This week offers opportunities to enjoy a wide range of performances, to get involved in local issues and to learn about one’s surroundings.
Entertainment comes in many forms this week, kicking off Friday with performances from the Long Beach Playhouse, the Shakespeare Company or a late-night classic film in 16mm format. Additional shows include two Black History Month-themed movies on Saturday, with “Hidden Figures” at the Brewitt Neighborhood Library and “The Big Paycheck,” a documentary about reparations at the Long Beach Art Theatre.
Residents can enjoy live music at the Queen Mary Saturday night, a cultural art show Sunday at the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum, African drums at the Signal Hill Public Library Monday or live music at The Gaslamp Monday night.
Community events include an LGBTQIA+ biker and allie meetup Sunday morning, an MMA gym grand opening a bit later that day, a Grand Prix-oriented community meeting Monday evening and a meetup for anime and manga loving teens Tuesday afternoon.
Local youth can learn about a variety of issues at a youth conference about recognizing violence in dating on Saturday or at the kickoff event for the ClimateLB Youth Microgrant Program Tuesday night.
Friday 2/21
Eaton Fire Relief Fundraiser: 5 p.m. Beachwood Brewing (3630 Atlantic Ave.) will host a fundraiser featuring the release of “Dena Strong,” a West Coast IPA brewed in support of the Dena Relief Fund. A portion of proceeds will go toward families impacted by the Eaton Canyon fires. A Dena Strong merch pop-up with @NeighborhoodSurvants will also be onsite, with proceeds benefiting the relief fund. Free to attend.
Theater Performance: 8 p.m. VanderHart Productions will present “With Friends Like These…” at the Long Beach Playhouse (5201 E. Anaheim St.) as part of the theater’s 2025 Studio Collaborative Season. This LGBTQ+ play reimagines The Women, following lawyer Kyle Freeman as he navigates love, betrayal and the drama in his friend group in Los Angeles. Tickets can be purchased on the theater’s website for $25.
Radio Show: 8 p.m. The Long Beach Shakespeare Company is using their classic radio show format to tell the classic tale of “The Wizard of Oz,” with shows Friday through Sunday through March 2. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or at the door.
Classic Film: 10 p.m. Film enthusiasts can catch Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 classic “Psycho” on its original 16mm format at the Long Beach Art Theatre (2025 E. Fourth St.) for one night only. General admission is $15 and can be purchased online or at the door.
Saturday 2/22
Community Clean-Up: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Zaferia Heights Neighborhood Association, in partnership with the City of Long Beach, will host a neighborhood clean-up event at 1435 Orizaba Ave. Volunteers are needed to help keep Long Beach litter-free. Free.
Free Groceries: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Residents can receive free groceries on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at Grace Memorial Baptist Church (1021 E. 19th St.). Free.
Women’s Shelter Youth Conference: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. WomenShelter LB is hosting its 8th Annual Youth Conference at 6465 Cherry Ave. in honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Participants can enjoy interactive workshops, performances, opportunity drawings and learn about local resources. This conference is open to youth ages 14 to 18, and the first 160 people to register will receive a free lunch Free to attend, register online.
Reading Buddies: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parents and caregivers can bring children between the ages of 5 and 8 to the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) where a teen volunteer will give them up to 30 minutes of one-on-one reading practice. Registration through the City’s online calendar is required. Free.
Family Movie Matinee: Noon. The public is invited to a screening of the film “Hidden Figures” at the Brewitt Neighborhood Library (4036 E. Anaheim St.), which tells the story of three Black women whose mathematical and engineering contributions helped send American astronauts to space. Free.
BHM Film: 1:30 p.m. As part of Black History Month, the Long Beach Art Theatre (2025 E. Fourth St.) invites residents to watch the documentary “The Big Paycheck,” about the first U.S. city to implement a reparations program for Black residents. Following the film, there will be a discussion with Melissa Morgan of Black Worker Hub and Emmy-award winning filmmaker Ben Caldwell. Tickets are $13 and can be purchased online or at the door.
Musical Performance Series and Crafts: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrate Black History Month with an afternoon of music and creativity at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Attendees will be able to make their own shakers and rattles before joining in on a drum circle. Limited seating and supplies available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free.
Live Music: 8 p.m. Enjoy an evening of jazz and swing music aboard the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy), featuring Alex Mendham and his 11-piece orchestra performing classic songs from the art deco era, including hits by Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong and Glenn Miller. Black-tie, formal or vintage glam attire is encouraged. Tickets can be purchased on the ship’s website for $42.40.
Sunday 2/23
LGBTQIA+ Biker Meetup: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Local group Roadcats Moto Club hosts this monthly motorcycle meetup for LGBTQIA+ riders and allies at Good Day Cafe (416 Cherry Ave.) Attendees will mingle, enjoy coffee and breakfast together, then ride off to enjoy the rest of their day. Free to attend, but RSVP is encouraged.
