Art, music, film, food, theater and the Big Red Bus mark the kick-off to the 2009 First Fridays event in Bixby Knolls. Birthday celebrations abound among the eclectic mix of things to see and do on Atlantic Avenue. Returning to Bixby Knolls to stir things up are the Alive Theatre roaming thespians. Expect a guerilla cast of characters to entertain as you ride the Big Red Bus from venue to venue to catch all the revelry.
Here’s a peek of what will be seen and heard at First Fridays, February 6. To get the detailed venue listings and artist profiles, visit www.firstfridayslongbeach.com.
Nino’s Italian Restaurant, 3853 Atlantic Avenue. A very special unveiling at 7pm of C.J. Latimore’s Legacy Artwork, Sunny Nash will share her video creation complementing Latimore’s work, food, drinks, and DJ Matt Cohn. The Long Beach Press Club will reconvene in Bixby Knolls on First Fridays in the banquet room. Check out local wordsmiths discussing journalism, current issues, and what’s happening around Long Beach. Visit www.ninoslongbeach.com.
Long Beach Arts, 4332 Atlantic Avenue, celebrates its 85th anniversary with a huge cake from Alsace Lorraine Bakery, flamenco guitarist John Simpson and its present exhibit “Earth, Air, Fire” on display. Visit www.long-beach-arts.org.
FreeSpirit Yoga, 3910 Atlantic Avenue, will feature three unique artists showing sculpture, painting and drawings. Visit www.freespirityoga.com.
Vangie Ogg Photography and Pixie Toys, 3930 Atlantic Avenue, will feature the custom jewelry of Susan Fisher. Visit www.susanfisherjewelry.com. or www.oggstudio.com.
Gallery THOR at THOR Antiques, 4122 Atlantic Avenue, will be featuring art by a number of artists current and vintage. Representing local artists will be paintings by Mike Rivero and sculptures by Susan Erikson Hawkins. Visit www.THORAntiques.com.
Jammin’ Music, 3972 Atlantic Avenue, will be hosting “It’s Our Time for a Change!” party. The Jammin’ Music Players will entertain with live music and songs of change and hope starting at 7pm, communal music-making starts 8pm.
Elise’s Tea Room, 3924 Atlantic Avenue, will be featuring the artwork of classically trained Italian artist Laura Laciniati, direct from Milan, Italy. Laura is a special-effects makeup artist, designer, and production designer who specializes in “Trompe l’oeil” techniques (3D) as well as murals (outdoor and indoor), frescoes and special home decoration projects. Visit www.entertainingevents.com or www.elisestearoom.com.
It’s A Grind, 4245 Atlantic Avenue, will feature live music and a comfortable atmosphere. 8pm-10pm.
Historical Society of Long Beach, 4260 Atlantic Avenue, will be showing a short film titled Paul Revere Williams— a Legend in Architecture. The 25-minute film will show at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. John Thomas and Chris Launi will be on hand to sign their book Long Beach Art Deco. Also, on display in the galleries are “Greetings from Long Beach” and “Suburban Architecture.”
The Richard Goad Theatre, 4250 Atlantic Avenue, home of The Long Beach Shakespeare Company, will have costumed actors in front of the theatre performing music and dances from their upcoming show The Far-Gone-Doliers, which is adapted from Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers. Tours of the theatre open to everyone, and spontaneous events onstage. Visit www.lbshakespeare.com.
Salon Medusa, 4232 Atlantic Avenue, will feature work of Long Beach artist Chris Cosby. He drew and painted in perspective at an early age, and his great-grandma taught him acrylics, oil pen and pencil. At 18, he found it hard to start a career in painting so he started tattooing.
Melinda McCoy’s Flowers, 611 E. Carson Street, debuts its participation in First Fridays this month. Stop in for some treats and wonderful displays.
Some venues open at 6pm. Big Red Bus arrives at 7pm. Venues can be found on Atlantic Avenue between Bixby Road and San Antonio Drive.
The mission of First Fridays is to promote and support local artists and musicians by providing them with an outlet to showcase their work. Every first Friday night of the month, participating Bixby Knolls businesses unite to promote local artists and musicians through extended operating hours to encourage a dialogue between businesses, artists and the community. For complete information regarding the different venues, check the First Fridays website www.firstfridayslongbeach.com.
