The start of a new month means new beginnings and thus, new opportunities to meet fellow residents, learn new skills or support communities throughout Long Beach and Signal Hill.
Clear out those cans and boxes of non-perishable food that have been taking up room in your pantry to donate to the Food Finders’ food bank Friday morning. Residents can also bring old documents that need shredding for free. After donating, head to Houghton Park for free pickleball lessons and join the sport sweeping the nation. For a more relaxing Friday, Alex’s Bar will be hosting a handful of female artists for those 21 and older, and Beachwood Brewing will be displaying a gallery from local artist Rafael Murillo as well as live music, food and drinks.
The Cambodian community will be celebrated Saturday morning at the Mark Twain Library’s Khmer, Come All series. Residents can also purchase one-of-a-kind art from famous tattoo artists with a $300 maximum while supporting the creation of the first national tattoo museum in Long Beach at the Expo Arts Center Saturday night. Sunday offers chances to get in touch with your artistic side, either through oil painting classes at the Bixby Park Community Center or by listening to music and taking in art at The Grasshopper.
Residents can also spend the weekend preparing for Tuesday’s election, where the next mayor of Long Beach will be on the ballot, along with numerous propositions and elected officials.
Friday, Nov. 4
Food Drive & Shred Event: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Community members are asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate to Food Finders’ food bank (2883 E Spring St.). Donors can also drop off documents to be professionally shredded. Free.
ANA Avatar XPRIZE Finals: 10 a.m. The public is invited to the Long Beach Convention Center (300 E Ocean Blvd.) to watch technology companies competitively use state-of-the-art robot avatars to demonstrate the future of avatar technology. The competition will last two days. Admission is free. To register for the event, visit Eventbrite.
Intro to Pickleball: 10 a.m. The public is invited to Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.) for an introductory pickleball class taught by the Long Beach Pickleball Club. Free.
Silent Disco: 5 p.m. So We Are Silent Disco invites the community to surrender themselves to the music and tune into their bodies on the shore of Junipero Beach (1 Junipero Ave). All participants are given a pair of headphones and are encouraged to try “ecstatic dance” while listening to a curated playlist. General admission costs $25. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Beyond Life: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The public is invited to the Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave.) to view the artwork of over a dozen local artists. Free.
Ladies Soul Nite: 8 p.m. Those 21 and older are invited to Alex’s Bar (2913 E Anaheim St.) to listen to live performances by Maria Sanchez, Thee Heart Tones, Las Lagrimas, Daydream Time Machine and DJ Gold Lime. There is a cover charge of $10.
Artful Gallery Series: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Those 21 and over are invited to view the work of local artist Rafael Murillo at Beachwood Brewing (3630 Atlantic Ave.) The event will feature beer, food and live music. Admission is free.
Saturday, Nov. 5
Khmer, Come All: Noon to 4:30 p.m. The kick-off event for a week-long program celebrating Cambodian culture at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.). This event will feature a panel of Cambodian Americans working in the creative arts. The historical book “Cambodians in Long Beach” will be available for purchase. Free.
Live Music: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Those 21 and over are invited to listen to local musician Kat Hall perform Reggae, Funk and R&B tunes at the Long Beach Beer Lab (518 W Willow St.) Free.
Tattoo Heritage Project Charity Art Show: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tattoo legend Good Time Charlie and Sullen Clothing will be hosting a charity art show at the Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave.) to raise money to start the first national tattoo museum in Long Beach. Art pieces from Good Time Charlie, Jack Rudy, Time Hendricks and more will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis with a maximum of $300. Entry is free.
Sunday, Nov. 6
Oil Painting Class: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Artist Anita Sinclair will be teaching an oil painting class for participants of all skill levels at the Bixby Park Community Center (130 Cherry Ave.). The class costs $30, and tickets can be bought on activekids.com.
Sunday Is For Lovers Only: 3 p.m. The Grasshopper (136 E Anaheim St.) invites the public to enjoy art, music, food, beverages and shopping. Free to attend.
Monday, Nov. 7
HIV Testing: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. HIV testing will be provided at Seaside Park (1401 Chestnut Ave.) Free.
Research for Starting, Managing, and Growing Your Business: 11 a.m. to noon. Entrepreneurs and business owners are invited to learn how to use Reference Solutions, a free program available at the library, to help them start, manage and grow a business. Registration is required for this event. To register, visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/6932781878054041870. Free.
Tuesday, Nov. 8
BabyTime: 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring babies between the ages of 6 to 18 months to enjoy fingerplays, books and interactive songs at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Free.
Rummikub Game Night: 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The public is invited to learn how to play Rummikub, a combination of mahjong and rummy, at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Free.
Wednesday, Nov. 9
The Silver Hour: 3 p.m. This weekly musical event at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.) will feature live music, sing-a-longs and oldies for seniors. Free.
Teen D&D: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Teens are invited to play the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons together at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) All experience levels are welcome. Free.
Bear City Comedy: 7:30 p.m. A roster of stand-up comedians perform weekly at Que Sera (1923 E 7th St.). This event is for those 21 and older. Free.
Thursday, Nov. 10
Arts & Smarts: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This workshop series at the Burnett Neighborhood Library (560 E Hill St.) will teach children about the artistic styles of famous artists. Children will be able to create their own artwork inspired by what they’ve learned. 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.
