Whether you’re a book person or a movie person, Long Beach and Signal Hill have plenty of ways to gather with like-minded people with fun and free events.
Book lovers can bring their children to Plantiitas Saturday morning for a plant workshop and storytime, meet local authors at KUBO LB Sunday morning or bring their babies to Signal Hill Public Library Wednesday morning for stories and play.
Residents can watch a rare film screening of an Italian film at the Art Theatre of Long Beach Friday night, catch a family-friendly screening of “High School Musical” at Signal Hill Park Saturday night and have three chances to watch “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” at various parks throughout the week.
For a more musical week, residents can jam out to ‘80s music Friday night at LBCC, celebrate the annual Uptown Jazz Festival Saturday at Houghton Park, enjoy a youth-led summer recital at Nautilus Shell Sunday night or sing karaoke with friends at Dutch’s Brewhouse Wednesday night.
Friday 8/18
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.
Community Concert: 6 p.m. Residents can enjoy live music from ‘80s cover band Knyght Ryder at Long Beach City College (4901 E. Carson St.). Food trucks, a beer garden and family-friendly games will be present. Free.
A Hot Pawgust Night: 6:30 p.m. Friends of Long Beach Animals will be hosting this benefit event at the Expo Arts (4321 Atlantic Ave.) to raise money for local animals in need. The event will feature food, cocktails, dancing, raffle prizes and more. Tickets can be purchased for $25 on Ticketstripe.
Movie in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the PG-13 movie “High School Musical” at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The movie will begin at dusk. Free.
Horror Film: 10 p.m. Independent horror film fans can watch the Italian giallo hidden gem film “A Secret Dario Argento” in its original format of 16mm at The Art Theatre of Long Beach (2025 E. Fourth St.). Tickets are $13.50 and can be purchased online.
Saturday 8/19
Reading Meetup: 10 a.m. The Silent Book Club Long Beach chapter will be holding a gathering of readers at Los Altos Park (5481 E Stearns St.). Attendees are invited to bring whatever book they’re currently reading. Free.
Bike Lane Clean Up: 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help clean debris and litter from local bike lanes. Volunteers will meet at Hot Java (2101 E Broadway). A dumpster will be available near the intersection of Broadway and Gaviota. Free.
Playground Grand Opening: 11 a.m. The public is invited to the grand opening ceremony for the newly rebuilt playground at Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.). Free.
Storytime & Plant Workshop: 11 a.m. Families are invited to Plantiitas (2011 E 4th St.) to enjoy a children’s storytime and a workshop on plants. Children’s books provided by Casita Bookstore will be available for purchase afterwards. To register, visit Eventbrite. Free.
Insects Rock: Noon to 1 p.m. A hands-on presentation at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) will teach children about different insects, as well as their life-cycles, anatomy and adaptations. Free.
Opening Reception: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Long Beach Creative Group will be hosting an opening reception for a group art exhibition at the Rod Briggs Gallery (2221 E Broadway). Free.
Uptown Jazz Festival: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The 12th annual Uptown Jazz Festival will take place at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.) featuring a lineup of jazz musicians, a beer and food garden, a Kids Zone and a variety of community vendors. Free.
Movie in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of “High School Musical” at (Signal Hill Park, 1780 E. Hill St.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The movie will begin at dusk. Free.
Sunday 8/20
Kidical Bike Ride: 11 a.m. Families can join this community bike ride around the Bixby Knolls neighborhood beginning at Pixie Toys (3914 Atlantic Ave.). Free.
Israel Festival: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A festival celebrating Israel’s 75th anniversary will be held at the Alpert Jewish Community Center (3801 E. Willow St.). Free.
Book Readings: 11 a.m. Authors Lily Chu of “The Comeback” and Farah Neron of “Jana Goes Wild” will be reading parts of their novels at KUBO LB (3976 Atlantic Ave.). Free.
Pinball Party: 1 p.m. The Long Beach Pinball League will celebrate the launch of a “Scooby Doo” pinball machine at Long Beach Beer Lab (518 W Willow St.) with a launch party and competition. The party will include two divisions of group play, giveaways, prizes and of course, homemade pizza and craft beer. Players must pay a $10 entry fee and bring enough coins to play.
Live Music: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Local musician Kimo Delgado will be playing his lap steel guitar at The Bamboo Club (3522 E. Anaheim St.). Free to enter.
Summer Recital: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Youth dancers with the nonprofit WeBreak will be performing their summer recital at the Nautilus Shell (95 S Pine Ave.). Free to watch.
Monday 8/21
Social Security Workshop: 11 a.m. This workshop at the Alpert Jewish Community Center (3801 E Willow St.) will teach participants how social security works. To register for the event, visit Eventbrite. Free.
Concerts in the Park(ing lot): 6:30 p.m. The parking lot in front of Howard CDM (3737 Long Beach Blvd.) will be transformed into a dance floor as Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra serenades families, friends and dogs. Free.
Movie in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the PG film “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” at College Estates Park (808 Stevely Ave.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The movie will begin at dusk. Free.
Tuesday 8/22
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.
Movie in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the PG film “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The movie will begin at dusk. Free.
Wednesday 8/23
Baby & Toddler Storytime: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Babies and their caregivers are invited to Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.) to enjoy stories and playtime. Free.
Karaoke: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Residents are invited to this weekly karaoke gathering at Dutch’s Brewhouse (4244 Atlantic Ave.) to belt their heart out to classic tunes. Free.
Movie in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the PG film “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” at Silverado Park (1545 W. 31st St.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The movie will begin at dusk. Free.
Thursday 8/24
Lego Club: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. School-aged children 6 years old and up are invited to build with Legos at the Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 Britton Dr.). Legos will be provided. Free.
Movie in the Park: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to an outdoor screening of the PG-13 movie “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” at Silverado Park (1545 W. 31st St.). Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic food. The movie will begin at dusk. Free.
Hosting an event? Email all details to Newspaper@SignalTribune.com for a chance to be featured in our weekly Around Town. Submitting an entry does not guarantee publication and the Signal Tribune reserves the right to choose which events to promote.
The director is Dario Argento and the name of the movie is a secret until it screens. The film is not called “A Secret Dario Argento”. Just to limit confusion