This week there’s a reason for everyone to get out of the house and into their community.
Kids can enjoy a drag queen story hour and the opening of an aquatic playground in Long Beach, as well as a ventriloquism performance and 3D printing workshop at the Signal Hill Library. Parents can get a sitter and enjoy a night of craft beer and vinyl records at Beachwood Blendery or the comedic stylings of Ali Wong at the Terrace Theater, both Friday night.
As summer quickly approaches, residents are encouraged to bring out their beach chairs and picnic blankets at various outdoor movie screenings held at local parks and the beach. All movies will be PG or PG-13 rated, so the entire family can enjoy.
Local runners can raise funds for prostate cancer on Sunday or make their way up Signal Hill on Monday to take in the beauty of nature.
Friday 6/16
Blood Drive: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Blood donations are needed to help save lives at the Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave.). To make an appointment to donate blood, visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter the sponsor code “DISTRICT8” or call (562) 570-1326. Free.
God Save Our Queens Story Hour: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lofty Dream Salon & F/8 Photography Studios Local will be hosting drag queens to read stories to children at F/8 Studios (3764 Orange Ave.). This is a donation-based event, and all proceeds will benefit Visit Gay Long Beach. To register, visit Eventbrite.
Wibit: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The city’s inflatable aquatic playground is back for a second summer at Alamitos Beach and Bayshore Avenue for residents to enjoy daily through Sept. 4. The Alamitos Beach Wibit is located south of Ocean Boulevard and east of Shoreline Drive while the Bayshore Avenue Wibit is located at 5415 East Ocean Blvd. Children under 9 years old require an adult to accompany them. Free.
Crochet Club: 11 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to crochet together for an hour. This event is appropriate for all skill levels. For more information, call (562) 989-7323. Free.
The Passionate Pursuit of Angela Bowen: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a screening of the documentary “The Passionate Pursuit of Angela Bowen” at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Dr. Jennifer Abod will host a discussion afterwards about the life and contributions of LGBTQIA+ activist Dr. Angela Bowen. Free.
Funk Yeah!: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Beachwood Blendery (247 N Long Beach Blvd.) will host a selection of newly-released beers and live music from vinyl records. DJ Gustavisimo will be providing the jams and residents can taste the new “Funk Yeah!” craft beer. Free to attend.
Live Comedy: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. World famous comedian Ali Wong will be performing at the Terrace Theater, located within the Long Beach Performing Arts Center (300 E Ocean Blvd #300). General admission costs $110. Tickets can be purchased on StubHub.
Saturday 6/17
Etch & Catch: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Up to 240 people will be able to have their VIN or license plate number etched onto their catalytic converter by the Long Beach Police Department at the Long Beach Health Department parking lot (2525 Grand Ave.). This will help police track and recover a catalytic converter if it gets stolen. Free.
Pet Adoption: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Long Beach Animal Care Services will be showing off some of their adoptable pets at Pet Supplies Plus (2086 N Bellflower Blvd.). Free to attend.
Community Bike Ride: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The LBPD Bike Team and Walk & Roll Long Beach will be leading a 2.5-mile bicycle ride for the community around Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.). Free.
Find Your Voice Like a Ventriloquist: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Ventriloquist Joe Gandelman will host a performance at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to educate children on the many facets of ventriloquism, puppetry, magic and juggling. This event is appropriate for minors of all ages. Free.
Sunday 6/18
Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk: 7 a.m. to noon. This run at Shoreline Park (212 Golden Shore) will raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer. The event will also include a ceremony that honors survivors and caregivers. Runners can choose how much they want to raise, but a donation of $250 is recommended. To register for the run, visit zerocancer.org.
Family Art Making: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The entire family is invited to this art workshop at the Long Beach Museum of Art (2300 E Ocean Blvd.) on the third Sunday of every month. The workshop will be inspired by the museum’s permanent collection and rotating exhibits. All ages are invited to participate. Free.
Beer Bus: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Bixby Knolls big red bus will transform into the Brewery Bus for Father’s Day. The bus will take residents through eight breweries and eateries throughout Bixby Knolls for a catered local beer crawl. Bus rides are free.
Monday 6/19
Group Run: 6:30 p.m. The Long Beach Run Club hosts a weekly run to the top of Signal Hill. Runners will meet at the intersection of Willow St. and Cherry Ave., outside the Home Depot. Free.
Trivia Night: 7 p.m. Those 21 and older are invited to the Auld Dubliner (71 S Pine Ave.) to participate in a weekly trivia competition hosted by America’s Pub Quiz. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Free to attend.
Tuesday 6/20
Summer Cinema: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Every Tuesday over the summer, families with kids are invited to watch an age-appropriate movie together at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Attendees are encouraged to bring their own snacks. Call (562) 570-1047 to find out which movie will be playing. Free.
Moonlight Movies on the Beach: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Watch a screening of “The Goonies” at Granada Beach (5000 E. Ocean Blvd). The event will feature pre-show entertainment from local bands. This screening 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.
Wednesday 6/21
Pokémon 3D Printing: 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Kids 5 and older are invited to make their own 3D printed Pokémon to take home at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Space is limited, so participants are asked to register beforehand. To register or learn more, please call the library at (562) 989-7323. Free.
Food Pantry: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.) and Help Me Help You will be distributing groceries to families and individuals in need. Both drive-thru and walk up service will be available. No registration or appointment is needed. Free.
Movies in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the movie “Top Gun Maverick” at Signal Hill Park (1780 E. Hill St.). The movie will begin at dusk. Popcorn will be available. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic food. Free.
Thursday 6/22
English Conversation Club: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. English language learners are invited to practice English conversations together at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). This is an informal gathering and a safe space for anyone trying to learn English. Free.
Be S.A.F.E. Movie in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. A screening of “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” will take place at Drake Park (951 Maine Ave.) as part of their Movies in the Park summer series. Enjoy a bounce house and free popcorn. Sponsored by the Port of Long Beach. Free.
