October is nationally recognized as a month to celebrate artistic abilities and explore creative avenues of expression. Long Beach and Signal Hill certainly received the memo, and have a plethora of artsy, fun and mostly free events to celebrate Arts Month.
Residents can celebrate the art of poetry to start off the weekend with readings and a workshop Friday morning at a local high school, attend an exhibit opening Friday night at the Long Beach Museum of Art or watch over 50 artists create chalk masterpieces Saturday on Second Street.
For those who would rather do than watch, the Museum of Latin Art is hosting a drawing workshop Sunday morning, Tuttle Cameras is hosting a photography workshop Tuesday evening and local photographers will explore the Pike Outlets to shoot together Wednesday night.
Friday 10/6
Poetry Reading and Workshop: 10:30 a.m. California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick will perform a poetry reading, sign books and teach a poetry workshop at the Renaissance High School for the Arts Theater (235 E Eighth St.). Three other local poets will be reading their works. Free.
St. Cyprian Parish Community Fest: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. This local church (3955 North Studebaker Rd.) will be holding a community festival in partnership with the Long Beach Police Department. Free.
First Fridays at Bixby Knolls: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Atlantic Avenue corridor will be activated by local businesses and artists to celebrate the monthly First Fridays in Bixby Knolls. Residents can walk along the street and enjoy face painting, costume and crop swaps, live poetry writing, arts and crafts, live music, business discounts and more. Free.
Opening Reception: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The art exhibit “Ordinary People” will be opening at the Long Beach Museum of Art (2300 E Ocean Blvd.). Over 20 artists will be participating in the exhibit. Admission costs $20, and can be purchased ahead of time on the museum’s website.
Betty Boop Halloween Party: 8 p.m. Families can watch the 1930’s classic cartoon “Betty Boop’s Halloween Party” in restored 4K at the Long Beach Art Theatre (2025 E Fourth St.). Children and adults are encouraged to come in their Halloween costumes and compete for prizes in a costume contest. Tickets are $13.50 for adults, and free for Art Theatre members and children under 10 years old.
Saturday 10/7
Wetlands Turtle Trek: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Residents can explore the beauty of the Los Cerritos Wetlands and search for Pacific Green Sea Turtles at this monthly nature trek. This two-hour hike is appropriate for children ages 7 and older. Parking is available at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and First Street. RSVP with elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org. Free.
Japanese Classic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is invited to view multiple classic Japanese cars on display at Marina Green Park (386 East Shoreline Drive). Outside food is not allowed at the event. Attendees can bring beverages in clear water bottles; large thermos flasks will be subject to inspection. Tickets can be purchased for $20 on Eventbrite.
Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. over 50 artists will compete in this sidewalk chalk art contest hosted by Justin Rudd at 5200 E Second St.
Gems On The Hill: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Long Beach Mineral & Gem Society is back with its annual Gems on the Hill show at the Signal Hill Library (1800 E Hill St.). Over 20 vendors will be selling gems, fossils, crystals, jewelry and more while children can adopt a pet rock, dig for gemstones, spin a prize wheel and watch educational demonstrations. The event will continue Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.
Green Port Fair: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public is invited to this family-friendly event organized by the Port of Long Beach at the Harry Bridges Memorial Park (1126 Queens Hwy.). The event will feature a beer and wine garden, food vendors, information booths, coastguard demonstrations and more. Admission is free and free parking will be available at the Queen Mary parking lot adjacent to the fair site as well as at the Pike Outlets Parking Garage.
Fiesta In The Park: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to this community celebration at Silverado Park (1545 W 31st St.) featuring music, dance performances, food trucks and more. Free to attend.
Youth Tennis Lessons: Noon to 3 p.m. Long Beach nonprofit Bridge the Gap Tennis will be hosting monthly tennis lessons for residents ages 4 to 14 for free at El Dorado Park Tennis Center (2800 N Studebaker Road). The lessons will provide tennis equipment, food, refreshments, balloons, face painting and lessons from professionals for each skill level with the chance to win prizes. Free.
Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Adventures to Dreams (903 De Forest Ave.) will be holding a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness in its garden, featuring a lunch made from produce grown in the garden, live jazz, games and more, Tickets cost $68. For more information, call 562 204-6677 or email admin@adventurestodreams.info.
