The 33rd annual Long Beach Q Film Festival kicks off (Thusday, Sept. 17)
The 33rd annual Long Beach Q Film Festival begins with a gala and special screening of the Billie Jean King documentary, “Give Me The Ball!” The opening night will kick off at The Honda Pacific Visions Theater at The Aquarium of the Pacific on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. The festival runs from Sept. 17 – 20 with over 50 different films from around the world. Robert Cano, the founder and programmer of the festival, said that he and his team selected films from major film festivals like Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca.
“[The film festival] had real humble beginnings. We used a friend’s projector and one of my clean sheets, and that’s how this all started,” he said.
The first official film festival started at Cano’s alma mater, Cal State Long Beach. “We used the theater there that was supposed to seat 200, and on opening night 500 people showed up.”
See the schedule of films and purchase tickets here.
The first Westside Night Market (Friday, Sept. 18)
Come grab food, drinks, purchase handmade crafts and support small local businesses based in West Long Beach. As part of the city’s “Westside Promise” investment plan to bolster and reinvest in the neighborhood, this night market will be on the third Friday of September, October and November. Bonus: Come say “hi” to some Long Beach Post staffers. We’ll be meeting residents and small business owners. And share your feedback with us through our survey. Learn more about the night market here.
Want a chance to be featured in our weekly events roundup? Add it to our free community calendar at lbpostevents.com. For a guaranteed placement, contact [email protected] to purchase a sponsored item.
The Khmer Town Night Market (Saturday, Sept. 19)
The United Cambodian Community of Long Beach is hosting another Khmer Town Night Market at F&M Bank in the Freeman Avenue parking lot. There will be a smorgasbord of Southeast Asian foods, including Battamong BBQ, Sotheavy Khmer Food and sweets from Xao Joint and Boba Bestie. The market opens at noon and goes until 8 p.m. Click here for more information.
Make your own rain stick at Bach Neighborhood Library (Saturday, Sept. 19)
As part of their “Vida Latina” series of events honoring Hispanic Heritage Month, the Bach Neighborhood Library is hosting an all-ages craft workshop where you can make your own rain stick. Participants will learn about the Indigenous history and cultural significance of the rain stick across Latin America. Learn more about the workshop here.
Silently work out on the beach and grab a beer (Sunday, Sept. 20)
Ballast Point tasting room will host a one-hour silent disco-style high-intensity interval training class at their Long Beach location on Marina Drive. Participants will receive wireless headphones to work out to a curated playlist, as well as a complimentary drink. The class starts at 9 a.m. and costs $42.40. Participants should bring their own mat and water bottle. Purchase tickets here.