If the June gloom has you feeling down lately, cheer yourself up with these fun and (mostly) free community events in Long Beach and Signal Hill.
Use your down time to unwind while learning something new, either at a pottery class Friday night at a local business, a mental health workshop Wednesday afternoon or an acrylic painting class Thursday night. If you want to see something artsy rather than take part in it, the Long Beach Historical Society is hosting an exhibit with art by local immigrants, the Long Beach Playhouse is performing “Loot” and “Barbie” is screening at the Queen Mary.
For a more active outing, the Long Beach Walking Club is inviting women to travel through Bixby Knolls Sunday morning, and the Signal Hill Public Library is hosting a zumba class Tuesday night.
Friday 6/7
Pottery Class: 6 p.m. Clay on First (406 E First St.) will be hosting this class for adults interested in learning how to create pottery. This class is donation-based.
Community Art Exhibition: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Órale invites the public to this exhibit of artwork by local immigrants at the Historical Society of Long Beach (4260 Atlantic Ave.). Free.
Live Theater: 8 p.m. The Long Beach Playhouse (5021 E Anaheim St.) will be performing the play “Loot.” General admission tickets can be purchased for $13 on the theater’s website.
Saturday 6/8
Long Beach Plant Market: 10 am to 3 p.m. Plants, crafts and gifts will be available for purchase at the Bamboo Club (3522 E Anaheim St.). This event is appropriate for all ages. Friendly dogs are welcome. Free to enter.
Kwentos at Kanta: 10:30 a.m. Local business Flipp Family invites children to enjoy bilingual stories and songs in English and Tagalog at the Harte Library (1595 W Willow St.). Free.
Dog Days Market: Noon to 4 p.m. This dog-centric marketplace will include pet supply vendors, a puppy ball pit, pet portraits, a dog pageant and more at Prism Boutique (406 Termino Ave.). Free to attend
Steak & Chocolate Cooking Class: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Local chefs Juan and Nicole of Cave Prime Steak will be teaching participants to cook a four-course meal, featuring steak and a chocolate souffle at 456 Elm Ave. Tickets can be purchased for $95 at www.localiseasoned.com.
Sunday 6/9
Women’s Community Walk: 10 a.m. The Long Beach Walking Club invites women on a group walk through the Bixby Knolls neighborhood. The walk will start at Five Star Pilates (3750 Long Beach Blvd #150) and end at Steelcraft (3768 Long Beach Blvd.). Participants are invited to mingle and chat after the walk. Free.
California Turkish Fest: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The public is invited to this celebration of Turkish culture, featuring traditional foods, folk dance and more at Shoreline Aquatic Park (200 Aquarium Way). Free admission.
Monday 6/10
Spanish Storytime: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children of all ages will be able to enjoy Spanish stories read by library staff at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.
Pride Friendship Bracelets: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) invites the public to create friendship bracelets in honor of Pride Month. Free, but space is limited. Register by calling 562-989-7323.
Tuesday 6/11
Senior Bingo: 11 a.m. Seniors are invited to play bingo together at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Free.
Zumba: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) will be hosting this zumba class. Zumba is an activity that combines dancing and fitness, usually through uptempo music. Participants should wear comfortable shoes, bring a towel and a water bottle. Free
Wednesday 6/12
Baby Storytime: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Babies, toddlers up to 2 years old, and their caregivers are invited to Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.) to enjoy stories and playtime. Free.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshop: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health will be leading a variety of mental health workshops at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Free.
Queen Mary Movie Nights: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is invited to a screening of the movie “Barbie” at the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy.). Admission is free, but registration is required. To register for this event, visit queenmary.com.
Thursday 6/13
Teen Afterschool Program: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Students from the 6th to 9th grade are invited to enjoy STEAM crafts, 3D printing, gaming, snacks and more at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Free.
Community Art Workshop: 6 p.m. Artist Derick Edwards will teach participants acrylic painting techniques on canvas paper at the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave.). This class costs $5. Register on the museum’s website.
