stadium (5255 E. Paoli Way). Bring something tiny and fun to trade, craft something new or just come to hang out. There will be an optional discussion reflecting on recent transmisogyny in the community.
KLBP Anniversary Celebration: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Long Beach’s only low-power FM public radio station is celebrating six years in this recognition of community voices, storytelling and the spirit of independent radio. The public is invited to this celebration at the Edison Theatre (213 E. Broadway), featuring live music, DJs, dancing, a silent auction, food and drinks. Tickets can be purchased for $33.85 on Eventbrite, but no one will be turned away at the door for lack of funds. If you would like to attend but can’t afford to donate, contact info@KLBP.org.
Sunday 5/4
Walk for Mental Wellness: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Long Beach Rotary Club invites the public to participate in this regional event, where families can walk along the shoreline in a 1K or 5K, then learn about local resources at a health fair. The walk will take place along Granada Beach (5100 E. Ocean Blvd.) and costs $25 for adults, $10 for youth and $5 for pets. All proceeds will go to local nonprofits providing mental health services in Long Beach. Online registration is required.
Children’s Day Festival: 1 p.m. Kodomo no hi, or Children’s Day Festival, is an annual celebration in Japan on May 5. The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at Cal State Long Beach (1250 Bellflower Blvd.) will host families for activities for children and families. Paid parking is available on campus. Free.
Intro to Analog Photography: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested in learning how to shoot on film can attend this intro workshop at PLACE (2172 Pacific Ave.) hosted by Long Beach Community Media Arts. Learn about different kinds of film stocks, formats, and cameras and receive a crash course on getting the right exposure, and how different lenses can change style. The $23.18 workshop fee covers all materials. Purchase tickets through the link in the bio of @lbcommunitymediaarts on Instagram.
‘Star Wars’-themed Cocktail Class: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Learn how to make three “Star Wars”-themed cocktails for May the 4th Be With You Day at Wille’s Banquet Room at Roxanne’s (1115 E. Wardlow Road). This class will be led by Crystal Mendoza, where she will teach “The Force Awakens,” “Jedi Fashioned,” and “Yoda’s Green Elixir” cocktails. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased through the link in the bio of @willestinshop on Instagram.
Yarn Day: 5 p.m. to whenever. The Long Beach Book Club is hosting a yard day, where crafters and knitters can bring a blanket, chair and yarn project to Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.). Free.
Monday 5/5
Japanese Documentary: 7 p.m. The Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.) is showing “Japanese Avant-Garde Pioneers,” which tells the story of a bold generation of avant-garde artists that emerged in the 1960s in the post-war turmoil of Japan. Tickets are $15 for general admission and can be purchased online or at the door.
Tuesday 5/6
Spanish Story Time: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children and families can attend this weekly Spanish story time at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.). After the story time, snacks and a craft will follow.
Free Groceries: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Long Beach Community Food Table distributes free groceries to those in need on Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at 3311 E. 59th St. Free.
Music Bingo: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday at Beachwood Brewing (3630 Atlantic Ave.) is music bingo, where people can test their music knowledge, sing along and compete for prizes. Listen, match songs on your digital bingo card and enjoy craft beer. Free to play.
Paws on the Promenade: 5 p.m. This dog-friendly meet-up takes place on the first Tuesday of every month, where dog-owners can bring their pups, meet their neighbors and enjoy a group walk through downtown Long Beach. Attendees will meet at The Promenade North 235. Free.
Wednesday 5/7
LBUSD Meeting: 4 p.m. At this Long Beach Unified School District board meeting, the board will vote on its new policy regarding immigration enforcement and protections for students. The meeting takes place at 1515 Hughes Way. Free.
Indian Dancing and Stories: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Students can enjoy an afternoon of music and dance from Northern India at this interactive workshop at Brewitt Neighborhood Library (4036 E. Anaheim St.). Students will learn rhythmic footwork, expressive hand gestures and storytelling through movement. Free.
Thursday 5/8
Bird Walk: 8 a.m. Local birders can explore the grounds of Ranchos Los Cerritos (4600 Virginia Road) on the second Thursday of each month. This is a guided walk with staff available to answer bird and nature-related questions. Binoculars are encouraged. Free.
Prenatal Workshop: Noon to 1 p.m. Birth Workers of Color is hosting free, bilingual weekly childbirth education workshops. This week’s topic is going over childbirth options. Classes take place at the Community Resource Center (5599 Atlantic Ave.). Free.
Hearing Loss Association Meeting: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Long Beach/Lakewood chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America will go over traveling tips for people with hearing loss at the Weingart Center (5220 Oliva Ave.). Member Ellen Mathis will share tips on “difficult areas to hear,” “information to include on your booking flight,” “help for announcements you can’t hear” and more. Free.
Art Workshop: 6 p.m. Residents can learn how to create tempera paints from pigments and eggs to make a custom artwork based on the works of Ironias del Sur at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.). This workshop is $5 per person.
Drawing Clubs Unite: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Local drawing clubs Taco Bell Drawing Club, Ink & Drink, All We Do Is Draw and Spacetime Collaborative are teaming up to host an all levels free drawing event at Compound (1395 Coronado Ave.). Free.
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