Families, mothers, teens and people of all ages can spend the next week in Long Beach and Signal Hill participating in local events and cultural celebrations.
Multiple free events this week shine a light on health and healing. There will be a mental health resource fair at MacArthur Park Friday morning, a workshop on toddler behavior issues for caregivers at the Bay Shore Neighborhood Library Saturday morning and a virtual course on mental health first aid on Wednesday.
For last minute Mother’s Day celebrations, residents can visit the LBX Hangar to shop from local vendors Friday night or purchase jewelry and other gifts at a pop-up shop in the Museum of Latin American Art Saturday afternoon.
Long Beach will continue its AAPI Heritage Month events with a festival of AAPI books at the Billie Jean King Main Library Saturday.
Friday 5/12
Healing Through Community: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The City of Long Beach will be holding a mental health resource fair at MacArthur Park (1321 E. Anaheim St.), to raise awareness of mental health resources in the local area. Community-based organizations and businesses will set up booths where they will inform attendees about their services. Free.
Lucid In The Either of What: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The opening night of an exhibit at Icehouse Arts Complex (625 W Anaheim St.), featuring sculptures made by over a dozen CSULB students. Free.
In My Bones: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Panndora Productions will be holding a production of the play “In My Bones” by Doc Andersen-Bloomfield at the Garage Theatre (251 E 7th St.). General admission costs $25, and tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Saturday 5/13
Festival of AAPI Books: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Over 30 AAPI authors and illustrators will be attending this literary festival at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W Broadway) to meet local bookworms, read their work and sign copies of books. Genres will include nonfiction, fiction and children’s authors as well as poets from a wide range of AAPI communities present in Southern California. There will also be live performances, vendors, and a teen writing workshop. Free to attend.
Asanas & Sound Bath: 10:30 a.m. Community members are invited to enjoy a half hour of yoga asanas followed by a half hour sound bath. This event will be hosted by Joy Frequency, Groov3 Dance and Heart of Ananda at El Dorado Park, at the intersection of Studebaker Road and Stearn Street. A donation of $20 to $40 is highly encouraged.
Caregiver SOS: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Students from Long Beach City College’s Parent Educator Program will be talking to local parents about behavioral issues such as biting and tantrums. This event will be held at the Bay Shore Neighborhood Library (195 Bay Shore Ave.). Free.
Mother’s Day Market: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Over 45 local vendors will be selling handmade products at the LBX Hangar (4150 McGowen St.). The event will also feature food, drinks, live music, facepainting and more. Friendly dogs are welcome. Free.
Sunday 5/14
Hi-Performance Swap Meet: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. A wide variety of antique, classic and high-performance cars and parts will be available for purchase at Veterans Memorial Stadium (5000 E Lew Davis St.). Free to enter.
Mother’s Day Pop-Up Shop: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.) will be hosting a pop-up shop in its gift store so visitors can find a gift for Mother’s Day. There will be a discount on jewelry from the gift shop. Free to attend.
Silent Disco: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. So We Are Silent Disco will be hosting a silent disco on the beach (3998 E Allin St.) in honor of Mother’s Day. This event is a safe space for those in the LGBTQ+ community and those who feel they don’t have a mother figure in their life. A donation of $25 is highly encouraged.
Monday 5/15
9-hole Not-so-Serious Golf Tournament: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. This casual golf tournament organized by the LB Chamber of Commerce will raise money for the WomenShelter of Long Beach. The tournament will be held on the El Dorado Golf Course (2400 N Studebaker Rd.). Participation costs $175 per golfer.
Trivia Night: 7 p.m. Those 21 and older are invited to the Auld Dubliner (71 S Pine Ave.) to participate in a weekly trivia competition hosted by America’s Pub Quiz. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Free to attend.
Tuesday 5/16
Older Americans Month – Pool Day: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 100 seniors will be able to enter the Belmont Plaza Pool (4320 Olympic Plaza) and enjoy tropical music. Space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free.
Dino Dig Puzzle: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Children will be able to study and identify replica fossils at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Registration is required. To register, call 562-989-7323. Free.
Wednesday 5/17
Mental Health First Aid Class: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mental Health America of Los Angeles will be teaching people who live and work in Long Beach how to give “mental first aid” to someone in distress. The online training will cover how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance abuse problems in adults. Participants will complete a 2-hour self-paced course, as well as 6-hour instructor led training session. This event is funded by a grant from Kaiser Permanente. To register, visit https://linktr.ee/MHA_Los_Angeles. Free.
Senior Prom: Noon to 2 p.m. Seniors are invited to enjoy dancing and music at the El Dorado Senior Center (2800 Studebaker Rd.). Attendees are welcome to dress up if they want to. Free.
Make It: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children ages 8 and older are invited to create a craft at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). All children must have an adult with them. To register for the event, visit the library or call (562) 989-7323. Free.
Hillbrook Park Outreach: 6 p.m. The Signal Hill Parks & Recreation Commission will be giving a presentation about possible changes to Hillbrook Park. The public can view the presentation in person in the Signal Hill Council Chambers (2175 Cherry Ave.) or online by visiting https://cityofsignalhill.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
Thursday 5/18
Teen Social Drop-in After School Program: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Students from the 6th to 9th grade are invited to enjoy STEAM crafts, movies, gaming, snacks and more at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.
Spring Planting: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Long Beach Office of Sustainability will teach the public how to propagate native plants at the Alamitos Neighborhood Library (1836 E. Third St.). Participants will get to take home a native plant to add to their yards or gardens. Free.
