As Pride Month celebrations continue, summer outdoor movies begin and local fans brace for the World Cup games, there are no shortage of ways to have fun and connect with your community.
Movie screenings are plentiful this week, kicking off Friday night with Care Culture Collaborative’s screening of “Earth’s Greatest Enemy,” followed by PLACE LB’s first 16mm film screening in their new Bixby Knolls location on Saturday, and the start of Long Beach’s annual movies in the park series on Monday at Signal Hill Park.
Juneteenth celebrations start early, with a brunch and day party hosted by Urban Society Long Beach in downtown Sunday. There will also be a State of Black Health Equity presentation for Black residents at Martin Luther King Jr. Park Wednesday evening.
Additional community events include a nature-filled Spark Walk on Saturday morning, a pride ball at the Museum of Latin American Art Saturday evening, a Latina-focused mercado at Sala Coffee & Wine Sunday and a community craft night at Cool Cat Collective Thursday evening.
Friday 6/12
DIY Club: Kids 8 and older can customize their own tote bag at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.) during its monthly DIY club. Register by calling 562-989-7323. Free.
Movie Night: 7 p.m. Care Culture Collaborative and Rose Bar are co-hosting a screening of the environmental documentary “Earth’s Greatest Enemy” at the corner of Lindero Avenue and East Broadway. The film, directed by Abby Martin and Mike Prysner, focuses on the U.S. military’s history of environmental destruction on a global scale. Free.
Saturday 6/13
Spark Walk: 9:30 a.m. El Dorado Nature Center (7550 E. Spring St.) invites people to let their guards down and have spontaneous yet meaningful conversations within nature during this group walk. Free.
Banjee Ball x MOLAA: 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Celebrate pride at this “50 Shades of Purple Kiki Ball” at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.) for a night of glamour, creativity and self-expression. This event is in partnership with the Shirley Payne Foundation and the Banjee Ball Foundation, a ballroom-centered organization dedicated to providing creative, educational and career opportunities to LGBTQIA+ individuals and women. Tickets are $20 for this 18 and older event, and there will be food and drinks for purchase.
Trivia Fundraiser: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Participate in trivia, hang out with cats at Cool Cat Collective (2741 E. Fourth St. C) and help raise funds for people and animals in Lebanon, which is facing bombing from Israel. Tickets are $15 per person and all proceeds will be donated. Tickets can be purchased online.
3TON Cinema 16mm Projection Show: 8 p.m. See a 16mm film screening with live soundtracks from traveling DIY microcinema collective 3TON Cinema at PLACE LB’s new Bixby Knolls location (3923 Long Beach Blvd.). Free.
Sunday 6/14
Oaxacali Run Club: 8 a.m. All are welcome to run, jog or walk with Oaxacali Run Club during its local meetup at Good Time (1322 Coronado Ave). Free.
R&Brunch: Juneteenth Edition: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Celebrate Juneteenth early with Urban Society Long Beach during this dual brunch and day party event at Shannon’s Corner (201 Pine Ave.). Guests are encouraged to wear red, black, green or Afrocentric apparel. Brunch will be served downstairs at The Carvery from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the day party portion will take place in the rooftop At The Top venue from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket options include single tickets for $21.74 and a 2 for $30 deal, both on Eventbrite. All VIP table packages are sold out.
Sala Mercado: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Made by and featuring several Latina vendors, visitors to Sala Coffee & Wine (3853 Atlantic Ave.) can shop the Sala Mercado for ceramics, couture, jewelry and vintage accessories. The mercado will also feature a DJ set by @abellabellucci and a coffee and drink collaboration courtesy of Sala and @valeriametzz. Event proceeds will go to the mutual aid group Lucha Costa Mesa. Free.
Pretty Gay Beach Day: 2 p.m. Hosted by Fit & Fruity and We Know Each Other Now, this chill beach day invites the queer community to play games, craft together, enjoy music and relax at Rosie’s Dog Beach (5000 E. Ocean Blvd.). Free.
Restorative Sound Bath: 5 p.m. Unwind with a calming wellness experience courtesy of Restorative Resonance Collective at Plantiitas (2011 E. Fourth St.). Attendees are advised to bring a yoga mat or blanket, water, cozy layers and a pillow or other comfortable support. Tickets are $39.19 on Eventbrite.
Monday 6/15
Tai Chi: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Seniors age 55 and older can join instructor Angie Sierra for gentle, flowing movements of Tai Chi at the Signal Hill Park Community Center (1780 E. Hill St.). Free.
Movies in the Park: 6:30 p.m. The annual summertime movie series from the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine and Partners of Parks is officially back. This year’s programming will begin with the animated film “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” at Signal Hill Park (2175 Cherry Ave.). Screenings will include a bounce house, free popcorn and nightly giveaways. Activities will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the film screening starting at dusk. Free.
Tuesday 6/16
Family Drum Circle: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Families and kids of all ages can play simple rhythms and silly sounds on African Djembe drums with drummer Chaz at the Signal Hill Public Library’s Zinnia Courtyard (1800 E. Hill St.). Free.
Argentina v. Algeria: 6 p.m. Watch the World Cup game between Argentina and Algeria at the Signal Hill Public Library’s Zinnia Courtyard (1800 E. Hill St.). No registration required. Free.
Wednesday 6/17
Juneteenth: State of Black Health Equity: 5 p.m. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services will share important details from the City’s Black Community Health Strengths and Needs Assessment during this all-ages community meeting at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.). Attendees will be guided through the city’s current state of Black Health Equity, key findings from the assessment and what lies ahead in the process. Free.
World Cup Watch Party: 5 p.m. Before the Colombia vs. Uzbekistan match kicks off at 7 p.m., enjoy a pregame celebration at Dolores Long Beach (2105 E. Fourth St.) with happy hour deals, special drinks and a Latin American-themed vinyl DJ set by Hector Waluyo. Free entry.
Thursday 6/18
Community Craft Night: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Make a cat zine or work on your own project amongst friends and cats at Cool Cat Collective (2741 E. Fourth St.). There will be a tutorial on how to make an 8-page zine. Papers, markers and color pencils will be provided, but attendees are also welcome to bring their own supplies. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.
Knights of the Round (Turn)Table: 6:30 p.m. Bixby Knolls’ music listening night returns to Beachwood Brewing (3630 Atlantic Ave.) featuring records by The Allman Brothers Band. Before the music starts, attendees can fill out a card with a memory they have of any of the songs from the artist, which the host will read in between sharing facts about the band’s “A Decade of Hits 1969–1979” compilation album. Free.
