To ring in the end of Earth Month, the wonderful nonprofits, local businesses and public libraries in Long Beach and Signal Hill are hosting plenty of outdoor events. Residents can soak up the sun, spend a few hours away from the heat at an indoor event or visit our lists of gardens or beach cleanups throughout the city.
Nature-themed events are kicking off the weekend with a celebration of native flowers and music Friday night at Semillitas and an environmental art show at The Hangout. For an educational experience, residents can learn to compost food scraps with worms at Willow Springs Park Saturday morning.
For more artsy events, residents can learn how to create Japanese woodblock prints Wednesday afternoon at the Bay Shore Neighborhood Library and children can watch a Star Wars movie and make a lightsaber Thursday night at the Los Altos Neighborhood Library.
Family-themed events are also highlighted this week, starting with the Celebration of the Young Child at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library Saturday morning. Families that want to support Autism Awareness can join a Family Fun Day at the LBX Hangar later that afternoon.
Friday 4/28
Chess Club: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Every week chess players of all ages and skill levels are invited to compete against each other at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). The chess club will be held in the library’s Magazine Room. Free.
Tianquiztli: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The public is invited to celebrate Mother Nature during this event at Semillitas (3920 Atlantic Ave.). Attendees can make native flower seed balls, listen to music and shop. Free to attend.
Wildflower Art Show: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The opening reception of a group art show that focuses on the natural environment, located at The Hangout (2122 E 4th St.). Free admission.
Live Music: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Local musician Alan Levine will be performing at Wine on 2nd (5640 E 2nd St.). Free admission.
Saturday 4/29
Learn to Vermicompost: 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The City of Long Beach will be teaching residents how to turn food scraps into fertile soil with the help of worms. During this workshop at Willow Springs Park (2745 Orange Ave.), attendees will learn how to set up a vermicompost bin, what to compost and how to use the resulting soil. Free.
Celebration of the Young Child: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) will celebrate the importance of early childhood with various educational and fun hands-on activities, while also providing families with information on how to support their child’s learning and overall well-being. Over 50 different City and County departments, local organizations and agencies will be hosting resource and activity booths. Focus will be placed on families with children ages 6 and under. However, all families are welcome to attend. Free.
Autism Awareness Family Fun Day: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Angel City Market will be hosting neurodiverse vendors selling a variety of products at the LBX Hangar (4150 McGowen St.) There will also be music and art. Attendees are encouraged to wear blue in support of Autism Awareness. Free to attend.
Sunday 4/30
Holland Festival: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dutch Americans are invited to celebrate their cultural heritage at POA Park (7390 Carson Blvd.) There will be music, street food, photo opportunities and a beer garden. Admission is $10 at the door.
Read Con Amigos: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Caregivers and children up to the age of 10 are invited to the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.), to enjoy stories, songs and rhymes in both English and Spanish. Free.
Monday 5/1
Read to Dogs: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Young children can practice reading to certified therapy dogs at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Reading to dogs is meant to build a child’s self-confidence as they learn to read. Free.
Spring Music Concert Series: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Kozue Matsumoto will be performing original compositions and traditional Japanese music at the Signal Hill Library’s Zinnia Courtyard (1800 E. Hill St.). This event is family-friendly. Free.
Tuesday 5/2
After School Drop In: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Local 3rd to 5th graders are invited to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) after school to enjoy crafts, gaming, snacks and more. Free.
Teen Advisory Group: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Local high schoolers are invited to help the library develop events, crafts and activities for their peers at the Burnett Neighborhood Library (560 E. Hill St.). Free.
Wednesday 5/3
Japanese Block Printing: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to learn about the history of Japanese woodblock prints and their impact on the modern-day art world. After the discussion, participants will be able to make their own block prints out of foam or soft rubber. This event will be held at Bay Shore Neighborhood Library (195 Bay Shore Ave.). Free.
Food Trucks Virtual Community Meeting: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The City of Long Beach is hosting an online forum to gather community feedback that will be used to shape future regulations around food trucks. To register for the virtual meeting, visit bit.ly/3KDLU3N.
Thursday 5/4
Senior Dancing for Health: 10 a.m. to noon. The United Cambodian Community of Long Beach is holding a line-dancing class for seniors at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Seniors are encouraged to socialize with each other as they learn various country line dances. To register, call (562) 989-7323 or visit the library. Free.
Lightsaber Craft: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Children and teens are invited to watch Star Wars while creating a themed craft at the Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 Britton Drive.). Free.
If you’d like to send your event to the Signal Tribune for considered publication, please email Newspaper@SignalTribune.com
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