June provides an eclectic mix for First Fridays: Shakespeare, vodka tasting, abstracts, acrylics, photography, puppies, bebop jazz, delta blues, rock school prodigies, and a fashion show. Here’s a peek of what will be seen and heard at First Fridays on June 6. To get the detailed venue listings and artist profiles, visit www.firstfridayslongbeach.com.
• FreeSpirit Yoga, 3910 Atlantic Ave, will feature two local artists, Peter Dopulos and Keith Lewis. Peter Dopulos is a Long Beach resident who works exclusively in stone using only hand tools. Despite the ancient form of art he explores, his pieces are contemporary and fresh. Keith Lewis will showcase his photography and painting. Most of Lewis’ photo compositions are captured on black-and-white film.
• Nino’s Italian Restaurant, 3853 Atlantic Ave, continuing the spirit of its 50th anniversary, will present two artists: Trevor Monroe, with his photographer of cats; and Craig Anderson, with contemporary and abstract art. In addition, Nino’s will feature the intimate musical duo with Long Beach locals, Smith & Lang, with their roots in vocal jazz and R&B. For more info, visit www.ninoslongbeach.com.
• Four Olives Café, 4276 Atlantic Ave, will showcase all new works by local area artist Joe Devinny. Joe will be on-site to meet and greet the public from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more info, go to www.fourolivescafe.com.
• Tuttle Cameras & Historical Society of Long Beach will kick off The ONE Project, at the HSLB, 4260 Atlantic Avenue. Tuttle Cameras’ project that follows one camera through one city with 52 different perspectives as each week a new photographer captures the greatness of Long Beach through the lens of the same camera. The ONE Project book One Long Beach is finished, and all of the featured images, image titles and locations of the images featured in the gallery have been published in the book along with a photo of each photographer. The exhibit will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and continues through August 6. For more info, visit www.tuttlecameras.com or www.hslb.org.
• Jammin’ Music, 3972 Atlantic Ave. Come out and experience the joy of communal music making. Jammin’ Music will provide hand drums and a variety of percussion instruments for audience members to keep the beat with the Jammin’ Music Players, their jazz/funk house band featuring local musicians, provides the melodies. Visit www.jamminmusic-lb.com.
• L’Exotique Appeal, Marina Mitri Face & Body Center, Precious Paws, Alsace Lorraine Bakery and Georgie’s Place will host “Impressions 2008,” an evening of beauty and fashion. The night will include a fashion show by I.O.G. where eight models and puppies will stroll the runway in five artistic themes. Entertainment will also include live jazz by Jessey Lagmay and Hawaiian Dancers. This event is free. It will take place on the patio of Georgie’s Place, 3850 Atlantic, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Guests visiting all the sponsoring stores will get tickets for door prizes which include a $400 shopping spree, samples of skin care, gift certificates and more.
• Richard Goad Theatre, 4250 Atlantic, will be Rockin’ The Bacchae! The Long Beach Shakespeare Company will be hosting a special performance of Euripides’ The Bacchae, with music by Edmund Velasco. The special guest will be Leonard Konopelski, who created the centerpiece of the lobby poster show, his superb visualization of The Bacchae while he lived in Poland under Communist rule as a member of the renowned Polish School of Posters. Beginning at 7 p.m., Konopelski will be available to discuss what it was like creating art while dealing with Communist censors. In addition, a tasting of vodkas from around the world, including Polish and Russian, will take place. Go to www.lbshake speare.org.
• Mod-L-Mania, 3908 Atlantic Ave., will continue its “Best Jazz Records of All Time” series featuring hard bop and free jazz selections for June: Ornette Coleman’s The Look of Jazz to Come and John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme.
• Elise’s Tea Room, home of Entertaining Events/Gypsy Theater, 3924 Atlantic, will again feature food, art and music throughout the evening. For more info, visit www.elisetearoom.com.
• Thor Antiques, will feature a new art exhibit. Visit www.thorantiques.com to find out more.
• It’s A Grind, 4245 Atlantic Ave., will feature live music from Babylon Blues, playing delta blues from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