Youth Storytelling Workshop: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This workshop at Intertrend (228 E. Broadway) will help youth tell their personal story and unlock their creative potential, while also learning skills for their college essays. The first workshop from 10 a.m. to noon will focus on writing, while the 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. workshop will cover visual arts, dance and spoken word. Free, but RSVP is required.
Love on the Norfside: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop from local vendors, enjoy a live DJ, a photo booth, Mexican food and more all while raising funds for the local houseless community at Norfside LB Outreach’s third space event in the parking lot of Black Ring Coffee Roasters (5373 Long Beach Blvd.) Free, but attendees are encouraged to bring donated items such as clothing, hygiene products and pet food.
Grand Opening: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Professional MMA fighter Chase Gibson is hosting the grand opening of his new training facility A Fighting Chance Foundation Gym (1022 E. Pacific Coast Highway), which will offer free classes and training to local youth. The event will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and feature raffles giveaways, free food, a photo booth, a live DJ, health and wellness workshops, special guest speakers and more. Free to attend, and RSVP is encouraged on Eventbrite.
Art Exhibit Opening: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (695 Alamitos Ave.) will host a public opening for its newest exhibit “Kinship: Translations of Place-Based Memory” featuring the Art 25 Collective. This exhibit explores the connections between Black and Indigenous people through storytelling, song and cultural histories. Artists Lisa Jarrett, Lehua M. Taitano and Jocelyn Kapumealani Ng will be present. RSVP required at team@pieam.org. Admission costs $5.
Roots & Rhythm: 11 a.m. The Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy.) will host a Black History Month celebration featuring art, music and performances inspired by Leimert Park, a historic center of African American culture in Los Angeles. The event will highlight local artists, spoken word and live performances. Tickets are available on the Queen Mary’s website for $15.
Kidical Mass Bike Ride: 11 a.m. to noon. Families are invited to join a community bike ride through the Bixby Knolls neighborhood, departing from the back parking lot of Pixie Toys (3914 Atlantic Ave.). Riders of all ages are welcome, and helmets are required. Free treats will be provided during the ride.
Monday 2/24
African Drums and Dance: 6 p.m. The Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.) will host a celebration of African culture featuring rhythmic drumming and dance. Djembe drums will be provided. This event is free and open to all ages. Free.
Community Meeting: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Long Beach Ocean Residents Community Association (ORCA) will hold a meeting at the International Tower (700 E. Ocean Blvd.). The meeting will feature an informational session on the Long Beach Grand Prix, with special guests Jim Michaelian and Richard Martinez. Representatives from the 1st District City Council, Long Beach Police Department and Downtown Long Beach Alliance will also be in attendance. Attendees will receive exclusive discounts for access to the 50th Long Beach Grand Prix. Free.
Live Music: 8 p.m. The Tom Kubis Big Band will be performing at The Gaslamp. Tickets cost $24.12 on Ticketweb.
Tuesday 2/25
Baby Storytime: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Bach Neighborhood Library (4055 N. Bellflower Blvd.) will host a baby storytime session for infants up to 12 months old and their caregivers. This interactive program features books, songs, rhymes and bounces designed to support early literacy and bonding. Social playtime will follow.
Animanga Club: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.) invites teens and tweens who love anime and manga to hang out together. Attendees can create an origami mini book, discuss their favorite manga or anime, or simply read and hang out. Snacks will be provided. Free.
Youth Climate Program Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The City of Long Beach will host a kickoff event for the ClimateLB Youth Microgrant Program at the Silverado Park Community Center (1545 W. 31st St.). The program supports youth ages 15-24 in developing climate solutions that align with the City’s climate action goals. Attendees can learn more and apply for up to $5,000 in funding for qualifying youth-led climate projects. Light refreshments will be provided. More information is available at lbcity.info/climatelb.
Wednesday 2/26
After School Storytime: 3:30 p.m. The Brewitt Neighborhood Library (4036 E. Anaheim St.) will host a special storytime highlighting African American S.T.E.M. figures Mae C. Jemison and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Free.
South Division Commander’s Forum: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The South Division Commander (400 W Broadway) of the Long Beach Police Department will host this community forum, providing an opportunity for residents and business leaders to engage with the LBPD and share concerns. Free.
Thursday 2/27
Baby Storytime: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) invites babies and their caregivers to enjoy songs, simple stories, nursery rhymes and interactive activities to promote early literacy. Recommended for babies ages 0-18 months and their caregivers. Free.
Rancho Talk: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Rancho Los Alamitos (6400 E. Bixby Hill Road) will host a lecture on the history of a proposed world’s fair in Southern California. Historian Craig Hendricks will present his research on the failed effort to bring an international exposition to Long Beach in the 1960s. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 on Eventbrite. Free onsite parking will be available.
LBCC College Promise Family Night: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Prospective Long Beach City College students and their families are invited to one of three remaining College Promise Family Nights at the Liberal Arts Campus (4901 E. Carson St.) Room T-1200, where they can learn about the Viking Advantage, Long Beach College Promise, FAFSA and California Dream Act. Free.
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