The September heat is coming in full force, but so are the local businesses and community orgs hosting fun events in Long Beach and Signal Hill.
Those willing to brave the heat will be rewarded with a barbeque party celebrating local business Battambong BBQ Friday evening, or with plenty of lobster dishes at Rainbow Lagoon Park all weekend. Early morning outdoor activities include a nature center cleanup Saturday morning, a meditation gathering Monday morning, or a sound bath in the park Tuesday.
Families can enjoy a coffee and story time gathering Saturday, a mid-autumn festival later that evening, an art workshop Sunday afternoon or a weekly crochet club Wednesday afternoon.
Friday 9/6
Business Anniversary Party: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Local business Battambong BBQ invites the public to celebrate its fourth anniversary at Ten Mile Brewing (1136 E Willow St.). There will be barbecue for sale, live country music, face painting, balloon art, giveaways, raffles and a photo booth. Free to attend, menu prices vary. Those who come dressed in cowboy hats and boots will get a 20% discount on combo plates.
Lobster Festival: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. During this three-day festival, various vendors will sell their lobster dishes at Rainbow Lagoon Park (400 E Shoreline Dr.). General admission tickets can be purchased for $7 for Friday and $14.68 for Saturday or Sunday. Attendees can also pre-order a steamed lobster for $43.21 or a grilled lobster for $46.73. Tickets can be purchased at westcoastlobsterfestival.com.
Summer Sabor & Spirits Series: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.) will be hosting a performance by the Afro-Latin band Quitapenas. There will also be a cash bar and food available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased on the museum’s website for $25.
Saturday 9/7
Cafecito y Cuentos: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parents can enjoy a cup of coffee while their children listen to a story at Casita Bookstore (1440 E Fourth St.). Storytime will start at 11 a.m., but coffee will be served starting at 10 a.m. Free to attend.
Nature Center Cleanup: 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help maintain the El Dorado Nature Center (7550 E. Spring St.) by clearing the streams and trails, pulling weeds or spreading mulch. Volunteers are asked to wear sturdy shoes and required to register ahead of time by calling 562-570-1745. Free.
Mini Mid-Autumn Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. Bel Canto Books will be hosting this community event at Kubo LB (3976 Atlantic Ave.) featuring a storytime and signing with children’s author Benson Shum, as well as vendors, activities and more. Admission is free, and a signed copy of Shum’s book can be pre-ordered on Eventbrite for $12.53.
Sunday 9/8
Men in Briefs: 11 a.m. The Long Beach Art Theater (2025 E Fourth St.) will be screening a series of eight short films about queer men as part of the annual Q Films Fest. Tickets can be purchased qfilmslongbeach.com for $15.74.
Children’s Workshop: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Young children are invited to learn about zoetropes through a hands-on workshop at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.). To register, visit the museum’s website. Free.
Live Theater: 2 p.m. The International City Theatre (330 E Seaside Way) will be putting on its closing performance of “The Double V.” Tickets can be purchased on the theater’s website for $52.
Chess Club: 4 p.m. Chess players of all levels are invited to play against each other at the shopping center 2nd & PCH (6400 Pacific Coast Highway). Players will meet by the fountain. Free.
Monday 9/9
Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Long Beach Animal Care Services (7700 E Spring St.) and Community Animal Medicine Project will be providing vaccines and services to pets at discounted prices. Services include microchipping, tapeworm treatment, nail trimming, flea/tick treatment and more. All dogs must be on a leash, and all cats should be in a carrier. Please bring the pet’s previous vaccine records. For more information, call 562-570-7387. Prices will vary.
Meditation Mondays: 11 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to meditate together at Lincoln Park (101 Pacific St.). Free.
Movie Screening: 5:05 p.m. The public is invited to a screening of the rated-R film “Touch” at the Long Beach Art Theatre (2025 E Fourth St.). The film follows the story of a man searching for his first love. Tickets can be purchased for $13.50 on the
Tuesday 9/10
Sound Bath in the Park: 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to a sound bath of resonant music at Lincoln Park (101 Pacific Ave.). Free.
Mahjong For Beginners: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Beginner level mahjong players are invited to play together at Dana Neighborhood Library (3680 Atlantic Ave.). Registration through the City’s event calendar is required. Free.
Wednesday 9/11
Senior Bingo: 11 a.m. Seniors are invited to play bingo together at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Free.
Weekly Crochet: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to learn and practice crochet at the Bach Neighborhood Library (4055 N Bellflower Blvd.). Free.
Thursday 9/12
NHPI Health Presentation: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to a presentation on the data gathered through Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Community Health Needs Assessment at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W Broadway). Four artists will also present their artwork inspired by the NHPI community. Free.
Community Workshop for New Senior Center: 6 p.m. The public is invited to the Long Beach Senior Center (1150 E Fourth St.) to learn about its upcoming relocation. Free.
Author/Artist Talk: 7 p.m. Bel Canto Books (2106 E Fourth St.) will be hosting a discussion with French-Cambodian author Jean-Baptiste Phou about his new book “Coming Out of My Skin.” Attendance is free, signed copies of the book can be preordered on Eventbrite for $23.04.
