From the world’s greatest water ski race to a 50th anniversary screening of Yellow Submarine, here’s a rich list of events to choose from if you’re looking for things to do starting this Friday and throughout the weekend.
Night Dive at the Aquarium
On Friday night the Aquarium of the Pacific’s after dark event will feature the art of Dave Van Patten, known for his dark and absurd comics, illustrations and murals. Wander through the exhibits after regular hours to the sounds of Along for the Ride, Whipnotiq and more, and watch an IMPROVology performance, where comedians turn scientific themes into funny skits.
Night Dive is 18+ and runs from 7:30 to 11 p.m. For more information, check out the Facebook event page here and for tickets, visit the aquarium’s website here.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way.
The All-American Genderf*ck Cabaret
With a showing on Friday and more throughout the summer, the West Coast premiere of The All-American Genderf*ck Cabaret, Mariah MacCarthy’s celebration of the vast gender spectrum, is brought to the city by local ensemble, The Garage Theatre, an independent, non-commercial theatre dedicated to taking artistic risks and uncovering social and human truths. Witness the everyday lives of eight men and women exploring gender stereotypes, narrated by gender-bender Taylor.
For tickets and showtimes, visit the Facebook event page here.
The Garage Theatre is located at 251 E. 7th St.
70th Annual Catalina Water Ski Race
Hosted this year by the Long Beach Boat and Ski Club, the 70th anniversary of “The World’s Greatest Ski Race” will kick off Saturday as water skiers from all over the world head to Long Beach for the 62-mile race to Catalina Island and back, with its start and finish near the Queen Mary.
The best spots to view the race (check out the schedule of events here) are from a boat, the decks of the Queen Mary (there may be a boarding fee), the walking path between the Maya Hotel and the Queen Mary, and the Shoreline Marina walking and bike path opposite the Queen Mary. If you’re just checking out the start of the race, find a spot on Junipero Beach between the Grissom and White oil islands.
If you can’t make it to the island or the Queen Mary, you can watch the race on the live feed set to air around 7:30 a.m. on the website here. Live footage will also be shown from Avalon, which you can watch here.
For more information, check out the website here.
Artist’s Reception at Michael Stearns Studio
In neighboring San Pedro there’s a chance to check out two exhibitions on Saturday showing the work of local artists, Block and Line: New Work by Annie Stromquist and Wood, Paper and Paint by Michael Falzone, Michael Stearns and Ron Therrio.
Curated by Long Beach artist Michael Stearns, the sculptures, prints and expressive works in both exhibits draw from multicultural influences. Stromquist, who has exhibited throughout the United States and Europe, left her job as an associate dean at Occidental College in Los Angeles to earn an MFA in printmaking from Cal State Long Beach in the early 90s. Her mixed media works on paper “explore the human condition through a poetic lens.”
The artist’s reception will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Check out the studio website here for more information.
Michael Stearns Studio at The Loft is located at 401 S. Mesa St. in San Pedro.
Reunite Yoga Event & Fundraiser
In an effort to raise money for Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) Texas, a group of local wellness and birth workers are hosting a yogathon with back-to-back outside yoga sessions on Saturday. Two yoga classes will be offered, Hatha Yoga with Radiant Light Yoga at 10:30 a.m. and Prenatal Yoga at 11:30 a.m. Classes are donation based with the proceeds going to help reunite families.
For more information, check out the Facebook event page here.
Marina Vista Park is located at 5355 E. Eliot St.
Beach Sweets Pop-Up at Ironfire
Ironfire, a coworking and event space in Northeast Long Beach, is bringing all your favorite local confectioners together for a pop-up event on Saturday. With a focus on showcasing brick-and-mortar entrepreneurs and businesses expect The Pie Bar, Romeo Chocolates, Do Good Donuts & Treats, Gusto Bread and more to be present at the free family-friendly event from 4 to 8 p.m. Beer, wine, coffee and fresh juice will be served.
Check out the Eventbrite page here for more information and to register.
Ironfire is located at 4195 N. Viking Way #D.
Yellow Submarine 50th Anniversary Screening
Support your local independent theatre and help The Beatles take down the Blue Meanies in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Yellow Submarine, the feature-length psychedelic cartoon released in 1968. The G-rated nod to the hallucinogenic nature of the 60s, featuring some of The Beatles’ hit songs, has been restored frame by frame for the anniversary.
The Art Theatre is showing the film this weekend only. Check out the Facebook event page here for showtimes and tickets.
The Art Theatre is located at 2025 E. 4th St.
The Sandlot 25th Anniversary Screening
https://youtu.be/dgEdMldQLT0
With its first national theatrical run since its original release 25 years ago, the whole family can check out the timeless baseball comedy, The Sandlot, in theaters on Sunday. Cheer on Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez, laugh with Hamilton “Ham” Porter and yell alongside other theater goers, “You’re killing me, Smalls!” during the pre-teen woes summertime picture put on by Fandom Events. Attendees can also expect a sneak preview of a new Fox Sports documentary on the making of the coming-of-age classic.
Check out the link here for tickets and more information. Screenings of The Sandlot will also take place on Tuesday, July 24. Showtimes in Long Beach are at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Cinemark at The Pike Outlets is located at 99 S. Pine Ave. and Regal Long Beach Stadium is located at 7501 Carson Boulevard.