New beginnings are all around the city this week: droves of children from kindergarten to high school returned to school on Wednesday, 10 new original murals plaster buildings across the city thanks to the Long Beach Walls Festival and the Signal Tribune welcomed a new Design Editor and Managing Editor.
Take part in this season of transformation by trying something new in the city this week. Learn about a different culture’s food, drinks, dances and heritage all weekend at the Long Beach Greek Festival in Bixby Knolls or Sunday at the Holland Festival at El Dorado Park. Inspired creatives can attend an open mic at Bixby Park, or encourage the teens in their lives to sign up for the free 8-week creative writing workshop at the Los Altos Neighborhood Library.
Those who survived the blistering heat wave this week should reward themselves by attending one of Long Beach or Signal Hill’s free community events.
Friday, Sept. 2
Toddler Storytime: 10 a.m. Parents and caregivers of toddlers from 1 to 3 years old are invited to bring their kids to Bach Neighborhood Library (1401 E Anaheim St.) to enjoy stories, songs and more. Free.
Classic Film Series: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to this screening of the film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” in the Miller Room of the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Free.
Saturday, Sept. 3
Long Beach Greek Festival: Noon. A three-day celebration of Greek culture and heritage, featuring food, drink, dance and more at the church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (5761 E Colorado St.) General admission costs $5.
Open Mic: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Local creatives are invited to share their talent at this open mic night on the stage at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.) To reserve a slot, send a message on Instagram to @xsavotage. Free.
Long Beach Comic Con: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A two-day convention for fans of comic books, anime, cosplay and more held at the Long Beach Convention Center. This year there will be 17 guests from the comic, video game, cosplay and related industries in the convention’s “Social Square,” where fans can chat with their idols and ask for autographs. Big names attending this year’s convention include Lou Ferrigno, who portrayed the 1978 television version of The Incredible Hulk and executives from Heavy Metal magazine. General admission costs $45 on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online at longbeachcomiccon.ticketleap.com.
New Blues Festival: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend this three-day blues music festival at Shoreline Aquatic Park (200 Aquarium Way). General admission costs $50 and can be purchased at https://newbluesfestival.com/#ticket-info.
Public Exhibition Tour: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. A weekly tour of the exhibits at the Long Beach Museum of Art (356 E 3rd St.) that is included when visitors pay the $12 admission to enter the museum. Docents will inform attendees about each current exhibit currently on display at the museum.
Sunday, Sept. 4
Holland Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This festival aims to bring together Dutch Americans across the state and nation to celebrate their heritage at Gemmrig Park (7390 E. Carson St.). The event will feature vendors, Heineken craft beer, Dutch and Indo-Dutch food, dancing, live music and more. Tickets can be purchased for $11.71 on Eventbrite or for $10 cash only in-person on the day of the festival. If tickets are purchased online be sure to print them and bring them to the festival. Children ages 12 and under get in free. Dogs are not permitted at the festival. Attendees can park at El Dorado Park for $8.
Seaside Concert: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor concert by Curtis Byrd and the Pedro Reis Band at the Off-Boardwalk Theater by the Funnel House (425 Shoreline Village Drive) in Shoreline Village. Free.
Real Ones Day Party: 3 p.m. Those 18 and older are invited to this monthly day party at Grey LB (237 Long Beach Blvd.), featuring tacos, beverages, art, music and more. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $22.85.
Monday, Sept. 5
You Sleuth Augmented Reality Detective Experience: All day. This game is described by its creator CyberActivities, Inc. as a cross between Clue and Pokemon Go. As they walk through their neighborhood, participants will receive clues on their phone to solve a fictional mystery. Participants will be outdoors at all times. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $25.
No Parking On The Dance Floor: Noon to 7 p.m. The public is invited to this community celebration at the 4th & Cherry Parking Lot (2018 E. 4th St.), featuring music, vendors, activities and more. Free.
Tuesday, Sept. 6
Rancho Storytime: 10 a.m. to 10:30 am. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring young children to listen to a story read out loud at Rancho Los Cerritos (4600 Virginia Rd.) Attendees are welcome to bring blankets, strollers and snacks. Free.
50+ Book Club: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. A book club geared toward senior participants 50 and older at the El Dorado Neighborhood Library (2900 Studebaker Rd.) Visit the library or call (562) 570-3136 for information on how to join. Free.
Wednesday, Sept. 7
We Don’t Talk About Crochet Club: 5 p.m. to 6 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.
Teen Advisory Group: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Local high schoolers are invited to help the library develop events, crafts and activities for their peers at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) Free.
Thursday, Sept. 8
BabyTime: 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring babies between the ages of 6 months to 18 months to enjoy fingerplays, books and interactive songs at Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 Britton Dr.) Free.
Creative Writing Course by Teens for Teens: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The beginning of an 8-week creative writing course designed and delivered by teens for their peers at Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 E. Britton Dr.) Register for this class by emailing tamara.hall@lbpl.org or calling 562-570-1045.
Reading Buddies: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Parents and caregivers can bring children to the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) where a teen volunteer will give them up to 30 minutes of one-on-one reading practice. Free.
Night Market: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy this combination of a street fair and farmers market in downtown Long Beach (300 N Promenade.) The event will include vendors, live music and more. Free.
