The varied cultures and people who make Long Beach special are truly on display this week, with community events in the Westside, Filipino-American heritage celebrations and multiple health and resource fairs.
Those in need of groceries will have opportunities on Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Health exams and resources are low-cost or free at a pet vaccine event Friday, a Health Fair Saturday, a Veterans resource event Wednesday and a free flu vaccine event Thursday.
Some Earth-conscious events this week include a tree planting gathering Saturday morning in the Willmore neighborhood, a West LB Summit tackling issues of environmental justice and more, a Willow Springs drawing event Sunday, a food consumption and production talk Tuesday, and a low-waste holiday ideas seminar Wednesday.
For local entertainment, catch a spooky radio show or a classic horror film both Friday night, a West LB Block Party for the whole community Saturday afternoon, an art tour in downtown Long Beach Saturday night, a walkable Oktoberfest party with live music and more in Bixby Knolls or comedian Trevor Noah’s talk Monday night.
Friday 10/11
Spooky Radio Show: 8 p.m. The Long Beach Shakespeare is returning with their Halloween Radio Season, debuting with “Dial M for Murder.” This psychological thriller unravels an elegant mystery about an ex-tennis star who plots to kill his wealthy wife. The show will play Friday through Sunday, and tickets can be purchased online or at the doors.
Night of the Living Dead: 10 p.m. Watch the 1968 classic “Night of the Living Dead” on 16mm film at The Long Beach Art Theatre (2025 E. Fourth St.) for a nighttime viewing. General admission tickets are $13.50 and can be purchased online.
Saturday 10/12
Free Groceries: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Residents can receive free groceries at Grace Memorial Baptist Church (1021 E 19th St.). Participants should bring a cart to carry groceries. Free.
Health Fair: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents can receive free health services at this fair hosted by The Pink Journey Foundation, Healing California and other organizations at New Hope Baptist Church (1160 E. New York St.). Services offered will include mammograms, dental exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings and extractions; vision exams, blood pressure, glucose, flu and COVID-19 shots, and voter registration. Free.
Tree Planting: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Willmore City Heritage Association and Long Beach Office of Sustainability are hosting this tree planting event, with the goal to plant 29 trees along Ninth Street between Magnolia and Cedar Streets. Participants should register online and meet at 347 W. Seventh St. Free.
4th Annual Skate and Shoe Turn Up: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This community event is aimed at helping local families connect with each other and resources, and will include free haircuts, a shoe giveaway and skateboard giveaway at Lincoln Park (101 Pacific Ave.). Free.
West LB Summit: 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Multiple local organizations are hosting this summit on how to advocate for your community successfully at Silverado Park (1545 W. 31st St.). There will be a lunch, guest speakers and discussions regarding food justice, violence prevention, environmental health and human trafficking. To register, text the word PEACE to (213) 556-3480. Free.
West LB Block Party: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Filipino Migrant Center will be celebrating its 14th anniversary and Filipino-American History Month with this community block party at Casa Chaskis (2380 Santa Fe Ave.), and other anniversary events held all throughout the block. The party will feature live entertainment, games, resources and food from local businesses. Funds raised will go toward free youth, health and workers programming, projects and services. Free.
Community Quilt: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Participants are invited to attend open lab events throughout October and November and work on a personal sewing project while contributing to a collaborative community quilt. The quilt will showcase photos, prints and shared memories that have been transferred onto fabric. This workshop will take place at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Attendees are encouraged to bring family photos to scan, transfer to fabric and sew into the quilt. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own sewing machines. While supplies will be provided, they are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration is required to attend, and Spanish language support will be available. Free.
Long Beach Open Studio Tour: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Explore the local art scene in Long Beach with this self-guided studio tour, when artists throughout the community open up their home studios to share and sell their art to the public. This annual event takes place over three weekends, with each weekend focusing on a different neighborhood. This weekend’s tour will be held in Downtown Long Beach. A map of open studios can be found at lbopenstudiotour.com. Free to attend, art prices vary.
Sunday 10/13
Lone Sailor Memorial: 11 a.m. This event is meant to honor those who served in the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. The program at Bluff Park (Ocean Blvd. and Paloma Ave.) will feature live music, songs, dance and refreshments. Free.
Walktober Fest: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Experience this community Oktoberfest in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood by either walking along Atlantic Avenue or getting a ride from the free shuttles to visit local breweries, bars, pubs and restaurants. The shuttle will stop at EJ’s Pub, Tony’s Kitchen, Dutch’s Brewhouse, The Vintage LBC, Lola’s Mexican Cuisine, Rasselbock Kitchen and Beer Garden, Ambitious Ales, Willmore Wine Bar, Smog City Brewing at Steelcraft, and Beachwood Brewing. There will also be live entertainment and special deals at each location. Attendees are encouraged to dress up. Free.
Drawing in the Park: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The community is invited to this nature-centered art event at Willow Springs Park (2745 Orange Ave.). Participants should bring pens, pencils, paint, a notebook or any other art supplies they want to work with, as well as a hat, water, and a chair. No experience necessary. Free.
Monday 10/14
Read & Create: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Caretakers of school-aged children are invited to bring them to the Harte Neighborhood Library (1595 W. Willow St.) for an afternoon of stories and creativity, featuring an art activity conducted by Agape Children’s Museum. No registration required. Free to attend.
Distinguished Speaker Series: 7:30 p.m. Trevor Noah, comedian and former host of “The Daily Show,” will speak at the Long Beach Terrace Theater (300 E Ocean Blvd. #300) as part of the ongoing Distinguished Speaker Series. Noah will share personal stories and perspectives with the crowd. Tickets can be required for distinguishedspeakers.csstix.com starting at $384.
Tuesday 10/15
Museum Talk: Noon. American Studies professor Dr. Chris Farrish will give this talk examining the production and consumption of food in the United States after 1945, exploring issues of race, class and gender. This talk will take place at the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum at 1250 N Bellflower Blvd. Free.
Filipino-American History Celebration: 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Long Beach will recognize Filipino-American History Month with free Filipino food, entertainment and a community resource fair at City Hall (411 W. Ocean Blvd.). Free.
Wednesday 10/16
Veterans Stand Down: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans can be connected to a variety of services and local groups at this event at Veterans Park (101 E 28th St.). This event is aimed at providing mental health services, clothing, food, veteran association connections, group connections, job training and hiring opportunities and more. Free.
Free Groceries: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Residents can receive free produce and other groceries at Whittier Elementary School (1716 Walnut Ave.). Free.
Landscaping Workshop: 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Residents can get tips on how to evaluate their land like reviewing the watershed approach, evaluating site conditions, observing plant and soil health, reviewing irrigation efficiency, and identifying opportunities to capture rainwater. Free, but online registration is required at wrd.org/ecogardener.com.
Recycling Seminar: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Learn methods to reduce waste and packaging during the holiday season, including low-waste gift ideas, natural decorations, do-it-yourself costumes and more at this online seminar on Zoom. Register online. Free.
Thursday 10/17
Free Groceries: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Residents can receive free produce and other groceries at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1133 East Rhea St.). Free.
Zine Workshop: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Artist Emily Marchand will lead this workshop making zines about mutual aid practices to help communities, in conjunction with the exhibition Against Monoculture at the museum. This workshop will be at the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum at 1250 N Bellflower Blvd. Free.
Flu Vaccine Clinic: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. This flu vaccine clinic will be offered on a walk-in basis and is open to everyone 6 months and older at the Long Beach Health Department (2525 Grand Ave.). Individuals with disabilities have the option to drive up to an in-vehicle vaccination. Free.