Silent Book Club: 3 p.m. The Silent Book Club Long Beach chapter will be holding a gathering of readers at The Library: A Coffee House (3418 E Broadway). Attendees are invited to bring whatever book they’re currently reading. Free.
Sunday 10/8
Drawing Workshop: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Participants will practice drawing with graphite pencil on gray paper in the Museum of Latin American Art’s corner garden at 628 Alamitos Ave. This workshop costs $5. To register, visit the museum’s website.
Intro to Native Plants: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Participants in this workshop at Plantiitas (2011 E. Fourth St.) will learn about native plants, biodiversity, plants for pollinators and more. Each participant will receive native plant seeds. Tickets can be purchased for $25 on Eventbrite.
Boxing Lessons: 11 a.m. Long Beach nonprofit Devotion Fitness hosts boxing classes each Sunday at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.). Classes are LGBTQ and beginner-friendly and taught at a low cost. Download the Devotion Fitness app to reserve a spot.
Disney-themed Jazz Show: 2 p.m. The National Jazz Museum in Harlem will be performing Disney songs in a swing jazz style at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center (6200 E. Atherton St.) Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online.
Monday 10/9
Volunteer Opportunity: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to help pack up and deliver meals to homebound elderly people. Volunteers are asked to fill out an online application on the nonprofit’s website beforehand. Free.
Mai Tai Monday: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. DJs Lili Bird and Lono Calls will be playing a mix of Exotica, Latin, Surf, Lounge, Jet Set, World Music and more at The Bamboo Club (3522 E Anaheim St.). This event is for those 21 and older. Free to attend.
Tuesday 10/10
Senior Bingo: 10 a.m. Seniors are invited to play bingo together at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Free.
Tips and Tools to Travel to Europe: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Guidebook author Rick Steves will be hosting an online discussion with the Long Beach Public Library. During his talk, Steves will discuss his book “Europe Through The Back Door,” along with useful tips for traveling through Europe. Register for this online event on the Library’s website. Free.
Sports Photography Class: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Local business Tuttle Cameras is hosting this two-part sports action photography class taught by Eric Vitwar. The first lesson will be held at Tuttle Cameras (5467 E Carson St.) and teach attendees tips and camera modes. The second class will take place on Oct. 13 at a high school in Cerritos, where attendees will put their lesson into action. Cameras are not provided. Lessons can be purchased online.
Wednesday 10/11
Baby & Toddler Storytime: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Babies and their caregivers are invited to Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.) to enjoy stories and playtime. Free.
STEAM Lab: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 will work on a STEAM activity together at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Space is limited so registration is required. To register, call (562) 989-7323. Free.
LB Night Walks: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Photographers of all experience levels are invited to the Pike Outlets Ferris Wheel (21 W Shoreline Dr.) to shoot photos together. Free.
Houghton Park Playground Project Community Meeting: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. During this meeting, the City will inform community members of the next steps in the Houghton Park Playground Project. The meeting will be held inside the park’s community center (6301 Myrtle Ave.). Free.
Thursday 10/12
Signal Hill Rotary Club Meeting: 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. The Signal Hill Rotary Club’s weekly meeting at Starbucks (281 E Willow St.) will feature a speaker from Su Casa speaking about domestic violence awareness and available services to honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Free.
Fall Book Sale: Noon to 4 p.m. Residents can fill a bag with gently-used books for $5 from the Signal Hill Library (1800 Hill St.).
How to Stay Calm In The Chaos: Noon to 1 p.m. During this virtual workshop organized by the Long Beach Unified School District, parents are invited to learn how to help their children regulate their emotions. To register, visit bit.ly/FRCStayCalm2023.
Eclipse Party: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. This community celebration at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) in honor of the upcoming eclipse is appropriate for all ages. Attendees will learn how to safely view the eclipse that’s occurring on Oct. 14, make solar-themed crafts and more. Free.
Build an Ofrenda: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to help build an altar for Day of the Dead at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.). Participants are asked to bring a 4×6 photocopy of a deceased loved one for the museum to keep on its altar. Complimentary pan de muertos and champurrado will be available. Items left on the museum’s altar will not be returned, so please don’t leave anything you want to keep. This event costs $5.
