This week boasts many ways for Long Beach and Signal Hill residents to explore new passions and support community members through the opening of new shops, beach and neighborhood cleanups and local teams.
Celebrate the harvest season for the Filipino delicacy ube at Kubo LB with cultural desserts Friday morning or watch the Oscar-nominated film “The Banshees of Inisherin” with residents at the Billie Jean King Main Library. Residents can take in various shows at Plantiitas open mic night or Friendzone’s 21 years and older comedy show at Ficklewood Ciderworks.
Get in your vitamin D for the weekend by planting and watering new trees at Houghton Park Saturday morning, supporting Long Beach’s women’s rugby team or connecting with neighbors at a s’mores night. The city is hosting a community meeting on sidewalk vending laws where residents can give their opinions on the matter before it goes before City Council.
Those wanting to learn new skills can attend a donation-based tai chi lesson Sunday morning or learn how to reduce waste at home Thursday night. There is no limit to the lessons one can learn in Long Beach this week; get out and explore!
Friday 1/27
Grand Opening: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is invited to the grand opening of new salon Amber M Aesthetics (509 E Broadway). The celebration will include food, beverages and music. Free to attend.
The Ube Harvest Festival: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food lovers are invited to attend this celebration of the Philippines’ ube harvesting season at Kubo LB (345 E Carson St.). Ube is a purple yam often used to make desserts. Fifteen vendors will be selling ube-based treats. General admission costs $5, and tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite. Admission is free for children ages 12 and under.
Community Festival: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The nonprofit organization Whole Systems Learning will be hosting a community festival at 161 W Victoria St. with food, games and prizes. Whole Systems Learning will also be connecting those who have been formerly incarcerated with resources, and assisting individuals with obtaining a legal identification card. Free.
World Cinema Series: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to a screening of the 2022 Irish dramadey “The Banshees of Inisherin” at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). The film explores the end of a decades-long friendship in a remote Irish town. Free.
Fourth Fridays: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The public is invited to this monthly celebration on Fourth Street to enjoy live music, food specials, local artist pop-ups, wares from small businesses and more. Songbird Boutique (2240 E Fourth St.) will be hosting an array of local vendors inside its location. Free to attend.
Vulnerabilidad Open Mic: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This open mic at Plantiitas (2011 E Fourth St.) is an inclusive space for poets, writers, artists, musicians and more to share their work with their community. Free.
The Friendzone Comedy Show: 7 p.m. Those 21 and older are invited to enjoy hard cider and stand up comedy during this show at Ficklewood Ciderworks (720 E Broadway Blvd.). Multiple talented comedians will entertain the crowd. To register for this event, visit Eventbrite. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no cover charge for this event, but there is a two-drink minimum for attendees.
Saturday 1/28
I Dig Long Beach: 9 a.m. to noon. The City of Long Beach needs volunteers to plant and water new trees at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.). All supplies will be provided. No previous experience is needed. Free.
Land Sharks vs. Pasadena Royals: 10 a.m. The public is invited to watch two local women’s rugby teams compete on the CSULB rugby field (1250 Bellflower Blvd.) Free.
Empowering Homeownership Expo: 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. During this event at the EXPO Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave.), first-time homebuyers will be able to listen to a variety of educational presentations and learn about homeownership resources. This event has been organized by the Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion, the Affordable Housing Clearinghouse, the Black Resource Center and Farmers & Merchants Bank. Free.
A Night In The Garden: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sowing Seeds of Change invites friends and families to enjoy roasting marshmallows and making s’mores in a community garden (620 San Francisco Ave.). Space is limited for this event. To register for the event, visit Eventbrite. Free.
Sunday 1/29
Swap Pop: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Individuals are invited to bring a bag full of unwanted clothing to 2741 E Fourth St. and swap their used clothes with each other. Live music will be provided by Moroz, Twisted Exhibition and Sueño Estelar. There is a $10 flat rate to participate.
Sunday Service Beach Clean Up: 11 a.m. to noon. The International Imperial Court of Long Beach is asking for volunteers to help clean Alamitos Park Beach (7203 E Ocean Blvd.). Volunteers will meet in the parking lot. Free.
Tai Chi for Beginners: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Anyone interested in learning how to practice Tai Chi is invited to 5608 E Los Santos Dr. for a lesson taught by Angie Sierra. Free, but donations are accepted.
Monday 1/30
Virtual Sidewalk Vending Community Meeting: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The City of Long Beach is asking for residents to give their feedback on possible changes to local laws concerning sidewalk vending. To register for the meeting, visit https://bit.ly/lbsvJan30. Free.
Discover Rocks, Minerals and Fossils: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Long Beach Mineral and Gem Society will be hosting a hands-on education program for rockhounds of all ages at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Space for this program is limited and registration is required. To register, visit the Signal Hill Public Library or call (562) 989 7323. Free.
Tuesday 1/31
Job Fair for Veterans: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans and their spouses are invited to participate in this virtual job fair organized by MilitaryX. To register for this online job fair, visit Eventbrite. Free.
Animation Film Series: 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The public is invited to this screening of the 2011 animated film “Rango” at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W Broadway). The film follows the story of a pet chameleon who gets lost and becomes the sheriff of a frontier town. Free.
Wednesday 2/1
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.
The Collectibles Show: 2 p.m. The first day of a four-day expo featuring collectible coins, banknotes, sports cards, stamps and memorabilia at the Long Beach Convention Center (300 E Ocean Blvd.). General admission costs $10, and tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Thursday 2/2
Reduce Waste at Home: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. During this virtual workshop organized by the City of Long Beach, residents will learn tips to reduce food waste and packaging waste in their kitchens. To register for this online event, visit https://longbeach-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RTJfjDmBTTypm5Kb9OekxA. Free.
Reading Buddies: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Parents and caregivers can bring children to the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) where a teen volunteer will give them up to 30 minutes of one-on-one reading practice. Free.
