Spring is a perfect time to celebrate new beginnings happening throughout Long Beach and Signal Hill. Those celebrations can take form in Cambodian New Year’s parties, gardening and farming workshops, the possibility of a new pet in the family or early Easter bashes.
The Cambodian community will be highlighted throughout the April weekend, beginning with a New Year’s celebration at Long Beach City College all day Saturday. There will also be a Khmer storytime for children at the Signal Hill Public Library Saturday morning. The party continues on Sunday with the annual Cambodia Town Parade & Cultural Festival, which will end at McArthur Park. Sunday night Trademark Brewing will be hosting local Khmer chefs and DJs with a celebration of Cambodian culture.
Residents have plenty of opportunities to get their green thumb early in the spring season, beginning with a workshop on how to care for native plants Friday afternoon at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library. Residents can enjoy local food and mocktails while chatting with farmers, agriculturalists and chefs at the Foodways Summit mixer Wednesday night in Signal Hill. For gardening inspiration, Sowing Seeds of Change will be offering free tours of its urban farm Thursday morning.
New beginnings can also mean picking up a new skill: learn how to create macrame creations Saturday night, how to spin tracks on a turntable Sunday night and how to relax through breathwork Monday morning.
Friday, 3/31
Park Playground Groundbreaking: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The City of Long Beach invites the public to the groundbreaking of Admiral Kidd Park’s playground (2125 Santa Fe Ave.). The event will mark the start of improvements to the playground, which was previously burned down by an unknown arsonist. Free.
Spring Planting with Native Plants: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The public is invited to learn about native plants and how to propagate them at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Participants will receive a plant to take home. This event is appropriate for all ages. Free.
Saturday, 4/1
Long Beach Songkran: 8 a.m. to midnight. Long Beach will celebrate Songkran, the East Asian New Year, for the first time in the city’s history at Long Beach City College (1305 E. Pacific Coast Highway). There will be cultural celebrations, a blessing from Buddhist monks, music, dancing and activities for children. Residents can take part in a New Year’s celebration from 5 p.m. to midnight. Free.
LB Reads’ Article Club: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Adult English-language learners are invited to practice reading simple news articles during this virtual meetup organized by the Long Beach Public Library. This online event is held on the first Saturday of each month. Email lbreads@lbpl.org or call (562) 570-6959 to receive a link for the Zoom meeting. Free.
Khmer Storytime: 11 a.m. to noon. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring children of all ages to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to enjoy Khmer stories, music and movements led by local business Khemara Kids. Free.
Hardcore Tiki Marketplace: Noon to 5 p.m. Multiple small vendors will be selling their products at the Bamboo Club (322 E Anaheim St.). Attendees will also be able to purchase food and drinks. This event is for those 21 and older. Free admission.
Book Donation Drop-off: Noon to 2 p.m. The Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) is accepting book donations. Residents can drop off their lightly-used books by the curb to be enjoyed by the next reader. Free.
Spring Celebration: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. My Ancestor’s Dream will be hosting its third annual Spring Celebration for Long Beach youth at Drake Park (951 Maine Ave.). There will be free prizes for children in attendance, an egg hunt, games and more. Free.
Easter Egg Hunt Adoption Event: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Long Beach Animal Care Services (7700 E Spring St.) will be hosting an Easter celebration for the public, featuring music, photo opportunities, an Easter egg hunt and Easter egg decorating. Those who attend are asked to bring unopened store-bought pet treats. Adoption fees for all animals will be waived during the event. Free.
Macrame y Margaritas: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. During this workshop at Plantiitas Market (4003 E 4th St.), participants will sip margaritas while learning how to create macrame. The workshop will be taught by local vendor Rosita’s Crafteria. Tickets can be purchased for $45 on Eventbrite.
Sunday, 4/2
Cambodia Town Parade & Culture Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to celebrate Cambodian culture during this annual parade and festival. The parade will travel along Anaheim Street between Junipero Avenue and Orange Avenue. The festival will be held at MacArthur Park (1321 E Anaheim St.). The celebration will feature music, performances, and Cambodian food. Free to attend.
Rockin Spring Marketplace: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Over 20 local vendors will be selling their products at Roxanne’s (1115 E Wardlow Rd.). Six different DJs will be playing music. This event is appropriate for all ages. Free to attend.
Belmont Shore Spike and Mic: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open Mic LB is hosting its monthly mixer to raise money for foster youth in the city. Residents can enjoy pick-up volleyball games, breakfast, drinks, open mic performances, live music and more at 4300 E Ocean Blvd. Attendance is free, but the food, drink and open mic entry costs vary.
Celebrate Khmer Pride: Noon to 9 p.m. A celebration of Cambodian culture will be held at Trademark Brewing (233 E Anaheim St.), featuring food, drinks, raffles and more. Music will be provided by local Khmer DJ Tinman. This event is being hosted by local food industry tastemakers, including chef Chad Phuong of Battambong BBQ, food writer James Tir and more. Free to attend.
Open Turntables: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The collective Música y Mujeres will be providing turntables for the public to practice their DJ skills at The Grasshopper (136 E Anaheim St.). This event is for those 21 and older. To reserve a time slot, send a direct message on Instagram to Música y Mujeres, @musica.y.mujeres. Free.
Monday, 4/3
Breathwork Healing Session: 10 am to 11:15 am. Local business Soul Dimension will be holding an online breathing exercise workshop. Participants will practice deep breathing techniques before meditating. Tickets can be purchased for $19 on Eventbrite.
Read to Dogs: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Young children can practice reading to certified therapy dogs at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Reading to dogs is meant to build a child’s self confidence as they learn to read. Free.
Tuesday, 4/4
Baby Bookworm Storytime: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring babies up to 1 year old to enjoy books, songs, rhymes and bounces at Bach Neighborhood Library (4055 N. Bellflower Blvd.). During the program, babies will be sitting in their adults’ lap and adults will be actively participating in activities. Free.
Drop-In After School Club: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. After school, students from the 3rd to 5th grades are invited to participate in STEAM crafts, 3D printing and gaming. A snack will be provided. Free.
Author Talk: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Long Beach Public Library will be hosting an online discussion by Canadian author Kate Beaton, author of the graphic memoir “Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands.” The book tells the story of Beaton’s time working in Canada’s remote oil fields. To register for this event, visit https://libraryc.org/lbpl/upcoming. Free.
Wednesday, 4/5
We Don’t Talk About Crochet Club: 5 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. Teens between the ages of 13 to 17 are invited to this weekly crochet club at Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Participants will learn crocheting basics and how to make granny squares. Free.
Baby & Toddler Storytime: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring babies and toddler to enjoy story time at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.
Spring Foodways Summit Kick-off: 6:30 p.m. The Spring Foodways Summit will kick off with a mixer at the SpaceTime Collaborative in Signal Hill. This warehouse/laboratory setting will be filled with chefs, artists, designers and agriculturalists to enjoy AR food art demos and preview the events of the week. Free.
Thursday 4/6
Sowing Seeds of Change Farm Tour: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Residents can explore agricultural excellence hidden within a concrete jungle with a free tour of downtown Long Beach’s Sowing Seeds of Change Urban Farm. The tour will highlight the farm’s vocational programs that teach youth with disabilities and foster youth agricultural skills that they can use to get jobs in the future. Free.
Agape Art Works: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Long Beach Public Library and the Agape Children’s Museum will be holding weekly interactive art activities for school-aged children at the Burnett Neighborhood Library (560 E Hill St.). Free.
English Conversation Club: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. English-language learners are invited to practice English conversations together at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). This is an informal gathering and a safe space for anyone trying to learn English. Free.
