{"id":8425,"date":"2019-09-18T16:56:27","date_gmt":"2019-09-18T23:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/hi-lo\/?p=30000002290"},"modified":"2019-09-18T18:28:43","modified_gmt":"2019-09-19T01:28:43","slug":"the-7-things-to-do-in-long-beach-this-weekend-including-billie-jean-king-bobble-heads-and-basketball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/the-7-things-to-do-in-long-beach-this-weekend-including-billie-jean-king-bobble-heads-and-basketball","title":{"rendered":"The 7: Things to do in Long Beach this weekend including Billie Jean King, bobble heads and basketball"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following a period of two weeks where there was almost too much to do in Long Beach, specifically of the festival variety, this week’s “The 7” might seem a bit all over the map. Because it is.<\/p>\n

In downtown, we’ve got the grand opening of the library named in honor Billie Jean King and in the Zaferia District there’s a soul and funk DJ night with a special performance by R&B legend Brenton Wood.<\/p>\n

Down the street at Cal State Long Beach, there’s professional basketball and free entry to the campus’ Kleefeld Museum. East Village beckons with transformative parking spots\/art installations; probably best not to drive there.<\/p>\n

Oh, and did we mention a magic show? Because there’s a magic show.<\/p>\n

1. BILLIE JEAN KING LIBRARY GRAND OPENING (Saturday)<\/h3>\n
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A window washer cleans the windows on the new Long Beach main public Library that is set to open in a month in Long Beach Tuesday, July 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas Cordova.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After closing its doors at the beginning of the year, following a doozy of a move schlepping 300,000 books<\/a>, furniture and other associated media and materials, the Long Beach Main Library, renamed the Billie Jean King Library, hosts its grand opening, Saturday in Downtown.<\/p>\n

To celebrate the long-awaited unveiling there will be live entertainment, face painting, arts and crafts for the kiddos, breakfast food trucks from Olive Wood Pizza, GDO Burger and Mangia Food Truck. Not only will Billie Jean speak but there will be a BJK memorabilia exhibit.<\/p>\n

After nine months, we\u2019re all dying to see just how the city used their portion of the $520 million budget<\/a> on the space. Douglas fir-panelling, floor to ceiling glass windows, enhanced facilities for children and teens and a slew of new computers, we hear. Find out for certain on one of the library tours that start at 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 1, p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m and 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

There will also be story time for the kids at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m and 4 p.m. and music provided by the Long Beach Poly Marching Band.<\/p>\n

Aside from a polished, shiny new building sheltered by a roof that doesn\u2019t leak water when it rains, the library will offer a host of community resources like a Family Learning Center, the Center for Adaptive Technology, a Veterans Resource Center<\/a>, study rooms, meeting rooms, a special collections area, an extensive children’s area with a storytelling space and an art studio. (Cheantay Jensen<\/em>)<\/p>\n

IN PICTURES: You hate moving books? Try moving a whole library<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n