The City of Long Beach has announced that it won’t impose a mask mandate if Los Angeles County chooses to do so, even as COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise.
Whether you’re still wearing your mask to the grocery store or you’ve gleefully set it on fire, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor events going on this week for residents practicing all levels of caution.
As usual, there are plenty of concerts in the park going on this week, a mainstay of Long Beach summers. As we head into August, consider spending a weeknight listening to ska in Bixby, rock-n-roll at Signal Hill Park or Long Beach’s very own municipal band at Veterans Park.
If you’re feeling philanthropic, spend your Saturday morning cleaning up the Los Angeles River. Later in the day, head down to the Japanese Cultural Center later on for an afternoon of ondo dancing. If you want to get in on the cultural exchange, head down to the Dragon Boat Festival for Chinese art demonstrations, traditional dance and acrobats.
The summer is zipping by, don’t miss it!
Friday, July 29:
Family Storytime: 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Caregivers of toddler to school-age children are invited to bring them to Brewitt Neighborhood Library (4036 E. Anaheim St.) to enjoy reading, singing, and activities. Free.
Midsummer Scream: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. This Halloween-themed summer event will feature over 350 exhibitors at the Long Beach Convention Center (300 E Ocean Blvd.) For the opening night, only the showfloor will be open. General admission costs $32. This event will also continue all weekend. Visit midsummerscream.org for more information.
Saturday, July 30
The Great LA River Cleanup: 8 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help clean litter from the LA River in order to prevent it from polluting the watershed and flowing into the Pacific Ocean at the Golden Shore Marine Biological Reserve (201 Golden Shore.) Volunteers can register at https://folar.org/cleanup/. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Free.
Dragon Boat Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This event will feature dragon boat races, traditional Chinese art demonstrations, acrobats, traditional dance, music and martial arts performances at Marine Stadium (5255 E. Paoli Way). Free.
Mead-Making Workshop: 10 a.m. The first ever mead-making workshop hosted by the Long Beach Beekeepers at EDCO Recycling and Transfer (2755 California Ave., 2nd Floor). Attendees will leave with their own gallon of mead-in-the-making and will meet online three weeks later for an uncorking party. This event costs $60 for the general public and $50 for members of the Long Beach Beekeepers. Tickets can be purchased at longbeachbeekeepers.org/events.
Dalmatian Meetup: 10 a.m. Dalmatians and their humans are invited to gather and socialize at Rosie’s Dog Beach (5000 E Ocean Blvd) organized by Dalmatians of Long Beach. Commemorative stickers and buttons will be passed out to attendees. Free.
LGBTQ+ Ally Workshop for Parents & Caregivers: 10 a.m. An online workshop by the LGBT Center of Long Beach for parents and caregivers that want to better understand the LGBTQ+ community. Participants can register by visiting https://sugeni.us/Wgi8. Participants will learn about issues and needs in the LGBTQ+ community, protective factors for raising LGBTQ+ youth, learn affirming parenting techniques and connect with other parents and caregivers. Free.
Alzheimer’s Fundraiser: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 10% of the proceeds made by Sweet Grass Sugarcane Juice (3545 Atlantic Ave.) this day will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association to help fight Alzheimer’s and dementia. There are over a dozen beverages to choose from.
Ondo Dancing: 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to the Long Beach Japanese Cultural Center (1766 Seabright Ave.) for an afternoon of ondo dancing. Shaved ice and water will be available. Free.
Poetry Night: 6:30 p.m. The community is invited to share their poetry and/or listen to the poetry of others at Salon Bender (957 E 4th St.). Donations are recommended from attendees but not required, and will benefit Salon Bender’s Give a Cut fund, which provides haircuts for those who otherwise couldn’t afford one.
Pirate Invasion: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. This pirate-themed event will feature live bands, a fire show, food and drinks, a mermaid grotto, pirate marketplace, kid zone, crafting area, live cannon fire and more. General admission for this two-day event is $10 per day and $16 for the weekend. Tickets can be purchased at www.pirateinvasionlongbeach.com.
Sunday, July 31
Funkocholos Takeover: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The community is invited to buy, sell and trade Funkopops, Hot Wheels and other collectibles at this event by Funkocholos at 3623 Santa Fe Ave. Attendees can enjoy raffles and giveaways. Free.
Closing Reception of “In the Figurative”: 4 to 6 p.m. Flatline Gallery (6023 Altantic Ave.) will hold a closing reception for its exhibit “In the Figurative,” a collection of figurative works, each telling a different narrative. Free.
Monday, August 1
Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra: 6:30 p.m. The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association will host it’s weekly Concerts in the Park(ing Lot) at the Howard CDM Lot (3737 Long Beach Blvd.) across from Steelcraft. This week’s event is sponsored by Lola’s Mexican Cuisine. Bring chairs and food to enjoy ska music by the Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra. Free.
Modern Afro-Cuban Fusion and D’Jam: 9:30 p.m. The public is invited to listen to a musical performance by Abram Olivas y Outro-speccion at DiPiazza’s (5205 E Pacific Coast Highway) at 10:30 p.m. After the performance by the band, musicians in the community are invited to play music together. All are welcome and encouraged to bring their own equipment. Free.
Tuesday, August 2
National Night Out: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A community celebration organized by Centro CHA at 14th Street Park (intersection of Cedar Avenue & W 14th Street) featuring art activities, food vendors, raffles, games and more. COVID-19 vaccinations will be available for everyone older than six months. Free.
“Weird Science” at Granada Beach: 8 p.m. Watch a screening of “Weird Science” at Granada Beach (5000 E. Ocean Blvd). The event will feature pre-show entertainment from local bands. The event is part of the summer-long Moonlight Movies at the Beach series. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to sit on. Food trucks will be present. The movie screenings are family-friendly and pet-friendly. The event is sponsored by Long Beach Transit. Free.
Free Concert in the Park: 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy a concert by the Long Beach Municipal Band at Veterans Park (101 E 28th St.). Free.
Wednesday, August 3
Summer Lunch Cruise: All day. With any purchase of a to-go order from participating residents, customers will receive a complimentary 30-minute harbor cruise by Spirit Cruises in the Shoreline Village Area. Customers must pre-order their meals by calling participating restaurants to place their orders and reserve their tickets. Boarding passes will be given out at the same time as lunch orders. Participating restaurants include Gilan Pizza, Shenanigans Pub and Tug Boat Pete’s.
Signal Hill Concerts in the Park: 6 p.m. Enjoy a concert by The Brobots, a high-energy rock and roll party band from Los Angeles at Signal Hill Park (2175 Cherry Ave.) during the city’s Concerts in the Park series. A diversity showcase organized by the city’s Diversity Coalition Committee will begin at 6 p.m., with music at 6:30 p.m. Bring snacks and something to sit on. Free.
LBC Skate Night: 7 p.m. An intermediate roller skating route. Participants should be comfortable rollerskating 10 miles or more at a moderate pace, going uphill and stopping abruptly. Meet at Rosie’s Dog Beach (5000 E Ocean Blvd.). Rollout is at 7:30 p.m. Free.
Thursday, August 4
“Spiderman No Way Home” at LBCC: 8 p.m. Watch a screening of “Spiderman No Way Home” at Long Beach City College’s Pacific Coast Campus (1305 CA-1). The event will feature pre-show entertainment from local bands. The event is part of the summer-long Moonlight Movies at the Beach series. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to sit on. Food trucks will be present. The movie screenings are family-friendly and pet-friendly. The event is sponsored by Long Beach Transit. Free.